Accessing regional health data for the study of multiple sclerosis: From predictors to precision medicine

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord with an unknown aetiology.

In recent years, researchers have discovered a ‘prodromal’ period before MS onset (non-specific signs and symptoms up to five years prior) and heralded in a new era of disease-modifying treatment (DMT).

These breakthroughs have led to further questions regarding the pre-clinical ‘at-risk’ period and how to best optimize treatment.Aims: For the first time, we aim to access highly granular clinical data from Region Stockholm to:Identify risk factors for the development of MS;Characterize the MS prodromal period;   Evaluate the long-term risk of disease worsening as it relates to demographic and clinical characteristics and DMT use (precision medicine).

Apply advanced modelling techniques to predict MS risk, prognosis, and treatment response.

The Region Stockholm data contains clinical details on an estimated 4000 persons who developed MS between 2001 and 2024, including primary and specialty care, imaging and lab results, pharmacy records, and free text in electronic health records.

This will enable us to explore, longitudinally, both the pre-clinical period (in comparison to a reference cohort of 500,000 non-MS individuals in Stockholm) and clinical periods (through linkage with the MS Registry).

This knowledge will facilitate an improved understanding of risk factors and the prodromal period, and guide long-term management of this chronic and costly disease.