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Henson GJ, van der Mei I, Taylor BV, Claflin SB, Palmer AJ, Campbell JA, Chen G. The subjective wellbeing of people living with Multiple Sclerosis in Australia: insights from the Personal Wellbeing Index. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2024; 22:83. [PMID: 39350168 PMCID: PMC11443857 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-024-02278-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Subjective wellbeing has been defined as an individual's personal appraisal of their quality of life. Subjective wellbeing is associated with positive health behaviours and improved coping abilities. This study aimed to investigate the subjective wellbeing of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), using the novel Personal Wellbeing Index, and make comparisons with the general population. METHODS Cross-sectional data was obtained from the Australian Multiple Sclerosis Longitudinal Study and the How Is Your Life Australian general population study in August-October 2020. Subjective wellbeing was measured as life satisfaction using the Personal Wellbeing Index. This instrument measures life satisfaction globally and in seven life domains, allowing the importance of domain-specific life satisfaction to be explored. Descriptive and multivariable regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS One thousand six hundred eighty-three MS and 1,021 general population participants entered the study (mean age 52.4 and 58.6; female 79.9% and 52.4%, respectively). For people living with MS the most important life domains were standard of living and achieving in life. The domain of personal health was more influential for people living with MS (p < 0.01) than the general population. The life domains most susceptible to MS-related disability were personal health, achieving in life, and community connectedness (p < 0.01 for these domains). CONCLUSION Personal health and achieving in life are key domains through which the subjective wellbeing of people living with MS is modified. This study recommends the development of interventions to support healthy perceptions of illness and continued employment as paramount in improving the subjective wellbeing of people living with MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glen J Henson
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool St, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Ingrid van der Mei
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool St, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Bruce V Taylor
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool St, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Suzi B Claflin
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool St, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Andrew J Palmer
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool St, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Julie A Campbell
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool St, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia.
| | - Gang Chen
- Centre for Health Economics, Monash University, Caulfield East, Victoria, Australia
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Paolucci T. Illness representation in patients with multiple sclerosis: A preliminary narrative medicine study. Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin 2024; 10:20552173241271755. [PMID: 39329093 PMCID: PMC11425788 DOI: 10.1177/20552173241271755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The development of personalized interventions aimed at coping with multiple sclerosis is enriched by the understanding of patients' representations of the illness. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the association between patients' illness representations versus contextual factors (i.e. presence/absence and type of caregiver, engagement, frequency and type of rehabilitation), fatigue, pain, and neurological impairment. Methods Interviews of 28 patients were analysed through an automated text analysis procedure. After a systematic labelling procedure four illness representations were identified: daily life, search for meaning of the disease, relationship to people and the diagnosis, coping and physical growth. Results Findings showed that the representation of the relational aspects of the illness was associated with the caregiver's presence, while the representation related to coping and growth tended to be associated with participation in rehabilitation programs. Moreover, the representation related to daily life was associated with lower levels of fatigue compared to the representation related to coping and growth, and with higher levels of neurological impairment compared to the representations related to coping and growth and the relational aspects of the illness. Conclusion Exploring illness representations is a key step that can help health professionals to get an integrated perspective that could be useful in designing and calibrating interventions according to specific patient needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Paolucci
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences (DSMOB), Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, G. D’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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Sabin J, Salas E, Martín-Martínez J, Candeliere-Merlicco A, Barrero Hernández FJ, Alonso Torres AM, Sánchez-Menoyo JL, Borrega L, Rodríguez-Rodríguez M, Gómez-Gutiérrez M, Eichau S, Hernández-Pérez MÁ, Calles C, Fernandez-Diaz E, Carmona O, Orviz A, López-Real A, López-Muñoz P, Mendoza Rodríguez A, Aguera-Morales E, Maurino J. Decisional Conflict Regarding Disease-Modifying Treatment Choices Among Patients with Mid-Stage Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. Patient Prefer Adherence 2024; 18:1163-1171. [PMID: 38863945 PMCID: PMC11166147 DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s459242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Shared decision-making is critical in multiple sclerosis (MS) due to the uncertainty of the disease trajectory over time and the large number of treatment options with differing efficacy, safety and administration characteristics. The aim of this study was to assess patients' decisional conflict regarding the choice of a disease-modifying therapy and its associated factors in patients with mid-stage relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Methods A multicenter, non-interventional study was conducted. Adult patients with a diagnosis of RRMS (2017 revised McDonald criteria) and disease duration of 3 to 8 years were included. The level of uncertainty experienced by a patient when faced with making a treatment choice was assessed using the 4-item Decisional Conflict Scale. A battery of patient-reported and clinician-rated measures was administered to obtain information on symptom severity, illness perception, illness-related uncertainty, regret, MS knowledge, risk taking behavior, preferred role in the decision-making process, cognition, and self-management. Patients were recruited during routine follow-up visits and completed all questionnaires online using electronic tablets at the hospital. