On the personal facets of quality of life in chronic neurological disorders

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Giovagnoli, Anna R. | da Silva, Antonio Martins | Federico, Antonio | Cornelio, Ferdinando

Affiliations: Laboratory of Neuropsychology, "C. Besta" Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy | Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Behaviour Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy | Neurological Department, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal | Scientific Direction, "C. Besta" Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy

Note: [] Corresponding author: Anna Rita Giovagnoli, M.D., Ph.D., Laboratory of Neuropsychology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, "C. Besta" Neurological Institute, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milano, Italy. Tel.: +39 02 23942344; Fax: +39 02 70638217; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Quality of life (QOL) is an important clinical endpoint, but it remarkably varies in patients with similar neurological conditions. This study explored the role of spirituality (i.e., the complex of personal transcendence, connectedness, purpose, and values) in determining QOL in chronic neurological disorders.~Seventy-two patients with epilepsy, brain tumours or ischemic or immune-mediate brain damage compiled inventories for QOL (WHOQOL 100), spirituality (Spiritual, Religious and Personal Beliefs, WHOSRPB), depression (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI), anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI), and cognitive self-efficacy (Multiple Ability Self-Report Questionnaire, MASQ) and underwent neuropsychological testing. With respect to 45 healthy controls, the patients reported worse QOL, with no difference between the four patient subgroups. Factor analyses of the WHOSRPB, STAI, and BDI scores and of the MASQ and neuropsychological test scores yielded four (Personal Meaning, Inner Energy, Awe and Openness, Mood) and three factors (Control Functions, Cognition, Memory), respectively. Mood, Cognition, Inner Energy, schooling, and subjective health status correlated with the WHOQOL scores, but at regression analysis only Mood and Inner Energy predicted QOL. This suggests that spirituality, as a personal dimension distinct from mood, contributes to determine QOL. A multidimensional assessment of QOL, including personal facets, may explain differences between patients with chronic neurological disorders.

Keywords: Quality of life, brain lesions, chronic neurological disorders, mood, spirituality, cognitive functions

DOI: 10.3233/BEN-2009-0243

Journal: Behavioural Neurology, vol. 21, no. 3-4, pp. 155-163, 2009