Retrospective study on the presence of spasticity-plus syndrome in the advanced practice nurse’s office in multiple sclerosis

Spasticity plus syndrome (SSP) is a clinical diagnosis based on the presence of a compendium of symptoms that has been suggested recently in patients with demyelinating disease. Using this diagnosis might help to avoid polimedication and to offer a better symptomatology management in long-term patients.

Objective

The aim of this study is to retrospectively analyze the number of cases compatible with a SSP diagnostic in our nurse clinical-consultancy.

Methodology

We analyzed a time-window from 2002 till 2022 and we included cases compatible with SSP at those 2 time-points as well as the number of symptomatic treatments prescribed also in both time-points.

Results

All cases in the databased were compatible with SSP and also associated pain (90%), rigidity (83.3%), fatigue (75%) and bladder problems (43.3%). An increase in symptomatic treatments was stated (from 1.4 to 3.9 at the end of the temporal window of analysis), and THC:CBD was prescribed in 88.9% of them. There was no correlation between number of symptoms at the beginning and number of symptomatic treatments at the end of the time-window. No correlation either was found between number of symptomatic treatments and physical disability.

Conclusions

SSP is relatively easy to be diagnosed in our consultancy and it should be more frequently stated as it will offer the opportunity to individual management of symptoms and treatments for our patients that could impact their quality of life in the long-term.