Survey of Patients With MS Reveals Most Bothersome Symptoms

Pain, walking difficulties, and fatigue were the most frequently reported bothersome symptoms among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) with marked to severe disability, while fatigue and vision impairment were most common in those with less disability. Researchers published their findings in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders.

“We suggest that especially the presence and severity of these frequent bothersome symptoms should be queried in daily clinical practice to identify potential therapeutic needs,” wrote a research team from Germany.

For the study, researchers designed a survey to collect patient feedback on their MS symptoms, MS progression, and impact of MS on their daily life. A total 4555 people with MS participated; among them, 69.2% had relapsing-remitting MS, and 15.1% had secondary progressive MS.

Among patients with relapsing-remitting MS, 88.9% of those with marked to severe disability, and 61.8% with no disability or mild-to-moderate disability, reported relapse-independent worsening of symptoms in the previous 12 months, according to the study.

The most common symptoms signaling relapse-independent worsening in patients with marked to severe disability were, in descending order, gait problems, fatigue, pain, vegetative dysfunction, and cognitive deficits, the study showed. In those with no disability or mild to moderate disability, worsening presented mainly through fatigue and cognitive symptoms.

“Given that a deterioration over 12 months may indicate transition to secondary progressive MS, based on our data, non or less visible symptoms like fatigue, cognitive decline, or vegetative function deserve closer monitoring in clinical practice,” researchers advised.

Reference:
Bayas A, Schuh K, Christ M. Self-assessment of people with relapsing-remitting and progressive multiple sclerosis towards burden of disease, progression, and treatment utilization - results of a large-scale cross-sectional online survey (MS Perspectives). Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2022;68:104166. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2022.104166