The Registry of Asia Pacific Inflammatory Demyelination (RAPID Study)

ABSTRACT

The diversity and heterogeneity of idiopathic central nervous system demyelinating disease in Asia has long been recognised, but there is a dearth of epidemiological work looking at this specific question. Existing data on demyelinating diseases from both the East and the West has been confounded by differences in case ascertainment, selection bias, differing study methodologies and the exclusion of so-called “atypical” cases. This is particularly so in Asia where the application of Western diagnostic criteria may not be appropriate. The RAPID Study is designed to identify the full spectrum of demyelinating disease presentations, including atypical forms, and those associated with other systemic diseases or other disease markers and it is not linked to any form of therapy or medical intervention. The time interval for data collection is finite at twelve months, at which stage the epidemiological data collected will be collated and analysed by the Central Steering Committee. The efforts of all contributors will be recognised in the planned publication derived from this study. Moreover, the data collected will be capable of forming the framework of subsequent clinically isolated syndrome follow up studies and may also form the basis of subsequent sub-studies such as in those centres which are in a position to perform serological and immunogenetic testing. Diagnostic criteria can only be established when a scientific evidence base has been established, and the criteria then tested prospectively. The RAPID data will be pivotal in helping to resolve current controversies surrounding immunological and radiological markers of demyelinating disease.