80052792 - Family Planning in MS: Improving Clinician Confidence and Addressing Patient Concerns

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is more common in women than men and is often diagnosed during the childbearing years. Not surprisingly, receiving an MS diagnosis affects patients’ reproductive plans, with many expressing concerns about fertility, heritability, and how disability will impact their ability to have and raise children. Patients with MS often turn to neurology healthcare providers for family planning; however, our analysis of the published literature found expert opinion and studies that suggest neurology specialists need additional training to provide better, more accurate patient education. Surveys which identified areas where patients were misinformed or uninformed suggest that neurology healthcare providers are not delivering adequate patient education. Based on a review of the published literature and an interview with an MS expert, neurology healthcare providers’ lack of training in obstetrics and neonatology, and the limited clinical data for disease modifying therapy during pregnancy, leads to suboptimal care. 

Please click on the link below to access CME activity:

https://www.mycme.com/courses/family-planning-in-ms-improving-clinician-confidence-and-addressing-patient-concerns-7580

1. Summarize how pregnancy affects the prognosis for women with MS, and possible impacts of MS on the health of their offspring.
2. Apply pre- and post-approval data to counsel patients on the risk of an adverse pregnancy outcome due to DMT exposure during conception or pregnancy.
3. Develop treatment plans that minimize the risk of an adverse pregnancy outcome for the patient or fetus.
4. Use preclinical and clinical data, and expert recommendations, to advise patients of the risks and benefits of DMT during the postpartum period.