Disability as a determinant of fatigue in MS patients

ABSTRACT Fatigue is one of the most frequent and disabling symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS). Central, psychological, and peripheral factors may contribute to the occurrence of fatigue. Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate potential fatigue determinants in patients with relapsing-remitting MS with a low functional impairment. Methods: We compared inflammatory markers, respiratory pressures, disability, and quality of life in 39 relapsing-remitting MS patients with and without fatigue. Results: Patients with relapsing-remitting MS with fatigue had higher Expanded Disability Status Scale scores (p = 0.002). We observed a significant association between the results of the Guy Neurological Disability Scale, the Functional Assessment of MS Quality of Life Rating Scale and the presence of fatigue (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The degree of functional impairment is a determinant for the presence of fatigue in MS patients, but respiratory function and inflammatory markers are not.

【摘要】
疲劳是多发性硬化（multiple sclerosis, MS）最常见且最具致残性的症状之一。中枢、心理及外周因素均可导致疲劳的发生。
研究目的：本研究旨在评估轻度功能受损的复发缓解型多发性硬化（relapsing-remitting MS）患者的潜在疲劳影响因素。
研究方法：本研究纳入39例复发缓解型多发性硬化患者，按是否合并疲劳分为两组，对比两组的炎症标志物、呼吸压力、残疾程度及生活质量。
研究结果：合并疲劳的复发缓解型多发性硬化患者的扩展残疾状态量表（Expanded Disability Status Scale）评分更高（p = 0.002）。本研究观察到，盖伊神经功能残疾量表（Guy Neurological Disability Scale）评分、多发性硬化生活质量功能评定量表（Functional Assessment of MS Quality of Life Rating Scale）评分与疲劳的发生存在显著相关性（p < 0.05）。
研究结论：功能受损程度是多发性硬化患者出现疲劳的影响因素，但呼吸功能与炎症标志物并非此类影响因素。