scholarly journals Examining the Relationship Between Family Caregivers' Emotional States and Ability to Empathize with Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 122-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sepideh Pooyania ◽  
Michelle Lobchuk ◽  
Wanda Chernomas ◽  
Ruth Ann Marrie
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Mood State ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common nontraumatic cause of disability affecting young adults in Canada. Caregivers of patients with MS are highly psychologically burdened. Empathy and helping behaviors are hallmarks of quality care, but when they are challenged, suboptimal patient care can result. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of negative emotional states among primary caregivers of people with MS; the association between the caregiver's empathy-related behavior and the physical and cognitive impairment of the person with MS; and the association between the caregiver's emotional status and his or her empathy-related behaviors. Methods: We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional pilot study with family caregivers of noninstitutionalized individuals living with MS. We used univariate linear regression models for each potential predictor. The Kruskal-Wallis test was conducted to compare differences in caregiver empathic responses depending on Profile of Mood States subscale scores. Results: Thirty percent of caregivers had elevated or very elevated mood scores, and such elevated scores were associated with greater functional impact of MS on the person with MS. Patient severity of cognitive impairment was not associated with caregiver mood scores. Caregiver mood state was not associated with empathy-related behaviors. Empathy-related behaviors were less frequent when levels of anger and hostility were higher, but this association did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Given the elevated levels of fatigue, depression, and anger observed among caregivers in this study, clinicians need to be aware of the potential impact of caregiving and to assess the needs of caregivers.

The association between cognitive impairment and physical disability in multiple sclerosis

2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 469-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon G Lynch ◽  
Brett A Parmenter ◽  
Douglas R Denney
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Physical Disability ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Delayed Recall ◽  
Physical Decline ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
Duration Of Disease ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
The Relationship

Background: The association between cognitive impairment and physical disability was examined in a larger, more representative sample of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) than in previous studies. Method: Two hundred and fifty-three patients attending an MS clinic were assessed with respect to physical disability using the Expanded Disability Status Scale and cognitive impairment using a battery of neuropsychological tests. Results: Physical disability correlated with duration of disease; cognitive impairment did not. Virtually all measures derived from the cognitive battery were significantly correlated with physical disability. Three measures of speeded information processing and one involving delayed recall of verbal material were unique predictors of disability status. The relationship between cognitive impairment and physical disability was equivalent for patients with shorter (<3 years) versus longer (>10 years) disease duration. Cognitive impairment correlated with the rate of disability progression as reflected by the progression index. Conclusion: Cognitive impairment is more closely associated with physical disability than most previous studies indicate. This relationship appears to be stable throughout the duration of MS, although this conclusion is qualified by the cross-sectional design of the study. Further attention should be paid to cognitive impairment as a possible predictor of the rate of patients’ physical decline.

scholarly journals The Possible Direct Correlation between Cognitive Impairment and Fear of Catching COVID-19 among Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roghayyeh Saeedi ◽  
Nasim Rezaeimanesh ◽  
Mohammad Ali Sahraian ◽  
Abdorreza Naser Moghadasi
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Disorders ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Immunosuppressive Drugs ◽  
Cognitive Disorder ◽  
P Value ◽  
Information Processing Speed ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Relationship

Objective: The prevalence of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS) is significant and it is estimated that 40% to 70% of patients with MS suffer from this impairment. COVID-19 is also a new infectious disease. The symptoms of this disease, which include fever, shortness of breath, and cough, can be mild to severe and can even lead to death. Due to the use of immunosuppressive drugs by Patients with MS, they might be at greater risk of catching COVID-19. Thus, patients with MS may be more afraid of catching the virus. One of the important factors is the relationship between cognitive deficit and the increase in patients' fear of COVID-19. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between fear of catching COVID-19 and cognitive impairment in patients with MS. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the MS Clinic, Sina hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Our participants in this project were Patients with MS who were over 18 years old and had no history of other neurological and psychiatric diseases. In addition to obtaining demographic and clinical information, we measured the fear of catching the COVID 2019 via Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), which is 7-item questionnaire. We also used Multiple Sclerosis Neuro Psychological Screening Questionnaire (MSNQ) to assess memory and information processing speed in Patients with MS. Results: After adjustment for age, gender, disease duration, highest level of education, MS type, and EDSS in linear regression model, as well as the MSNQ total score and fear score of catching coronavirus, the results demonstrated a significant positive correlation with P value of 0.00 and β: 0.024. Conclusion: The present study showed a direct relationship between cognitive disorder and level of fear regarding COVID-19. Patients with more cognitive disorders were more afraid of COVID-19.

