Cognitive Function and Physical Disability in White, Black and Hispanic MS Patients

Cognitive impairment, physical disability and progressive disease are common but understudied clinical outcomes that substantially impact quality of life for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Systematic assessment of cognitive function, disability and progression is neither routinely performed, nor results captured electronically, for most MS patients undergoing medical care. To help address this gap, we have recently developed and validated a new guided, web-based interface (ICLIC-MS) for longitudinal data collection of MS-validated measures for these important outcomes and other symptoms. We will recruit and collect comprehensive data on cognitive function, physical disability and disease progression over three years from a multi-ethnic cohort of 600 individuals with confirmed MS or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). The study will be nested in the Kaiser Permanente (KP) MS Research Program which is part of the KP Medical Care Program in the Northern California Region.

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