Early Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis Patients In Relation To Brain Atrophy, Egyptian Sample

Abstract

Background Approximately half of all patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience cognitive impairment, most commonly with regard to new learning and memory. Cognitive dysfunction is a leading cause of disability in MS and it can have profound social and economic consequences for patients and their families. Objective This study was conducted to discover the early cognitive domains affected in multiple sclerosis patients concomitant with the postulated brain atrophy in an Egyptian sample of multiple sclerosis patients. Patients and Methods A cross-sectional observational case-control study conducted on seventy (60) patients who came for follow-up in Ain Shams University hospitals. 40 patients were taken as cases that followed up in MS unit in Ain-Shams university hospitals. 20 participants were taken as controls taken from the general medicine clinics age and sex matched to our patient group. An informed written consent was taken from parents of each person included in the study. Results There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in brain volumetric changes and in the parameters of cognitive assessment Conclusion Early detection and examination of cognitive functions is important for patient evaluation, follow up and treatment regimen used.