Document Type : Special Articles

Authors

• Roya Abolfazli ¹
• Azam Elyasi ²
• Mohammad Reza Javadi ²
• Kheirollah Gholami ²
• Hassan Torkamandi ³
• Mohammad Amir-Shahkarami ⁴
• Masoud Etemadifar ⁵
• Zahra Nasr ⁶

¹ Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Amiralam Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

² Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

³ Department of Pharmaceutical Care, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

⁴ Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

⁵ Department of Neurology, Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

⁶ Department of Medicine, Medical Students' Research Center, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Abstract

Background:  Multiple  sclerosis  (MS) patients permanently confronted  with serious challenges from treatment regimen. Developing  a new  questionnaire in MS management, through  evaluation  of patients’ perspectives   and  knowledge   regarding   treatment  will help  to  identify the  sources  of tension, and  to  build  a therapeutic   alliance.   We   purposed   to   describe    MS patients’ understanding of their treatments.Methods: About 425 completed and returned questionnaire were assessed  of a total of 500 recruited  MS patients. The knowledge   of  correct  using  interferon-beta  (IFN-β)  and attitude   toward  medical  care  were  assessed   using  self- reported questionnaires consisted of 25 items with validity of multidisciplinary panel and pre-testing on 20 patients.Results:  Knowledge  about  IFN-β  therapy  was  very low; however, attitude  was at a high level. Female patients, self- injection ability, higher educational level, normal functional status, delay from the start of diagnostic workup to definite diagnosis, and being younger were related to a higher level of  knowledge.  Attitude  was  associated   with  functional status,  family  history  of  disease   and   the   summary  of knowledge variable.Conclusion: Developing educational  interventions  are needed for MS patients  regarding  to  their  low levels of knowledge.