TY - JOUR
T1 - Diagnosis concealment is prevalent in MS, and associated with diagnosis experience
AU - Leavitt, V. M.
AU - Kever, A. M.
AU - Weinstein, S. M.
AU - Shinohara, R. T.
AU - Schmidt, H.
AU - Aoun, S. M.
AU - Solari, A.
AU - Solomon, A. J.
PY - 2022/12
Y1 - 2022/12
N2 - Background: Receiving a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) can be stressful; later, patients may conceal their diagnosis. Here, we aimed to (1) assess prevalence of disclosure and concealment behaviors, and (2) explore whether diagnosis experience is associated with later concealment and if MS provider engagement on this topic modifies concealment. Methods: In a survey-based study, MS patients completed DISCO-MS assessing disclosure and concealment and responded to questions about diagnosis experience and practitioner attention to disclosure. Frequency analysis and Pearson's correlations were used in exploratory analyses. Results: 428 adults with MS participated. 49% (N = 201) conceal their diagnosis. Higher education [t(405) = 3.66, p < 0.001], younger age (r = −0.15, p = 0.002), and shorter disease duration (r = −0.18, p = 0.010) were associated with higher concealment. 39% (N = 159) anticipate negative consequences of disclosure. Individuals reporting positive diagnosis experience (26%, N = 102) were less likely to conceal later in disease course compared to those with negative experience (34%, N = 136) [t(233) = 2.483, p = 0.014]. Patients whose MS providers discussed disclosure (23%, N = 73) anticipated less negative consequences of disclosure [t(323) = 2.475, p = 0.014]. Conclusions: Diagnosis concealment is common in MS. Favorable diagnosis experience and provider attention to the topic of disclosure throughout the MS disease course may influence diagnosis concealment.
AB - Background: Receiving a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) can be stressful; later, patients may conceal their diagnosis. Here, we aimed to (1) assess prevalence of disclosure and concealment behaviors, and (2) explore whether diagnosis experience is associated with later concealment and if MS provider engagement on this topic modifies concealment. Methods: In a survey-based study, MS patients completed DISCO-MS assessing disclosure and concealment and responded to questions about diagnosis experience and practitioner attention to disclosure. Frequency analysis and Pearson's correlations were used in exploratory analyses. Results: 428 adults with MS participated. 49% (N = 201) conceal their diagnosis. Higher education [t(405) = 3.66, p < 0.001], younger age (r = −0.15, p = 0.002), and shorter disease duration (r = −0.18, p = 0.010) were associated with higher concealment. 39% (N = 159) anticipate negative consequences of disclosure. Individuals reporting positive diagnosis experience (26%, N = 102) were less likely to conceal later in disease course compared to those with negative experience (34%, N = 136) [t(233) = 2.483, p = 0.014]. Patients whose MS providers discussed disclosure (23%, N = 73) anticipated less negative consequences of disclosure [t(323) = 2.475, p = 0.014]. Conclusions: Diagnosis concealment is common in MS. Favorable diagnosis experience and provider attention to the topic of disclosure throughout the MS disease course may influence diagnosis concealment.
KW - Cognitive efficiency
KW - Concealment
KW - Diagnosis experience
KW - Disclosure
KW - Multiple sclerosis
KW - Psychosocial factors
KW - Quality of life
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85140961441&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.msard.2022.104373
DO - 10.1016/j.msard.2022.104373
M3 - Article
C2 - 36544320
AN - SCOPUS:85140961441
SN - 2211-0348
VL - 68
JO - Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
JF - Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
M1 - 104373
ER -