Sleep Disorders in Multiple Sclerosis

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have multiple causes of poor sleep and potential triggers may relate to MS-related symptoms, co-morbidities and adverse effects from medication. Sleep disorders may occur independently of demographic factors, gender and clinical condition. The real frequency of sleep disturbances in MS and their impact on the patients’ quality of life are unknown. The prevalence of sleep problems in the population with MS ranges between 47 and 62% and is more frequent in women, as well as having a higher risk of mortality. High psychological burden has been associated with poor sleep and with increased risk of co-morbid conditions such as heart disease, obesity, dyslipidemia and diabetes, which may have a profound impact on long-term health. The poor sleeping patients with MS were more likely to report fatigue and sleepiness. Insomnia is present in mood disorders, restless leg syndrome (RLS), pain, nocturia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), in patients with MS. All the symptoms are intermixed, and it is not possible to discern the precipitating factor or the perpetuating factor. Clinicians should routinely ask about sleep when forming a comprehensive care plan for patients with MS. Sleep specialty referrals should be considered for management of conditions that require polysomnography (PSG) diagnosis

Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Neuromodulation in Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Report

Multiple sclerosis is a degenerative inflammatory disease that causes different musculoskeletal problems. Its impact has led to the study of treatment alternatives such as the use of invasive physiotherapy. In this study, we analyze the effects of ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation to a 51-year-old man suffering from multiple sclerosis and an associated hemiparesis in the left upper limb. A dry needling needle was placed in contact with the median nerve under ultrasound guidance and 10 trains of 10 seconds of electrostimulation with a frequency of 10 Hz and an impulse width of 240 µs were applied, with 10 seconds of pause between them. There was a significant improvement in the grip strength immediately after the treatment which increased progressively at 24 hours and at 4 days follow-up. There was also an improvement in the hand function, with a decrease in the time necessary to perform the 9 Hole Peg Test immediately after the treatment, which was maintained at 24 hours and at 4 days follow-up. Future studies with larger samples are needed to further test the effects of this invasive physiotherapy technique as well as its possible applications to other neurological conditions

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Multiple Sclerosis

To understand COVID-19 characteristics in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and identify high-risk individuals due to their immunocompromised state resulting from the use of disease-modifying treatments. Retrospective and multicenter registry in patients with MS with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and available disease course (mild = ambulatory; severe = hospitalization; and critical = intensive care unit/death). Cases were analyzed for associations between MS characteristics and COVID-19 course and for identifying risk factors for a fatal outcome. Of the 326 patients analyzed, 120 were cases confirmed by real-time PCR, 34 by a serologic test, and 205 were suspected. Sixty-nine patients (21.3%) developed severe infection, 10 (3%) critical, and 7 (2.1%) died. Ambulatory patients were higher in relapsing MS forms, treated with injectables and oral first-line agents, whereas more severe cases were observed in patients on pulsed immunosuppressors and critical cases among patients with no therapy. Severe and critical infections were more likely to affect older males with comorbidities, with progressive MS forms, a longer disease course, and higher disability. Fifteen of 33 patients treated with rituximab were hospitalized. Four deceased patients have progressive MS, 5 were not receiving MS therapy, and 2 were treated (natalizumab and rituximab). Multivariate analysis showed age (OR 1.09, 95% CI, 1.04-1.17) as the only independent risk factor for a fatal outcome. This study has not demonstrated the presumed critical role of MS therapy in the course of COVID-19 but evidenced that people with MS with advanced age and disease, in progressive course, and those who are more disabled have a higher probability of severe and even fatal diseas

The effectiveness of a single dry needling session on gait and quality of life in multiple sclerosis: a double-blind randomized sham-controlled pilot trial

Gait disorders are a major cause of disability and reduced health-related quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Dry needling (DN) has demonstrated positive results to improve gait parameters in patients with stroke. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a single session of DN in the gait performance of pwMS. Methods: A double-blind parallel randomized sham-controlled pilot trial was conducted. Study participants received a single session of active DN or sham DN in the gastrocnemius medialis muscle. Pre-treatment and immediately post-treatment measurements were taken, as well as at one and four weeks after the intervention. Outcomes related to gait performance (Timed 25-Foot Walk), self-perceived walking capacity (Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale), risk of falls (Timed Up and Go test), disability level (Expanded Disability Status Score) and quality of life (Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 questionnaire and Analogic Quality of Life scale) were evaluated. Results: 18 patients who had multiple sclerosis participated in the study. The group who received active DN showed within-group significant statistical differences immediately after treatment for gait performance (p = 0.008) and risk of falls (p = 0.008), as well as for self-perceived walking capacity at one week (p = 0.017) and four weeks (p = 0.011) and quality of life at four weeks (p = 0.014). Regarding the comparison between groups, only significant results were obtained in the physical domain of the quality of life at four weeks (p = 0.014). Conclusions: DN seems to be a promising therapeutic tool for the treatment of gait disorders in pwMS. However, when results were compared with sham DN, no differences were found

Satisfaction, Safety and Cost of the Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis Relapse with Intravenous versus Oral Methylprednisolone

Introduction: Relapse is a clinical indication of MS activity. Treatment with corticosteroids is recommended for anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive effects and reduction in the duration and intensity of symptoms. The dosage of intravenous methylprednisolone (ivMP) is 500-1000 mg daily and that of oral methylprednisolone (oMP) is 500-1250 mg daily for 3-5 days. There are no differences in the immune, clinical and radiological response between the two administration routes. Tolerance is good. The main objective of this study is to determine the degree of satisfaction of treatment with oMP versus ivMP. The secondary objectives are: to evaluate clinical recovery, side effects and costs. Materials and Methods: 52 Patients received both oMP and ivMP as treatment for MS relapse in the period 2010-2014. All the patients answered a questionnaire. The cost analysis was performed with the HUC costing schedule. Results: 58% of the MS patients said that oral administration was the most comfortable way to treat a relapse. The side effects were similar. Patients positively valued not having to go to hospital (92%), or going to the hospital day-case unit (86%). The overall satisfaction score was 6.7 (max 10) for oMP and 6.5 for ivMP The severity and recovery times for the relapse were similar (56%). The cost of a relapse treated with oMP was €166.23, €575.5 for ivMP and the costs of the day-case unit services were €1130. Conclusions: oMP can be considered as a satisfactory, comfortable and safe alternative in the treatment of an MS relapse. There is a notable monetary saving