Changes in Health-related Quality of Life Measured by Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life (version 1) in the Two Year Follow-up in MS Patients with Low Disability

Abstract

Scientific Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) assessment in multiple sclerosis (MS) is still limited and disease-specific instruments have begun to be used recently. The Multiple Sclerosis lnternational Quality of Life (MUSIQOL) is a MS-specific HRQOL inventory, which has been developed in an international collaboration. Objective: The main objective of the present study was to determine the changes in QOL in time by MUSIQOL, and the second was to evaluate the correlation between HRQOL and clinical disability. Material and Methods: A total of 28 patients with MS according to the McDonald's criteria were enrolled to the study. MUSIQOL was used for HRQOL assessment. MUSIQOL was used for HRQOL assessment. MUSIQOL is the only international validated HRQOL questionnaire designed specifically for MS. It contains 74 MS-specific items. Validation of MUSIQOL was performed in 20 countries and 14 different languages, including Turkish at the same time. MUSIQOL questionnaire was given to patients twice. The first was performed on September 2001 and the second one was on September 2003. Patients were also clinically evaluated by EDSS at the same time with questionnaire. Likert method was used for MUSIQOL scoring. Results: The mean HRQOL score was found 73.63± 13.0 (69.65±10.24 for women and 77.62± 13.47 formen) in the first visit. In the second visit, it was improved ta 75.94±13.48 (69.44± 11.57 far women and 81.45±11.49 formen). There was no significant difference for total patients between two visits. In the female patients neither the HRQOL nor the EDSS scores showed any change. Male patients showed a statistically significant improvement in HRQOL and EDSS scores (p<0.05). Conclusion: HRQOL did not show any change in a 2-year period in 28 MS patients with low disability. Male patients had a better HRQOL than female patients in follow-up.