Disease modifying therapies (DMT) comparison tool

This tool provides information in a clear manner through a ‘simple search’ function, which can also be found in the patient information leaflet of the DMT. This tool exclusively aims to inform people with MS (pwMS) about the positives and negatives of DMTs and to support pwMS during their conversation with the consultant neurologist.

Select treatments

Which treatments have been offered to you after a conversation with your consultant neurologist?

The NHS requires physicians to follow the NICE and national guidelines (for example, the NHS England Algorithm) when offering disease-modifying treatments to pwMS. This might explain why some of the treatments have not been discussed with you. Additionally, it is possible that your healthcare provider may have a different opinion based on factors that were not addressed in this DMT comparison tool.

Rate factors

How important are these factors to you?

We think the following 7 factors are the most important in making a decision about which disease-modifying therapy is most suitable for your lifestyle. Fill out this questionnaire and discuss the results with your consultant neurologist or MS nurse.

Prevention of relapses

Is it important to you that your MS treatment prevent new bouts of neurological symptoms?

Long-term disability

Is it important to you that your MS treatment prevents difficulties with walking or cognition in ten years from now?

Known long-term side effects

Is it important to you whether the drug might give rise to side effects such as infections or other autoimmune disorders when using it regularly for months or years? For more information visit the MS Trust website.

Regular side effects

Is it important to you whether the drug might be associated with daily harmless but sometimes bothersome side effects? For more information visit the MS Trust website.

Regular external visits

Is it important to you whether the drug would not require regular visits to the hospital or local surgery for bloods to be drawn or to bring in urine samples?

Family planning*

Please indicate your biological sex
Is it important to you whether the drug is compatible with conceiving (both male and female pwMS) and pregnancy?

Vaccination*

Is it important to you whether vaccines are safe while using the drug and whether the drug is compatible with a good response to vaccines?

Your suggested treatments*

Ranked by suitability:

    *Results are generated based on a weighted average method taking into account the degree of importance you attributed to the different treatment factors queried. The results of this tool are no guarantee that a treatment is effective in your situation or that side effects will not occur. Everyone can respond different to treatment.

    Overview

    Comparison of treatment factors for each treatment. References

    *For immune reconstitution treatments such as Cladribine and Alemtuzumab compatibility with family planning and vaccination schemes is dependent on where you are in the treatment scheme.

    Method

    Barts-MS and ErasMS clinical staff classified DMTs based on seven different attributes that potentially influence treatment choice. These attributes are based on clinical and scientific insights in relation to each DMT and relative to each treatment. For example, the DMT receiving the lowest rank in relation to the other treatments scored 0.1, whereas the treatment with the highest rank received a score 1. All other treatments received a score between 0.1 and 1 based on how their performance in each category was judged relative to the other DMTs. The results are generated based on a weighted average method taking into account the degree of importance you attributed to the different treatment factors.
    References
    Date last updated: November 2023

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