Clinical implications for the association of psoriasis and multiple sclerosis: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) and psoriasis (PsO) are distinct chronic autoimmune conditions with varying impacts on patients' lives. While the co-occurrence of MS and PsO has been reported, the underlying pathogenic link remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of PsO in a MS outpatient clinic population and explore the potential interplay between these conditions. METHODS: 316 MS patients who had at least one visit at our MS center in the last year, were selected from our outpatient MS Clinic electronic database and were e-mailed in August 2023 and inquired about a previous diagnosis of PsO. Demographic and MS history data were retrospectively gathered for two groups: MS patients without and with PsO. Information about MS phenotype, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score at the diagnosis and at last follow-up, disease modifying therapy (DMT) were collected retrospectively from our MS data set. PsO diagnosis was confirmed by an experienced dermatologist and severity was assessed with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). RESULTS: Among 253 respondents, 5.85% reported a PsO diagnosis that was confirmed after the dermatological evaluation Among patients with psoriasis 66.67% had progressive course of MS (p = 0.032) and the onset of PsO typically occurred after MS diagnosis. 9 out 15 patients had a PASI score of 0 and 6 are currently undergoing treatment with an anti-CD20 therapy. Notably, a subset of our patients were on anti-CD20 therapy and did not experience a worsening of dermatological symptoms. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PsO in our outpatient MS population aligns with previous studies. Treatment approaches should be tailored to individual patient needs, emphasizing collaboration between neurologists and dermatologists. Medications like dimethyl fumarate, effective in both conditions, could be considered. The data from our study also suggest that anti-CD20 therapy may be a viable option for some patients with concurrent MS and mild PsO, without a significant worsening of dermatological symptoms. Further research is needed to elucidate the complex relationship between MS and PsO and to develop more effective therapeutic strategies for patients with both conditions.

Identifying definite patterns of unmet needs in patients with multiple sclerosis using unsupervised machine learning.

INTRODUCTION: People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) exhibit a spectrum of needs that extend beyond solely disease-related determinants. Investigating unmet needs from the patient perspective may address daily difficulties and optimize care. Our aim was to identify patterns of unmet needs among PwMS and their determinants. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional multicentre study. Data were collected through an anonymous, self-administered online form. To cluster PwMS according to their main unmet needs, we performed agglomerative hierarchical clustering algorithm. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to visualize cluster distribution. Pairwise comparisons were used to evaluate demographics and clinical distribution among clusters. RESULTS: Out of 1764 mailed questionnaires, we received 690 responses. Access to primary care was the main contributor to the overall unmet need burden. Four patterns were identified: cluster C1, 'information-seekers with few unmet needs'; cluster C2, 'high unmet needs'; cluster C3, 'socially and assistance-dependent'; cluster C4, 'self-sufficient with few unmet needs'. PCA identified two main components in determining the patterns: the 'public sphere' (access to information and care) and the 'private sphere' (need for assistance and social life). Older age, lower education, longer disease duration and higher disability characterized clusters with more unmet needs in the private sphere. However, demographic and clinical factors failed in explaining the four identified patterns. CONCLUSION: Our study identified four unmet need patterns among PwMS, emphasizing the importance of personalized care. While clinical and demographic factors provide some insight, additional variables warrant further investigation to fully understand unmet needs in PwMS.

Immunomodulatory effects of ocrelizumab and candidate biomarkers for monitoring treatment response in multiple sclerosis.

Ocrelizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody designed to bind to the CD20 molecule, resulting in a rapid depletion of B-cells; however, it has been shown that lymphocyte subpopulations other than B-cells are affected by the drug. To review the effects of ocrelizumab on circulating lymphocytes and identify candidate biomarkers to predict and monitor treatment response. A literature search for the most relevant articles from 2006 to 2022 was conducted in PubMed and Scopus. The effect of ocrelizumab on the peripheral immune system goes beyond B-cells; it also depletes T CD20 + lymphocytes. Further, ocrelizumab reshapes the T-cell response toward a low inflammatory profile and induces an increase in T CD8 + regulatory cell percentage. A higher Body Mass Index and higher B-cell count at baseline have been associated with early B-cell reappearance. Serum neurofilament light chain reduction has been associated with treatment response. Ocrelizumab treatment exerts a broad immunomodulatory effect and may be tailored based on patients' clinical and biological profiles.

Viral pericarditis following ocrelizumab in a multiple sclerosis patient.

Ocrelizumab is a humanized monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody, approved for the treatment of relapsing and primary-progressive multiple sclerosis. We reported a case of pericarditis in an RRMS patient treated with ocrelizumab, who presented with chest pain, high body temperature and laboratory findings of systemic inflammation, with a favorable clinical outcome.

MRI and steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis: first report of conus medullaris involvement and literature review of the known neuroimaging profiles.

BACKGROUND: Steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (SREAT) is a rare but potentially reversible autoimmune encephalopathy. The most frequent neuroimaging correlates are normal brain MRI or non-specific white matter hyperintensities. METHODS: We present the first description of conus medullaris involvement, also providing an extensive review of MRI patterns described so far. RESULTS: Our results show that in less than 30% of cases, it is possible to find focal SREAT neuroanatomical correlates. Among these, T2w/FLAIR temporal hyperintensities are the most frequent, followed by basal ganglia/thalamic and brainstem involvement, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Unfortunately, spinal cord investigation is an uncommon practice in the diagnostic approach of encephalopathies, thus neglecting potential pathological lesions of the medulla spinalis. In our opinion, the extension of the MRI study to the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral regions may allow finding new, and hopefully specific, anatomical correlates.

Association between relapses, stress, and depression in people with multiple sclerosis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Stress is a potential trigger for clinical and radiological activity in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). COVID-19 pandemic has been a relevant source of mental distress in people with MS (pwMS) and deeply impacted on disease management. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between stress, anxiety, depression, and risk of relapse during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: From an electronic database used for clinical practice, we extracted data of relapsing-remitting (RR) or relapsing-progressive (RP) MS patients and calculated the annualized relapse rate (ARR) during 2019 and 2020. From 01/12/2020 to 30/12/2020, enrolled patients were invited to fill in a Google Forms survey to investigate depression, anxiety, stress, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). RESULTS: We selected 216 patients with RR or RP-MS to calculate ARR: compared to 2019, in 2020 there was a significant increase in ARR (p = 0.0142). Over 216 selected pwMS, 154 completed the survey. Matching the survey responses and incidence of relapses in 2020, there was a significant association between relapses and stress (p = 0.030) and relapses and depression (p = 0.011), but not between relapses and anxiety (p = 0.130) or PTSD (p = 0.279). CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the hypothesis that pandemic-related stress is associated to clinical exacerbations, both as a possible consequence of the COVID-19 impact on MS care.

Emotional facial palsy: an unusual and rarely explored neurological sign.

The anatomy of the cortico-bulbar tract that drives voluntary movements of mimic muscles is well described. Some cases of facial palsy with inverse automatic-voluntary dissociation (emotional facial palsy; EFP) are reported in the literature. These cases suggested a completely independent path of the fibers whose lesion results in EFP. We aimed to review the clinical reports of EFP available in the literature to characterize the anatomical aspect of the fibers whose lesion results in the isolated impairment of spontaneous smiling. Cortico-pontine fibers that control spontaneous smiling arise from the medial surface of the prefrontal cortex and descend through the anterior limb of the internal capsule, thalamus, and brain steam, independently from those that control voluntary movement. The mesial temporal lobe, particularly the amygdala, plays a crucial role in the network driving emotionally evoked facial expressions. We would highlight the relevance of an unusual and rarely explored neurological sign that could be added to clinical examination in ruling out focal brain pathology, such as stroke, tumors, or multiple sclerosis.

Pain, quality of life, and religiosity in people with multiple sclerosis.

