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Abstract

This paper reports the results of a survey using an inexpensive self-report instrument to assess patient evaluations of severity of symptoms among those with multiple sclerosis (MS). A mail survey of New York City MS chapter members resulted in collection of 747 questionnaires to gather information on self-assessed symptom severity, functional impairment, and demographic characteristics of the respondents. Data focusing on patients' perceptions of variation in symptom severity over time and the relationship between patient-assessed symptom severity and functional impairment are presented. Patient perceptions mirrored the clinical picture: MS symptoms were reported to increase in severity over time for the majority of patients. Perceived symptom severity accounted for about one-half of the variation in functional impairment, an indication that other factors in addition to the physical impairment itself are related to how disabled the MS patient becomes.

Keywords

Multiple sclerosis Symptom progression Self report instrument.

References

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Prediction of Functional Impairment from Patient Evaluations of Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms and Symptom Change

Abstract

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References