Chronotypes and their relationship with depression, anxiety, and fatigue among patients with multiple sclerosis in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Background: Approximately half of patients with multiple sclerosis (PWMS) experience sleep disorders or changes in the circadian rhythm, that may further promote the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. As the prevalence of chronotypes among PWMS remains unclear, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of chronotypes among Lithuanian PWMS; to assess the relationship of chronotypes with depression, anxiety, and fatigue symptoms; and to compare these results with those of healthy controls. Methods: We enrolled 101 PWMS and 100 healthy controls. We included 130 (64.7%) and 71 (35.3%) women and men, respectively. The median age of all respondents was 39 [interquartile range (IQR) 20.75] years. Participants were assessed using general questionnaire, Horne-Östberg Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Shortened Fatigue Questionnaire (SFQ). Chronotypes were identified based on the total MEQ score. Results: The average MEQ scores of the PWMS and control groups were 54 (IQR 15.0) and 53.5 (IQR 13), respectively, which indicated the intermediate chronotype. There was no significant between-group difference in the prevalence of chronotypes (p = 0.893). In both groups, individuals with moderate evening and intermediate chronotypes showed higher average HADS depression scores (p = 0.022). Further, in both groups, the individuals with the evening chronotype showed the highest average HADS anxiety scores (p = 0.001). The PWMS group had a higher average SFQ score than the control group (p < 0.001). High SFQ scores were more common among PWMS who had the intermediate (p < 0.001) and morning chronotypes (p = 0.011). The fatigue level was higher among healthy individuals with the evening chronotype (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The most common chronotype for PWMS and healthy controls was the intermediate chronotype. Further, in both groups, higher HADS depression and anxiety scores were associated with the evening chronotype. Fatigue was more commonly found in healthy controls with the evening, and in PWMS - with intermediate and morning chronotypes.

Approaches and challenges in the diagnosis and management of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis: A Central Eastern European perspective from healthcare professionals.

Secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) is a debilitating condition characterized by gradual worsening after an initial relapsing disease course. Despite the recent advances in our understanding of the disease, the diagnosis and treatment of SPMS continue to be challenging in routine clinical practice. The aim of this review article is to present the views of leading MS experts on the challenges in the diagnosis and management of SPMS and clinicians' perspectives in Central and Eastern Europe. This article also provides recommendations of MS experts to improve the situation with diagnosis and management of SPMS. Many countries within Central and Eastern Europe have high prevalence of MS (>100 per 100,000 population). Consistent with the global trend, in the absence of reliable tests or biomarkers, SPMS at early stage remains undiagnosed. Due to diagnostic uncertainty and lack of a universally accepted disease definition, clinicians rely more on retrospective analysis of the clinical symptoms to confirm the diagnosis. With the lack of awareness and poor understanding of the timing of the onset of SPMS, clinicians may tend to direct attention to relapses than the symptoms of progression, which leads to underestimation of SPMS. Although several predictors of progression to SPMS have been identified, their predictive value is highly variable. Therefore, defining the transitioning period as a separate stage of MS is essential. According to experts' opinion, frequent follow-up of patients and periodic assessment of progression are recommended for the timely identification of patients transitioning from RRMS to SPMS. MSProDiscuss Tool is an example of a quick assessment tool for identifying patients progressing from RRMS to SPMS. MS progression is usually assessed by changes in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores. As EDSS scores tend to fluctuate when measured in the short term (3-6 months), a longer period (≥12 months) may be needed to confirm the progression. Assessment of cognitive function is also important for evaluating secondary progression. Compartmentalization of inflammation within the central nervous system is an important reason behind the limited success of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for treating SPMS. Most of the DMTs fail to cross the blood-brain barrier; only 38% of the tested DMTs achieved their primary endpoint in SPMS. In Europe, siponimod is the first oral treatment for adults with active SPMS. Particularly, in Central and Eastern Europe, patients with SPMS are still being prescribed less efficacious DMTs and interferons. The absence of alternative treatments in SPMS supports the use of new products (siponimod and others); however the decision to initiate siponimod therapy in more severe patients (EDSS score of 7 or higher) should be individualized in consultation with the payers. The focus should be on early treatment initiation to delay disease progression.

The impact of medical conditions on the quality of life of survivors at discharge from intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is one of the possible outcomes after discharge from an intensive care unit (ICU). Evaluation of patient health status on discharge from the ICU would help identify factors influencing changes in HRQOL after ICU discharge. The objective of the study was to identify whether health state on discharge from prolonged stay in the ICU has any influence on survivors' HRQOL 6 months after intensive care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study of patients with the prolonged length of stay (exceeding 7 days) in the ICU was conducted. The study covered the impact of organ system dysfunction (SOFA score), number of therapeutic interventions (TISS-28 score), and critical illness neuromuscular abnormalities (CINMA) on discharge from the ICU on HRQOL 6 months following ICU discharge. RESULTS: In total, 137 patients were included in the study. The SOFA score on the last day in the ICU was 2.91 (SD, 1.57); the TISS-28 score on the last day in the ICU was 21.79 (SD, 4.53). Decreased physical functioning (PF) and role physical (RP) were identified. Circulatory impairment on discharge from the ICU had an impact on decreased PF (P=0.016), role physical (P=0.066), and role emotional (P=0.001). Patients with dysfunction in more than one organ system on ICU discharge had decreased role emotional (P=0.016). Severe CINMA was diagnosed in 18 patients. They had decreased PF (P=0.007) and RP (P=0.019). Patients with the TISS-28 score above or equal to 20 points showed lower HRQOL in the PF domain (P=0.077) and general health (P=0.038). CONCLUSIONS: HRQOL in patients with prolonged stay in the ICU is particularly impaired in the domains of physical functioning and role physical. It is associated with circulatory impairment, CINMA, and greater number of therapeutic interventions on discharge from the ICU.