Introduction

MS is a leading cause of disability among young adults. This chronic neurodegenerative and autoimmune disease affects patients in their productive and fertile years. MS may also have an impact on the quality of life, professional career and family planning. Cognitive and physical disability has a significant economic burden and in a worst-case scenario leads to social isolation. The prevalence of MS is rising worldwide. In Hungary, MS prevalence is estimated between 101.4-127.2/100,000 measured by two different methodological approaches [1, 2]. This is similar to the prevalence of the neighboring country Croatia (143.8/100,000) [3]. The worldwide incidence is also increasing, and the highest increase in both incidence and prevalence happened in the elderly populations, especially in women between the age of 50–60 years [4].

The current treatments with disease modifying therapies (DMTs) aim to prevent people with MS (pwMS) from disability accumulation and progression. The use of the current DMTs contributed to decreased prevalence of the late progressive course (secondary progression). The introduction of high-efficacy therapies (HET) early in the disease course may reduce, halt or even reverse disability progression [5, 6]. The difference between reimbursement policies in Denmark and Sweden led to differences in patient outcome measures favoring the start with HET over the escalation model, which starts with platform therapy and switches the treatment to higher efficacy drug when disease activity is shown [7]. Several other recent real-word studies worldwide observed similar advantages of treatment start with HET [8,9,10]. These data are shaping the treatment strategy of MS, moving from escalation to the early initiation with HET. Such novel strategies are reflected even in national treatment guidelines [11,12,13].

The proportion of pwMS using HET has increased in Hungary as well along with markedly increased annual cost of MS treatments (Fig. 1). Of note, the clinical benefits and reduced disease burden are expected to be seen only in the long run. The measurement of socioeconomic advantages is even more complex.

Fig. 1
figure 1

The number of medication prescription of pwMS on HET between 2016 and 2021 -based on the data from the National Health Insurance Fund [18]. The DMTs are shown in the order of their approval by the national authorities. Cladribine has been accepted since January 2020 without restriction. The reimbursement of anti-CD20 therapies are available with restriction, the only exception is ocrelizumab for primary progressive MS with unrestricted availability since January 2022. Data on DMTs n < 10, e.g. rituximab are not shown

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Different countries have different reimbursement policies leading to inequalities between patient care in different geographical regions [14]. In the MS Barometer 2020, Hungary ranked in the middle range with 51 out of 100 points report [15] with relatively satisfying access to reimbursed therapies in 2018. According to the country-specific report [16], improved patient care may be achieved with the establishment of a national registry, guidelines on pediatric MS care, better access of patients to rehabilitation programs and symptomatic treatment. The report also suggested involvement of health care providers in the national reimbursement decision policies. In Hungary, treatments for pwMS approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) are usually available without reimbursement restrictions only by a delay of 2–4 years. During these years of restricted access, MS neurologists have to apply to the National Health Insurance Fund for reimbursement in each case. This is a time consuming process (mean evaluation time is 60 days) associated with a high administration load and high rejection rate. In Hungary, ocrelizumab is approved only for primary progressive MS, and individual applications are necessary for reimbursement in cases of relapsing MS. Of note, anti-CD20 therapies rank among the most effective therapies, especially if administered timely [17]. Lack of easily accessible anti-CD20 treatments for relapsing MS in Hungary complicates start with HET, escalation or switch strategies, especially in JCV positive patients with highly active or breakthrough disease (Fig. 1).

In 2018, the ECTRIMS guideline [19] was translated into Hungarian. The Hungarian national MS guideline was prepared in 2013, and a revised version is under development. The National Health Insurance Fund in Hungary uses a financial guideline with terms first and second line therapy, although these concepts are out of date in relation to the novel treatment strategies. Beside insufficient human resources and infrastructure [20], MS centers have to deal with restricted access to MS treatments in Hungary, which affects the quality of MS care.

The aim of our study is to highlight the required changes in Hungary and provide consensus recommendations on the treatment of relapsing MS by experts on a national level using the Delphi method.

Methods

From November 2022 to February 2023, monthly online meetings of the Committee of the Hungarian Neuroimmunology Society addressed the preparation of a state-of-art national treatment recommendation using the Delphi method to achieve consensus [21]. Beside the Committee members of the Hungarian Neuroimmunology Society, MS experts from the largest national MS centers have also been involved in the rounds. The 17 consultant neurologists involved were covering the geographical distribution of Hungary and represented the staff of the largest MS centers in Hungary. The discussion about the recommendation was shaped by the 11 Steering Committee members of the Hungarian Neuroimmunology Society actually updating the Hungarian National MS Guidelines on monthly zoom meetings starting in November 2021 until November 2022, and the first Delphi round started in November 2022.

The participants could express their agreement on a 7-point scale (strongly agree, agree, somewhat agree, neither agree or disagree, somewhat disagree, disagree, strongly disagree). Consensus was achieved by agreements of > 80% on online distributed lists of open ended recommendations in 4 rounds.

Results

Recommendation 1

DMT should be offered to all patients with relapsing MS diagnosed based on the 2017 McDonald criteria [22]. Disease activity and prognostic factors should be considered in the choice of the disease modifying drug (Table 1). High-efficacy therapy (HET) should be offered to pwMS with high disease activity and poor prognostic factors (Table 2).

