THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AND THE LEVEL OF NEUROLOGICAL DEFICIT IN PATIENTS WITH RRMS

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a severe chronic disease with a complex pathogenesis characterized by a wide range of clinical manifestations, among which cognitive and motor disorders are especially pronounced. The aim of the present article is to study the relationship between the degree of neurological deficit and cognitive functions in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was used to assess neurological deficit, and cognitive functions were analyzed through the Schulte test and the Luria test "Memorizing 10 words". The study included 93 patients with RRMS, who were divided into two groups depending on the level of EDSS (group 1: EDSS < 3 points – 43 patients; group 2: EDSS ≥ 3 points – 50 patients). The research findings uncovered major disparities amongst the clusters. Individuals with an EDSS score ≥ 3 points demonstrated notably weaker outcomes in cognitive evaluations compared to individuals with less severe neurological conditions. The velocity of the Schulte test was significantly slowed down in this cluster, reflecting the exhaustion of cognitive resources. Furthermore, recall assessments indicated troubles in keeping facts within short-term memory, predominantly under the conditions of repetitious tasks. These cognitive deficits showed interrelation with the level of neurological impairment and the advancement of the illness. Conclusions: The study proves that the level of neurological impairment strongly influences the cognitive status of MS patients. Those with a higher EDSS score demonstrate significantly poorer performance on tests measuring attention, memory, and processing speed. Such an effect is particularly evident in test situations that require high concentrations and repetitions of tasks. The findings underscore the urgent need to integrate cognitive assessments into routine monitoring of MS patients.