Purpose:To promote understanding of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS), recommend optimal screening, monitoring, and treatment strategies, and address barriers to optimal management.Methods:The National MS Society (“Society”) convened experts in cognitive dysfunction (clinicians, researchers, and lay people with MS) to review the published literature, reach consensus on optimal strategies for screening, monitoring, and treating cognitive changes, and propose strategies to address barriers to optimal care.Recommendations:Based on current evidence, the Society makes the following recommendations, endorsed by the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the International Multiple Sclerosis Cognition Society:Increased professional and patient awareness/education about the prevalence, impact, and appropriate management of cognitive symptoms.For adults and children (8+ years of age) with clinical or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of neurologic damage consistent with MS:As a minimum, early baseline screening with the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) or similarly validated test, when the patient is clinically stable;Annual re-assessment with the same instrument, or more often as needed to (1) detect acute disease activity; (2) assess for treatment effects (e.g. starting/changing a disease-modifying therapy) or for relapse recovery; (3) evaluate progression of cognitive impairment; and/or (4) screen for new-onset cognitive problems.For adults (18+ years): more comprehensive assessment for anyone who tests positive on initial cognitive screening or demonstrates significant cognitive decline, especially if there are concerns about comorbidities or the individual is applying for disability due to cognitive impairment.For children (<18 years): neuropsychological evaluation for any unexplained change in school functioning (academic or behavioral).Remedial interventions/accommodations for adults and children to improve functioning at home, work, or school.

Findings suggest that system changes in primary care practices and the implementation of accessible diabetes education can improve care and reduce barriers for rural patients with diabetes.

Relapses in multiple sclerosis (MS) are disruptive and frequently disabling for patients, and their treatment is often a challenge to clinicians. Despite progress in the understanding of the pathophysiology of MS and development of new treatments for long-term management of MS, options for treating relapses have not changed substantially over the past few decades. Corticosteroids, a component of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis that modulate immune responses and reduce inflammation, are currently the mainstay of relapse treatment. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) gel is another treatment option. Although it has long been assumed that the efficacy of ACTH in treating relapses depends on the peptide’s ability to increase endogenous corticosteroid production, evidence from research on the melanocortin system suggests that steroidogenesis may only partly account for ACTH influences. Indeed, the melanocortin peptides [ACTH and α-, β-, γ-melanocyte-stimulating hormones (MSH)] and their receptors (Melanocortin receptors, MCRs) exert multiple actions, including modulation of inflammatory and immune mediator production. MCRs are widely distributed within the central nervous system and in peripheral tissues including immune cells (e.g., macrophages). This suggests that the mechanism of action of ACTH includes not only steroid-mediated indirect effects, but also direct anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating actions via the melanocortin system. An increased understanding of the role of the melanocortin system, particularly ACTH, in the immune and inflammatory processes underlying relapses may help to improve relapse management.

Disease modifying therapies (DMTs) reduce the frequency of relapses and accumulation of disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). Long-term persistence with treatment is important to optimize treatment benefit. This long-term, cohort study was conducted at the Calgary MS Clinic. All consenting adults with relapsing-remitting MS who started either glatiramer acetate (GA) or interferon-β 1a/1b (IFN-β) between January 1st, 1996 and July 1st, 2011 were included. Follow-up continued to February 1st, 2014. Time-to-discontinuation of the initial and subsequently-prescribed DMTs (switches) was analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival analyses. Group differences were compared using log-rank tests and multivariable Cox regression models. Analysis included 1471 participants; 906 were initially prescribed GA and 565 were initially prescribed IFN-β. Follow-up information was available for 87%; 29 (2%) were lost to follow-up and 160 (11%) moved from Southern Alberta while still using DMT. Median time-to-discontinuation of all injectable DMTs was 11.1 years. Participants with greater disability at treatment initiation, those who started treatment before age 30, and those who started between 2006 and 2011 were more likely to discontinue use of all injectable DMTs. Median time-to-discontinuation of the initial DMT was 8.6 years. Those initially prescribed GA remained on treatment longer. Of 610 participants who discontinued injectable DMT, 331 (54%) started an oral DMT, or a second-line DMT, or resumed injectable DMT after 90 days. Persistence with injectable DMTs was high in this long-term population-based study. Most participants who discontinued injectable DMT did not remain untreated. Further research is required to understand treatment outcomes and outcomes after stopping DMT.

Background: Severe spasticity unresponsive to oral drugs may respond satisfactorily to baclofen delivered intrathecally. Methods: Intrathecal baclofen (IB) therapy delivered by means of implanted infusion pumps was used for nine patients with severe spasticity. Six patients had multiple sclerosis, two cervical spinal cord injury, and one head injury. All were non-ambulatory. Results: Patients showed improvement in many areas, including ability to transfer, seating, pain control, personal care, and liability to skin breakdown. Before IB therapy, only three of the nine patients were able to live at home in the community and six were institutionalized. At the end of our follow-up period, only one patient remained institutionalized, three lived in group homes and five lived at home in the community. In the year preceding pump implantation, the nine patients spent a total of 755 days in acute care hospitals. In the year following onset of IB therapy, they spent only 259 days in hospital. Conclusions: IB therapy can improve patient quality of life and can be cost-effective in carefully selected patients with severe spasticity and disability. The drug delivery catheter is that part of the therapeutic system most vulnerable to failure. Because of the varied expertise required to manage these patients effectively, and the potential for a variety of complications, it is essential that an IB program is supported by a well-organized multi-disciplinary medical team. RESUME: Therapie par le baclofen intrathecal chez les patients avec spasticite refractaire au traitement. Introduction: La spacticite severe refractaire au traitement oral peut repondre de facon satisfaisante au baclofen intrathecal. Methodes: Nous avons administre le baclofen par voie intrathecale (BI) au moyen d'une pompe implantee chez neuf patients avec spasticite severe. Six patients avaient une sclerose en plaques, deux avaient un traumatisme de la moelle epiniere cervicale et un avait subi un traumatisme crSnien. Aucun d'eux ne marchait. Resultats: Nous avons observe une amelioration dans plusieurs domaines, dont la capacite de faire les transferts, la posture en position assise, le controle de la douleur, les soins personnels et la susceptibilite aux lesions cutanees. Avant le traitement, seulement trois des neuf patients etaient capables de vivre a domicile alors que les six autres etaient en institution. A la fin du suivi, seulement un patient demeurait en institution, trois demeuraient en foyer de groupe et cinq vivaient a domicile. Pendant l'ann£e precddant I'implantation de la pompe, les neuf patients avaient au total sejourne dans un hopital de soins aigus pendant 755 jours. Pendant I'annee qui a suivi le debut du traitement, ils ont passe seulement 259 jours a I'hopital. Conclusions: La thdrapie par BI peut am£liorer la qualite de vie des patients et s'averer economique chez un groupe de patients bien choisis, dont la spasticite et l'incapacite sont severes. Le catheter implante est la partie du dispositif qui est la plus susceptible de f...

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It has recently been suggested that the Lublin-Reingold clinical classification of multiple sclerosis (MS) be modified to include the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An international consensus conference sponsored by the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) was held from March 5to 7, 2010, to review the available evidence on the need for such modification of the Lublin-Reingold criteria and whether the addition of MRI or other biomarkers might lead to a better understanding of MS pathophysiology and disease course over time. The conference participants concluded that evidence of new MRI gadolinium-enhancing (Gd+) T1-weighted lesions and unequivocally new or enlarging T2-weighted lesions (subclinical activity, subclinical relapses) should be added to the clinical classification of MS in distinguishing relapsing inflammatory from progressive forms of the disease. The consensus was that these changes to the classification system would provide more rigorous definitions and categorization of MS course, leading to better insights as to the evolution and treatment of MS. Int J MS Care. 2012;14:105-114. It was recently suggested by Lincoln et al. 1 that the Lublin-Reingold clinical classification of multiple sclerosis (MS) 2 for the assessment of MS phenotypes and patient evolution over time be modified to include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It was recommended that the classification incorporate the "conventional," generally available MRI techniques of gadolinium (Gd) T1-weighted sequences and dual-echo and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (T2-weighted and FLAIR) images ( course over time and, in turn, more informed clinical trials and a better understanding of appropriate therapies.Prior to the meeting, a survey of members of the CMSC was conducted on the need to modify the Lublin-Reingold classification. Over a 1-week period, 141 responses were received, representing 16% of the CMSC members polled. The results were as follows: A total of 70% of respondents indicated that the LublinReingold classification did not sufficiently distinguish the different forms of MS; 87% felt that the LublinReingold classification did not sufficiently distinguish MS disease activity even within a given category of the disease; and 84% indicated that it would be useful to include certain subclinical indices of disease activity in the clinical classification, such as MRI gadoliniumother MRI modalities that are not currently widely available and other validated biomarkers might be added to the classification in the future.In response to the publication of Lincoln et al., 1 the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) sponsored an international consensus conference, which was held in Short Hills, New Jersey, from March 5 to 7, 2010. Participating in the conference were 28 invited MS experts from North and South America and Europe who were well versed in clinical trials, the management of MS, biostatistics, neuropathology, neuroimaging, and neuroimmunology. The goal of the meeting was to review the available...

There are currently no assessment tools that focus on evaluating patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who are experiencing a relapse or that evaluate patients' response to acute relapse treatment. In practice, assessments are often subjective, potentially resulting in overlooked symptoms, unaddressed patient concerns, unnoticed or underrecognized side effects of therapies (both disease modifying and symptomatic), and suboptimal therapeutic response. Systematic evaluation of specific symptoms and potential side effects can minimize the likelihood of overlooking important information. However, given the number of potential symptoms and adverse events that patients may experience, an exhaustive evaluation can be time-consuming. Clinicians are thus challenged to balance thoroughness with brevity. A need exists for a brief but comprehensive objective assessment tool that can be used in practice to 1) help clinicians assess patients when they present with symptoms of a relapse, and 2) evaluate outcomes of acute management. A working group of expert nurses convened to discuss recognition and management of relapses. In this article, we review data related to recognition and management of relapses, discuss practical challenges, and describe the development of an assessment questionnaire that evaluates relapse symptoms, the impact of symptoms on the patient, and the effectiveness and tolerability of acute treatment. The questionnaire is designed to be appropriate for use in MS specialty clinics, general neurology practices, or other practice settings and can be administered by nurses, physicians, other clinicians, or patients (self-evaluation). The relapse assessment questionnaire is currently being piloted in a number of practice settings.