LGBT health-care disparities in Multiple Sclerosis: a cross-sectional web-based study in Italy (Preprint)
BACKGROUND Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) patients might experience unique difficulties and barriers to treatment of chronic diseases related to their sexual orientation. OBJECTIVE To investigate health-care disparities experienced by LGBT patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS We conducted a survey on an Italian social-network (www.smsocialnetwork.com) for MS patients, by using standardized multiple-choice questions. The survey investigated: socio-demographic factors, lifestyle habits, MS-related health status and LGBT specific issues (e.g. friendliness to their sexual orientation or homophobic behaviors from the staff of their MS Center). RESULTS LGBT patients were associated with a smaller number of psychological consultations, compared to heterosexuals (Coeff.=-0.449; p<0.001; 95%CI=-0.682--0.217). LGBT patients were more likely to change MS Center, compared to heterosexuals (OR=2.064; p=0.046; 95%CI=1.011-4.212). The number of MS Center changes was associated with MS Center friendliness (p=0.037; rho=-0.229) and with the occurrence of homophobic behaviors (p=0.036; rho=0.234). CONCLUSIONS LGBT MS patients more frequently changed MS Center and had a reduced use of psychological services, compared to heterosexuals. The attitude towards LGBT MS patients might affect resource utilizations and, possibly, LGBTs’ health status.