Contributions
Abstract: P848
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Epidemiology
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common debilitating neurological disease in young adults. MS patients" perception of their disease may contrast with neurologists which may further complicate the management of patients.
Objective: Our study aims to understand the differences in disease perception of patients with MS compared to neurologists.
Methods: MS patients were interviewed by using a 25-question survey which included questions on their experiences after diagnosis, signs and symptoms, laboratory tests, adherence, use of alternative medicine, and expectations from treatments. The same questions were asked to neurologists to get their assumption of their patients" answers. Neurologists responses were compared with the answers of the patients.
Results: A total of 208 patients and 176 neurologists were included in the study. As opposed to neurologists, patients consider radiological investigations to be more important than physical examination during their management. Neurologists, in comparison to their patients, have a more pessimistic perception about the effect of their patients" symptoms on their quality of life. Fatigue is the most debilitating symptom for patients, whereas neurologists rank motor deficits as the most important symptom that affect the quality of life. Regarding cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination, the proportion of patients who believe that CSF examination may cause severe headaches was 39%, nerve damages was 36%, and worsening of their symptoms was 16%. Neurologists assume that only 24% of their patients missed a dose of their treatment during the last month. Nevertheless, the noncompliance rate of patients was 36%. In terms of side effects of corticosteroid treatment, patients suppose osteoporosis as the most important side effect, whereas neurologists were more concerned of uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension. One third of patients presumed that their treatment may be discontinued at some point during the course of their disease.
Conclusions: This study shows that there is a discrepancy between neurologists" and patients" perception of MS. A better understanding of patients" sentiments may improve patient-physician relationships.
Disclosure: Murat Kurtuncu has no financial relationship related to this study.
Ugur Uygunoglu has no financial relationship related to this study.
Asli Tuncer has no financial relationship related to this study.
Aysenur Kokenli works for Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Turkey.
Mithat Kasap works for Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Turkey.
Zeynep Caliskan works for Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Turkey.
Ayse Altıntas has no financial relationship related to this study.
Sabahattin Saip has no financial relationship related to this study.
Mefkure Eraksoy has no financial relationship related to this study.
Rana Karabudak has no financial relationship related to this study.
Aksel Siva has no financial relationship related to this study.
This study was supported by Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Turkey.
Abstract: P848
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Epidemiology
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common debilitating neurological disease in young adults. MS patients" perception of their disease may contrast with neurologists which may further complicate the management of patients.
Objective: Our study aims to understand the differences in disease perception of patients with MS compared to neurologists.
Methods: MS patients were interviewed by using a 25-question survey which included questions on their experiences after diagnosis, signs and symptoms, laboratory tests, adherence, use of alternative medicine, and expectations from treatments. The same questions were asked to neurologists to get their assumption of their patients" answers. Neurologists responses were compared with the answers of the patients.
Results: A total of 208 patients and 176 neurologists were included in the study. As opposed to neurologists, patients consider radiological investigations to be more important than physical examination during their management. Neurologists, in comparison to their patients, have a more pessimistic perception about the effect of their patients" symptoms on their quality of life. Fatigue is the most debilitating symptom for patients, whereas neurologists rank motor deficits as the most important symptom that affect the quality of life. Regarding cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination, the proportion of patients who believe that CSF examination may cause severe headaches was 39%, nerve damages was 36%, and worsening of their symptoms was 16%. Neurologists assume that only 24% of their patients missed a dose of their treatment during the last month. Nevertheless, the noncompliance rate of patients was 36%. In terms of side effects of corticosteroid treatment, patients suppose osteoporosis as the most important side effect, whereas neurologists were more concerned of uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension. One third of patients presumed that their treatment may be discontinued at some point during the course of their disease.
Conclusions: This study shows that there is a discrepancy between neurologists" and patients" perception of MS. A better understanding of patients" sentiments may improve patient-physician relationships.
Disclosure: Murat Kurtuncu has no financial relationship related to this study.
Ugur Uygunoglu has no financial relationship related to this study.
Asli Tuncer has no financial relationship related to this study.
Aysenur Kokenli works for Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Turkey.
Mithat Kasap works for Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Turkey.
Zeynep Caliskan works for Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Turkey.
Ayse Altıntas has no financial relationship related to this study.
Sabahattin Saip has no financial relationship related to this study.
Mefkure Eraksoy has no financial relationship related to this study.
Rana Karabudak has no financial relationship related to this study.
Aksel Siva has no financial relationship related to this study.
This study was supported by Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Turkey.