Quality of life and psychological well-being in the early stages of multiple sclerosis (MS): Importance of adopting a biopsychosocial model.

BACKGROUND: Reductions in quality of life (QOL) exist among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).

OBJECTIVE: The present investigation aimed to adopt a biopsychosocial model in examining QOL in the early stages of MS.

METHODS: Individuals with MS (34 with average to low QOL and 35 with high QOL) were compared on measures of disease symptoms, psychological functioning, personality, self-efficacy, locus of control (LOC), social support, and coping to determine the most salient predictors of QOL.

RESULTS: Individuals were matched on disease course and duration. Individuals with lower QOL reported more fatigue, sleep problems, pain, depression, and anxiety (d = 0.83-1.49, p's < 0.001). They also reported lower levels of self-efficacy, LOC, and social support (d = 0.75-1.50 p's < 0.01). They indicated higher levels of neuroticism (d = 1.31, p < .001) and lower levels of extraversion (d = 1.21, p < .001) and reported greater levels of disengagement as a means of coping (d = 0.75, p = .002). Those with high QOL endorsed more use of adaptive coping (d = 0.52 - 0.86, p's < 0.05). When taken together, LOC and anxiety were the most significant predictors, accounting for 40% of the variance.

CONCLUSION: Even early on in the illness, there exists differing levels of QOL. Identifying the psychological and social variables as well as the disease related factors is important, and in this case, may make a much greater contribution. Efforts to assure routine assessment and effective intervention aimed at these factors are warranted, particularly as an early intervention to assure maintenance/improvement in QOL among individuals with MS.