Association between Expanded Disability Status Scale score and dietary antioxidant capacity in patients with multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS), a neuroinflammation that results in neurodegeneration, is the most prevalent central nervous system inflammatory disease in young people. A diet rich in antioxidants is known to decrease the production/activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines and have a positive impact on the prognosis of MS. The purpose of this study was to assess if dietary antioxidant capacity is related to Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores in patients with MS. Patients with MS (n=220; 137 women and 83 men) were asked to complete a questionnaire on diet. According to the EDSS score, patients were split into two groups (group 1: EDSS ≤5 and group 2: EDSS >5). Analyzed risk variables were antioxidant levels and demographic data. A nutritional database tool (BeBiS 4 software, Germany) created for the evaluation of Turkish foods was used to examine the questionnaire findings. Age, vitamin A, retinol, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin C were significantly different between groups (P<0.05). The levels of vitamins A, D, E, C, and retinol were significantly correlated, according to Pearson's correlation analysis. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis revealed that vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin C levels were discriminating variables in group 2 patients (EDSS >5). The current study has shown that antioxidant levels obtained by EDSS may be useful in determining illness severity and treatment success of patients with MS. Further clinical trials have been initiated in MS patients with more effective antioxidants.

OCT as a monitoring tool for assessment of the stage and severity of multiple sclerosis / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To identify a link between optical coherence tomography(OCT), length of multiple sclerosis(MS)and the expanded disability status scale(EDSS).<p>METHODS: In a prospective double blind study, 29 patients with a diagnosis of MS were compared with 29 healthy patients, matched by age and sex. All participants underwent an OCT study and neurological EDSS test on the same day.<p>RESULTS: The mean EDSS score was 3.2 in the MS group <i>vs</i> 0.03 in the control group, and the duration of MS was 11.7y. The mean retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)thickness was significantly thinner in those with MS <i>(P</i><0.001). Correlation was found between duration of MS and RNFL thinning. EDSS and thinning of RNFL showed a tendency to correlate but without statistical significance.<p>CONCLUSION: RNFL is thinner in MS patients than in the general population. MS duration has a direct statistically significant effect on RNFL thickness. There seems to be a tendency of a relationship between RNFL thinning and EDSS. OCT is suggested as a monitoring and evaluation tool of MS patients.

Levels of vitamin D and the effect of added treatment on Multiple Sclerosis / 实用医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the serum 25?hydroxy vitamin D3 level in patients with multiple sclerosis(MS)and normal healthy population,as well as the correlation between addition of oral 1,25?hydroxy vitamin D3 and the prevention of MS relapse and progression. Methods There were 60 cases in the relapsing?remitting MS(RRMS)group and 68 cases in the healthy group,respectively;and the differences in the sex,age, serum 25?hydroxy vitamin D3 level of the two groups were counted and evaluated. In addition ,the 60 cases of patients were divided randomly into the hormone therapy group and the addition treatment group ,with 30 cases in each group;the addition treatment group was added oral calcitriol soft capsules on the basis of the hormone therapy group;EDSS score evaluation was conducted on the two groups 6,12 and 24 months after treatment,the relapse frequency was counted after 24 months,and the relapse interval was calculated. Results The serum 25?hydroxy vitamin D3 levels in the patient group and the healthy group were(18.75 ± 8.35)nmol/L and(23.28 ± 9.31)nmol/L, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the relapse frequency (P < 0.01),the relapse interval(P < 0.05),and EDSS score(after 24 months)(P < 0.05)between the hormone therapy group and the addition treatment group after treatment;while the differences in the EDSS score (after 6 months)(P = 0.457) and the EDSS score(after 12 months)(P = 0.118)between the two groups showed no statistically significance. Conclusion The serum 25?hydroxy vitamin D3 level in MS patients was markedly lower than that in normal healthy population. Addition of 1,25?hydroxy vitamin D3 contributes to preventing the relapse rate of MS and extending the relapse interval;in addition,maintaining long?term of oral 1,25?hydroxy vitamin D3 facilitates to delaying the progression of disabled disease.

Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis at remission stage treated with acupuncture:a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the differences in the therapeutic effects on relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) at remission stage between acupuncture at acupoints and shallow needling therapy at the nearby points.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-two patients of RRMS were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 21 cases in each one. In the observation group, besides the basic treatment, acupuncture was applied according to's empirical prescriptions as "the empirical ten needles" "thirteen needles of the governor vessel" "twelve needles of hand and foot" as well as the symptomatic points. In the control group, the basic treatment was given. Additionally, the shallow needling therapy was given at the sites 0.2 to 0.3lateral to the acupoints, and the arrival ofwas not required. In the two groups, acupuncture was given once a day for 5 days a week, continuously for 2 weeks. At the intervals of 2 weeks, totally the treatment of 3 months was required. The follow-up visit was conducted for 2 years. Separately, the scores of the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) before and in follow-up after treatment, the annual recurrent rate before and after treatment and recurrent interval after treatment were observed in the patients of the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the observation group, EDSS scores in 3-month and 6-month follow-up were reduced as compared with those before treatment (both<0.05) and those in the 12-month and 24-month follow-up were increased (both<0.05). In the control group, EDSS scores were increased in tendency continuously in 3-month, 6-month, 12-month and 24-month follow-up (all<0.05). In each time point of follow-up, the different value of EDSS scores in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (<0.05,<0.01). The annual recurrent rates after treatment were reduced as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (both<0.01) and the value in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (<0.01). The recurrent interval in the observation group was longer than that in the control group[(441.56±65.37) d vs (382.78±59.33) d,<0.01].</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Acupuncture achieves the significant therapeutic effects on RRMS at the remission stage. This therapy relieves the symptoms of neural functional deficits, delays the time of occurrence and reduces the annual recurrent rate.</p>

Phototest for neurocognitive screening in multiple sclerosis / O Fototest no rastreio neurocognitivo na Esclerose Múltipla

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological disorders. Cognitive dysfunction is considered a clinical marker of MS, where approximately half of patients with MS have cognitive impairment. Objective : The Phototest (PT) is a brief cognitive test with high diagnostic sensitivity, accuracy and cost-effectiveness for detecting cognitive deterioration. Our aim was to test the utility of the PT as a neurocognitive screening instrument for MS. Methods : The study enrolled 30 patients with different types of MS from an outpatient clinic as well as 19 healthy participants. In conjunction with the PT, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Barthel Index (BI), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) were administered. Results : The MS group obtained significantly lower results on all domains of the PT, except for the naming task. The PT showed good concurrent validity with the MoCA. In direct comparison to the MoCA, PT showed a greater area under the curve and higher levels of sensitivity and specificity for MS neurocognitive impairments. A cut-off score of 31 on the Phototest was associated with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 76.7%. Conclusion : The PT is a valid, specific, sensitive and brief test that is not dependent on motor functions. The instrument could be an option for neurocognitive screening in MS, especially in identifying cases for further neuropsychological assessment and intervention.

A Esclerose Múltipla (EM) é das doenças neurológicas mais comuns. A disfunção cognitiva consiste num marcador clínico da EM, cerca de metade dos pacientes apresentam comprometimento cognitivo. Objetivo : O Fototest (FT) é um teste breve, sensível, específico e com boa relação custo-eficácia na deteção de deterioração cognitiva. Pretendemos testar a validade do FT como um instrumento de screening neurocognitivo na EM. Métodos : O estudo envolveu uma amostra de 30 doentes com diferentes tipos de EM de uma clínica de tratamento ambulatório e 19 participantes saudáveis. Em conjunto com o FT, foram aplicados o Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), o Índice de Barthel (IB), a Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) e a Escala de Severidade de Fadiga (FSS). Resultados : O grupo EM obteve resultados significativamente inferiores em todos os domínios do FT, excepto na tarefa de nomeação. O FT apresenta boa validade concorrente com o MoCa. Na comparação direta com o MoCa, o FT revelou uma área sob a curva superior e níveis de sensibilidade e especificidade para os défices cognitivos na EM superiores. Ao ponto de corte de 31 no FT correspondem valores de sensibilidade de 100% e especificidade de 76,7%. Conclusão : O FT é um teste válido, específico, sensível e breve, não dependente das funções motoras. Pode ser uma opção para o screening neurocognitivo na EM, especialmente na identificação de casos para posterior avaliação neuropsicológica e intervenção.

Correlation between Serum Levels of Melatonin TNF-A and EDSS Scores in Multiple Sclerosis Patients / 昆明医科大学学报

Objective To study the serum levels of melatonin,tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and the correlation with disability.Methods Forty patients with multiple sclerosis were collected as MS group and 30 healthy participants were collected as control group.Serum levels of melatonin and cytokines,including IFN-γ and TNF-,were detected in all participants by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method;disability status of patients with MS was evaluated by EDSS scale.The relevant analysis between serum melatonin,TNF-α,IFN-γ levels and EDSS score in patients with MS was conducted.Results The concentration of serum melatonin in MS group was significantly lower than control group (P＜0.01).TNF-α levels were higher than control group (P＜0.05) and the difference was statistically significant between MS patients and control group.Among MS group and control group,no significant correlation with the serum levels of IFN-γ was seen.The serum melatonin level was inversely correlated with EDSS score in MS patients (r =-0.76,P＜0.01),and positively correlated with TNF-α (r =0.83,P＜0.01) and as compared to IFN-γ,no significant correlation was found (r =0.17,P＞0.05).Conclusion The decrease of melatonin and increase of TNF-α can be a factor in the inflammatory reaction in patients with MS,and is closely related with dysfunction occurring in multiple sclerosis.Serum melatonin and TNF-α can be used as laboratory indicators to monitor clinical curative effect and evaluate prognosis of MS.

