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Observational Study
. 2019 Jan;24(1):16-21.
doi: 10.17712/nsj.2019.1.20180321.

Effect of new modalities of treatment on physicians management plan for patients with spinal muscular atrophy

Fahad A Bashiri  1 , Hiyam A Idris, Fahad M Al-Sohime, Mohamad H Temsah, Khalid A Alhasan
Affiliations
Observational Study

Effect of new modalities of treatment on physicians management plan for patients with spinal muscular atrophy

Fahad A Bashiri et al. Neurosciences (Riyadh). 2019 Jan.

Abstract

Objective: To determine physicians` attitudes and stated practice in the management of patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). We also aimed to explore their knowledge about consensus statement for standard of care in SMA and the role of new treatment modalities in changing the method of practice in the management of these cases.

Methods: This is a quantitative observational cross-sectional study, conducted from February to May 2017 among physicians who manage SMA patients in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study cohort included pediatric neurologists, adult neurologists, and physicians of other sub-specialties who manage SMA patients. We used online and paper-based questionnaires.

Results: Half of the 169 participants were aware of the consensus guidelines for the care of SMA patients. With regard to the newly released Nursinersen treatment protocol for SMA-diagnosed patients, half of the participants were uncertain, and the other half were hesitant about its outcomes. Junior physicians tended to be significantly more inclined to reverse the do-not-resuscitate (DNR) status of an SMA-diagnosed child than more senior physicians.

Conclusion: Our results indicate the existence of wide differences in physician practice with children of SMA disease. Our data demonstrate a need for increased awareness of consensus guidelines and further awareness about the physician`s role in the variability of care for children with SMA.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Correlation of physicians’ current position with reported probability of reversal of the DNR status. Fellow: pediatric and adult neurology fellow in training program.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Correlation of physicians’ main field of practice with reported probability of reversal of the DNR status.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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