Clinical features of patients with multiple sclerosis from a survey in Shanghai, China

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 671-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q Cheng ◽  
L Miao ◽  
J Zhang ◽  
YT Guan ◽  
ZG Liu ◽  
...  

Objective To describe clinical features of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Shanghai, China. Methods Prevalent patients with MS were identified and investigated by a network of physicians in 11 districts of Shanghai during the period from 1 September 2004 to 31 August 2005. Admission registries of each hospital in the study area were checked systematically for patients with a diagnosis of MS, neuromyelitis optica or other demyelinating disorders. All patients with collected information were evaluated by four senior neurologists according to the McDonald criteria. Results There were 249 (146 female and 103 male) patients with a confirmed MS diagnosis, at a female-to-male ratio of 1.4. The mean age at onset of MS was 37.4 years for the 249 patients with MS and, on the prevalence day, 42.7 years. The most frequent location of clinical MS lesions in the central nervous system was the spinal cord (61%), followed by the cerebrum (55%) and optic nerves (41%). Nearly all (96%) of the patients with MS had been examined by magnetic resonance imaging, and 226 (94%) patients of those examined were suggestive of MS. No family history of MS was found in any of the patients. Most (86%) of the patients had no or mild disability on the prevalence day (31 December 2004). Almost all (96%) patients with MS had been treated with corticosteroids. Conclusion Clinical features of patients with MS are described based on the information from the largest case series reported among Chinese. Comparisons and discussions are made with findings from the other populations.

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joaquin A. Pena ◽  
Timothy E. Lotze

Multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) commonly diagnosed in adults, is being recognized increasingly in children. An estimated 1.7%–5.6% of all patients with MS have clinical symptoms before reaching the age of 18 years. In comparison with adults, the diagnosis of MS in children can be more difficult, being dismissed or misdiagnosed as other clinical disorders. Although adults and children share basic aspects of the disorder, children have distinctive clinical features, neuroimaging, laboratory, and courses of the disease. The 2010 McDonald criteria have simplified the requirements for establishing the diagnosis of MS and have been proposed to be applicable for the diagnosis of pediatric MS, mainly in children 12 years and older. This paper describes the distinctive features of common pediatric demyelinating disorders, including MS, and summarizes the most recent advances based on the available literature.


Cephalalgia ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 1329-1335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yen-Chi Yeh ◽  
Jong-Ling Fuh ◽  
Shih-Pin Chen ◽  
Shuu-Jiun Wang

Objectives: To study the clinical profiles, imaging findings and outcomes and field test the diagnostic criteria proposed by the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edition (ICHD-II) in patients with headache associated with sexual activity (HSA). Methods: We recruited 30 patients (16 men, 14 women, mean age at onset 40.2 ± 10.0 years) with headache associated with sexual activity at a headache clinic from 2004 to 2009. None of the patients had neurological deficits at onset. Results: Twenty patients (67%) had secondary causes, including one subarachnoid hemorrhage, one basilar artery dissection, and 18 cases reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS). Ten patients (33%) had primary HSA. The demographics, headache profiles, drug response and clinical course were similar between primary and secondary HSA. Compared to prior studies done in Western societies, our patients had similar clinical features but with a higher ratio of females (50%) and a higher frequency of chronic course (39%). Discussion: Sixty-seven percent of patients with RCVS could not fulfill the criteria of reversible angiopathy of the central nervous system (Code 6.7.3) proposed by the ICHD-II. The most common reason was headache resolution in more than two months. In addition, 40% of patients with primary HSA could not fulfill the ICHD-II criteria for primary HSA (Code 4.4). Conclusions: Our study found that intracranial vascular disorders were very common in patients with HSA. Thorough neurovascular imaging is required for all patients with HSA.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (03) ◽  
pp. 164-170
Author(s):  
Rachel Gottlieb-Smith ◽  
Amy Waldman

