Clean intermittent self-catheterization in persons with multiple sclerosis: the influence of cognitive dysfunction

Background Bladder problems are very common in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of PwMS to learn clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC). Methods The physical disability of 23 PwMS was evaluated with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and cognitive status was evaluated with the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests (BRB-N). CISC was taught by the same continence advisor who was blinded to the cognitive test results. The ability to learn CISC was evaluated immediately after sessions and 3 months later. Twenty-three consecutive PwMS participated in the study. Results In all, 87% (20/23) of the PwMS successfully finished CISC training. The number of lessons needed to acquire CISC skills differed significantly depending on the EDSS (Spearman r = 0.682, P = 0.0003), but the total cognitive decline subscore did not influence the ability to learn CISC. Only 13% (3/23) of the PwMS failed to learn CISC. The ability to learn CISC depended on the number of lessons needed to acquire CISC ( r = −0.499, P = 0.0313) and the EDSS score ( r = −0.433, P = 0.0390) but not on the course of the disease ( r = 0.125, P = 0.5696) or on cognitive decline ( r = −0.311, P = 0.1480). After 3 months of follow-up, 30% (6/20) of the PwMS had ceased performing CISC. A follow-up indicated no statistically significant correlations among any of the subscores of the cognitive test battery, the EDSS score, the course of the disease, and the time required to learn CISC and effective bladder management. Conclusions Our study thus confirmed that most (87%) PwMS were able to learn CISC in spite of cognitive dysfunction and therefore to improve their quality of life.

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A Pilot Study of 24-h Motor Activity Patterns in Multiple Sclerosis: Pre-Planned Follow-Up at 2 Years

Clocks & Sleep ◽

10.3390/clockssleep3030023 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 366-376

Author(s):

Lorenzo Tonetti ◽

Federico Camilli ◽

Sara Giovagnoli ◽

Vincenzo Natale ◽

Alessandra Lugaresi

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Motor Activity ◽

Activity Pattern ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Expanded Disability Status Scale ◽

Disability Status ◽

Relapsing Remitting ◽

Edss Score ◽

Activity Prognosis

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.

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Screening of Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Study in Georgia

Neurology Research International ◽

10.1155/2021/5591078 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Nazibrola Botchorishvili ◽

Nino Shiukashvili ◽

Nina Mikeladze ◽

Ann Dzagnidze ◽

Nino Mikava ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Assessment ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Cognitive Status ◽

Screening Tools ◽

Cognitive Test ◽

Favorable Effect ◽

Common Symptom ◽

Disability Status

Cognitive impairment (CI) is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS), with a significant negative impact on the occupational and social functioning of patients. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of CI among MS patients in Georgia. Sixty-eight patients with MS attending a neurology outpatient clinic in Tbilisi, Georgia, were enrolled in the study. Cognitive status was evaluated using two screening tools: the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The overall prevalence of CI in our MS patients was 47%. We found negative associations between cognitive test results and patients’ age, disability status, and depression. Lower education, higher scores on the Expanded Disability Status Scale, and the progressive course of MS were the main predictors of CI in the logistic regression analysis. This is the first study in Georgia to evaluate CI in patients with MS. The prevalence of CI in our study was comparable with those reported in other countries; however, we found greater impairment of the executive system compared to other cognitive domains. In our study, patients who were on continuous DMT showed significantly better performance on the cognitive tests used, indicating possible favorable effect of immunomodulatory drugs on cognition.

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Outcomes in a Modern Cohort of Treated Patients with Multiple Sclerosis from Diagnosis Up to 15 Years

International Journal of MS Care ◽

10.7224/1537-2073.2019-005 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 110-114 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Thomas F. Scott ◽

Troy Desai ◽

Chris Hackett ◽

Edward J. Gettings ◽

Teresa Hentosz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Natural History ◽

Data Sets ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Time To Event ◽

Disease Modifying Therapies ◽

Disability Status ◽

History Of ◽

Edss Score

Abstract Background: Before disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) were available, the natural history of multiple sclerosis (MS) regarding attainment of accepted disability milestones was reported with fairly wide variance comparing outcomes across studies. The influence of DMTs on these outcomes is unknown. This study aimed to calculate attainment of disability milestones during the first 15 years after onset of DMT-treated relapsing forms of MS (RMS). Methods: As a retrospective study, all available disability data (collected routinely) on all newly diagnosed patients with RMS seen and initially diagnosed in a single clinic between 1989 and 2006 were reviewed. Times from first symptoms and diagnosis until first treatment with DMTs were also reviewed. Time-to-event statistics were applied using disability milestones. Results: Mean follow-up of 184 adult patients from symptom onset was 13.7 years. Of patients followed up for 15 years after onset, 16 of 86 (19%) reached an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 6.0. Estimated median time to reach an EDSS score of 3.0 was 10.7 years and to reach an EDSS score of 4.0 was 18.1 years. Conclusions: There were striking differences between the present results and older data sets and similar results to the few available modern data sets. This analysis of a modern treated RMS cohort provides outcomes data that may be compared favorably with the natural history of RMS.

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Natalizumab discontinuation in patients with multiple sclerosis: Profiling risk and benefits at therapeutic crossroads

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458515570768 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 21 (13) ◽

pp. 1713-1722 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Luca Prosperini ◽

Pietro Annovazzi ◽

Marco Capobianco ◽

Ruggero Capra ◽

Fabio Buttari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Propensity Score ◽

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy ◽

Median Time ◽

Expanded Disability Status Scale ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Disability Status ◽

Edss Score ◽

Natalizumab Discontinuation

Objective: The objective of this paper is to estimate the risk of reaching well-established disability milestones after withdrawal of natalizumab (NTZ) due to concern about the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: Data from 415 patients with MS followed-up for six years after starting NTZ were collected from seven tertiary MS centers. The risk of disability worsening, i.e. reaching Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores of 4.0 or 6.0, and the likelihood of experiencing a disability reduction of one EDSS point (or more), were assessed by propensity score-adjusted analyses in patients who discontinued and in those still on treatment at the end of follow-up. Results: A total of 318 patients who received standard NTZ treatment without experiencing evidence of disability worsening in the first two years were included in the six-year follow-up analysis, with 196 (61.6%) still on treatment and 122 (38.4%) discontinuing after a median time of 3.5 years. Patients in the discontinuing group had a more than two-fold increased risk of disability worsening ( p = 0.007), and a 68% decreased likelihood of experiencing disability reduction ( p = 0.009) compared with the continuing group. Conclusion: While discussing the overall risk/benefit profile of NTZ, patients should be advised that, in case of treatment discontinuation, the risk of disability worsening is one in three, and increases to one in two if the EDSS score at NTZ start is above 3.0.

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Determinants of therapeutic lag in multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458520981300 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 135245852098130

Author(s):

Izanne Roos ◽

Emmanuelle Leray ◽

Federico Frascoli ◽

Romain Casey ◽

J William L Brown ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Expanded Disability Status Scale ◽

Disability Progression ◽

Delayed Onset ◽

Disease Characteristics ◽

Disability Status ◽

Male Sex ◽

Pre Treatment ◽

Patient Subgroups

Background: A delayed onset of treatment effect, termed therapeutic lag, may influence the assessment of treatment response in some patient subgroups. Objectives: The objective of this study is to explore the associations of patient and disease characteristics with therapeutic lag on relapses and disability accumulation. Methods: Data from MSBase, a multinational multiple sclerosis (MS) registry, and OFSEP, the French MS registry, were used. Patients diagnosed with MS, minimum 1 year of exposure to MS treatment and 3 years of pre-treatment follow-up, were included in the analysis. Studied outcomes were incidence of relapses and disability accumulation. Therapeutic lag was calculated using an objective, validated method in subgroups stratified by patient and disease characteristics. Therapeutic lag under specific circumstances was then estimated in subgroups defined by combinations of clinical and demographic determinants. Results: High baseline disability scores, annualised relapse rate (ARR) ⩾ 1 and male sex were associated with longer therapeutic lag on disability progression in sufficiently populated groups: females with expanded disability status scale (EDSS) < 6 and ARR < 1 had mean lag of 26.6 weeks (95% CI = 18.2–34.9), males with EDSS < 6 and ARR < 1 31.0 weeks (95% CI = 25.3–36.8), females with EDSS < 6 and ARR ⩾ 1 44.8 weeks (95% CI = 24.5–65.1), and females with EDSS ⩾ 6 and ARR < 1 54.3 weeks (95% CI = 47.2–61.5). Conclusions: Pre-treatment EDSS and ARR are the most important determinants of therapeutic lag.

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Walking capacities in multiple sclerosis measured by global positioning system odometer

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458506070667 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 220-223 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

A Créange ◽

I Serre ◽

M Levasseur ◽

D Audry ◽

A Nineb ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Global Positioning System ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Walking Distance ◽

Expanded Disability Status Scale ◽

Satellite Technology ◽

Promising Tool ◽

Disability Status ◽

Global Positioning

We used a global positioning satellite technology odometer to determine the maximum objective walking distance capacity (MOWD) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The MOWD correlated with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score (r2 =0.41; P < 0.0001), the MSWS-12 scale (r2 = 0.46; P < 0.0001), time to walk 10 m (r2 = 0.51; P < 0.02) and walking speed (r2 =0.75; P < 0.001). Limitation of walking capacities was measurable up to 4550 m, strikingly above the 500-m limit of the EDSS. This objective odometer is a promising tool for evaluation and follow-up of patients with MS. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: 220–223. http://msj.sagepub.com

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Reduced peripheral blood regulatory B cell levels are not associated with the Expanded Disability Status Scale score in multiple sclerosis

Journal of International Medical Research ◽

10.1177/0300060518783083 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 46 (9) ◽

pp. 3970-3978 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Shujun Guo ◽

Qingqing Chen ◽

Xiaoli Liang ◽

Mimi Mu ◽

Jing He ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

B Cells ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Plasma Cells ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Memory B Cells ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Expanded Disability Status Scale ◽

Disability Status ◽

Edss Score

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.

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Prospective study of multiple sclerosis with early onset

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1191/1352458502ms786oa ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 115-118 ◽

Cited By ~ 93

Author(s):

A Ghezzi ◽

C Pozzilli ◽

M Liguori ◽

M G Marrosu ◽

N Milani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

First Year ◽

Hormonal Changes ◽

Disability Status ◽

Definite Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Relapsing Remitting ◽

Clinically Definite Multiple Sclerosis ◽

The Mean ◽

And Gender

Fifty-four subjects (36 females and 18 males) affected by clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS) and with onset of the disease at 15 years of age or before were prospectively studied in five Italian MS centres. Female/male ratio was 4.7 in subjects with age ≥12 years, suggesting a role of hormonal changes in triggering MS onset. The mean follow-up duration was 10.9-5.6 years. The functional systems more frequently involved at onset were the pyramidal and brainstem (both in 28% of cases). The onset was monosymptomatic in 31 subjects (57%). The course was relapsing-remitting in 39 subjects (72%) and relapsing-progressive in 15 (28%). Disability was assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS): the mean score after 8 years of follow up was 3.5 (-2.5). The score was <4 in 68% of cases, between 4 and 6 in 8% of cases, > 6 in 24% of cases. Disability after 8 years was highly predicted by disability in the first year (p=0.008). There was a tendency to a worse prognosis in relation to the number of relapses in the first 2 years (p=0.08). The outcome was not influenced by the characteristics of symptoms at onset, age and gender.

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Differences in quantitative methods for measuring subjective cognitive decline – results from a prospective memory clinic study

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610216000272 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 28 (9) ◽

pp. 1513-1520 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Asmus Vogel ◽

Lise Cronberg Salem ◽

Birgitte Bo Andersen ◽

Gunhild Waldemar

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Quantitative Methods ◽

Cognitive Status ◽

Cognitive Test ◽

Subjective Cognitive Decline ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Memory Clinic ◽

Subjective Memory ◽

Wide Range

ABSTRACTBackground:Cognitive complaints occur frequently in elderly people and may be a risk factor for dementia and cognitive decline. Results from studies on subjective cognitive decline are difficult to compare due to variability in assessment methods, and little is known about how different methods influence reports of cognitive decline.Methods:The Subjective Memory Complaints Scale (SMC) and The Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MAC-Q) were applied in 121 mixed memory clinic patients with mild cognitive symptoms (mean MMSE = 26.8, SD 2.7). The scales were applied independently and raters were blinded to results from the other scale. Scales were not used for diagnostic classification. Cognitive performances and depressive symptoms were also rated. We studied the association between the two measures and investigated the scales’ relation to depressive symptoms, age, and cognitive status.Results:SMC and MAC-Q were significantly associated (r = 0.44, N = 121, p = 0.015) and both scales had a wide range of scores. In this mixed cohort of patients, younger age was associated with higher SMC scores. There were no significant correlations between cognitive test performances and scales measuring subjective decline. Depression scores were significantly correlated to both scales measuring subjective decline. Linear regression models showed that age did not have a significant contribution to the variance in subjective memory beyond that of depressive symptoms.Conclusions:Measures for subjective cognitive decline are not interchangeable when used in memory clinics and the application of different scales in previous studies is an important factor as to why studies show variability in the association between subjective cognitive decline and background data and/or clinical results. Careful consideration should be taken as to which questions are relevant and have validity when operationalizing subjective cognitive decline.

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Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Subcutaneous Cladribine Used in Increased Dosage in Patients with Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis: 20-Year Observational Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10215207 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (21) ◽

pp. 5207

Author(s):

Konrad Rejdak ◽

Adriana Zasybska ◽

Aleksandra Pietruczuk ◽

Dariusz Baranowski ◽

Sebastian Szklener ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Cumulative Dose ◽

Induction Dose ◽

Disability Status ◽

Risk Of Progression ◽

Dosing Regimens ◽

Favorable Safety ◽

Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

Cladribine is currently registered as a 10-milligram tablet formulation with a fixed cumulative dosage of 3.5 mg/kg over 2 years. It is important to investigate if an increased dosage may lead to further clinical stability with preserved safety. This study used an off-label subcutaneous (s.c.) formulation of cladribine and compared outcomes (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores and disease progression) between 52 relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) patients receiving different s.c. dosing regimens with up to 20 years of follow-up. The study group received induction therapy with s.c. cladribine (1.8 mg/kg cumulative dose; consistent with 3.5 mg/kg of cladribine tablets). Patients were subsequently offered maintenance therapy (repeated courses of 0.3 mg/kg s.c. cladribine during 5–20-year follow-up). Forty-one patients received an increased cumulative dose (higher than the induction dose of 1.8 mg/kg); 11 received the standard induction dose. Risk of progression on the EDSS correlated with lower cumulative dose (p < 0.05) and more advanced disability at treatment initiation (p < 0.05) as assessed by EDSS change between year 1 and years 5 and 10 as the last follow-up. Maintenance treatment was safe and well-tolerated, based on limited source data. Subcutaneous cladribine with increased cumulative maintenance dosage was associated with disease stability and favorable safety over a prolonged period of follow-up (up to 20 years) in RMS patients.

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