Dados do Trabalho

Título

Clinical and epidemiological profile of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil

Resumo

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the brain and spinal cord in which inflammation, demyelination and axonal loss occur from the early stages of the disease. The onset of multiple sclerosis has been typically observed in individuals aged from 20 to 40 years, with the female predominance. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical-epidemiological profile of patients with multiple sclerosis who were diagnosed and followed at a local neurology service. Methodology: The model of this study was observational and retrospective descriptive, involving patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the last two years and followed in a neurology service in the city of Cascavel, Paraná (PR). The epidemiological variables were gender, age, clinical presentation, patient age at diagnosis, patient age at onset, predominant symptoms, use of disease-modifying drugs and EDSS (expanded disability status scale). The clinical presentation was defined in the following categories: relapsing-remitting, secondary progressive and primary progressive. Results: The sample size presented a number (n) of 39 participants diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, with a predominance (79%, n = 31) of female patients (female:male ratio = 4:1). The raw prevalence of multiple sclerosis was determined to be 11.6 per 100.000. Concerning the age, the average was 36 years and 69% (n = 27) were aged between 20 to 40 years. The relapsing-remitting clinical form was predominant (87%, n = 34), followed by primary progressive form (7%, n = 3) and only one case of secondary progressive form. The average of the EDSS score was 1. At the time of diagnosis they had a median age of 32 years and at the first onset they had a median age of 27 years. As initial signs and symptoms, 35% (n = 14) reported paresthesia, 28% (n = 11) reported hemiparesis, 23% (n = 9) reported dizziness, 20% (n = 8) reported diplopia or blurred vision, 7% (n = 3) had dismetria. Other symptoms include urinary urgency, holocranial headache and syncope. In the sample, 76% (n = 30) use some disease-modifying drug. Among these, 43% (n = 13) use dimethyl fumarate, 20% (n = 6) use glatiramer acetate, 16% (n = 5) use natalizumab. Other medications include ocrelizumab, interferon beta-1a, teriflunomide and fingolimod. Conclusion: The clinical-epidemiological profile and prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Cascavel (PR) is considered average in accordance with most Brazilian studies.

Palavras Chave

multiple sclerosis; epidemiology; relapsing-remitting; primary progressive; secondary progressive.