Relationship of Fatigue to Heat Sensitivity in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Review for Management

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disabling progressive neurologic disorder in which fatigue is recognized as a significant symptom. However, an often self-reported complaint of patients with MS is heat sensitivity. A literature search was conducted to determine if there was a relationship between these 2 symptoms in patients with MS. The search yielded 10 studies published since 2006, all indicating a positive relationship between fatigue and heat sensitivity. Because fatigue and heat sensitivity are not routinely grouped together, the information in this article will provide recent evidence for nurse practitioners in the management of both fatigue and heat sensitivity in patients with MS.