Quality of Life-Spasticity-Fatigue Score in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis and Serum Vitamin D Level

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D (VitD) is being increasingly studied in multiple sclerosis (MS). Association of VitD deficiency and MS risk, progression, disability and severity has been shown in previous studies. Our objective was to prospectively investigate if 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels are associated with duration of disease, the number of joint involvement, level of spasticity, and quality of life (QoL) in MS.

Methods: The study was performed on 40 patients who fulfilled the Poser criteria for primary progressive MS (PPMS), repeater MS (RRMS) or diagnosed with secondary progressive MS (SPMS). Serum samples of all participants were collected for 25(OH)D measurement. 25(OH)D levels were divided into three groups: VitD deficient (serum level below 20 ng/mL), VitD insufficient (serum level between 21 and 29 ng/mL), and normal VitD (serum level higher than 30 ng/mL). Demographic characteristics and medical history of the patients were recorded. Modified Ashworth scale was used to assess spasticity. As a measure of QoL, the MS international quality of life (MUSIQOL) questionnaire and MS fatigue scores were used.

Results: We found that VitD levels in patients with attack type MS were significantly lower than the primary and progressive MS types. In addition, serum VitD level was associated with the level of the disability and the duration of disease. According to the results of our study, there is a significant relationship between mean VitD levels and the mean score of spasticity and also of MS fatigue scores.

Conclusion: VitD levels are associated with duration of disease, the number of joint involvement, level of spasticity, and QoL in MS.




J Neurol Res. 2016;6(1):18-23
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jnr372e