Quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis and caregivers. Predictive factors: An observational study. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Di Cara, Marcella; Bonanno, Lilla; Rifici, Carmela; Sessa, Edoardo; D'Aleo, Giangaetano; Corallo, Francesco; Lo Buono, Viviana; Venuti, Giuseppe; Bramanti, Placido; Marino, Silvia
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical neuroscience. Volume 78(2020)
• Page Start: 242
• Page End: 245
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Multiple sclerosis -- Quality of life -- Caregiver -- Predictive factors; Brain -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Brain -- surgery -- Periodicals; Neurosurgical Procedures -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2020.04.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-5868

Abstract

Highlights: MS can create a stressful family and can have a biopsychosocial impact. The caregiver's role can be physically and mental exhaustive, affecting QoL. The aim is to verify whether the patient's clinical condition affects QoL. Abstract: Purpose: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative and autoimmune disease, which can significantly affect not only the quality of life (QoL) of affected people but also that of their careers who care for them. The main objective of this study was to assess the extent to which the patient's clinical, cognitive and psychological conditions affect his or her QoL and that of the caregiver. Methods: We examined a number of patients with clinically defined MS. In this study 78 patient-assistant pairs were enrolled. Results: Our results showed a significant correlation between the change in the patient's state of health and the quality of life of caregivers, especially in specific social and work areas. In addition, the age and the physical and mental health of patients emerged as predictive factors on the quality of caregivers. Conclusions: This study has shown that degenerative and chronic diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, can be predictors of stress and poor quality of life for careers. Future studies should further clarify the impact that the psychological conditions of MS patients have on the quality of life of careers.