EP11
A Cross-Sectional Web-Based Survey of Co-Morbid Illnesses and Symptoms Among Adults with Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and debilitating neurological disease affecting those in early adulthood. With increasing age, patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) face the same co-morbid conditions as in the general population. However, it is unknown whether adults with MS experience these conditions sooner, or to a greater extent, than persons who are aging without MS. Healthcare providers should be aware of the extent of comorbid conditions among their patients with MS to suggest potential interventions, such as exercise to improve depression, fatigue, and arthritis symptoms. More research is needed to determine the specific impact of these conditions on healthcare costs and quality of life.
Objectives: Thus, the objective of this study was to compare self-reported co-morbidities in patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) with age-matched, U.S. population norms.
Methods: Patients with MS (n =325) completed a secure web-based survey (www.Qualtrics.com), that contained questions derived from the National Health Interview Survey.
Results: Thus, the objective of this study was to compare self-reported co-morbidities and severity of symptoms in patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) with age-matched, U.S. population norms.
Descriptive statistics were used to summarize and compared estimates as a sample proportion for each of the following: depression, coronary artery disease (CAD), cancer, diabetes (any type), migraine headaches, and arthritis. To determine whether the two population means (MS; US population norms) were different, the z-test was performed for the total sample, as well as the following age categories: 18-34 years, 35-44 years, 45-54 years, 55-64 years, and 65-74 years. In this sample participants were mainly White (91.6%), women (77.0%), with a mean (standard deviation) age at MS symptom onset of 33.2 years (standard deviation=11.1) with 85% reporting having relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), the least progressive subtype. Patients with MS who report the presence of co-morbidities of depression, CAD, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and migraine headaches also report more pain, fatigue, sleep problems, and balance problems compared to those who did not report these co-morbidities.
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that adults with MS have secondary comorbid conditions and report symptoms specific to each condition. Healthcare providers should be aware of the extent of comorbid conditions and symptoms among their patients with MS to suggest potential interventions, such as exercise to improve depression, fatigue, sleep, and pain symptoms. More research is needed to determine the specific impact of these conditions on healthcare costs and quality of life.