title: Spasticity in multiple sclerosis: Associations with impairments and overall quality of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of people with MS routinely attending an appointment with their local MS service.
  
  
  METHODS
  701 patients with clinically definite MS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Demographic details were obtained and patients completed a battery of measures including spasticity (Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity Scale - 88), fatigue (Neurological Fatigue Index - MS), urinary dysfunction (Qualiveen-SF), pain (Neuropathic Pain Scale), mood disorder (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), disability (World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule) and QOL (Leeds Multiple Sclerosis QOL Scale).
  
  
  RESULTS
  85.7% of patients reported spasticity. Patients with higher levels of spasticity were more likely to be disabled, suffer from depression and anxiety, have higher levels of fatigue and report more pain and bladder problems (p<0.01). Spasticity remained as a significant direct effect upon QOL in a multivariate model adjusted for other impairments, activity limitation and depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a strong association between spasticity and fatigue, depression, anxiety, pain and bladder problems. The retention of a significant direct relationship with QOL in a multivariate model emphasises its influence upon the everyday lives of people with MS.
authors: The Walton Centre Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom; University of Liverpool, United Kingdom. Electronic address: miliniskristijonas@gmail.com.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Milinis
authors: Swiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil, Switzerland.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Tennant
authors: The Walton Centre Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom; University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors: C A
authors: CA
authors: Young
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Depression; Disability; Fatigue; Multiple sclerosis; Quality of life; Spasticity