Perception of risk and shared decision making process in multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment has changed considerably in recent years thanks to the introduction of ever-more-powerful drugs. Unfortunately, the higher efficacies of these therapies are associated with increased risks of severe adverse events. In this scenario, neurologists and persons with MS (pwMSs) must now balance benefits and risks when making decisions regarding MS management.

Areas covered: This review highlights the importance of the risk perception of pwMSs and their neurologists in the shared decision-making process in MS management, taking into account different ways improve the empowerment and engagement of pwMSs.

Expert commentary: The shared decision-making process in MS is strongly influenced by an individual’s risk perception, which is dynamic and influenced by the personal, emotional, social, and experiential factors of both the pwMSs and neurologists.

KEYWORDS:

• Multiple sclerosis
• perception of risk
• participation preference
• share decision-making
• empowerment
• engagement
• illness
• disability
• therapy

Declaration of interest

E Cocco serves on scientific advisory boards and received honoraria for speaking from Allmiral, Bayer, Biogen, Merck, Novartis, Genzyme and Teva. A Caoci has received honoraria for speaking from Teva. L Lorefice serves on scientific advisory boards and received honoraria for speaking from Biogen and Merck. MG Marrosu serves on scientific advisory boards, received honoraria for speaking and research grants from Allmiral, Bayer, Biogen, Merck, Novartis, Genzyme and Teva. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Additional information

Funding

This paper has been funded by Fondazione di Sardegna [grant number 2014.1228].