ASSOCIATION BETWEEN DISABILITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENTS IN AHVAZ, IRAN.

Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative and chronic disease of central nervous system which affected the middle aged people. The disabling nature of this disease can limit the daily activities, restrict the society roles, unemployment and finally lead to decline the quality of life (QoL) in MS patients. So, the main purpose of this study was to determine association between disability and quality of life among MS patients in Ahvaz, Iran.

Materials And Methods: One hundred and one MS patients who living in Khouzestan participated in the cross-sectional study. Two questionnaires include the MSQoL-54 and World Health Organization disability assessment schedule 2.0 (WHODAS2.0) were used in order to measure the QoL and disability severity. Descriptive statistics as well as Pearson correlation coefficient and simple linear regression were used to analysis the data.

Results: The respondent rate was 100 percent. The disability showed a large and negative association with QoL (p<0.001) but QoL was not significantly associated with EDSS score. Social participation and cognition subscales recognized as QoL predictors according to simple regression results.

Conclusion: The cognition and participation, disability subscales, were the most important predicators for QoL. Therefore, increasing employment opportunities, changing society's attitude and using the psychotherapy programs might improve the MS patient's QoL.