Quality of life and multiple sclerosis: comparison between people with multiple sclerosis and people from the general population

This paper evaluated the quality of life (QOL) of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and people from the general population. Gender differences between the 2 groups of respondents and the influence of coping style on adjustment were also evaluated. The participants were 381 (144 males, 237 females) people with MS, and 291 (101 males, 190 females) people from the general population. The results demonstrated that people with MS experienced lower levels of QOL than people from the general population for both the objective and subjective dimensions of all domains (physical health, psychological adjustment, social relationships, environmental adjustment). All coping strategies (problem-focused, focusing on the positive, detachment, wishful thinking, seeking social support) were important predictors of QOL for both males and females with MS, with wishful thinking being the strongest predictor of poor QOL. These results are discussed in terms of the various factors that impact on QOL among people with MS, and the types of coping strategies that are most adaptive in improving the QOL of people with this illness.

Changes over time in sexual and relationship functioning of people with multiple sclerosis

Relationship and sexual satisfaction among people with multiple sclerosis (MS) has received little research attention. This article reports on a longitudinal investigation of the impact of coping style and illness-related variables among people with MS and the general population on sexual and relationship functioning. Both men (n = 120) and women (n= 201) with MS and men (n = 79) and women (n = 160) from the general population participated in the study at two points in time, 6 months apart. People with MS experienced lower levels of sexual activity, sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction and higher levels of sexual dysfunction. Generally speaking, the time 1 levels of the health and coping variables explained little of the variance in the time 2 sexual and relationship variables. However, sexual activity at time 1 contributed significant unique variance to relationship satisfaction at time 2 for MS men, and coping strategies at time I contributed to relationship satisfaction among general population women at time 2. Furthermore, for those respondents who had been diagnosed with MS for less than 7 years, levels of sexual activity at time 2 were predicted by levels of sexual and relationship satisfaction, as well as levels of sexual activity at time 1. These results suggest that strategies used to cope with illness may not play a major role in sexual and relationship satisfaction. However, an examination of these strategies over a longer time frame is needed.

Multiple sclerosis and economic well being: role of health, age, and duration of illness

This study used quantitative and qualitative techniques to examine the role of health, age, and duration of illness among people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in their economic well-being. Participants were 113 adults (31 males and 82 females) with MS who lived in urban and rural regions of Australia. The results demonstrated that health and age had a significant impact on both the economic well-being and psychological adjustment of people who contract this disorder. Different health variables predicted different aspects of economic well-being. Fatigue was the major health variable that predicted costs of MS and economic pressure, with age also predicting economic pressure, whereas income levels were predicted by cognitive confusion and mobility problems. Duration of illness, gender, and urban/rural location were not significant predictors of the economic variables. These results demonstrate the importance of obtaining multiple measures of economic well-being, as well as a broad range of health-related measures, in determining the impact of MS on the economic well-being of people with this disorder.

The relationship between religion, spirituality, psychological adjustment, and quality of life among people with multiple sclerosis

The present research was comprised of two studies that aimed to explore the role of religious and spiritual variables in the psychological adjustment and quality of life of people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In study 1, religious behavior and objective levels of spirituality and religiosity were not significantly related to psychological adjustment or quality of life among people with MS. Positive religious coping was negatively related to psychological adjustment and quality of life. In study 2, Intrinsic religious orientation and Quest religious orientation were related to poor psychological adjustment. Implications of the present research for people with MS and other chronic illnesses are discussed.

