Assessment of Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Yasuj, Iran in 2017
Abstract
Background and aims: Multiple sclerosis-induced physical disabilities and psychological changes can influence patients' self-esteem and quality of life (QoL). Evaluating the QoL in individuals with MS can help mitigate certain disabilities and increase the remaining functional abilities. This study sought to investigate the QoL of individuals with MS in Yasuj in 2017. Methods: This analytical descriptive study examined MS patients with medical records at the Treatment Vice-chancellery of Yasuj University of Medical Sciences. A non-probablistic, convenience sampling approach was adopted. Participants included 100 patients, consisting of 78 females and 22 males. The data collection tools entailed a demographics form and the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54) questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS22 using descriptive statistics, an independent t-test, and Pearson's correlation test at a 95% confidence interval. Results: The mean±standard deviation of QoL scores in physical and mental-psychological health were 48.33±16.94 and 48.39±16.63, respectively. The cognitive domain exhibited the highest QoL score (57.95±19.64), while the lowest score was linked with the role limitation domain due to psychological problems (38.91±32.33). Conclusion: Several subscales of QoL, along with physical and mental-psychological health in MS patients in Yasuj, received below-average scores, highlighting the significant effect of MS on various aspects of a person's life. Given the link between personal factors and the QoL of patients with MS, and considering the difficulty or impossibility of influencing such factors, it is crucial to develop comprehensive support services to enhance the QoL for this group of patients in Yasuj.