scholarly journals Central American and Caribbean Consensus for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis and Therapeutic Attitudes Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (09) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Díaz ◽  
Fernando Gracia ◽  
Priscilla Monterrey-Alvarez ◽  
Adda V. Sirias Baca ◽  
Biany Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Central American ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Final Report ◽  
Development Methodology ◽  
Therapeutic Decisions ◽  
Discontinuation Of Treatment ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
New Treatments

Therapeutic decisions for multiple sclerosis have become more complex in the Central American and Caribbean region (CAC), with new treatments appearing every year but with well-known limitations in terms of access and application. Concomitantly, the advent of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, with an increasing number of cases in the region, has increased the need for a consensus on therapeutic decisions to be made for people with multiple sclerosis. Under these circumstances, a reference framework is needed to gather current information to assist neurologists in making therapeutic decisions. An evidence-based consensus on the use of disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis was proposed and accomplished by the Central American and Caribbean Multiple Sclerosis Forum (FOCEM), including recommendations for treatment during the pandemic. Using the consensus panel development methodology, after a bibliographic review of the best quality and actualized information, a final report was written; this includes statements that reached more than 70% consensus among the panel of experts. The recommendations encompass indications for drugs available for multiple sclerosis, definitions of therapeutic failure, patient follow-up, factors of poor prognosis, discontinuation of treatment, treatment during pregnancy and lactation and specific recommendations to apply during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Combining clinical and magnetic resonance imaging markers enhances prediction of 12-year disability in multiple sclerosis

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomas Uher ◽  
Manuela Vaneckova ◽  
Lukas Sobisek ◽  
Michaela Tyblova ◽  
Zdenek Seidl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Cumulative Risk ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Cox Models ◽  
T2 Lesions ◽  
Therapeutic Decisions ◽  
The Individual

Background: Disease progression and treatment efficacy vary among individuals with multiple sclerosis. Reliable predictors of individual disease outcomes are lacking. Objective: To examine the accuracy of the early prediction of 12-year disability outcomes using clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters. Methods: A total of 177 patients from the original Avonex-Steroids-Azathioprine study were included. Participants underwent 3-month clinical follow-ups. Cox models were used to model the associations between clinical and MRI markers at baseline or after 12 months with sustained disability progression (SDP) over the 12-year observation period. Results: At baseline, T2 lesion number, T1 and T2 lesion volumes, corpus callosum (CC), and thalamic fraction were the best predictors of SDP (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.7–4.6; p ⩽ 0.001–0.012). At 12 months, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and its change, number of new or enlarging T2 lesions, and CC volume % change were the best predictors of SDP over the follow-up (HR = 1.7–3.5; p ⩽  0.001–0.017). A composite score was generated from a subset of the best predictors of SDP. Scores of ⩾4 had greater specificity (90%–100%) and were associated with greater cumulative risk of SDP (HR = 3.2–21.6; p < 0.001) compared to the individual predictors. Conclusion: The combination of established MRI and clinical indices with MRI volumetric predictors improves the prediction of SDP over long-term follow-up and may provide valuable information for therapeutic decisions.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of an intervention to optimise the use of mirabegron for overactive bladder: a quasi-experimental study in primary care

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (677) ◽  
pp. e852-e859
Author(s):  
Eladio Fernández-Liz ◽  
Pere Vivó Tristante ◽  
Antonio Aranzana Martínez ◽  
Maria Estrella Barceló Colomer ◽  
Josep Ossó Rebull ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Overactive Bladder ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Discontinuation Of Treatment ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Structured Intervention ◽  
New Treatments ◽  
Lower Urinary

BackgroundOveractive bladder is a composite of lower urinary tract storage symptoms. Pharmacological treatment is widely employed despite markedly modest efficacy data, adverse effects, and costs for the health system.AimTo determine the 12-month efficacy of an intervention delivered by GPs on mirabegron revision and, if appropriate, discontinuation of treatment.Design and settingMulticentre, quasi-experimental study in Barcelona (Catalonia), Spain.MethodTwo groups composed of 17 intervention and 34 control practices were formed. The follow-up period was 12 months, from 1 January to 31 December 2017. A structured intervention was designed consisting of initiatives with GPs and urology/gynaecology specialists. The primary outcome was mirabegron use at 12 months.ResultsOf the 1932 patients, a significant discontinuation in treatment was observed at 12 months’ follow-up in the intervention group (IG) (n = 433 out of 762, 56.8%), in contrast with the control one (CG) (n = 484 out of 1170, 41.4%) (P<0.001). There was also a reduced incorporation of new treatments in the IG (n = 214 out of 762, 28.1%) compared with the CG (n = 595 out of 1170, 50.9%) (P<0.001). In relation to patients with treatment at the beginning and end of the period, there was a decrease of 219 (28.7%) patients in the IG and an increase of 111 (9.5%) in the CG (P<0.001).ConclusionThe structured intervention showed optimisation in the use of mirabegron. When considering discontinuation it is necessary to provide clear data on the benefits and/or risks for patients and their caregivers, as such information is a precondition for shared decision making.

scholarly journals Critical analysis on the present methods for brain volume measurements in multiple sclerosis

2017 ◽  
Vol 75 (7) ◽  
pp. 464-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yara Dadalti Fragoso ◽  
Paulo Roberto Willie ◽  
Marcus Vinicius Magno Goncalves ◽  
Joseph Bruno Bidin Brooks
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Brain Volume ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Volume Measurement ◽  
Volumetric Assessment ◽  
Therapeutic Decisions ◽  
Machine Manufacturer ◽  
Volume Measurements ◽  
Clinical Conditions

ABSTRACT Objective The treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) has quickly evolved from a time when controlling clinical relapses would suffice, to the present day, when complete disease control is expected. Measurement of brain volume is still at an early stage to be indicative of therapeutic decisions in MS. Methods This paper provides a critical review of potential biases and artifacts in brain measurement in the follow-up of patients with MS. Results Clinical conditions (such as hydration or ovulation), time of the day, type of magnetic resonance machine (manufacturer and potency), brain volume artifacts and different platforms for volumetric assessment of the brain can induce variations that exceed the acceptable physiological rate of annual loss of brain volume. Conclusion Although potentially extremely valuable, brain volume measurement still has to be regarded with caution in MS.

Transmission Reinforcements in the Central American Power System Phase 2 - Final report

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo A. Elizondo ◽  
Nader A. Samaan ◽  
Mallikarjuna R. Vallem ◽  
Yuri V. Makarov ◽  
Bharat Vyakaranam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power System ◽  
Central American ◽  
Final Report ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
American Power ◽  
System Phase

Decrease in Secondary Neck Vessels in Multiple Sclerosis: A 5-year Longitudinal Magnetic Resonance Angiography Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dejan Jakimovski ◽  
Matthew Topolski ◽  
Kana Kimura ◽  
Virja Pandya ◽  
Bianca Weinstock-Guttman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Angiography ◽  
Longitudinal Change ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
False Discovery ◽  
The Common ◽  
Neck Vessels

Background: Studies have previously shown greater arterial and venous extracranial vascular changes in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) when compared to healthy controls (HCs). Objectives: To determine the change in the number and size of secondary neck vessels in PwMS and HCs over a 5-year follow-up period. Methods: Both at baseline and follow-up, 83 PwMS and 25 HCs underwent magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) imaging and analysis. The number and cross-sectional area (CSA) of all secondary neck vessels (excluding the common/internal carotid, vertebral artery, and internal jugular vein) measured at levels from C2-T1 were determined by semi-automated edge detection/ contouring software. The longitudinal change in the number and CSA of the secondary neck vessels from the PwMS and HCs were analyzed by non-parametric Wilcoxon repeated measure. Benjamini-Hochberg procedure adjusted for false discovery rate (FDR). Results: For over 5 years, PwMS demonstrated a consistent longitudinal decrease in both the number of secondary neck vessels (Z-change between -3.3 and -5.4, q=0.001) and their CSA (Zchange between -2.9 and -5.2, q=0.004). On the contrary, the HCs did not demonstrate a significant longitudinal change in secondary neck vessels over the follow-up period. Due to the longitudinal decrease, the PwMS showed a lower number of secondary neck vessels when compared to HCs measured at follow-up (p<0.029, except for C4 with trending p=0.071). The PwMS changes were also corroborated within each MS phenotype. Conclusion: PwMS demonstrate a significant mid-term decrease in the number and the size of the secondary neck vessels. The clinical relevance of these findings and the effect on intracranial blood flow are currently unknown.

Microvascular Transposition Without Teflon: A Single Institution's 17-Year Experience Treating Trigeminal Neuralgia

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 397-405
Author(s):  
Andrew R Pines ◽  
Richard J Butterfield ◽  
Evelyn L Turcotte ◽  
Jose O Garcia ◽  
Noel De Lucia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Postoperative Pain ◽  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Fibrin Glue ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
Trigeminal Nerve Root

Abstract BACKGROUND Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) refractory to medical management is often treated with microvascular decompression (MVD) involving the intracranial placement of Teflon. The placement of Teflon is an effective treatment, but does apply distributed pressure to the nerve and has been associated with pain recurrence. OBJECTIVE To report the rate of postoperative pain recurrence in TN patients who underwent MVD surgery using a transposition technique with fibrin glue without Teflon. METHODS Patients were eligible for our study if they were diagnosed with TN, did not have multiple sclerosis, and had an offending vessel that was identified and transposed with fibrin glue at our institution. All eligible patients were given a follow-up survey. We used a Kaplan-Meier (KM) model to estimate overall pain recurrence. RESULTS A total of 102 patients met inclusion criteria, of which 85 (83%) responded to our survey. Overall, 76 (89.4%) participants responded as having no pain recurrence. Approximately 1-yr pain-free KM estimates were 94.1% (n = 83), 5-yr pain-free KM estimates were 94.1% (n = 53), and 10-yr pain-free KM estimates were 83.0% (n = 23). CONCLUSION Treatment for TN with an MVD transposition technique using fibrin glue may avoid some cases of pain recurrence. The percentage of patients in our cohort who remained pain free at a maximum of 17 yr follow-up is on the high end of pain-free rates reported by MVD studies using Teflon. These results indicate that a transposition technique that emphasizes removing any compression near the trigeminal nerve root provides long-term pain-free rates for patients with TN.

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