[Quality of life and multiple sclerosis].
BACKGROUND
Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a complex concept in which evaluation of physical, emotional and social domains of health are included. Since chronic diseases has raised, the importance of HRQoL evaluation has increased, overall in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) whose HRQoL has shown to be worse than in other chronic diseases.


OBJECTIVE
To review the information available about the HRQoL in patients with MS to provide an overview of the current situation.


METHODS
Previously performed clinical trials identified the main factors related to the HRQoL: physical factors (sensitive/motor deficits, fatigue, pain, sexual/bladder dysfunction), psychological factors (depression, anxiety, cognitive disturbances, coping strategies) and social factors (family/social relationships, work activity). The inclusion of HRQoL questionnaires in the patients' follow-up is a relevant issue to optimize its treatment, making easier treatment decision and improving adherence, as well as to reduce the inconveniences derived from medication such as adverse events.


CONCLUSIONS
HRQoL evaluation is really complex in patients with MS, being difficult to identify the main domains that impact on HRQoL. However, its regular evaluation provides essential information to improve the symptomatic treatment, increase the adherence to treatment and modify the immunomodulating treatment.
Olascoaga
J
J
Hospital Donostia, San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, España. med017891@saludalia.com
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D007155:Immunologic Factors