November 30, 2014
Discussing multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms is viewed positively by neurologists and patients, but remains a struggle, according to research presented at the joint ACTRIMS-ECTRIMS conference held September 10-13 in Boston.
Surveyors from Harris Poll, on behalf of Biogen Idec, developed a survey which encompassed neurologists from 5 countries (Germany, Italy, Spain, the United States, and the United Kingdom) and representatives from patient advocacy groups between March and April 2014. The survey was conducted in order to gain a deeper understanding of MS patients’ lives and to highlight communication between MS patients and their doctors.
About 83 percent of patients noted they felt comfortable talking with their neurologists about MS and reported their neurologist provided them with helpful information (81 percent). Nearly all neurologists surveyed (96 percent) felt they had an open dialogue with patients, and said patients can ask them anything they want. The majority of neurologists (90 percent) indicated they had a good understanding of their patients’ disease; however, the surveyors note a disconnect is still present surrounding certain MS symptoms. Almost 20 percent of patients who experience MS symptoms report being uncomfortable with their neurologist about the following: difficulty walking (19 percent), tremors (19 percent), and muscle spasms (18 percent).
However, only 2-3 percent of neurologists noted these same topics as uncomfortable for discussion with their patients. Neurologists across the board identified similar topics that were uncomfortable in discussion, and anticipate a higher level of discomfort than described by patients. These symptoms identified by neurologists as uncomfortable were: sexual difficulties (28 percent, with 87 percent perceiving this as uncomfortable for patients), bladder or bowel problems (28 percent, 54 percent), mood swings (26 percent, 37 percent), and cognitive or memory issues (21 percent, 37 percent).
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