The awareness and knowledge of multiple sclerosis patients about their disease: A Lebanese cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Disease-related knowledge of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) can influence self-management, coping, treatment adherence, and clinical health outcomes. Studies assessing MS patients' knowledge are scarce.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness and knowledge of Lebanese MS patients regarding their disease and identify the factors associated with poor knowledge.

METHODS

This cross-sectional, multicenter, survey-based study was conducted between June and September 2023 among Lebanese MS patients with confirmed diagnosis. MS knowledge was assessed using the validated MS knowledge questionnaire (MSKQ-25).

RESULTS

A total of 350 patients were included. Most (92.3 %) were diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS, and 65.1 % were female with a mean age of 39.4 ± 11.4 years. The mean MSKQ-25 score was 15.1 ± 3.9. The mean percentage of correct answers was 60.4 % ± 15.9, with 65.1 % scoring ≥60 %. Multivariate analysis identified higher education (p = 0.004) and residence in Beirut (p = 0.025) as significant predictors of increased knowledge levels.

CONCLUSION

Lebanese MS patients demonstrated adequate disease knowledge. Higher education and residing in the capital Beirut were key contributors to improved knowledge.