Physicians’ Knowledge and Practice Regarding Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Mahmoud S Abdallah,1 Rania Mahafdeh,2 Bayan Ziyad Alrubayyi,3,4 Hayam Ali AlRasheed5 1Department of PharmD, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jadara University, Irbid, Jordan; 2Department of Doctor of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jadara University, Irbid, Jordan; 3Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jadara University, Irbid, Jordan; 4Al-odah United Pharmacy for Medicines, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Mahmoud S Abdallah, Department of PharmD, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jadara University, Irbid, Jordan, Email [email protected] Hayam Ali AlRasheed, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Email [email protected]: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic central nervous system disorder induced by the immune system. It gets worse over time and is characterized by inflammation, demyelination, and marked disability.Aim: To assess the knowledge and practices of physicians regarding MS care in Saudi Arabia.Methods: This observational cross-sectional study included licensed physicians (neurologists, psychiatrists, neurosurgeons, and primary care physicians) practicing in Saudi Arabia. The data was collected using a content-validated questionnaire. Physicians were requested to answer from different locations, and a Google Form was used to collect the replies. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression were performed to identify the factors affecting knowledge, practice and self-confidence among physicians.Results: A total of 220 participants participated in the study. The knowledge score was 12.9 ± 4.05 out of 25, the practice score was 18.3 ± 5.84 out of 35, and the self-confidence score was 49.11 ± 13.99 out of 100. In multivariate analysis, possessing an MS-related certification emerged as the most significant predictor of increased knowledge (β = 6.324, p < 0.001). Having an MS specialization was second (β = 2.468, p = 0.021), and clinical experience was third (β = 2.180, p < 0.001). Having an MS subspecialization (β = 5.030, p = 0.002), an MS certification (β = 7.998, p < 0.001), or clinical experience (β = 3.447, p < 0.001) was also a good independent predictor of practice scores. The effects of MS subspecialization (β = 9.813, p = 0.020), MS certification (β = 14.863, p < 0.001), and years of experience (β = 8.493, p < 0.001) on confidence scores were statistically significant.Conclusion: Physicians demonstrated moderate knowledge, practice but relatively low confidence regarding MS care, with significant gaps among non-specialists and less experienced clinicians. MS-specific certification, subspecialty training, and clinical practice are the key determinants for improved knowledge and practice.Keywords: multiple sclerosis, physician knowledge, clinical practice, neurology training, Saudi Arabia