Recovery following acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis: from impairment to quality of life

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francois Bethoux ◽  
Deborah M Miller ◽  
R Philip Kinkel

To observe the pattern of recovery after treatment with intravenous Methylprednisolone (i.v. MP) for a relapse of multiple sclerosis (MS), and to determine the best time to plan further interventions such as rehabilitation, we assessed consecutive outpatients (n=24) treated with i.v. MP for a relapse over a period of 12 weeks. Outcomes measures used were the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), the Incapacity Status Scale (ISS), the MOS Short Form-36 (SF-36), the Mental Health Inventory (MHI), and the MS-Related Symptom Checklist (MSSCL). There was statistically significant early improvement of EDSS and ISS scores, which was sustained until week 12, and significant improvement of MHI and MSSCL scores between 4 and 12 weeks. Although trends for improvement of scores reflecting the same pattern of recovery were observed with the SF-36 physical and mental composites, these changes did not reach statistical significance. Our results suggest that improvement of impairments and disability after treatment with i.v. MP for a relapse of MS occurs early, while improvement of subjective health status is delayed. Even after maximum improvement is reached, patients are left with multiple symptoms and functional limitations, and may benefit from additional rehabilitative interventions.

2008 ◽  
Vol 159 (6) ◽  
pp. 811-817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Bleicken ◽  
Stefanie Hahner ◽  
Melanie Loeffler ◽  
Manfred Ventz ◽  
Bruno Allolio ◽  
...  

ContextRecent studies have suggested that current glucocorticoid replacement therapies fail to fully restore well-being in patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI).ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of different glucocorticoid preparations used for replacement therapy on subjective health status (SHS) in AI.Design and patientsIn a cross-sectional study, primary and secondary AI patients were contacted by mail. Individual glucocorticoid replacement regimens, underlying diagnoses and comorbidities were verified by questionnaires and review of medical records. Patients were asked to complete three validated self-assessment questionnaires (Short Form 36 (SF-36), Giessen Complaint List (GBB-24), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Results were compared with sex- and age-matched controls drawn from the questionnaire-specific reference cohort.ResultsOf the 883 patients identified, 526 agreed to participate in the study. Completed questionnaire sets were available from 427 patients (primary AI n=232; secondary AI n=195). AI patients showed significantly impaired SHS compared with controls irrespective of the glucocorticoid used for replacement. The only difference in SHS between patients on prednisolone (PR) and hydrocortisone (all patients and sub-analysis for primary AI) was significant higher bodily pain (lower Z-score in SF-36) in patients on PR (P<0.05, P<0.01 respectively). In patients with secondary AI, the PR group showed significantly (P<0.05) less heart complaints (lower Z-score) in the GBB questionnaire compared with the cortisone acetate group.ConclusionsGlucocorticoid replacement therapy with PR seems to be equivalent to hydrocortisone regarding SHS in patients with AI. However, SHS remains impaired in all patient groups suggesting a need for further improved glucocorticoid replacement strategies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1203-1203
Author(s):  
Arthur M Horton ◽  
Cecil Reynolds

Abstract Objective This poster explores demographic correlates of a recently developed Short-Form Test of Executive Functioning. Method Subjects were 23 adults referred by neurologists and psychiatrist for neuropsychological testing to a private practice. All subjects signed informed consent documents. Subjects included 12 males and 11 females, 20 subjects were Caucasians and 3 were African-Americans, 22 were right handed. The subjects’ ages ranged from 20 to 74 (M-52.04, SD-14.87) and the subjects education levels ranged from 10–20 (M-15.87, SD-3.45). Diagnoses included Stroke-12, Traumatic Brain Injury-6, Alzheimer’s disease-2, Multiple Sclerosis-1, Parkinson’s disease-1 and Epilepsy-1. All subjects were administered neuropsychological testing including the Short-Form Test of Executive Functioning (SF-TEF) The Sf-TEF is composed of 3 card sorting subtests of the Test of Verbal and Conceptual Fluency (TVCF) but rather than administering 116 cards only 58 are administered and full scales scores prorated to save time. The scales are Number Correct, Perseveration Errors and Number of Categories. The 3 short form subjects were each correlated with the subjects age and education variables. Results The correlations between the Number Correct, Perseveration Errors and Number of Categories scores and age scores were 0.247, 0.01, and 0.08 and correlations between the Number Correct, Perseveration Errors and Number of Categories scores and education levels were 0.21, 0.273 and 0.12 which were all non-significant at the P &lt; 0.05 level of statistical significance. Conclusions These results suggest that the scores of the Number Correct, Perseveration Errors and Number of Categories subtests were not unduly influenced by the subjects’ age and education.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (13) ◽  
pp. 1791-1799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian C Healy ◽  
Jonathan Zurawski ◽  
Cindy T Gonzalez ◽  
Tanuja Chitnis ◽  
Howard L Weiner ◽  
...  