AbstractAcquired demyelinating syndromes (ADS) present with acute or subacute monofocal or polyfocal neurologic deficits localizing to the central nervous system. The clinical features of distinct ADS have been carefully characterized including optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. These disorders may all be monophasic disorders. Alternatively, optic neuritis, partial transverse myelitis, and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis may be first presentations of a relapsing or polyphasic neuroinflammatory disorder, such as multiple sclerosis or neuromyelitis optica. The clinical features of these disorders and the differential diagnosis are discussed in this article.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Kristin Huntoon ◽  
Matthew J. Shepard ◽  
Rimas V. Lukas ◽  
Ian E. McCutcheon ◽  
Anthony B. Daniels ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE Hemangioblastomas are a frequent underlying cause of neurological morbidity and death in patients with von Hippel–Lindau disease (VHL). Although these benign tumors can cause significant neurological debility when undetected and untreated, unified evidence-based surveillance recommendations for VHL patients have not been established. To develop consensus recommendations, the VHL Alliance established an expert committee, named the International VHL Surveillance Guidelines Consortium, to define surveillance recommendations. METHODS The Central Nervous System (CNS) Hemangioblastoma Subcommittee of the Guidelines Consortium was formed as a multidisciplinary team of experts in the diagnosis and management of hemangioblastomas. Recommendations were formulated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network Categories of Evidence and Consensus categorization after a comprehensive literature review. RESULTS Published studies (n = 49) that discussed age at onset, MRI frequency, natural history of VHL, and the risks and benefits of surveillance were analyzed. Based on this analysis, the authors recommend that clinical evaluation (yearly) be used as the primary screening tool for hemangioblastomas in VHL. The subcommittee suggests that screening be performed between the ages of 11 and 65 years, or with the onset of symptoms, for synchronicity with other testing regimens in VHL. The subcommittee also recommends that baseline MRI be first performed at the age of 11 years (suggested 2B, level of evidence D) or after identification of neurological symptoms or signs (if earlier) and continue every 2 years (recommended 2A, level of evidence A). CONCLUSIONS The CNS Hemangioblastoma Subcommittee of the International VHL Surveillance Guidelines Consortium here proposes guidelines that aim to increase the early detection of VHL-associated hemangioblastomas to reduce their morbidity and mortality.


2009 ◽  
Vol 67 (3b) ◽  
pp. 812-817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leandro Alberto Calazans Nogueira ◽  
Felipe Resende Nóbrega ◽  
Kátia Nogueira Lopes ◽  
Luiz Claudio Santos Thuler ◽  
Regina Maria Papais Alvarenga

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of functional limitations and fatigue on the quality of life (QoL) in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). A descriptive case series study at Lagoa Hospital - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was carried. The main outcome measurements were demographic variables, QoL (SF-36 v.1), disability (EDSS), motor function of the upper limb (Box & Blocks test), Tone (Modified Ashworth Scale), gait (Hauser ambulatory index) and fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale). Sixty one patients fulfilled the study criteria. The mean age of patients was 39 years and 74% of patients were female. The most of cases presented mild disability (EDSS<3.5). A decrease was found in all domains of QoL. It was found association between physical functioning and the variables of EDSS, fatigue, lower limb tone and gait. Gait, disability, hypertonia of the lower limbs and fatigue negatively affected QoL in people with MS.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (13) ◽  
pp. 1800-1808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasnat Ahmad ◽  
Ingrid van der Mei ◽  
Bruce V Taylor ◽  
Robyn M Lucas ◽  
Anne-Louise Ponsonby ◽  
...  

Background: Transition probabilities are the engine within many health economics decision models. However, the probabilities of progression of disability due to multiple sclerosis (MS) have not previously been estimated in Australia. Objectives: To estimate annual probabilities of changing disability levels in Australians with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). Methods: Combining data from Ausimmune/Ausimmune Longitudinal (2003–2011) and Tasmanian MS Longitudinal (2002–2005) studies ( n = 330), annual transition probabilities were obtained between no/mild (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) levels 0–3.5), moderate (EDSS 4–6.0) and severe (EDSS 6.5–9.5) disability. Results: From no/mild disability, 6.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.7–8.4) and 0.1% (0.0–0.2) progressed to moderate and severe disability annually, respectively. From moderate disability, 6.9% (1.0–11.4) improved (to no/mild state) and 2.6% (1.1–4.5) worsened. From severe disability, 0.0% improved to moderate and no/mild disability. Male sex, age at onset, longer disease duration, not using immunotherapies greater than 3 months and a history of relapse were related to higher probabilities of worsening. Conclusion: We have estimated probabilities of changing disability levels in Australians with RRMS. Probabilities differed between various subgroups, but due to small sample sizes, results should be interpreted with caution. Our findings will be helpful in predicting long-term disease outcomes and in health economic evaluations of MS.


