Symptom clusters in women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Abstract

The purpose of this secondary analysis was to investigate the relationships among a set of symptoms (fatigue, depression, impaired cognitive function, sleep disturbance) with pain severity and demographic variables. The sample of 40 women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis completed instruments of pain, fatigue, depression, sleep disturbance, and an objective cognitive measure. Analysis identified one symptom cluster of pain, fatigue, depression, sleep disturbance, and impaired cognitive function, whereas a relationship between that symptom cluster and employment status existed. Pain severity correlated with fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression, and impaired cognitive function. Preliminary findings support providing education on symptoms to women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis to ultimately guide their care.