Article

OBJECTIVE: To compare functional exercise capacity, pulmonary function and
respiratory muscle strength in fully ambulatory patients with multiple sclerosis
with different disability levels and healthy controls, and to elucidate the
determinant factors of functional exercise capacity. METHODS: Forty-three fully
ambulatory patients with multiple sclerosis and 30 healthy controls were included
in the study. Patients were grouped according to Expanded Disability Status Scale
(EDSS); Group I (EDSS 0-2), Group II (EDSS 2.5-4.5). Functional exercise capacity
was evaluated using a six-minute walk test, and measurement of pulmonary
function, and maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP, MEP). The
Pulmonary Index was used as a clinical predictor of respiratory dysfunction.
RESULTS: Respiratory muscle strength was lower in multiple sclerosis groups
compared with controls, but the difference in MIP and %MIP did not reach
statistical significance in Group I. The six-minute walk test distance was
significantly shorter and peak expiratory flow was lower in multiple sclerosis
groups (p < 0.05). Of the variance in the six-minute walk test distance, 75% was
explained by EDSS (R2 = 0.55, p < 0.001), difference in heart rate (R2 = 0.06, p
= 0.007), age (R2 = 0.05, p = 0.009) and gender (R2 = 0.09, p = 0.003).
CONCLUSION: Respiratory muscles are weakened, functional exercise capacity is
reduced and pulmonary function is affected even in the early phase of multiple
sclerosis. Ambulatory patients with multiple sclerosis who have a higher level of
disability have lower pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and
functional capacity than less disabled ones and controls. Neurological disability
level, age, gender and heart rate difference on exertion are the determinants of
functional exercise capacity.

Langue : ANGLAIS