Quality of life as a predictor for change in disability in MS

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of quality of life on change s in disability measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Ba ckground: There are few good prognostic factors for disease development in MS. Quality of life and self-rated health have been shown to be highly pred ictive of morbidity and disease development in heart disease and cancer. Me thods: Data on quality of life (SF-36 Health Survey) were ascertained at ba seline for 97 relapsing-remitting patients with MS participating in a short -term clinical trial on interferon alpha-2a. These scores were correlated w ith change in EDSS scores 1 year later, 6 months after treatment ended. Res ults: Low scores on the SF-36 mental health scale were correlated with incr eased (worsened) EDSS scores 1 year later (r = -0.29, p = 0.006). The resul ts were not altered by adjusting for disease activity at baseline, which wa s measured by the number gadolinium-enhanced MRI lesions, relapse rate for the preceding 2 years, and baseline EDSS score. Similar results were found for self-rated health (according to the first question of the SF-36). Concl usions: These findings reinforce the importance of incorporating the patien ts' evaluation of their quality of life during treatment. Further, assessin g such measures is important in evaluating effects in treatment trials in M S.