A Cohort Study of Cognitive Impairment in Patients of Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Abstract Introduction:Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease which disrupts the ability of nervous system to communicate, resulting in a wide range of signs and symptoms including physical, cognitive and psychiatric. Cognitive dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in the quality of life of patients with MS. Remission of cognitive symptoms is uncommon, and cognitive decline may indicate progressive disease despite stable physical symptoms. Methods: A total of 30 patients of MS diagnosed by modified Mc Donald criterion 2010 had undergone MACFINS battery of Cognitive testing twice, first at the time of initial recruitement and then after a period of 6 months. Results: No significant cognitive decline was observed in patients after a mean follow up of 11 months. There was mild but not significant impairment in EDSS. There appears a strong direct correlation between all neuropsychological tests and physical disability. Most significant correlation of EDSS is seen with PASAT (P=0.002), BVMT1(P= 0.008), BVMT2(P=0.007), COWAT(P=0.0002) and Stroop B(P=0.009). Conclusion: Cognitive deterioration occurs probably insidiously and inconsistently in patients with MS. EDSS has significant direct correlation with cognitive impairment in these patients. A larger sample size study is required to conclusively establish cognitive performance in MS patients.