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Effects of multiple sclerosis on respiratory functions.
F K Mutluay1, H N Gürses, S Saip
1Neurology Department, Cerrahpasa School of Medicine, Istanbul University, Turkey. fatmamutluay@yahoo.com
Clinical Rehabilitation
|June 3, 2005
Summary
Multiple sclerosis significantly impairs respiratory functions, particularly maximal mouth pressures. This decline worsens with increased disability but is not linked to disease duration.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pulmonology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease affecting the central nervous system.
- Respiratory dysfunction can be a complication of MS, impacting patient quality of life and prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess respiratory function in ambulatory MS patients.
- To compare patient results with healthy population norms.
- To investigate the correlation between respiratory impairment and MS disability.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 38 ambulatory patients with definite MS diagnosis.
- Measured spirometry (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC), maximal inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory (MEP) mouth pressures.
- Assessed disability using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and clinical pulmonary indices.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions in MIP (77%) and MEP (60%) compared to healthy controls.
- Spirometric measures (FVC, FEV1) were less affected but still significantly reduced.
- Respiratory impairment, especially reduced mouth pressures, correlated significantly with higher MS disability levels (EDSS).
Conclusions:
- Multiple sclerosis patients exhibit impaired respiratory function, with maximal mouth pressures being most affected.
- The degree of respiratory impairment is associated with the level of MS-induced disability.
- Disease duration did not correlate with the observed respiratory function deficits.