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[Relation between fatigue and autonomic disturbances in multiple sclerosis]
Andréa Temponi Lebre1, Maria Fernanda Mendes, Charles P Tilbery
1Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Disciplina de Neurologia, Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. atlebre@ig.com.br
Arquivos De Neuro-Psiquiatria
|September 19, 2007
Summary
Fatigue in multiple sclerosis (MS) may stem from autonomic nervous system dysfunction. This study found reduced blood pressure responses in MS patients experiencing fatigue, indicating potential sympathetic impairment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Autonomic Neuroscience
Context:
- Fatigue is a prevalent and debilitating symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Autonomic nervous system (ANS) disturbances are increasingly recognized in MS patients.
- Understanding the link between fatigue and ANS function is crucial for managing MS.
Purpose:
- To investigate the relationship between fatigue and autonomic nervous system (ANS) function in patients with relapsing-remitting MS.
- To evaluate sympathetic and parasympathetic responses using non-invasive cardiovascular tests.
Summary:
- Fifty relapsing-remitting MS patients (33 female, 17 male, EDSS ≤ 3.5) underwent five cardiovascular tests.
- The hand grip test revealed a statistically significant lower increase in blood pressure in the fatigue group (14.62 mmHg) compared to the non-fatigue group (21.68 mmHg).
- This suggests a diminished capacity to elevate blood pressure during sympathetic stimulation in MS patients with fatigue.
Impact:
- Findings suggest sympathetic dysfunction contributes to fatigue in multiple sclerosis.
- Highlights the importance of assessing autonomic function in MS patients experiencing fatigue.
- May inform the development of targeted interventions for MS-related fatigue.
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