Speckle tracking echocardiography in severe patient-prosthesis mismatch.

BACKGROUND: Although aortic valve replacement (AVR) when successfully performed boasts low mortality rates in selected patients, prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) can be found in the majority of these individuals. Limited research is available supporting the benefit of two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in patients with severe PPM. This study sought to assess myocardial strain using 2D-STE to determine the relationship between subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and aortic PPM in patients undergoing AVR with preserved LV ejection fraction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively examined all consecutive patients with isolated AVR who presented to our center from 2005 to 2018. The data of 1086 patients were analyzed. Severe PPM was defined as an indexed effective orifice area of 0.65 cm2/m2 or less. As a result of the detailed assessment, 54 patients meeting the eligibility criteria were included in the study. Baseline data were collected and compared between the two groups of patients with severe PPM (n = 27) and those with normofunctional aortic prosthesis valve as a control group (n = 27). All patients underwent baseline echocardiography. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS) were evaluated by 2D-STE. RESULTS: When compared with controls, patients with severe PPM had significantly decreased GLS (18.6 ± 2.9 vs. 21.4 ± 2.1; p < 0.01) and GCS (17.2 ± 3.6 vs. 21.7 ± 2.1; p < 0.01) values. CONCLUSION: In addition to standard clinical and echocardiographic parameters, GLS and GCS suggest subclinical dysfunction and have incremental value in patients with severe PPM.

Successful stenting of a brachial artery occlusion following surgical retrieval of a twisted diagnostic catheter during transradial coronary angiography.

Coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention via radial access has been progressively performed over the last three decades and has become standard of care. Even though the radial approach, compared with femoral access, is safe and is also associated with less bleeding in patients with myocardial infarction, it may be problematic in some cases. Here, we describe an 80-year-old woman with brachial artery dissection due to a twisted diagnostic catheter during transradial coronary angiography, who subsequently underwent surgical retrieval of the catheter.

Correlation and agreement between 2D and 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography for left ventricular volumetric, strain, and rotational parameters in healthy volunteers and in patients with mild mitral stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Recent advances had allowed measurement of myocardial deformation parameters using 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE). Agreement between these two modalities and interchangeability of findings remain as an issue since 2DSTE is more widely available than 3DSTE. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation and agreement between 2DSTE and 3DSTE in healthy volunteers and in patients with mild mitral stenosis (MS). METHODS: Data from 31 patients with mild MS and 27 healthy volunteers were included in this study. Data were analyzed for the correlation and agreement between 2DSTE and 3DSTE for volumetric, strain, and rotational parameters. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between 2DSTE and 3DSTE in both control and MS groups for left ventricular volumetric and rotational parameters. 3D global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS) were significantly higher in healthy volunteers (P < 0.001 for both), while only 3DGCS was significantly higher than 2DGCS in MS group (P < 0.001). The correlation between 3DSTE and 2DSTE was weak-to-moderate in both groups for strain and rotational parameters, and overall, correlation coefficients were higher in MS group. An exception was GLS in MS group, where coefficient of correlation was excellent (r = 0.907). Agreement between two modalities was poor for strain and rotational parameters, and the average bias was high. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the agreement between 2DSTE and 3DSTE for strain and rotational measures was poor with a high average bias. The agreement between 2DSTE and 3DSTE is affected by the presence of underlying MS and the direction of strain.

Improvements in cognition, quality of life, and physical performance with clinical Pilates in multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine the effects of clinical Pilates in multiple sclerosis patients. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty multiple sclerosis patients were enrolled in this study. The participants were divided into two groups as the clinical Pilates and control groups. Cognition (Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite), balance (Berg Balance Scale), physical performance (timed performance tests, Timed up and go test), tiredness (Modified Fatigue Impact scale), depression (Beck Depression Inventory), and quality of life (Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life Questionnaire) were measured before and after treatment in all participants. [Results] There were statistically significant differences in balance, timed performance, tiredness and Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite tests between before and after treatment in the clinical Pilates group. We also found significant differences in timed performance tests, the Timed up and go test and the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite between before and after treatment in the control group. According to the difference analyses, there were significant differences in Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite and Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life Questionnaire scores between the two groups in favor of the clinical Pilates group. There were statistically significant clinical differences in favor of the clinical Pilates group in comparison of measurements between the groups. Clinical Pilates improved cognitive functions and quality of life compared with traditional exercise. [Conclusion] In Multiple Sclerosis treatment, clinical Pilates should be used as a holistic approach by physical therapists.

Antiplatelet or Anticoagulant Therapy for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Growth and Clinical Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Intraluminal thrombi in the abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) were demonstrated to increase aneurysm growth. The effect of treatments on thrombus reduction upon AAA enlargement and clinical endpoints is uncertain Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy on AAA growth and clinical outcomes. METHOD: A total of 357 patients with AAAs were enrolled in this study. They were divided into 2 groups based on their medical therapies. Patients on antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy were assigned to group 1 (n = 234) and group 2 (n = 92), respectively. RESULTS: The greatest reduction in thrombus diameter change was observed in patients with anticoagulant therapy (group 1, -2.26 mm; group 2, -8.16 mm; P =.001). The greatest aneurysmal enlargement was found in patients with antiplatelet therapy. There was less AAA progression with anticoagulant therapy than with the other therapy (group 1, 2.08 mm; group 2, 1.31 mm P =.027. The more operational need was observed in patients with antiplatelet therapy than in patients with anticoagulant therapy ( group 1 67, group 2 16, P =.036) Conclusion: In our study, it was revealed that anticoagulant therapy has been associated with decreased thrombus diameter and less aneurysmal enlargement compared with antiplatelet therapy. Furthermore, this beneficial effect on the thrombus size and aneurysmal diameter decreased the operational need in patients with anticoagulant therapy.

Assessment of Right Ventricular Systolic Function with 3-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Isolated Mild Mitral Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: In rheumatic severe mitral stenosis, right ventricular mechanics deteriorate with the increasing severity of mitral stenosis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate right ventricular mechanics in patients with mild mitral stenosis using 3-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. METHODS: In total, 40 patients with mild mitral stenosis and 36 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were included. Conventional echocardiographic examination was performed and 3-dimensional data sets were acquired for strain analysis. Besides conventional echocardiographic parameters, right ventricular volume and function and 3-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography-derived right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain were compared between patients with mild mitral stenosis and healthy controls. RESULTS: Although 3-dimensional right ventricular volumes and ejection fraction were similar between the groups, 3-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography-derived right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain was significantly lower in patients with mild mitral stenosis than in controls (25.57 ± 4.39% vs. 27.90 ± 4.71%, P =.028). Significant correlations were observed between right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain and mitral valve area and estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (r = 0.597, P <.001; r = -0.508, P =.003, respectively). Another significant positive correlation was observed between planimetric mitral valve area and 3-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography-derived right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (r = 0.597, P <.001). CONCLUSION: The degree of severity of mild mitral stenosis in terms of mitral valve area can help in the early detection of subclinical right ventricular systolic function impairment which can be easily detected by 3-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. Right ventricular contractile performance could decrease even in mild mitral stenosis.

Myocardial ischemia in severe aortic regurgitation despite angiographically normal coronary arteries.

Patients with severe aortic regurgitation frequently present with angina pectoris. The exact pathophysiology for angina in aortic regurgitation is not clear. Left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial blood supply-demand mismatch have been the suggested mechanisms to explain ischemia. However, no conclusive clinical study exists to define the incidence of ischemia in patients with severe aortic regurgitation and normal coronary arteries. We, therefore, investigated the frequency of myocardial ischemia in relation to left ventricular hypertrophy or dilatation in patients with severe aortic regurgitation and normal coronary arteries. We reviewed the medical records of all patients (n = 311) with aortic valve replacement due to aortic regurgitation between 2007 and 2010. We selected subjects with normal coronary arteries (n =182) for the study purpose, and we identified 35 patients who underwent myocardial perfusion scintigraphy prior to the coronary angiography (19 female and 16 male subjects; age 45.0 ± 8.9 years). Left ventricular hypertrophy and dilatation were detected in 9 (26%) and 5 (14%) patients, respectively. Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy showed evidence of ischemia in 10 (29%) patients with normal coronary arteries. The presence of ischemia did not relate to the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy and/or dilatation. As a potential mechanism, aortic regurgitation causes backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle, hence disturbs coronary flow dynamics. In conclusion, myocardial ischemia is common (nearly one-third) among patients with severe aortic regurgitation even in the absence of coronary obstruction, left ventricular hypertrophy and/or dilatation.

Severe tricuspid regurgitation and atrioventicular block caused by blunt thoracic trauma in an elderly woman.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic cardiac injury after blunt chest trauma is relatively rare, and valvular injury is even more rare. The valves most commonly affected are tricuspid. Automobile accidents are mostly responsible for this type of injury. OBJECTIVES: Unlike with the mitral valve, post-traumatic tricuspid heart valve insufficiency is usually well tolerated. Indeed, severe tricuspid regurgitation can resolve spontaneously. CASE REPORT: A 68-year-old woman with no previous cardiac or medical history was brought to our Emergency Department after an automobile accident. She had chest pain and shortness of breath upon admission. Transthoracic echocardiographic examination revealed severe tricuspid regurgitation with rupture of the chordae tendineae and prolapse of the valve cusps into the right atrium during systole. An electrocardiogram was consistent with second-degree Mobitz II atrioventricular block on admission, which subsequently progressed to complete atrioventricular block on day 3. During follow-up with close hemodynamic monitoring, her symptoms disappeared and repeat echocardiography revealed a regression in the severity of tricuspid regurgitation. Operative repair of the tricuspid valve was deemed unnecessary and the patient was discharged with medical therapy on the eighth day after admission. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to be aware of traumatic tricuspid regurgitation after non-penetrating chest trauma. Close follow-up may suffice in some patients with stable hemodynamic conditions, and regression of tricuspid regurgitation can be expected during follow-up.

Dynamic Change of Left Ventricular Mechanics in Patients with Acute Myocarditis with Preserved Left Ventricular Systolic Function: A 2-Year Follow-up Study.

OBJECTIVE: Acute myocarditis mimics acute coronary syndrome due to its clinical course and presentation. This study aimed to evaluate left ventricular longitudinal and circumferential functions during the acute phase and late phase of acute myocarditis with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction using 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. METHODS: Forty-one consecutive acute myocarditis patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction confirmed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging underwent 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography within the first week of hospital admission. Findings were compared with age and sex-matched 40 healthy controls. Left ventricular mechanics of the study group were reevaluated by 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography during follow- up (23.85 ± 6.65 months later). RESULTS: Myocardial lesions with late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were mostly localized in the subepicardial layer (91.40%) and commonly observed in the inferolateral wall (42.94%). Consistent with the cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings, 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography showed the localization of the involved myocardial segments with prominent impairment in global longitudinal peak systolic strain and global circumferential strain of the inferolateral wall of the left ventricle. In the acute phase, global longitudinal peak systolic strain (-17.32 ± 2.02 vs -20.59 ± 2.38) and global circumferential strain (-22.33 ± 2.27 vs -24.85 ± 3.19) were found to be lower in patients with acute myocarditis compared to healthy controls (both P < .001). While global circumferential strain was improved in the late phase compared with the acute phase (from -22.28 ± 2.32 to -22.90 ± 2.65; P = .003). Global longitudinal peak systolic strain was not significantly changed during follow-up (from -17.30 ± 2.09 to -17.62 ± 2.19; P = .072). CONCLUSION: Subtle left ventricular systolic function impairment can be detected by the 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography technique in patients with acute myocarditis with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and improvement in circumferential function could be observed during follow-up.

The Mean Corrected TIMI Frame Count Could Predict Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Coronary Slow-Flow Phenomenon.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the mean corrected thrombolysis in myocardial frame count and major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with the coronary slow-flow phenomenon. METHODS: A total of 98 patients with coronary slow-flow phenomenon who met inclusion cri- teria from 2015 to 2020 were retrospectively included in the analysis. The patients were ranked according to their mean corrected thrombolysis in myocardial frame count values and were divided into quartiles based on those. Group 1 consisted of patients who had a mean corrected thrombolysis in myocardial frame count value >36.68 (third quartile), while group 2 consisted of patients who had a mean corrected thrombolysis in myocardial frame count value ≤36.68 (first quartile+second quartile). Mortality and non-fatal cardiovascular complications were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Mean follow-up duration was 3.93 ± 1.50 years. Recurrent chest pain and major adverse cardiovascular events increased in group 1 compared to group 2 (P ≤ .001, P ≤ .001, respectively). Hypertension (odds ratio 2.627, P=.033), hyperlipidemia (odds ratio 2.469, P = .028) and mean corrected thrombolysis in myocardial frame count (odds ratio 1.106, P = .002) were independent predictors of recurrent chest pain according to Cox regression analysis. Although older age (odds ratio 1.125, P=.011), hypertension (odds ratio 6.081, P=.026), hyperlipidemia (odds ratio 12.308, P = 0.019), and mean corrected thrombolysis in myocardial frame count (odds ratio 1.476, P = .001) were found to be significantly related with major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with coronary slow-flow phenomenon, only mean corrected thrombolysis in myocardial frame count (odds ratio 1.161, P = .021) was an indepen- dent predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events in Cox regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Higher mean corrected thrombolysis in myocardial frame count could predict major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with the coronary slow-flow phenomenon.

Alterations in right ventricular mechanics in patients with Behcet's disease.

Manifest myocardial involvement is somewhat rare in patients with Behcet's disease (BD), although echocardiographic studies suggest that subclinical alterations in left ventricular (LV) contractility is rather common. Data on right ventricular (RV) involvement in BD is rather scarce. This study aims to determine whether RV systolic performance is affected in BD patients, and to understand the clinical and echocardiographic correlates of RV contractility in these patients. Forty-five patients who fulfilled criteria for BD and 45 age and gender matched controls were enrolled. All participants underwent a comprehensive echocardiographic examination, including deformation imaging, to characterize RV mechanics. Conventional morphologic and echocardiographic indicators of RV morphology and function were not different between groups, but RV apical strain and RV free wall strain (FWS) were significantly lower in BD patients as compared to the controls (P < 0.001 and P = 0.02, respectively). The only significant correlates of FWS were tricuspid regurgitation velocity and related indices in healthy controls, while FWS correlated with LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), morphologic measures of left and right atria and ventricles, and with conventional measures of right ventricular contractility. The relationship between FWS and GLS remained statistically significant after adjusting for other clinical and echocardiographic parameters (ß = 0.379, P = 0.01). In patients with BD, there is a subclinical alteration in RV contractility and the degree of alteration in the RV systolic performance paralleled that of LV. Thus, present results support the presence of RV involvement in these patients.

Coexistent Brugada syndrome and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: what is the first clinical presentation?

The coexistence of Brugada syndrome and Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a very rare phenomenon. We describe a 31-year-old patient without any previous cardiac disorder admitted to our hospital due to palpitations and concomitantly diagnosed as WPW syndrome and treated with radiofrequency catheter ablation. He was later diagnosed with Brugada syndrome and followed-up 2 years without any symptoms. We discuss other previously reported cases in literature, in which these two conditions exist simultaneously.

Contemporary usefulness of pulmonary venous flow parameters to estimate left ventricular end-diastolic pressure on transthoracic echocardiography.

Measurement of pulmonary venous flow (PVF) parameters can be used to estimate left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) on transthoracic echocardiography. Despite that, 2016 American Society of Echocardiography (ASE)/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) algorithm gave a secondary role to PVF to assess left ventricular filling pressure. We aimed to test correlations between several PVF parameters, including novel measurements, with LVEDP and to analyze whether PVF parameters have an incremental usefulness over ASE/EACVI algorithm to estimate LVEDP. Seventy-two patients that underwent left and right cardiac catheterization for assessment of heart failure or pulmonary hypertension were enrolled. All patients had a detailed echocardiographic study immediately before catheterization. Patients were categorized into those with an LVEDP < 15 mmHg vs. LVEDP ≥ 15 mmHg to analyze data. Patients with an elevated LVEDP had significantly lower peak S/D velocity ratio, S wave deceleration time, D wave acceleration time and D wave deceleration time (DWDT), as well as higher D wave acceleration rate (DWAR), but only peak S/D velocity ratio (ß = - 0.28, p = 0.01), DWDT (ß = - 0.33, p = 0.001) and DWAR (ß = 0.23, p = 0.03) were independent predictors for an elevated LVEDP. ASE/EACVI algorithm had a sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 74% to predict an elevated LVEDP. When PVF parameters were adjusted for ASE/EACVI algorithm; DWDT and DWAR remained as independent predictors. Sensitivity and specificity of ASE/EACVI algorithm increased to 79% and 96%, respectively, if either DWDT or DWAR was also suggestive of an elevated LVEDP. DWDT and DWAR have incremental usefulness over existing algorithm to determine LVEDP.

Different types of exercise in Multiple Sclerosis: Aerobic exercise or Pilates, a single-blind clinical study.

