title: An information aid for newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis patients improves disease knowledge and satisfaction with care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients report information deficits in the period surrounding diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). We assessed the effectiveness of an add-on information aid for newly diagnosed MS patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We randomly assigned 120 newly diagnosed MS patients from five Italian centres to diagnosis disclosure (current practice at the centre) or current practice plus information aid (ISRCTN81072971). The information aid consisted of a personal interview with a physician using a navigable compact disc and a take-home booklet. The primary composite endpoint was score in the highest tertile of MS knowledge and satisfaction with care questionnaires. Other endpoints were safety; treatment adherence; extra contacts/consultations; switching of care centre; and changes in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Control Preference Scale scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 1 month, 30/60 intervention and 8/60 control patients achieved the primary endpoint (odds ratio [OR] 6.5, 95% CI 2.6-16.0; p < 0.001; number needed to treat [NNT] 3). Figures at 6 months were 26/60 intervention and 11/60 control patients (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.5-7.8; p = 0.04; NNT 4). There were no adverse events. No significant treatment effects were seen on secondary outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The information aid was safe and significantly associated with attainment of the primary outcome at 1 and 6 months.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Neuroepidemiology, Foundation IRCCS Neurological Institute C. Besta, Milan, Italy. solari@istituto-besta.it
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Solari
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trojano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lugaresi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Granella
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Messmer Uccelli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: D'Alessandro
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pucci
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Confalonieri
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Borreani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D030881:Disclosure; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D055815:Young Adult