MS diagnosis: quality of life and adjustment

Introduction: The psychological adjustment of newly diagnosed people with MS (PwMS) is influenced by both physical and psychological impact of the disease, with the illness representation playing a crucial role. We reported the baseline quantitative data of a broader longitudinal mixed methods study, aimed at evaluating the quality of life (QoL) of people throughout the first year form the diagnosis. Methods: People that received the diagnosis of relapsing remitting MS in the last 4 months were invited to complete 5 self-administered questionnaires to evaluate the level of adjustment (MSQOL- 54, HADS, MFIS), the coping style (COPE-NVI) and the illness representation (IPQ-R). Mann- Whitney test was used to evaluate differences between groups (people who subjectively reported to give or not a meaning in having MS) in the self-reported measures. Correlations will be performed to evaluate the relation between physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) components of QoL and the other self-reported measures. Results: A total of 20 PwMS were enrolled, mainly female (65%), mean age 31.4 years, mean time form the diagnosis 75.3 days, median EDSS 1.0 (min-max:0-3). The majority (90%) assumed a preventive treatment; 17% presented a moderate to severe level of anxiety, while only the 5% reported a clinically significant depressive symptoms. The 40% gave a meaning in having MS, they reported higher score at COPE-NVI PO (problem oriented coping strategies), and IPQ-R Personal Control (p.<0.039). PCS and MCS significantly correlated with IPQ-R Treatment Control, IPQ-R Illness Coherence (p.<0.040), while inversely with COPE-NVI AS (avoidance strategies), HADS- A, MFIS, IPQ-R Consequences (p.<0.045). Conclusion: Newly diagnosed PwMS that are more confident in treatment efficacy and have a better comprehension of the disease showed higher QoL. Lower degree of QoL is related to higher level of anxiety, perceived fatigue and use of avoidant strategies, and a worst representation of MS consequences.