Table 2

distribution of the correct response by patient.

QuestionsContentsMSKQ* Score (divided according to score%)Correct answer N=200(%)
<60(%)60 to <75(%)≥75 (%)
n=90n=85n=25
1Organs involved in MS78(86.7)85(100)§23(92)§186(93)§
2CNS composition51(56.7)54(63.5)16(64)121(60.5)
4MS impact on life expectancy32(35.6)66(77.6)23(92)§121(60.5)
5MS as immune disease63(70)71(83.5)24(96)§158(79)
6MS as a contagious disease71(78.9)85(100)§25(100)§181(90.5)§
7MS etiology8(8.9)7(8.2)11(44)26(13)
8MS transmission to offspring43(47.8)65(76.5)21(84)129(64.5)
9MS transmission to other family member9(10)18(21.2)15(60)42(21)
10Myelin/axon damage50(55.6)71(83.5)18(72)139(69.5)
11Age of onset56(62.2)76(89.4)23(92)§155(77.5)
12Sex ratio in MS prevalence67(74.4)80(94.1)§25(100)§172(86)
13Myelin function48(53.3)72(84.7)22(88)142(71)
14Tests used to diagnose MS20(22.2)24(28.2)13(52)57(28.5)
15Role of MRI in MS diagnosis85(94.4)§83(97.6)§25(100)§193(96.5)§
16Role of gadolinium injections during MRI7(7.8)17(20)13(52)37(18.5)
17Role of MRI in disease follow up62(68.9)78(91.8)§25(100)§165(82.5)
18Role of lumbar puncture22(24.4)45(52.9)22(88)89(44.5)
19Frequency of lumbar puncture17(18.9)46(54.1)21(84)84(42)
21Definition of remittent MS13(14.4)43(50.6)18(72)74(37)
22Benign MS12(13.3)34(40)19(76)65(32.5)
23Impact of pregnancy on MS30(33.3)73(85.9)23(92)§126(63)
24Curative treatment74(82.2)84(98.8)§24(96)§182(91)§
25Types of MS disease targeted by current therapies25(27.8)31(36.5)13(52)69(34.5)
*MSKQ multiple sclerosis Knowledge questionnaire (taken with permission from Giordano et al. 2010), question number 3 and 20 are deleted from the MSKQ (refer to text for explanation), ( = <25%, § = >90%)