Article

The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of
disabilities in patients with subacute myelo-optico-neuropathy (SMON), and to
reveal whether the satisfaction in daily life (SDL) or short form-36 (SF-36)
correlated with these disabilities. METHOD: The subjects consisted of 97 patients
with SMON living at home, who were mailed a questionnaire concerning the
patient's profile, SMON severity (disability scale for SMON), basic activities of
daily living (self-rating Barthel Index, SR-BI), lifestyle (self-rating Frenchay
Activities Index, SR-FAI), SDL and SF-36. A relationship with SDL, SF-36 and
disabilities was analysed by using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.
RESULTS: Fifty-eight out of 97 patients with SMON responded, and their mean age
was 76.1 years. The mean of SMON severity was 8.0; SR-BI, 70.8; SR-FAI, 11.1;
SDL, 27.3; physical component summary of SF-36 (PCS), 26.3; mental component
summary of SF-36 (MCS), 39.5. The SMON group had significantly lower scores for
SDL than those for the age- and sex ratio- matched elderly persons. With respect
to SDL, a significant correlation was observed with SMON severity, SR-BI, SR-FAI,
SDL, and PCS and MCS of SF-36, but no significant correlation was observed
regarding SMON severity and either the PCS or MCS. CONCLUSIONS: The subjective
domains of the quality of life in patients with SMON were observed to have
decreased. SDL was considered to closely reflect the characteristics of the
disabilities observed in patients with SMON.

Langue : ANGLAIS