•  
  •  
 

Document Type

Original Article

Abstract

Background: Nonmotor symptoms are commonly reported with multiple sclerosis (MS) patients including fatigue, depression, anxiety, pain, cognitive impairment, sleep disorders, pseudobulbar affect, sexual dysfunction, paroxysmal symptoms, and bladder and bowel control problems. However, such manifestations are not sufficiently reported in Egypt. Aim: This study aimed to estimate the proportion of nonmotor symptoms associated with MS amongst Egyptian patients, and investigate their relationship with MS course and the related-disability. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 MS patients with different clinical courses in Al-Azhar University hospitals from January 2020 till January 2021. All patients diagnosed with MS using MRI and able to give the required answers were recruited. All patients were assessed for the nonmotor symptoms using reliable instruments. Results: A total 119 MS patients were analyzed including 78 relapsing remitting MS and 41 secondary progressive MS. Females represented 63.9% of the studied subjects. Fatigue affected 62.2%, depression affected 78.2%, anxiety affected 39.5%, cognitive impairment affected 42%, sleep disorders affected 81.5%, pain affected 59.7%, pseudobulbar affected 6.7%, sexual dysfunction affected 23.4%, paroxysmal symptoms affected 6.8% of the MS patients. Additionally, bladder and bowel control scales showed mean ± standard deviation (SD) of 14 ± 6.6 and 14.9 ± 7.6, respectively. On the other hand, significant associations were found between the non-motor symptoms and each of MS course and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Conclusion: Nonmotor symptoms are common in Egyptian patients with MS, and proximal to that previously reported. As these symptoms are clearly related to neural pathways affection, they are associated with progressive form of MS and high EDSS.

Keywords

multiple sclerosis ; non-motor ; EDSS.

Subject Area

Neurology

Download

Share

COinS