Lessons learned and paths forward: Navigating the social landscape of multiple sclerosis care in the second wave of COVID-19
Nazire Pınar Acar Ozen1,2
, Dilara Cilizoglu3, Bernanur Toprak4, Nartan Demirok4, Yeliz Salci2,5, Rana Karabudak1,2,6, Umut Beşpinar3, Aslı Tuncer1,2
1Department of Neurology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Türkiye
2Hacettepe University Multiple Sclerosis Research and Application Center, Ankara, Türkiye
3Department of Sociology, Middle East Technical University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Ankara, Türkiye
4Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Türkiye
5Hacettepe University Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Türkiye
6Department of Neurology, Yeditepe University Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul, Türkiye
Keywords: COVID-19, healthcare access, multiple sclerosis, psychological health.
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to explore the specific difficulties faced by multiple sclerosis (MS) patients during the longest wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), focusing on their physical and psychological health, healthcare access, and social dynamics.
Patients and methods: The observational cross-sectional study employed a mixed-methods approach, conducting telephone interviews with 114 patients (88 females, 26 males; mean age: 40.7±11.5 years; range, 19 to 66 years) with MS between October 2020 and March 2021 to gather comprehensive data on their experiences. Quantitative data was complemented with qualitative insights to provide a deeper understanding of the multifaceted impact of the pandemic on this population.
Results: The findings revealed that patients with MS experienced increased physical and cognitive fatigue, heightened anxiety, and exacerbation of disease symptoms during the pandemic. Disruption of social support networks and reduced access to healthcare services further compounded their challenges, significantly diminishing their quality of life.
Conclusion: The study underscores the critical need for integrating qualitative and quantitative data to fully understand the pandemic's impact on patients with MS. We recommend developing online social and psychological support mechanisms and enhancing telemedicine services to better address the needs of patients with MS in future health crises, thereby augmenting existing primary healthcare services.
Cite this article as: Acar Ozen NP, Cilizoglu D, Toprak B, Demirok N, Salci Y, Karabudak R, et al. Lessons learned and paths forward: Navigating the social landscape of multiple sclerosis care in the second wave of COVID-19. Turk J Neurol 2025;31(2):213-223. doi: 10.55697/tnd.2025.347.