Patients With Multiple Sclerosis and Their Dignity

Introduction. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, inflammatory,demyelinating, and neurodegenerative diseaseof the central nervous system with a variableand unpredictable clinical course, affecting approximately6,500 individuals in the Republic of Croatia.Untreated, the disease irreversibly leads to severeneurological impairment and over time, may causedisability in daily life, potentially resulting in feelingsof indignity among patients.Aim. The aim of the study is to examine the expectationsand satisfaction of individuals with multiplesclerosis regarding the respect for their dignity indaily healthcare. Special emphasis was placed ondifferences regarding the duration of the disease, aswell as the method and frequency of therapy application.Methods. The study included a total of 150 individualswith multiple sclerosis and was conducted at theNeurology Clinic of the University Hospital Centre Zagreb.A hospitalized patients’ dignity scale, consistingof 21 questions, was used. The questions assesspatients’ expectations and satisfaction regarding thebehavior of doctors and nurses in the hospital. Satisfactionand expectations of patients were evaluatedacross four domains: respect for the individual as ahuman being, personal feelings, independence, andprivacy, in relation to the disease duration and themethod and frequency of therapy administration.Results. The results indicate that patients with adisease duration of less than 5 years report highersatisfaction in the domain of independence. There isno statistically significant difference in expectationsand satisfaction based on the method of therapyadministration, i.e., between patients not receivingany therapy and those receiving therapy in the formof tablets, injections, or infusion solutions. There isno statistically significant difference in the expectationsand satisfaction of patients receiving therapyat intervals shorter than 2 weeks compared to thosereceiving therapy at intervals longer than 2 weeks.Conclusion. The study suggests that the expectationsof patients regarding the mentioned domains,in relation to disease duration, therapy modality andfrequency, are met, and their dignity is preserved.Due to the lack of publications on the dignity of patientswith chronic diseases in Croatia, further explorationof this topic is recommended.