Quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis in Serbia

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this investigation was to evaluate factors that might influence the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in Serbia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on a group of 156 patients with MS. HRQoL was assessed by using the SF-36 questionnaire. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scale were assessed as variables affecting the HRQoL of MS patients. RESULTS: EDSS score correlated negatively with all SF-36 health dimensions, and the highest statistically significant coefficients were for physical functioning (r = -0.682), and social and role functioning (r = -0.407 and -0.405 respectively). BDI correlated statistically significantly negatively (P < 0.01) with all SF-36 health dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that both disability and depression significantly influence the HRQoL in Serbian MS patients, with depressive symptoms having the major influence.