Cognitive Impairment May Predict Physical Disability in MS

[Achin]

Cognitive impairment is a good predictor of physical disability progression in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), new research suggests. In an analysis of more than 1600 patients with secondary-progressive MS (SPMS), the likelihood of needing a wheelchair was almost doubled in those who had the worst scores on cognitive testing measures compared with their counterparts who had the best scores.

[Hariharan]

@achin Cognitive impairment occurs very early in the course of MS and is part of the disease, although to a greater or lesser degree depending on the patient, Giovannoni noted. Such impairment has a significant impact on quality of life for patients dealing with this disease.