Abstract
The objectives of the present study were to determine the role of cognitive and mood disorders as determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as to evaluate the validity of self-assessed HRQOL in cognitively impaired patients and the agreement between self-assessed and proxy-reported HRQOL. The study included 204 MS inpatients and outpatients seen between April and September 1997 at three participating centers. The MS quality of life 54 (MSQOL-54) was explained to the patients by a neurologist who also assisted them to complete the questionnaire. A proxy version of the MSQOL-54 was completed independently by each patient's designated proxy. The mean age of the patients was 43 years; the mean expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score was 4.5. Cognitively compromised patients had considerable difficulties in completing the questionnaire, and gave a high percentage of missing and inconsistent items. Depressive symptoms and age had the most important influence on patients' HRQOL. The level of agreement between self-assessed and proxy-reported HRQOL was moderate to substantial for most scales, with proxy informants rating patients as slightly more impaired. Although the patient should be the best informant concerning HRQOL, information from a proxy respondent may be preferable in patients with severe cognitive impairment.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Italian Journal of Neurological Sciences |
Volume | 19 |
Issue number | 6 SUPPL. |
Publication status | Published - 1998 |
Keywords
- Multiple sclerosis
- Outcome measures
- Quality of life
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)
- Clinical Neurology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Dermatology