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted. Results A total of 201 patients were studied. Mean age (Standard deviation) was 38.7 (8.4) years and 74.1% were female. Median disease duration (Interquartile range) was 6.0 (4.0-7.0) years. Median EDSS score was 1.0 (0-2.0). Sixty-seven (33.3%) patients reported a decisional conflict. These patients had lower MS knowledge and more illness uncertainty, anxiety, depressive symptoms, fatigue, subjective symptom severity, a threatening illness perception, and poorer quality of life than their counterparts. Lack of decisional conflict was associated with MS knowledge (Odds ratio [OR]=1.195, 95% CI 1.045, 1.383, p=0.013), self-management (OR=1.049, 95% CI 1.013, 1.093, p=0.018), and regret after a healthcare decision (OR=0.860, 95% CI 0.756, 0.973, p=0.018) in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion Decisional conflict regarding the selection of a disease-modifying therapy was a common phenomenon in patients with mid-stage RRMS. Identifying factors associated with decisional conflict may be useful to implement preventive strategies that help patients better understand their condition and strengthen their self-management resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Sabin
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Salas
- Medical Department, Roche Farma, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Laura Borrega
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Alcorcón, Spain
| | | | | | - Sara Eichau
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - Carmen Calles
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Eva Fernandez-Diaz
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario de Albacete, Albacete, Spain
| | - Olga Carmona
- Department of Neurology, Fundació Salut Empordà, Figueres, Spain
| | - Aida Orviz
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana López-Real
- Department of Neurology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
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4
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Sabin J, Salas E, Martín-Martínez J, Candeliere-Merlicco A, Barrero FJ, Alonso A, Sánchez-Menoyo JL, Borrega L, Rodríguez-Rodríguez M, Gómez-Gutiérrez M, Eichau S, Hernández-Pérez MÁ, Calles C, Fernández-Díaz E, Carmona O, Orvíz A, López-Real A, López-Muñoz P, Mendoza A, Agüera E, Maurino J, Ballesteros J. Assessing illness-related uncertainty in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: A psychometric analysis of the Mishel Uncertainty of Illness Scale. Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin 2024; 10:20552173241247680. [PMID: 38638273 PMCID: PMC11025437 DOI: 10.1177/20552173241247680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
A multicenter study involving 204 adults with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) assessed the dimensionality and item characteristics of the Mishel-Uncertainty of Illness Scale (MUIS), a generic self-assessment tool. Mokken analysis identified two dimensions in the MUIS with an appropriate item and overall scale scalability after excluding nonclassifiable items. A refined 12-item MUIS, employing a grade response model, effectively discriminated uncertainty levels among RRMS patients (likelihood ratio test p-value = .03). These findings suggest the potential value of the 12-item MUIS as a reliable measure for assessing uncertainty associated with the course of illness in RRMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Sabin
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Salas
- Medical Department, Roche Farma, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Ana Alonso
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | | | - Laura Borrega
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Alcorcón, Spain
| | | | | | - Sara Eichau
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - Carmen Calles
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Eva Fernández-Díaz
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario de Albacete, Albacete,
Spain
| | - Olga Carmona
- Department of Neurology, Fundació Salut Empordà, Figueres, Spain
| | - Aida Orvíz
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana López-Real
- Department of Neurology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | | | - Amelia Mendoza
- Department of Neurology, Complejo Asistencial de Segovia, Segovia, Spain
| | - Eduardo Agüera
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba,
Spain
| | | | - Javier Ballesteros
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Basque Country (UPV/EHU), CIBERSAM, Leioa, Spain
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Grochowalska K, Ziętkiewicz M, Nowicka-Sauer K, Topolski M, Więsik-Szewczyk E, Matyja-Bednarczyk A, Napiórkowska-Baran K, Zdrojewski Z. Anxiety in Polish adult patients with inborn errors of immunity: a cross-sectional study. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1293935. [PMID: 38516260 PMCID: PMC10954803 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1293935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI) experience recurrent infections, autoimmunity, and malignancies. Owing to repeated medical procedures, the need for constant treatment and surveillance, and the unpredictable course of the disease, patients with IEI are prone to develop mental health disorders, including anxiety. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence and level of anxiety symptoms in adult Polish patients with IEI and explore the determinants of anxiety in this group of patients. Methods Data from 105 Polish patients with IEI were collected via the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), brief illness perception questionnaire (B-IPQ), illness cognition questionnaire (ICQ), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and a questionnaire on general health and demographic data. For statistical analyses of data, the normality of distribution of quantitative data was assessed, and internal consistency of tests was investigated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient; moreover, we performed the analysis of correlations and between-group differences, and path analysis to explore causal relationships. Significance was considered at p < 0.050. Results Thirty-eight (36.2%) patients had anxiety symptoms (HADS-A ≥ 8); 14 (13.3%) patients had severe anxiety (score ≥ 11), and 24 (22.9%) had moderate anxiety (score of 8-10). Patients with poor sleep quality, higher pain frequency, younger age, and no fixed income had higher anxiety scores than others. Emotional and cognitive representations of illness were positively correlated with anxiety levels. Intense anxiety was related to more negative illness perception, higher helplessness, lower illness acceptance, and lower perceived benefits. Discussion Anxiety is common in patients with IEI. However, results indicate that it is not related to a more severe course of IEI or several comorbidities, whereas, pain frequency and poor sleep quality were identified to be important clinical factors for anxiety. Because anxiety was related to negative illness perception, psychological therapy may apply to this group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Grochowalska
- Department of Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology, Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Marcin Ziętkiewicz
- Department of Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology, Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Nowicka-Sauer
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Mariusz Topolski
- Department of Systems and Computer Networks, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Ewa Więsik-Szewczyk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pneumonology, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of National Defense, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Matyja-Bednarczyk
- Outpatient Clinic for the Immunological and Hypercoagulable Diseases, Medical University of Kraków, Kraków, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Napiórkowska-Baran
- Department of Allergology, Clinical Immunology and Internal Diseases, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Zdrojewski
- Department of Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology, Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
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Riley C, Venkatesh S, Dhand A, Doshi N, Kavak K, Levit E, Perrone C, Weinstock-Guttman B, Longbrake E, De Jager P, Xia Z. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Personal Networks and Neurological Outcomes of People With Multiple Sclerosis: Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Case-Control Study. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2024; 10:e45429. [PMID: 38319703 PMCID: PMC10879979 DOI: 10.2196/45429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has negatively affected the social fabric. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the associations between personal social networks and neurological function in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) and controls in the prepandemic and pandemic periods. METHODS During the early pandemic (March-December 2020), 8 cohorts of pwMS and controls completed a questionnaire quantifying the structure and composition of their personal social networks, including the health behaviors of network members. Participants from 3 of the 8 cohorts had additionally completed the questionnaire before the pandemic (2017-2019). We assessed neurological function using 3 interrelated patient-reported outcomes: Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS), Multiple Sclerosis Rating Scale-Revised (MSRS-R), and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function. We identified the network features associated with neurological function using paired 2-tailed t tests and covariate-adjusted regressions. RESULTS In the cross-sectional analysis of the pandemic data from 1130 pwMS and 1250 controls during the pandemic, having a higher percentage of network members with a perceived negative health influence was associated with worse disability in pwMS (MSRS-R: β=2.181, 95% CI 1.082-3.279; P<.001) and poor physical function in controls (PROMIS Physical Function: β=-5.707, 95% CI -7.405 to -4.010; P<.001). In the longitudinal analysis of 230 pwMS and 136 controls, the networks of all participants contracted, given an increase in constraint (pwMS-prepandemic: mean 52.24, SD 15.81; pwMS-pandemic: mean 56.77, SD 18.91; P=.006. Controls-prepandemic: mean 48.07, SD 13.36; controls-pandemic: mean 53.99, SD 16.31; P=.001) and a decrease in network size (pwMS-prepandemic: mean 8.02, SD 5.70; pwMS-pandemic: mean 6.63, SD 4.16; P=.003. Controls-prepandemic: mean 8.18, SD 4.05; controls-pandemic: mean 6.44, SD 3.92; P<.001), effective size (pwMS-prepandemic: mean 3.30, SD 1.59; pwMS-pandemic: mean 2.90, SD 1.50; P=.007. Controls-prepandemic: mean 3.85, SD 1.56; controls-pandemic: mean 3.40, SD 1.55; P=.01), and maximum degree (pwMS-prepandemic: mean 4.78, SD 1.86; pwMS-pandemic: mean 4.32, SD 1.92; P=.01. Controls-prepandemic: mean 5.38, SD 1.94; controls-pandemic: mean 4.55, SD 2.06; P<.001). These network changes were not associated with worsening function. The percentage of kin in the networks of pwMS increased (mean 46.06%, SD 29.34% to mean 54.36%, SD 30.16%; P=.003) during the pandemic, a change that was not seen in controls. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that high perceived negative health influence in the network was associated with worse function in all participants during the pandemic. The networks of all participants became tighter knit, and the percentage of kin in the networks of pwMS increased during the pandemic. Despite these perturbations in social connections, network changes from the prepandemic to the pandemic period were not associated with worsening function in all participants, suggesting possible resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Riley
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Amar Dhand
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nandini Doshi
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | | | - Elle Levit
- Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | | | | | | | - Philip De Jager
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Zongqi Xia
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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Sainz de la Maza S, Maurino J, Castillo-Triviño T, Borges M, Sebastián Torres B, Sotoca J, Alonso Torres AM, Caminero AB, Borrega L, Sánchez-Menoyo JL, Barrero-Hernández FJ, Calles C, Brieva L, Blasco MR, Dotor García-Soto J, Rodríguez-Regal A, Navarro-Cantó L, Agüera-Morales E, Garcés M, Carmona O, Gabaldón-Torres L, Forero L, Hervás M, Gómez-Ballesteros R. Hopelessness in Patients with Early-Stage Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. Patient Prefer Adherence 2023; 17:1431-1439. [PMID: 37337517 PMCID: PMC10277026 DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s411069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hopelessness is a risk factor for depression and suicide. There is little information on this phenomenon among patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), one of the most common causes of disability and loss of autonomy in young adults. The aim of this study was to assess state hopelessness and its associated factors in early-stage RRMS. Methods A multicenter, non-interventional study was conducted. Adult patients with a diagnosis of RRMS, a disease duration ≤ 3 years, and an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 0-5.5 were included. The State-Trait Hopelessness Scale (STHS) was used to measure patients´ hopelessness. A battery of patient-reported and clinician-rated measurements was used to assess clinical status. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the association between patients' characteristics and state hopelessness. Results A total of 189 patients were included. Mean age (standard deviation-SD) was 36.1 (9.4) years and 71.4% were female. Median disease duration (interquartile range-IQR) was 1.4 (0.7, 2.1) years. Symptom severity and disability were low with a median EDSS (IQR) score of 1.0 (0, 2.0). A proportion of 65.6% (n=124) of patients reported moderate-to-severe hopelessness. Hopelessness was associated with older age (p=0.035), depressive symptoms (p=<0.001), a threatening illness perception (p=0.001), and psychological and cognitive barriers to workplace performance (p=0.029) in the multivariate analysis after adjustment for confounders. Conclusion Hopelessness was a common phenomenon in early-stage RRMS, even in a population with low physical disability. Identifying factors associated with hopelessness may be critical for implementing preventive strategies helping patients to adapt to the new situation and cope with the disease in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Mónica Borges
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - Javier Sotoca
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitari Vall d´Hebrón, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Ana B Caminero
- Department of Neurology, Complejo Asistencial de Ávila, Ávila, Spain
| | - Laura Borrega
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Alcorcón, Spain
| | | | | | - Carmen Calles
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitari Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Luis Brieva
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, Lleida, Spain
| | | | | | - Ana Rodríguez-Regal
- Department of Neurology, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Pontevedra, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Laura Navarro-Cantó
- Department of Neurology, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Elche, Spain
| | | | - Moisés Garcés
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Olga Carmona
- Department of Neurology, Fundació Salut Empordà, Figueres, Spain
| | | | - Lucía Forero
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Mariona Hervás
- Department of Neurology, Consorci Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Spain
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Sexual Dysfunction in People with Multiple Sclerosis: The Role of Disease Severity, Illness Perception, and Depression. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12062215. [PMID: 36983224 PMCID: PMC10051729 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12062215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite being a common issue in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), sexual dysfunction is still underinvestigated. This work aims to assess the potential determinants of sexual dysfunction in pwMS by considering its relationship with disease severity (in terms of global disability), illness perception, and depressive symptoms. In this multicenter study, 1010 pwMS responded to an online survey. A serial mediation model considering negative illness perception and depressive symptoms as mediators of the relationship between disease severity and sexual dysfunction was conducted using the SPSS PROCESS Macro with bias-corrected bootstrapping (5000 samples). Disease severity exerts an indirect effect on sexual dysfunction via illness perception, both independently and through depressive symptoms. However, the results indicated that illness perception plays a more crucial role in sexual dysfunction in pwMS with mild disability than in pwMS with moderate-severe disability. This study suggests that higher disability increases its magnitude by enhancing negative illness perception, that, in turn, affects sexual dysfunction both directly and through depressive symptoms, especially in pwMS with mild disability. Modulating the effect of illness perception by favoring adaptive coping strategies might represent a valid approach to mitigate sexual dysfunction symptoms in MS.
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