How Much Do Brazilian Multiple Sclerosis Patients Know About Their Disease? A MSKAS-Based Study

Introduction - Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immune-mediated disorder of the central nervous system, predominantly affecting young adults and leading to progressive disability. Treatment often requires long-term use of medications with potential side effects. Understanding the disease's nature, progression, and treatment options can help patients manage their condition more effectively and adhere to treatment. Objective - To assess the knowledge level of MS patients about the disease's nature, clinical manifestations, and treatment using the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge Assessment Scale (MSKAS). Methods - Patients diagnosed with MS according to the 2017 MacDonald criteria and seen at the CIEM MS Research Center in Belo Horizonte and Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in São Paulo were included. Participants completed the MSKAS, consisting of 22 true/false questions on MS etiopathogenesis, course, clinical manifestations, and treatment. Data were analyzed based on age, gender, time since diagnosis, educational level, income, and disability severity measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Results – The study included 65 patients, with 40 (61.5%) women and a median age of 40 years (range: 17-78). Most had more than eight years of formal education (92%). The majority had relapsing-remitting MS (77%), and 72.3% had an EDSS score ≤4.0. Regarding MS knowledge, 55.3% considered themselves highly knowledgeable, 37% reasonably knowledgeable, and 7.7% poorly knowledgeable. The median MSKAS score was 19 (range: 13-22). Conclusion - The majority of MS patients demonstrated a good understanding of their condition. The MSKAS proved to be a reliable and practical tool for assessing patients' knowledge about MS. Further studies involving larger patient cohorts across different regions of Brazil could offer valuable insights for developing educational programs aimed at helping patients better manage their disease and treatment.