Mustafa Makki Muqdad*1, Zaki Noah Hassan
2 Section of Neuromedicine, Department of Medicine, Al-Kindy College of Medicine, Director of neurology board center at Dr. Saad Al Witri Neurosciences hospital
Abstract
Paroxysmal symptoms are brief (lasting seconds to minutes) stereotyped symptoms occurring suddenly and many times a day, for days up to a few months. The Objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence of paroxysmal symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients and their correlation with the demographic data of the patient, type of MS, duration of the illness, severity of the disease, radiological findings and disease modifying therapies. A cross-sectional survey enrolled (100) patients with multiple sclerosis, conducted in the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic in Dr. Saad Al-Witri Neurosciences Hospital – Baghdad during June 2019 – December 2019. (29%) of the participants had reported paroxysmal attacks of various types. Betaferon® and Rebif® were found to be significantly correlated with absence of PS. Patients with paroxysmal attacks had longer duration of disease. Patients with PS had significantly lower EDSS score. Highest proportion of patients had paroxysmal paresthesia (34.48%). In conclusions; paroxysmal symptoms are common presentations in multiple sclerosis initially or during the course of the disease, with paroxysmal paresthesia being the most common among them. Betaferon® or Rebif® might be a good choice for patients who are experiencing paroxysmal symptoms. Paroxysmal symptoms tend to occur with the least disabled MS patients and longer disease duration.
Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, Paroxysmal symptoms