2021 ◽  
pp. 62-64
Author(s):  
I. Vanessa Marin Collazo

A 58-year-old, right-handed man with a medical history of nephrolithiasis, essential hypertension, and type 2 diabetes sought care for a 6-year history of gait impairment. Initially, he noted subtle left foot and ankle weakness with associated falls that progressed over time. Two to 3 years later he again noted progressive left leg weakness and new arm weakness. Subsequently, progressive pain developed on the soles of his feet in addition to edema with erythematous discoloration around the left ankle and foot. On neurologic examination, he was found to have mild upper motor neuron pattern weakness in the left arm and leg, most pronounced in the left hand finger extensor and left hip flexion and abduction. Left patellar reflex was brisk, and there was an extensor Babinski sign on the left. There was mild reduction in pinprick sensation in both feet. His gait was spastic with left leg circumduction. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed left-sided predominant periventricular and subcortical T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery hyperintensities. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical and thoracic spinal cord showed intramedullary cord T2 signal hyperintensities, eccentrically located on the left at C3, C5, C6, on the right at C7 to T1, and centrally at T4/T5 and T8/T9. A diagnosis of primary progressive multiple sclerosis was made. The patient met the 2017 McDonald criteria for primary progressive multiple sclerosis. After the diagnosis was confirmed and comprehensive education about the disease and the role of disease-modifying therapy was discussed with the patient, he was started on ocrelizumab. Gabapentin was started for management of painful foot paresthesias. Vitamin D3 supplementation was started. Physical therapy was also initiated. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic immune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and is the leading cause of disability in the young population. Approximately 1 million people in the United States currently have multiple sclerosis.


Author(s):  
Siddharthan Chandran ◽  
Alastair Compston

Clinicians suspect demyelination when episodes reflecting damage to white matter tracts within the central nervous system occur in young adults. The paucity of specific biological markers of discrete demyelinating syndromes places an emphasis on clinical phenotype—temporal and spatial patterns—when classifying demyelinating disorders. The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, the most common demyelinating disorder, becomes probable when these symptoms and signs recur, involving different parts of the brain and spinal cord. Other important demyelinating diseases include post-infectious neurological disorders (acute disseminated encephalomyelitis), demyelination resulting from metabolic derangements (central pontine myelinosis), and inherited leucodystrophies that may present in children or in adults. Accepting differences in mechanism, presentation, and treatment, two observations can usefully be made when classifying demyelinating disorders. These are the presence or absence of inflammation, and the extent of focal vs. diffuse demyelination. Multiple sclerosis is prototypic for the former, whereas dysmyelinating disorders, such as leucodystrophies are representative of the latter....


2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-349
Author(s):  
Tomasz Grzegorski ◽  
Jacek Losy

AbstractMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, demyelinating, not fully understood disease of the central nervous system. The first demyelinating clinical episode is called clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) suggestive of MS. Although the most common manifestations of CIS are long tracts dysfunction and unilateral optic neuritis, it can also include isolated brainstem syndromes, cerebellar involvement, and polysymptomatic clinical image. Recently, the frequency of CIS diagnosis has decreased due to the more sensitive and less specific 2017 McDonald criteria compared with the revisions from 2010. Not all patients with CIS develop MS. The risk of conversion can be estimated based on many predictive factors including epidemiological, ethnical, clinical, biochemical, radiological, immunogenetic, and other markers. The management of CIS is nowadays widely discussed among clinicians and neuroscientists. To date, interferons, glatiramer acetate, teriflunomide, cladribine, and some other agents have been evaluated in randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies relying on large groups of patients with the first demyelinating event. All of these drugs were shown to have beneficial effects in patients with CIS and might be used routinely in the future. The goal of this article is to explore the most relevant topics regarding CIS as well as to provide the most recent information in the field. The review presents CIS definition, classification, clinical image, predictive factors, and management. What is more, this is one of very few reviews summarizing the topic in the light of the 2017 McDonald criteria.


2020 ◽  
pp. 135245852093279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo Ghezzi ◽  
Brenda Banwell ◽  
Amit Bar-Or ◽  
Tanuja Chitnis ◽  
Russell C Dale ◽  
...  

Anti-CD20 therapies have established efficacy in the treatment of immune-mediated neurological and non-neurological diseases. Rituximab, one of the first B-cell-directed therapies, is relatively inexpensive compared to newer anti-CD20 molecules, is available in many countries, and has been used off-label in pediatric patients with neuroimmune conditions. The objective of this paper is to describe the experience with rituximab in pediatric multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory immune-mediated disorders of the central nervous system (CNS), and to define a protocol for its use in clinical practice, in particular addressing doses, interval of administration, duration of treatment, and tests to perform at baseline and during follow-up.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document