The Associations Between Fatigue, Disability, and Mobility and the Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease which is caused by demyelination in the central nervous system (CNS) in young adults. This disease affects independence and the ability to participate in family and community activities, thus affecting the quality of life. Objectives: This cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the associations between fatigue, disability, and mobility and the quality of life in patients with MS in the city of Semnan, Iran. Patients and Methods: Sixty-six MS patients completed the Rivermead mobility index (RMI), Guy’s neurological disability scale (GNDS), modified fatigue impact scale (MFIS), and Multiple sclerosis quality of life-54 (MSQL-54) questionnaires, which assessed the physical and mental health of the participants in 12 dimensions. Results: The results of this study showed significant correlations between fatigue (P = 0.002), disability (P 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that fatigue and disability may affect a patient’s quality of life. Although mobility may affect the overall quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis, it may also affect the physical health of MS patients. Therefore, the identification of factors affecting the quality of life in MS patients may help in predicting the quality of life, and designing a rehabilitation protocol.