ClinicSpeak: lymphopaenia survey results

Is it time to empower MSers with the ability  to monitor their own blood results? #ClinicSpeak #MSBlog #MSResearch

"It is clear from our lymphopaenia survey below that MSers on DMTs want to know about their blood counts and want to be involved in their monitoring of their results. I am not surprised considering the potential consequences of the results; maybe the recent death of a MSer on DMF (Tecfidera) could have been avoided if he/she was involved in the monitoring of their counts? Interestingly, at our hospital the renal team give their patients access to their electronic records and encourage them to monitor their own results. This results in better drug adherence and earlier pick of problems, for example drug toxicity and early transplant rejection. Some of the commentators on this blog have asked what can be done to prevent any further cases of PML on DMF (Tecfidera); the answer is simple: education and MSer empowerment. MSers need to demand access to their blood results and given information about how to manage low lymphocyte counts and other problems. If this doesn't happen I can see MSers shunning more risky drugs for safe, but less effective, alternatives."




CoI: multiple

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