2.1 Background (Research Question, Available Data from the literature, Current strategy for dealing with the problem, Rationale of the research that paves the way to the aim(s) of the work). (200-250 words max.) Multiple sclerosis (MS) refers to a chronic, autoimmune and demyelinating inflammatory pathology that affects the Central Nervous System (CNS) in multiple areas, namely the cerebral peduncle and periventricular areas of the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord . MS is characterized by a diverse set of symptoms and lesions, which can cause serious physical alterations, compromise cognitive functioning, and even trigger neurological problems .
MS etiology is not yet fully understood. However, it is considered a multifactorial disease with environmental and genetic variables being risk factors with immunological implications that alter myelin (white matter) . Myelin, when degraded due to the inflammatory process inherent to the disease (flare-up), can lead to scarring (plaques/lesions) which, in turn, leads to a CNS impairment in the transmission of impulses, resulting in complications in the functioning of several organs.
The impact of MS on patients' quality of life (QoL) is undeniable. However, there are other variables whose influence are significant, such as duration of diagnosis that is associated with worse physical and mental QoL, the degree of disability, and the evolution of the disease, which also appear to be negatively associated with QoL.
Recent studies have attempted to correlate advancing neurologic disability with impaired QOL in MS patients . However, advancing neurologic disability has been shown to only partly explain impaired QOL . This supports the hypothesis that factors other than neurologic disability play a role in the QOL of MS patients.
