Expiratory times could be used to measure the severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) and to monitor its progression, as they were significantly correlated with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, a recent study found. 50 MS patients and 50 gender- and age-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Maximum expiratory times and maximum phonation times were collected from both groups. Articulation abilities were evaluated using the articulation subtest from the Fussi assessment (dysarthria scores). MS patients were evaluated with the EDSS and correlations between EDSS scores and maximum expiratory times, maximum phonation times, and dysarthria scores were calculated. They found:

• EDSS scores of MS patients ranged from 4.5 to 7.5.
• In MS patients, maximum expiratory times, maximum phonation times, and dysarthria scores were significantly altered compared to healthy controls.
• Moreover, the EDSS scores were correlated with the maximum expiratory times; the maximum expiratory times were correlated with the maximum phonation times, and the maximum phonation times were correlated with the dysarthria scores.