Health-related quality of life in multiple sclerosis: Direct and indirect effects of comorbidity.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To evaluate the direct and indirect influences of physical comorbidity, symptoms of depression and anxiety, fatigue, and disability on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods

A large (n = 949) sample of adults with MS was recruited from 4 Canadian MS clinics. HRQoL was assessed using the patient-reported Health Utilities Index Mark 3. Expanded Disability Status Scale scores, physical comorbidity, depression, anxiety, and fatigue were evaluated as predictors of HRQoL in a cross-sectional path analysis.

Results

All predictors were significantly associated with HRQoL and together accounted for a large proportion of variance (63%). Overall, disability status most strongly affected HRQoL (β = -0.52) but it was close

SUBMITTER: Berrigan LI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4831037 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature