048 Postprandial somnolence in people with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

ObjectivesTo identify whether people with MS (pwMS) suffer from postprandial somnolence (PPS) more than people without MS (controls), to examine whether the severity of MS is correlated to the severity of PPS and to describe strategies pwMS are using to reduce their symptoms of PPS.BackgroundpwMS might be more sensitive to PPS, but no studies confirming this association have been published.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among pwMS at The Royal London Hospital, London. Patients and controls completed an online survey including demographics, comorbidities and Stanford Sleepiness Score (SSS) one hour after lunch.ResultsSurvey responses of 77 pwMS (mean age 45.3 ± 11.5 years; 62.3% female) and 37 controls (mean age 47.02 ± 13.9 years; 63.8% female) were obtained. The mean SSS for pwMS was 3.46 ± 1.67, whilst the mean SSS for controls was 2.52 ± 1.18 (p=0.001). No linear correlation was observed between EDSS and SSS (R2=0.011). 63% of pwMS reported making self-administered changes to their diet to help their symptoms.ConclusionsPwMS were affected by PPS more than controls. EDSS was not predictive of PPS severity in pwMS. pwMS are adopting self-management strategies to reduce their symptoms of PPS.tatiana.christmas@nhs.net