Joerg Klewer, MD PhD¹, Dieter Pöhlau, MD PhD², and Joachim Kugler, MD PhD¹. (1) Public Health, Dresden Medical School, IMIB-Fetscherstr. 74, Dresden, 01307, Germany, 0049-351-3177217, Joklewer@aol.com, (2) Dept. of Neurology, Kamillus Hospital, Hospitalstraße 6, Asbach, 53567, Germany

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common non-traumatic neurological disease of the central nervous system. Progress in medical therapy has continuously increased life expectancy in MS patients. Therefore the number of elderly people suffering from MS increases, but little is known about the specific problems of these patients. In collaboration with the German Multiple Sclerosis Association, 827 MS patients living in Saxony with confirmed MS were asked to work on a mailed anonymous questionnaire. The questions were related to demographic data, impairments, therapeutical course, use of CAM, illness related costs and quality of life (SF-36). Response rate was 90% and 85 of these MS patients were of age 65 years or older (average age: 70 years, 81% females). In general, elderly MS patients suffered significantly from chronic progressive courses of MS and reported increased physical impairments, especially in mobility and urinary tract dysfunctions. Speech disturbances were significantly less frequent. Elderly MS patients received significantly more frequent medical care form orthopedic surgeons, urologist, and physiotherapists in private practice, but significantly less frequent from hospital out-patient departments. Subjective quality of life (SF-36) was only significantly impaired in physical dimensions. Elderly MS patients suffer more frequent from chronic progressive courses of MS, and they experience especially physical impairments. Health care professionals should consider increasing independence and quality of life, and avoiding nursing home admissions in the management of elderly MS patients.

Learning Objectives:

• After the presentation the participants should be informed about characteristics the course of MS, physical impairments, and quality of life reported by elderly patients with multiple sclerosis.
• Due to the progress in medical therapy for multiple sclerosis and increasing life expectancy, the group of elderly patients with multiple sclerosis increases to a greater extent. Our results point to the increased physical impairments, and reduced quality of life in elderly MS patients. Furthermore, reduced medical by hospital out-patient departments became obvious. Therefore it is very important to discuss this problem on the APHA Meeting with other public health experts, to develop programs to improve the situation of elderly patients with multiple sclerosis.

Keywords: Health Care, Chronic Diseases

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.