Neuropsychological effects of comorbidity in multiple sclerosis patients

Abstract

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive demyelinating and degenerative neurological disease. The degree of disability increases along with pathological damage, especially in cases with comorbidity. Methodology: The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of MS alone and with comorbidity on some neuropsychological patterns. Individual quality of life of 80 MS patients at a mean age of 49 years, 56 females and 24 males, was examined by means of Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 Questionnaire (MSQOL-54) in 2002-2015. Forty patients presented with MS alone and 40 with MS and comorbidity. The frequency of troubles of mental concentration/thinking, fixation of attention, and memory as well as of difficulty at work and other activities were examined. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed between patients with MS alone and those with MS and comorbidity concerning troubles of mental concentration/thinking (t=4.822; p<0.0001), and of memory (t=4.020; p<0.0001). Gender correlated negatively with troubles of memory (R=-0.343; r<0.05), while EDSS scores did with troubles of memory (R=-0.346; p<0.05) and with troubles of attention (R=-0.330; p<0.05). The accompanying diseases additionally worsened the components of health-related quality of life. Conclusions: Common comorbidity in MS patients requires careful clinical examinations and proper management in order to reduce the neuropsychological burden and assure a better individual quality of life for the patient.

Keywords

• multiple sclerosis
• quality of life
• comorbidity
• neuropsychological impairment