Patient attitude as a function of disease state in multiple sclerosis.

The present study investigated the attitude of 243 patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as a function of their perceived disease state. Data was collected via a closed-format questionnaire developed through the Fishbein and Ajzen [1-3] Theory of Reasoned Action. Results indicated clearly that patients with MS are not an homogenous group and vary in characteristics across disease states and that disease state differentially affects the psycho-social attitudes of patients. Results also indicated that persons in remission were more positive in their attitude associated with their disease state than persons with a chronic progressive form of the disease.