[Assessment of the impact of some sociodemographic factors on the quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis]. / Ocena wplywu wybranych czynników socjodemograficznych na jakosc zycia osób chorujacych na stwardnienie rozsiane.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis is the most common cause of disability among young people, affecting the emotional and intellectual condition of the patient. Assessment of the quality of life enables long-term planning of the strategy of support and thus should constitute a permanent part of care for multiple sclerosis patients. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of gender, age, duration of the disease, and economic status of multiple sclerosis patients on the quality of life in separate domains. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A diagnostic survey was conducted in 64 patients with multiple sclerosis. We administered a questionnaire developed by us with questions referring to sociodemographic data of the patients. We also used the standard SF-36 questionnaire with eight scales. RESULTS: No significant differences between male and female SM patients were noted as regards the quality of life in each scale. Wealthy patients experienced a higher quality of life as regards the general health and physical functioning in comparison to patients with a middle economic status. There was no effect of the place of residence on the quality of life. Elderly patients and patients with long-term multiple sclerosis had a poorer quality of life in the physical functioning, general health, vitality, and role-emotional domains. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Gender and place of residence of multiple sclerosis patients has no effect on any of the scales of the quality of life. 2. High economic status favors a higher quality of life in the physical functioning and general health scales. 3. Age and long duration of multiple sclerosis are important factors decreasing the quality of life in most scales.