Prevalence of disabilities in patients with multiple sclerosis at the neuroimmunology outpatient clinic

Abstract

Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) presents a variety of signs and symptoms, such as muscle weakness, fatigue, spasticity, interfering with quality of life. These symptoms cause some disabilities as the disease progresses. Objective: To identify the prevalence of disabilities in patients with multiple sclerosis of the relapsing-remitting type at the Neuroimmunology Outpatient Clinic of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), between the years 2016 and 2022. Methodology: Retrospective longitudinal epidemiological study, with a follow-up period it was 2 (Group A), 3 (Group B) and 4 to 6 (Group C) years, according to the period between the evaluation and reevaluation of physiotherapy. Data on fatigue, muscle strength, tone, functional mobility, independence and quality of life were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were performed with analysis of frequencies and central tendency and dispersion. Results: 35 patients were studied (A, n= 14; B, n=11; C, n= 10). The median EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) at reassessment in the three groups was 2.5. The time to diagnosis ranged from 7.9±5.5 to 13.9±7.9 at reevaluation. There was a change in muscle tone and strength in all patients. Most patients reported a feeling of fatigue in both assessments. Functional mobility remained preserved in most cases, while there was an improvement in quality of life over time in all groups. Conclusion: This study made it possible to identify the presence of disabilities in patients with multiple sclerosis, showing that the most common changes were muscle weakness, feelings of fatigue and spasticity.