Social Characteristics and Quality of Life of Portuguese Multiple Sclerosis Patients

INTRODUCTION Few studies have analyzed the importance of socio-demographic variables on the perception of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS The sample was composed of 150 patients with MS. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H non-parametric tests comparing socio-demographic items with HRQoL. RESULTS We found statistically significant differences between age, education levels, employment status, disability and all dimensions of HRQoL. DISCUSSION This study contributes to a more systematic knowledge about the relationship between social characteristics and HRQoL, which is important to improve the planning of health care in MS patients. CONCLUSION We found that younger patients, those with higher education level, those who were employed, and with lower disease progression and lower disability, had better HRQoL.