Determining the Need for Palliative Care Patients with Multiple Sclerosis-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Palliative Care
• Quality of Life Studies

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) presents diverse symptoms impacting daily life, including physical, psychological, and socioeconomic challenges.
• Existing palliative care approaches may not fully address the unique and often unmet needs of MS patients.
• Limited understanding exists regarding the specific palliative care requirements and functional status of individuals with MS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the palliative care needs of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
• To assess the level of functional dependence in daily living activities among these patients.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 120 patients from a Neurology Clinic in Serbia.
• Utilized a General questionnaire, Sheffield Profile for Assessment and Referral for Care, Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale, and Barthel Index.

Main Results:

• 36.7% of patients expressed a need for palliative care, prioritizing physical symptoms, independence, and activity.
• The disease significantly hinders demanding physical tasks, causing patient worry.
• Nearly 25% of patients exhibited complete or severe dependence in daily activities.

Conclusions:

• Key physical symptoms include weakness, bladder issues, and fatigue, alongside psychological concerns like low mood and anxiety.
• Functional dependence is a significant issue for a notable portion of the MS population.
• Needs assessments are crucial for developing effective palliative care models tailored to multiple sclerosis patients.