Erken/Hafif Evre Multipl Skleroz Hastalarında Karın Kasları Sertliğinin ve Kalınlığının Araştırılması: Birincil Çalışma

Abstract

Objective: Loss of strength in abdominal muscles causes functional problems. Morphological features such as thickness and stiffness of the muscle give an idea about muscle strength. The morphological features of the abdominal muscles of early/mild multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are unknown. The study aimed to compare the thickness and stiffness of the abdominal muscles of early/mild MS patients with healthy individuals. Material and Methods: Seventeen patients with MS between the ages of 19-56 years and 17 healthy individuals between the ages of 22-50 years participated in this study. The disability level was determined by the Expanded Disability Status Scale. Thickness and stiffness of lateral abdominal muscles consisting of external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO) and transversus abdominis (TrA) muscles were evaluated with ACUSON S3000 (Siemens Medical Solution, Mountain Wiew, CA, USA) ultrasonography device using linear ultrasonography probe (9L4, 4-9 MHz). The stiffness measurements of the muscles were evaluated by shear wave elastography (SWE) method. Results: The thickness of the IO (p=0.892), EO (p=0.260), and TrA (p=0.865) muscles were similar in both groups. In addition, IO (p=0.317), EO (p=0.357), TrA (p=0.573) muscle stiffness were found to be similar in both groups. Conclusion: In early / mild MS patients, the thickness and stiffness of the IO, EO and TrA muscles were similar to healthy individuals. There was no change in the morphological features of the lateral abdominal muscles of early/mild MS patients.