Predictors of quality of life in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a 2-year longitudinal study.
INTRODUCTION
Knowledge of which factors are determinant of quality of life (QoL) in patients with multiple scleroris (MS) would assist clinicians in choosing the most appropriate interventions. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of sociodemographic and clinical factors in the predicting QoL in a 2-year cohort of patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS).


METHODS
The study had a multi-center, multi-regional, and longitudinal design. Main inclusion criteria were: patient with a RR-MS subtype (McDonald criteria) and an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score lower than 7.0. Sociodemographic (age, gender, education level, marital and employment status) and clinical (disability, disease duration, relapse) data were recorded. The QoL was assessed using the MusiQoL (disease-specific) and SF-36 (generic) questionnaires. Each patient was investigated at baseline and 24 months post-inclusion (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00702065).


RESULTS
Five hundred and twenty-six patients were enrolled in the present study. The 24-month MusiQoL index score was significantly inversely correlated with the disease duration. Baseline EDSS score impacted in both 'physical-like' and 'psychological-like' dimensions. At least one relapse during the follow-up period was associated with lower physical scores. Occupational status and marital status were associated with 24-month scores of MusiQoL and SF-36.


CONCLUSION
After adjusting for disability and relapse occurrence, sociodemographics (age, marital status, and occupational status) and baseline QoL scores were also independent QoL predictors in MS patients. Special attention should be given to subgroups to ensure optimal management.
['Baumstarck|K|K|', 'Pelletier|J|J|', 'Boucekine|M|M|', 'Auquier|P|P|', '|||']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008137:Longitudinal Studies D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting D011379:Prognosis D011788:Quality of Life D055815:Young Adult
Predictors Quality of life Multiple sclerosis Longitudinal study MusiQoL SF-36 Paramètres Qualité de la vie Sclérose en plaques Étude longitudinale