Table 3.
Characteristics of included studies
| Authors, publication year | Study design (T1: /T2:…) | Quality of life measurement | Sample size (N) Age (median) Sex (female%) |
Main results |
| Years of diagnosis | ||||
| Possa et al (2017)95 | Cross-sectional | Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 Instrument (MSQoL-54) | N=38 32.9 years 58% |
Decrease in MCS (38%) and PCS (19%) in the first year after diagnosis. |
| Calandri et al (2017)97 | Cross-sectional | Short Form Health Survey 12 (SF-12) | N=102 35.8 years 61.8% |
Problem solving (β=0.28) and avoidance (β=0.25) was related to a higher MCS in the first 3 years of diagnosis. |
| Nourbakhsh et al (2016)98 | Longitudinal (T1=basal level/T2=3 months after diagnosis/T3=6 months after diagnosis/T4=12 months after diagnosis/T5=18 months after diagnosis/T6=24 months after diagnosis/T6=36 months after diagnosis) | Short Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36) | N=43 36 years 72% |
Baseline severity of fatigue and depression predicts PCS and cognitive function and fatigue MCS in the first 3 years of diagnosis. |
| MS progression | ||||
| Kinkel et al (2015)100 | Longitudinal (T1=CIS diagnosis/T2=5 years after diagnosis/T3=10 years after diagnosis) | Short Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36) Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Inventory (MSQLI) | N=127 34.1 years 74% |
A second clinic event consistent with CDMS, higher EDSS at the diagnosis and an earlier onset CDMS predicts a decrease in PCS. |
| Bueno et al (2014)101 | Cross-sectional (25–30 years after diagnosis) | Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 Instrument (MSQoL-54) | N=61 54.9 years 83.6% |
Patient changing from benign (EDSS<3) to non-benign (EDSS>3) decreases PCS. |
| Years of MS duration | ||||
| Baumstarck et al (2015)102 | Longitudinal (T1=basal level/T2=24 months later) | Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life questionnaire (MusiQol) Short Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36) | N=526 40.0 years 74.3% |
Low levels of QoL, higher MS duration and higher EDSS level at T1 predicted worse QoL at T2. |
| Tepavcevic et al (2014)103 | Longitudinal (T1=basal level/T2=3 years later/T3=6 years later) | Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 Instrument (MSQoL-54) | N=93 41.5 years 71% |
Higher EDSS and depression at basal level predicted a decrease of QoL at T1 and T2. |
| Young et al (2017)105 | Longitudinal (T1=basal level/T2=7 years later/T3=10 years later) | Assessment of Quality of life (AQoL) | N=70 59.8 years 71.6% |
Higher pain predicts a decrease in QoL. |
| Chruzander et al (2014)104 | Longitudinal (T1=basal level/T2=10 years later) | EuroQol 5-Dimensions (EQ-5D) EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) | N=118 49 years 72% |
Cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms and EDSS predicted a decrease in QoL at T2. |
| Group age | ||||
| Stern et al (2018)96 | Cross-sectional | Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Instrument (MSQoL-54) | N=57 50 years 73.7% |
The youngest group (35–44) presents worst PCS vs the oldest (55–65). |
| Buhse et al (2014)99 | Cross-sectional | Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life–54 (MSQoL-54) | N=211 65.5 years 80% |
Risk of neurologic impairment, physical disability, depression and the comorbidity of thyroid disease was associated with decrease in PCS. Being widowed and employed was associated with increase in PCS. |
CDMS, clinical defined multiple sclerosis; CIS, clinical isolated syndrome; EDSS, Expanded Disability Status Scale; MCS, Mental Composite Score; MS, multiple sclerosis; PCS, Physical Composite Score; QoL, quality of life.