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Measuring the Motor Aspect of Cancer-Related Fatigue using a Handheld Dynamometer

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Published on: February 20, 2020

Fatigue heralding multiple sclerosis.

Joseph R Berger¹, Jennifer Pocoski, Ronald Preblick

¹Department of Neurology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA.

Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)

|February 27, 2013

Summary

Fatigue can precede a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis by years. This study found nearly 30% of MS patients had a prior fatigue diagnosis, highlighting fatigue as a potential early MS symptom.

Keywords:

chronic epidemiology fatigue fatigue syndrome malaise multiple sclerosis quality of life

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Area of Science:

Neurology
Clinical Research

Background:

Fatigue is a prevalent and impactful symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS).
It significantly influences patient well-being and functional disability.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the incidence of fatigue preceding a multiple sclerosis diagnosis.
Utilizing retrospective database analysis to investigate early fatigue indicators.

Main Methods:

Retrospective analysis of the MarketScan Databases (2003-2008).
Identified patients with MS and prior fatigue diagnoses (with or without fatigue-related medications) within a 3-year window.
Statistical analysis performed using SAS.

Main Results:

Out of 16,976 MS patients, 5305 (31.3%) had continuous healthcare coverage for 3 years prior to diagnosis.
1534 (28.9%) of these patients had a prior diagnosis of chronic fatigue or malaise.
One-third of patients with fatigue were diagnosed 1-2 years before MS diagnosis; 30.8% had only fatigue symptoms initially.

Conclusions:

Fatigue can serve as an early warning sign for multiple sclerosis, potentially years before diagnosis.
Clinical evaluation of patients presenting with fatigue should include a thorough neurological history and physical examination.