Factors influencing the health-related quality of life in Hungarian multiple sclerosis patients.
BACKGROUND
The 'Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Instrument' (MSQOL-54) was recently validated in Hungarian, on more than 400 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The aim of the present study was to examine the impact on their overall quality of life (QoL) of the demographic and clinical data on these patients, and their scores on different QoL scales.


METHODS
The Hungarian version of MSQOL-54 was given to patients at the outpatient units at the Department of Neurology, University of Szeged, and two other Hungarian MS centres. Additional data, including the EDSS scores of the patients, and relevant clinical and demographic data, were also collected.


RESULTS
The questionnaire scales relating to social function, general health, mental health and satisfaction with the sexual function mostly determined the overall QoL ratings. 62.1% of the patients indicated at least one comorbid condition. Depressed patients had a significantly worse quality of life (p<0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
MSQOL-54 is a useful tool for the recognition of possibly treatable factors influencing the QoL, but not assessed by the EDSS. Quality of life data have emerged on more than 400 patients, i.e. a considerable proportion of the Hungarian MS patient population.
Füvesi
J
J
Department of Neurology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Centre, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
Bencsik
K
K
Losonczi
E
E
Fricska-Nagy
Zs
Z
Mátyás
K
K
Mészáros
E
E
Benedek
K
K
Rajda
C
C
Lencsés
Gy
G
Vécsei
L
L
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult