38 research outputs found

    Factors associated with depressive mood at the onset of multiple sclerosis - an analysis of 781 patients of the German NationMS cohort

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    BACKGROUND: Depression has a major impact on the disease burden of multiple sclerosis (MS). Analyses of overlapping MS and depression risk factors [smoking, vitamin D (25-OH-VD) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection] and sex, age, disease characteristics and neuroimaging features associated with depressive symptoms in early MS are scarce. OBJECTIVES: To assess an association of MS risk factors with depressive symptoms within the German NationMS cohort. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis within a multicenter observational study. METHODS: Baseline data of n = 781 adults with newly diagnosed clinically isolated syndrome or relapsing-remitting MS qualified for analysis. Global and region-specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-volumetry parameters were available for n = 327 patients. Association of demographic factors, MS characteristics and risk factors [sex, age, smoking, disease course, presence of current relapse, expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score, fatigue (fatigue scale motor cognition), 25-OH-VD serum concentration, EBV nuclear antigen-1 IgG (EBNA1-IgG) serum levels] and depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II, BDI-II) was tested as a primary outcome by multivariable linear regression. Non-parametric correlation and group comparison were performed for associations of MRI parameters and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Mean age was 34.3 years (95% confidence interval: 33.6-35.0). The female-to-male ratio was 2.3:1. At least minimal depressive symptoms (BDI-II > 8) were present in n = 256 (32.8%), 25-OH-VD deficiency (<20 ng/ml) in n = 398 (51.0%), n = 246 (31.5%) participants were smokers. Presence of current relapse [coefficient (c) = 1.48, p = 0.016], more severe fatigue (c = 0.26, p < 0.0001), lower 25-OH-VD (c = -0.03, p = 0.034) and smoking (c = 0.35, p = 0.008) were associated with higher BDI-II scores. Sex, age, disease course, EDSS, month of visit, EBNA1-IgG levels and brain volumes at baseline were not. CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms need to be assessed in early MS. Patients during relapse seem especially vulnerable to depressive symptoms. Contributing factors such as fatigue, vitamin D deficiency and smoking, could specifically be targeted in future interventions and should be investigated in prospective studies

    Laparoscopic neurolysis of the sacral plexus and the sciatic nerve for extensive endometriosis of the pelvic wall

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    Background: The aim of this study is to report on the feasibility of laparoscopic neurolysis of the plexus sacralis and the sciatic nerve in deep endometriotic infiltration of the lateral pelvic wall. Methods: A transperitoneal approach to the pelvic nerves combined with the LANN technique for intraoperative assessment of the function of the exposed nerves permit exposure and sparing of all somatic nerves during resection of the endometriotic lesion. Results: We report on our short experience with 21 patients who underwent this technique for the treatment of endometriotic infiltration of the sacral plexus at different levels. Conclusion: In young patients with chronic unilateral sciatica or unilateral pudendal neuralgia - Alcock's canal syndrome - where no neurological/orthopedic etiologies have been found, endometriotic infiltration of the lateral pelvic wall has to be implicated as a potential etiology and an indication for laparoscopy must be discussed. Laparoscopic neurolysis of the pelvic somatic nerves is a feasible procedure for trained laparoscopic surgeons who have a good knowledge of the retroperitoneal pelvic (neuro)anatomy. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart
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