BACKROUND: The aim of our study is to examine effects of aerobic and Pilates exercises on disability, cognition, physical performance, balance, depression and fatigue in relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients as compared to healthy controls. METHODS: The subjects were divided as aerobic exercise (n = 26), Pilates (n = 9), and the healthy control group (n = 21). We used MSFC, physical performance, Berg balance scale, Beck depression scale, fatigue impact scale. All evaluations were performed before and after exercise training. RESULTS: There are statistically meaningful differences between Nine hole testing, PASAT 3, physical performance and fatique impact scale before and after aerobic exercise. Also we found significant difference for physical performance in the Pilates group. There are no significant differences in measures of fatique impact scale and depression between aerobic exercise group and the healthy controls after exercise. We found significant differences between Pilates and control group's after measurements except depression. There were significant differences between the Pilates and aerobic group for cognitive tests in favor of the Pilates group. CONCLUSION: Aerobic exercise and clinical Pilates exercises revealed moderate changes in levels of cognitive, physical performance, balance, depression, fatigue in MS patients.

Left ventricular mechanics in isolated mild mitral stenosis: a three dimensional speckle tracking study.

In a fraction of patients with mild mitral stenosis, left ventricular systolic function deteriorates despite the lack of hemodynamic load imposed by the dysfunctioning valve. Neither the predisposing factors nor the earlier changes in left ventricular contractility were understood adequately. In the present study we aimed to evaluate left ventricular mechanics using three-dimensional (3D) speckle tracking echocardiography. A total of 31 patients with mild rheumatic mitral stenosis and 27 healthy controls were enrolled to the study. All subjects included to the study underwent echocardiographic examination to collect data for two- and three-dimensional speckle-tracking based stain, twist angle and torsion measurements. Data was analyzed offline with a echocardiographic data analysis software. Patients with rheumatic mild MS had lower global longitudinal (p < 0.001) circumferential (p = 0.02) and radial (p < 0.01) strain compared to controls, despite ejection fraction was similar for both groups [(p = 0.45) for three dimensional and (p = 0.37) for two dimensional measurement]. While the twist angle was not significantly different between groups (p = 0.11), left ventricular torsion was significantly higher in mitral stenosis group (p = 0.03). All strain values had a weak but significant positive correlation with mitral valve area measured with planimetry. Subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction develops at an early stage in rheumatic mitral stenosis. Further work is needed to elucidate patients at risk for developing overt systolic dysfunction.

Utilization of the Expanded Disability Status Scale as a distinctive instrument for walking impairment in persons with multiple sclerosis with mild disability.

BACKGROUND: The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is a well-established clinical measure to assess disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). Gait dysfunction is primarily considered for scoring only above EDSS 3.5. However, the changes in functional systems in below EDSS 3.5 may result gait disturbances. OBJECTIVE: To determine the distinctive ability of the EDSS 2.0 in terms of walking impairment as well as fatigue, depression, and quality of life in persons with MS with mild disability. METHODS: All participants underwent the neurological examination for generating an EDSS score and completed the measures of walking performance, as well as other measures of fatigue, depression, and quality of life. The participants were divided into two groups according to the EDSS scores (i.e. EDSS <2.0 and 2.0-3.5). RESULTS: Participants with EDSS 2.0-3.5 had significantly worse walking performance, as well as fatigue, depression, and quality of life levels than the participants with EDSS <2.0 (p <  0.05). The EDSS significantly correlated with the measures of walking performance, as well as other measures of fatigue, depression, and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The EDSS 2.0 has a distinctive ability in terms of walking impairment as well as fatigue, depression, and quality of life.

The Relationship between P & QT Dispersions and Presence & Severity of Stable Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to evaluate the correlation between electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters and presence and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) to indicate the usefulness of these parameters as predictors of severity in patients with stable CAD. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two hundred fifty patients, without a history of any cardiovascular event were included in the study. The ECG parameters were measured manually by a cardiologist before coronary angiography. The patients were allocated into five groups: those with normal coronary arteries (Group 1), non-critical coronary lesions (Group 2), one, two and three vessel disease (Group 3, Group 4 and Group 5, respectively. RESULTS: Group 1 had the lowest P wave dispersion (PWD) and P wave (Pmax), QT interval (QTmax), QT dispersion (QTd), corrected QT dispersion (QTcd) and QT dispersion ratio (QTdR), while the patients in group 5 had the highest values of these parameters. Gensini score and QTmax, QTd, QTcmax, QTcd, QTdR, Pmax, and PWD were positively correlated. QTdR was the best ECG parameter to differentiate group 1 and 2 from groups with significant stenosis (groups 3, 4, and 5) (area under curve [AUC] 0.846). QTdR was the best ECG parameter to detect coronary arterial narrowing lesser than 50% and greater than 50%, respectively (AUC 0.858). CONCLUSION: Presence and severity of CAD can be determined by using ECG in patients with stable CAD and normal left ventricular function.

