Eureka! Institutional Repository

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease in which the insulating covers of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are damaged. This disorder disturbs the ability of certain centers of the nervous system to interact, leading to the emergence of a series of signs and symptoms, including physiological, mental and sometimes psychiatric disorders. Nutrition is one of the possible environmental factors involved in the pathogenesis of MS, but its role as complementary treatment for the disease is unclear. At present, MS therapy is not associated to a particular diet, probably due to lack of information on the effects of nutrition on the disease. In this study, the nutritional status in the MS patients was investigated at different stages of disease progression. Particularly, information from their dietary and medical history, were evaluated in conjunction with their body weight changes. Existing data reveal that the disease occursmore often in women than in men and the RRMS (Relapsingremitting MS) is the most common type of MS. In many studies, the depression has been reported as the most common emotional disorder and is an early manifestation of the disease, such as the smoking, which seems to be consistent with the data of this study. Of particular interest is the fact that a high percentage of MS patients were obese or overweight, with the 57% of them tohave a high or moderate risk of morbidity WHR. Based on the MED questionnaire, the patients with a low degree of Mediterranean diet use were also the patients with the most severe symptoms. Also, these patients had increased BMI and WHR, and showed low levels of ferritin, red blood cells, albumin, HDL and SGOT / SGPT, whereas fasting glucose levels were elevated. Finally, the three calibration systems had be used in the current study and had assessed the nutritional status of MS patients. The findings of them lead us to conclude that further studies are needed, which will ultimately show screening test has the highest sensitivity in patients with a CP, or whereas a new questionnaire more specific to this condition should be created.