To assess the role of personality traits influencing the perception of quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS).

Personality traits can impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in different disorders. Understanding personality characteristics may help healthcare professionals manage subjects' behaviors toward successful treatment adherence and health outcomes.

A multicenter, non-interventional, cross-sectional study in adult subjects with MS (McDonald 2010 criteria) was conducted. The self-rated NEO Five-Factor Inventory-3 (NEO-FFI-3) and the 29-item Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29) were used to collect data on personality traits and HRQoL, respectively. The NEO-FFI-3 explores five personality traits: neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. A non-parametric Spearman’s rho correlation was used as association index.

A total of 302 pwMS (mean age: 42.3 ± 10 years, 64% female, 90% with relapsing-remitting MS) were studied. Median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score: 2.0 (IRQ 1.0, 3.5).

The correlation matrix showed significant correlations for the associations of physical MSIS-29 score with neuroticism (rho = 0.36; p < 0.0001), extraversion (rho = −0.23; p < 0.0001), and conscientiousness (rho = −0.23; p < 0.0001). Psychological MSIS-29 score were significantly correlated with neuroticism (rho = 0.60; p < 0.0001), extraversion (rho = −0.28; p < 0.0001), and conscientiousness (rho = −0.23; p < 0.0001).  

Associations between physical and psychological MSIS-29 scores and the underlying dimension of neuroticism were found (moderate to important correlations). However, further research is needed to distinguish among the various constructs and measures of personality and HRQoL.