Social support network and quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients

The sample comprised 150 consecutive MS patients attending our MS clinic. To assess the socio-demographic data, a specifically designed questionnaire was applied. The HRQOL dimensions were measured with the Short-Form Health Survey Questionnaire-SF36 and the SSN with the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey. Spearman’s correlation was used to compare the magnitude of the relationship between the SSN and HRQOL.

Results

The mean patient age was 41.7 years (± 10.4; range: 18–70 yr); the mean Expanded Disability Status Score was 2.5 (±2.4; range: 0–9). There was a statistically significant correlation between the structure of the SSN and the HRQOL.

Conclusion

The composition of the SSN, social group membership and participation in voluntary work have an important role in the HRQOL of patients with MS.

multiple sclerosis; social networking; quality of life

Variables	n	%	M (± Dp:Range)
Age (years)	150	-	41.7 (10.5;18–70)
Sex
Female	106	70.7	-
Male	44	29.3	-
Marital status
Married	99	66.0	-
Single	25	16.7	-
Widow	9	6.0	-
Divorced or separated	17	11.3	-
School level
Inferior to primary education	19	12.7	-
Completed primary education	58	38.7	-
Completed secondary education	48	32.0	-
Completed higher education	25	16.7	-
Profession
Skilled workers	71	47.3	-
Unskilled workers	79	52.7	-
Clinical course of MS
Relapsing-remitting	128	85.3	-
Primary progressive	6	4.0	-
Secundary progressive	16	10.7	-
MS Duration (years)	150	-	9.1(6.4;1–25)
Disability
Low	103	68.7	-
Moderate	29	19.3	-
Severe	18	12.0	-
EDSS	150		2.5(2.4: 0–9)

Questions	n	%
How many relatives can you trust to talk to about almost anything?
No relative	15	10.0
One relative	43	28.7
Two relatives	37	24.7
Three relatives	25	16.7
Four relatives	12	8.0
Five relatives	6	4.0
Six relatives	7	4.7
Seven relatives	4	2.7
Eight relatives	1	0.7
How many friends can you trust to talk to about almost anything?
No friends	38	25.3
One friend	32	21.3
Two friends	28	18.7
Three friends	16	10.7
Four friends	17	11.3
Five friends	9	6.0
Six friends	5	3.3
Seven friends	2	1.3
Eight friends	1	0.7
Ten friends	2	1.3
Have you participated in sports in a group in the last 12 months?
No	110	73.3
More than once per week	13	8,7
Once a week	2	1.3
Two or three times per week	18	12.0
Few times a year	7	4.7
Once a year	0	0.0
Have you participated in meetings in the last 12 months?
No	118	78.7
More than once per week	12	8.0
Once a week	5	3.3
Two or three times per week	10	6.7
Few times a year	0	0
Once a year	5	3.3
Have you participated in voluntary work in the last 12 months?
No	127	84.7
More than once per week	14	9.3
Once a week	2	1.3
Two or three times per week	1	0.7
Few times a year	5	3.3
Once a year	1	0.7

Social support network	HRQOL Physical health	HRQOL Mental health
How many relatives can you trust to talk to about almost anything?
Correlation coefficient	0.227^**	0.302^**
Sig. (2-tailed); p-value	0.005	0.000
n	150	150
How many friends can you trust to talk to about almost anything?
Correlation coefficient	0.159	0.208^*
Sig. (2-tailed); p-value	0.051	0.011
n	150	150
Have you participated in sports in a group in the last 12 months?
Correlation coefficient	0.283^**	0.221^**
Sig. (2-tailed); p-value	0.000	0.007
n	150	150
Have you participated in meetings in the last 12 months?
Correlation coefficient	0.280^**	0.269^**
Sig. (2-tailed); p-value	0.001	0.001
n	150	150
Have you participated in voluntary work in the last 12 months?
Correlation coefficient	0.245^**	0.247^**
Sig. (2-tailed); p-value	0.003	0.002
n	150	150

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[1] Correspondence: David Castro Costa; Centro Hospitalar São João; Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319; Porto, Portugal; E-mail: dcac.costa@gmail.com