Exacerbation of symptoms among people with multiple sclerosis: impact on sexuality and relationships over time

This study was designed to evaluate the impact of an exacerbation in symptoms among men and women with multiple sclerosis (MS) on sexuality and relationship satisfaction. A total of 321 people with MS (120 men, M age = 48.10 years; 201 women, M age = 45.78 years), and 239 people from the general population (79 men, M age = 53.93 years; 160 women, M age = 45.89 years) completed measures of relationship satisfaction and sexuality, and then completed these measures again 18 months later. The results demonstrated that both men and women with MS reported significantly higher levels of sexual dysfunction than did the general population. The no exacerbation group also reported significantly lower levels of sexual activity and of relationship satisfaction than the general population group over the 18-month period. Women in all groups reported significantly higher levels of sexual dysfunction but also higher levels of sexual activity than did men at each time period. They also reported significantly higher levels of sexual satisfaction at the 18-month follow up. These results suggest that men and women respond in similar ways to MS, and that people with MS do not necessarily experience poorer levels of sexual interaction or relationship quality when they experience an increase in their physical symptoms.

Role of health, relationships, work and coping on adjustment among people with multiple sclerosis: a longitudinal investigation

The current study was designed to evaluate the impact of health, social relationships, work and coping on the adjustment and self-esteem of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The participants were 251 people with MS (84 men, 167 women) and 184 people from the general population (56 men, 128 women). Data were obtained on the above variables using an anonymous questionnaire. In order to determine the impact of these relationships over time, the questionnaire was completed on two occasions, 18 months apart. The impact of health, social relationships, work and coping at time 1 on adjustment and self-esteem at time 2, was explored. The results indicated that there was a high level of stability in the levels of adjustment and self-esteem among both populations over time. People with MS experienced poorer adjustment and self-esteem, as well as poorer health, lower quality relationships, and lower work capacity than people from the general population. People with MS were also less likely to adopt problem focused or seeking social support coping, and more likely to adopt a detached style of coping. For both the MS and general populations, the most important predictors of adjustment and self-esteem at time 2 were time 1 levels of the same variables, with health, social relationships, work or coping strategies explaining little of the variance in time 2 levels of adjustment. The implications of this level of stability on the psychological adjustment of people with MS are discussed.

Coping and psychological adjustment among people with multiple sclerosis

Objective
This study was concerned with examining the coping and psychological adjustment of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and determining how they were different in these dimensions from people from the general population. The role of severity and duration of illness as well as levels of social support on coping style and adjustment were also evaluated.

Method
The participants were 381 (144 men, 237 women) people with MS and 291 (101 men, 190 women) people from the general population.

Results
The results demonstrated that people with MS (particularly men) were less likely to adopt coping styles related to problem solving and seeking support and demonstrated poorer levels of adjustment on all dimensions. Adopting a wishful thinking coping style, as well as a lack of problem-focused coping or failure to seek social support, was also more likely to be associated with poorer psychological adjustment for both men and women with MS. Levels of health impairment were only minimally related to psychological adjustment, particularly for men.

Discussion
These findings highlight the importance of developing educational programs that include strategies to adopt more problem-focused coping strategies, so that people with MS can more readily adjust to their illness.

Chromatic and luminance losses with multiple sclerosis and optic neuritis measured using dynamic random luminance contrast noise

We measured thresholds for detecting changes in colour and in luminance contrast in observers with multiple sclerosis (MS) and/or optic neuritis (ON) to determine whether reduced sensitivity occurs principally in red-green or blue-yellow second-stage chromatic channels or in an achromatic channel. Colour thresholds for the observers with MS/ON were higher in the red-green direction than in the blue-yellow direction, indicating greater levels of red-green loss than blue-yellow loss. Achromatic thresholds were raised less than either red-green or blue-yellow thresholds, showing less luminance-contrast loss than chromatic loss. With the MS/ON observers, blue-yellow and red-green thresholds were positively correlated but increasing impairment was associated with more rapid changes in red-green thresholds than blue-yellow thresholds. These findings indicate that demyelinating disease selectively reduces sensitivity to colour vision over luminance vision and red-green colours over blue-yellow colours.

