Multiple sclerosis and related disorders
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Mult Scler Relat Disord · Nov 2018
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy differentiates tumefactive demyelinating lesions from gliomas.
It is often difficult to accurately differentiate tumefactive demyelinating lesions (TDLs) from gliomas using MRI. ⋯ MRS effectively differentiates TDLs from high-grade gliomas. Therefore, the clinical use of MRS is likely to enhance patient outcomes.
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Mult Scler Relat Disord · Nov 2018
Relapse prevalence, symptoms, and health care engagement: patient insights from the Multiple Sclerosis in America 2017 survey.
Underestimation of relapse in multiple sclerosis (MS) is detrimental to the patient as well as to their relationship with their MS healthcare professional (HCP). ⋯ MS relapse remains particularly challenging for certain patients; some experience > 2 relapses in 1 year, relapse durations > 1 month, and relapse symptoms that interfere with daily functioning (e.g. walking/balance by 68.8%). Approximately 25% of patients reported rarely or never engaging their HCP during relapse. Common reasons for not engaging, like HCP helpfulness and treatment effectiveness/tolerance, warrant further exploration. Results indicating the benefits of timely touchpoints on both the part of the patient and HCP during relapse include the relationship between higher frequency of engagement with lower relapse frequency and more discussion of both relapse-related and MS-related discussion topics. Survey limitations apply.
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Mult Scler Relat Disord · Nov 2018
Adverse psychiatric effects of disease-modifying therapies in multiple Sclerosis: A systematic review.
Psychiatric comorbidity is prevalent in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Few studies have assessed whether second-generation disease-modifying therapies (DMT) are associated with adverse psychiatric effects. ⋯ The DMTs reviewed were not associated with an increased risk of adverse psychiatric effect in MS, and some may reduce the incidence of depressive symptoms. This may reflect either a positive direct effect (e.g. immune modulation) or an indirect effect arising due to a positive impact on disease activity or course.