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Table 3 Professional and informal support

From: Economic burden of multiple sclerosis in a population with low physical disability

 

Professional support

EDSS 0–1

(n = 67)

EDSS 1.5–3.0

(n = 77)

EDSS 3.5–5.5

(n = 34)

EDSS ≥ 6

(n = 21)

Overall

(n = 199)

Formal caregiver at study visit; n (%)

15 (22.4%)

25 (32.5%)

20 (58.8%)

12 (57.1%)

72 (36.2%)

Support staff (professionals or transportation) paid by the patient; n (%)

5 (7.5%)

25 (32.5%)

14 (41.2%)

12 (57.1%)

56 (28.1%)

Type of professional; n (%)

 - Caregiver

0 (0%)

0 (0%)

1 (2.9%)

0 (0%)

1 (0.5%)

 - Physiotherapist

2 (3.0%)

15 (19.5%)

10 (29.4%)

5 (23.8%)

32 (16.1%)

 - Person to do housework

2 (3.0%)

8 (10.4%)

3 (8.8%)

5 (23.8%)

18 (9.0%)

 - Private ophthalmologist

0 (0%)

2 (2.6%)

1 (2.9%)

1 (4.8%)

4 (2.0%)

 - Private neurologist

0 (0%)

1 (1.3%)

0 (0%)

0 (0%)

1 (0.5%)

 - Private psychologist

2 (3.0%)

5 (6.5%)

1 (2.9%)

0 (0%)

8 (4.0%)

 - Taxi driver

1 (1.5%)

4 (5.2%)

6 (17.6%)

4 (19.0%)

15 (7.5%)

 - Other

0 (0%)

7 (9.1%)

5 (14.7%)

1 (4.8%)

13 (6.5%)

 

Informal support

EDSS 0–1

(n = 67)

EDSS 1.5–3.0

(n = 77)

EDSS 3.5–5.5

(n = 34)

EDSS ≥ 6

(n = 21)

Overall

(n = 199)

Informal caregiver at study visit; n (%)

13 (19.4%)

30 (39.0%)

28 (82.4%)

18 (85.7%)

89 (44.7%)

Relationship to patient; n (%)

 - Husband/wife

8 (11.9%)

19 (24.7%)

21 (61.8%)

12 (57.1%)

60 (30.2%)

 - Other relative

5 (7.5%)

18 (23.4%)

19 (55.9%)

9 (42.9%)

51 (25.6%)

 - Neighbor

1 (1.5%)

2 (2.6%)

1 (2.9%)

1 (4.8%)

5 (2.5%)

 - Volunteer

0 (0%)

0 (0%)

0 (0%)

1 (4.8%)

1 (0.5%)

 - Other

1 (1.5%)

1 (1.3%)

1 (2.9%)

0

3 (1.5%)

 

Use of non-reimbursed devices

EDSS 0–1

(n = 67)

EDSS 1.5–3.0

(n = 77)

EDSS 3.5–5.5

(n = 34)

EDSS ≥ 6

(n = 21)

Overall

(n = 199)

Use of non-reimbursed devices; n (%)

1 (1.5%)

11 (14.3%)

15 (44.1%)

16 (76.2%)

43 (21.6%)

Type of device; n (%)

 - Wheelchair

0 (0%)

0 (0%)

1 (2.9%)

3 (14.3%)

4 (2.0%)

 - Crutch/walking stick

0 (0%)

3 (3.9%)

7 (20.6%)

11 (52.4%)

21 (10.6%)

 - Toilet seats or grab bars

0 (0%)

2 (2.6%)

4 (11.8%)

5 (23.8%)

11 (5.5%)

 - Home adaptation

0 (0%)

6 (7.8%)

5 (14.7%)

5 (23.8%)

16 (8.0%)

 - Vehicle adaptation

0 (0%)

1 (1.3%)

2 (5.9%)

3 (14.3%)

6 (3.0%)

 - Articulated bed

0 (0%)

0 (0%)

0 (0%)

2 (9.5%)

2 (1.0%)

 - Other

1 (1.5%)

1 (1.3%)

5 (14.7%)

6 (28.6%)

13 (6.5%)

  1. EDSS Expanded Disability Status Scale, MS Multiple sclerosis