Lauren Elman, MD; Arun Varadhachary, MD, PhD; Thomas Crawford, MD; Julie Parsons, MD, and Crystal Proud, MD, provide valuable insights into the distinct clinical features of pediatric and adult SMA, the complex process of transitioning patients from pediatric to adult healthcare services, and the importance of effectively counseling patients on available treatment options and setting realistic expectations for treatment success.
EP. 1: Clinical Features and Phenotypes of Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Key opinion leaders offer a concise summary of the clinical characteristics and classifications of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), emphasizing the distinctive features observed in adult patients with SMA.
EP. 2: Natural History of Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Panelists examine the natural history of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), assessing the characteristic indicators of motor function deterioration and the loss of ambulatory abilities as patients advance in age.
EP. 3: Presentation of Adult Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Clinics
Leading medical professionals specializing in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) discuss the common clinical presentations of undiagnosed or newly diagnosed adult patients, highlighting crucial signs and symptoms that healthcare providers should recognize.
Key opinion leaders (KOLs) address the challenges and obstacles associated with transitioning patients from pediatric to adult care as they age out of the pediatric system, offering valuable insights and strategies for successfully navigating this process.
EP. 5: Key Players in Transitioning Patients with SMA from Pediatric Care to Adult Health Care
Key opinion leaders (KOLs) further explore the transition of care from pediatric to adult healthcare systems for patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), emphasizing the essential role of multidisciplinary support in ensuring a successful transition.
EP. 6: Managing Clinical Stability in Adults Spinal Muscular Atrophy Patients
Clinical experts in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) address the issue of patient disengagement from healthcare services, which can occur due to a perceived lack of disease progression or stabilization, leading to undetected disease advancement and increased risk to patients, and provide recommendations for encouraging patients to re-engage with medical care.
EP. 7: Treatments Approved for Treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Key opinion leaders (KOLs) examine the mechanisms of action and other pertinent information regarding FDA-approved treatments for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), sharing their perspectives on these therapies with a particular focus on the various modes of administration.
EP. 8: Factors Guiding Treatment Selection in Adult Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Panelists explore critical considerations when choosing a treatment approach for treatment-naïve adult patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), taking into account factors such as disease severity, patient preferences, and potential treatment outcomes.
EP. 9: Switching Treatments in Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Key opinion leaders share their strategies for discussing potential changes in therapy and transitioning between treatments with patients, emphasizing the importance of reassuring patients that such changes are intended to provide long-term benefits for managing their spinal muscular atrophy.
EP. 10: Determining Treatment Success in Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Panelists share their approaches to counseling adult patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) about treatment expectations.
EP. 11: Counseling Patients About Treatment Outcomes in Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Panelists delve into strategies for engaging in conversations with patients about defining and identifying successful therapy outcomes, providing guidance on how to effectively communicate and establish realistic expectations for treatment success in the context of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
EP. 12: Real-World Data and Stability with Nusinersen in Adult Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Key opinion leaders address the scarcity of randomized controlled trial data for SMA treatments in adult populations, highlighting the availability of real-world data from numerous studies and provide guidance on how to incorporate this information when making treatment decisions for adult patients with spinal muscular atrophy.
EP. 13: Real-World Data for Risdiplam in Adult Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Panelists examine the available real-world data (RWD) on the use of risdiplam in adult patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) from various studies conducted worldwide, discussing its potential efficacy and safety as a treatment option for adult SMA patients.
EP. 14: Transition of Care in Young Adults With Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Medical professionals explore the challenges and considerations associated with patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) transitioning to independent living, emphasizing the importance of maintaining continuity of care and addressing potential adherence issues to ensure optimal disease management.