DIRECTOR ’ S LETTER
VOL . 13 , ISSUE 2 , 2024 Robert Fox , MD Managing Director
Ruth Ann Marrie , MD , PhD Scientific Director
Amber Salter , PhD Coordinating Center Director
Gary R . Cutter , PhD Scientific Advisor
Alexis Novak , MS Managing Editor
John Fredieu , PhD Medical Writer and Editor
Samantha Lancia , MS Technical Editor
Mudita Sharma , MS Analyst
PUBLISHER
TulipMediaGroup . com
Jessica Embree Managing Editor
Tania McIntyre Graphic Designer
Robyn Yao Project Manager
PHOTOGRAPHY All images sourced from Tulip Media Group or iStock . com unless otherwise identified .
NARCOMS is a project of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers ( CMSC ). For more information on the CMSC , visit www . mscare . org .
NARCOMS Now acknowledges and appreciates the corporate support that provides unrestricted educational grants through the Foundation of the CMSC toward production costs of NARCOMS Now , including printing and mailing . No control or influence in the content of NARCOMS Now or access to NARCOMS data is provided in return for this support . For any questions regarding NARCOMS Now funding please call 1-214-648- 4583 or email us at MSRegistry @ narcoms . org .
Dear NARCOMS Now Readers :
SUMMER IS UPON US . Let ’ s be sure to be safe in the heat and sun .
In this issue of NARCOMS Now , the Feature Focus examines the value of engagement by people with MS and caregivers in driving education , advocacy , and advancement in MS research . We also interview people at the frontlines of engagement to learn of their hopes and goals in addressing needs of the MS community .
In the Snapshot , we provide a discussion of participant survey data related to the frequency of infection ( e . g ., common cold and urinary tract infection ). The occurrence of infection can be affected by age and severity of disability . Using the Spring 2023 survey data , we provide a simple view of the correlations between infection rate , gender , age , and patient determined disease steps ( PDDS ).
In the MS News section , we discuss the importance of physiotherapy to maintain quality of life and physical ability in people with MS and discuss an article that describes the experiences of people with MS with physiotherapy as part of their treatment plan . We also look at a study that examines an internet-based health behavior change intervention that attempts to improve MS outcomes through interactive training modules . Finally , we summarize a study that assesses the use of disease modifying drugs by individuals with MS , and the impact of that use on the rates of infection .
We appreciate your participation in the NARCOMS registry and thank you for your continued effort and contribution to MS research !
Sincerely ,
Robert Fox , MD Managing Director , NARCOMS
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