Article

PURPOSE: To evaluate the quality of life (QOL) in patients with cryptogenic
polyneuropathy. METHOD:
Two validated instruments (SF-36 and EQ-5D) were sent to
86 patients with a 72% response rate (44 men, 18 women).
As reference, 2721
individuals (1292 men, 1429 women; 59% response rate) from the general population
responded to the same QOL instruments. RESULTS: Compared to the general
population, QOL was significantly more affected in patients with polyneuropathy
concerning motor functions, with 42% of the patients reporting problems with
walking, 7% having difficulties with washing and dressing, and 31% having
problems with usual activities (work, study, household work, and family or
leisure activities). The EQ-5D results showed that 85% of the patients were
suffering from pain compared to 56% of the general population. Mental health was
preserved among patients with polyneuropathy.
Mobility was declining with
increasing age in patients, but was not affected by disease duration.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that patients with cryptogenic polyneuropathy have
a lower QOL compared to the general population, although mental health scores did
not differ between the groups. This information may be helpful when explaining
the disease and its impact on newly diagnosed patients.
CI - (c) 2011 Informa UK, Ltd.

Langue : ANGLAIS