Correlation between Expanded Disability Status Scale, Depression, Quality of Life and Age in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Introduction: The purpose of the study is to investigate correlation between the expanded disability status scale, depression, quality of life (QoL) and age as well as to investigate the impact of the interferon beta-1b in the QoL of MS patients and its possible depressogenic effect. Material and methods: This prospective study included 70 randomly selected patients with MS treated in the clinic of Neurology at University Clinical Center of Kosova in Prishtina, from January 2011 December 2013. All patients fulfilled the MS McDonald criteria (2010). The diagnosis of depression is made based on the criteria of DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and depression rate is measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The degree of disability is determined by the EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) and QoL is assessed using specific questionnaire SF-36 (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36-item Questionnaire). Results: The statistically positive correlation is found between EDSS and depression and EDSS and age. The significant negative correlation is found between EDSS and QoL as well as between depression and QoL. No impact of interferon beta-1b on QoL is found. The depressogenic effect of interferon beta-1b is not clear. Conclusion: The level of disability and the level of depression have an impact on the QoL in MS patients. EDSS is positively correlated with depression and age and negatively correlated with QoL. Depression is also negatively correlated with QoL.