A purported multiple sclerosis cure widely known as the “liberation” procedure — venoplasty to treat chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency — has patients traveling abroad against doctor advice to receive the unregulated procedure.
An analysis of data from the Canadian Survey of Health Lifestyle and Aging with MS, which included 753 patients over the age of 55 years old with 20 years or more of MS symptoms, found 13% underwent the alternative treatment. Researchers determined the following odds ratio for 5 factors:
• Living alone, 0.24
• Diagnosis of anxiety, 0.29
• Rating of neurologist’s helpfulness, 0.56
• Body mass index, 0.93
• Perceived physical impact of MS, 1.02
The study authors recommend physicians provide information on the risks and benefits of unregulated procedures to patients and their families who are dissatisfied with their neurologists.
Citation: Ploughman M, Manning OJ, Beaulieu S, et al. Predictors of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency procedure use among older people with multiple sclerosis: a national case-control study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2015. 15:161. doi:10.1186/s12913-015-835-y.