Sociodemographic and clinical determinants of quality of life and health representations in Greek patients with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease that can have physical, psychological, and social impacts, reducing health-related quality of life. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the sociodemographic and clinical determinants of quality of life, mental health and health representations of control in Greek patients with multiple sclerosis. A sample of 90 individuals was recruited from three General Hospitals in the broader area of Athens, consisting of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Measurements were conducted with the following instruments: the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC). Female and older patients reported higher scores in the psychological, social and environmental QOL domains and lower scores in the GHQ-28 measure. Further, less educated patients presented higher scores in all the domains of WHOQOL-BREF. Married patients presented higher scores in the physical, psychological, social and environmental QOL domains and lower scores in all the subscales of GHQ-28. Patients with more years of treatment (≥ 4) evaluated their QOL and mental health more favourably. Findings provide evidence that sociodemographic and clinical variables, like being female, older, less educated, married and with more years of treatment, relate to a better assessment of quality of life and mental health in multiple sclerosis.