Identifying unmet needs of individuals with MS: A latent class analysis

Introduction: The Greater Northwest Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society in collaboration with the University of Washington conducted a needs assessment to better understand member needs.

Methods: 440 participants were 69% female, 92% Caucasian, 29% employed, 81% with some college or more, 41% living in a primarily rural area, and 32% with a progressive form of MS. Participants were asked to indicate which of 15 services listed they needed and could not get. Latent class analysis was used to identify groups with differing unmet needs. Demographics and symptoms data were also collected.

Results: The four-class solution was the most substantively meaningful with adequate model fit (BIC: 5761; Entropy: 0.80). The four classes were: (1) high unmet needs for most services (20%, n=88), high symptom burden (pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression) with the lowest education and income; (2) unmet access and advocacy needs (accessible housing, transportation, home health services) (9%, n=39) with moderate symptom burden, a higher proportion of rural participants and wheelchair users; (3) unmet wellness and fitness needs (42%, n=184), moderate but slightly lower symptom burden, younger and mostly urban; (4) low unmet needs (more information about MS programs and services, help accessing services, but even those were endorsed at low levels) (29%, n= 129), lowest symptom burden, mostly urban, and better educated.

Conclusions: Each group had differing profiles of unmet needs. Care providers and MS support organizations should not assume similar unmet needs for all individuals living with MS.