Young multiple sclerosis in Italy: attitude towards present life and expectations for the future

Abstract

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is usually diagnosed between 20 and 40 years, affecting the most productive and active period of life. Aim To analyse the health perception of young people with MS and to compare the present results with a previous one. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017. A validate and anonymous questionnaire was administered to 613 Italian young, aged 18-40, affected by MS (women 78.5%). Results Analyzing the declared health status, most of young MS defined good health status (76% good or excellent health) with differences between age class (82% at 25-29 years vs 71% at 35-40) and with a reverse trend with the increasing of disability (92% in subject with no disability vs 34% in ones with a medium or severe disability). The comparison against 2004 data highlights an improvement in the health conditions perceived, also for ones with a serious disability. Regarding the time elapsed from diagnosis, the trend was not linear, since respondents with a diagnosis <1 year indicated a worst health condition than those with a diagnosis from 5 to 10 years. Significant percentage of them paid attention to positive attitudes in health promotion: 71% practiced physical activity, 70% controlled smoke and alcohol consumption, 38% was on a special diet. Conclusions Diagnosis and disability constitute a decisive factor in the assessment of the state of health, but the perception goes to stabilize with time, even if the conditions tend to worsen. In this regard, the worst declared conditions in patients with a recent diagnosis seem to be influenced by psychological factors. So, the moment of diagnosis need a better management. Only 30% got adult vaccination (vs 61% in young Italians) due to lack of information on vaccine safety in MS patients. The improvement of perceived health in young with MS is another proof of the progress of MS treatments, which appears transversal to all the conditions of disability. Key messages The perception of health is strongly related to disability and to time elapsed from diagnosis. In the last 15 years the progress of MS management improved well-being of all MS young patients.