The Importance of Hope for Quality of Life in patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Aims: This study intent to describe the importance of Hope for Quality of Life in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Evidence has indicated that Hope is important as a buffer between risk factors, physical and psychological health status and quality of life for patients with multiple sclerosis. Methods: The study was exploratory and descriptive. Setting: A general Hospital in Lisbon Portugal. Participants: 280 patients with Multiple Sclerosis. We explore the relationship between Hope and Quality of Life. The instruments used are Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life scale (MSQol-54) and the Hope Scale. Results: The correlation between Hope scale and the domains of MSQOL-54: Physical Health (r=0.24, p<0.05), Physical Role Limitations (r=0.25, p<0.05), Emotional Role Limitations (r=0.35, p<0.05), Pain (r=0.28, p<0.05),Well-being (r=0.48, p<0.01), Energy (r=0.42, p<0.01), Health in General (r=0.41, p<0.01), Social Function (r=0.45, p<0.01), Cognitive Function (r=0.28, p<0.05), Health Distress (r=0.52, p<0.01), Overal Qol (r=0.49, p<0.01), Sexual function (r=0.33, p<0.05), Change in Health (r=-0.17, p<0.05), and Satisfaction with sexual function (r=0.33, p<0.05). Conclusions: There is a statistically significant correlation between the variables, suggesting that Hope can play an important role in the Quality of Life of patients with multiple sclerosis especial in domains as perception of Wellbeing, Health in General and Social Function and Distress.