MS Patients turn to the internet for help

An Internet survey of MS patients reports that as patients worsen, they are increasingly likely to turn to the Internet rather than their neurologist for MS information (Miller et al. ECTRIMS 2011; abstract P178).

A total of 10,259 MS patients in the NARCOMS database were invited to participate in the survey. There were 5,446 respondents (mean age 52.7 years, mean disease duration 13.9 years, female 78%, on treatment 74%). The average Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS) score was 3.2, corresponding to gait disability without requiring a cane (for more on PDDS, see http://www.unitedspinal.org/msscene/2009/03/03/narcoms-report-patient-determined-disease-steps-pdds/ ).

In assessing patients’ preferred source of information, for each 1-step decline in PDDS there was a corresponding 3% decrease in the likelihood that a neurologist would be selected, and a 5.2% increase in the odds that the Internet would be chosen. In evaluating the most influential resource, a 1-step decline in PDSS was associated with a 4.3% decrease in listing a neurologist, but an 8.4% increase that the Internet would be selected as the most influential resource.

PDSS and disease duration were only modestly correlated. As disease duration increased, there was an increasing reliance on neurologists and a decreasing focus on the Internet.

Guest Reviewer: Dr. Daniel Selchen, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario.

Source: NeuroSens Copyright © 2011 (20/10/11)

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