Self-perception of illness among patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) – preliminary report

Purpose: To determine the perception of illness among immunomodulatory treated patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) against demographic and socioeconomic factors and clinical data.

Methods: The following were used: Imagination and Perception of Illness Scale by Sak, 2013, original structured interview on demographic, socioeconomic and clinical data, disability status determined with the use of Expanded Disabilty Status Scale (EDSS).

Results: It was found that the patients consider MS to be a disease leading to physical sphere destruction. The fewest number of patients considered the disease to be a threat to others. Differences in perception of illness were observed in terms of sex of the respondents. Women tend to assign more destructive effect to the disease than men. The differences in perception were also found in relation to age, time from initiation of treatment and the level of disability.

Conclusions: Perception of illness is a highly individualised experience; therefore, the assessment of perception should be closely monitored and incorporated into the complex therapeutic treatment.