Objective: To examine the associations between function, quality of life, personality, cognitive and psychological outcomes with fatigue in patients with MS.

Methods: One hundred and eight patients (54% women) with definite MS participated. MS-related fatigue was assessed with the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS). Demographic and clinical data (weight, height, medication and history of pain), specific disease outcomes (Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis/FAMS), general disease outcomes (Beck Depression Inventory/BDI-II, and Short-Form Health Survey 36/SF-36) and personality (NEO Five-Factor Inventory/NEOFFI) were assessed. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to determine associations between variables.

Results: A significant positive correlation existed between the FIS and EDSS (r=0.190; P<0.05). Significant negative correlations between the FIS with specific disease (FAMS mobility: r=-0.333, P<0.01; FAMS symptoms: r=-0.443, P<0.01; FAMS emotional well-being: r=-0.412, P<0.01; FAMS general contentment: r=-0.325, P<. 01; and, FAMS thinking/fatigue: r=-0.706, P<0.01); general disease (all domains SF36: -0.508

Conclusions: This study indicates that MS-related fatigue shows an impact on physical, cognitive and emotional aspects in this population.