PURPOSE: To investigate in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, the relationship between pain and religiosity and to determine whether distinct dimensions of religiosity were associated with quality of life. METHODS: MS patients during clinical follow-up filled out the visual analogue scale for pain (VAS), the Mc Gill questionnaire (McGQ), the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and the religious attitude scale (RAS), and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) was assessed. RESULTS: Ninety-two MS patients were enrolled, only two declined. There was a negative correlation between religious practice and faith and some domains of the SF-36 and a positive correlation between sensory, affective, and evaluative aspects of pain (at McGQ) and religious practices, and between evaluative aspects of pain (at McGQ) and faith. EDSS was significantly higher in practitioner believers compared to not practitioners. CONCLUSIONS: More disabled MS patients, with worse quality of life, also due to physical pain, find a source of comfort in faith and religious practices. Pain is not relieved by prayer; therefore, we may guess that in MS the poor beneficial effect of religiosity and practice on pain perception may be linked to a structural/functional damage of neural circuits involved in reducing pain during prayer.

Source of medical information and behavioral seeking patterns in patients affected with Friedreich's ataxia and their caregivers: a survey study.

BACKGROUND: Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is an untreatable disease that negatively impacts patients' and caregivers' quality of life. OBJECTIVES: The aims were to improve the quality of the information for FRDA patients and caregivers and suggest a possible tool to spread this information. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-four FRDA patients and 45 caregivers were interviewed separately using a structured self-administered survey about their information-seeking behavior, their level of expectation and satisfaction for the information received, and the need for further information. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: For patients and caregivers, the main source of information was the FRDA specialist and the media. The most searched items were "general information"; patients and particularly caregivers desired to get more information on existing and experimental therapies. Adequate information supply is part of good medical care; therefore, a deeper insight of clinicians in information-seeking behavior of FRDA patients and caregivers would provide tailored information and improve therapeutic alliance.

Multiple sclerosis and genetic polymorphisms in fibrinogen-mediated hemostatic pathways: a case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: Blood coagulation constituents might exert immunomodulatory functions in the CNS and may trigger neuroinflammation and demyelination. We evaluated whether particular single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), thought to be involved in fibrinogen-mediated hemostatic pathways, are overrepresented in patients with MS compared with controls. METHODS: The case-control study consisted of 119 MS patients recruited consecutively at our clinic, and 68 healthy controls. Afterwards, we created a cumulative genetic risk score (CGRS) which included the 5 selected hemostatic risk alleles (Beta-Fibrinogen 455G/A, Glycoprotein IIIa P1A2, Factor V Leiden, Factor V H2R, and Prothrombin 20210G/A). Multivariate ordinal logistic regression and multivariate multinomial logistic regression were applied to evaluate the effect of CGRS on MS susceptibility. RESULTS: The FGB 455 G/A and Factor V H1299R variants might be associated with MS status, in the recessive and dominant model, respectively. A cumulative association of the five SNPs investigated with the disease was observed. DISCUSSION: We found that MS patients carried more pro-hemostatic variants than healthy controls. An increasing number of unfavorable alleles might increase the likelihood of being in the MS group, in the cumulative analysis. Our findings encourage to evaluating these variants in a larger population-based cohort.

Telemedicine application to headache: a critical review.

BACKGROUND: Migraine affects more than a billion people all over the world and requires critical employment of healthcare resources. Telemedicine could be a reasonable tool to manage people suffering from headaches, and it received a big push from the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE: This review aims to propose a practical approach for the virtual management of these patients. METHODS: To do this, we conducted a literature search, including 32 articles relevant to the topic treated in this review. RESULTS: The most challenging step in telemedicine applied to practical neurology remains the clinical assessment, but through a careful headache history and a recently proposed entirely virtual neurological assessment, this hitch can be easily overcome. Electronic diary compilations and virtual administration of disability-measuring scales, conversely, are the key features of effective long-term follow-up although we do not have apps that met the criteria of scientific reliability. Furthermore, tele-rehabilitation seems to be effective and has demonstrated to be a solution to alternatively treat chronic patients at home, and can be considered part of the remote management of headache patients. Moreover, virtual management of headaches finds an application in specific communities of patients, as pediatric patients and for rural communities of low- and middle-income countries suffer from health disparities, with inadequate resources and knowledge gaps. CONCLUSION: Telemedicine could be promising for patients with no regular or convenient access to headache specialists and seems to be a priority in managing migraine patients to avoid non-urgent hospitalizations.

