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Health Literacy and Unmet Needs in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Study
Francesco Pastore1,2, Barbara Forastefano3, Valentina Simonetti2,4
1Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Jonian Area (DiMePRe-J), Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Journal of Clinical Nursing
|June 15, 2026
Summary
People with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) can recognize needs with sufficient health literacy (HL), but this doesn't guarantee needs are met. Routine assessment of HL and unmet needs is crucial for better patient support.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Health Literacy Research
- Patient-Reported Outcomes
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) presents complex challenges impacting patients' quality of life.
- Understanding the interplay between health literacy (HL) and unmet needs is crucial for effective patient care.
- Sociodemographic factors may influence both HL and the recognition of unmet needs in people with MS (pwMS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between health literacy (HL) levels and unmet needs in people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS).
- To examine the influence of sociodemographic characteristics on HL levels and unmet needs in pwMS.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study design was employed.
- Data were collected using questionnaires, including the HLS19-Q12 for HL assessment and the Long-term Unmet Needs in Multiple Sclerosis tool.
- The unmet needs tool evaluated five domains: neuropsychological, ambulation, physical, interpersonal relationship, and informational.
Main Results:
- The study included 116 participants with generally sufficient overall HL levels.
- Participants reporting informational needs and a desire for support demonstrated significantly higher HL in the informational domain.
- No significant correlations were found between overall HL levels and the assessed unmet needs domains.
Conclusions:
- Sufficient health literacy (HL) may empower individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) to identify and articulate their needs.
- HL alone does not ensure that identified needs are adequately met, highlighting a gap in support structures.
- Integrated assessment of HL and unmet needs is recommended to identify patients needing further support.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Health Literacy
Health literacy is an individual's or a community's capacity to comprehend, receive, read, and use relevant healthcare information and services. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2018) defines health literacy as the cognitive and social skills that determine the ability of individuals to gain access to, understand, and use information in ways that promote and maintain good health. As a result, the WHO helps individuals manage long-term health concerns, participate in preventative programs,...
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...