Purpose: Cognitive dysfunction occurs in more than half of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The evaluation of the level of cognitive functioning in MS patients is important for the assessment of the disease course and deciding on appropriate therapeutic interventions. The purpose of the study was to analyse the suitability of the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-III (ACE-III) as a screening tool for detecting cognitive dysfunctions in MS. Methods: The study included 28 MS patients and 24 age-and gender-matched controls. The evaluation of cognitive functioning was conducted with ACE-III. The results were subjected to statistical analysis expanded by determining the optimal cutoff points for individual subscales of the test. Results: The level of all cognitive functions was lower in MS patients. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.005) were demonstrated for the results of the ACE-III total score, memory, Mini-ACE (M-ACE) and fluency. The highest AUC values were obtained for total score, memory, MACE and fluency. With the cutoff level of 97 points, the test was characterised by sensitivity of 75% and specificity of over 95%. In terms of memory and fluency, the test was characterised by sensitivity close to 60% and specificity over 90%. Conclusions: The ACE-III presents high diagnostic accuracy, good sensitivity and diagnostic specificity in the assessment of cognitive dysfunctions in MS. The results of the study concerning the deteriorated functioning of MS patients in terms of memory and fluency coincide with the conclusions from the literature and are an attempt to characterise the profile of cognitive dysfunctions in MS patients.
Aim of the study: Mental disorders occur in about 75% of patients with multiple
sclerosis (MS). Examination of the mental state of patients with multiple sclerosis is
important for assessing the course of the disease and undertaking appropriate
therapeutic interventions. The aim of the study was to assess emotional control and
disease acceptance in multiple sclerosis. Methods: 66 people were qualified for the
study, including 34 patients with multiple sclerosis and 32 age- and sex-matched
controls. Emotional control was assessed using the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale
(CECS), and disease acceptance was evaluated using The Acceptance of Illness Scale
(AIS). Additionally, a proprietary questionnaire was used to assess auto and allopsychic
orientation and to collect demographic data. Results: Stronger suppression of depression
and a lower level of disease acceptance were found in the group of patients with
multiple sclerosis compared to patients suffering from neurological diseases without
organic brain damage. Additionally, patients with multiple sclerosis with higher
education achieved results suggesting a higher level of suppression of emotions and
suppression of depression than education-matched controls. Patients with multiple
sclerosis with secondary and higher education scored significantly higher, which means
worse illness acceptance, than those with primary education. Conclusions: Due to the
association of emotional suppression with the development of chronic diseases and the
level of disease acceptance with adaptation to a chronic health condition, it is
recommended to periodically assess these correlates as part of standard psychological
examination in patients with multiple sclerosis.
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