ECTRIMS 2023 | Defining smoldering MS
Antonio Scalfari, MD, PhD, Imperial College London, London, UK, discusses the complex and often nebulous realm of smoldering multiple sclerosis (MS). Despite successful suppression of relapses using potent drugs, many MS patients still report subtle, yet progressive deteriorations, such as increased fatigue or a subtle weakness that isn’t always accompanied by changes on MRI. These aren’t dramatic relapse symptoms, but rather a series of subtle symptoms hinting at an underlying smoldering process. The term “”smoldering MS”” has been widely discussed, but often without a unanimous definition or understanding. To address this, a group of 15 MS experts have been collaborating over two years using the Delphi Method to define and provide clarity on smoldering MS—its symptoms, biomarkers, clinical outcomes, and pathological substrate. Their goal is to bring coherence and clarity to the scientific community. This interview took place at the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) Congress 2023 in Milan, Italy.
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Disclosures
This project was initiated through funding from and meetings facilitated by Sanofi.
I received honorarium for advisory board and expenses cover for attending conferences from Sanofi, Novartis, Biogen, Roche.
