title: [Multiple sclerosis in family practice].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the family physician's role in the diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nederlands Instituut voor Onderzoek van de Gezondheidszorg, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the Dutch National survey of morbidity and intervention in general practice, data were collected by 161 general practices throughout the Netherlands (161 family physicians) regarding contacts with patients during three months. These data were examined for contacts which resulted in the diagnosis of MS and for comorbidity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MS patients (n = 118) had 4.3 encounters per 3 months with their family physician and (or) the practice assistant. In 5 patients MS was diagnosed for the first time. Apart from neurological complaints characteristic of MS the family physician was consulted most frequently for sleeping disorders, urinary tract infections and urine incontinence. One-third of patients depended on social security and 26% had a paid job.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The family physician was consulted relatively frequently by MS patients. Apart from sleeping disorders remarkably few psychic complaints were noted.
authors.affiliation: Nederlands Instituut voor Onderzoek van de Gezondheidszorg, Utrecht.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Donker
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Foets
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spreeuwenberg
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van der Steen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology
vernacular_title: Multipele sclerose in de huisartspraktijk.