Timeframe
2023–2025
Funding
Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC)
New Zealand Multiple Sclerosis Research Trust
COMPASS staff
Natalia Boven
Barry Milne
Lisa Underwood
Collaborators
University of Auckland
Vanessa Selak
Andrew Sporle
Julie Winter-Smith
University of Otago
Anna Ranta
Christchurch Hospital
Deborah Mason
Community partners
Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand
Multiple Sclerosis Auckland
New Zealand Multiple Sclerosis Research Trust
Rare Disorders New Zealand
Description
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. MS causes a wide range of symptoms and can substantially impact quality of life. In 2006, a national study of MS prevalence was conducted, which provided invaluable information on the prevalence and epidemiology of MS.
This work programme consists of two projects using StatsNZ’s Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI). The IDI is a large de-identified research database containing administrative, census, and survey data, linked at the individual level.
The first project, funded by an HRC activation grant, examines the feasibility of identifying people likely to have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, using health data in the IDI. This project also tests for inequities in dispensing patterns for disease-modifying therapies.
The second project, funded by the New Zealand Multiple Sclerosis Research Trust, aims to update the epidemiology of MS, describe the socioeconomic characteristics of those living with MS, and examine access to health and social services for people living with MS. A key focus of the project is identifying any regional or sociodemographic differences in service use.