Describe the characteristics of caregivers of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and explore the associations between cognitive and clinical variables of PwMS, and caregiver's quality of life (QoL)

50 PwMS and their respective caregivers were included. PwMS: 35 women (70%); Relapsing-remitting: 41, Secondary-progressive: 6, Primary-progressive: 3. Age: 47.08±14.43; ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú: 14.38±2.91; Physical disability: 4.09±2.65. Depression: 14.30±10.33, Fatigue: 4.01±1.81. Caregivers: 30 women (53%); Age: 53.58±14.05; ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú: 14.88±3.08. Outcomes: Expanded Disability Status Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, Beck Depression Inventory II, Pfeffer Functional Activity Questionnaire, Caregiver Health-related Quality of life in MS (CareQoL-MS), Resource Utilization in Dementia Questionnaire (RUD). Statistical analysis: Descriptive analysis and Pearson's correlation were performed.

Caregivers’ characteristics: 14% of caregivers report presence of depression (6.74±4.47) and 46% of anxiety (7.64±6.51). 67% caregiver currently live with PwEM; The relationships of the caregiver and PwMS reported are: 44% spouses, 20% parents, 12% siblings, son/daughter 6%, friend 4%, 14% other.

Significant correlations were reported between caregiver's QoL and PwMS cognition in processing speed (r=0.644, p=0.00), verbal memory (r=0.437, p=0.000), and visual memory (r=0.418, p=0.000). The associations between PwMS cognition in processing speed (r=0.352, p=0.012), verbal memory (r=0.385, p=0.006), and visual memory (r=0.378, p=0.007), and caregiver’s anxiety are modest. No association with caregiver’s depression is reported.

Significant negative correlations are shown between the caregiver's QoL and the patient's physical disability (r=0.546, p=0.00), the number of days of assistance in basic activities of daily living (r=0.537, p=0.00), the number of days of assistance in instrumental activities of daily living (r=0.484, p=0.00) and functional dependency (r=0.683, p=0.00).

Better cognitive performance of the PwMS is associated with a lower level of anxiety and better QoL in caregivers. QoL of caregivers is also correlated with lower functional dependency of PwMS and the time of care.