Symptoms as Correlates of Health-Related Quality of Life in Black and White Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis
A study with 409 Black and White individuals with MS found significant links between various symptoms (such as fatigue and anxiety) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Specifically, measures of walking impairment and fatigue correlated with physical HRQOL, while anxiety and depression were more associated with mental HRQOL, varying between racial groups after accounting for demographics.
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not established from this source
- Mechanism
- Not reported
- Evidence strength
- Limited
- Outcome
- Not reported
Why it matters
This research highlights how symptoms can impact quality of life differently across racial groups, which is crucial for understanding the experiences of diverse populations with MS. It may inform future studies and interventions focusing on symptom management in MS.
What this does not prove
The findings may not apply to individuals outside the studied Black and White groups. Further research is needed to explore these associations in more diverse populations.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Observational
- Participants / samples
- 409 · basis not reported
- Randomised
- Not reported
- Controlled
- Not reported
- Primary endpoint met
- Not reported
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-08-24
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
- Biological target
- Not reported
- Pathway
- Not reported
- Population
- Not reported
- Size of effect
- Not reported
- Secondary endpoints
- Not reported
- MRI endpoints
- Not reported
- Biomarkers
- Not reported
- Safety
- Not reported
Original sources
- Primary evidenceSymptoms as Correlates of Health-Related Quality of Life in Black and White Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis. ↗DOI: 10.7224/1537-2073.2025-063
Supporting passages (7)
study designTo that end, this cross-sectional, comparative study examined symptoms as correlates of HRQOL in Black and White individuals with MS.
subjectsMETHODS: Black (n = 136) and White (n = 273) individuals with MS completed an online survey assessing walking impairment (12-Item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale [MSWS-12]), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale [FSS]); depression and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS-A and HADSD]); and HRQOL (12-Item Short Form Survey Physical and Mental).
sample sizeMETHODS: Black (n = 136) and White (n = 273) individuals with MS completed an online survey assessing walking impairment (12-Item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale [MSWS-12]), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale [FSS]); depression and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS-A and HADSD]); and HRQOL (12-Item Short Form Survey Physical and Mental).
findingsRESULTS: MSWS-12, FSS, and HADS-D were significantly associated with physical HRQOL, and HADS-A, HADS-D, and FSS were significantly associated with mental HRQOL within both groups: Black (r range, -0.65 to -0.33; P < .01) and White (r range, -0.68 to -0.30; P < .01) individuals with MS.
publication datePublication date: 2026-08-24
limitationsTitle: Symptoms as Correlates of Health-Related Quality of Life in Black and White Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis.
peer reviewedPublication types: Journal Article
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