Health-Related Quality of Life in people with Multiple Sclerosis: How does this Population Compare to Population-based Norms in Different Health Domains?

Impact of Cognitive Impairment on Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis Patients-A Comprehensive Review

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by a variety of symptoms that have a major impact on quality of life (QoL) even in early stages. In addition to individual motor, sensory, visual disturbances, and brainstem and sphincter disorders, which are expressed through the widely used Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), other manifestations of MS have a detrimental effect on overall functioning and quality of life, such as cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and pain. However, when talking about QoL, categorical definitions cannot be used because although the concept is generally understood, it is highly nuanced. Suffering from MS can significantly reduce QoL. Numerous research studies have focused on trying to identify and assess which are the elements that most affect the loss of QoL in MS people. However, in addition to the fact that the measurement of QoL can be subjective, it is very difficult to consider these elements in isolation, as they are interrelated. One such limiting factor of QoL that has been investigated is cognitive impairment (CI). This has been shown to have an impact on the lives of MS people, although the different approaches that have been taken to assess CI have evident limitations.

Interventions to Improve Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis: New Opportunities and Key Talking Points

Background

Today, living well with multiple sclerosis (MS) is often measured by a person's overall quality of life rather than being limited to the more traditional metrics of reduced frequency of relapses or progression of disability. This change in focus, to a more holistic view of health, such as overall quality of life, has shifted the views of what both providers and people with multiple sclerosis view as essential for living well with MS.

Purpose

This narrative review aims to examine the relevant literature on existing and emerging non-pharmacological interventions shown to improve the quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis across all health domains.

Methods

A literature search was conducted on MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Scopus electronic databases using the following search terms: quality of life, health-related quality of life, life quality, life satisfaction, non-pharmacological intervention, non-drug, and intervention. After screening the abstracts, 24 were selected for this review.

Results

Common non-pharmacological interventions were used for fatigue and sleep, mental and emotional health, cognition, physical health, and chronic pain. Several non-pharmacological interventions included in this review positively improved the overall quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis. These interventions included exercise, cognitive behavior therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation.

Conclusion

Non-pharmacological interventions such as exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy improve the quality of life for people with MS. These interventions should be prescribed more during routine medical care. Translating this research into standard clinical practice should be one area of focus. In addition, higher quality studies, such as randomized control trials, need to be conducted on emerging nonpharmacological interventions to assess effectiveness.

Quality of life of MS patients in Trinidad and Tobago: Anomaly or adaptation?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

There has been growing interest in quality of life associated with multiple sclerosis but the research has been overwhelmingly carried out in developed countries. This study aimed to assess quality of life of multiple sclerosis patients in Trinidad and Tobago.

METHODS

All multiple sclerosis patients were asked to complete demographic, EQ-5D-5L and MSQOL-54 questionnaires. EQ-5D data were compared with population norms for Trinidad and Tobago. MSQOL-54 data were compared with results from a matching cohort of non-MS respondents. Regression analyses were used to explore the association between MSQOL-54 scales and EQ-5D utility.

RESULTS

The 97 patients were mainly urban, highly educated and 75% female. EQ-5D-5L data showed more frequent and more severe problems and lower index values than the population and patients of other chronic illness clinics in Trinidad and Tobago. MSQOL-54 results showed that patients were more affected by physical items, but had high scores on mental and emotional items when compared with the matching cohort and patients in other countries.

CONCLUSION

The low prevalence and demographics of patients suggest the possibility of undetected cases in rural areas and/or among less educated groups. Further investigation into the high levels of mental and emotional health among patients may lead to the design of interventions to help patients of multiple sclerosis and other illnesses.

Neurorehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis-A Review of Present Approaches and Future Considerations

Multiple sclerosis is an increasingly prevalent disease, representing the leading cause of non-traumatic neurological disease in Europe and North America. The most common symptoms include gait deficits, balance and coordination impairments, fatigue, spasticity, dysphagia and an overactive bladder. Neurorehabilitation therapeutic approaches aim to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life through promoting positive immunological transformations and neuroplasticity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the current treatments for the most debilitating symptoms in multiple sclerosis, identify areas for future improvement, and provide a reference guide for practitioners in the field. It analyzes the most cited procedures currently in use for the management of a number of symptoms affecting the majority of patients with multiple sclerosis, from different training routines to cognitive rehabilitation and therapies using physical agents, such as electrostimulation, hydrotherapy, cryotherapy and electromagnetic fields. Furthermore, it investigates the quality of evidence for the aforementioned therapies and the different tests applied in practice to assess their utility. Lastly, the study looks at potential future candidates for the treatment and evaluation of patients with multiple sclerosis and the supposed benefits they could bring in clinical settings.

Coping Strategies Furthering Post-Traumatic Growth in Multiple Sclerosis: A Longitudinal Study

(1) Background: Patients' behavioral attempts in dealing with Multiple sclerosis (MS) play an important role in post-traumatic growth (PTG). In a longitudinal study, we aimed to identify coping strategies predicting PTG. (2) Methods: 260 MS patients answered the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory and the Brief COPE Questionnaire at three time points during a 36-month follow-up period. (3) Results: an interaction effect between PTG level and assessment time was found for emotional support, positive reframing, active coping, and planning coping strategies. Positive reframing, emotional support, instrumental support, religion, planning, and self-distraction positively predicted PTG. (4) Conclusions: to encourage PTG development, early interventions in MS patients are recommended to promote adaptive coping, particularly positive reframing, social support, active coping, planning, religion, and self-distraction.

Perceived facilitators, needs, and barriers to health related quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis: a qualitative investigation

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic progressive neurological disease that influences an individual's physical, mental, emotional, and social functioning, otherwise known as health-related quality of life (HRQOL). To fully capture the impacts of MS on HRQOL, perspectives from the lived experience should be investigated.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to describe, in people with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), (1) the health and wellness needs and facilitators perceived to influence HRQOL, (2) determine which health needs are not being met, and (3) identify barriers to meeting health and wellness needs.

Methods

Participants with RRMS were recruited from a more extensive study for this cross-sectional, qualitative investigation guided by phenomenological theory. Semi-structured interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached (n = 15). The data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach.

Results

Five themes emerged as facilitators of HRQOL; mental/emotional health, knowledge about MS, family/peer support, lifestyle behaviors, and social engagement. Identified barriers to achieving better HRQOL included limited access to specialized care, lack of communication/ empathy from providers, lack of comprehensive care, challenges caused by MS symptoms, and difficulty navigating the healthcare and insurance landscape.

Conclusions

Study participants described mental health and lifestyle behaviors as the primary promoters of overall HRQOL. Access to dietary guidelines, exercise instruction, and education about living healthy with MS were also identified as positive contributors to overall QOL. When these positive contributors are limited or absent, HRQOL was reported to decrease.

Beyond the Boundaries of Disease—Significant Post-traumatic Growth in Multiple Sclerosis Patients and Caregivers

Despite the negative repercussions of a chronic disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) might also lead to positive consequences. This longitudinal study explored post-traumatic growth in MS patients and attempted to identify possible determinants. Post-traumatic growth of 260 patients and their caregivers was compared. A subset of 209 patients and caregivers were evaluated at baseline. Patients filled in the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory and General Health Questionnaire at three different times over a 36-month follow-up period. Patient post-traumatic growth significantly increased over the follow-up period (p < 0.001) with large effect sizes on almost every subscale. Higher score on the Expanded Disability Status Scale, higher pain severity, female gender, and higher anxiety were positive predictors of post-traumatic growth, while more interference of pain, higher level of education, and more social dysfunction were negative predictors. Post-traumatic growth did not differ significantly between patients and caregivers. Our results showed significant positive intrapsychic changes of MS patients over a 36-month follow-up period up to 12 years from diagnosis. The potential influence of clinical, demographic, and mental health variables underlines the need for a personalized approach to be able to understand and sustain these processes. Comparable post-traumatic growth levels in patient-caregiver dyads at baseline suggest interdependently driven cognitive processes stabilizing well-being. Future research is recommended for further insight into the underlying cognitive processes.