1. A framework for measurement and harmonization of pediatric multiple sclerosis etiologic research studies: The Pediatric MS Tool-Kit.
- Author
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Magalhaes, Sandra, Banwell, Brenda, Bar-Or, Amit, Fortier, Isabel, Hanwell, Heather E, Lim, Ming, Matt, Georg E, Neuteboom, Rinze F, O'Riordan, David L, Schneider, Paul K, Pugliatti, Maura, Shatenstein, Bryna, Tansey, Catherine M, Wassmer, Evangeline, and Wolfson, Christina
- Subjects
TOBACCO smoke pollution ,MULTIPLE sclerosis ,VITAMIN D ,ETIOLOGY of diseases - Abstract
Background: While studying the etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) in children has several methodological advantages over studying etiology in adults, studies are limited by small sample sizes. Objective: Using a rigorous methodological process, we developed the Pediatric MS Tool-Kit, a measurement framework that includes a minimal set of core variables to assess etiological risk factors. Methods: We solicited input from the International Pediatric MS Study Group to select three risk factors: environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure, sun exposure, and vitamin D intake. To develop the Tool-Kit, we used a Delphi study involving a working group of epidemiologists, neurologists, and content experts from North America and Europe. Results: The Tool-Kit includes six core variables to measure ETS, six to measure sun exposure, and six to measure vitamin D intake. The Tool-Kit can be accessed online (www.maelstrom-research.org/mica/network/tool-kit). Conclusion: The goals of the Tool-Kit are to enhance exposure measurement in newly designed pediatric MS studies and comparability of results across studies, and in the longer term to facilitate harmonization of studies, a methodological approach that can be used to circumvent issues of small sample sizes. We believe the Tool-Kit will prove to be a valuable resource to guide pediatric MS researchers in developing study-specific questionnaire [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
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