The Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge Questionnaire: a self-administered instrument for recently diagnosed patients

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Health Sciences
• Medical Education

Background:

• Limited research exists on patient knowledge in multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Existing patient knowledge assessment tools for MS are scarce, with only two published questionnaires available.
• There is a need for a validated instrument to assess knowledge in newly diagnosed MS patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate the MS Knowledge Questionnaire (MSKQ).
• To create a self-assessed instrument for newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis patients.
• To evaluate the MSKQ's clinimetric properties and sensitivity to educational interventions.

Main Methods:

• A multidisciplinary panel developed 30 multiple-choice statements, refined to a 26-item version after pre-testing.
• The 26-item version was tested on 54 MS patients for internal consistency, content, and construct validity (Validation Sample I).
• The final 25-item MSKQ was administered to participants of the SIMS-Trial (Validation Sample II) to assess its use as a primary outcome measure for an information aid.

Main Results:

• The MSKQ demonstrated good acceptability, internal consistency (Kuder-Richardson-20 formula 0.76), and content validity.
• Median MSKQ scores were 18 (range 9-23) in Validation Sample I and 17 (range 3-24) in Validation Sample II.
• Educational attainment and receipt of an information aid were significant predictors of MS knowledge; female sex and shorter disease duration were also associated with higher knowledge.

Conclusions:

• The MS Knowledge Questionnaire (MSKQ) possesses strong clinimetric properties.
• The MSKQ is sensitive to educational interventions, indicating its utility in measuring knowledge changes.
• The MSKQ is proposed as a brief, effective instrument for both clinical practice and research involving multiple sclerosis patients.