Cognitive performance profile in different phenotypes of MS with cognitive complaints

Abstract

Background: The relationship between cognitive impairment and disease course and severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) is not well understood.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether cognitive complaints in different clinical phenotypes and severity stages of MS are associated with differences in the profile of cognitive impairment.

Methods: 196 MS patients (relapsing-remitting RRMS n=138; secondary progressive SPMS n=32; primary progressive PPMS n=26) with perceived cognitive deficits underwent neuropsychological assessment with the brief repeatable battery of neuropsychological tests (BRBNT). Mood, impact of the disease, and quality of life were evaluated with self-reports.

Results: Only minor differences were observed in the cognitive impairment profile of different disease phenotypes and different disease severity stages. RRMS patients performed better only in one cognitive test of the BRBNT, than patients with progressive disease types. When RRMS, SPMS, and PPMS groups were evaluated separately, PPMS showed more pronounced cognitive impairments than RRMS and SPMS. The relationships between cognitive impairment and severity of disability as well as duration of disease were weak.

Conclusion: MS patients with cognitive complaints tend to have a relatively similar cognitive impairment profile which is not dependent on the disease course and severity.

Keywords: Clinical phenotype; Cognitive impairment; Disease course; MS; Multiple sclerosis; Physical disability.