Determinants of physical activity in minimally impaired people with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the commonly known benefits of physical activity, evidence shows that people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) are relatively inactive. There are several studies about factors affecting physical activity in pwMS. However, these factors have not investigated in minimally impaired pwMS who do not have remarkable symptoms and walking disturbance. The objective was to determine factors affecting physical activity in minimally impaired pwMS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We recruited 52 minimally impaired pwMS and measured physical activity with Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ) and an accelerometer used for the 7-day period. Demographic data were recorded. Walking (speed, endurance, dexterity, and quality), fatigue, depression, and quality of life were measured. METHODS: We recruited 52 minimally impaired pwMS and measured physical activity with Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ) and an accelerometer used for the 7-day period. Demographic data were recorded. Walking (speed, endurance, dexterity, and quality), fatigue, depression, and quality of life were measured. RESULTS: The walking speed assessed by the Timed 25-Foot Walk and gender were found the determinants of physical activity level assessed by the GLTEQ and accelerometer, respectively. Walking (speed, endurance, and dexterity), gender, employment status, and quality of life were associated with physical activity. Either female or unemployed participants had significantly less physical activity. There were no significant difference between physical activity levels and the other subgroups. CONCLUSION: Either to be a female or to have slower walking speed was associated with less physical activity. Strategies to improve walking should be focused on female pwMS with minimal impairment.

Sexual dysfunction in multiple sclerosis: gender differences.

PURPOSE: To assess the frequency and nature of sexual dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and to investigate the relationships of SD with clinical, demographic and psychosocial factors by comparing MS patients with and without SD. METHODS: Eighty-nine patients were included, 45 males and 44 females, aging an average of 37.4 ± 8.6 years (range:21-56). We applied Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 (MSISQ-19) and Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) to all patients. Disability was evaluated with the expanded disability status scale (EDSS). RESULTS: 60.7% (n=54) of patients reported SD according to MSISQ scores. Women exhibited significantly higher MSISQ scores than men (42.6 ± 12.9 and 36.6 ± 13.3, respectively; P=0.034). Women (7.9%) also reported to experience sexual arousal difficulties significantly more than men (1.1%) (P=0.024) according to ASEX. The patients were classified into three MSISQ-19 subscales, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary SD. The most common reported dimension of SD was secondary (32.5%, n=41). In this dimension of SD, patients mostly complained of pain-burning, memory-concentration problems and bowel symptoms. A significant relationship was found between Secondary SD and both EDSS score and disease duration (r=0.34 p=0.001 and r=0.21 p=0.042, respectively). Tertiary SD was also associated with EDSS score (r=0.23 p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Sexual Dysfunction, a frequent problem for MS patients, is associated with gender. Women reported more SD than men. Secondary SD symptoms were the most common complaints for both men and women. Nonetheless women had more secondary SD symptoms than men. The emotional dimension of SD is related with disability.

The cooling effect on proinflammatory cytokines interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and nitric oxide in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) in young adults. The proinflammatory cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and nitric oxide (NO) which are known to be produced by inflammatory cells play a key role in the pathogenesis of MS. Some metabolic changes may have an effect on axonal transmission, and white blood cells NO and other inflammatory mediators such as cytokines may be affected from cooling process. In this study, we evaluated the effects of body cooling procedure on proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IFN-γ, and NO levels. Twenty patients with MS were evaluated. Thirteen of the patients were women, 7 were men (mean age: 33.6 ± 7.5 yrs.). Body temperature was reduced by an average of 1°C approximately in 1 hour with using the "Medivance Arctic Sun Temperature Management System" device. In our study, the decrease in TNF-α, IFN-γ levels after the cooling procedure has no statistical significance, whereas the decrease in the mean level of NO level after the cooling procedure is 4.63 ± 7.4 µmol/L which has statistical significance (P = 0.002). These results suggested that the decrease in NO level improves conduction block in demyelinated axonal segments after cooling procedure in multiple sclerosis.