PROSpECT-MS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
PROSpECT-MS: Periodontitis and oral health in people with Multiple Sclerosis – a pilot self-controlled case series with feasibility outcomes
IRAS ID
316382
Contact name
Helen Ford
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leeds Hospitals Charity
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 28 days
Research summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory neurological condition that involves the brain and spinal cord. MS is relapsing remitting (RRMS) at the start in 85% of people. There are periods of relapse with neurological symptoms including weakness, numbness, visual loss and bladder symptoms followed by periods of relative stability where the affected individual can fully or partially recover from their symptoms.
Anecdotally, oral health in people with MS is often poor, and gum inflammation appears to worsen around episodes of disease relapse.
We want to explore if oral health at the time of relapse in people with MS is worse than after the disease has been stabilised through treatment, and whether bacteria in the mouth change after treatment. This might provide the framework for a way to assess people's level of MS disease activity and their treatment response in future.
We will complete an oral assessment (thorough dental check-up) of patients attending the neurology day-case unit for treatment after a recent flare up of MS symptoms. We will also take samples of the bacterial plaque in their mouths and teeth using gentle, non-invasive methods. We will then repeat the oral assessment and plaque samples once participants are stable with regular treatment, several months later. If any of the participants have to return to the neurology clinic because of a further flare up of their MS, we will also repeat the assessments and samples at this time.
We can then compare mouth health and the bacteria in the mouth at the time of relapse, and after remission of the disease, as well as during any acute flare ups, to see if there are predictable differences that might give us a way to predict disease activity.REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SW/0053
Date of REC Opinion
19 Apr 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion