International Journal of Family Medicine & Healthcare
Open AccessComorbidities in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and How Lifestyle Behaviors Can Change the Comorbidities, Role of the Family Physician and Neurologist
Authors: María de los Ángeles Mejía, Pahola Araujo.
Abstract
Introduction: Comorbidity can be defined as any additional disease that coexists in an individual with a given index disease, which is not an obvious complication of the index disease. Physical and mental comorbid conditions are common among persons with MS.
Searching Strategy and Selection Criteria: We identified relevant articles in English for this review by searching PubMed, for articles published between January 1, 2017, and Feb 28, 2023, and reference lists from relevant articles.
Comorbidities in MS: The most prevalent comorbidities in MS are depression (23.7%), anxiety (21.9%), hypertension (18.6%), hypercholesterolemia (10.9%), and chronic lung disease (10%).
Lifestyle Behaviors: In the last years, multiple studies shown that the exercise can improve not only the physical part, also the mental health and quality of life. In the recent years several studies concludes that the Paleolithic diet have good results in the relieve of the symptoms of MS like fatigue and the cognitive functions. It ?s well know that the stress, depression, and anxiety have a high prevalence in MS patients. In one cross-sectional study of RRMS and PMS patients, the patients with RRMS reported a higher emotional support, affection support and positive social interaction.
Conclusion: Having lifestyle changes like exercise, good nutrition and supplementation can reduce the risk of the mention comorbidities also have a positive result in the psychological and social area diminishing symptoms and mental diseases.
Editor-in-Chief
View full editorial board →