Myasthenia gravis and telemedicine: a lesson from COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 pandemic has induced an urgent reorganization of the healthcare system to ensure continuity of care for patients affected by chronic neurological diseases including myasthenia gravis (MG). Due to the fluctuating nature of the disease, early detection of disease worsening, adverse events, and possibly life-threatening complications is mandatory. This work analyzes the main unresolved issues in the management of the myasthenic patient, the possibilities offered so far by digital technologies, and proposes an online evaluation protocol based on 4 simple tests to improve MG management. Telemedicine and Digital Technology might help neurologists in the clinical decision-making process of MG management, avoiding unnecessary in presence consultations and allowing a rational use of the time and space reduced by the pandemic.

Telemedicine in Parkinson's Disease: How to Ensure Patient Needs and Continuity of Care at the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: With the spread of the SARS-CoV2 pandemic, telemedicine has become the safest way to guarantee care continuity, especially for chronic disabling diseases requiring frequent medical consultations and therapeutic adjustments, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). The age-related prevalence of PD, combined with increased vulnerability due to age-related comorbidities, makes PD patients protection a priority. Methodology: We reviewed potentials and limitations of teleneurology in PD and suggested a specific battery of tests, including patient-reported outcomes, smartphone applications, and neurological examination through telemedicine. Conclusions: These tools can provide full neurological consultations, with the engagement of both patients and caregivers, and can support clinicians in defining whether patients need to access diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Telemedicine will also carry a value in the future, within conventional health care, to support clinicians in decision making, enabling more efficacious follow-up, reducing burden for caregivers, and delivering neurological expertise to local realities. These advantages are very important when there is physical distance between patients and neurologists, and when patients are not recommended to attend in-person consultations.

Validation of the swallowing disturbance questionnaire in people with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The DYSPHAGIA IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (DYMUS) questionnaire is the only specific tool developed to screen for dysphagia in people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS). However, some limitations of DYMUS could potentially be addressed by the SWALLOWING DISTURBANCE QUESTIONNAIRE (SDQ), which has not yet been validated in pwMS. The objective of this study was to translate and validate the SDQ into the Italian language for use in pwMS to detect swallowing disturbances. METHODS: We translated the SDQ into Italian and adapted it for use in Italian pwMS. PwMS aged > 18 years, assessed for disability using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), completed the SDQ and DYMUS questionnaires and performed the 3-OUNCE WATER SWALLOW TEST (WST). Clinical and demographic data were collected for each patient. The Italian version of the SDQ was retested after 30 days. RESULTS: A total of 84 pwMS were recruited for the study, consisting of 73.8 % women and 48.8 % with a relapsing-remitting form of MS. The mean age of participants was 44.5 years (SD: ±12.46), with a mean disease duration of 17 years (SD: ±10.27), and a median EDSS of 4 (range 1.5-7.5). The Cronbach's alpha for SDQ (to assess internal consistency) was 0.902, which increased to 0.908 after the elimination of item 15, resulting in the SDQ composed of 14 items. ROC analysis demonstrated good accuracy of the 14-item SDQ in pwMS (AUC: 0.811). By dividing the 14-item SDQ score into quartiles, three risk levels for dysphagia were identified: low (score 1-3), intermediate (score 4-8), and high (score ≥9). 14-item SDQ scores significantly correlated with DYMUS (r = 0.820; p<0.0001) and with EDSS (r = 0.541; p<0.0001). PwMS who reported dysphagia had a significantly higher mean 14-item SDQ score (8.27 ± SD 8.15) compared to those without swallowing problems (2.77 ± SD 4.25; p = 0.003). Additionally, pwMS with a positive WST had a significantly higher mean 14-item SDQ score (10.17 ± SD 8.96) than those with a negative WST (2.96 ± SD 3.93; p = 0.02). The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient for the retest, calculated on 48 pwMS in a stable phase of the disease, was 0.91 (95 % CI 0.84-0.95). CONCLUSION: The 14-item SDQ has demonstrated high internal consistency, good accuracy, and reliability in pwMS, making it a readily applicable tool for investigating dysphagia in MS.

