Search

Multiple sclerosis is a complex, autoimmune-mediated disease of the central nervous system characterized by inflammatory demyelination and axonal/neuronal damage. The approval of various disease-modifying therapies and our increased understanding of disease mechanisms and evolution in recent years have significantly changed the prognosis and course of the disease. This update of the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Consensus Group treatment recommendation focuses on the most important recommendations for disease-modifying therapies of multiple sclerosis in 2021. Our recommendations are based on current scientific evidence and apply to those medications approved in wide parts of Europe, particularly German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland)., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Aim: To date, to our knowledge there are no studies regarding attitudes and experiences of outpatient medical personnel during a pandemic. This study's aim was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 on German psychiatrists and neurologists., Methods: An e-mail and fax-based short survey of 2,072 practice-based psychiatrists and neurologists was performed including Likert-type questions on personal burden and concerns, anticipated risk of infection, practice management as well as anxiety and sleep problems., Results: 396 physicians returned the questionnaire (19 %). More than 60 % of the participants felt restricted strongly or very strongly, more than 30 % were strongly and very strongly concerned. They anticipated a high own risk of infection. However, 91 % did not report any contact with patients positively screened for COVID-19, which they were aware of. One third felt financially threatened and loss of business volume was anticipated. 18 % reported, that the pandemic triggers substantial anxiety. Sleep problems, which occur at least almost every night, were rarely reported (9 %)., Conclusion: Practice-based psychiatrists and neurologists are negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic., Competing Interests: Jens Bohlken erhielt innerhalb der letzten drei Jahre finanzielle Unterstützung von der Firma Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG und dem Berufsverband Deutscher Nervenärzte (BVDN) für Forschungsprojekte und Vortragstätigkeit. Alle anderen Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)