MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND AGING

Abstract

The aim of this article is to study the aging of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as the clinical course, neurological status, comorbidities, and therapeutic aspects in elderly people with MS. Materials and research methods. The study was carried out by 356 patients, whose examination and treatment was carried out by a special expert commission at the Neurological Center of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan at the Republican Clinical Hospital named after academician M.Mirgasimov for one year (01.07.2013-30.06.2014) within the framework of the “State Program for the Treatment, Prevention and Control of Multiple Sclerosis” (SPTPCMS). Results and discussion. 7.3% (26 patients) with MS were ≥50 years of age. The average age of patients was 53.04±2.89 years, and the average age at which the first MS attack occurred was 38.73±9.47 years. At the time of diagnosis, the average age of the patients was 47.54±4.76 years. In patients included in the study, the mean duration of MS was 14.31±10.10 years. Secondary progressive MS was detected in half of the patients (50.0%), relapsing remmiting MS was observed in 38.46% of patients. It was demonstrated that secondary progressive MS in patients over 50 years of age prevailed over relapsing remmiting MS. As MS developed, there was an increase in the frequency of disturbances of the pelvic functions, sensory, motor and coordination disturbances. 15.4% of patients suffered from type 2 diabetes mellitus and 11.5% from ischemic heart disease. In single cases, gastrointestinal pathologies, degenerative diseases of the spine, and gynecological diseases were detected. Conclusions. Given the increasing incidence of other age-related pathologies, special attention should be paid to the timely detection and treatment of comorbid conditions in elderly patients with MS. After the implementation of the SPTPCMS, attention to MS patients and measures for the timely detection of the disease increased. At the same time, significant advances have been made in the treatment and rehabilitation of elderly patients with long-term MS.