title: Value of health-related quality of life to predict disability course in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the value of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) to predict change in disability status in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Over a 5-year period, data were collected on HRQoL (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 Health Survey) and disability status (Expanded Disability Status Scale) from a heterogeneous group of 81 Dutch-speaking patients with MS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HRQoL in the domains of Physical Functioning and Role-Physical Functioning is a significant predictor of change in disability status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A patient's subjectively perceived health-related quality of life may not be only a clinically and psychosocially meaningful outcome per se but may also be a predictor of objective outcomes such as change in disability status over a substantial period of time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands maj.visschedijk@vumc.nl
authors.forename: M A J
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Visschedijk
authors.forename: B M J
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Uitdehaag
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van der Ploeg
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Collette
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vleugels
authors.forename: L E M A
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Pfennings
authors.forename: E L J
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Hoogervorst
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: van der Ploeg
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Polman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires