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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2017; 75(05): 267-271
DOI: 10.1590/0004-282X20170036
ARTICLES

Social support network and quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients

Rede de apoio social e qualidade de vida de pacientes com esclerose múltipla
David Castro Costa
1   Centro Hospitalar São João, Departamento de Neurologia, Porto, Portugal;
,
Maria José Sá
1   Centro Hospitalar São João, Departamento de Neurologia, Porto, Portugal;
2   Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Porto, Portugal;
,
José Manuel Calheiros
3   Universidade Beira Interior, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Covilhã, Portugal.
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ABSTRACT

Objective

To analyse the relationship between the social support network (SSN) and health related quality of life (HRQOL) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.

Methods

The sample comprised 150 consecutive MS patients attending our MS clinic. To assess the socio-demographic data, a specifically designed questionnaire was applied. The HRQOL dimensions were measured with the Short-Form Health Survey Questionnaire-SF36 and the SSN with the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey. Spearman’s correlation was used to compare the magnitude of the relationship between the SSN and HRQOL.

Results

The mean patient age was 41.7 years (± 10.4; range: 18–70 yr); the mean Expanded Disability Status Score was 2.5 (±2.4; range: 0–9). There was a statistically significant correlation between the structure of the SSN and the HRQOL.

Conclusion

The composition of the SSN, social group membership and participation in voluntary work have an important role in the HRQOL of patients with MS.

RESUMO

Objetivo

Analisar a relação entre a rede de apoio social (RAS) e a qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde (QVRS) em pacientes com esclerose múltipla (EM).

Métodos

Foram avaliados consecutivamente 150 pacientes na consulta de esclerose múltipla. As dimensões da QVRS foram medidas com Short-Form Health Survey Questionnaire-SF36 e a RAS com o Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey. A correlação de Spearman foi utilizada para comparar a magnitude da relação entre a RAS e a QVRS.

Resultados

A idade média dos pacientes foi 41,7 anos (± 10,4; intervalo: 18–70 anos); a média da EDSS foi 2,5 (± 2,4; intervalo: 0–9). Foi encontrada uma correlação estatisticamente significativa entre a estrutura da RAS e a QVRS.

Conclusão

A composição da RAS, a pertença a um grupo social e a participação em trabalho voluntário têm um papel importante na QVRS dos pacientes com MS.

multiple sclerosis - social networking - quality of life
esclerose múltipla - rede social - qualidade de vida


Publication History

Received: 09 January 2016
Received: 07 November 2016

Accepted: 03 February 2017

Article published online:
05 September 2023

© 2023. Academia Brasileira de Neurologia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commecial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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