Physical Activity, Education Level Associated with MS Severity Score

A study evaluated how different lifestyle factors among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) were associated with Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS).

Kuwaiti patients with MS received a questionnaire evaluating smoking, nutritional supplement use, food allergy, physical activity, and educational level to examine their relationship with MSSS using a multiple linear regression model. The models were adjusted for sex, blood transfusion history, age at onset of MS, and marital status.

A total of 128 patients completed the questionnaire. The mean age was 30.94 years, and 64.8% of patients were female. The mean age at onset of MS was 25.98 years, and the median disease duration was three years.

There were no correlations between MSSS and smoking status, passive smoking, and food allergy. Among patients with a college education and graduate/professional degrees, the MSSS score was an average 2.56 points lower than those with less than a high school education (β=−2.22, P=0.045; and β=−2.90, P=0.048, respectively). Physical activity was associated with an average MSSS score of 2.32 points lower compared with patients who did not partake in physical activity (moderate exercise, P=0.003; rigorous exercise, P=0.001). Physical activity was significantly associated with MSSS outcomes (P<0.001).

“Current MS clinical management protocols should consider lifestyle changes to improve the quality of life of patients with MS and their physical rehabilitation,” the study authors concluded.