Attitude and Knowledge of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) About COVID-19 as Provided by Physicians

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a pandemic, and patients receiving immunosuppressive agents could be at a higher risk of the infection. Patients’ knowledge and behavior play a major role in their health. Physicians should provide patients with enough information regarding medication use, prevention strategies, and treatment choices in case of infection. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the attitude and knowledge of Iranian patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) about COVID-19, as provided by physicians. Methods: A google form was designed, and the patients consented to fill out the survey. The participants’ basic characteristics were collected. Moreover, they were asked about COVID-19 transmission routes and prevention strategies, their concerns regarding MS-related checkups during the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 infection tests, COVID-19 symptoms, and information they received from their physicians about what to do in case of COVID-19 infection. Results: Four hundred and ten forms were collected. The mean age of the patients and the mean duration of the disease were 34.5 ± 8 and 7.2 ± 5.7 years, respectively. Nearly 80% of the respondents believed that patients with MS were at a higher risk of COVID-19 infection, and 75% of them thought that wearing a face mask could prevent the infection transmission. Moreover, only 21% of 410 the physicians informed their patients of when to stop their medication if they were suspected to have COVID-19, and 22% of them informed their patients of where to refer in case of COVID-19 suspicion. Nearly half of all physicians prescribed immune-boosting supplements, such as selenium, zinc, and vitamin D. Conclusions: The results showed that Iranian MS patients had good knowledge regarding COVID-19 prevention strategies and transmission routes. However, they received less information from their physicians regarding medication use control, centers for admission, and physician consultation in case of COVID-19 infection.

Characteristics of COVID-19 in patients with multiple sclerosis

“…Worried about becoming infected, many patients have postponed their usual medical care ( Zhang et al, 2021 ). It was found that many Iranian MS patients were not informed about necessary changes in treatment protocols in case of infection with SARS-CoV2 ( Ghajarzadeh et al, 2021 ). More clarification of the situation would help manage the distress.…”

Assessment of COVID-19 vaccine attitude in people with multiple sclerosis, its correlation with demographic factors, and fear of coronavirus: A cross-sectional survey

“…This result testifies to the good knowledge of patients with MS in Iran about the current situation and the need to follow health protocols, which is in line with the result obtained from a recent online survey in Iran. 33 , 34 About 11.4% of valid data in this study were associated with progressive MS and most of patients had RRMS. Contrary to some studies which considered the progression of MS as a predictor of higher sense of fear in coronavirus, 27 in this study, no significant association was found between fear of COVID-19 infection in patients with MS and the progression of MS (P = 0.091).…”

Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis Patients’ Knowledge and Behavioral Practice Regarding COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

“…There is a need for more studies to establish the relationship between the severities and risk of immunity [21]. Patients who use immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory medication are more prone to infections [22].…”