Among individuals with MS, the extent of mental and physical functioning appears to be affected by the sociodemographic factors, such as education level, and the severity of MS, a study published in the June issue of the journal Multiple Sclerosis suggests.

Researchers collected data from 166 patients with MS to assess cognitive and motor function as related to disease severity and sociodemographic factors.

Mental functioning was evaluated with a mental health exam, a word test involving recall and recognition, as well as a test of mental speed and mental flexibility.

To measure physical functioning, the subjects underwent a manual dexterity test with the 9-hole peg test and a test of overall motor capacity. The participants also completed a timed 10-meter walking evaluation.

The results from the cognitive tests showed that 55 percent of the subjects scored within the normal range of the mental health exam, 84 percent were within the normal range of the word recall test and 45 percent were within the normal range on the test of mental speed and mental flexibility.

In addition, 27 percent of the MS patients demonstrated normal manual dexterity, 9 percent had the highest motor capacity score and 8 percent walked at a normal speed.

The researchers also found that normal cognitive function was associated with lower disability and higher education. Having lower disability and current employment were predictive of being able to perform the 9-hole peg test and walk ten meters.

"Disease severity and sociodemographic factors--employment, education level, living with partner, and living in a private household--were independently associated with function," the researchers concluded.

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