Coming soon: Beyond EDSS: How to monitor disease progression in multiple sclerosis (Submitted for EACCME® Accreditation)

Introduction

This e-learning course offers a practical and evidence-based approach to monitoring disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS), moving beyond the traditional EDSS framework. Designed by leading MS experts, the course equips healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools to detect subtle and early signs of progression—including “smouldering” disease activity—through clinical assessments, biomarkers, imaging, and patient-reported outcomes. With a strong focus on integrating multimodal monitoring into daily practice, this course empowers clinicians to improve long-term outcomes for people living with MS.

This E-Learning will be available from September 2025, and has been submitted for EACCME® Accreditation.

About this module

This e-learning course explores how to monitor multiple sclerosis (MS) progression beyond the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). It introduces a multimodal approach using functional tests, advanced imaging, biomarkers, and patient-reported outcomes to detect subtle or “smouldering” disease activity. Through expert insights, interactive tools, and a real-world case study, the course equips healthcare professionals with practical strategies for early detection and individualized patient management.

In this interactive e-learning course, you will explore:

Understanding MS Progression

• How disease progression begins—often before clinical symptoms are visible.
• The concept of smouldering MS and why it matters from diagnosis onward.
• The limitations of EDSS and the need for more sensitive tools.

Clinical and Functional Monitoring Tools

• How to use functional tests like T25FW, 9-HPT, and SDMT.
• Recognizing signs of progression through “neurological stress tests” and cognitive fatigability assessments.

Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs)

• How to integrate patient-reported data into your clinical evaluation.
• Tools like MSProDiscuss and validated PROs for fatigue, QoL, and mobility.

Imaging and Biomarkers

• Leveraging MRI features like Slowly Expanding Lesions (SELs) and brain atrophy.
• Understanding the role of OCT, neurofilament light chain (sNfL), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).

Step-Based Monitoring Approach

• A structured framework to identify and confirm disease progression.
• Decision-making guides based on multimodal inputs including clinical, imaging, and biomarker data.

Case Study Integration

• A real-world case highlighting cognitive decline and progression undetected by conventional metrics like EDSS.

This module has been authored by Prof. Bart Van Wijmeersch (BE), and Prof. Carlo Pozzilli (IT) and Prof. Celia Oreja-Guevara (ES) and and also reviewed by Prof. Tjalf Ziemssen (DE).

This elearning has been made possible thanks to the financial support of Sanofi without any influence on the content.