The effects of economic disadvantage on psychological well-being and quality of life among people with multiple sclerosis

This study investigated the impact of economic disadvantage among people with multiple sclerosis (MS) on their psychological well-being and quality of life. Participants were 113 people with MS (31 males, 82 females). Information was obtained on income, lost income, costs of MS, economic pressure, coping, psychological well-being and quality of life. Economic pressure, and not actual MS-related costs predicted psychological well-being. Costs, economic pressure and coping predicted quality of life. These results demonstrate that pressure due to changed economic circumstances, as well as coping with these pressures is important in the quality of life of people with MS.

Economic deprivation and its effects on subjective wellbeing in families of people with multiple sclerosis

Background: There has been limited research on the role of financial strain on the adjustment of people with multiple sclerosis.

Aims: This study examined the financial costs of MS and the impact of financial strain on the quality of life and adjustment of people with MS and their families.

Methods: Interviews were conducted with 16 health professionals, 26 people with MS and 11 family members of people who have MS.

Results: Economic deprivation impacted on the subjective well being of many families living with MS. Concerns included adjustment to a lower income if the person with MS reduced or ceased work, and meeting the costs of home alterations, mobility equipment, and special transport. The additional cost of living with MS is a stress factor, especially for people dependent on disability support pensions.

Conclusions: It is anticipated that the findings from this study will raise the awareness of health professionals and politicians regarding the potential impact of financial stress on people with MS and their families.

Mood and self-esteem of persons with multiple sclerosis following an exacerbation

ObjectiveThis study was designed to determine the impact of an exacerbation in the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) on the mood and self-esteem of persons with MS over an 18-month period.MethodsParticipants were 243 (80 males and 163 females) persons with MS and 184 (56 males and 128 female) persons from the general population. Information was obtained about coping styles, mood, and self-esteem among all respondents at Time 1, Time 2 (6 months later), and Time 3 (18 months later).ResultsThe results demonstrated that both groups of persons with MS experienced poorer mood levels than the general population, with the exacerbation group showing the highest levels of anxiety and confusion. Coping strategies did not predict mood in either of the MS groups.ConclusionThe findings of this study demonstrate that persons with MS experience significant problems with their mood states. However, respondents need to be tracked over a longer period to further explore the role of coping strategies in the adjustment of persons with MS

The development and validation of the impact of multiple sclerosis scale and the symptoms of multiple sclerosis scale

Objective

To develop and validate the Impact of Multiple Sclerosis Scale (IMSS) and the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis Scale (SMSS) using the Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS) for construct validity.
Design

Panel design involving test-retest over 4 months.
Setting

A mailed survey.
Participants

Volunteers with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) recruited from an MS support service in Australia: 193 people (mean age, 39y) and 150 people participated at time 1 and time 2, respectively.
Interventions

Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures

Principal components analyses, the Cronbach α, and descriptive statistics for the 2 scales; correlations for construct validity with the EDSS and retest; and confirmatory factor analysis to test the stability of IMSS and SMSS components over time.
Results

The IMSS yielded 5 independent and reliable components; the SMSS yielded 3 components; both component structures were stable over time. These scales showed convergent validity with the EDSS.
Conclusions

The IMSS and SMSS are psychometrically sound scales suitable for clinical and research purposes to assess the symptoms and impact of MS.

A longitudinal study of coping strategies and quality of life among people with multiple sclerosis

The current study was designed to examine the role of coping strategies on quality of life (QOL) of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) over a period of 12 months. Respondents were 321 people with MS and 239 people from the general population who completed measures of QOL on two occasions, 12 months apart. People with MS also completed measures of how they coped with their illness. The results demonstrated that people with MS experienced lower levels of QOL at both points in time. For people with MS, QOL domains strongly predicted other QOL domains at both time 1 and time 2. The coping strategies of social support, focusing on the positive and wishful thinking were consistent predictors of physical QOL, psychological QOL, social QOL and environmental QOL. These findings indicate that coping strategies play an important role in predicting the QOL of people with MS.
Keywords Coping - Multiple sclerosis - Quality