An approach to estimating the intangible costs of multiple sclerosis according to disability in Catalonia, Spain

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 800-804 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Casado ◽  
L. Romero ◽  
L. Gubieras ◽  
L. Alonso ◽  
E. Moral ◽  
...  

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease, which represents a great economic burden to society. Cost-of-illness studies of MS tend to underestimate the intangible costs related to pain, anxiety and helplessness. The purpose of this study was to estimate the intangible costs of MS, and determine whether these costs increase as disability progresses. We studied 211 consecutive patients with MS who attended our MS unit. Patients mean age was 41.6 (SD: 10.7) years, 69% were female, and their mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score was 2.47 (SD: 2.05). Quality-of-life was measured with the EuroQoL visual analogue scale. Quality-adjusted life year (QALY) was calculated for each patient. Patients were grouped into five disability stages according to their EDSS, and QALY was compared between patients and a group of healthy controls matched by age and sex. A benchmark value was ascribed to each QALY lost, and the intangible costs per patient-year were calculated as 0 (EDSS =0), 1100 (EDSS =1-3), 8250 (EDSS =3.5-5.5), 9900 (EDSS =6-7) and 11 000 (EDSS >7.5). Sensitivity analysis showed a similar progression of costs. We conclude that intangible costs are relevant in MS, especially when disability increases. Although the method to calculate the costs remains controversial, we consider that they should be included in cost analysis of MS. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: 800-804. http://msj.sagepub.com

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 366-376
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Tonetti ◽  
Federico Camilli ◽  
Sara Giovagnoli ◽  
Vincenzo Natale ◽  
Alessandra Lugaresi

Early multiple sclerosis (MS) predictive markers of disease activity/prognosis have been proposed but are not universally accepted. Aim of this pilot prospective study is to verify whether a peculiar hyperactivity, observed at baseline (T0) in early relapsing-remitting (RR) MS patients, could represent a further prognostic marker. Here we report results collected at T0 and at a 24-month follow-up (T1). Eighteen RRMS patients (11 females, median Expanded Disability Status Scale-EDSS score 1.25, range EDSS score 0–2) were monitored at T0 (mean age 32.33 ± 7.51) and T1 (median EDSS score 1.5, range EDSS score 0–2.5). Patients were grouped into two groups: responders (R, 14 patients) and non-responders (NR, 4 patients) to treatment at T1. Each patient wore an actigraph for one week to record the 24-h motor activity pattern. At T0, NR presented significantly lower motor activity than R between around 9:00 and 13:00. At T1, NR were characterized by significantly lower motor activity than R between around 12:00 and 17:00. Overall, these data suggest that through the 24-h motor activity pattern, we can fairly segregate at T0 patients who will show a therapeutic failure, possibly related to a more active disease, at T1. These patients are characterized by a reduced morning level of motor activation. Further studies on larger populations are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (9) ◽  
pp. 3970-3978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shujun Guo ◽  
Qingqing Chen ◽  
Xiaoli Liang ◽  
Mimi Mu ◽  
Jing He ◽  
...  

Objective To investigate levels of regulatory B (Breg) cells, plasma cells, and memory B cells in the peripheral blood, and interleukin (IL)-10 in the serum of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and to determine the correlation between Breg cell levels and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score. Methods Levels of Breg cells, plasma cells, and memory B cells in the peripheral blood of 12 MS patients were measured using flow cytometry. IL-10 serum levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The correlation between Breg cell levels and MS EDSS score was measured using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results Compared with healthy controls, MS patients had decreased levels of CD19+CD24hiCD38hi Breg cells in their peripheral blood and reduced serum levels of IL-10; however, the ratios of CD19+CD27hiCD38hi plasma cells and CD19+CD27+CD24hi memory B cells to total B cells did not differ significantly between healthy controls and MS patients. CD19+CD24hiCD38hi Breg cell levels in the peripheral blood of MS patients were not significantly correlated with MS EDSS score. Conclusion Peripheral blood CD19+CD24hiCD38hi Breg cell levels and serum IL-10 levels were reduced in MS patients compared with controls, but Breg cell levels were not correlated with MS EDSS score.


2013 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 275-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Bernardi Bichuetti ◽  
Enedina Maria Lobato de Oliveira ◽  
Nilton Amorin de Souza ◽  
Mar Tintoré ◽  
Alberto Alain Gabbai

Although neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is known to be a more severe disease than relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), few studies comparing both conditions in a single center have been done.Methods:Comparison of our previously published cohort of 41 NMO patients with 177 RRMS patients followed in the same center, from 1994 to 2007.Results:Mean age of onset was 32.6 for NMO and 30.2 for RRMS (p=0.2062) with mean disease duration of 7.4 years for NMO and 10.3 years for RRMS. Patients with NMO had a higher annualized relapse rate (1.0 versus 0.8, p=0.0013) and progression index (0.9 versus 0.6, p≪0.0001), with more patients reaching expanded disability status scale (EDSS) 6.0 (39 versus 17%, p=0.0036). The odds ratio for reaching EDSS 6.0 and being deceased due to NMO in comparison to RRMS were, respectively, 3.14 and 12.15.Conclusion:Patients with NMO have a more severe disease than patients with RRMS, including higher risk of dying of a demyelinating disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-35
Author(s):  
Ricardo N. Alonso ◽  
Maria B. Eizaguirre ◽  
Berenice Silva ◽  
Maria C. Pita ◽  
Cecilia Yastremiz ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: There is no consensus regarding assessment of the brain function functional system (FS) of the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We sought to describe brain function FS assessment criteria used by Argentinian neurologists and, based on the results, propose redefined brain function FS criteria. Methods: A structured survey was conducted of 113 Argentinian neurologists. Considering the survey results, we decided to redefine the brain function FS scoring using the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) battery. For 120 adult patients with MS we calculated the EDSS score without brain function FS (basal EDSS) and compared it with the EDSS score after adding the modified brain function FS (modified EDSS). Results: Of the 93 neurologists analyzed, 14% reported that they did not assess brain function FS, 35% reported that they assessed it through a nonstructured interview, and the remainder used other tools. Significant differences were found in EDSS scores before and after the inclusion of BICAMS (P < .001). Redefining the brain function FS, 15% of patients modified their basal EDSS score, as did 20% of those with a score of 4.0 or less. Conclusions: The survey results show the importance of unifying the brain function FS scoring criteria in calculating the EDSS score. While allowing more consistent brain function FS scoring, including the modified brain function FS led to a change in EDSS score in many patients, particularly in the lower range of EDSS scores. Considering the relevance of the EDSS for monitoring patients with MS and for decision making, it is imperative to further validate the modified brain function FS scoring.


Neurology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (24) ◽  
pp. 2462-2468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Burman ◽  
Johan Zelano

Objective:To determine the cumulative incidence of epilepsy in a population-based cohort of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to investigate the association between epilepsy and clinical features of MS.Methods:All available patients in the Swedish MS register (n = 14,545) and 3 age- and sex-matched controls per patient randomly selected from the population register (n = 43,635) were included. Data on clinical features of MS were retrieved from the Swedish MS register, and data on epilepsy and death were retrieved from comprehensive patient registers.Results:The cumulative incidence of epilepsy was 3.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.17–3.76) in patients with MS and 1.4% (95% CI 1.30–1.52) in controls (risk ratio 2.5, 95% CI 2.19–2.76). In a Cox proportional model, MS increased the risk of epilepsy (hazard ratio 3.2, 95% CI 2.64–3.94). Patients with relapsing-remitting MS had a cumulative incidence of epilepsy of 2.2% (95% CI 1.88–2.50), whereas patients with progressive disease had a cumulative incidence of 5.5% (95% CI 4.89–6.09). The cumulative incidence rose continuously with increasing disease duration to 5.9% (95% CI 4.90–7.20) in patients with disease duration ≥34 years. Patients with an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ≥7 had a cumulative incidence of epilepsy of 5.3% (95% CI 3.95–7.00). Disease duration and EDSS score were associated with epilepsy after multiple logistic regression (odds ratio [OR] 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.04 per year, p = 0.001; and OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.09–1.26 per EDSS step, p < 0.0001).Conclusions:Epilepsy is more common among patients with MS than in the general population, and a diagnosis of MS increases the risk of epilepsy. Our data suggest a direct link between severity of MS and epilepsy.


