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Pan-Asian Committee on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (PACTRIMS) objectives are to promote interest and understanding of multiple sclerosis (MS) and related diseases in the Asia Pacific region. This includes stimulating research, promoting access to treatment, educating healthcare providers and representing the interest of the MS community.
Pan-Asian Course for Training in MS And Neuroimmunology (PACTMAN), a webinar teaching series, was developed to support the education mission of PACTRIMS to the membership at large and other healthcare providers who have an interest and role in managing patients with neuroinflammatory diseases such as MS, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) and other related disease.
PACTMAN was inaugurated in 2021. We teach clinical approaches using case vignettes, practical management strategies contextualised for resource-poor countries and theme-based topics. The target audience included neurologists, general internists, trainees, nurses and other healthcare professionals. Speakers were drawn from across the Asia Pacific region. A total of 386 participants from 24 countries in 2021 and 420 participants from 23 countries in 2022 attended the webinars.
In 2023, PACTMAN aims to build on this success with 3 webinars and 1 in-person course to be held during PACTRIMS planned. We intend to broaden the scope and range of central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory conditions and topics. These would include new diagnostic criteria for MOGAD, approach to less common presentations of CNS inflammatory diseases and management of patients in specific contexts. All talks will be contextualized to be applied in resource-poor settings. We welcome and encourage participation from colleagues in the Asia Pacific region and beyond.
General neurologists, neurology trainees and healthcare professionals with interests in neurology/neuroimmunology in the Asia-Pacific region.
If you are interested in case-based learning with emphasis on practical clinical approach, then this is the course for you.
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Dr Joyce Joseph is currently a Consultant Neurologist at the Hospital Kuala Lumpur as well as Aurelius Hospital Nilai, Malaysia. She is an experienced Neurologist with a demonstrated history of working in the medical practice industry. She is a strong consulting professional skilled in Healthcare, Clinical Research, Medical Education, Medicine, and Clinical Trials. Dr Joseph is also the current co-chairperson of the Education Committee and a Central Organising member of PACTRIMS.
Dr Joyce Joseph is an advisor for Multiple Sclerosis Society Malaysia and is the founder of Neuroimmunology Council which is a chapter of Malaysia Society of Neuroscience. She reviews her demyelinating disease cases in the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic on a weekly basis in the Department of Neurology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
Dr Jason Burton is a Consultant Neurologist and clinical researcher in Multiple Sclerosis based at The Perron Institute, Fiona Stanley Hospital, and St. John of God Murdoch. He also holds a private practice with partners at Nexus Neurology. Dr Burton graduated from the University of Western Australia in 1997 and subsequently underwent specialist neurological training at Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Fremantle Hospitals. His major interest is in conducting clinical research and managing multiple sclerosis and other central demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system.
5.00pm to 5.45pm (Singapore Standard Time, UTC+8.00)
Monitoring for treatment response in MS and NMOSD
Jason Burton
Consultant Neurologist, The Perron Institute, Western Australia
Monitoring treatment response in MS and NMOSD relies upon an understanding of the patient through a detailed history and can be time consuming. Systematic inquiry about motor function, balance, cranial nerve and brainstem function, sensory disturbance, pain, fatigue, vision, bladder, bowel, sexual function and cognition is essential. Establishing how deficits impact on their employment, family life, exercise, sleep and mood is equally important. A detailed but focussed neurological examination complements the history allowing one to correlate symptoms with objective signs as it is not uncommon for patients to report symptoms that do not clearly have an organic basis and therefore do not represent treatment failure. Regular MRI scans of the neuraxis are also crucial to give supportive evidence for accurately measuring treatment response. It remains to be seen whether other biomarkers can complement the classic triad of history, clinical examination and neuroimaging in monitoring MS and NMOSD.
5.45pm to 6.30pm (Singapore Standard Time, UTC+8.00)
MS and NMOSD therapy in women
Joyce Joseph
Consultant Neurologist, Department of Neurology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Multiple sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder and immune mediated diseases that are more common in women. The symptoms and signs may appear similar and it involves the central nervous system and can be a disabling disease. Both occur at reproductive age groups for women and decisions on therapy with disease modifying treatment and immunosuppressants can be challenging.Carefully planned care and discussion are necessary such as pre pregnancy counselling, breastfeeding and risk of postpartum relapse.
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