Relationship between physical activity and coping with stress in people with multiple sclerosis: A moderated mediation model with self-efficacy and disability level as variables

Impact of Coping Strategies on Health-Related Quality of Life in Young Adults with Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive neurological disease that affects the central nervous system, resulting in a wide spectrum of cognitive, emotional, and physical deficits. The progressive course of MS poses significant challenges to patients and has a profound impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The style of coping adopted plays a critical role in determining how individuals with MS adapt to and face the challenges of the disease and their overall well-being. This paper aims to examine the impact of coping strategies on HRQoL in young adults un-/minimally impaired (<5 years, EDSS ≤ 2.5) by MS (age 18-35 years). This retrospective cross-sectional cohort study included 98 young adults (33 males and 65 females) with relapsing-remitting MS who underwent neurological assessment using the Expanded Disability Status Scale. Participants completed the Italian version of the Multiple Sclerosis QoL-54 (MSQoL-54), which provides a physical and mental health score, and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (Brief-COPE). The results showed a significant relationship between COPE scores and physical and mental health. Subjects affected by MS who tend to use more frequent coping strategies such as active planning, personal growth, and acceptance showed a better overall well-being and quality of life. These findings are relevant to clinical practice given the need to understand the coping variable to improve HRQoL. Understanding these relationships is crucial for developing effective interventions to enhance the well-being of MS subjects.

Palliative Care Aspects in Multiple Sclerosis

CONTEXT

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, chronic, demyelinating, and neurodegenerative disorder of central nervous system, determined by an auto-immune dysfunction. Severe disability generally occurs in patients with progressive forms of MS that typically develop either after an earlier relapsing phase or less commonly from disease onset. Despite advances in research to slow the progression of MS, this condition remains a life-limiting disease with symptoms impacting negatively the lives of patients and caregivers.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the difefrent aspects of palliative cae in patients with MS.

METHODS

To analyse selected literature assessing several palliative care aspects in patients with MS.

RESULTS

People with MS have complex symptoms and different needs. These demands include how to deal with the burden of physical disability, how to organise daily life, restructuring social roles in the family and at work, keeping self-sufficiency in personal care, and preserving personal identity and community roles.

CONCLUSION

An early palliative care approach aims to improve the palliative care skills and competencies of health professionals caring for the patients since the early stage of disease, including those who are actively undergoing disease-targeted therapies, rather than merely providing end-of-life care.