Obesity may delay MS diagnosis
Obese people may not receive timely multiple sclerosis care because their weight may lead to delays in the diagnosis of their condition, it has been claimed.
According to Canadian researchers, people with obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol may not be diagnosed with multiple sclerosis as quickly as other patients because doctors may be inclined to attribute their symptoms to pre-existing conditions.
The team studied the medical records of 8,983 people with multiple sclerosis and found that it took between one and ten years longer for people who were obese, smokers, or had physical or mental health conditions to receive their diagnosis.
In addition, the researchers found that people with a number of medical problems tended to have more severe multiple sclerosis symptoms by the time they were diagnosed.
Symptoms may include balance difficulties, fatigue, mood changes, muscle spasms and tremors.
Study author Dr Ruth Ann Marrie, of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, commented: "Our study suggests that doctors who treat people with chronic diseases should not attribute new neurological symptoms such as numbness and tingling to existing conditions without careful consideration."
The findings are published in Neurology journal.