Awareness of patients with multiple sclerosis in Saudi Arabia regarding the relationship between smoking and multiple sclerosis

Bashamakh, Lujain F; Alsharif, Shouq M.; Wayyani, Lamis A.; Alghamdi, Alaa; Fatani, Ghaida M.; Alnajashi, Hind; Alshamrani, Foziah

doi:10.17712/nsj.2019.4.20190027

Cited by 5 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Our study showed that most PwMS do not know their disease phenotype, which is similar to what another study done in Jeddah reported [ 16 ]. This could reflect a lack of patient awareness of their disease or a lack of effective communication and education by physicians.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…A study investigating awareness of smoking risk among PwMS in Jeddah also showed a high prevalence of active smokers (34.6%). It was also shown that most patients did not know whether smoking is a risk factor for MS or disagreed to this [ 16 ]. All of this shows that, indeed, smoking is prevalent among PwMS and can be a strong risk factor for the disease in Saudi Arabia.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Relationship Between Smoking and Multiple Sclerosis Severity in Saudi Arabia

Makkawi¹,

Alharbi²,

Alsulaimani³

et al. 2022

Cureus

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Introduction Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that can be disabling to patients. Smoking has been proposed to be a risk factor for MS and to increase the risk of progression of the disease and its severity. However, it is still not clear how smoking affects people with MS (PwMS) regarding disease phenotype, symptoms, relapses, course, and disability. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of smoking on PwMS in Saudi Arabia. Methods This is an online questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. PwMS were randomly contacted through different MS societies and associations to participate in the study. The questionnaire inquired about demographics, MS phenotype and severity, and smoking status of the participants. Data were collected between May 30, 2021, and July 5, 2021. Results Four hundred twenty-nine PwMS participated in the study. The mean age was 33.7, with a mean disease duration of 8.1 years. About 61.1% of the participants were female. About 62.2% did not know the specific MS phenotype they have. About 35.7% were current or previous smokers, with a mean smoking duration of 13.9 years. Smoking was significantly associated with the presence of multiple MS symptoms (p-value = 0.009) and their number (p-value = 0.050). In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between pack-years smoking and the number of MS symptoms with a Pearson's r value of 0.165 (p-value = 0.001). No significant associations were found between smoking and recent relapses and disease progression, disability in terms of walking, needing a cane, or needing a wheelchair. Conclusion Smoking was shown to have a significant effect on the number of symptoms experienced by PwMS. Higher pack-years of smoking correlates positively and significantly with a higher number of MS symptoms. Further studies to examine these relations are hence warranted.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Relationship Between Smoking and Multiple Sclerosis Severity in Saudi Arabia

Makkawi¹,

Alharbi²,

Alsulaimani³

et al. 2022

Cureus

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“…However, our results showed extremely low levels of awareness of adverse effects of smoking and passive smoking on MS onset, progression and treatment in our sample. This lack of knowledge of a modifiable risk factor represents a failing in caring for people with MS, and is consistent with other studies 12–14. There is an urgent need for remedial education and action to ensure better promotion of smoking cessation as an integral part of MS care.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

“…Evidence is emerging that people with MS are largely unaware of the risks of smoking to MS, and that there are MS-specific barriers to quitting, such as the potential impact of cessation-induced stress on MS 12–14. Our qualitative work also identified several MS-specific barriers to smoking cessation, including concerns that quitting may negatively impact MS symptoms, such as mood, cognition, pain and relapses 14.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Smoking habits, awareness and support needs for cessation among people with multiple sclerosis in Australia: findings from an online survey

et al. 2022

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ObjectivesTo assess smoking habits, nicotine use, exposure to passive smoking, awareness of associated harms, and experiences with and preferences for smoking cessation support among people with multiple sclerosis (MS).DesignOnline survey, convenience sampling.SettingCommunity setting, Australia.ParticipantsAdults living in Australia with probable or diagnosed MS were recruited via social media and newsletters to participate in 2020.ResultsOf the 284 participants in our convenience sample, 25.7% were current smokers (n=73) and 38.0% were former smokers (n=108). Awareness of the harms of smoking on MS onset (n=68, 24.3%) and progression (n=116, 41.6%) was low. Almost a quarter (n=67, 23.8%) of participants were regularly exposed to passive smoke, and awareness of associated harm was also low (n=47, 16.8%). Among current smokers, 76.1% (n=54) had tried quitting and 73.2% considered quitting within 6 months (n=52). Many participants reported perceived short-term benefits of smoking, and long-term benefits of quitting, on MS symptoms and general well-being (short-term n=28, 40.0%; long-term n=28, 82.4%). While most participants reported that their neurologist (n=126, 75.4%) or other healthcare providers (n=125, 74.9%) had assessed smoking status, very few neurologists (n=3, 1.8%) or other healthcare providers (n=14, 8.4%) had provided help with quitting. Most current smokers preferred speaking about smoking to a neurologist (n=36, 52.2%) or general practitioner (n=41, 59.4%). Almost 60% of the current smokers wanted additional cessation information specific to MS (n=41, 59.4%), and 45.5% said this information would motivate them to quit smoking (n=30).ConclusionsOur convenience sample, which may not be representative, indicated an urgent need for regular evidence-based smoking cessation supports for people with MS. Most participants felt they would benefit from smoking cessation advice. MS clinicians, in collaboration with patient organisations, smoking cessation services and general practitioners, should make smoking cessation promotion with people with MS a priority.

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“…We appreciate your interest and comment on our recent study. 1 Your letter raised important factors that could lead to bias in any study related to multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Mood disorder and fatigue are common among MS patients.…”

Section: Reply From the Authormentioning

confidence: 99%