The morpho-clinical features of multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Background. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic non-traumatic disease of the central nervous system, heterogeneous, affecting young people. The forms of evolution and clinical manifestation of MS were estimated according to gender and age. Materials and methods. The studied group consisted of 39 patients with MS, hospitalized in the "Diomid Gherman" Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery. The study was based on the research and analysis of the medical observation charts taken from the archive of the nominated institution. Descriptive statistical methods were used to process the obtained data. Results. It was found: that 35.9% were men aged between 24-42 years, the average age being 29.3±1.6 years, and 64.1% were women - aged between 18-47 years, and the average age being 26, 4±2.1 years. The male: female ratio was 1:1.8. According to age categories: under 20 years – 20.5% (7.7% men, 12.8% women); 21-30 years – 41% (12.8% men, 28.2% women); 31-40 years – 25.6% (10.2% men and 15.4% women); 41-50 years – 12.8% (5.1% men and 7.7% women). Clinical manifestations: sensitivity disorders: in 64.1% of patients; visual disturbances – at 59%; cerebellar disorders – at 51.3%; motor disorders – at 30.8%. Clinical forms of disease evolution: relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) – in 59% (18% men and 41% women); primaryprogressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) – in 18% (7.7% men and 10.3% women); secondaryprogressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) – in 12.8% (2.6% men and 10.2% women); progressive relapsing multiple sclerosis (PRMS) – in 10.3% (7.7% men and 2.6% women). Patients with RRMS endured from 1 to 5 flares, the average being 3.5 flares; those with PPMS – from 1 to 7 flares, an average of 4.8; those with SPMS and PRMS – 2-3 flares, which are maintained for quite a long time. Conclusions. The average age of patients with MS was 26.4±2.1 years, the most numerous being from the 21-30 age category, with a male: female ratio of 1:1.8. The majority of patients with MS showed a polymorphous clinical picture, more frequently showing sensory, visual and cerebellar disorders.