by Michele Romoli
The special session on guidelines at the EAN 2024 Congress in Helsinki featured several key presentations:
Prof. Joao Costa: GPG Strategic Plan 2024-2028
Prof. Joao Costa presented the GPG strategic plan for 2024-2028, emphasising the crucial role of guidelines within the European Academy of Neurology (EAN). He highlighted the need to raise awareness of these guidelines, noting their availability on the eanCampus. Costa encouraged attendees to stay updated through the EAN website, podcasts, and upcoming infographics booklet. He also stressed the distinctions between guidelines, consensus papers, and position papers.
Dr. Luca Vignatelli: EAN Guideline Template
Dr Luca Vignatelli, a member of the Guideline Production Group, discussed the new EAN guideline template designed to streamline the guideline manuscript and simplify reporting. This template, adapted from the American Hematology Society guidelines and aligned with GIN reporting standards, underwent four refinement stages. The fifth version was presented at the congress. This will be launched later this year.
Prof. Maarten Titulaer: Autoimmune Encephalitis Guidelines
Prof. Maarten Titulaer presented the preliminary recommendations for the treatment of autoimmune encephalitis. The guideline addresses the first therapeutic approach, escalation, maintenance, and symptomatic treatment/rehabilitation. The task force evaluated 6,996 studies using the ROBINS-I tool and the EPOC data collection form. Key recommendations include:
- First-line immunotherapy for autoimmune encephalitis
- Escalation to second-line treatments (rituximab and cyclophosphamide) if there is no response to first-line therapy
- Maintenance therapy reserved for cases with a higher risk of relapse
- Antiseizure medications: sodium channel blockers may be more effective for controlling seizures, particularly in anti-LGI1 AIE, though the overall effect of ASMs on seizures in AIE is modest.
Prof. Titulaer also discussed the challenges faced by the task force in managing disagreements when evidence is limited.
Prof. Marian Majoie: CoCoCare (EAN Guideline Education and Cost-Conscious Healthcare) Programme
Prof. Marian Majoie introduced the CoCoCare Programme, an educational programme based on four pillars: evidence-based decision making, high-quality patient care, cost-conscious care, and implementation in clinical practice. Now in its second year under the EAN, the programme continues to attract young neurologists who enroll with enthusiasm. During the session, EAN CoCoCare graduates from the 2023 programme were awarded certificates of completion.
Prof. Maurizio Leone: opportunities for CoCoCarists
Prof. Maurizio Leone highlighted the chances for people who completed CoCoCare to contribute to EAN activities, including participation in GPG activities and EAN Guideline Taskforces.
This session underscored the EAN’s commitment to developing and disseminating high-quality guidelines and educational initiatives to enhance neurological care.
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