Evaluación Cognitiva Montreal y consumo de alcohol: Un diagnóstico descriptivo del deterioro cognitivo en estudiantes universitarios de Durango, México

2019 ◽  
pp. 28-38
Author(s):  
Karla Liliana Pérez-Sosa ◽  
Edgar Felipe Lares-Bayona
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Toxic Substance ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Probabilistic Study ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Relationship

Alcohol is a toxic substance associated with acute and chronic disorders affecting the Central Nervous System and significantly altering brain function. Objective: To determine the relationship between cognitive impairment and alcohol consumption in university students of the Juárez University of the State of Durango. Methodology: It is a cross-sectional, descriptive, comparative, non-probabilistic study, for convenience. A database was designed on the results obtained in a clinical interview on alcohol consumption and the application of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. Contribution: The evaluation of cognitive functions show similar results, the male sex presented a better score in Attention and the female one in Orientation. More involvement was identified in the Deferred Memory functions in both groups. In relation to alcohol consumption, the cognitive functions evaluated show lower levels. The female gender was more evident cognitive impairment in relation to alcohol consumption being statistically significant (p <0.025). Alcohol consumption is a risky behavior that deserves to be recognized by the main actors about neurocognitive effects. Alcohol consumption prevention programs and cognitive diagnostic tools are appropriate strategies to reduce risk behaviors in mental health.

The Relationship Between The Perception of Elderly’s Health Status and Health Behaviors in Nakhon Nayok Province, Thailand

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 420-423
Author(s):  
Prapada Watcharanat ◽  
Prasong Tanpichai ◽  
Ravee Sajjasophon
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Multiple Regression Analysis ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Congenital Diseases ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose: This research aims to study the relationship between perception of elderly’s health and health behaviors in Nakhon Nayok province, Thailand Methods: This research was a cross-sectional study. The questionnaire was used to collect the data. This research was conducted in Nakhon Nayok province. The sample size was 270 which applied Taro Yamane's formula at a significant level 0.05. The descriptive statistics was implemented to describe the variables by presenting the frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis was applied to analyze the relationship between perception of elderly’s health and health behaviors. The statistical significance was considered to reject Hypothesis-null at < 0.05. Results: From a total of 270 people, more than 58.22% of the elderly perceived that they had moderate health conditions. Most elderly had congenital diseases (62.2%). The multiple regression analysis results showed that health status perception and health status perception when compared to their cohort related significantly to health behavior. Conclusion: The government should support the elderly on participation, trust, engagement, and cultural concern of the people in the community, which can contribute to promoting the physical, mental and social condition of the elderly.

scholarly journals The influence of demographic factors on subjective cognitive concerns and beta-amyloid

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 645-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Aghjayan ◽  
Rachel F. Buckley ◽  
Patrizia Vannini ◽  
Dorene M. Rentz ◽  
Jonathan D. Jackson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positron Emission Tomography Imaging ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Aging Brain ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Clinically Normal ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACTBackground:Converging evidence suggests that subjective cognitive concerns (SCC) are associated with biomarker evidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) prior to objective clinical impairment. However, the sensitivity of SCC reports in early AD may be biased by demographic factors. Here, we sought to investigate whether age, education, and sex influence the relationship between SCC and amyloid (Aβ) burden.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, we examined 252 clinically normal (CN) individuals (57.7% females) enrolled in the Harvard Aging Brain Study, ages 63–90 years (mean 73.7±6) with 6–20 years of education (mean 15.8±3). SCC was assessed as a composite score comprising three questionnaires. Cortical Aβ burden was assessed with Pittsburgh compound B positron emission tomography imaging. A series of linear regression models assessed the potential modifying role of demographic variables with respect to Aβ burden and SCC. A post-hoc mediation model was implemented to further understand the relationship between Aβ burden and SCC via their relationship with education.Results:Age (β = −0.84, p = 0.36) and sex (β = −0.55, p = 0.22) did not modify the relationship between SCC and Aβ burden. Fewer years of education was correlated with greater SCC (r = −0.12, p = 0.05), but the relationship between Aβ burden and SCC was stronger in those with more education (β = 1.16, p < 0.05). A partial mediation effect was found of Aβ burden on SCC via education (b = −0.12, 95% CI [−0.31, −0.02]).Conclusions:These findings suggest that the association between SCC and Aβ burden becomes stronger with greater educational attainment. Thus, SCC may be of particular importance in highly educated CN individuals harboring amyloid pathology.

