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Body image in multiple sclerosis patients: a descriptive review

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Abstract

Objective

Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disorder—may in some patients have impact on body image; this could contribute to neurological disability, psychological distress, and can reduce quality of life. This review has been conducted on studies investigating the representation of body image.

Method

We have researched PubMed and Web of Science databases and included screening references for studies and review articles about this topic. From the initial 316 publications, we included only 9 studies that met the search criteria.

Result and conclusion

The results showed that this construct has been little emphasized over time and has a significant impact on the patient.

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Abbreviations

MS:

multiple sclerosis

HC:

health controls

BC:

Body Cathexis Scale

SC:

Self-Cathexis Scale

BDI-II:

Beck Depression Inventory-II

BIQ:

Body Image Ideals Questionnaire

BDI-SF:

Beck Depression Inventory-Short Form

SD:

sexual dysfunction

PCS/MCS of the SF-12:

Physical/Mental Component Summary of the Short Form-12

PDDS:

Patient Determined Disease Steps

MSISQ-19:

The Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19

ZIP:

German version of the Relationship Assessment Scale

TSST:

Tu¨bingen Scales for Sexual Therapy

BES:

body estimate scale

RSES:

Rosenberg self-esteem scale

MSIS-29:

multiple sclerosis impact scale

B-IPQ:

perception questionnaire

ED:

extended disability scale

ESES:

Eysenck Self-Esteem

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino Pulejo”, S.S. 113 Via Palermo, C.da Casazza, 98124, Messina, Italy

    Marcella Di Cara, Viviana Lo Buono, Francesco Corallo, Cecilia Cannistraci, Carmela Rifici, Edoardo Sessa, Giangaetano D’Aleo, Placido Bramanti & Silvia Marino

  2. Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, Messina, Italy

    Silvia Marino

Authors
  1. Marcella Di Cara
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  2. Viviana Lo Buono
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  3. Francesco Corallo
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  4. Cecilia Cannistraci
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  5. Carmela Rifici
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Correspondence to Marcella Di Cara.

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Di Cara, M., Lo Buono, V., Corallo, F. et al. Body image in multiple sclerosis patients: a descriptive review. Neurol Sci 40, 923–928 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-019-3722-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-019-3722-1

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