Changes in disability in people with multiple sclerosis: a 10-year prospective study

Background

Little is known about the long-term course of disability in relation with disease severity in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).

Objective

To explore changes in a broad spectrum of disability over 10 years in relation with disease severity in PwMS.

Methods

We conducted a longitudinal study of 155 PwMS who attended the MS Centre at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm. Disease severity was determined by the use of the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and classified as mild MS (EDSS score 0–3.5) or moderate/severe MS (EDSS score 4–9.5). Ten-year changes in perceived physical and psychological impacts of MS, walking, cognition, manual dexterity, participation in social/lifestyle activities, and signs of depression were compared between PwMS with mild and moderate/severe MS at baseline.

Results

Although walking, manual dexterity, and cognition declined in both groups, only the moderate/severe group demonstrated that long-term increased physical impact of MS, increased wheel-chair dependency, and reduced participation in social/lifestyle activities. Perceived psychological impact of MS declined in both groups, while signs of depression were experienced by fewer in the mild group and remained unaltered in the moderate/severe group.

Conclusion

We found a more pronounced increase in disability across 10 years in individuals with moderate/severe MS compared to mild MS. These findings accentuate the importance of developing a variety of interventions that can be applied across the spectrum of disease severity.

     

Comparison of Personal Resources in Patients Who Differently Estimate the Impact of Multiple Sclerosis

Background

Discrepancies between physicians’ assessment and patients’ subjective representations of the disease severity may influence physician-patient communication and management of a chronic illness, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). For these reasons, it is important to recognize factors that distinguish patients who differently estimate the impact of MS.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to verify if the patients who overestimate or underestimate the impact of MS differ in their perception of personal resources from individuals presenting with a realistic appraisal of their physical condition.

Methods

A total of 172 women and 92 men diagnosed with MS completed Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale, University of Washington Self Efficacy Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Body Esteem Scale, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, Treatment Beliefs Scale, Actually Received Support Scale, and Socioeconomic resources scale. Physician’s assessment of health status was determined with Expanded Disability Status Scale.

Results

Linear regression analysis was conducted to identify the subsets of patients with various patterns of subjective health and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores. Patients overestimating the impact of their disease presented with significantly lower levels of self-esteem, self-efficacy in MS, and body esteem; furthermore, they perceived their condition more threatening than did realists and underestimators. They also assessed anti-MS treatment worse, had less socioeconomic resources, and received less support than underestimators. Additionally, underestimators presented with significantly better perception of their disease, self, and body than did realists.

Conclusion

Self-assessment of MS-related symptoms is associated with specific perception of personal resources in coping with the disease. These findings may facilitate communication with patients and point to new directions for future research on adaptation to MS.

     

Mindfulness Meditation for Chronic Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background

Chronic pain patients increasingly seek treatment through mindfulness meditation.

Purpose

This study aims to synthesize evidence on efficacy and safety of mindfulness meditation interventions for the treatment of chronic pain in adults.

Method

We conducted a systematic review on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with meta-analyses using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman method for random-effects models. Quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Outcomes included pain, depression, quality of life, and analgesic use.

Results

Thirty-eight RCTs met inclusion criteria; seven reported on safety. We found low-quality evidence that mindfulness meditation is associated with a small decrease in pain compared with all types of controls in 30 RCTs. Statistically significant effects were also found for depression symptoms and quality of life.

Conclusions

While mindfulness meditation improves pain and depression symptoms and quality of life, additional well-designed, rigorous, and large-scale RCTs are needed to decisively provide estimates of the efficacy of mindfulness meditation for chronic pain.

     

Effects of motor rehabilitation on mobility and brain plasticity in multiple sclerosis: a structural and functional MRI study

Background

Rehabilitation seems to promote brain plasticity, but objective measures of efficacy are lacking and there is a limited understanding of the mechanisms underlying functional recovery.

Objective

To study functional and structural brain changes induced by gait rehabilitation.

Methods

We enrolled MS inpatients (EDSS 4.5–6.5) undergoing a 4-week neurorehabilitation. Several clinical measures were obtained, including: 2-min walk test (2MWT), dynamic gait index (DGI), Berg balance scale (BBS). Furthermore, motor-task functional MRI (fMRI) of plantar dorsiflexion, resting state fMRI, and regional diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics were obtained. All the assessments were performed at baseline (T0), after the end of the rehabilitation period (T1) and 3 months later (T2).

Results

Twenty-nine patients were enrolled at T0, 26 at T1, and 16 completed all timepoints. At T1, there was a significant improvement of 2MWT, DGI, and BBS scores, along with a reduced extent of the widespread activation related to the motor task at the fMRI and an increased functional connectivity in the precentral and post-central gyrus, bilaterally. None of these changes were maintained at T2.

Conclusions

Our findings show a short-term beneficial effect of motor rehabilitation on gait performances in MS, accompanied by brain functional reorganization in the sensory-motor network.

     

Extended family and friendship support and suicidality among African Americans

Purpose

This study examined the relationship between informal social support from extended family and friends and suicidality among African Americans.

Methods

Logistic regression analysis was based on a nationally representative sample of African Americans from the National Survey of American Life (N = 3263). Subjective closeness and frequency of contact with extended family and friends and negative family interaction were examined in relation to lifetime suicide ideation and attempts.

Results

Subjective closeness to family and frequency of contact with friends were negatively associated with suicide ideation and attempts. Subjective closeness to friends and negative family interaction were positively associated with suicide ideation and attempts. Significant interactions between social support and negative interaction showed that social support buffers against the harmful effects of negative interaction on suicidality.

Conclusions

Findings are discussed in relation to the functions of positive and negative social ties in suicidality.

     

Onset of bladder and motor symptoms in multiple system atrophy: differences according to phenotype

Purpose

To compare the order of presentation of bladder and motor symptoms between multiple system atrophy phenotypes.

Methods

Medical records were retrospectively reviewed in 144 patients.

Results

Bladder symptoms occurred either before or within 12 months after onset of motor symptoms in significantly more patients with the cerebellar phenotype than the parkinsonian phenotype (80 vs. 53%, p = 0.003); similar results were observed for urinary incontinence (79 vs. 45%, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Urinary dysfunction is more likely to appear either before or shortly after motor symptoms in the cerebellar phenotype than in the parkinsonian phenotype.

     

Evaluation of the diagnostic implications of Das-Naglieri cognitive assessment system in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Background

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental characterized by attention deficit, hyperactivity, emotional impulses and difficulty with cognitive functions. The Das-Naglieri Cognitive Assessment System (DN: CAS), as a theory-driven assessment kit, was explored based on Planning, Attention, Simultaneous, and Successive Theory (PASS). Recent researches have tried to explore the sensitivity and specificity of DN: CAS in diagnosing ADHD; nevertheless, these studies were performed in a small study population. The following study explores the cognitive functions in ADHD by the DN: CAS and to evaluate the DN: CAS’s diagnostic value in ADHD.

Methods

A total of 135 children with ADHD and 140 healthy controls were enrolled to evaluate cognitive function by the DN: CAS. ROC curve and the area under the curve (AUC) were applied to evaluate the diagnostic value of DN: CAS on ADHD.

Results

Compared with healthy controls, children with ADHD had significantly lower scores in Planning, Simultaneous (Verbal-Spatial Relations), Attention in the four Subtests of DN: CAS, as well as the total scores. ROC analysis indicated that Planning and Attention of DN: CAS had good classification accuracy in diagnosing ADHD with AUCs of 0.808 and 0.730, respectively.

Conclusions

The planning and attention assessment of DN: CAS revealed high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing ADHD, thus suggesting that DN: CAS might be an effective tool in diagnosing ADHD.

     

Aesthetic Amenities and Safety Hazards Associated with Walking and Bicycling for Transportation in New York City

Background

One strategy to address health problems related to insufficient physical activity is to examine modifiable neighborhood characteristics associated with active transportation.

Purpose

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether neighborhoods with more aesthetic amenities (sidewalk cafés, street trees, and clean sidewalks) and fewer safety hazards (pedestrian-auto fatalities and homicides) are associated with active transportation.

Methods

The 2003 Community Health Survey in New York City, which asked about active transportation (walking or bicycling >10 blocks) in the past 30 days, was linked to ZIP-code population census and built environment characteristics. Adjusted associations were estimated for dichotomous (any active transportation versus none) and continuous (trip frequency) active transportation outcomes.

Results

Among 8,034 adults, those living near sidewalk cafés were 10 % more likely to report active transportation (p?=?0.01). Homicide rate was associated with less frequent active transportation among those reporting any active transportation (p?=?0.002).

Conclusions

Investments in aesthetic amenities or homicide prevention may help to promote active transportation.

     

A Review of Environmental Influences on Food Choices

Background

Diet-related environmental and policy interventions are being advocated at a population level because individual change is more likely to be facilitated and sustained if the environment within which choices are made supports healthful food options.

Purpose

This study aims to review research that examines factors having an influence on food choices in social environments, physical environments, and macroenvironments.

Methods

A snowball strategy was used to identify relevant peer-reviewed studies and reviews, with a focus on research completed in the US and published within the past 10 years.

Results

Research has identified a number of environmental factors associated with dietary intake; however, the majority of completed studies have methodological limitations which limit their credibility to guide interventions and policy changes.

Conclusions

Future research will need to emphasize multilevel investigations, examine how associations vary across population subgroups, develop a standard set of measures for assessing food environments and policies, and improve dietary assessment methodology.

     

Idiopathisch generalisierte Epilepsien

Background

Although the sociomedical importance of epilepsies has been extensively investigated, data regarding social long-term outcome and quality of life of people with idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGE) are lacking.

Objectives

Predictors for the psychosocial outcome and the quality of life in patients with IGE are identified and discussed.

Materials and methods

The findings of existing studies on the social outcome in patients with various IGE syndromes are analyzed and discussed.

Results

Patients with absence epilepsy or juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) are reported to have an unfavorable psychosocial outcome. While in JME a lower seizure frequency or remission of the epilepsy correlates with a favorable psychosocial outcome and a higher quality of life, remission of epilepsy is not predictive for a better social outcome among patients with absence epilepsy. Compared to other IGE syndromes, IGE with generalized, tonic–clonic seizures on awakening appears have a more favorable psychosocial outcome.

Conclusion

Several predictors for the psychosocial outcome and the quality of life have been identified and may potentially increase the clinicians’ ability and confidence to recommend different treatment options to patients with IGE.

     

CANOMAD and other chronic ataxic neuropathies with disialosyl antibodies (CANDA)

Introduction

CANOMAD/CANDA are syndromes characterized by ataxic neuropathy, ophthalmoplegia, monoclonal gammopathy, cold agglutinins and disialosyl antibodies.

Methods

A retrospective review of our neuromuscular autoantibody panel database was performed. Anti-GD1b seropositive patients with ataxia were included.

Results

Eleven patients were identified. Median age at onset was 56 years. Median disease duration was 6 years. All patients had gait disorders. Nine had ocular motility abnormalities. Most had a monoclonal protein and all had elevated serum IgM. Electrodiagnostic studies showed a mixed axonal/demyelinating pattern (6), an axonal pattern (4), or a pure demyelinating pattern (1). Ultrasounds showed nerve enlargement patterns consistent with acquired demyelination. A nerve biopsy showed near complete loss of myelinated axons with preservation of smaller axons. Rituximab was the most effective immunotherapy.

Conclusion

CANOMAD/CANDA are rare and debilitating disorders with characteristic clinical and diagnostic findings. In our cohort, nerve ultrasound showed regional nerve enlargement and rituximab was the most effective immunomodulatory therapy.

     

Intravenous Versus Oral Acetaminophen for Pain Control in Neurocritical Care Patients

Background

Acetaminophen (APAP) is used in neurocritical care (NCC) patients for analgesia without sedation or antiplatelet activity. Research suggests that intravenous (IV) APAP produces earlier and higher serum levels compared to oral (PO) APAP. This retrospective study evaluates the associated analgesic effects of IV and PO APAP and use of adjunctive opioids in NCC patients with moderate-severe pain.

Methods

Patients admitted to the neuroscience intensive care unit (NSICU) between May 2012 and April 2013 who received ≥1 dose of IV APAP were included in the study. IV and PO APAP doses administered with a predose pain score ≥4 within 1 h of dosing were compared. Pain intensity difference (PID) was calculated as the change between the pain score prior to each dose and scores at 30 min, 1, 2, 3, and 6 h postdose. Pre- and postdose morphine milligram equivalents (MME) were also calculated.

Results

309 NSICU patients received 459 doses of IV and 440 doses of PO APAP meeting our inclusion criteria. The PID at 30 min postdosing was significantly higher among those receiving IV APAP compared to those receiving PO APAP (p = 0.003). No significant difference in PID was seen at 1, 2, 3, and 6 h; and there was no significant difference in pre- or postdose MME between the two groups.