scholarly journals Parkinson Disease: The Relationship Between Non-motor Symptoms and Motor Phenotype

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang Ba ◽  
Mona Obaid ◽  
Marguerite Wieler ◽  
Richard Camicioli ◽  
W.R. Wayne Martin
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson Disease ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Advanced Disease ◽  
Axial Component ◽  
Motor Symptoms ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Non Motor Symptoms ◽  
Motor Phenotype

AbstractBackground: Parkinson disease (PD) presents with motor and non-motor symptoms (NMS). The NMS often precede the onset of motor symptoms, but may progress throughout the disease course. Tremor dominant, postural instability gait difficulty (PIGD), and indeterminate phenotypes can be distinguished using Unified PD Rating scales (UPDRS-III). We hypothesized that the PIGD phenotype would be more likely to develop NMS, and that the non-dopamine–responsive axial signs would correlate with NMS severity. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional chart review to assess the relationship between NMS and PD motor phenotypes. PD patients were administered the NMS Questionnaire, the UPDRS-III, and the Mini-Mental State Examination score. The relationship between NMS burden and PD subtypes was examined using linear regression models. The prevalence of each NMS among difference PD motor subtypes was analyzed using chi-square test. Results: PD patients with more advanced disease based on their UPDRS-III had higher NMS Questionnaire scores. The axial component of UPDRS-III correlated with higher NMS. There was no correlation between NMS and tremor scores. There was a significant correlation between PIGD score and higher NMS burden. PIGD group had higher prevalence in most NMS domains when compared with tremor dominant and indeterminate groups independent of disease duration and severity. Conclusions: NMS profile and severity vary according to motor phenotype. We conclude that in the PD population, patients with a PIGD phenotype who have more axial involvement, associated with advanced disease and poor motor response, have a higher risk for a higher NMS burden.

scholarly journals Separate and Combined Influence of Cognitive Impairment and Dysarthria on Functional Communication in Multiple Sclerosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 1051-1065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynda Feenaughty ◽  
Kris Tjaden ◽  
Bianca Weinstock-Guttman ◽  
Ralph H. B. Benedict
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
Functional Communication ◽  
Group Assignment ◽  
Communication Problems ◽  
Intelligibility Test ◽  
Sentence Intelligibility ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Dysarthria is a consequence of multiple sclerosis (MS) that can co-occur with cognitive impairment. Clinical management thus requires understanding the separate and combined effects of dysarthria and cognitive impairment on functional communication in MS. This study compared perceptual measures of intelligibility and speech severity that capture functional communication deficits for 4 operationally defined groups with MS. The relationship between communication participation and perceptual measures was also examined. Method Forty-eight adults with MS and 12 healthy controls participated. Cognitive testing and dysarthria diagnosis determined group assignment: (a) MS with cognitive impairment (MSCI), (b) MS with a diagnosis of dysarthria and no cognitive impairment (MSDYS), (c) MS with dysarthria and cognitive impairment (MSDYS + CI), and (d) MS without dysarthria or cognitive impairment (MS). Sentence Intelligibility Test scores, scaled speech severity obtained from the “Grandfather Passage,” and Communication Participation Item Bank (CPIB) scores were analyzed. Results Sentence Intelligibility Test scores approached 100% for all groups. Speech severity was greater for the MSDYS + CI and MSDYS groups versus controls. CPIB scores were greatest for the MSDYS + CI group and were not significantly correlated with either perceptual measure. Conclusions The CPIB and speech severity were sensitive to aspects of communication problems for some groups with MS not reflected in a measure of sentence intelligibility. Findings suggest the importance of employing a variety of measures to capture functional communication problems experienced by persons with MS.

