Quality of life is favorable for most patients with multiple sclerosis: a population-based cohort study.
BACKGROUND
Quality of life (QOL) is becoming an increasingly important factor in measurement of disease impact as well as an outcome measure in clinical trials.


OBJECTIVE
To study the QOL of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in a population-based prevalence cohort and compare it with the general US population.


METHODS
Population-based prevalence cohort.


METHODS
Olmsted County, Minn, population.


METHODS
All patients with definite MS (N = 201) alive and residing in Olmsted County on December 1, 2000.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
The expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Health Survey (MSQOL-54), which consisted of Short Form 36 (SF-36) with an additional 18 items pertinent to MS.


RESULTS
The MSQOL-54 form was completed by 185 patients. Patients with MS had worse scores than the general US population with respect to physical functioning, vitality, and general health dimensions of the SF-36 QOL measure. Many QOL domains (pain, role emotional, mental health, and social functioning) were, however, similar for the 2000 MS cohort compared with the general US population. Duration of MS and EDSS score correlated significantly with physical functioning (P<.001). The QOL correlation with EDSS score was less than expected. No significant difference in the scores for the 8 QOL dimensions were found for patients with quick vs slow progression (quick progression defined as <5 years from onset to EDSS score of 3). The majority of patients with MS (77%) were mostly satisfied or delighted with their QOL.


CONCLUSIONS
Though MS can cause significant disability, most patients with MS in the Olmsted County prevalence cohort continue to report a good QOL.
Pittock
Sean J
SJ
Department of Neurology and Biostatistics and the Mayo Medical School and Graduate School, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn, USA.
Mayr
William T
WT
McClelland
Robyn L
RL
Jorgensen
Neal W
NW
Weigand
Stephen D
SD
Noseworthy
John H
JH
Rodriguez
Moses
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires