One In Five Diagnosed With MS Delaying Treatment
One In Five Diagnosed With MS Delaying Treatment
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive disease that affects approximately 400,000 Americans and as many as 2.1 million individuals worldwide. MS is two-three times more common in women than men and symptoms include weakness, fatigue, and mobility issues.
The first World MS Day on May 27 will bring together MS organizations around the world to raise awareness for MS and the importance of the global MS movement. Currently, there is no cure for the disease.
There are currently six FDA-approved medications available that can treat MS exacerbations and modify the disease course for many people living with MS. These medications are all either injectibles or infusions
The GfK Roper-conducted survey revealed that nearly 20 percent of people living with MS reported delaying the start of treatment for a variety of reasons, including fear or anxiety over treatment. Significant differences emerged between physicians and people living with MS about how much this fear affects their lives.
About 92 percent of MS nurses and other health care providers (HCPs) and 79 percent of doctors reported that anxiety around treatment impacts patients âa great dealâ or âsomewhatâ compared to only 39 percent of those living with MS.
The MS Viewpoints survey included 250 nurses and other HCPs, 250 neurologists, and 250 people living with MS.
The survey found:
*An estimated one in three (33 percent) people living with MS reported that their current MS treatment interferes with their quality of life and daily activities such as work/career, exercise routine and sleeping habits.
*With the anticipated introduction of new therapies, such as oral medications, into the treatment paradigm, physicians and nurses, and other HCPs foresee a change in the dynamics of their conversations with people living with MS.
*Nurses and other HCPs were more likely than physicians to believe those who initially delayed starting their prescribed MS therapy would have definitely started therapy more quickly if other medications, such as oral medications, had been available.