Murat Kürtüncü1, Aslı Tuncer2, Uğur Uygunoğlu3, Zeynep Çalişkan4, Ayşenur Kökenlı Paksoy4, Hüsnü Efendı5, Ayşe Sağduyu Kocaman6, Cemal Özcan7, Murat Terzı8, Ömer Faruk Turan9, Sabahattin Saıp3, Rana Karabudak2, Aksel Sıva3. 1. Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. 2. Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. 3. Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey. 4. Novartis, Istanbul, Turkey. 5. Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey. 6. Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Acıbadem University, Istanbul, Turkey. 7. Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey. 8. Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey. 9. Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The management of multiple sclerosis (MS) has become more complicated after the introduction of new diagnostic and treatment options. Despite the abundance of guidelines, the experience of physicians still plays a major role in the management of patients. This study aimed to define differences in behavior patterns between general neurologists (GNs) and MS specialists (MSSs). METHODS: We conducted a survey of 36 questions to 318 neurologists, including 33 MSSs. The survey covered topics including laboratory investigations, pregnancy, and treatment. RESULTS: Our study found many differences between GNs and MSSs in terms of management, the most important being treatment initiation and switching. GNs had a tendency to initiate treatment later than MSSs however, they tended to switch treatment faster. Our study also showed that GNs ordered magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) more frequently than MSSs, even if patients were clinically stable. Moreover, although GNs more frequently relied on MRI, they did not consider brain atrophy as an important measure in the follow-up of their patients. Furthermore, GNs considered replacement therapy less often than MSSs, even in patients with vitamin D deficiency. DISCUSSION: Our study revealed important discrepancies between the management patterns of GNs and MSSs in MS patients. These findings suggest the need for a national education program for GNs on MSSs. Copyright:
INTRODUCTION: The management of multiple sclerosis (MS) has become more complicated after the introduction of new diagnostic and treatment options. Despite the abundance of guidelines, the experience of physicians still plays a major role in the management of patients. This study aimed to define differences in behavior patterns between general neurologists (GNs) and MS specialists (MSSs). METHODS: We conducted a survey of 36 questions to 318 neurologists, including 33 MSSs. The survey covered topics including laboratory investigations, pregnancy, and treatment. RESULTS: Our study found many differences between GNs and MSSs in terms of management, the most important being treatment initiation and switching. GNs had a tendency to initiate treatment later than MSSs however, they tended to switch treatment faster. Our study also showed that GNs ordered magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) more frequently than MSSs, even if patients were clinically stable. Moreover, although GNs more frequently relied on MRI, they did not consider brain atrophy as an important measure in the follow-up of their patients. Furthermore, GNs considered replacement therapy less often than MSSs, even in patients with vitamin D deficiency. DISCUSSION: Our study revealed important discrepancies between the management patterns of GNs and MSSs in MS patients. These findings suggest the need for a national education program for GNs on MSSs. Copyright:
Authors: Chris H Polman; Stephen C Reingold; Brenda Banwell; Michel Clanet; Jeffrey A Cohen; Massimo Filippi; Kazuo Fujihara; Eva Havrdova; Michael Hutchinson; Ludwig Kappos; Fred D Lublin; Xavier Montalban; Paul O'Connor; Magnhild Sandberg-Wollheim; Alan J Thompson; Emmanuelle Waubant; Brian Weinshenker; Jerry S Wolinsky Journal: Ann Neurol Date: 2011-02 Impact factor: 10.422
Authors: Kristin A Hanson; Neetu Agashivala; Kathleen W Wyrwich; Karina Raimundo; Edward Kim; David W Brandes Journal: Patient Prefer Adherence Date: 2014-04-03 Impact factor: 2.711
Authors: Le H Hua; Ahmed Z Obeidat; Lilyana Amezcua; Jeffrey A Cohen; Kathleen Costello; Jeffrey Dunn; Jeffrey M Gelfand; Myla D Goldman; Sarah Hopkins; Douglas Jeffery; Stephen Krieger; Scott D Newsome; Suma Shah; Nancy L Sicotte; Vijayshree Yadav; Erin E Longbrake Journal: Neurol Clin Pract Date: 2021-08