Description of Symptoms in the Latest Multiple Sclerosis Relapse in the Elderly Population

Introduction: Historically, MS has been recognized as a young person's disease, with typical onset occurring between 20 and 40 years of age. However, with increasing life expectancy, patients over 60 years of age have been increasingly represented among those with this disease.

Objectives: To analyze the symptoms of the last relapse in patients over 60 years of age, compared to those under 60 years of age.

Methods: The medical records of 42 patients diagnosed with MS who were being followed up at a Reference Center in São Paulo, Brazil, were analyzed. The patients were divided into groups over 60 years of age or less than or equal to 60 years of age. The time of diagnosis, symptoms and sequelae of MS, and the EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) score were evaluated. Fisher's test and Pearson's chi-squared test were applied for statistical analysis.

Results: A total of 42 patients were evaluated, of whom 9 were male and 33 were female. 66.6% (n=28) of the patients were over 60 years of age. A trend was found for visual changes in the last relapse in patients under 60 years of age (42.9%) compared to the population over 60 years of age (17.9%) (p=0.082), as well as paresthesia in the lower limbs in patients under 60 years of age (28.6% vs 7.1%) (p=0.061). Regarding pulse therapy in the last relapse, patients over 60 years of age underwent this procedure in only 35.7% of cases compared to those under 60 years of age who underwent pulse therapy in 78.6% of cases (p=0.011).

Conclusion: A trend was found for visual and sensory changes in the last relapse of Multiple Sclerosis in patients under 60 years of age, with a higher rate of pulse therapy in this population compared to those over 60 years of age.