Quality of life in Polish patients with multiple sclerosis

Purpose: This study is a pilot evaluation of the quality of life (QoL) in Polish patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Material/methods: Data from 21 centers in Poland were collected from May 2008 to January 2009. QoL was assessed using the questionnaire Euro Quality of Life (EQ-5D), with Polish population norms. Demographic profile of patients, duration/form/relapsing activity of the disease, disability and comorbidity were also analyzed. Results: Data from 3521 patients (F/M ratio 2.4:1) were collected. The average EQ-5D index was 0.8 +/- 0.27 and the mean score in a visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) was 65.6 +/- 21.5. There was a highly significant positive correlation between both indices (r = 0.7334, p < 0.0001). The mean patient age was 40.7 years (11.2-92.3 years) and disease duration was 10.3 +/- 8.8 years (0.04-53 years). 74.2% of subjects had relapsing-remitting form of MS, while 17.2% were classified as secondary progressive and 8.6% as primary progressive. In the group of relapsing-remitting MS subjects there were 2.5% patients with "benign MS''. The average degree of disability on EDSS scale was 3.6 +/- 2.2, while disability >= 6 was observed in 20.3% of patients. Most patients did not have other diseases besides MS. Conclusions: This is the first large study of QoL in patients with MS in Poland (approximately 18% of all patients). Our results confirm a reduction in QoL compared with the general population. Further studies are indicated to identify the modifiable risk factors (e. g. type of treatment) that may affect QoL. (C) 2014 Medical University of Bialystok. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.