title: Utilization of the Expanded Disability Status Scale as a distinctive instrument for walking impairment in persons with multiple sclerosis with mild disability.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is a well-established clinical measure to assess disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). Gait dysfunction is primarily considered for scoring only above EDSS 3.5. However, the changes in functional systems in below EDSS 3.5 may result gait disturbances.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the distinctive ability of the EDSS 2.0 in terms of walking impairment as well as fatigue, depression, and quality of life in persons with MS with mild disability.
  
  
  METHODS
  All participants underwent the neurological examination for generating an EDSS score and completed the measures of walking performance, as well as other measures of fatigue, depression, and quality of life. The participants were divided into two groups according to the EDSS scores (i.e. EDSS <2.0 and 2.0-3.5).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants with EDSS 2.0-3.5 had significantly worse walking performance, as well as fatigue, depression, and quality of life levels than the participants with EDSS <2.0 (p <  0.05). The EDSS significantly correlated with the measures of walking performance, as well as other measures of fatigue, depression, and quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The EDSS 2.0 has a distinctive ability in terms of walking impairment as well as fatigue, depression, and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Dokuz Eylül University, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Turhan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kahraman
authors.affiliation: Dokuz Eylül University, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Savci
authors.affiliation: Dokuz Eylül University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Esra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Coskuner Poyraz
authors.affiliation: Dokuz Eylül University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Serkan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozakbas
authors.affiliation: Dokuz Eylül University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Egemen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Idiman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology / Q000592:standards*
keywords: EDSS; Multiple sclerosis; assessment; depression; disability; fatigue; quality of life; walking