Social determinants of health in multiple sclerosis in Italy: A scoping review

Social determinants of health (SDH) can influence some outcomes related to multiple sclerosis (MS), including disability accrual and disease progression. The relationship between SDH and MS is complex, due to interplay between factors and bidirectionality. Inequities also occur in countries with universal health care system like Italy.

To identify and synthesize the existing and emerging literature on several SDH in the Italian population with MS: sex, gender and sexuality; race, ethnicity and geographical area; education; employment; socioeconomic status; domestic abuse; healthcare access; food access, diet, and obesity; pollution; social support.

Eleven PubMed search strings identified studies published in the past decade and material from ECTRIMS 2024 congress was examined.

In total, 214 studies were included, contributing to 284 SDH findings. More than one-third of the papers focused on sex and gender while just one on domestic abuse; many articles presented results on several SDH simultaneously, especially for education and employment (N = 14) and healthcare access and social support (N = 10). Bidirectional associations between SDH and MS were documented and several unmet needs and disparities were shown.

Disproportionality in thematic areas of research was observed and some gaps were identified; the importance of accounting for SDH in the healthcare context emerged.