A Cross-Sectional Study of the Impact of Spasticity on Daily Activities in Multiple Sclerosis

Francois Bethoux () and Ruth Ann Marrie
Additional contact information
Francois Bethoux: The Cleveland Clinic
Ruth Ann Marrie: University of Manitoba

The Patient: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, 2016, vol. 9, issue 6, No 6, 537-546

Abstract: Abstract Background Spasticity is frequently reported by patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). A previously published survey of participants in the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) registry showed that higher levels of spasticity were associated with higher MS-related disability and lower quality of life, but did not investigate the impact of spasticity on daily activities, and only partially assessed spasticity management. Methods A new cross-sectional survey was distributed to 15,679 eligible NARCOMS participants. We inquired about the degree of bother from symptoms associated with spasticity, interference with a variety of daily activities, as well as past and current treatments for spasticity. Results Among the 10,353 responders (66 % response rate), over 80 % reported experiencing spasticity, and more than 35 % were moderately or greatly bothered by stiffness, spasms, or pain, predominantly in the lower extremities. More severe spasticity was associated with worse disability, mobility, bladder function, and fatigue. Spasticity was most frequently reported to interfere with stair climbing, walking, and sleep. Most individuals reported receiving treatment for spasticity (mainly oral medications, stretching, home exercise, and physical therapy), yet fewer than half reported being satisfied with their current treatment. Conclusion Spasticity was reported by a large majority of patients with MS, and found to interfere with many daily activities. At the same time, patients were often dissatisfied with the effects of treatments for spasticity. Prospective studies are needed to better characterize the impact of spasticity in individuals with MS, and to optimize treatment strategies.

Date: 2016
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s40271-016-0173-0 Abstract (text/html)
Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:patien:v:9:y:2016:i:6:d:10.1007_s40271-016-0173-0

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/economics/journal/40271

DOI: 10.1007/s40271-016-0173-0

Access Statistics for this article

The Patient: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research is currently edited by Christopher I. Carswell

More articles in The Patient: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research from Springer, International Academy of Health Preference Research
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().