2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 970-979 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Theodore Phillips ◽  
Gavin Giovannoni ◽  
Fred D Lublin ◽  
Paul W O’Connor ◽  
Chris H Polman ◽  
...  

Background: Validated measures of sustained improvements in neurological function have not been established for multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical studies. Objective: To evaluate sustained Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) change as a potential indicator of neurological improvement and as an outcome measure in MS clinical studies. Methods: Analyses were performed on patients ( n = 620) from the pivotal natalizumab study AFFIRM with baseline EDSS scores ≥2.0. Cumulative probabilities of neurological improvement, defined as a 1.0-point decrease in EDSS score sustained for ≥12 weeks, were estimated by Kaplan–Meier analysis. A Cox proportional hazards model identified associated baseline factors and examined treatment effects. Results: Sustained improvement (as well as sustained worsening) in neurological disability was seen in AFFIRM patients. Sustained EDSS changes correlated well with quality of life measurements (SF36 and VAS). Natalizumab increased the cumulative probability of improvement over 2 years by 69% versus placebo (HR = 1.69; 95% CI 1.16–2.45; p = 0.006). Sensitivity analyses showed consistent benefits of natalizumab with variations in improvement magnitude and duration, and baseline disease activity. Conclusion: These analyses demonstrate that sustained EDSS improvement is an additional measure that is sensitive to treatment effects over 2 years and correlates with quality of life. Further research is warranted to validate its use as an MS study clinical outcome.


2021 ◽  
pp. 135245852110577
Author(s):  
Johanna Balslev Andersen ◽  
Malthe Faurschou Wandall-Holm ◽  
Per Kragh Andersen ◽  
Finn Sellebjerg ◽  
Melinda Magyari

Background: Pregnancy is considered to influence the disease course in women with multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pregnancy on long-term disability accrual in women with MS. Methods: The Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry (DMSR) was used to identify women diagnosed with clinically isolated syndrome or relapsing-remitting MS. Cox models with pregnancy as a time-dependent exposure and propensity score (PS) models were used to evaluate time to reach confirmed Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 4 and 6. Results: A total of 425 women became parous and 840 remained nulliparous. When including pregnancy as a time-dependent exposure, a non-significant association with time to reach EDSS 4 (hazard ratio (HR) 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61–1.20) and EDSS 6 (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.40–1.20) was found. Correspondingly, the PS model showed no association with pregnancy on time to reach EDSS 4 (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.56–1.28). Conclusion: This study concludes that pregnancy does not affect long-term disability accumulation.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joost Smolders

The last years, many studies reported associations between correlates of vitamin D exposure and several correlates of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity. This review discusses studies on vitamin D status, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, and relapse activity of MS. Furthermore, several considerations for intervention studies on vitamin D supplementation in MS are provided.


2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 268-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Moghaddam Tabrizi ◽  
Moloud Radfar

Background: Quality of life (QOL) is impaired in multiple sclerosis (MS) in part due to physical disability. MS-associated fatigue and poor sleep are common and treatable features of MS that affect QOL. We assessed the association between fatigue, sleep quality, and QOL in people with MS. Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from 217 patients with MS. Health-related QOL (MS Quality of Life-54), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale [FSS]), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory [PSQI]) were assessed. Expanded Disability Status Scale scores were also provided by a qualified neurologist. Results: The mean ± SD age of the 217 patients was 32.6 ± 8.6 years, and 79% were female. One hundred fifty-two patients (70.0%) were classified as poor sleepers based on PSQI scores; 122 (56.2%) had significant fatigue based on FSS results. The mean ± SE physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) health composite scores of the MSQOL-54 were 40.12 ± 1.27 and 43.81 ± 1.61, respectively. There was a strong statistically significant positive correlation between PCS scores and MCS (r = 0.58), FSS (r = 0.49), and PSQI (r = 0.52) scores. MCS scores were strongly correlated with FSS (r = 0.53) and PSQI (r = 0.35) scores. Age exhibited statistically significant negative correlations with PCS (r = −0.21) and MCS (r = −0.58) scores, and was statistically significantly correlated with FSS (r = 0.23) and PSQI (r = 0.21) scores. Expanded Disability Status Scale scores were strongly correlated with FSS scores. Conclusions: These findings support screening of fatigue severity and sleep quality and their effects on QOL.


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