Assessment of health-related quality of life, depression, and anxiety in slowly and rapidly progressive neuromuscular disorders

OBJECTIVE: To compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychosocial features in rapidly progressive neuromuscular disorders (RPNMD) and slowly progressive neuromuscular disorders (SPNMD) in adult ambulatory patients, to determine individual needs in 2 separate progression groups.

METHODS: Thirty-nine SPNMD patients and 46 RPNMD patients were recruited. The functional independence measurement (FIM) was employed to evaluate the functional status. For the assessment of depression, anxiety, and HRQoL, patients were requested to fill out a Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). This study was performed at the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Science, Ankara, Turkey between August and December 2009.

RESULTS: The FIM total score did not differ between the 2 groups. Only energy was significantly high (worse) among the dimensions of NHP in RPNMD patients. None of the other sub-items differed between the 2 patient groups. The SPNMD patients were more depressed than the RPNMD patients. The mean state and trait anxiety scores were significantly higher in SPNMD patients as well.

CONCLUSION: Significant depressive or anxious symptomatology is not associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The diagnosis of SPNMD should alert physicians in an equivalent promptness to ALS and possible depression or anxiety, and concerns of patients regarding the chronic, though slowly progressive course of the disease.