MD01
Effect of Chronic Medical Conditions in Veterans with Multiple Sclerosis on Long-Term Disability
Chronic medical conditions (CMCs) such as obesity, hypertension, and arthritis are common in the general population and are responsible for functional limitations, increased hospitalization, and increased mortality. Given that the risk of MS and the presence of CMCs increases with age, we wanted to study the impact of the presence of commonly encountered CMCs on long-term disability (activity limitation) in veterans already diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Objectives:
The goal of this observational study was to examine the effect of common chronic medical conditions (CMCs) on long-term disability (activity limitation) in veterans already diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed the electronic charts of 124 veterans with MS who have been regularly followed in our MS clinic for 10 or more years. General linear model analysis examined whether MS-related severity as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the presence of CMCs affected long-term disability as measured by the total score on the Functional Independence Measure (TFIM).
Results:
Commonly encountered CMCs were increased BMI (61%), hyperlipidemia (78%), hypertension (65%), current smokers (47%), and arthritis/arthralgia (24%). Results suggest that the number of CMCs was not predictive of final TFIM scores; of the variables examined, only initial EDSS score was predictive of final TFIM scores.
Conclusions:
The presence of CMCs did not affect the long-term disability in veterans diagnosed with MS, this was due mainly to CMCs being closely monitored and co-treated with other medical specialties.