Impact on patient quality of life
Multiple sclerosis symptoms - Impact on patient quality of life
MS symptoms can appear early on and significantly impact patients' quality of life[1][2]
MS symptoms can occur at the start of the disease course, impacting physical functioning, emotional well-being, and quality of life. As MS progresses and damage to the brain accumulates, increasing disability can impose a heavy burden on patients living with MS and their families.[3][4] Patients living with MS may struggle to maintain their normal work activities. A survey of patients with MS, which took place in 2017, found that only 35% of patients with MS were in active employment.[5]
Employment status of patients living with MS*[5]
* Based on patient respondents (n = 5 311) to the question ‘What best describes your employment status?’ as part of the Multiple Sclerosis in America (MSIA) 2017 Survey which contained 124 questions and was available to complete online.[5]
Relapse, physical disability progression and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disease activity only reflect part of the impact that MS has on patients’ daily lives.[6]
MS symptoms have been associated with a negative impact on patients including[6][^5]:
Limitations when carrying out intense activities
Reduced daily work activities
Fatigue/exhaustion
Functioning in core life domains such as work, housekeeping, tending to children and leisure activities
Practical, emotional and financial strain
MS symptoms that most affect daily function*[5]
* Based on patient respondents (n = 5 278) when asked ‘which symptom affects your ability to function in your daily life the most?’ in relation to symptoms experienced within the past 3 months, as part of the Multiple Sclerosis in America (MSIA) 2017 Survey which contained 124 questions and was available to complete online.[5]
MS symptoms can also impact care partners of patients living with MS. In a study evaluating the effects of MS on care partners, fatigue, impaired mobility, bladder difficulties, depression, cognitive function and personality changes were all cited as stressful MS symptoms.[7]
Most stressful MS symptoms as rated by care partners[7]
Data from care partners (N=1333) of individuals in the NARCOMS* registry, a large natural history registry, a database that collects information from MS patient volunteers.[7]
*NARCOMS = North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis
Patient education is crucial in MS
It is important that patients living with MS are informed, educated
and have access to multidisciplinary teams to help them manage the
complexity of MS symptoms and adjust to their life with MS.[8]
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