Postpartum Treatment With Immunoglobulin Does Not Prevent Relapses of Multiple Sclerosis in the Mother.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, neurological, immune-mediated disease that can worsen in the postpartum period. There is no consensus on the use of immunoglobulin for prevention of disease relapses after delivery. We have shown that the controversial beneficial effect of immunoglobulin given immediately after birth could not be observed in patients with MS.

What is the importance of family planning in multiple sclerosis? A study in the Brazilian population.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of young females at a reproductive age. OBJECTIVE: discuss family planning in the context of providing care for women with MS. METHOD: patients with Multiple Sclerosis, female, aged between 18 and 45 years, from 01/Nov/2021 to 16/Jan/2022 participated, all of whom answered a questionnaire made available on the Google forms platform. RESULTS: A total of 233 responses were validated. Most patients discuss family planning during their medical care (61.4 %), use low-efficacy contraceptive methods (68.7 %) and do not plan to become pregnant (70.1 %). There is a high rate of use of disease-modifying treatments (88.9 %). Among those who had already become pregnant, most of them became pregnant before diagnosis and were statically younger than patients who became pregnant after diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Family planning should be discussed early on and be actively initiated by the health care professional assisting the patient and incorporated into the routine consultation. We suggest efforts should be put into ensuring a decrease in the rate of unplanned pregnancy in this population. Also, it is crucial to guarantee effective contraception in patients who express the wish not to become pregnant and are using disease-modifying treatments.

Expanded disability status scale by phone BR: Brazilian Portuguese validation.

BACKGROUND: The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is widely used and accepted by regulatory agencies for the assessment of neurological disability secondary to Multiple Sclerosis. The "Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) by phone" was developed to be a patient-reported telephone-based alternative for the assessment of EDSS functional system scores when a physical examination is not possible. The scale has been validated in multiple languages; however, its reliability has not been assessed in Brazilian Portuguese. METHODS: After cross-cultural translation and adaptation, 57 people with MS with a recent in-person visit (±6 months) were invited to answer the EDSS by phone scale on two occasions, 15 days apart. The agreement between scales (in-person and telephone-based) and between telephone-based assessments was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for absolute agreement and weighted Kappa coefficients. RESULTS: An excellent reliability was obtained for the agreement between the in-person and telephone assessments (ICC: 0.95, 95 %CI 0.92-0.97, Kappa: 0.83, 95 %CI 0.78-0.89) and between telephone-based assessments (ICC: 0.99, 95 %CI 0.98-0.99, Kappa: 0.93, 95 %CI 0.88-0.97). After stratification by disability level, the agreement between scales was less pronounced for subjects with an EDSS ≤ 4.0. CONCLUSION: this study offers evidence that supports the validity of the EDSS by phone questionnaire translated into Brazilian Portuguese, particularly for patients with higher EDSS scores.

Reshaping neuroimmunology: diagnosis and treatment in the era of precision medicine.

Precision medicine has revolutionized the field of neuroimmunology, with innovative approaches that characterize diseases based on their biology, deeper understanding of the factors leading to heterogeneity within the same disease, development of targeted therapies, and strategies to tailor therapies to each patient. This review explores the impact of precision medicine on various neuroimmunological conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), optic neuritis, autoimmune encephalitis, and immune-mediated neuropathies. We discuss advances in disease subtyping, recognition of novel entities, promising biomarkers, and the development of more selective monoclonal antibodies and cutting-edge synthetic cell-based immunotherapies in neuroimmunological disorders. In addition, we analyze the challenges related to affordability and equity in the implementation of these emerging technologies, especially in situations with limited resources.

A medicina de precisão está revolucionando o campo da neuroimunologia, com uma abordagem inovadora caracterizada pela classificação de doenças com base em sua biologia, compreensão mais profunda dos fatores que levam à heterogeneidade dentro da mesma doença, desenvolvimento de terapias com alvos específicos e estratégias para adaptar as terapias a cada paciente. Esta revisão explora o impacto da medicina de precisão em várias condições neuroimunológicas, incluindo esclerose múltipla (EM), distúrbio do espectro da neuromielite óptica (NMOSD), doença associada ao anticorpo anti-glicoproteína da mielina do oligodendrócito (MOGAD), neurites ópticas, encefalites autoimunes e neuropatias imunomediadas. Discutimos avanços na subclassificação de doenças, reconhecimento de novas entidades, biomarcadores promissores e desenvolvimento de anticorpos monoclonais mais seletivos e imunoterapias de ponta baseadas em células sintéticas para as condições acima. Além disso, analisamos os desafios relacionados com acessibilidade e equidade na implementação dessas tecnologias emergentes, especialmente em ambientes com recursos limitados.

Sexual dysfunction in Brazilian patients with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) show an increased risk of sexual dysfunction (SD), both in women and men. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to apply the Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 (MSISQ-19) and evaluate our results by comparing them with those in in the literature, as well as to assess the ease of applying the scale and the engagement of the patients in discussing the topic of sexuality. METHODS: We developed and applied a web-based Google form questionnaire that the respondents completed online, which included the MSISQ-19, for the assessment of sexual function. Baseline characteristics were reported as proportions and mean ± standard deviation (SD) or median ± interquartile range (IQR) as appropriate according to data distribution. Categorical variables were stratified by sex and compared with chi-squared tests. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA v. 16 (StataCorp., College Station, TX, USA). RESULTS: Of the 621 respondents, 541 were included in the analysis. Among the patients with MS, a total of 347 (64.14%) exhibited SD. When stratified by gender, the frequencies of SD were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: There is a high incidence of sexual dysfunction among PwMS and we need to identify the reasons for this and implement strategies to treat and counsel our patients. The MSISQ-19 can be used to help clinicians to assess sexual functioning in a quick and easy way and give patients the possibility to address this topic and receive appropriate help and support.

ANTECEDENTES: Pacientes com esclerose múltipla apresentam altas taxas de disfunção sexual em diversos estudos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a aplicação e resultados da ferramenta para avaliação de disfunção sexual em pacientes com Esclerose Multipla, Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 (MSISQ-19), bem como comparar os resultados encontrados com a literatura já existente e ter a percepção do engajamento dos pacientes sobre o tema. MéTODOS: Realizado através de questionário on-line na plataforma Google Forms, composto por questões sobre perfil demográfico e relacionadas à doença e o questionário MSISQ-19. Os dados demográficos e sobre a doença foram descritos como proporções e média ± desvio padrão (DP) ou mediana ± intervalo interquartil (IIQ). As variáveis categóricas foram estratificadas por sexo e comparadas com testes de qui-quadrado. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas no programa STATA v. 16 (StataCorp., College Station, TX, EUA). RESULTADOS: Um total de 621 pacientes responderam ao questionário, sendo inclusos na análise 541 respostas, após a aplicação dos critérios de elegibilidade. Um total de 347 (64,14%) pacientes apresentaram disfunção sexual, sem diferença entre os gêneros. CONCLUSãO: Disfunção sexual apresenta alta prevalência no grupo estudado, sendo necessário identificar as causas e implementar estratégias de tratamento. O MSISQ-19 é uma ferramenta fácil e rápida de ser aplicada, podendo ser utilizada para facilitar a comunicação com os pacientes sobre o tema, possibilitando assim o tratamento das disfunções sexuais nessa população.

Reducing infection risk in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: a Brazilian reference center's approach.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are the most common autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). They present chronic relapsing courses that demand treatment with disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) to prevent inflammatory activity. Disease-modifying drugs lead to immunomodulation or immunosuppression through diverse mechanisms (e.g., shifting lymphocyte and cytokine profile, suppressing specific lymphocyte subpopulations). Thus, patients are more prone to infectious complications and associated worsening of disease. OBJECTIVE: To present feasible strategies for mitigating the infection risk of MS and NMOSD treated patients. METHODS: Targeted literature review concerning the management of infection risk with an emphasis on vaccination, therapy-specific measures, and particularities of the Brazilian endemic infectious diseases' scenario. CONCLUSION: We propose a vaccination schedule, infectious screening routine, and prophylactic measures based on the current scientific evidence. Awareness of emergent tropical diseases is necessary due to evidence of demyelinating events and possible parainfectious cases of MS and NMOSD.

ANTECEDENTES: A esclerose múltipla (EM) e a doença do espectro neuromielite optica (NMOSD) são as doenças autoimunes mais comuns do sistema nervoso central (SNC). Ambas apresentam curso crônico com recaídas (surtos) e exigem tratamento com drogas modificadoras de doenças (DMDs) para a prevenção de atividade inflamatória. As DMDs levam à imunomodulação ou imunossupressão através de diversos mecanismos (por exemplo deslocando e/ou suprimindo subpopulações linfocitárias ou alterando perfil de produção de citocinas). Desta forma, os pacientes com EM ou NMOSD são mais propensos a complicações infecciosas, as quais podem levar ao agravamento de suas doenças de base. OBJETIVO: Apresentar estratégias viáveis para mitigar o risco de infecção de pacientes com EM ou NMOSD sob tratamento. MéTODOS: Revisão bibliográfica focada em manejo de risco de infecção com ênfase em vacinação, medidas específicas de tratamento e particularidades de doenças infecciosas endêmicas do Brasil. CONCLUSãO: Propomos um calendário de vacinação, rotina de triagem infecciosa e medidas profiláticas baseadas em evidências científicas atuais. A conscientização das doenças tropicais emergentes é necessária devido a evidências de eventos desmielinizantes e possíveis casos parainfecciosos de EM e NMOSD.

Evaluation of diagnosis and treatment practices of Brazilian neurologists among patients with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Recent changes to the diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis (MS) and new medications have had a major impact on the way in which specialists manage the disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate factors considered by Brazilian neurologists in managing MS, and to identify how these contribute to diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: Potential participants were selected by a steering committee (MS experts who developed this survey). Only MS specialists were included in the study (neurologists who had completed a neuroimmunology fellowship or who were treating more than 30 MS patients). Links to the online questionnaire were distributed between March 2019 and January 2020. This questionnaire was composed of sections with hypothetical MS scenarios. RESULTS: Neurologists from 13 Brazilian states responded to the survey (n = 94). In the clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) scenario, the respondents agreed to treat patients with a high risk of MS diagnosis, whereas in the radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) half of the respondents opted not to treat, even among high-risk patients. In cases of low-activity relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), the choice of treatment was distributed among interferon beta, glatiramer acetate and teriflunomide, which were changed to fingolimod and natalizumab, as RRMS severity increased. The topics in which disagreement was found included practices regarding use of disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for pregnant patients and the washout period required for some DMTs. CONCLUSIONS: This study enabled identification of areas of agreement and disagreement about MS treatment among Brazilian neurologists, which can be used to update future protocols and improve patient management.

Patients and neurologists have different perceptions of multiple sclerosis symptoms, care and challenges.

BACKGROUND: Basic steps in the management of patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), such as good patient understanding of the disease and active participation in its management are extremely important, as they directly influence treatment adherence and success. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the perception of MS patients and neurologists pertaining to the most common disease symptoms, disabilities that impact on quality of life, and patient concerns and difficulties during medical visits, as information that can be used to improve the doctor-patient relationship. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving two groups: the first composed of neurologists and the second of patients. Participants of the first group were selected by a Steering Committee (15 predetermined neurologists representing each region of Brazil and specialized in MS and neuroimmunological disorders, who also assumed the role of creating the survey and questionnaire). Participants of the second group were selected following dissemination of a questionnaire on the AME's social networks (Amigos Múltiplos pela Esclerose, a non-governmental organization to support patients with MS). Questions about sociodemographic data, disease impact on quality of life, symptoms perception, and concerns and issues regarding disease care were put to both groups. RESULTS: A total of 317 patients and 182 neurologists answered the questionnaires. Significant divergences were found between the perceptions of patients and neurologists in relation to orientation and information given during medical appointments, and also regarding patient participation in treatment and therapy choice. Considering the topic assessing impact on quality of life, more than 70% of neurologists perceived that autonomy to work and travel, and future planning were aspects that most affected patient lives, however, almost 50% of patients reported that disease monitoring did not affect their life in any way. Analysis of data regarding MS symptoms revealed neurologists to consider physical symptoms, such as ambulation issues, imbalance, falls and urinary incontinence, to be those most interfering with patient quality of life, whereas patients considered non-physical symptoms, such as fatigue, pain, cognitive and memory problems to be more significant. Patients with primary progressive MS complained more about ambulation issues, imbalance and falls (p<0.05), when compared to patients with other disease phenotypes. CONCLUSION: Significant differences in disease perception were found in this study. While neurologists tended to overestimate the consequences and symptoms of the disease, for most patients, the disease impact on activities did not appear to be as significant, with more complaints regarding non-physical symptoms. Although neurologists described involving patients in treatment decisions and providing them with appropriate orientation during medical appointments, the opposite was reported by patients. These results may help to improve treatment adherence and disease outcomes by redefining the doctor-patient relationship.

Associations of Disease-Modifying Therapies With COVID-19 Severity in Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: People with multiple sclerosis (MS) are a vulnerable group for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), particularly those taking immunosuppressive disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). We examined the characteristics of COVID-19 severity in an international sample of people with MS. METHODS: Data from 12 data sources in 28 countries were aggregated (sources could include patients from 1-12 countries). Demographic (age, sex), clinical (MS phenotype, disability), and DMT (untreated, alemtuzumab, cladribine, dimethyl fumarate, glatiramer acetate, interferon, natalizumab, ocrelizumab, rituximab, siponimod, other DMTs) covariates were queried, along with COVID-19 severity outcomes, hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, need for artificial ventilation, and death. Characteristics of outcomes were assessed in patients with suspected/confirmed COVID-19 using multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, MS phenotype, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score. RESULTS: Six hundred fifty-seven (28.1%) with suspected and 1,683 (61.9%) with confirmed COVID-19 were analyzed. Among suspected plus confirmed and confirmed-only COVID-19, 20.9% and 26.9% were hospitalized, 5.4% and 7.2% were admitted to ICU, 4.1% and 5.4% required artificial ventilation, and 3.2% and 3.9% died. Older age, progressive MS phenotype, and higher disability were associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes. Compared to dimethyl fumarate, ocrelizumab and rituximab were associated with hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-2.41; aOR 2.43, 95% CI 1.48-4.02) and ICU admission (aOR 2.30, 95% CI 0.98-5.39; aOR 3.93, 95% CI 1.56-9.89), although only rituximab was associated with higher risk of artificial ventilation (aOR 4.00, 95% CI 1.54-10.39). Compared to pooled other DMTs, ocrelizumab and rituximab were associated with hospitalization (aOR 1.75, 95% CI 1.29-2.38; aOR 2.76, 95% CI 1.87-4.07) and ICU admission (aOR 2.55, 95% CI 1.49-4.36; aOR 4.32, 95% CI 2.27-8.23), but only rituximab was associated with artificial ventilation (aOR 6.15, 95% CI 3.09-12.27). Compared to natalizumab, ocrelizumab and rituximab were associated with hospitalization (aOR 1.86, 95% CI 1.13-3.07; aOR 2.88, 95% CI 1.68-4.92) and ICU admission (aOR 2.13, 95% CI 0.85-5.35; aOR 3.23, 95% CI 1.17-8.91), but only rituximab was associated with ventilation (aOR 5.52, 95% CI 1.71-17.84). Associations persisted on restriction to confirmed COVID-19 cases. No associations were observed between DMTs and death. Stratification by age, MS phenotype, and EDSS score found no indications that DMT associations with COVID-19 severity reflected differential DMT allocation by underlying COVID-19 severity. DISCUSSION: Using the largest cohort of people with MS and COVID-19 available, we demonstrated consistent associations of rituximab with increased risk of hospitalization, ICU admission, and need for artificial ventilation and of ocrelizumab with hospitalization and ICU admission. Despite the cross-sectional design of the study, the internal and external consistency of these results with prior studies suggests that rituximab/ocrelizumab use may be a risk factor for more severe COVID-19.

Management of central nervous system demyelinating diseases during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: a practical approach.

BACKGROUND: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses a potential threat to patients with autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Such patients are usually treated with immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive agents, which may tamper with the organism's normal response to infections. Currently, no consensus has been reached on how to manage MS and NMOSD patients during the pandemic. OBJECTIVE: To discuss strategies to manage those patients. METHODS: We focus on how to 1) reduce COVID-19 infection risk, such as social distancing, telemedicine, and wider interval between laboratory testing/imaging; 2) manage relapses, such as avoiding treatment of mild relapse and using oral steroids; 3) manage disease-modifying therapies, such as preference for drugs associated with lower infection risk (interferons, glatiramer, teriflunomide, and natalizumab) and extended-interval dosing of natalizumab, when safe; 4) individualize the chosen MS induction-therapy (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, alemtuzumab, and cladribine); 5) manage NMOSD preventive therapies, including initial therapy selection and current treatment maintenance; 6) manage MS/NMOSD patients infected with COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: In the future, real-world case series of MS/NMOSD patients infected with COVID-19 will help us define the best management strategies. For the time being, we rely on expert experience and guidance.

Migraine in 746 patients with multiple sclerosis.

Migraine adds to the burden of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS). The ID-migraine is a useful tool for screening migraine, and the Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire can evaluate disease burden. The aim of the present study was to assess the presence and burden of migraine in patients with MS. METHODS Patients diagnosed with MS attending specialized MS units were invited to answer an online survey if they also experienced headache. RESULTS The study included 746 complete responses from patients with MS and headache. There were 625 women and 121 men, and 69% of all the patients were aged between 20 and 40 years. Migraine was identified in 404 patients (54.1%) and a moderate-to-high burden of disease was observed in 68.3% of the patients. CONCLUSION Migraine is a frequent and disabling type of primary headache reported by patients with MS.

Reshaping neuroimmunology: diagnosis and treatment in the era of precision medicine / Remodelando a neuroimunologia: diagnóstico e tratamento na era da medicina de precisão

Abstract Precision medicine has revolutionized the field of neuroimmunology, with innovative approaches that characterize diseases based on their biology, deeper understanding of the factors leading to heterogeneity within the same disease, development of targeted therapies, and strategies to tailor therapies to each patient. This review explores the impact of precision medicine on various neuroimmunological conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), optic neuritis, autoimmune encephalitis, and immune-mediated neuropathies. We discuss advances in disease subtyping, recognition of novel entities, promising biomarkers, and the development of more selective monoclonal antibodies and cutting-edge synthetic cell-based immunotherapies in neuroimmunological disorders. In addition, we analyze the challenges related to affordability and equity in the implementation of these emerging technologies, especially in situations with limited resources.

Resumo A medicina de precisão está revolucionando o campo da neuroimunologia, com uma abordagem inovadora caracterizada pela classificação de doenças com base em sua biologia, compreensão mais profunda dos fatores que levam à heterogeneidade dentro da mesma doença, desenvolvimento de terapias com alvos específicos e estratégias para adaptar as terapias a cada paciente. Esta revisão explora o impacto da medicina de precisão em várias condições neuroimunológicas, incluindo esclerose múltipla (EM), distúrbio do espectro da neuromielite óptica (NMOSD), doença associada ao anticorpo anti-glicoproteína da mielina do oligodendrócito (MOGAD), neurites ópticas, encefalites autoimunes e neuropatias imunomediadas. Discutimos avanços na subclassificação de doenças, reconhecimento de novas entidades, biomarcadores promissores e desenvolvimento de anticorpos monoclonais mais seletivos e imunoterapias de ponta baseadas em células sintéticas para as condições acima. Além disso, analisamos os desafios relacionados com acessibilidade e equidade na implementação dessas tecnologias emergentes, especialmente em ambientes com recursos limitados.

The protective effects of high-education levels on cognition in different stages of multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Low-education attainment is associated with worse cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and possibly with a lower cognitive reserve and/or increased inflammatory activity. Cognitive reserve refers to the capability of a source of intellectual enrichment in attenuating a negative effect of a disease-related factor; while the inflammatory activity is often related to T2-lesion load (T2-LL) increase. OBJECTIVE: To disentangle the effects of cognitive reserve and an increased T2-LL in MS-patients with low-education levels. METHODS: The study included 136 MS patients and 65 healthy-controls, divided in low-education (12 years or less of school education without obtaining any technical superior degree) and high-education (more than 12 years of school education with technical or superior degree) groups. An extensive battery of neuropsychological tests was applied examining intelligence quotient and six cognitive domains. Test results were z-scored and subjects with z-scores ≤ -1.5 in two or more domains were considered cognitively impaired. To test the factors associated with worse cognitive performance, regression models were applied using average cognition as target; education level, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), T2-LL, disease duration, age of disease onset, age and gender as predictors. We also tested the correlation between T2-LL and cognition in the groups. To investigate the role of education level as a source of intellectual enrichment/cognitive reserve in different stages of MS, we sub-divided the MS patients in three groups according to the disease duration (less than 5 years, between 5 and 10 years and more than 10 years). RESULTS: Worse average cognition was associated with low-education level, higher T2-LL and male gender. A higher frequency of cognitively impaired patients was observed in MS patients with low-education level, in all stages of the disease. In patients with a disease duration shorter than five years, there was a lower correlation between worse average cognition and T2-LL in the high-education level group, compared to the patients with low-education level; in MS patients with longer disease duration, we observed a stronger correlation between lesion burden and cognitive impairment in both groups. CONCLUSION: Education attainment is a source of intellectual enrichment and can enhance the cognitive reserve in MS patients. The protective effect of a high-education level was stronger in patients with less than five years of disease, suggesting a stronger role of cognitive reserve in short-term disease. In long-term disease we observed a greater impact of increased inflammatory activity on cognition.

Sexual dysfunction in Brazilian patients with multiple sclerosis / Disfunção sexual em pacientes brasileiros com esclerose múltipla

Abstract Background People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) show an increased risk of sexual dysfunction (SD), both in women and men. Objective The aim of the present study was to apply the Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 (MSISQ-19) and evaluate our results by comparing them with those in in the literature, as well as to assess the ease of applying the scale and the engagement of the patients in discussing the topic of sexuality. Methods We developed and applied a web-based Google form questionnaire that the respondents completed online, which included the MSISQ-19, for the assessment of sexual function. Baseline characteristics were reported as proportions and mean ± standard deviation (SD) or median ± interquartile range (IQR) as appropriate according to data distribution. Categorical variables were stratified by sex and compared with chisquared tests. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA v. 16 (StataCorp., College Station, TX, USA). Results Of the 621 respondents, 541 were included in the analysis. Among the patients with MS, a total of 347 (64.14%) exhibited SD. When stratified by gender, the frequencies of SD were not significantly different. Conclusion There is a high incidence of sexual dysfunction among PwMS and we need to identify the reasons for this and implement strategies to treat and counsel our patients. The MSISQ-19 can be used to help clinicians to assess sexual functioning in a quick and easy way and give patients the possibility to address this topic and receive appropriate help and support.

Resumo Antecedentes Pacientes com esclerose múltipla apresentam altas taxas de disfunção sexual em diversos estudos. Objetivo Avaliar a aplicação e resultados da ferramenta para avaliação de disfunção sexual em pacientes com Esclerose Multipla, Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 (MSISQ-19), bem como comparar os resultados encontrados com a literatura já existente e ter a percepção do engajamento dos pacientes sobre o tema. Métodos Realizado através de questionário on-line na plataforma Google Forms, composto por questões sobre perfil demográfico e relacionadas à doença e o questionário MSISQ-19. Os dados demográficos e sobre a doença foram descritos como proporções e média ± desvio padrão (DP) ou mediana ± intervalo interquartil (IIQ). As variáveis categóricas foram estratificadas por sexo e comparadas com testes de qui-quadrado. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas no programa STATA v. 16 (StataCorp., College Station, TX, EUA). Resultados Um total de 621 pacientes responderam ao questionário, sendo inclusos na análise 541 respostas, após a aplicação dos critérios de elegibilidade. Um total de 347 (64,14%) pacientes apresentaram disfunção sexual, sem diferença entre os gêneros. Conclusão Disfunção sexual apresenta alta prevalência no grupo estudado, sendo necessário identificar as causas e implementar estratégias de tratamento. O MSISQ-19 é uma ferramenta fácil e rápida de ser aplicada, podendo ser utilizada para facilitar a comunicação com os pacientes sobre o tema, possibilitando assim o tratamento das disfunções sexuais nessa população.

Brazilian Consensus for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: Brazilian Academy of Neurology and Brazilian Committee on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis.

The expanding therapeutic arsenal in multiple sclerosis (MS) has allowed for more effective and personalized treatment, but the choice and management of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) is becoming increasingly complex. In this context, experts from the Brazilian Committee on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis and the Neuroimmunology Scientific Department of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology have convened to establish this Brazilian Consensus for the Treatment of MS, based on their understanding that neurologists should be able to prescribe MS DMTs according to what is better for each patient, based on up-to-date evidence and practice. We herein propose practical recommendations for the treatment of MS, with the main focus on the choice and management of DMTs, as well as present a review of the scientific rationale supporting therapeutic strategies in MS.

Serological profile of John Cunningham virus (JCV) in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Treatment options for multiple sclerosis (MS) have changed over the last few years, bringing about a new category of drugs with more efficient profiles. However, these drugs have come with a whole new profile of potential adverse events that neurologists have to learn well and quickly. One of the most feared complications of these MS treatments is progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy caused by the reactivation of the John Cunningham virus (JCV). OBJECTIVE: To identify the serologic profile of JCV in patients with MS. METHODS: Data on serum antibodies for JCV were obtained using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay provided by the STRATIFY-JCV program. RESULTS: A total of 1,501 blood tests were obtained from 1,102 patients with MS. There were 633 patients (57.1%) who were positive for antibodies for JCV and 469 patients who were negative (42.9%). Twenty-three patients became positive after initially having negative JCV antibody status. The rate of seroconversion was 18.5% over 22 months. CONCLUSION: The JCV serologic profile and seroconversion in Brazilian patients were similar to those described in other countries.

Attention impairment associated with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients with mild incapacity.

Neuropsychological studies have consistently reported cognitive dysfunctions associated with multiple sclerosis. One-hundred fifteen subjects with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) were compared with forty health controls according to a neuropsychological test battery, which included digit span, trail making, cancellation and stroop test. Both groups were matched for age, sex and educational level. Subjects with RRMS had a worse performance the speed of response. Subjects with RRMS spent more time to complete the test in either sections A (p=0.001) or B (p=0.001), although there was no significant difference in terms of number of errors. The total time required to finish the Stroop test was higher for subjects with RRMS (p<0.001), being the time difference between groups significant at trial 4 (p<0.001). Attention impairment in subjects with RRMS is related to slowed central processing, which may be affected in all stages, including impairment of automatic and controlled processing of information and in the motor program.

[Relation between fatigue and autonomic disturbances in multiple sclerosis]. / Relação entre fadiga e distúrbios autonômicos na esclerose múltipla.

Fatigue is a common symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of this study was to relate fatigue and autonomic disturbances in MS. Fifty patients with MS relapsing remitting clinical form participated in this study. Thirty three (66%) were women and 17 (34%) men. Score less or equal to 3.5 in the EDSS. Five non invasive cardiovascular tests were applied in all patients for the sympathetic and parasympathetic evaluation. The results obtained in the hand grip test were increased in the blood pressure of 14.62 +/- 9.13 mmHg for the group with fatigue and of 21.68 +/- 7.18 mmHg for the non fatigue group. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion is that there is a loss in the capacity to increase blood pressure in patients with fatigue suggesting a sympathetic dysfunction.

[Multiple sclerosis: cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the modified fatigue impact scale]. / Esclerose múltipla: adaptação transcultural e validação da escala modificada de impacto de fadiga.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is a cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the modified fatigue impact scale for Portuguese (MFIS-BR). METHOD: The MFIS was translated to Portuguese and re-translated to English. Two pilot studies had been carried through to obtain the MFIS-BR, which was applied to 57 consecutive stable MS patients and 45 healthy controls. The retest was applied 30 days later. RESULTS: In analyzing the statistics the internal consistency reability was similar to the original scale (0.74-0.86). The MFIS-BR showed ability to identify the different groups. Concerning the reliability the interclass correlation coefficient showed an excellent agreement (0.264-1.0). CONCLUSION: The MFIS-BR fills the criteria of applicability, sensibility which are similar to the original version.