Abstract

Kehli M73197*, Doumi R73193, Kobci Y73194, Mammeri DM73195 and Layadi K73196

Objective: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the leading cause of acquired motor disability in young adults. The increase in disability follows the progression of the disease and imposes impact on the affected person, thereby causing a permanent multidimensional handicap. The identification of the factors associated with the evolution towards an irreversible handicap is important for an adequate therapeutic management. This study explored to identify non-modifiable factors associated with progression to irreversible disability in patients with MS.

Material and methods: This is a prospective collection study that was carried out in the physical medicine and rehabilitation departments of the University Hospital of Oran and the Regional Military University Hospital of Oran (HMRUO), between January 2017 and December 2019. For the main analysis, we retained an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, if the patient had same functional status during the last six months.

Results and discussion: This study included 103 MS cases, including 72 women and 31 men, with a mean age at onset of symptoms of 31.83 years and a mean EDSS of 5.12 ± 1.97.

The progression of the disability assessed by the EDSS scale is related to baseline characteristics such as gender, age at advanced onset and progressive form of MS. We did not find a correlation between the severity of the handicap and the place of birth and/or residence.

Our results are unanimous in the literature for certain parameters, and the same is not true for others.

Conclusion: Non-modifiable factors in MS, such as age, gender, place of birth and/or residence are important predictors of disability and should alert the clinician to appropriate and specific management even at an early stage of the disease.