Disability, disease duration, and rehabilitation service needs in multiple sclerosis: patient perspectives.

The purpose of this study was to determine the medical, psychologic, social, and vocational needs of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to evaluate these needs with respect to age, disease duration, sex, and disability level. Individuals with MS in western Washington state were asked to participate by responding to a mailed questionnaire. Six hundred fifty-six completed the questionnaire of more than 250 variables covering symptoms, diagnosis, adjustment, service use and service need were found in this population. Medical needs, with the exception of bladder management and physical therapy, appeared well met. However, counseling and vocational needs appeared less well met. The perceived need for most medical and community services was correlated with increasing disability as might be expected. However, the need for vocational and psychologic services was not related to the level of disability but to the age of the patients and the recency of MS diagnosis.