Abstract
Background: In the recent decades, the relationship between psycho-physical disorders and weather conditions has taken on an increased scientific solidity. Furthermore, it is known to every clinician that healthcare practice has an important role in the management of psycho-physical disorders of patients affected by multiple sclerosis. Given that meteorosensitivity is related to the psycho-physical feebleness, this study is an attempt to clarify if treatments in a non-acute care rehabilitation centre can reduce the meteorosensitivity in patients with multiple sclerosis. Methods: In the spring 2014, 42 patients with MS, at Fondazione Don Gnocchi Santa Maria Nascente Centre (Milan, Italy), were observed by two evaluations (initial and final). The initial evaluation was the administration of METEO-Q, a questionnaire able to quantify the meteorosensitivity degree of the subjects, and Beck Depression Inventory-II, mainly. For each patient, passed one month, the final evaluation was carried out with the same modalities. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between initial and final meteorosensitivity degree (P=0.01), with better scores in final evaluations for most of the subjects. The correlation between Beck Depression Inventory-II and meteorosensitivity degree resulted significant and positive (R=0.377; P=0.001) and it confirms the link between psycho-physical feebleness and meteorosensitivity. Finally, no significant correlation emerged between initial meteorosensitivity degree and body mass index (R=0.187; P=0.236). Conclusions: This study confirms the possibility of improving meteorosensitivity, probably by rehabilitation too. Future studies could clarify the effects of health care practice on meteorosensitivity.
Highlights
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating, chronic, inflammatory and autoimmune disease, with progressive course
The main purpose of this study is to provide some clarifications of this issue, taking in exam a sample of patients affected by multiple sclerosis
The following patients with MS were included in the study: a) with no current exacerbation, for assessing only people with a stable clinical condition; b) regardless the clinical picture (Kurtzke’s EDSS and MS type), because, given the study protocol and methods, they were not considered as important elements; c) with a normal adjusted score (≥ 24) of Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Measso et al version (22), for selecting only people able to answer suitably to questionnaires; d) whose treatment cycle lasted for at least a month; e) that finished the previous rehabilitation cycle for more than one month before the initial evaluation
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating, chronic, inflammatory and autoimmune disease, with progressive course It affects the white matter, and less the grey matter, in the Central Nervous System [1]. In patients with MS, a cellular and humoral immunity disorder produces disseminated injuries of nervous tissue, known as demyelinating plaques They generally happen during critical episodes, defined as exacerbations. Remissions become smaller than exacerbations, until the worsening of neurological picture become constant [3] It could cause different symptoms such as motor, sensory, or visual impairment, fatigue, bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunctions [4]. MS can determine the onset of cognitive impairments [5] and psychiatric symptoms, mainly depression [6] For these reasons, patients with MS can be psycho-physically feeble. Given that meteorosensitivity is related to the psycho-physical feebleness, this study is an attempt to clarify if treatments in a non-acute care rehabilitation centre can reduce the meteorosensitivity in patients with multiple sclerosis
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