Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dysarthria and dysarthria-related quality of life (QOL)
and analyze its relations with duration of disease, severity, and general QOL in
patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational
study. SETTING: Rehabilitation center. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive patients with MS
(N=163) were recruited (mean age, 52 +/- 10.4 y; mean MS duration, 19 +/- 10.4
y). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence of dysarthria;
dysarthria characteristics; MS severity and duration; and dysarthria-related and
generic QOL were evaluated by means of the therapy outcome measure scale;
Robertson profile; Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), years of disease; QOL
of the dysarthric speaker questionnaire; and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item
Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), respectively. RESULTS: The mean EDSS score was
6.5 +/- 1.3. Dysarthria affected 57 (35%) of the 163 patients. Dysarthria
severity was mild in most of the 57 patients with dysarthria. Median Robertson
profile scores were slightly but significantly higher in the nondysarthric group
compared with the dysarthric group (P=.001). The QOL for the dysarthric speaker
questionnaire was significantly more compromised in patients with dysarthria
(P=.001). No difference on the SF-36 scores between patients with and without
dysarthria was found, with the exception of the physical activity and physical
pain subscales. The QOL for the dysarthric speaker questionnaire showed no
correlation with MS duration and a weak correlation with EDSS score (r=.25).
Correlations between the SF-36 and QOL for the dysarthric speaker scores were few
and weak, with the exception of the role limitations because of emotions
(r=-.428) and mental health subscales (r=-.383). CONCLUSIONS: Dysarthria-related
QOL is compromised in patients with MS and dysarthria and might be used as a
supplementary measure in clinical practice and research for patients who have MS.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS