Longitudinal Stability of Cognition in Early-Phase Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Does Cognitive Reserve Play a Role?

BACKGROUND: Up to 70% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience cognitive impairment. Some remain cognitively intact despite advanced disease. Cognitive reserve (CR) theory postulates that individuals with higher levels of intellectual enrichment can tolerate more pathology than others before exhibiting cognitive impairment. METHODS: Thirty-two individuals with early-phase relapsing-remitting MS with mild physical disability and disease duration less than 10 years and 32 controls were recruited. At baseline and after 3 years, participants completed neuropsychological tests evaluating several cognitive domains. The CR was assessed via a cognitive reserve index (CRI) using educational levels and North American Adult Reading Test scores. Change in cognition was assessed using a reliable change index. RESULTS: At baseline, people with MS performed worse than controls on visual memory. There were no significant group differences on information processing speed, learning, language, and executive functions. Most cognitive domains showed no change over time, and CRI was not a significant predictor in the regression model. CONCLUSIONS: People with MS performed worse on memory tasks at baseline compared with controls. Cognitive change differed between people with MS and controls in executive functions. Although people with MS and controls improved over time, beyond practice effects, people with MS improved less than controls. Overall, no cognitive deterioration was noted over time, and CR did not predict change in cognition. Sample homogeneity in terms of disease stage and CR may explain these findings.

ASSESSMENT OF ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS AS CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS.

UNLABELLED: A wide range of pharmaceutical substances can induce side-effects expressed as cardiovascular changes or events, adding to other risk factors or worsening preexisting cardiovascular diseases. AIM: Continuous study focused on iatrogenic conditions representing cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: We developed a descriptive study of patients admitted to the Iasi Vth Internal Medicine and Geriatrics-Gerontology Clinic between 1998-2013, focusing on iatrogenic conditions representing cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: We have diagnosed 81 cases of drug-induced hypertension, and 43 patients with hypertensive crises; 72 cases of iatrogenic hyperglycemia; 36 cases of drug-induced hyperuricemia; 50 cases of drug-induced dyslipidemias; and 17 cases of iatrogenic obesity. These iatrogenic diseases were more common in women and the elderly. Twenty-eight patients have developed simultaneous adverse drug reactions induced by the same drug and manifest as different cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiovascular risk factors can be induced to a significant extent by chronic drug administration. Some medications (e.g., NSAIDs, corticoids, beta-blockers, diuretics, contraceptives) can act on the same patient by multiple pathogenic links. The adverse drug reactions can be cardiovascular risk factors that persist in time, or can be removed (by discontinuing the administration of the implicated drug). The highest importance of their acknowledgment relies on the possibility of their prevention through carefully balancing the benefits and the risk of each new medication.