The Health-Related Quality of Life Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People Living with Multiple Sclerosis and the General Population: A Comparative Study Utilizing the EQ-5D-5L with Psychosocial Bolt-Ons.

Objectives: Studies have shown that people living with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) were substantially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, no study has compared the overall health-related quality of life impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on PwMS and the general population. Differences would have implications for crises/pandemic management policies. This study aimed to compare the prevalence and health-related quality of life impact of COVID-19-related adversity (such as deteriorations in mental or physical health) in PwMS and the general population.

Methods: Cross-sectional data were obtained from the How Is Your Life Australian general population study (comprising subsamples with and without chronic disease) and the Australian MS Longitudinal Study from August to October 2020. Health-related quality of life was measured using health state utilities (HSUs; represented on a 0 [death] to 1 [full health] scale) generated by the EQ-5D-5L-Psychosocial. COVID-19-related adversity was measured via specialized survey items. Descriptive and multivariable regression analyses were conducted.

Results: A total of 1020 general population individuals and 1635 MS participants entered the study (mean age 52.4 and 58.4; female 52.4% and 80.2%, respectively). COVID-19-related adversity prevalence was higher among PwMS compared to the general population with and without chronic diseases (PR: 1.430 [CI: 1.153, 1.774] and PR: 1.90 [CI: 1.56, 2.32], respectively). However, the HSU impact of COVID-19-related adversity was not dependent on disease status (p > 0.20, test for interaction).

Conclusion: This study found that PwMS were more likely to experience COVID-19-related adversity compared to the general population, though the health-related quality-of-life impact was similar. This demonstrates that PwMS require additional support during national and global crises.