Abstract

Kehli M73210*, Kobci Y73207, Mammeri DM73208 and Layadi K73209

Background: Fatigue remains one of the most common and disabling problems in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and several factors could contribute to the development and/or exacerbation of this symptom. So, the aim of this study is to assess fatigue in MS patients and identify its correlations with other clinical, functional and radiological signs.

Materials and methods: This is a prospective collection study that included adult patients with MS. In addition to clinical and radiological assessment, we used the Visual Analog Scale-fatigue (VAS-f) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) self-questionnaire to assess fatigue and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) for disability. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed using Social Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 software.

Results: The mean age of the 103 patients (71 women and 32 men) was 41.57 ± 11.22 years and the mean EDSS was 5.12 ± 1.97. Fatigue was found in 94 patients among whom 26% had severe fatigue (VAS-f ≥ 7). We found that 53.2% had moderate fatigue and 15.6% had severe fatigue according to the FSS. We did not find an association between fatigue severity and EDSS, age, sex and place of birth/residence; however, fatigue severity was correlated with the duration of disease progression, progressive form of the disease, depressed mood and presence of demyelinating plaques in the cerebellum.

Conclusion: The appropriate management of fatigue in MS requires first a good evaluation and a good semiological analysis.