F Caceres1, S Vanotti2, R H B Benedict3. 1. INEBA-Neurosciences Institute of Buenos Aires, Guardia Vieja 4435, C1192AAW Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address: fcaceres@fundacionineba.org. 2. INEBA-Neurosciences Institute of Buenos Aires, Guardia Vieja 4435, C1192AAW Buenos Aires, Argentina. 3. Department of Neurology, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment and psychiatric symptoms impact many aspects of the lives of people with multiple sclerosis [MS]. This literature is based largely on North American and Western European samples, and little is known about these aspects of MS disability in Latin America. OBJECTIVE: RELACCEM is a longitudinal, multicenter study including MS centers in Argentina, Chile, Columbia, Venezuela, Uruguay and Mexico. The goal is to determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment (two or more cognitive domains under the 5th percentile of healthy controls performance) and the full range of neuropsychiatric symptoms in these regions, and how these symptoms relate to caregiver burden and employment. METHODS: Participants were 110 patients with relapsing-remitting [RR] course and less than five years of disease duration. Thirty-four healthy controls were also recruited. All participants were evaluated in one of 14 specialized centers. RESULTS: In additional to overall neurological disability, both cognition and neuropsychiatric symptoms distinguished patients and controls. The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 34.5% and 20.9% presented with clinically significant neuropsychiatric symptomatology. Cognitive impairment was a significant predictor of employment status. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first multicenter epidemiological study of MS-associated cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms in Latin America. Results indicate that cognitive dysfunction and psychiatric decline symptoms, fatigue, depression and caregiver burden are already apparent at an early stage of the disease. The presence of neuropsychiatric abnormalities indicates the need for appropriate interventions as early as possible to mitigate psychosocial consequences of caregiver burden.
BACKGROUND:Cognitive impairment and psychiatric symptoms impact many aspects of the lives of people with multiple sclerosis [MS]. This literature is based largely on North American and Western European samples, and little is known about these aspects of MS disability in Latin America. OBJECTIVE: RELACCEM is a longitudinal, multicenter study including MS centers in Argentina, Chile, Columbia, Venezuela, Uruguay and Mexico. The goal is to determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment (two or more cognitive domains under the 5th percentile of healthy controls performance) and the full range of neuropsychiatric symptoms in these regions, and how these symptoms relate to caregiver burden and employment. METHODS:Participants were 110 patients with relapsing-remitting [RR] course and less than five years of disease duration. Thirty-four healthy controls were also recruited. All participants were evaluated in one of 14 specialized centers. RESULTS: In additional to overall neurological disability, both cognition and neuropsychiatric symptoms distinguished patients and controls. The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 34.5% and 20.9% presented with clinically significant neuropsychiatric symptomatology. Cognitive impairment was a significant predictor of employment status. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first multicenter epidemiological study of MS-associated cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms in Latin America. Results indicate that cognitive dysfunction and psychiatric decline symptoms, fatigue, depression and caregiver burden are already apparent at an early stage of the disease. The presence of neuropsychiatric abnormalities indicates the need for appropriate interventions as early as possible to mitigate psychosocial consequences of caregiver burden.
Authors: Oscar Daniel Ayala; Daisy Banta; Mariam Hovhannisyan; Liliana Duarte; Alfonso Lozano; Juan Raúl García; Patricia Montañés; Simon W Davis; Felipe De Brigard Journal: Neuroimage Clin Date: 2022-05-05 Impact factor: 4.891
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Authors: Dennis A M van Gorp; Karin van der Hiele; Marco A P Heerings; Peter J Jongen; Jac J L van der Klink; Michiel F Reneman; Edo P J Arnoldus; Ernesto A C Beenakker; Jeroen J J van Eijk; Stephan T F M Frequin; Koen de Gans; Elske Hoitsma; Jop P Mostert; Wim I M Verhagen; Désirée Zemel; Leo H Visser; Huub A M Middelkoop Journal: Neurol Sci Date: 2019-07-19 Impact factor: 3.307