Determination of the levels of fatigue, pain, functional independence and quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to non-MS individuals: use of standard psychometric tests on a small number of subjects

Abstract

Aim: Using standard psychometric tests to determine the level of fatigue, pain, functional independence and quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to non-MS people on a small number of subjects, and establish the correlation between fatigue and pain with perceived quality of life related to fatigue, pain, emotional and physical functioning. Patients and Methods: A group of people with MS (N = 17), predominantly female gender, 21-70 years old, EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) values from 0.0 to 8.0 without relapse and corticosteroid therapy for the past 4 weeks and without severe chronic illnesses, was subjected to the following tests: Barthel Index, Functional Independence Measure, Visual Analogue Scale, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. The control group (N = 17) without severe acute and chronic illnesses was also subjected to the same tests. Results: Statistically significant differences between the groups (P <0.05 - P <0.001) and statistically significant (P <0.05) correlation between fatigue level and perceived quality of life related to fatigue and the absence of link between pain level and perceived quality of life related to pain. The correlations between fatigue and pain level and the quality of life-related physical functioning has been statistically significant (P <0.05), unlike the correlation with the quality of life associated with emotional functioning. Conclusion: The selected combination of psychometric tests showed clear differences in the level of fatigue, pain, functional independence and quality of life in MS patients compared to non-MS people on a small number of subjects and established a correlation between fatigue level with perceived quality of life related to fatigue and also fatigue and pain levels with the quality of life associated with physical functioning.