IJAR - Indian Journal of Applied Research

Dr.C.J.SELVAKUMAR; Dr.P.Balamurugan; Dr.P.Praveen Kumar

Volume : VII, Issue : VI, June - 2017

A cross–sectional study of Multiple Sclerosis in a Tertiary care Hospital in Southern India

Dr. C. J. Selvakumar, Dr. P. Balamurugan, Dr. P. Praveen Kumar

Abstract :

Background: Multiple sclerosis is chronic inflammatory demyelinating disorder of central nervous system occurring worldwide. It is believed to be an autoimmune disorder with variability in frequency, severity and chronicity. Materials and Methods: Demographic and clinical records of 40 multiple sclerosis patients were reviewed which included; age, sex, marital and occupation states, presenting symptoms, time of onset, type of MS, family history and history of autoimmune or other disease. Results: In total, 25 patients of multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosed on the basis of Poser’s criteria from Coimbatore Medical college were studied. The mean age of onset was 33.5 in males and 26.40 years in females. Male to female ratio was 1:1.57. Most of the patients were between second and third decade. Definite MS comprised of 64%, while remaining 36% were clinically probable. Visual involvement was seen in 40%, weakness of limbs (35%), sphincter involvement (20%), sensory symptoms (10%) and trigeminal neuralgia (10%) were the most common presenting symptoms. Pyramidal tract involvement (70%), spinothalamic and posterior column involvement (50%), cerebellar (25%), optic nerve (20%), internuclear ophthalmoplegia (8%), and optical involvement (12%) were common signs. Relapsing and remitting MS was found (72%), secondary progressive MS (20%) and primary progressive MS (8%) cases. Magnetic resonance imaging ain showed positive results in 60% cases. Cereospinal fluid was positive for oligoclonal bands in 8% of cases. Visual evoked potentials and ainstem auditory evoked response were positive in 20% and 16% of cases respectively. Conclusion: Findings in this study revealed that the clinical profile of MS in Southern Tamilnadu was similar to that in other parts of the India and Asia.