Older men adapt more poorly to aging with multiple sclerosis (MS), compared with older women, according to research published in the July–August issue of International Journal of MS Care. Health and lifestyle behaviors may put older men with MS at greater risk of health decline, said the authors. Older women, however, appear to have more confidence in their ability to cope with challenges and control the course of their disease.
Michelle Ploughman, BScPT, PhD
Healthy Aging With MS
Improved longevity in patients with MS has increased interest in understanding factors associated with healthy aging. Previous studies suggested that factors such as depression, disability, decreased levels of social support, and unemployment predict health-related quality of life in MS.
Two studies examining sex differences in health-related quality of life in young to middle-aged patients with MS found that the association between disability and health-related quality of life was stronger in men than in women. No studies, however, have examined sex differences in health perception among older people with MS, according to the authors.
Analysis of a Canadian Postal Survey
To determine whether older women and men with MS have different health and lifestyle behaviors and whether there are sex differences in contributors to perceived health, Dr. Ploughman and colleagues analyzed data from the Canadian Survey of Health, Lifestyle, and Aging With MS. This cross-sectional study included Canadians older than 55 who had had MS for at least 20 years. Of 921 people contacted, 743 (577 women) returned the mailed questionnaire.
The questionnaire asked about biologic factors (eg, comorbid conditions, years since MS diagnosis), symptoms (eg, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and stress), function (eg, disability and participation), and individual and environmental factors (eg, socioeconomic status, education, and social or health support). Researchers used multiple regression analysis to build explanatory models of health perception.
Older Men With MS Were Less Resilient
Investigators found no differences in disability between men and women, nor differences in age, years of education, or years since MS diagnosis. Older men had lower perceived health and lower resilience, and participated less in life roles than did older women.
In addition, men had more depressive symptoms, and women reported more anxiety. Women also reported higher adherence to a healthy diet (ie, one high in fruits and vegetables and low in meat). Men consumed more alcohol weekly.
Depression was the strongest predictor of health perception in women and men. Other contributors included household participation, fatigue, resilience, and disability in women and physical activity, financial flexibility, and alcohol use in men.
More research is necessary to examine healthy aging in the oldest people with MS, such as octogenarians, said the authors.
—Erica Tricarico
Suggested Reading
Ploughman M, Collins K, Wallack EM, et al. Women’s and men’s differing experiences of health, lifestyle, and aging with multiple sclerosis. Int J MS Care. 2017;19(4):165-171.