ECTRIMS 2023 | Factors impacting health-related quality of life in multiple sclerosis

Stefania Iaquinto, PhD candidate, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland, discusses her study investigating the link between MS symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). While it is known that individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience lower HRQoL compared to the general population, there are gaps in our understanding of the influencing factors, particularly non-clinical aspects like living conditions, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle. The study utilized data from the Swiss MS registry, examining individuals with MS in Switzerland longitudinally. In addition to commonly studied factors such as disease severity and disability, the research identifies other MS symptoms associated with diminished HRQoL, including depression, pain, memory problems, muscle weakness, and fatigue. The findings highlight the significant role of symptom burden in determining quality of life. Ms. Iaquinto is beginning to conduct longitudinal analyses to explore changes over time, as well as investigating the impact of other factors beyond MS symptoms. This interview took place at the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) Congress 2023 in Milan, Italy.

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