Authors: de Groot, Vincent; Beckerman, Heleen; Twisk, Jos W.; Uitdehaag, Bernard M.; Hintzen, Rogier Q.; Minneboo, Arjan; Lankhorst, Gustaaf J.; Polman, Chris H.; Bouter, Lex M.

Source: Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, Volume 40, Number 2, February 2008 , pp. 151-157(7)

Publisher: Medical Journals Limited

Abstract:

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the principal determinants that are longitudinally associated with the performance of social roles in the first 3 years following a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

Design: Inception cohort with 5 measurements over 3 years.

Patients: A total of 156 patients recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Method: Performance of social roles was measured using the 2 role functioning and the social sub-scales of the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36. Potential determinants (n = 43) were divided into the following clusters: patient and disease characteristics (n = 12), psychosocial characteristics (n = 10), basic functions (n = 18) and basic activities (n = 3). Multivariate longitudinal regression analyses were performed with generalized estimating equations. A backwards selection procedure for every cluster per outcome reduced the large number of potential determinants. In order to determine whether longitudinal associations are present the selected determinants were entered into an overall regression model.

Results: Twenty-three candidate determinants were selected. Vitality, measured with the SF36 sub-scale vitality, the T2-weighted supratentorial lesion load and the perceived amount of social support, measured with the Social Support List Discrepancies, were longitudinally associated with the performance of social roles in 2 or 3 of the models.

Conclusion: Vitality, the perceived amount of social support, and disease activity, i.e. the T2-weighted supratentorial lesion load, determine the performance of social roles in the early stages of multiple sclerosis.

Keywords: MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS; PROGNOSIS; SOCIAL SUPPORT; FATIGUE; DISABILITY EVALUATION

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2340/16501977-0145

Publication date: 2008-02-01

More about this publication?

• Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine is the international peer-reviewed journal published in English, with at least 10 issues published per year.
  
  Original articles, reviews, case reports, short communications, special reports and letters to the editor are published, as also are editorials and book reviews. The journal strives to provide its readers with a variety of topics including: functional assessment and intervention studies, clinical studies in various patient groups, methodology in physical and rehabilitation medicine, epidemiological studies on disabling conditions and reports on vocational and sociomedical aspects of rehabilitation.
  
  The journal is read by a wide group of healthcare professionals including specialists in rehabilitation medicine, neurology, clinical neurophysiology, general medicine, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and social workers.
  
  Contributions from all parts of the world and from different professions in rehabilitation are welcome.
  
  ISI Impact Factor 2009: 1.882.
  
  Owned by Foundation of Rehabilitation Information.

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