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Journal of Neurology

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01-02-2021 | Multiple Sclerosis | Original Communication

Comorbidities contribute substantially to the severity of common multiple sclerosis symptoms

Authors: Lara Marie Pangan Lo, Bruce V. Taylor, Tania Winzenberg, Andrew J. Palmer, Leigh Blizzard, Ingrid van der Mei

Published in: Journal of Neurology | Issue 2/2021

Abstract

Background

More research is needed to understand the contribution of comorbidities to MS symptomatology.

Objectives

To examine the dose–response relationship between the number of comorbidities and severity of MS symptoms and to assess the relative contribution of comorbidity groups and individual comorbidities to the severity of each symptom.

Methods

We surveyed 1223 participants of the Australian MS Longitudinal Study for the presence of 30 comorbidities and the severity of 13 MS symptoms (0–10 scale). The associations between comorbidities and symptoms were assessed using negative binomial regression. The relative contributions of comorbidities to the severity of symptoms were assessed using general dominance analysis.

Results

Higher number of comorbidities was most strongly associated with a higher severity of pain and feelings of anxiety and depression (ratios of means ≥ 0.12 per comorbidity increase). Comorbidities explained between 3.7% (spasticity) and 22.0% (feelings of anxiety) of the total variance of symptom severity. Mental health and musculoskeletal disorders contributed most strongly to the severity of the most common symptoms in MS.

Conclusions

Our findings support that early recognition and optimal management of comorbidities, particularly of mental health and musculoskeletal disorders, could have a positive impact on the severity of symptoms of people with MS.

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Title: Comorbidities contribute substantially to the severity of common multiple sclerosis symptoms
Authors: Lara Marie Pangan Lo
Bruce V. Taylor
Tania Winzenberg
Andrew J. Palmer
Leigh Blizzard
Ingrid van der Mei
Publication date: 01-02-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis
Mood Disorders
Affective Disorder
Anxiety
Published in: Journal of Neurology / Issue 2/2021
Print ISSN: 0340-5354
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1459
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-020-10192-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Comorbidities contribute substantially to the severity of common multiple sclerosis symptoms

Abstract

Background

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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