MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: AN INTEGRATED ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL ASPECTS, TREATMENT, AND PATIENTS’ QUALITY OF LIFE

Abstract

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory, autoimmune, and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, characterized by axonal degeneration and heterogeneous clinical manifestations. The condition predominantly affects young adults and may significantly impair patients’ functionality and quality of life, causing physical, cognitive, emotional, and social repercussions. Objective: To analyze, in an integrated manner, the clinical aspects of multiple sclerosis, the main available therapeutic approaches, and their impacts on patients’ quality of life. Materials and Methods: This study consists of an integrative literature review conducted in the databases PubMed, SciELO, and Virtual Health Library. Controlled descriptors from MeSH and DeCS vocabularies were used, combined through the Boolean operators AND and OR. Articles published between 2015 and 2026, available in full text in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, addressing clinical manifestations, treatment, and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis were included. Results: Initially, 864 studies were identified. After applying the eligibility criteria and conducting a full-text review, 10 articles comprised the final sample of this review. The studies showed that the main clinical manifestations include motor impairments, visual deficits, fatigue, pain, and cognitive dysfunction. Regarding treatment, significant advances were observed in disease-modifying therapies, especially immunomodulators and immunosuppressants, which are capable of reducing relapses and delaying clinical progression. In addition, significant impacts on quality of life were identified, including anxiety, depression, functional limitations, and inequalities in access to treatment. Conclusion: It is concluded that multiple sclerosis requires a multidisciplinary approach and continuous follow-up, considering not only the clinical control of the disease but also its psychosocial impacts. Early diagnosis, treatment adherence, and multiprofessional support are essential to improve clinical outcomes and patients’ quality of life.