Joerg Klewer, MD PhD¹, Dieter Pöhlau, MD PhD², and Joachim Kugler, MD PhD¹. (1) Public Health, Dresden Medical School, IMIB-Fetscherstr. 74, Dresden, 01307, Germany, 0049-351-3177217, Joklewer@aol.com, (2) Dept. of Neurology, Kamillus Hospital, Hospitalstraße 6, Asbach, 53567, Germany

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common non-traumatic neurological disease of the central nervous system in younger adults. Progress in medical therapy has continuously increased life expectancy in MS patients. Despite this and due to the social problems of single living persons, comprehensive studies investigated the situation of MS patients living alone are still lacking. In collaboration with the German Multiple Sclerosis Association, 827 MS patients in Saxony with confirmed MS were asked to work on a mailed anonymous questionnaire. The questions were related to demographic data, impairments, therapeutical course, use of CAM, illness related costs and quality of life (SF-36). Response rate was 90% and 174 of these MS patients reported living alone (average age: 50 years, 76% females). In average, the single living MS patients were neither older nor did they include a higher proportion of females than MS patients not living alone, but they have been significantly older at time of diagnosis. They were significantly less educated, and showed increased impairments, especially in mobility and urinary tract dysfunctions. Additionally, quality of life was reduced in the dimensions physical functioning and vitality (SF-36). Living conditions are important for quality of life of single living patients with MS. The results support the notion that single-living MS patients suffer from increased problems, which reduces their ability to cope with the disease. That is why these patients require more attention by the health care system to improve their mental and physical health.

Learning Objectives:

• After the presentation the participants should be informed about physical impairments and experienced quality of life reported by single living patients with multiple sclerosis.
• Due to the progress in medical therapy for multiple sclerosis and increasing life expectancy, the group of single living patients with multiple sclerosis increases to a greater extent. But our results point to the reduced quality of life in these patients, compared with increased physical impairments. Therefore it is very important to discuss this problem on the APHA Meeting with other public health experts, to develop programs to improve the situation of single living patients with multiple sclerosis.

Keywords: Special Needs, Chronic Diseases

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.