scholarly journals Multiple sclerosis in First Nations Canadians: A pilot comparison study

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 205521731666609
Author(s):  
Ruth Ann Marrie ◽  
Nicholas Hall ◽  
A Dessa Sadovnick
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
First Nations ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Diagnostic Delay ◽  
Psychiatric Disease ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Genetic Characteristics ◽  
Standardized Interview ◽  
Observational Design

Background Genetic and clinical characteristics associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) may differ by ethnicity but few studies have evaluated whether characteristics of MS differ between individuals according to First Nations (FN) ethnicity. Objective Using a cross-sectional observational design, we compared clinical and genetic characteristics between people with MS of FN and non-FN ethnicity. Methods We recruited participants of FN ethnicity with MS. We conducted a medical records review for each participant followed by a standardized interview and drawing of blood samples. The blood underwent genetic analyses for several HLA alleles. We compared the study sample with 127 non-FN MS participants from another study conducted in the same region using the same data collection procedures. Results We included 144 participants with MS, of whom 17 (11.8%) self-identified as FN. The age of symptom onset was earlier and the diagnostic delay shorter among FN participants although these differences did not reach statistical significance. As compared to non-FN participants, FN participants with MS had increased odds of comorbid psychiatric disease (OR 5.38; 95% CI: 1.84–15.8), and were less likely to be HLA-DRB1*1501 positive (OR 0.32; 95% CI: 0.11–0.96). Conclusion Genetic and clinical characteristics of MS differ among Canadians of FN and non-FN ethnicity.

scholarly journals A Pilot Longitudinal Evaluation of MicroRNAs for Monitoring the Cognitive Impairment in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (22) ◽  
pp. 8274
Author(s):  
Nicoletta Nuzziello ◽  
Arianna Consiglio ◽  
Rosa Gemma Viterbo ◽  
Flavio Licciulli ◽  
Sabino Liuni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Information Processing Speed ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Multiple Data ◽  
Maturation Factor ◽  
Early Markers ◽  
Differentially Expressed Mirnas

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs, seem to play a key role in complex diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as in many cognitive functions associated with the disease. In a previous cross-sectional evaluation on pediatric MS (PedMS) patients, the expression of some miRNAs and their target genes were found to be associated with the scores of some neuropsychiatric tests, thus suggesting that they may be involved in early processes of cognitive impairment. To verify these data, we asked the same patients to be re-evaluated after a 1-year interval; unfortunately, only nine of them agreed to this further clinical and molecular analysis. The main results showed that 13 differentially expressed miRNAs discriminated the two time-points. Among them, the expression of miR-182-5p, miR-320a-3p, miR-744-5p and miR-192-5p significantly correlated with the attention and information processing speed performances, whereas the expression of miR-182-5p, miR-451a, miR-4742-3p and miR-320a-3p correlated with the expressive language performances. The analysis of mRNA expression uncovered 58 predicted and/or validated miRNA-target pairs, including 23 target genes, some of them already associated with cognitive impairment, such as the transducing beta like 1 X-linked receptor-1 gene (TBL1XR1), correlated to disorders of neurodevelopment; the Snf2 related CREBBP activator protein gene (SRCAP) that was found implicated in a rare form of dementia; and the glia maturation factor beta gene (GMFB), which has been reported to be implicated in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. No molecular pathways involving the most targeted genes survived the adjustment for multiple data. Although preliminary, these findings showed the feasibility of the methods also applied to longitudinal investigations, as well as the reliability of the obtained results. These findings should be confirmed in larger PedMS cohorts in order to identify early markers of cognitive impairment, towards which more efficient therapeutic efforts can be addressed.

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