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Updated: May 24, 2025
The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test MSPT: An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
Baseline physical and cognitive functions associate with the longitudinal trajectory of stigma in patients with
Mahsa Ghajarzadeh1, Yishang Huang1, Ellen M Mowry1
1Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-2625, USA.
Background:
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease, and the lived experience of a person with MS is highly heterogeneous.
Objective:
To analyze longitudinal trajectories of stigma in MS, the associated baseline predictors, and how the stigma trajectories relate to the longitudinal changes in physical disability.
Method:
In a cohort of people from the MS Partners Advancing Technology and Health Solutions (MS PATHS) network with at least two stigma measures, we analyzed the trajectory of stigma and physical disability by applying a group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) to longitudinal measures of Neuro-QoL stigma T-score and Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS), respectively.
Results:
We included 8,404 MS PATHS participants with a mean follow-up duration of 2.8 ± 1.4 years. We found four stigma trajectories, which remained stable over the follow-up period. Compared to the no stigma trajectory group, the odds of being in the high stigma group were higher in people with higher baseline PDDS (OR=1.9, 95 % CI: 1.7-2.1) and stigma (OR=2.4, 95 % CI: 2.3-2.5), and worse processing speed test scores (OR=0.7, 95 % CI: 0.6-0.8). The trajectory of stigma was strongly associated with the PDDS trajectory.
Conclusions:
Baseline severity of stigma, physical disability, and performance on the processing speed test were the strongest predictors of belonging to a higher stigma trajectory group.
Insights
Stigma in multiple sclerosis (MS) follows stable trajectories, predicted by baseline physical disability and processing speed. Understanding these patterns is crucial for managing MS.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychosocial Health
- Chronic Disease Management
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, heterogeneous neurological condition.
- The lived experience of individuals with MS varies significantly.
- Understanding psychosocial factors like stigma is vital for comprehensive MS care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze longitudinal stigma trajectories in MS.
- To identify baseline predictors associated with these stigma trajectories.
- To examine the relationship between stigma trajectories and physical disability progression.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the MS Partners Advancing Technology and Health Solutions (MS PATHS) network.
- Applied group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) to longitudinal stigma (Neuro-QoL) and physical disability (PDDS) measures.
- Included 8,404 participants with a mean follow-up of 2.8 years.
Main Results:
- Identified four distinct, stable stigma trajectories over the follow-up period.
- Higher baseline physical disability (PDDS) and worse processing speed predicted higher stigma trajectories.
- Stigma trajectory was strongly associated with the physical disability (PDDS) trajectory.
Conclusions:
- Baseline stigma severity, physical disability, and processing speed are key predictors of long-term stigma trajectories in MS.
- These findings highlight the interconnectedness of psychosocial and physical aspects of MS.
- Informing interventions to mitigate stigma and support individuals with MS.
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