ABSTRACT
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system that typically strikes young adults. It is often associated with a wide range of functional deficits and progressive disability. Common symptoms of multiple sclerosis include vision problems, spasticity, weakness, ataxia, bladder and bowel dysfunctions, fatigue, pain syndromes, tremors, vertigo, cognitive impairment, and mood disorders. Multiple sclerosis has a major negative impact on patient health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Quality of life (QoL) is a multidimensional construct composed of functional, physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being. Researches have reported that individuals with multiple sclerosis have lower QoL than non-diseased and diseased populations. The inclusion of HRQoL questionnaires in the patient follow-up is a relevant issue to optimize treatment, facilitate treatment decisions and improve adherence, as well as to reduce the inconveniences derived from medication such as side effects.
Subject(s)
Multiple Sclerosis/complications , Quality of Life , Ataxia/etiology , Chronic Pain/etiology , Cognition Disorders/etiology , Depression/etiology , Disability Evaluation , Disease Progression , Fatigue/etiology , Humans , Irritable Bowel Syndrome/etiology , Mood Disorders/etiology , Multiple Sclerosis/diagnosis , Multiple Sclerosis/psychology , Muscle Spasticity/etiology , Muscle Weakness/etiology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Tremor/etiology , Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic/etiology , Vertigo/etiology , Vision Disorders/etiologyABSTRACT
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine defines complementary and alternative medicine as a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disabling disease of the central nervous system that affects people during early adulthood. In spite of many approved medications, the treatment options in MS are limited. Many people with MS explore complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments to help control their MS and treat their symptoms. Surveys suggest that up to 70% of people with MS have tried one or more CAM treatment for their MS. People with MS using CAM generally report deriving some benefit from therapies. The CAM therapies most frequently used include diet, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. The therapies with highest potential among CAM therapies that warrant further investigation are low-fat diet, omega-3 fatty acids, lipoic acid, and vitamin D supplementation as potential anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agents in both relapsing and progressive forms of MS. There are very limited researches evaluating the safety and efficacy of CAM in MS. However, in recent years, the USA National Institutes of Health and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society have been actively supporting the researches in this very important area.
Subject(s)
Complementary Therapies/statistics & numerical data , Health Behavior , Multiple Sclerosis/therapy , Precision Medicine/methods , Antioxidants/therapeutic use , Diet, Fat-Restricted/statistics & numerical data , Fatty Acids, Omega-3/therapeutic use , Humans , Multiple Sclerosis/epidemiology , Self Care/methods , Vitamin D/therapeutic use , Vitamins/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is the most common form of human prion diseases. A 57-year-old woman was transferred to our Department from a local hospital, where she had been treated for two weeks due to consciousness disorders and convulsive epileptic attacks that progressed to refractory status epilepticus. Electroencephalography showed diffuse spike-wave complex discharges and development of nonconvulsive status epilepticus. The causes of metabolic encephalopathy and paraneoplastic syndrome were ruled out. A combination of clinical features and findings of diagnostic procedures including electroencephalography, biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid and magnetic resonance imaging suggested with great probability that the patient was affected with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Subject(s)
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome/diagnosis , Status Epilepticus/complications , Brain/pathology , Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome/complications , Electroencephalography , Female , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Middle Aged , Status Epilepticus/diagnosisABSTRACT
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Tumor-like manifestation of multiple sclerosis is one of the rare clinical variants and it is frequently misdiagnosed. This is a report on a 45-year-old man who presented with right-sided hemiparesis. Initial computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging studies of the brain revealed a large hyperintense signal lesion in the left hemisphere surrounding the cerebral edema. Low grade glioma was among the likely differential diagnoses. The patient underwent surgery. Brain biopsy showed demyelination. Lumbar puncture was performed and cerebrospinal fluid was positive for intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulins. Other findings were compatible with the unusual form of multiple sclerosis. This case report illustrates a demyelinating process mimicking tumor lesions of the brain and it is of high importance to consider the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis on differential diagnosis of a tumor-like lesion of the central nervous system.