Background: To date, the computerized adaptive testing (CAT) version of the Neuro-quality of life (QOL) has not been assessed in a large sample of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the associations between the CAT version of Neuro-QOL and other clinical and patient-reported outcome measures. Methods: Subjects ( n = 364) enrolled in SysteMS completed the CAT version of the Neuro-QOL and the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) within 4 weeks of a clinical exam that included the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite-4 (MSFC-4). The correlations between the Neuro-QOL domains and the MSFC-4 subscores and the SF-36 scores were calculated. The changes over time in the Neuro-QOL and other measures were also examined. Results: The lower extremity functioning score of the Neuro-QOL showed the highest correlations with MSFC-4 components including Timed 25-Foot Walk, 9-Hole Peg Test, and cognitive score. The expected domains of the Neuro-QOL showed high correlations with the SF-36 subscores, and some Neuro-QOL domains were associated with many SF-36 subscores. There was limited longitudinal change on the Neuro-QOL domains over 12 months, and the change was not associated with change on other measures. Conclusion: The CAT version of the Neuro-QOL shows many of the expected associations with clinical and patient-reported outcome measures.


2015 ◽  
Vol 86 (11) ◽  
pp. e4.32-e4
Author(s):  
Neil Scolding ◽  
Hongwei Wang ◽  
Yan Liu ◽  
Lawrence Steinman

In the 2-year, phase 3 CARE-MS II study (NCT00548405), alemtuzumab demonstrated superior clinical and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) over subcutaneous interferon beta-1a in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients who had inadequate efficacy response to prior therapy. To further evaluate the relationship between PROs and disability, Short-Form 36-Item (SF-36) survey physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS), and Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS) scores were analysed against Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) outcomes, adjusted for baseline characteristics and randomisation arm. A 1.0-point difference in baseline EDSS score was associated with 2.0-point PCS, 0.8-point MCS, and 4.0-point FAMS worsening over 12 months (all P<0.001). A 1.0-point annualised EDSS score worsening corresponded to a 2.2-point PCS, 1.6-point MCS, and 6.0-point FAMS worsening (all P<0.001). For baseline EDSS score <4.0, 1.0-point annualised worsening was associated with 7.2-point FAMS and 2.0-point MCS worsening (both P<0.001). For baseline EDSS score ≥4.0, 1.0-point worsening corresponded to worsening on FAMS (2.4 points; P=0.04), but not MCS (P=0.82). Given that a half-point EDSS change is considered the minimum reliably measurable clinical difference, a 1.0-point change in SF-36 PCS and MCS or 3.0-point change in FAMS may represent a minimum important difference in PRO for multiple sclerosis patients.


2011 ◽  
pp. P3-285-P3-285
Author(s):  
Sandra Schindler ◽  
Matthias Mohlig ◽  
Natalia Kremenevskaya ◽  
Michael Buchfelder ◽  
Christof Schofl

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 944-954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Macdonell ◽  
Guy Nagels ◽  
David-Axel Laplaud ◽  
Carlo Pozzilli ◽  
Brigit de Jong ◽  
...  

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating disease that negatively impacts patients’ lives. Objective: ENABLE assessed the effect of long-term prolonged-release (PR) fampridine (dalfampridine extended release in the United States) treatment on patient-perceived health impact in patients with MS with walking impairment. Methods: ENABLE was a 48-week, open-label, Phase 4 study of PR-fampridine 10 mg twice daily. Patients who showed any improvement in Timed 25-Foot Walk walking speed at weeks 2 and 4 and any improvement in 12-item MS Walking Scale score at week 4 remained on treatment. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) physical component summary (PCS) score. Results: At week 4, 707/901 (78.5%) patients met the criteria to remain on treatment. Patients on treatment demonstrated significant and clinically meaningful improvements in SF-36 PCS scores from baseline (mean change (95% confidence interval)) to week 12 (4.30 (3.83, 4.78); p < 0.0001), week 24 (3.75 (3.23, 4.27); p < 0.0001), week 36 (3.46 (2.95, 3.97); p < 0.0001), and week 48 (3.24 (2.72, 3.77); p < 0.0001). Significant improvements from baseline were also demonstrated in secondary health measures in patients on treatment. Conclusion: PR-fampridine improved patient-perceived physical and psychological health impact of MS measured in a real-life setting.


