Multipla skleroza (MS) je kronična, upalna, autoimuna, neurodegenerativna, onesposobljavajuća bolest koja zahvaća središnji živčani sustav. Iako prvi zapisi o MS potječu iz početka 15 stoljeća, točan uzrok bolesti još uvijek nije poznat. U RH od ove nepredvidive bolesti boluje oko 6 500 osoba. Manifestira se vrlo različitim simptomima i znacima te je zasluženo dobila naziv boest s tisuću lica. Najčešće oboljevaju osobe između 20. i 40. godine, dva puta je češća u žena. Dijagnoza se postavlja na osnovu kliničkih simptoma, magnetske rezonancije, vidnih evociranih potencijala i laboratorijskim pretragama likvora. Sigurnog lijeka još uvijek nema. Liječenje kojim se olakšavaju simptomi i u pozitivnom smjeru mijenja tijek bolesti zahtijeva multidiscilpinarni pristup stručnjaka različitih područja. Bolest ima negativan utjecaj na fizičko, psihičko i socijalno zdravlje oboljelog, na obitelj i posljedično na zajednicu. Vrlo raznolika simptomatika uzrokuje prisutnost mnogobrojnih bolesnikovih problema u zadovoljavanju osnovnih ljudskih potreba. Ukoliko se radi o bolesnicima starije životne dobi, kod njih se stanje dodatno komplicira komorbiditetom i nezravstvenim ponašanjem. U oboljelih od MS prisutne su mnogobrojne sestrinske dijagnoze iz svih obrazaca zdravstvenog funkcioniranja. Intervencije medicinske sestre usmjerene su informiranju, educiranju bolesnika i njegove okoline u ranijim fazama bolesti, a s napredovanjem bolesti pružanju neposredne fizičke i psihičke potpore. Narušeno cjelokupno zdravlje bolesnika uzrokuje smanjenu kvalitetu života oboljelog i njegovih najbližih. Profesionalni odnos medicinske sestre prema bolesniku temelji se na humanom, holističkom, individualnom pristupu bolesniku kroz partnerski odnos i terapijsku komunikaciju, uz poštivanje privatnosti i dostojanstva te bezuvjetno prihvaćanje bolesnika u njegovoj jedinstvenosti i neponovljivosti. Značajnu ulogu imaju Društva multiple skleroze, koja oboljelima pružaju različite oblike potpore.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is cronical, inflamatory, autoimune, neurodegenerative and disabling disease which affects central nervous system. Although first records about MS originate from the beginning of the 15th century, the exact cause of disease is still unknown. In republic of Croatia there are 6500 people suffering from this unpredictable disease. It manifests with various symptoms and signs so it earned nickname Disease with thousands faces. It usually affects persons between 20 and 40 years of age and it is two times more frequent at females. Diagnose is made by clinical symptoms, magnetic reaonance, visual evoked potential and laboratory tests of liquors. Safe cure does not exist. Treatment which eases symptoms and changes direction of disease in positive way demands multidisciplinary access of experts from different domains. Disease has negative influence on physical, psychological and social health of patient, their family and consequently on community. Very diverse symptoms cause presence of many patients problems in satisfying basic human needs. When it comes to elderly patients, their condirion is additionaly complicated with comorbidity and non-health behavior. Patients affected by MS require many nurse diagnosis from all forms of health functioning. Nurse interventions are directed towards informing and educating patients and their environment in early stages of disease. With progression of the disease nurses offer immediate physical and psyhological support. Disrupted health of patient causes reduced quality of life of patient and their family. Professional relationship of nurse towards patient is based on humanic, holistic and individual access to patient through partnership relationship and terapeutic comunication with respect of privacy and dignity of patient and also unconditional acception of patient in their uniqueness and singularity. Significant role have Multiple sclerosis societies which offer different forms of support.