Quality of Life and Its Predictors in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) as an autoimmune condition might lower one’s capacity for work and social interactions, which can lower the quality of life. Therefore, it seems that by determining the factors affecting the quality of life, a step can be taken to improve the quality of life of these patients. Objectives: The goal of this study was to determine the quality of life and its predictors in these patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study, 200 patients with MS referred to the Guilan MS Association, Guilan, Iran, were included using the convenient sampling method. The study tool with five sections, including demographic information, the quality-of-life questionnaire for patients with MS (Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale [MSIS-29]), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Perceived Stress Scale-4 (PSS-4), was used to collect the data. The data were analyzed using inferential statistical tests and hierarchical multiple linear regression. Results: The mean physical impact and psychological impact scores were 20.2 ± 22.9 and 31.6 ± 26.3, respectively. The MSIS-29 subscales were positively correlated with PSS-4, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 scores (r ranging from 0.538 to 0.867, all P < 0.001). When the PSS-4, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 scores were added to the model, there was a considerable improvement in the model (R2 = 84.7%, ∆R2 = 55.5%, F(20,199) = 49.43, P < 0.001). More specifically, an additional 55.5% of the variance in the psychological impact score was explained by the PSS-4, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 scores. Conclusions: In the meantime, various factors, including individual variables (e.g., patient age and marital status), psychological factors (e.g., stress, anxiety, and depression), and disease-related factors (e.g., the duration of the disease), can affect the quality of life of these patients.