Background

The impact of comorbidities in MS is an important and increasing area of interest. Comorbid conditions are common in patients with MS, and can lead to poorer outcomes.Emerging evidence has shown that the presence of comorbidities may delay MS diagnosis, increase the rate of disability progression, reduce quality of life, increase rates of hospitalization, and increase the hazard of death.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of comorbidities in patients with multiple sclerosis

Research the correlation between the number of comorbidities claimed and disability

Methods

Our study was descriptive conducted in neurology department of Tlemcen hospital from January 2010 to January 2020. our study was carried out on patient files and by their direct questioning during the control consultations. The etiological analysis by the Pearson correlation test (significance rate fixed at p <0.005). Statistical analyzes were performed by SPSS software in version 20.0

Results

We processed data from 480 patients with MS with 31,48 ± 7,13 mean of age. The most common comorbidity was thyroid disease among 11,25% of the patients with higher prevalence in women (17,5% vs 2,5%), followed by blood hypertension ( 6,4%), hyperlipidemia (5,4%) and diabetes mellitus in( 2,3 %) of the patients. Also, 46,6% of men reported to be smokers. The correlation between the number of comorbidities claimed and the disability status (EDSS) was statistically significant (p=0,002).

Conclusions

Comorbidities in MS are common and their existence is strongly related with increased levels of disability. Their recognition and treatment can contribute to an optimal management of MS' disease burden.

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating, and neurodegenerative disease. It affects mostly women. Sexuel disorders (SD) are common in multiple sclerosis (MS). Doctors often over look these taboo and potentially treatable signs, while their presence significantly alters patient’s quality of life.

Objectives

Calculate prevalence of sexual disorders in MS patients attending Tlemcen University Hospital, and determine their relationship with disability, depression and fatigue.

Methods

This is a descriptive study. All patients completed questionnaires including demographic data, questions about symptoms and signs of MS, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) for sexual performance, translated into French and Arabic .Expanded disability status scale(EDSS)was used to assess disability, modified fatigue impact scale(MFIS) for fatigue, and Beck scale for depression . Exclusion criteria included active relapse, EDSS score equal or higher than 6.5, and current pregnancy.

Results

A subgroup 95 sexually active women was analyzed.SD occurred in 39 (41%) of the respondents . A negative effect on sexual performance was associated with depression intensity (p =0 .000), fatigue intensity (p < 0.001),marriage (p=0,003), lower education level (p < .05), and rural area of residence (p < .002).

Conclusions

SD in women with RR MS are more common than previously thought. They are still a taboo subject, and must be systematically researched. They are mostly associated with psychosocial parameters. Patients married who are more depressed, presenting less educated, and from rural, should be considered high-risk for sexual dysfunction

Background

The impact of comorbidities in MS is an important and increasing area of interest. Comorbid conditions are common in patients with MS, and can lead to poorer outcomes.Emerging evidence has shown that the presence of comorbidities may delay MS diagnosis, increase the rate of disability progression, reduce quality of life, increase rates of hospitalization, and increase the hazard of death.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of comorbidities in patients with multiple sclerosis

Research the correlation between the number of comorbidities claimed and disability

Methods

Our study was descriptive conducted in neurology department of Tlemcen hospital from January 2010 to January 2020. our study was carried out on patient files and by their direct questioning during the control consultations. The etiological analysis by the Pearson correlation test (significance rate fixed at p <0.005). Statistical analyzes were performed by SPSS software in version 20.0

Results

We processed data from 480 patients with MS with 31,48 ± 7,13 mean of age. The most common comorbidity was thyroid disease among 11,25% of the patients with higher prevalence in women (17,5% vs 2,5%), followed by blood hypertension ( 6,4%), hyperlipidemia (5,4%) and diabetes mellitus in( 2,3 %) of the patients. Also, 46,6% of men reported to be smokers. The correlation between the number of comorbidities claimed and the disability status (EDSS) was statistically significant (p=0,002).

Conclusions

Comorbidities in MS are common and their existence is strongly related with increased levels of disability. Their recognition and treatment can contribute to an optimal management of MS' disease burden.

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating, and neurodegenerative disease. It affects mostly women. Sexuel disorders (SD) are common in multiple sclerosis (MS). Doctors often over look these taboo and potentially treatable signs, while their presence significantly alters patient’s quality of life.

Objectives

Calculate prevalence of sexual disorders in MS patients attending Tlemcen University Hospital, and determine their relationship with disability, depression and fatigue.

Methods

This is a descriptive study. All patients completed questionnaires including demographic data, questions about symptoms and signs of MS, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) for sexual performance, translated into French and Arabic .Expanded disability status scale(EDSS)was used to assess disability, modified fatigue impact scale(MFIS) for fatigue, and Beck scale for depression . Exclusion criteria included active relapse, EDSS score equal or higher than 6.5, and current pregnancy.

Results

A subgroup 95 sexually active women was analyzed.SD occurred in 39 (41%) of the respondents . A negative effect on sexual performance was associated with depression intensity (p =0 .000), fatigue intensity (p < 0.001),marriage (p=0,003), lower education level (p < .05), and rural area of residence (p < .002).

Conclusions

SD in women with RR MS are more common than previously thought. They are still a taboo subject, and must be systematically researched. They are mostly associated with psychosocial parameters. Patients married who are more depressed, presenting less educated, and from rural, should be considered high-risk for sexual dysfunction