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Health-related quality of life is reduced in pediatric multiple sclerosis

Ellen M Mowry1, Laura J Julian, Sunny Im-Wang

  • 1Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94117, USA. ellen.mowry@ucsf.edu

Pediatric Neurology
|July 9, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Children with multiple sclerosis (MS) and clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) experience significantly poorer health-related quality of life compared to healthy peers. Neurologic disability is a key factor impacting their quality of life.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Quality of Life Research
  • Child Health

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) and clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) can significantly impact a child's well-being.
  • Assessing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is crucial for understanding the comprehensive impact of these conditions in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the HRQoL of children with MS/CIS to healthy siblings and children with other neurologic conditions.
  • To identify factors associated with reduced HRQoL in pediatric MS/CIS.

Main Methods:

  • The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Version 4.0 was used to assess HRQoL in children with MS/CIS and their parents.
  • Data were collected from patients at the UCSF Regional Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center.
  • Scores were compared with those of siblings and children with neuromuscular diseases.

Main Results:

  • Children with MS/CIS and their parents reported significantly worse overall HRQoL compared to siblings.
  • Psychosocial scores for pediatric MS/CIS were similar to those with neuromuscular diseases.
  • Greater neurologic disability predicted lower self-reported HRQoL; parents reported worse HRQoL for girls, older children, and those with longer disease duration.

Conclusions:

  • Children with MS/CIS experience substantial reductions in HRQoL, though generally better than those with chronic neuromuscular diseases.
  • Neurologic disability is a primary determinant of diminished HRQoL in pediatric MS/CIS.
  • Disease duration, sex, and age also influence parental perceptions of HRQoL.

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