[New aspects of symptomatic MS treatment: Part 5 - fatigue]

Abstract

The symptomatic treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) is nowadays of similar importance as immunotherapy within a comprehensive treatment concept of this chronic disease. It makes a considerable contribution to the reduction of disabilities in activities of daily living as well as social and occupational life. Moreover, symptomatic treatment is of great importance for amelioration of the quality of life. Since our last survey of symptomatic MS treatment in 2004 and publication of the guidelines of the German Neurological Society and the Clinical Competence Network Multiple Sclerosis (Klinisches Kompetenznetz Multiple Sklerose, KKN-MS) in 2014 several developments within the topics of mobility, bladder and sexual function, vision, fatigue, cognition and rehabilitation have taken place. These new findings together with further aspects of disease measurement methods and overall treatment strategies of the respective symptoms as well as treatment goals are introduced in a series of 6 individual contributions. In this article the symptom of fatigue is discussed.

Keywords: Fatigue; Multiple sclerosis; Quality of life; Symptomatic treatment.