Clinical predictors to cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis patients

Haidy Elshebawy,Nervana Mohamed Elfayoumy,Ebtesam Mohamed Fahmy,Ahmed Mohamed Abdelalim,Rania Shehata Ismail

doi:10.1186/s41983-021-00292-6

Abstract

BackgroundCognitive dysfunction is increasingly recognized in multiple sclerosis, even in the early phase of the disease. Multiple sclerosis patients with even mild cognitive deficits may experience greater difficulties in social contact and daily activities, irrespective of physical handicap. This study aimed to estimate clinical predictors of cognitive dysfunction in a sample of Egyptian people with MS.ResultsSignificant worse performance in assessed cognitive scales was observed in people with MS as compared to controls. This was related to low educational level, long disease duration, initial cerebellar and motor attacks, progressive course, frequent relapses, and immunosuppressive medications. Cognitive assessment scales were significantly negatively correlated with disability measured by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores.ConclusionPredictors of cognitive impairment in people with MS were low educational level, longer disease duration, type of initial attack, frequent relapses, progressive form, higher clinical disability, and immunosuppressive treatment.

Highlights

Cognitive dysfunction is reported in 45 to 70% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) [1]
This study was designed to investigate clinical parameters that may contribute to cognitive impairment in people with MS. This is a case control study done on forty-five people with MS and forty-five healthy subjects matched for age, sex, and educational level
The current study showed that MS course has a significant impact on cognitive abilities

Summary

Introduction

Cognitive dysfunction is reported in 45 to 70% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) [1]. Executive dysfunction is less frequently reported [2]. MS-related cognitive decline may be related to MS subtype, disease duration, gender, race, and cognitive reserve [3]. People with progressive MS have more frequent and severe cognitive dysfunction than relapsing MS. People with MS who have high levels of cognitive reserve are unlikely to practice cognitive dysfunction [4, 5]. Cognitive dysfunction is increasingly recognized in multiple sclerosis, even in the early phase of the disease. Multiple sclerosis patients with even mild cognitive deficits may experience greater difficulties in social contact and daily activities, irrespective of physical handicap.

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