Table 1 Prognostic factors influencing MS disease outcome
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Table 2 DMTs in the treatment of MS
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Agreement achieved in Round 4 (88.24% agreed strongly, 5.88% agreed and 5.88% agreed somewhat).

Recommendation 2

Patients on DMTs should be seen at least every 6 months by an MS specialist in an MS center and followed at least 6-monthly by expanded disability status scale (EDSS), and at least yearly by single digit modality test, 9-hole peg test and 25-feet walking test. For specific follow up on treatments, see the summary of product characteristics.

Agreement achieved in Round 2 (100% strongly agreed).

Recommendation 3

Escalation of the therapy should be considered if the patient while on moderate efficacy therapy has a relapse and/or more than 2 new or enlarging T2 and/or Gd enhancing lesions on the follow-up annual MRI. Lateral switch is not recommended while on moderate efficacy therapy, unless the change of therapy is initiated due to side effects or intolerance or pregnancy planning.

After the 4th round 82.35% of the respondents have strongly agreed, and 17.65% agreed.

Recommendation 4

In case of signs of radiological and/or clinical disease activity while on HET, change of therapy to another HET should be considered. For wash out time see Table 3.

Table 3 Wash out times for different DMTs
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In Round 2 the respondents answered with the following answers: 82.35% strongly agreed, 5.88 agreed.

Recommendation 5

Regardless of age, de-escalation/discontinuation of treatment needs a cautious approach. In patients with progressive disease and EDSS ≥ 7, de-escalation/discontinuation can be considered. In non-progressive disease without clinical and MRI activity for years, de-escalation/discontinuation always needs individual assessment and is not routinely recommended. This should be based on the age, adverse events, potential risks of AEs, comorbidities and their treatment, radiological and clinical activity in the preceding 5 years, the ongoing DMT (caution particularly with natalizumab and fingolimod), and the effects/AEs of previous DMTs.

Agreement achieved in Round 2 (88.24% agreed strongly and 11.76% agreed).

Recommendation 6

MS does not affect fertility; it has no adverse effect on pregnancy or neonatal outcomes. Women with family plans are advised to postpone the pregnancy until their disease is stable. Hormonal contraception is not contraindicated in MS. In case of IVF, GnRH agonists should be avoided. Both obstetric and neurological follow-up is recommended before, during and after the pregnancy. The risk of MS relapse decreases during pregnancy but increases in the first few months after birth. In case of relapses during pregnancy, indication of the corticosteroid treatment (500-1000 mg methylprednisolone (or equivalent) daily for 3–5 days) should be decided on a case-by-case basis. MRI without gadolinium contrast agent is permitted if necessary. MS professionals should consider the safety of a treatment during pregnancy when prescribing DMT to women of childbearing age. Administration of interferon-beta, glatiramer acetate, and natalizumab can be considered during pregnancy. Dimethyl fumarate and anti-CD20 therapies can be continued until pregnancy. For more details regarding DMT use in pregnancy and breastfeeding, see Table 4. During breastfeeding, short corticosteroid pulse therapy is permitted if necessary and should be decided individually.

Table 4 DMT use and family planning
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The responses in Round 2 were strongly agree: 82.24%, agree: 5.88% and somewhat disagree 5.88%.

Recommendation 7

PwMS should be informed about optimal individualized immunization at diagnosis but latest before starting DMTs. Vaccines not containing live pathogens can be administered 3–5 days after short course of high dose corticosteroid treatment if the patient is in remission; live attenuated vaccines can be given 3 months after the steroid treatment. Ideally, vaccines not containing live pathogens should be administered at least 2–4 weeks before the start of the DMT (depending on the DMT), and the administration of the live attenuated vaccines (varicella, mumps, measles, rubella) should be completed 4–6 weeks before the start of the therapy. In case the initiation of DMT is urgent, one dosage from the varicella vaccine consisting of two dosages may be administered before the start of the therapy.

Agreement achieved in Round 2 (94.12% strongly agreed and 5.88% agreed).

Recommendation 8

The clinical phenotype of late-onset MS may be different from early-onset MS, and is characterized by higher percentage of progressive course, pyramidal and cerebellar symptoms, while sensory symptoms are less prevalent. However, patients with late-onset MS reach disability later and prognostic factors may be similar. Therefore, the type of disease course may be more important than the age of onset. In aging MS patients the clinical and radiological activity declines, while comorbidities become more common. Although treatment choice is not different in active late-onset MS or aging MS, comorbidities may be important (e.g. risk of malignancy, lymphopenia, hypogammaglobulinemia, hypertension, infection and PML).

Agreement achieved in Round 2 (94.12% strongly agreed and 5,88% agreed).

Conclusion

As our knowledge on MS pathomechanism is broadening, principles of treatment strategies change. Accordingly, treatment recommendations should be regularly updated. Several national guidelines are available with partial overlap. Definition of the disease activity and escalation strategy is somewhat different in the distinct guidelines (Table 5), probably reflecting adjustment to the different healthcare systems and additional factors at national level. Well-defined national consensus protocols may facilitate dialogue between policymakers and healthcare professionals and thus contribute to better patient care in the long run.

Table 5 Different approaches to therapy escalation
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It is important to note that the consensus recommendations are not intended to replace critical thinking or individualization of the choice of DMTs and patient care.