Comparison of disability and quality of life measures in patients with long-term psychotic disorders and patients with multiple sclerosis: an application of the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule II and WHO Quality of Life-BREF

Abstract

The aim of this article is to compare the applications of the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS II) and WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) in the assessment of patients with psychotic disorders and multiple sclerosis, and to assess the feasibility and usefulness of such universal measures in the psychiatric as well as physical rehabilitation setting. Twenty patients with psychotic disorders from St Vincent's Mental Health Service and 20 patients from the Medical Rehabilitation Ward of St Vincent's Hospital were assessed. The WHODAS II and WHOQOL-BREF were administered to each patient to obtain their perception of the impact of their disability and their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The WHODAS II and WHOQOL-BREF interviews were meaningful as they highlighted aspects of patients' disabilities as well as issues that led to impairment in HRQoL. The WHODAS II and WHOQOL-BREF total scores were higher overall for patients with multiple sclerosis, reflecting, in particular, the physical impact of this condition. Patients with psychotic disorders generally did not report difficulty in self-care. Both patients with multiple sclerosis and patients with psychotic disorders reported similar levels of difficulty in the domain of participation in society. Universal measures of disability and HRQoL are feasible for use in patients with long-term physical and psychiatric illnesses. Similarities in the disability profiles of patients in the two groups reflect the consequences of the long-term conditions under investigation. Both groups of patients reported similar levels of social disability, confirming that barriers to participation in society affect all patients with disabling conditions.