Activities of daily living and social activities in people with multiple sclerosis in Stockholm County.
OBJECTIVE
To describe independence in personal and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL), and frequency of social/lifestyle activities in a population-based sample of people with multiple sclerosis in Stockholm.


METHODS
Population-based survey.


METHODS
Data collection in home environment.


METHODS
One hundred and sixty-six people with multiple sclerosis.


METHODS
Data were collected using measurements and structured interviews.


METHODS
Independence in ADL was assessed by the Barthel Index; independence in personal and instrumental ADL by the Katz Extended ADL Index; and frequency of social/lifestyle activities by the Frenchay Activities Index.


RESULTS
The mean age was 51 +/- 12 years in the included 166 people with multiple sclerosis, of whom 71% (n = 118) were women. Fifty-two per cent (n = 85) were independent in personal ADL, 30% (n = 50) in instrumental ADL, and 35% (n = 57) had normal frequency of social/lifestyle activities. Most frequently affected ADL items were cleaning indoors and outdoors transportation (62%, n = 102) and the social/lifestyle items of household maintenance (59%, n = 97), walking outside (59%, n = 97), heavy housework (61%, n = 100), and gardening (68%, n = 112).


CONCLUSIONS
ADL and social/lifestyle activities were affected in two-thirds of people with multiple sclerosis in Stockholm. The most affected items were items that could be classified as mobility-related and physically demanding, underlining the importance of developing and using evidence-based exercise treatments and rehabilitation to increase independence in people with multiple sclerosis in Stockholm.
Einarsson
U
U
Division of Physiotherapy, Neurotec Department, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. ulrika.einarsson@karolinska.se
Gottberg
K
K
Fredrikson
S
S
von Koch
L
L
Holmqvist
L Widén
LW
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013548:Sweden