Table 1 Characteristics of the participants (n = 256)

Age, years, Mean (SD)

   Women

   Men

Civil status, n (%)

   Married/cohabitant

   Living alone

Education, n (%)

   Lower: Compulsory - Secondary school

   Higher: After secondary school - University

Occupation, n (%)

   Work

   Work and part-time retired or on sick leave

   No work

   Missing data (n = 1)

Age at onset, year, Md (Q₁ ; Q₃ )

Years since onset of MS symptoms, Md (Q₁ ; Q₃ )

Course of the disease, n (%)

   Relapsing - remitting (RR)

   Progressive forms (primary [PP] and secondary progressive [SP])

Disease severity, n (%)

   Normal neurological condition, EDSS = 0

   Mild, 1.0≤EDSS≤ 3.5

   Moderate, 4.0≤ EDSS≤5.5

   Severe, 6.0≤ EDSS≤6.5

Medication, n (%)

   No pharmacological treatment

   Pharmacological treatment

Immune-modulating treatment

β-interferon

glatiramer acetate

natalizumab

For fatigue

modafinil

amantadinchlorid

Antidepressants

Analgesics

Spasmolytical treatment