Social Characteristics and Quality of Life of Portuguese Multiple Sclerosis Patients

INTRODUCTION: Few studies have analyzed the importance of socio-demographic variables on the perception of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: The sample was composed of 150 patients with MS. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis H non-parametric tests comparing socio-demographic items with HRQoL. RESULTS: We found statistically significant differences between age, education levels, employment status, disability and all dimensions of HRQoL. DISCUSSION: This study contributes to a more systematic knowledge about the relationship between social characteristics and HRQoL, which is important to improve the planning of health care in MS patients. CONCLUSION: We found that younger patients, those with higher education level, those who were employed, and with lower disease progression and lower disability, had better HRQoL.