Symptom prevalence and severity in people severely affected by multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to assess symptom severity and prevalence in people severely affected by multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
We collected data on symptoms and problems of patients as self-reported to trained interviewers on standardized questionnaires (including the Palliative Outcome Scale MS symptom checklist, POS-MSS).


RESULTS
52 patients were included, mean age 53 years; 26 had secondary progressive MS, 23 had primary progressive MS, three had other forms; 32/52 were unable to walk independently. Patients reported a mean of nine (median = 8.5, mode = 12) symptoms. Six symptoms affected more than 50% of patients: problems using legs, problems using arms, fatigue/lack of energy, spasms, pain, and feeling sleepy. Higher levels of disability were correlated with greater symptom severity for nine symptoms (Spearman rho ranged 0.28-0.56, p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Many symptoms in people severely affected by MS are as highly prevalent and severe as those experienced by patients with advanced cancer. Increased disability is associated with increased severity for some symptoms.
Higginson
Irene J
IJ
Department of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, Kings' College London, School of Medicine, London, England, UK.
Hart
Sam
S
Silber
Eli
E
Burman
Rachel
R
Edmonds
Polly
P
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D009325:Nausea / Q000209:etiology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010166:Palliative Care; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires