Application of specific neurological disability scale in HTLV-1 carriers

Abstract

Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) is associated with Tropical Spastic Paraparesis / HTLV-1 Associated Myelopathy (HAM / TSP), a disease characterized by slow and progressive evolution. Multiple aspects regarding evolution, disability profile and therapeutic options still remain obscure due to the lack of an adequate tool for specific health measurement. The objective of the study was to describe the results of the application of the EIPEC-2 scale in HTLV-1 patients seen at the UFPA NMT outpatient clinic. A cross-sectional study of 39 patients identified with anti-HTLV and HTLV-1 proviral DNA from March to June 2017 was performed. These were divided into 3 groups: Defined for HAM / TSP (Group 1 = 13); Probable / possible for HAM / TSP (Group 2 = 10); No HAM / TSP (Group 3 = 16). There was a predominance of 74.4% of women with a mean of 52 years (SD ± 13.2), but not statistically significant (p = 0.366), compared to men (56.3 ± 8.3 years). Groups 1, 2 and 3 presented, respectively, the following scores on the scale: 16.3 ± 5.3; 6.6 ± 4.1; 4.6 ± 3.7. As to gait, Group 1 presented a 30.77% need for walking support and 69.23% use of a wheelchair. Groups 2 and 3 presented few individuals who needed support for ambulation (10% and 6.25%, respectively). EIPEC-2 demonstrated consistency in score scores according to the degree of neurological involvement in each group. The use of scale is suggested by the need for an early HAM / TSP measurement.