Awareness of deficit in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

The present study examined awareness of deficits among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). A total of 74 pairs of persons with MS and their significant others participated. Awareness of cognitive deficit was measured by discrepancy scores between patient reports of their cognitive abilities and objective test results. Awareness of functional deficit was measured by the discrepancy between the patient and significant other reports of the functional abilities of the patient. Results suggest that about one third of MS patients have diminished awareness of their cognitive and/or functional deficits. Unawareness of deficit was more common among patients with secondary-progressive MS than among those with relapse-remitting MS. Executive dysfunction was strongly associated with unawareness of cognitive deficits but not unawareness of functional deficits. Unawareness of cognitive deficits and unawareness of functional deficits appear to be tapping different aspects of unawareness of deficit.

The authors thank Omar Khan, Robert Lisak, and the staff at the MS Clinic for their assistance with the recruitment process. This study was supported by grants from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and dissertation grants from Wayne State University.