FATIGUE IN MS IS ASSOCIATED WITH SPECIFIC CLINICAL-FEATURES

Introduction - fatigue is a common and disabling symptom in multiple s clerosis (MS). In this study we evaluated if fatigue is associated wit h different demographic and clinical features of MS. Material - A surv ey was performed on 507 consecutive patients affected by clinically de finite MS referred to our centre between January 1 and December 31, 19 93. During the examination patients were asked to answer a brief fatig ue questionnaire. To evaluate the probability of the occurrence of fat igue in association with several covariant factors (age, sex, duration , disease form, disease severity, month of examination, functional sub -systems on the expanded disability status scale (EDSS), a logistic re gression analysis was performed. Results - we confirmed that fatigue i s common in MS, recorded in 53% of patients. Patients affected by a mo re severe disability, by progressive MS, both primary and secondary, w ith an older age at examination, and assessed during spring, had a sig nificantly higher risk of fatigue. Sex was not associated with the occ urrence of fatigue. When the single items of EDSS were considered, we found that fatigue is also associated with the occurrence of cerebella r, sphincteric, pyramidal and sensitive signs, but not with brain stem , visual and cognitive impairment. Conclusion - fatigue in MS is more frequent in association with specific clinical features.