title: Identifying symptom co-occurrence in persons with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience a myriad of symptoms. There is some evidence that symptoms may co-occur, or happen in particular combinations. Yet most existing studies focus on single symptoms and practitioners make a priori care decisions based on individual symptoms alone. We examined symptom co-occurrences in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), collecting qualitative and quantitative data (mixed methods; N = 140). Content analysis revealed fatigue, heat intolerance, numbness, balance problems, and leg weakness as the most common symptoms. Factor analysis revealed the following factors: urinary, problems with balance, vision, heat, depression, and sleep. These preliminary findings indicate co-occurrence of several disabling symptoms from the overall self-report MS-Related Symptom Scale and 3-month recall. This information will guide health care professionals in developing targeted interventions and improve outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Southern Illinois University School of Nursing, Edwardsville, USA mpnewland@hometel.com.
authors.forename: Pamela K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Newland
authors.affiliation: Saint Louis University, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Louise H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Flick
authors.affiliation: Saint Louis University, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Florian P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Shannon
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: multiple sclerosis; nursing interventions; symptom co-occurrence