Abstract Details

Title TELE MS: A Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating Remote Visits in People with Multiple Sclerosis

Topic Multiple Sclerosis

Presentation(s) P18 - Poster Session 18 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 12-007

Background Disease monitoring in multiple sclerosis (MS) includes periodic visits to treating neurologists (MSologists) for a clinical and paraclinical examinations. In light of the recent Coronavirus pandemic, there is an urgent need to develop and implement strategies for remote patient monitoring using telemedicine.

Objective

To evaluate feasibility of remote visits in people with MS (pwMS).

Design/Methods We randomized 45 pwMS into three groups that determined the modality of their next scheduled visit: (i) regular outpatient visit, (ii) a visit over the phone or (iii) a visit by means of video chat. Baseline disease characteristics included clinical information (EDSS, treatment, disease duration) and patient reported outcomes (Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale, MSIS). As the primary endpoint, non-inferiority of telemedical visits (groups ii and iii) was determined based on mean scores on the TMPQ (Telemedicine Physician Satisfaction Questionnaire: min: 17 and max: 85 points) at follow up compared to regular visits (group i). The secondary endpoint consisted of physician satisfaction with the single visits based on the PPSM (Patient and Physician Satisfaction) score (min: 6 and max: 36 points).

Results

42 pwMS completed this study. The mean (SD) age was 34 (8) years, median EDSS was 0 (range: 0-6). The mean (SD) disease duration was 6 (2.4) years. Satisfaction with the telemedical visits (groups ii and iii) was non-inferior compared to regular visits (group i). Mean (SD) TMPQ scores were 73 (4.3) in the regular visit group, 79 (3.9) in the telephone visit group, and 76 (3.7) in the video chat group. Physician satisfaction was similar for all three groups. PPSM scores were 32 (3.3) in the regular visit group, 32 (2.7) in the telephone visit group, and 34 (1.8) in the video chat group.

Conclusions In this randomized controlled trial, single tele-visits for pwMS were not inferior to regular visit determined by patient and physician satisfaction.

Authors/Disclosures
Patrick Altmann (Univ.-Klinik für Neurologie) PRESENTER	The institution of Mr. Altmann has received research support from Quanterix. The institution of Mr. Altmann has received research support from Biogen, Merck, Roche, Sanofi, Teva,. Mr. Altmann has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care.
Markus Ponleitner	No disclosure on file
Fritz Leutmezer	Fritz Leutmezer has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Almirall, Biogen, Celgene, Johnson&Johnson, Novartis, Merck, Roche, Sanofi, Teva-Ratiopharm. Fritz Leutmezer has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Almirall, Biogen, Celgene, Johnson&Johnson, Novartis, Merck, Roche, Sanofi, Teva-Ratiopharm. Fritz Leutmezer has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Almirall, Biogen, Celgene, Johnson&Johnson, Novartis, Merck, Roche, Sanofi, Teva-Ratiopharm. The institution of Fritz Leutmezer has received research support from Biogen, Merck, Novartis, Roche.
Paulus S. Rommer (AKH Wien / Univ. Klinik Fuer Neurologie)	Dr. Rommer has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Alexion. Dr. Rommer has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Roche. Dr. Rommer has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for biogen. The institution of Dr. Rommer has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for celgene. The institution of Dr. Rommer has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for merck. Dr. Rommer has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as a Consultant for sanofi. Dr. Rommer has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for sandoz. Dr. Rommer has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Abbvie. Dr. Rommer has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for almirall. Dr. Rommer has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for biogen. Dr. Rommer has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Novartis. Dr. Rommer has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Merck. The institution of Dr. Rommer has received research support from merck. The institution of Dr. Rommer has received research support from roche. The institution of Dr. Rommer has received research support from amicus. The institution of Dr. Rommer has received research support from biogen.
Thomas A. Berger, MD (Dept. of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna)	Prof. Berger has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a speaker at scientific meetings and participant of local and international advisory boards with various companies producing and markerting treatments for multiple sclerosis (Almirall, Biogen, Biologix, Bionorica, Celgene-BMS, Merck, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi-Genzyme, TG Therapeutics, UCB).
Gabriel Bsteh, MD (Medical University Vienna, Department of Neurology)	Dr. Bsteh has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Biogen. Dr. Bsteh has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Celgene-BMS. Dr. Bsteh has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Novartis. Dr. Bsteh has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Roche. Dr. Bsteh has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Teva. Dr. Bsteh has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Sanofi Genzyme.