title: Neuro-ophthalmologic evaluation, quality of life, and functional disability in patients with MS.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate correlations between longitudinal changes in neuro-ophthalmologic measures and quality of life (QOL) and disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), using optical coherence tomography (OCT), visual evoked potentials (VEP), and visual field examination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-four patients with relapsing-remitting MS were enrolled in this study and underwent Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life questionnaire (54 items) (MSQOL-54) and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) evaluation, as well as complete neuro-ophthalmologic examination including visual field testing and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) measurements using Cirrus and Spectralis OCT and VEP. All patients were re-evaluated at 12, 24, and 36 months. Logistical regression was performed to analyze which measures, if any, could predict QOL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, RNFL thickness results at the baseline evaluation were significantly different from those at 3 years (p ≤ 0.05), but there were no differences in functional measures (visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, color vision, visual field, and VEP). A reduced MSQOL-54 score was associated with an increase in EDSS score and a decrease in both functional and structural parameters. Patients with longer MS duration presented with a lower MSQOL-54 score (reduction in QOL).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with progressive axonal loss as seen in RNFL results had a lower QOL and more functional disability.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain. egmvivax@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Garcia-Martin
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Mena
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Herrero
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Almarcegui
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dolz
authors.forename: Jesus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Jose R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ara
authors.forename: Jose M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Larrosa
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Polo
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: Luis E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Pablo
mesh_terms: D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000502:physiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods; D058609:Visual Field Tests / Q000379:methods