Multiple sclerosis: disability profile and quality of life in an Australian community cohort (original) (raw)

2006, International journal of rehabilitation research. Internationale Zeitschrift für Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue internationale de recherches de réadaptation

The objective of this study was to determine the experience of disability and reported symptoms in multiple sclerosis in an Australian community sample, comparing the perceptions of patients, carers and treating doctors, and to examine effects on quality of life, carer stress and utilization of health services. The study design used a prospective cross sectional community survey. The participants were persons with a confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, with quantified neurological, mobility and cognitive deficits, from a tertiary hospital database (n=101), who lived at home, and their carers and doctors. The study method used demographic, diagnostic and disease severity data extracted from the database. Structured interviews conducted at home included: (1) open questionnaires for participant, carer and general practitioner, prioritizing symptoms/problems affecting daily living; and (2) standardized assessments for patient quality of life, caregiver strain and perceived burden ...