The Quality of Life for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis at King Fahd Neurological Outpatient Clinic

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis is a long-term inflammatory condition that leads to the loss of myelin in the central nervous system, causing neurological disability and adversely affecting the patients' quality of life. Aim of the study. This study aimed to assess the quality of life needs for patients with multiple sclerosis at King Fahd neurological outpatient clinic. Design: A descriptive design was used in this study. Settings: This study conducted at King Fahd Neurological Outpatient Clinic, Saudi Arabia. Sample: A purposive sample used to choose 210 adult patients. Data collection tool: one tool included six parts, 1st part: Socio-demographic characteristics, 2nd part: Past history of patients, 3rd part: Knowledge of patients about MS, 4th part: Patients' health needs, 5th part: Health problems for patients and 6th part: Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life (MSQOL)-54 Instrument. Results: 49.0% of the studied patients had an average level of total knowledge, whereas 21.9% had poor total knowledge about multiple sclerosis, 43.3% of the studied patients had a low quality of life related to multiple sclerosis, while 38.1% had an average overall quality of life concerning MS. Conclusion: Nearly half of the patients had an average level of total knowledge, while, over one-fifth had poor knowledge about multiple sclerosis. Over two-fifths of the patients had a low quality of life, and more than one-third had a moderate quality of life. Additionally, there was a significant relation between patients' knowledge and their quality of life regarding multiple sclerosis. Recommendations: Provide health education program for patients about multiple sclerosis to improve their quality of life.