Conclusion

IV APAP was more effective than PO APAP at relieving pain within 30 min of dosing, but this difference was not sustained over 6 h. Further studies are needed to assess the benefits of this rapid onset of action.

     

A Self-Regulatory Intervention for Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: Pilot Randomized Trial

Background

Research is yet to investigate whether psychological interventions delivered early after diagnosis can benefit patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a brief self-regulatory intervention (targeting illness perceptions and coping) at improving HNC patient health-related quality of life (HRQL).

Methods

A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted, in which 64 patients were assigned to receive three sessions with a health psychologist in addition to standard care or standard care alone. Participants completed questionnaires assessing HRQL, general distress, and illness perceptions at baseline and again 3 and 6 months later.

Results

Compared to the control group, patients who received the intervention had increased treatment control perceptions at 3 months (p = .01), and increased social quality of life at 6 months (p = .01). The intervention was particularly helpful for patients exhibiting distress at baseline.

Conclusion

A brief psychological intervention following HNC diagnosis can improve patient perceptions of treatment and social quality of life over time. Such interventions could be targeted to patients who are distressed in order to confer the greatest benefit.

Trial Registration Number

12614000813684.

     

Autoimmune comorbidities in multiple sclerosis: what is the influence on brain volumes? A case–control MRI study

Background

Several studies indicated that multiple sclerosis (MS) is frequently associated with other autoimmune diseases. However, it is little known if the coexistence of these conditions may influence the radiologic features of MS, and in particular the brain volumes.

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of autoimmune comorbidities on brain atrophy in a large case–control MS population.

Methods

A group of MS patients affected by a second autoimmune disorder, and a control MS group without any comorbidity, were recruited. Patients underwent a brain MRI and volumes of whole brain (WB), white matter (WM), and gray matter (GM) with cortical GM were estimated by SIENAX.

Results

The sample included 286 MS patients, of which 30 (10.5%) subjects with type 1 diabetes (T1D), 53 (18.5%) with autoimmune thyroiditis (AT) and 4 (0.1%) with celiac disease. Multiple regression analysis found an association between T1D and lower GM (p?=?0.038) and cortical GM (p?=?0.036) volumes, independent from MS clinical features and related to T1D duration (p?<?0.01), while no association was observed with AT and celiac disease.

Conclusions

Our data support the importance of considering T1D as possible factors influencing the brain atrophy in MS. Further studies are needed to confirm our data and to clarify the underlying mechanisms.

     

Efficacy and safety outcomes in vitamin D supplement users in the fingolimod phase 3 trials

Background

Low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D have been associated with worse outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with interferon-beta. Association of vitamin D nutrition on the outcomes of other MS therapies has been studied less.

Objective

Whether patients in the phase 3 fingolimod trials using vitamin D supplements have better clinical, MRI and safety outcomes than non-users.

Materials and methods

Pooled data from phase 3 FREEDOMS trials was analyzed post hoc. Vitamin D use was defined as ‘non-users’ (n = 562), ‘casual users’ (n = 157) and ‘daily users’ (usage 100% time in the study, n = 110).

Results

Expanded Disability Status Scale change from baseline to month 24, and annual relapse rate and proportion of patients with relapses were similar across the vitamin D user groups. Proportion of patients free of new/enlarging T2 lesions significantly favored vitamin D ‘daily users’ versus ‘non-users’. Mean number of lesions were lower and proportion of patients free of gadolinium-enhanced T1-lesions were higher in the ‘daily users’. At month 12, percent brain volume change was significantly lower in the ‘daily users’ versus ‘non-users’ and remained low at month 24 (non-significant). Incidence of depression was lower for vitamin D ‘daily users’ (non-significant).

Conclusions

We observed improved MRI outcomes on percent brain volume change and proportion of patients free of new/enlarging T2 lesions, and a trend of less depression in the ‘daily users’ of vitamin D supplement in patients in the FREEDOMS trials.

     

The Use of Cannabis and Cannabinoids in Treating Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis: a Systematic Review of Reviews

Purpose of Review

Pharmaceutical cannabinoids such as nabiximols, nabilone and dronabinol, and plant-based cannabinoids have been investigated for their therapeutic potential in treating multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms. This review of reviews aimed to synthesise findings from high quality systematic reviews that examined the safety and effectiveness of cannabinoids in multiple sclerosis. We examined the outcomes of disability and disability progression, pain, spasticity, bladder function, tremor/ataxia, quality of life and adverse effects.

