Psychosocial dimensions and quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis: A literature review from 2000 ? 2015

The impact of multiple sclerosis (MS) in quality of life (QoL) of people has been studied more than any other neurological disorder. The purpose of this article is to present the main findings of the studies carried out from 2000 to 2015, through a review of international and Greek literature. 57 studies identified (39 quantitative and 18 qualitative) worldwide. In quantitative studies investigated the level of QoL and its correlation with various factors, such as demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, the symptoms of the disease, the degree of disability, the various treatments, mental disorders, and the existence of social support. In qualitative studies, the researchers focused on more specific issues, or in some dimensions of the lived experience of patients, which directly or indirectly affect their overall QoL. The research findings will enlighten health professionals to set empirically based treatment goals in clinical practice in order to improve the QoL of patients with MS and also to focus their research goals in new fields that appear not to be adequately studied.