Health-related quality of life assessment in multiple sclerosis.

The goal of evidence-based medicine in the treatment of conditions that produce morbidity but have a minimal impact on mortality is arguably to reduce disease impact on patients' lives and to assure that interventions result in more good than harm. Achieving these goals can be demonstrated only with patient input. There is clear evidence that multiple sclerosis has a significant negative impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL). The purpose of incorporating routine HRQL data in clinical practice is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the patient's health status from that person's perspective. This article discusses the types of HRQL measures available for patient assessment and how those data can be routinely collected.