The Associations Between Fatigue, Disability, and Mobility and the Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease which is caused by demyelination in the central nervous system (CNS) in young adults. This disease affects independence and the ability to participate in family and community activities, thus affecting the quality of life. Objectives: This cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the associations between fatigue, disability, and mobility and the quality of life in patients with MS in the city of Semnan, Iran. Patients and Methods: Sixty-six MS patients completed the Rivermead mobility index (RMI), Guy's neurological disability scale (GNDS), modified fatigue impact scale (MFIS), and Multiple sclerosis quality of life-54 (MSQL-54) questionnaires, which assessed the physical and mental health of the participants in 12 dimensions. Results:The results of this study showed significant correlations between fatigue (P = 0.002), disability (P < 0.001), and the quality of life. A significant relationship between mobility and physical activity (P < 0.05) was also observed, while no significant relationship was found between mobility and mental health. Moreover, no significant associations were seen between the quality of life and age, occupation, education, or gender (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that fatigue and disability may affect a patient's quality of life. Although mobility may affect the overall quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis, it may also affect the physical health of MS patients. Therefore, the identification of factors affecting the quality of life in MS patients may help in predicting the quality of life, and designing a rehabilitation protocol.

Factors affecting MS patients’ health-related quality of life and measurement challenges in Lebanon and the MENA region

“…Higher EDSS was associated with poorer MusiQoL index; it also predicted worse 'activities of daily living' and 'coping'; similar to previous findings. 8,31,32,35,36,[60][61][62] Developing interventions to improve the QoL coping dimension in MS patients with higher EDSS is necessary, with particular relevance to women in our sample.…”

“…The most studied domains related to QoL in MS previously studied in the MENA region were depression, 9,10,30-33 fatigue, 10,32,34,35 and Figure 1. Literature search flow chart.…”

“…disability. 3,8,31,32,35,36 The findings suggest that these factors are associated with poorer MS healthrelated QoL. The impact of a few therapies on QoL was investigated to some extent.…”

“…The most studied domains related to QoL in MS previously studied in the MENA region were depression, 9,10,30-33 fatigue, 10,32,34,35 and disability. 3,8,31,32,35,36 The findings suggest that these factors are associated with poorer MS healthrelated QoL. The impact of a few therapies on QoL was investigated to some extent.…”

Assessing Multiple Sclerosis‑Related Quality of Life among Iranian Patients Using the MSQOL-54 Tool: A cross-sectional study

“…It can be concluded that patients with advanced age or those who are diagnosed a relatively long time ago, due to limited physical and mental abilities, may need more occupational therapy to improve their QoL. In contrast, as stated by Kamran et al, age does not always affect PHC and MHC [31], and it had been argued that older patients had just lower MHC scores than younger ones [32].…”