Perception of stigma in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Stigma associated with neurological disorders may contribute to a poor health-related quality of life. However, limited information is available in primary progressive multiple sclerosis. We investigated the presence and impact of stigma in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. A noninterventional, cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 55 primary progressive multiple sclerosis patients were studied (mean age 55.89.5 years, 56.4% male). The median Expanded Disability Status Scale score was 5.5 (4.0–6.5). Stigma prevalence was 78.2% (n¼43). Twenty-four patients (43.6%) were classified as depressed. Scores on the eight-item Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness correlated with physical (rho¼0.464, p<0.001) and psychological (rho¼0.358, p¼0.007) 29-item Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale subscores. Stigma predicted concurrent depression (odds ratio¼1.13; p¼0.046). Stigma was highly prevalent with a detrimental effect on quality of life and mood in primary progressive multiple sclerosis.