SHIELD v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Surveillance of Health and InfEctions in MS Linked to Disease-modifying therapies (SHIELD)
IRAS ID
352027
Contact name
Emma Tallantyre
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff Joint Research Office (Cardiff University)
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
178942, ORCA ID
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
Infection is a major cause of morbidity in multiple sclerosis (MS) including the most common cause of both hospitalisation and death. There is growing evidence of a cumulative risk of infections in people receiving modern disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), which alter immune function. In addition to this, there is a trend in clinical practice to expand DMT use to those with higher disability. Together, these highlight a need to better understand and mitigate long-term infection-risk. This study aims to prospectively explore the burden of infection faced by people with MS (pwMS) compared to matched controls, and characterise the profile of pathogens detected in these groups.
These data will contribute to the development of evidence-based guidance on mitigating infection-risk in people with MS. This could include being offered more rapid access to diagnostic tests, being offered additional vaccines or antiviral/antibiotic medications and other infection control advice. The overall aim is to improve quality of life and wellbeing in people with MS, particularly those at highest risk of infections.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 3
REC reference
25/WS/0095
Date of REC Opinion
21 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion