Study of the relationship between physical disability and quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis in the Ibn-Sina hospital in Rabat

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system and is a chronic disease leading to a reduced quality of life. The objective of the study is the assessing of physical disability in patients with MS and its impact on QoL; the aim is to facilitate the treatment of patients with this pathology. 75 patients with multiple sclerosis from the Neurology and Neurogenetic Department of the Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco were studied. The data was collected using a kit composed of several tools including a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and quality of life SEP-59. Of the 75 MS patients in the study, females accounted for 77.3% (n = 58) (the female/male ratio being 3.4). The mean age of the population was 38.29±13.31 years, Relapsing remitting is most present at 65.3% (n=49), while 56% (n=42) were married. We determined that the average EDSS was 4.067 (SD 1.829) with 54.3% (n = 34) of the patients displaying a moderate level of disability (EDSS between 4 and 6.5). We found that of the role limitations - mental and physique, energy, overall quality of life, emotional well-being, distress, sexual satisfaction, sexual function were the QoL scales affected most (SEP-59). Furthermore EDSS is significantly associated with QoL SEP-59. The results of this study indicate a strong link between disability and the physical and mental health of patients with multiple sclerosis, which causes a deterioration in their quality of life. The involvement of psychological support is essential.