A Genders and Culture Comparison of Psychological and Social Aspects of Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis Patients (P5.200)

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of psychosocial factors on quality of life (QoL) with multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and perceived positive life changes post-diagnosis. We compared coping strategies and personality variables such as self-esteem and the ability to express love between genders and two countries, the USA and Austria. BACKGROUND: MS is a demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system that impairs physical and cognitive functions with significant psychosocial impact. Studying this impact is important to improve overall care of MS patients. DESIGN/METHODS: Our study includes 128 participants, 64 from each country, 50 men and 78 women aged between 20 and 57 years. We conducted structured interviews and used quantitative questionnaires including the Benefit Finding in Multiple Sclerosis Scale (BFiMSS), the TPF (Trierer Personlichkeitsfragebogen) and parts of the quality of life questionnaire HAQUAMS (mood, social function, sex-life). For analyses we used statistical tests for the quantitative data and grounded theory for qualitative data. RESULTS: We identified intercultural differences in QoL and self-esteem. For QoL, the Austrian participants scored higher. For the self-esteem scale American participants scored significantly higher. Significant gender differences were identified on the ability to love scale, where women score higher. We also found a significant positive correlation of the self-esteem scale with QoL. Most participants reported perceived benefit from the disease. The qualitative interviews highlighted differences between men and women in coping strategies. Women more often had an ‘ambivalent resigned’ and ‘accepting’ approach, while more men reported ‘denying the illness’. CONCLUSIONS: These results improve our understanding of the psychosocial aspects of multiple sclerosis. Based on this information we will develop targeted psychosocial guidelines and intervention strategies for the patients and their caregivers, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life of the affected. Study Supported by: Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research Disclosure: Dr. Lex has nothing to disclose. Dr. Syed has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sloane has nothing to disclose. Dr. Freidl has nothing to disclose.