Abstract
Background/Objectives Treatment monitoring, vaccine compliance and barriers to vaccination are important when treating pwMS with immune suppressive agents. A text message-based questionnaire was designed to educate and audit treatment monitoring and vaccination compliance of patients on commonly used disease modifying therapy (cDMT).
Method Patients known to the John Hunter MS Clinic on Fingolimod, Cladribine, Natalizumab, Ofatumumab and Ocrelizumab were messaged a questionnaire link. Treatment monitoring included pathology and malignancy surveillance. Vaccination compliance for COVID-19, Influenza, Pneumococcus and Varicella were reviewed along with reasons for non-compliance.
Results There were 321/487 (65.9%) respondents over a 6-month period. Respondents indicated 37% were on Ocrelizumab, 21% Cladribine, 17% Natalizumab, 15% Ofatumumab, and 10% on Fingolimod. Median age was 46 (range 16–74) with 83% women.
Pathology results were available to the clinic in 97% of respondents compared with 60% having correct recollection of having a full blood count performed in the past 12 months. Skin checks were performed in the last two years in 53% of respondents. Most women (73%) had a pap smear and breast check in the past 5 years.
Vaccination compliance was 56% for COVID-19, 66% for annual influenza, 53% for Pneumococcus and 44% for Herpes Zoster and 7.5 % across all four. The top five reasons for non-compliance were categorised as patients Did not know (47.5%), Unsure (41.7%), Misinformed (10.1%), Price (7.2%), lack of GP access (4.3%).
Conclusion Malignancy surveillance on cDMT and vaccination compliance could be improved by raising patient awareness through inexpensive, personalised exposure such as text messaging.
