RETRACTED: Multiple sclerosis patients and e-health system in Saudi Arabia
International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare
ISSN: 2056-4902
Article publication date: 8 April 2021
Issue publication date: 12 April 2022
Retraction statement
The publishers of the International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare wish to retract the article Alshamrani, F. and Alnajashi, H. (2022), “Multiple sclerosis patients and e-health system in Saudi Arabia”, International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, Vol. 15 No. 2, pp. 118-127. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHRH-01-2021-0007
An internal investigation into a series of submissions has uncovered evidence that the peer review process was compromised. As a result of these concerns, the findings of the article cannot be relied upon. This decision has been taken in accordance with Emerald's publishing ethics and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The authors of this paper would like to note that they do not agree with the content of this notice. The publishers of the journal sincerely apologize to the readers.
Abstract
Purpose
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune neurological disease. Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are mainstay lifelong treatment with no immediate benefits observed. Adherence to treatment is necessary, however, non-adherence is common problem in MS patients. This paper aims to evaluate patient-related factors and satisfactions affecting medication adherence in Saudi MS patients and their rights to discontinue them against medical advice.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 409 patients diagnosed with MS, using self-administered DMT (oral and injectable), were randomly enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Electronic questionnaire was used in data collection.
Findings
Most participants (71.1%) did not know about their MS type. Average age of participants when diagnosed with MS was 27.9 ± 8 years (range 7–69), mean disease duration was 8.1 ± 6.6. Most patients received injectable therapy 363 (88%). Overall adherence in our sample was 67%. Age of participants and duration of disease had no impact on treatment adherence. No significant differences found between genders, educational level, marital status, and smoking in relation to treatment adherence. Route of administration did not reach statistical significance despite a higher percentage of adherence reported in patients on oral DMT [33% (n = 15)] versus injectable therapy [29% (n = 104)]. Conversely, there was significant difference between adherent and non-adherent patients according to anxiety (p = 0.002) and family history of MS (p = 0.011).
Originality/value
The results revealed that the age of the participants and the duration of the disease had no impact on adherence to treatment.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are thankful to all participants in the study.
Citation
Alshamrani, F. and Alnajashi, H. (2022), "RETRACTED: Multiple sclerosis patients and e-health system in Saudi Arabia", International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, Vol. 15 No. 2, pp. 118-127. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHRH-01-2021-0007
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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