Health-care disparities stemming from sexual orientation of Italian patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A cross-sectional web-based study
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) patients might experience unique difficulties and barriers to treatment of chronic diseases related to their sexual orientation. Thus, we investigated concerns experienced by LGBT patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We conducted a web-based survey using a multi-choice questionnaire published in an Italian social-network (www.smsocialnetwork.com) for MS patients. The survey investigated: socio-demographic factors, lifestyle habits, MS-related health status and LGBT specific issues (e.g. friendliness to their sexual orientation and eventual homophobic behaviors in the MS Center). Among MS patients willing to use psychological services, LGBT patients were associated with a smaller number of psychological consultations, compared to heterosexuals (Coeff.=−0.449; p<0.001; 95%CI=−0.682 to −0.217). LGBT patients were more likely to change MS Center, compared to heterosexuals (OR=2.064; p=0.046; 95%CI=1.011–4.212). The number of MS Center changes was associated with MS Center friendliness (p=0.037; rho=−0.229) and with the occurrence of homophobic behaviors (p=0.036; rho=0.234). LGBT MS patients more frequently changed MS Center and had a reduced use of psychological services, compared to heterosexuals. The attitude towards LGBT MS patients might affect resource utilizations and LGBTs health status.
Date Issued
2017-02-05
Date Acceptance
2017-02-03
Citation
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RELATED DISORDERS, 2017, 13 (April 2017), pp.28-32
ISSN
2211-0348
Publisher
ELSEVIER
Start Page
28
End Page
32
Journal / Book Title
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RELATED DISORDERS
Volume
13
Issue
April 2017
Copyright Statement
© 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000401134100007&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Clinical Neurology
Neurosciences & Neurology
LGBT
Gender
Sexual orientation
Inequalities
QUALITY-OF-LIFE
PEOPLES EXPERIENCES
GAY
PHYSICIANS
CENTERS
PAPER
Publication Status
Published