Fampridine and quality of life in individuals with multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND: Fampridine improves walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). However, little is known about its impact on the quality of life (QoL) of pwMS. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the contribution of fampridine on the QoL of pwMS and to determine if improvements in QoL are best associated with walk respondents. METHODS: Fifty pwMS were included in this study. The PERSEPP scale and the GaitRite system were used to evaluate QoL and gait respectively. QoL was evaluated 7 days before fampridine (Pre1), on the day the fampridine treatment was initiated (Pre2), and 14 and 21 days after fampridine (Post1 and Post2 respectively). Gait was assessed at Pre-1, Pre-2 and Post-1. RESULTS: For all patients, fampridine had significant effects (p = 0.05–10(−4), d = 0.25–0.45) on the Overall, Relationship difficulties, Fatigue, Time perspective and Symptoms QoL indices and for gait parameters (p = 0.05–10(−4), d = 0.17–0.38). Non-respondents scored significant effects (p < 0.05–0.01, d = 0.32–0.41) for Overall, Time perspective and Symptoms QoL indices, whereas respondents scored significant effects (p < 0.05–0.01, d = 0.51–0.8) for Overall, Relationship difficulties, Fatigue and Symptoms. CONCLUSION: The QoL of pwMS improved after fampridine, suggesting a real benefit in their lives. However, the contributions to the overall QoL index seem different between groups.