Preferences Toward Attributes of Disease-Modifying Therapies: The Role of Nurses in Multiple Sclerosis Care

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Nurses play an essential role in coordinating the care of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) throughout their disease trajectory in a complex treatment landscape. The aim of this study was to assess nurses' preferences toward different disease-modifying therapy attributes. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, noninterventional, cross-sectional study in collaboration with the Sociedad Española de Enfermería Neurológica. Nurses actively involved in MS care were invited to participate in the study. Prevention of disability progression, preservation of cognitive function, side effect profile and safety monitoring, and method of administration were the treatment attributes tested. Conjoint analysis was used to assess preferences in 8 simulated treatment options and rank them from most to least preferred. RESULTS: A total of 98 nurses were included in the study. The mean (SD) age was 44.7 (9.8) years, and 91.8% were female with a mean (SD) time of experience in MS care of 7.5 (5.4) years. Participants prioritized preservation of cognition (38.6%), followed by preventing disability progression (35.2%) and side effect risk and safety monitoring (13.5%). Route and frequency of administration were the least preferred attributes (7.4% and 5.3%, respectively). Estimated utilities were consistent across the sample according to sociodemographic and professional practice characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses' preferences toward treatments were mainly driven by efficacy attributes. This information may support the role of nurses in the multidisciplinary management of MS facilitating shared decision making.

Alexithymia and Coping With Stress in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Comparative Study

“…Nurses are important healthcare professionals in the provision of effective treatment and care services at the stage of protecting and improving the health of MS patients 14. To plan interventions that will facilitate adjustment to the disease and improve the quality of life of patients with a holistic perspective, it is extremely important to know the alexithymia and stress-coping levels of MS patients.…”

“…Nurses are important healthcare professionals in the provision of effective treatment and care services at the stage of protecting and improving the health of MS patients. 14 To plan interventions that will facilitate adjustment to the disease and improve the quality of life of patients with a holistic perspective, it is extremely important to know the alexithymia and stresscoping levels of MS patients. This study will provide important data for nurses in identifying, understanding, and recognizing the emotions of MS patients and making the necessary plans to increase the strength of MS patients for coping with stress.…”

“…10,11 Symptoms such as extreme fatigue, blurry vision, unsteady gait, pain in parts of the body, paresthesia, problems with bowel and bladder function, cognitive dysfunction, tremors, and spasticity are common during exacerbation periods of MS. 10,12 The presence and severity of these symptoms negatively affect the individuals' activities of daily living, independence, family, education and work life, mental health, and coping skills. 10,[13][14][15] Therefore, in MS patients, coping with stress is important for the prognosis of the disease. 10 It has been stated that, in MS patients coping with stress is associated with disease management, quality of life, psychosocial health, and compliance with medication.…”