Course 2: Clinical Presentation of Multiple Sclerosis (2024- )

The clinical presentation of MS presents a number of diagnostic challenges. There is no single sign that is specific to MS and, to further complicate matters, there is a wide spectrum of symptoms. In the early stages of the condition, MS signs and symptoms are sometimes transient, and can be subtle, complex and not readily detectable.

Some people with MS may have been given an incorrect diagnosis, or correct diagnosis of a secondary symptom (such as depression) without it being related to the primary diagnosis of MS. There may be anger and frustration at the time of final diagnosis.

This course will review the different types of MS and their clinical features, including atypical presentation of the condition. Common symptoms will be discussed and defined, along with the prognosis of people with MS.

Following completion of this course you should be better able to:
Outline the different types of MS along with their characteristic clinical presentation and features
Discuss some of the symptoms that people with MS can experience during their disease course

Practical Information

Time To Complete

300 minutes

Released

11/08/2024

Last Updated

11/08/2024

Enrollments

160

Includes

Exam Pre-survey Post Survey

Part Of

Languages

Dutch French English German Greek Norwegian Polish Portuguese Romanian Spanish Italian Czech Hungarian

Course Sections

Introduction to the course
1.0 Types of MS and their clinical features
1.1 Types of MS
1.1.1 Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS)
1.1.2 Relapsing remitting MS
1.1.3 Secondary-progressive MS
1.1.4 Primary-progressive MS
1.1.5 Relapse-associated worsening (RAW) and Progression independent of relapses (PIRA)
1.2 Atypical presentation
1.2.1 Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS)
1.2.2 Benign MS
1.2.3 Malignant MS
1.2.4 Paediatric-onset MS (POMS)
Nursing tip
1.2.5 Late-onset MS (LOMS)
1.3 Summary
Reflection and references
2.0 Typical signs and symptoms
Nursing tip
2.1 Fatigue
2.1.1 Burden
2.1.2 Risk factors
2.1.3 Pathophysiology
2.2 Spasticity
2.2.1 Burden
2.2.2 Clinical presentation
2.2.3 Pathophysiology
2.3 Tremor
2.3.1 Clinical presentation
2.3.2 Pathophysiology of tremor
2.4 Altered mobility and balance
2.4.1 Burden
2.4.2 Clinical presentation
2.5 Pain
2.5.1 Burden
2.5.2 Clinical presentation
2.5.3 Pathophysiology
2.6 Cognitive impairment
2.6.1 Burden
2.6.2 Clinical presentation
2.6.3 Pathophysiology
2.7 Depression
2.7.1 Burden
2.7.2 Clinical presentation
2.7.3 Pathophysiology
2.8 Vision impairment
2.8.1 Clinical presentation
2.8.2 Pathophysiology
2.9 Speech and swallowing difficulties
2.9.1 Clinical presentation of speech difficulties
2.9.2 Swallowing difficulties
2.10 Bladder dysfunction
2.10.1 Burden
2.10.2 Clinical presentation
2.10.3 Pathophysiology
2.11 Bowel dysfunction
2.11.1 Burden
2.11.2 Clinical presentation
2.11.3 Pathophysiology
2.12 Sexual problems
2.12.1 Burden
2.12.2 Clinical presentation
2.13 Sleep disorders
2.14 Common symptoms in progressive MS
2.15 Summary
Reflection and references
3.0 Identifying a relapse
3.1 What is a relapse?
3.2 The role of the nurse
3.3 Summary
Reflection and references
4.0 Prognosis (course of disease)
4.1 Disease severity and rate of worsening
4.2 Prognostic factors
4.2.1 Demographic factors
4.2.2 Clinical characteristics
4.2.3 MRI features
4.2.4 Biomarkers
4.2.5 Optical coherence tomography
4.3 Summary
Reflection and references
Course summary
Case study: My MS is progressing - how will this impact upon my life?
Case continues
Case conclusion and key learning points