Introduction: Few studies have analyzed the importance of socio-demographic variables on the perception of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Methods: The sample was composed of 150 patients with MS. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H non-parametric tests comparing socio-demographic items with HRQoL.
Results: We found statistically significant differences between age, education levels, employment status, disability and all dimensions of HRQoL.
Discussion: This study contributes to a more systematic knowledge about the relationship between social characteristics and HRQoL, which is important to improve the planning of health care in MS patients.
Conclusion: We found that younger patients, those with higher education level, those who were employed, and with lower disease progression and lower disability, had better HRQoL.
Keywords: Multiple sclerosis; Neurology; Quality of life; Social characteristics.