Autologous Bone Marrow Derived Stem Cells for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

Stem cell therapy, an evolving, progressive field of therapeutics has shown several successes in areas where classic treatments failed to prevent or stop disability. Starting in 2009, twenty two sequential patients with progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS) courses were treated with Autologous Bone Marrow Mononuclear stem cells (BM-MNSCs). The cells were given both intravenously and intrathecally. Using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score for evaluation, our data indicates that the majority of the patients benefited on the average one point on the scale. This paper adds to the body of evidence suggesting the safety and efficacy of autologous BM-MNSCs in the treatment of MS and awaits validation through larger, randomized studies.

Brain atrophy at onset and physical disability in multiple sclerosis / Atrofia cerebral al inicio de la enfermedad y discapacidad fisica en esclerosis multiple

The aim of this study was to investigate if brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients during the disease onset predicts long term disability. METHODS: MS patients with follow-up time of at least 7 years from disease onset and with baseline and second magnetic resonance 12 months later were included to measure brain atrophy. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was categorized in three groups, EDSS=0, EDSS=1 and 2.5 and EDSS>2.5, and used as disability measure. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were included. Mean atrophy during the first year in patients that reached an EDSS≥3 was -0.76±0.45 %, in patients with an EDSS between 1 and 2.5 was -0.59±0.56, while in patients with an EDSS of 0 it was -0.38±0.42 (p=0.003). DISCUSSION: Brain atrophy rates during the first year of disease were predictive of disease progression in our population.

El objetivo fue evaluar en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple (EM) si la atrofia durante el primer año de iniciada la enfermedad predecía la discapacidad física a largo plazo. MÉTODOS: Pacientes con EM seguidos al menos durante 7 años del inicio de la enfermedad y con una resonancia magnetica al inicio y una segunda a los 12 meses de la inicial fueron incluidos para evaluar la atrofia cerebral. El Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) fue categorizado en tres grupos, EDSS=0, EDSS=1 y 2.5 y EDSS>2.5, y usado como medida de la discapacidad. RESULTADOS: Veintiséis pacientes fueran incluidos. El porcentaje de atrofia durante el primer año de iniciada la enfermedad en los pacientes que alcanzaron un EDSS≥3 fue de -0.76±0.45%, de -0.59 ±0.56 en pacientes con EDSS entre 1 y 2.5; de -0.38±0.42 en pacientes con EDSS de 0 (p=0,003). DISCUSIÓN: La tasa de atrofia cerebral durante el primer año de la esclerosis múltiple fue predictora de progresión de la discapacidad.

Validation of the brazilian version of Guy's neurological disability scale

The Guy's neurological disability scale (GNDS) has recently been introduced as a new measure of disability in multiple sclerosis. It is patient-oriented, multidimensional, and not biased towards any particular disability. The purpose of the present study was to validate the Brazilian version of the GNDS. The adaptation of the scale was based on the translation/back-translation methodology. Sixty-two patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS) according to Poser's criteria were recruited for this study. GNDS was administered individually to each subject. The EDSS and the ambulation index (AI) scores were assigned by a neurologist. The intraclass correlation coefficient and the Cronbach's alpha values of the Brazilian version of GNDS (0.94 and 0.83, respectively) were comparable to the original one (0.98 and 0.79, respectively). Furthermore, the factor analysis of the Brazilian version of GNDS suggested, as the original article, a four-factor solution which accounted for 68.8 percent of the total variance. The Brazilian version of GNDS was found to be clinically relevant as it correlated significantly with the EDSS and AI. In conclusion, the Brazilian version of GNDS can be considered an important tool to evaluate the disability in MS patients, with clinical usefulness and psychometrics soundness.

A Guy's neurological disability scale (GNDS) é uma escala de incapacidade criada recentemente, orientada para o paciente, multidimensional, e que não privilegia nenhum tipo específico de incapacidade. O objetivo deste estudo é validar a GNDS para a língua portuguesa. A adaptação da escala foi feita através do método de tradução e re-tradução. Sessenta e dois pacientes com esclerose múltipla (EM) clinicamente definida de acordo com os critérios de Poser participaram deste estudo. A GNDS foi aplicada individualmente em cada paciente. O EDSS e o índice ambulatorial (IA) foram determinados por neurologista. A correlação intra-classe e o valor de Cronbach's alfa da versão brasileira da GNDS (0.94 e 0.83, respectivamente) foram comparáveis aos do artigo original (0.98 e 0.79, respectivamente). Como no artigo original, a análise fatorial da versão brasileira da GNDS sugeriu uma solução de quatro fatores que explicaria 68.8 por cento da variação total. A versão brasileira da GNDS mostrou-se clinicamente relevante uma vez que se correlacionou com o EDSS e o IA. Em conclusão, a versão brasileira da GNDS pode ser considerada como um importante instrumento de avaliação incapacidade na EM com significado clínico e relevância psicométrica.

Association between serum level of tumor necrosis factor alpha and the Western- and Asian-type multiple sclerosis / 解放军医学杂志

0.05).Conclusions The TNF-?levels differed among the sta- ges of disease and MS subtypes,but no marked relation existed between the TNF-?level and the EDSS score.