Fampridine and quality of life in individuals with multiple sclerosis

Fampridine improves walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). However, little is known about its impact on the quality of life (QoL) of pwMS.

This study aimed to evaluate the contribution of fampridine on the QoL of pwMS and to determine if improvements in QoL are best associated with walk respondents.

Fifty pwMS were included in this study. The PERSEPP scale and the GaitRite system were used to evaluate QoL and gait respectively. QoL was evaluated 7 days before fampridine (Pre1), on the day the fampridine treatment was initiated (Pre2), and 14 and 21 days after fampridine (Post1 and Post2 respectively). Gait was assessed at Pre-1, Pre-2 and Post-1.

For all patients, fampridine had significant effects (p = 0.05-10(-4), d = 0.25-0.45) on the Overall, Relationship difficulties, Fatigue, Time perspective and Symptoms QoL indices and for gait parameters (p = 0.05-10(-4), d = 0.17-0.38). Non-respondents scored significant effects (p < 0.05-0.01, d = 0.32-0.41) for Overall, Time perspective and Symptoms QoL indices, whereas respondents scored significant effects (p < 0.05-0.01, d = 0.51-0.8) for Overall, Relationship difficulties, Fatigue and Symptoms.

The QoL of pwMS improved after fampridine, suggesting a real benefit in their lives. However, the contributions to the overall QoL index seem different between groups.