Recent Findings

We identified 11 eligible systematic reviews providing data from 32 studies, including 10 moderate to high quality RCTs. Five reviews concluded that there was sufficient evidence that cannabinoids may be effective for symptoms of pain and/or spasticity in MS. Few reviews reported conclusions for other symptoms.

Summary

Recent high quality reviews find cannabinoids may have modest effects in MS for pain or spasticity. Future research should include studies with non-cannabinoid comparators; this is an important gap in the evidence.

     

Link between overweight/obese in children and youngsters and occurrence of multiple sclerosis

Background/aims

The prevalence of overweight/obesity is a major problem in the world, and the number of MS cases is increasing. This literature study examines the relationship between overweight/obesity in children and adolescents and later occurrence of MS.

Method

This is a complete literature survey. The search database is primarily Pubmed using MeSH terms “multiple sclerosis”, “obesity”, and “overweight”, and text words not to restrict searches.

Results

All included studies show a link between being overweight/obese and the presence of MS among people below 20 years of age. The relation is especially true for young girls. The same relation in boys is not significant.

Conclusion

The literature survey convincingly revealed a link between young overweight/obese and occurrence of MS, in particular for girls. There is a need for more and larger studies to investigate the molecular mechanisms that link obesity and MS.

     

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in the Elderly

Purpose of Review

This article aims to review select applications of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) that have significant relevance in geriatric psychiatry.

Recent Findings

Small study sizes and parameter variability limit the generalizability of many TMS studies in geriatric patients. Additionally, geriatric patients have unique characteristics that can moderate the efficacy of TMS. Nonetheless, several promising experimental applications in addition to the FDA-approved indication for major depression have emerged. Cognitive impairment, neuropathic pain, and smoking cessation are experimental applications with special significance to the elderly. Cognitive impairment has been researched the most in this population and evidence thus far suggests that TMS has potential therapeutic benefit. There is also evidence to suggest benefit from TMS for neuropathic pain and smoking cessation in working age adults. TMS is consistently reported as a safe and well-tolerated treatment modality with no adverse cognitive side effects.

Summary

TMS is a safe treatment modality that can be effective for certain applications in the elderly. Additional research that specifically includes older subjects is needed to replicate findings and to optimize treatment protocols for this population.

     

The Neuralgias

Purpose of Review

Neuralgias are characterized by pain in the distribution of a cranial or cervical nerve. Typically, they are brief, paroxysmal, painful attacks, although continuous neuropathic pain may occur. The most commonly encountered conditions are trigeminal, postherpetic, and occipital neuralgia. Less common neuralgias include glossopharyngeal, superior laryngeal, auriculotemporal, and nervus intermedius neuralgia, among others. The approach to diagnosis and treatment of this group of disorders is reviewed.

Recent Findings

Recent guidelines of medication administration, the use of botulinum toxin, and more targeted procedures have improved treatment of neuralgias.

Summary

Patients who present with neuralgias should have imaging studies to investigate for structural abnormalities unless the etiology is apparent. Management of both common and rare neuralgias can be challenging and is best guided by the most recent available evidence.

     

Are Optimism and Cynical Hostility Associated with Smoking Cessation in Older Women?

Background

Optimism and cynical hostility independently predict morbidity and mortality in Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) participants and are associated with current smoking. However, their association with smoking cessation in older women is unknown.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to test whether optimism (positive future expectations) or cynical hostility (mistrust of others) predicts smoking cessation in older women.

Methods

Self-reported smoking status was assessed at years 1, 3, and 6 after study entry for WHI baseline smokers who were not missing optimism or cynical hostility scores (n = 10,242). Questionnaires at study entry assessed optimism (Life Orientation Test-Revised) and cynical hostility (Cook-Medley, cynical hostility subscale). Generalized linear mixed models adjusted for sociodemographics, lifestyle factors, and medical and psychosocial characteristics including depressive symptoms.

Results

After full covariate adjustment, optimism was not related to smoking cessation. Each 1-point increase in baseline cynical hostility score was associated with 5% lower odds of cessation over 6 years (OR = 0.95, CI = 0.92–0.98, p = 0.0017).

Conclusions

In aging postmenopausal women, greater cynical hostility predicts lower smoking cessation over time. Future studies should examine whether individuals with this trait may benefit from more intensive cessation resources or whether attempting to mitigate cynical hostility itself may aid smoking cessation.