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. 2018 Apr;32(4):536-545.
doi: 10.1177/0269215517730670. Epub 2017 Sep 12.

The impact of self-perceived limitations, stigma and sense of coherence on quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients: results of a cross-sectional study

Feddrik Broersma  1 , Barth Oeseburg  2 , Jacob Dijkstra  3 , Klaske Wynia  1   4
Affiliations

The impact of self-perceived limitations, stigma and sense of coherence on quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients: results of a cross-sectional study

Feddrik Broersma et al. Clin Rehabil. 2018 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the impact of perceived limitations, stigma and sense of coherence on quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands.

Subjects: Multiple sclerosis patients.

Main measures: World Health Organization Quality of Life - abbreviated version, Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness, Sense of Coherence Scale, background and disease-related questions.

Results: In total, 185 patients (61% response rate) participated in the study with moderate to severe limitations. Stigma was highly prevalent but low in severity. Patients with a higher sense of coherence experienced a lower level of limitations ( B = -0.063, P < 0.01) and less stigma (enacted stigma B = -0.030, P < 0.01; self-stigma B = -0.037, P < 0.01). Patients with a higher level of limitations experienced more stigma (enacted stigma B = 0.044, P < 0.05; self-stigma B = 0.063, P < 0.01). Patients with a higher sense of coherence experienced better quality of life (physical health B = 0.059, P < 0.01; psychological health B = 0.062, P < 0.01; social relationships B = 0.052, P < 0.01; environmental aspects B = 0.030, P < 0.01). Patients with a higher level of limitations experienced poorer quality of life (physical health B = -0.364, P < 0.01; psychological health B = -0.089, P < 0.05) and patients with more stigma also experienced poorer quality of life (self-stigma: physical health B = -0.073, P < 0.01; psychological health B = -0.089, P < 0.01; social relationships B = -0.124, P < 0.01; environmental aspects B = -0.052, P < 0.01, and enacted stigma: physical health B = -0.085, P < 0.10).

Conclusion: Patients with less perceived limitations and stigma and a higher level of sense of coherence experienced better quality of life. Patients with a higher sense of coherence experienced a lower level of limitations and less stigma.

Keywords: Sense of coherence; multiple sclerosis; quality of life; stigma.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

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