2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah M. Miller ◽  
Craig Kollman ◽  
Andrea Kalajian ◽  
Paul W. O'Connor ◽  
R. Philip Kinkel

A secondary analysis was undertaken to compare patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of individuals who did and did not convert to clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS) approximately 5 years after their first clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). Patients included in the analysis were participating in a long-term extension (called CHAMPIONS) of the Controlled High-Risk Avonex® Multiple Sclerosis Prevention Study (CHAMPS). The Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Inventory (MSQLI), a battery including the Short Form Health Status Survey (SF-36) and nine disease-specific scales, was administered to participants 5 years after their initial symptoms suggestive of MS (randomization into the CHAMPS study). Of 203 CHAMPIONS patients, 188 (93%) completed the MSQLI at enrollment into this extension study. Of these, 79 (42%) converted to CDMS. Statistically significant differences (P &lt; .001) between those who did and did not convert to CDMS were found for 4 of the 11 MSQLI scales: the SF-36 Physical Component Summary, the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, the Pain Effects Scale, and the Bladder Control Scale. Trends not meeting our criteria for statistical significance (P &gt; .001 but &lt; .01) were observed for the SF-36 Mental Component Summary, the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire, and the Mental Health Inventory. SF-36 scores for patients not converting to CDMS over 5 years were similar to those reported for age-matched normal controls. No other demographic or disease-related factors were associated with these PROs. When stratified by Expanded Disability Status Scale score, patients who converted to CDMS demonstrated statistically significant differences on the same four scales defined above that differentiated those who did and did not convert to CDMS. These data show that individuals who have CDMS but limited disability demonstrate clear evidence of diminished health-related quality of life.


2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 1238-1249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Fernández ◽  
Karine Baumstarck-Barrau ◽  
Marie-Claude Simeoni ◽  
Pascal Auquier ◽  

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) can have psychological and socioeconomic consequences that affect patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as much as physical disability. Objective: To determine the clinical and sociodemographic factors affecting HRQoL in a large international study using the MS International QoL (MusiQoL) questionnaire. Methods: Patients aged >18 years with a diagnosis of MS for >6 months or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) were enrolled. Sociodemographic and clinical data were recorded, and patients completed the MusiQoL and 36-item short form (SF-36) health survey questionnaires. Results: In total, 1992 patients from 15 countries were enrolled (mean [standard deviation] age: 42.3 [12.5] years; 70.5% women; 70.4% with relapsing–remitting MS). Multivariate multiple regression analyses identified lower educational level, higher Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, cognitive impairment, being single and shorter time since last relapse as significant predictors of lower MusiQoL global index scores ( p < 0.05). Older age, female sex, higher EDSS score, shorter time since last relapse and receiving current MS treatment were significant predictors of lower SF-36 physical component summary scores ( p < 0.05). The SF-36 mental component summary score was linked to occupational status, inpatient/outpatient status, time since last relapse, and whether the patient was receiving MS treatment ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Sociodemographic and clinical factors are linked to HRQoL in patients with MS. Interventions that affect these factors might be expected to influence HRQoL.


2007 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
MC Simeoni ◽  
P. Auquier ◽  
O. Fernandez ◽  
P. Flachenecker ◽  
S. Stecchi ◽  
...  

This study aims to validate the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) International Quality of Life (MusiQoL) questionnaire, a multi-dimensional, self-administered questionnaire, available in 14 languages, as a disease-specific quality of life scale that can be applied internationally. A total of 1992 patients with different types and severities of MS from 15 countries were recruited. At baseline and day 21 ± 7, each patient completed the MusiQoL, a symptom checklist and the short-form (SF)-36 QoL questionnaire. Neurologists also collected socio-demographic, MS history and outcome data. The database was randomly divided into two subgroups and analysed according to different patient characteristics. For each model, psychometric properties were tested and the number of items was reduced by various statistical methods. Construct validity, internal consistency, reproducibility and external consistency were also tested. Nine dimensions, explaining 71% of the total variance, were isolated. Internal consistency and reproducibility were satisfactory for all the dimensions. External validity testing revealed that dimension scores correlated significantly with all SF-36 scores, but showed discriminant validity by gender, socio-economic and health status. Significant correlations were found between activity in daily life scores and clinical indices. These results demonstrate the validity and reliability of the MusiQoL as an international scale to evaluate QoL in patients with MS. Multiple Sclerosis 2008; 14: 219—230. http://msj.sagepub.com


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