Quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis: A study with patients and caregivers

Abstract

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that affects patients' quality of life and requires long term demanding care.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between patients and caregivers' variables regarding patients' quality of life, the moderating role of marital satisfaction between patients' psychological morbidity and quality of life, and the contribution of patient and caregiver variables towards patients' quality of life.

Methods: The sample included 100 patients with MS and 72 caregivers. Participants' variables were assessed using self-report measures. The design of this quantitative study was transversal.

Results: Marital satisfaction moderated the relationship between patients' anxiety and mental quality of life. Patients' perception of illness identity and consequences together with caregivers' depressive symptoms were mediators between patients' depression and quality of life. Burden also played a mediator role in the relationship between patients' depressive symptoms, disability level, and physical quality of life.

Conclusion: Therefore, intervention in multiple sclerosis should be delivered in a dyadic context.

Keywords: Caregivers; Multiple sclerosis; Patients; Quality of life.