CREMONA – In 2021, 30% of patients with multiple sclerosis lost their jobs due to the disease and 53% said they never did the job they were qualified for. Women and young people are the most affected categoryamong the latter, one in 4 lost their jobs. This is shown by the data of the 2022 Barometer presented today in the Chamber of Deputies by theItalian Multiple Sclerosis Association (Aism), on the occasion of the world day dedicated to the disease. Barometro offers an annual snapshot of the reality of multiple sclerosis in Italy and of the trend in levels of care and inclusion of over 133,000 people living in Italy with this chronic pathology and related pathologies.
Over 20,000 requests for advice reached the toll-free number of the Italian Multiple Sclerosis Association (Aism) from January 2021 to February 2022. Requests addressing various problems, including psychological support: in fact, over 42% of patients with multiple sclerosis suffered from isolation and depression during the pandemic. Also with regard to the sustainability of treatment costs, the Covid pandemic has aggravated a trend already underway, increasing the strong differences in access to drugs capable of modifying the course of the disease due to the different regulatory systems adopted by the regions.
Furthermore one in 3 patients today is not receiving free symptomatic medicationsreaching an annual expense that can reach 6,500 euros per patient and which in many cases risks not being able to be sustained. And 2 out of 3 patients do not receive rehabilitation or home care, having to face out of pocket expenses. Finally, so far, 13 out of 20 regions today have approved diagnostic therapeutic assistance paths (Pdta), concretely applied in only 1 out of 4 centers. (ANSA)
