Department of Neurology, Faculty of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-635 Katowice, Poland.
Students' Scientific Association, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar 12;19(6):3366. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19063366.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, affecting around 2.8 million people worldwide. Patients' knowledge about COVID-19 infection, and their proper protective actions, may reduce the risk of infection. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of patients with MS about SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 illness, the relationship between MS and COVID-19, willingness to be vaccinated, and the impact of the pandemic on MS care. An original, anonymous, 35-items, self-reported questionnaire was used in both web-based and on-site survey formats. Two-hundred and forty-eight questionnaires were analyzed (mean age 40.8 ± 10.6 years, 77.8% women). Participants reported the use of multiple sources of information, and the most common were websites (77.8%) and television (59.3%). The majority of participants knew the correct symptoms of COVID-19 or transmission routes (94.4%), and accepted the pandemic's restrictions (96.8%). A total of 93.2% considered SARS-CoV-2 as highly infectious, and 69% thought they were at higher risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2, mainly because of immunodeficiency (82.7%). Although most of them were afraid of COVID-19 (69.0%), only two-thirds wanted to be vaccinated. Patients who were afraid of COVID-19 had a 3.5-times higher chance to declare willingness for vaccination. A total of 29.8% patients claimed that the COVID-19 pandemic limited access to the healthcare system. This study shows that Polish patients with MS represent a good level of knowledge about COVID-19 disease, and acceptance for public rules, but their willingness for vaccinations is not sufficient. Country-wide educational campaigns should be conducted, particularly on the internet and TV. Restrictions in healthcare facilities should be balanced to secure access for patients with MS.
多发性硬化症（MS）是最常见的中枢神经系统慢性自身免疫性疾病，影响全球约 280 万人。患者对 COVID-19 感染的了解以及采取适当的防护措施，可能会降低感染风险。本研究旨在评估 MS 患者对 SARS-CoV-2、COVID-19 疾病、MS 与 COVID-19 之间关系、接种疫苗意愿以及大流行对 MS 治疗的影响的了解。采用原始的、匿名的、35 项、自我报告的问卷，以在线和现场调查两种形式进行。分析了 248 份问卷（平均年龄 40.8±10.6 岁，77.8%为女性）。参与者报告使用了多种信息来源，最常见的是网站（77.8%）和电视（59.3%）。大多数参与者了解 COVID-19 的正确症状或传播途径（94.4%），并接受了大流行的限制（96.8%）。共有 93.2%的人认为 SARS-CoV-2 具有高度传染性，69%的人认为他们感染 SARS-CoV-2 的风险更高，主要是因为免疫缺陷（82.7%）。尽管他们大多数人害怕 COVID-19（69.0%），但只有三分之二的人愿意接种疫苗。害怕 COVID-19 的患者表示愿意接种疫苗的可能性高 3.5 倍。共有 29.8%的患者声称 COVID-19 大流行限制了他们获得医疗保健系统的机会。这项研究表明，波兰 MS 患者对 COVID-19 疾病有较好的了解，也接受了公众规则，但他们对疫苗的接种意愿不足。应开展全国性的教育宣传活动，特别是在互联网和电视上。应平衡医疗设施的限制，以确保 MS 患者的就诊机会。
