Clinical and demographic factors of long-term physical disability In patients with demyelinating diseases

Abstract

Background: Aetiological mechanisms of demyelinating diseases underlie a very heterogeneous clinical course, ranging from relapsing to progressive, with a longer disease duration leading to physical and cognitive disability. Aim: To identify factors in the development of long-term disability in demyelinating diseases. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 64 patients with multiple sclerosis and 33 patients with NMO treated at the Third State Central Hospital. We assessed demographic and clinical data, including the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, t-tests, chi-square tests, analysis of variance, correlation, and regression. Results: In MS, relapses (≥1) within 1.0 years of MS onset (OR=5.5, 95% CI 1.11-26.69, p=0.037), optic neuritis (OR=4.3, 95% CI 1.02-21.67, p=0.014), relapse frequency (≥3) (OR=6.6, 95% CI 1.39-31.3, p=0.018), myelitis frequency (≥2) (OR=5.5, 95% CI 1.42-21.67, p=0.014), in NMOSD, time from disease onset to diagnosis (≥3 month) (OR=7.9, 95% CI 1.04-60.7, p=0.046), years of diagnosis (≥3 years) (OR=6.3, 95% CI 1.15-34.12, p=0.034) contributed to disabilty worsening outcomes. Conclusion: Disability in demyelinating diseases is affected by many factors.