Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Journal of Multiple Sclerosis Research, cilt.1, sa.1, ss.75-78, 2021 (Hakemli Dergi)
Objective: Similar to its positive effect on the lower extremities, fampridine can also affect upper extremity dysfunction. This study evaluated the
potential effect of fampridine therapy on upper extremity functions in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) by comparing these on the basis of
cerebellar and pyramidal dysfunctions.
Materials and Methods: Patients aged between 18 and 60 years with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and eligible for fampridine therapy due to
walking difficulties were followed-up. Of these, patients with problems such as lack of coordination in hand functions or deficiencies in fine motor
skills, dressing, writing, and/or buttoning were invited to take part in the study. Upper extremity functions were evaluated using the 9-Hole Peg Test
(9-HPT), and general disability was evaluated with the Expanded Disability Status Scale.
Results: One hundred fifty-nine patients were followed-up for 12 months, and 151of them were included in the analysis. Seventy-seven (50
women) healthy controls (HCs) were also included. There was no statistically significant difference between the demographic characteristics of
the two groups. A 19.8% improvement was observed in 9-HPT scores after one month of treatment (p=0.004). This improvement was observed
to persist at the 24th month. Patients with a cerebellar FS score of 0 to 2 (n=76) improved significantly more (p<0.001) than those (23.5%) with a
cerebellar FS score of 3 or higher (9.2%).
Conclusion: The results of this study show that fampridine improves upper extremity functions in pwMS. This improvement was more pronounced
in the group with cerebellar dysfunction.
Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, fampridine, upper extremity, disability level