title: ASSOCIATION BETWEEN DISABILITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENTS IN AHVAZ, IRAN.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative and chronic disease of central nervous system which affected the middle aged people. The disabling nature of this disease can limit the daily activities, restrict the society roles, unemployment and finally lead to decline the quality of life (QoL) in MS patients. So, the main purpose of this study was to determine association between disability and quality of life among MS patients in Ahvaz, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and one MS patients who living in Khouzestan participated in the cross-sectional study. Two questionnaires include the MSQoL-54 and World Health Organization disability assessment schedule 2.0 (WHODAS2.0) were used in order to measure the QoL and disability severity. Descriptive statistics as well as Pearson correlation coefficient and simple linear regression were used to analysis the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The respondent rate was 100 percent. The disability showed a large and negative association with QoL (p<0.001) but QoL was not significantly associated with EDSS score. Social participation and cognition subscales recognized as QoL predictors according to simple regression results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cognition and participation, disability subscales, were the most important predicators for QoL. Therefore, increasing employment opportunities, changing society's attitude and using the psychotherapy programs might improve the MS patient's QoL.
authors.affiliation: Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Khozestan, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salehi
authors.affiliation: Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Khozestan, Iran.
authors.forename: Kamal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shakhi
authors.affiliation: Department of Healthcare Administration, School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Khozestan, Iran.
authors.forename: Farzad Faraji
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Khiavi
keywords: Disability; Multiple Sclerosis; Quality of Life