The impact of pain on the quality of life of people with multiple sclerosis

摘要: This thesis was concerned with determining the scope, nature and impact of pain on quality life (QOL) among a community-based sample people multiple sclerosis (MS). An analysis research literature in MS reveals that is significant problem which has historically been underinvestigated currently poorly understood. The vast majority published consists prevalence studies, descriptive clinical reports. Where available, empirical data are often limited by methodological analytical problems such substantive conclusions about scope MS-related remain unclear. Among most fundamental issues extent to problematic population already impaired other physical disabilities. Little known how contributes disability, distress QOL. Moreover, examining psychosocial aspects noticeably absent. It clear there substantial gaps many basic questions individuals unanswered. Thus primary aim this study begin fill some these systematically investigating following questions: (1) What experienced MS? (2) QOL MS, over above disability itself? (3) To what do factors influence adjustment chronic (4) meaning given experience MS? The present utilised multimethod design involving cross-sectional postal survey, structured in-person interviews focus groups. Survey respondents were 219-person recruited from Queensland Society membership database via systematic random sampling. All participants completed piloted questionnaire containing their demographic characteristics, validated measures question whether or not they had clinically previous two weeks. Respondents who reported then face-to-face assessing characteristics (viz. intensity, quality, location, duration), pain-related beliefs coping strategies, management techniques used. Four groups also conducted included 32 living community. Study purposive drawn four support located South-East region. Pain found be common 67.1% reporting during weeks preceding study. Comprehensive assessment revealed subset conditions characterised moderate-to-severe intensity. Pain intensity strongly correlated QOL: health, psychological level independence global more likely when present, impairment associated pain. relationships remained even after statistically controlling for covariates self-reported Pain-related strategies explained proportion variance accomplished variables Finally, qualitative broad conceptualisations including: pervasive, nobody understands, I'm fine, always factor equation. These findings suggest an important source caused neurological impairments. These lead hypothesis recognition effective treatment would improve irrespective neurologic disability. Although correlational, provide biopsychosocial model MS.