The association between fingolimod and mental health outcomes in a cohort of Multiple Sclerosis patients with stress.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to study the association between fingolimod and the frequency of depression, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms among a cohort of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients with stress. The secondary objective was to examine the association between patient characteristics and these psychiatric symptoms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with MS and stress were recruited according to the Arabic version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Psychiatric outcomes were measured by validated scales. Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Data from 324 participants were analyzed. RESULTS: Fingolimod was associated with a significantly lower adjusted odds ratio for depression (aOR 0.58, 95% CI 0.35-0.97, p<0.05) but less associated with anxiety (aOR 0.63, 95% CI 0.35-1.01, p=0.05) and insomnia (aOR 0.88, 95% CI 0.52-1.51, p=0.64). CONCLUSIONS: Close monitoring of mental health is required for patients with MS using disease-modifying therapies.

Dietary patterns and the risk of coronary heart disease among Jordanians: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Dietary pattern and lifestyle have been reported to be significant risk factors in the development of coronary heart diseases (CHD). The contribution degree of these dietary risk factors in CHD development in non-westernized countries is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate several dietary choices and their potential association with CHD. METHODS AND RESULTS: A case-control study was conducted at Prince Hamza Hospital, a referral center for coronary angiography in Amman, Jordan. Four-hundred patients referring for elective coronary angiography with clinical suspicion of coronary artery disease were enrolled. Data was collected using interview-based questionnaires. Dietary patterns were derived using Principal Component Analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the relationship between dietary choices and CHD. Three dietary patterns were identified. The "Healthy Dietary Pattern", which presented a diet rich in olive oil, fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, and low meat intake, was associated with a significant decrease in the odds of CHD (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.28-0.98). The "High-Fiber Pattern", which is mainly composed of legumes and bulgur, significantly reduced the odd of CHD (OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.27-0.92) for the fourth quartile compared to the first one. No significant association was found between CHD and the "Western Dietary Pattern", which is loaded with refined grains, sweets and deserts, sugary drinks, and deep fried foods. CONCLUSIONS: The "Healthy Dietary Pattern" and the "High-Fiber Pattern" were associated with a decrease in odds of CHD among Jordanians.

Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis associated with raised intracranial pressure in closed head injury with depressed skull fracture.

A case of delayed signs of intracranial hypertension following closed head injury with a depressed cranial fracture and superior sagittal sinus thrombosis is reported. Conservative treatment of intracranial hypertension, including just repeated lumbar puncture and oral acetazolamide, was performed. Spontaneous recanalization of the superior sagittal sinus was observed. Pathogenesis and different modalities of treatment are discussed.