Predominant domains and associated demographic and clinical characteristics in multiple sclerosis-related cognitive impairment in mildly disabled patients

Abstract

Abstract Background Cognitive impairment (CI) is a common finding in multiple sclerosis (MS); however, there is a limited information about its prevalence in mildly disabled cases. We aimed to determine the most affected domains, and also the relation between the demographic factors and cognitive outcomes in mildly disabled relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS). Results Ninety-one mildly disabled RRMS patients with expanded disability status scale (EDSS) 0.05). Disease duration (p = 0.01), EDSS (p = 0.01), and education (p < 0.01) were significantly different between CI and non-CI patients, while age (p = 0.72), sex (p = 0.50), diagnostic gap (p = 0.89), and frequency of relapses (p = 0.22), did not differ considerably. Conclusions RRMS patients experience some degrees of CI that may present even before the onset of remarkable physical disability; nevertheless, a higher EDSS score and longer disease duration increases the risk of CI. These findings suggest routine cognitive assessment of MS patients.

Keywords

• Multiple sclerosis
• Neuropsychological assessment
• Cognitive impairment
• MACFIMS
• Relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis