STATURE is a prospective observational six-arm translation multi-site study that will run for approx. 4.5 years. The primary aim is to measure treatment burden and its relationship to medication adherence across six self-administered oral disease-modifying therapies (cladribine, dimethyl fumarate, fingolimod, teriflunomide, ozanimod, and diroximel fumarate) in multiple sclerosis (MS). The information gained will assist prescribing decision-making; accounting for medication burden at a patient level and potential implications on medication adherence and persistence, thus minimising primary and secondary healthcare costs. Three-hundred and twenty-three individuals with MS will be recruited into the study. Patient-reported outcome measures will be administered via Qualtrics, a secure online data collection tool. Medicare and pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS) data will also be collected.
Who can participate
Inclusion Criteria:
* 18 years or older.
* A confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
* Commencement (switching or newly prescribed) of one of the 6 following DMTs within the previous 2-months: cladribine, dimethyl fumarate, fingolimod, teriflunomide, ozanimod, diroximel fumarate.
* Able to read and write in English.
* Access to an internet connection and computer facilities, required to complete assessments.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Use of any other DMT than cladribine, dimethyl fumarate, fingolimod, teriflunomide, ozanimod, diroximel fumarate.
* Comorbid neurological condition.
* Severe cognitive or psychological dysfunction deemed to interfere with the person's ability to undertake study requirements, as determined by their MS clinic treatment team (neurologist; MS nurse).
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