Real-world-data in Multiple Sclerosis – Anna Glaser's research group

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system affecting more than two million people world-wide. MS is the second most common cause of neurological disability in young adults. The disease progression varies between patients but often causes different degrees of disability.

About our research

In the research group we use data from the Swedish MS register sometimes also linked to data from Swedish public databases such as the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen), Statistics Sweden (SCB) and the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan). 

Using this type of “real-world data”, we want to describe disease progression, treatment methods and socio-economic outcomes in MS patients. Our hope is that our studies will contribute to increased knowledge about factors that affect MS disease with the ambition to ultimately create improved and cost-effective health care for MS patients.

The research group includes molecular biologists, statisticians and neurologists.

Research Projects

  • MS clinical course
    Description and analysis of MS disease progression. Studies of different factors influencing disease progression.
     
  • Treatment studies
    Safety and efficacy studies.
     
  • Health economic consequences of MS
    Costs of MS, sick leave, disability pension, income.
     
Anna Glasers forskargrupp
Anna Glaser's research group

Publications

Selected publications

Big multiple sclerosis data network: novel modelling approaches for real-world data analysis.

Trojano M, Iaffaldano P, Copetti M, Drahota J, Forsberg L, Mouresan EF, Pontieri L, Spelman T, Toschi N, Butzkueven H, Glaser A, Hillert J, Horakova D, Magyari M, Vukusic S, Lucisano G, Kalincik T.J Neurol. 2025 Nov 8;272(12):754. doi: 10.1007/s00415-025-13439-9.PMID: 41206399 Review.

Navigating the Real World: A Scoping Review of Structured Frameworks to Effectively Identify, Evaluate, and Select Real-World Data Sources for Fit-for-Purpose Studies.

Zebachi S, Tanniou J, Bakker E, de Vries ST, Di Bidino R, Xoxi E, Glaser A, Savarese G, Hillert J, Mol PGM, Plueschke K, Amzal B, Hayek GY, Moreira J.Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2025 Oct;118(4):894-905. doi: 10.1002/cpt.3746. Epub 2025 Jul 2.PMID: 40601391 Free PMC article.

Disease-modifying treatment and disability progression in subclasses of patients with primary progressive MS: results from the Big MS Data Network.

Lorscheider J, Signori A, Subramaniam S, Benkert P, Vukusic S, Trojano M, Hillert J, Glaser A, Hyde R, Spelman T, Magyari M, Elberling F, Pontieri L, Koch-Henriksen N, Sørensen PS, Gerlach O, Prat A, Girard M, Eichau S, Grammond P, Horakova D, Ramo-Tello C, Roos I, Buzzard K, Lechner Scott J, Sánchez-Menoyo JL, Alroughani R, Prévost J, Kuhle J, Gray O, Mathey G, Michel L, Ciron J, De Sèze J, Maillart E, Ruet A, Labauge P, Zephir H, Kwiatkowski A, van der Walt A, Kalincik T, Butzkueven H; Italian MS Register; Observatoire Français de la Sclérose en Plaques (OFSEP); MSBase Study Group; Swedish MS Registry; Big MS Data Network.J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2025 May 14;96(6):606-615. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2024-334700.PMID: 39643429 

Staff and contact

Group leader

All members of the group

Keywords:
Epidemiology Multiple Sclerosis Neurology Neurosciences Public Health, Global Health and Social Medicine
14-01-2026