MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS knowledge among primary care physicians in Bahrain revealed strong understanding of disease characteristics but notable gaps in the diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis relapses, according to a new cross-sectional study.
Researchers surveyed primary care physicians working across Bahrain’s health centres to evaluate knowledge of multiple sclerosis, with the aim of identifying educational needs that could support earlier diagnosis and more effective care pathways.
The study invited 428 primary care physicians to participate, with 211 completing the questionnaire, resulting in a response rate of 49.3%.
Researchers found that respondents generally demonstrated acceptable knowledge of multiple sclerosis demographics, causes, symptoms, and disease types.
More than half correctly identified multiple sclerosis as an immune mediated disorder affecting the central nervous system, while 67.3% recognised that the condition occurs more commonly in females.
Most respondents also identified people aged 20 to 40 years as the group most commonly affected. In addition, 60.2% correctly selected relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis as the most common disease subtype.
Knowledge of diagnostic investigations was relatively strong, with 75.8% identifying magnetic resonance imaging as the preferred initial investigation in suspected cases of multiple sclerosis.
Despite these strengths, important deficiencies emerged regarding diagnosis and relapse management.
Although 52.6% of respondents understood that diagnosis requires dissemination in time and space, only 7.6% reported familiarity with the McDonald criteria.
Knowledge of relapse assessment was also limited. While 76.8% recognised that a relapse involves a new neurological symptom or worsening of an existing symptom, only 33.7% correctly identified that symptoms should persist for at least 24 hours.
Furthermore, just 44.5% recognised that at least 30 days should separate relapses.
Only 41.2% correctly identified methylprednisolone 500–1000 mg as the recommended initial treatment for a multiple sclerosis relapse.
Awareness of disease modifying therapies was another area requiring improvement.
More than half of respondents reported being unfamiliar with current treatments.
Among those who indicated knowledge of disease modifying therapies, interferon beta was the most frequently recognised medication at 64.7%.
Researchers also found that higher knowledge scores were associated with attendance at multiple sclerosis conferences, seminars, or workshops, greater exposure to patients with multiple sclerosis, and self-reported knowledge sufficiency.
The researchers concluded that primary care physicians possess a reasonable foundation in multiple sclerosis knowledge but would benefit from focused educational initiatives addressing diagnosis, relapse management, and disease modifying therapies.
They suggest that stronger collaboration between primary care physicians and multiple sclerosis specialists could help streamline care pathways and support earlier, more accurate diagnosis.
Reference
Elmazny A et al. Multiple sclerosis knowledge among primary care physicians practicing in primary health centers in Bahrain: a cross-sectional study. BMC Neurol. 2026;DOI:10.1186/s12883-026-05374-7.
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