The Relationship between Perception of Illness and Health-related Behaviors in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Background & objectives: Illness perception has a predictive value in the health-related behaviors of people with chronic illness and its impact on quality of life and disease management is important. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between perceived disease and health-related behaviors in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was performed on 100 patients with MS selected by convenience sampling. Data collection tools were included demographic information, health related behaviors and a brief illness perception questionnaire (BIPQ). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Anova inference, t-test and linear regression test using SPSS-22 software. Results: The mean age of participants and mean duration of the disease were 33.43±8.53 and 4.4±3.48 years, respectively. The mean illness perception score was 35.53±1.31 (moderate). Regarding to health-related behaviors, only a quarter of participants had a regular and appropriate level of activity, and behaviors related to alcohol, cigarette and tobacco consumption were in acceptable level. Based on the linear regression test physical activity (p=0.007) and smoking (p<0.001) were among the predictors of illness perception. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the illness perception in people with MS was related to health behaviors. Therefore, efforts to improve the health-related behaviors can promote illness perception in patients with MS.