Disaster and Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review

Reza  HabibiSaravi; Seyed Mohammad Baghbanian; Ramin  Navaie; Nasrin  Sayfouri; Hesam  Seyedin; Farzad Gohardehi; Fariba  Ghasemihamedani

doi:10.18502/ijph.v51i9.10549

Reza HabibiSaravi Prehospital Emergency Medical Services and Disaster Management Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Seyed Mohammad Baghbanian Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Ramin Navaie Prehospital Emergency Medical Services and Disaster Management Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Nasrin Sayfouri Department of Foreign Languages, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Hesam Seyedin Department of Health in Disaster and Emergency, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Farzad Gohardehi Department of Health in Disaster and Emergency, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Fariba Ghasemihamedani Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v51i9.10549

Keywords: Disasters; Multiple sclerosis; Vulnerable populations; Disabled persons

Abstract

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients experience a variety of disease caused disabilities that makes them more vulnerable to the effects of disasters. This study aimed to review all existed studies about disasters and related disaster management planning about MS patients.

Methods: The PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, ProQuest, science direct , and grey literature databases were searched up to the mid of 2021. All obtained titles were assessed by the inclusion criteria. Abstracts of the relevant titles were reviewed and eligible articles/documents were included for full text review and data abstraction.

Results: From 24616 Articles/documents, finally 15 documents (13 articles, and 2 books) were selected. In 8 articles (53%) specifically, focused on MS patients and, in the rest focused on them as a member of people with disabilities. Most studies (10, 71.4%), emphasized on the disaster induced stress effect on MS patients. In two books/book sections, the disaster preparedness plan for all types of disabilities was presented in general, and MS patients were mentioned as a member of the group of patients with disabilities.

Conclusion: Despite the importance of planning in response to disasters to address specific problems of MS patients, there is a lack of proper planning. This is very important and there is an urgent need to develop appropriate planning protocols for addressing the special conditions of MS patients in response to disasters.