Ocrelizumab and ofatumumab comparison: an Italian real-world propensity score matched study.

BACKGROUND: The management of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has undergone transformative evolution with the introduction of high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), specifically anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, such as ocrelizumab (OCR) and ofatumumab (OFA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an independent retrospective cohort study in Relapsing MS (RMS) patients followed at eight Italian MS centers who initiated treatment with OCR or OFA in the participating centers and with at least 12 months on therapy. A generalized linear regression model inverse probability of treatment weight (IPTW) PS-adjusted was performed to evaluate the relationship between annualized relapse rate (ARR) and treatment groups. No evidence of disease activity-NEDA-3 at 12-month score was also collected. Safety profile of the investigated DMTs was recorded. RESULTS: A total cohort of 396 RMS patients fulfilled the required criteria and were enrolled in the study. Out of them, 216 had a prescription of OCR and 180 of OFA. The mean follow-up was 13.2 ± 1.9 months. The estimated means for ARR did not show differences between the two groups, 0.059 for patients on OCR and 0.038 for patients on OFA (p = 0.185). The generalized regression model IPTW PS-adjusted did not reveal differences between patients on OCR and OFA (ExpBOFA 0.974, 95%CI 934-1.015, p = 0.207). NEDA-3 at 12 months was experienced by 199(92.1%) patients on OCR and 170(94.4%) patients on OFA (p = 0.368). Generally, both therapies exhibit good tolerability. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment with OCR and OFA resulted in comparable control of disease activity with good safety profile. Our results need further validation in larger multicentre studies with long-term follow-up.

Ocrelizumab Alters Cytotoxic Lymphocyte Function While Reducing EBV-Specific CD8+ T-Cell Proliferation in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The role of B cells in the pathogenic events leading to relapsing multiple sclerosis (R-MS) has only been recently elucidated. A pivotal step in defining this role has been provided by therapeutic efficacy of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies. Indeed, treatment with anti-CD20 can also alter number and function of other immune cells not directly expressing CD20 on their cell surface, whose activities can contribute to unknown aspects influencing therapeutic efficacy. We examined the phenotype and function of cytotoxic lymphocytes and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific immune responses in people with R-MS before and after ocrelizumab treatment. METHODS: In this prospective study, we collected blood samples from people with R-MS (n = 41) before and 6 and 12 months after initiating ocrelizumab to assess the immune phenotype and the indirect impact on cytotoxic functions of CD8+ T and NK cells. In addition, we evaluated the specific anti-EBV proliferative responses of both CD8+ T and NK lymphocytes as surrogate markers of anti-EBV activity. RESULTS: We observed that while ocrelizumab depleted circulating B cells, it also reduced the expression of activation and migratory markers on both CD8+ T and NK cells as well as their in vitro cytotoxic activity. A comparable pattern in the modulation of immune molecules by ocrelizumab was observed in cytotoxic cells even when patients with R-MS were divided into groups based on their prior disease-modifying treatment. These effects were accompanied by a significant and selective reduction of CD8+ T-cell proliferation in response to EBV antigenic peptides. DISCUSSION: Taken together, our findings suggest that ocrelizumab-while depleting B cells-affects the cytotoxic function of CD8+ and NK cells, whose reduced cross-activity against myelin antigens might also contribute to its therapeutic efficacy during MS.

ChatGPT vs. neurologists: a cross-sectional study investigating preference, satisfaction ratings and perceived empathy in responses among people living with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: ChatGPT is an open-source natural language processing software that replies to users' queries. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess people living with Multiple Sclerosis' (PwMS) preferences, satisfaction, and empathy toward two alternate responses to four frequently-asked questions, one authored by a group of neurologists, the other by ChatGPT. METHODS: An online form was sent through digital communication platforms. PwMS were blind to the author of each response and were asked to express their preference for each alternate response to the four questions. The overall satisfaction was assessed using a Likert scale (1-5); the Consultation and Relational Empathy scale was employed to assess perceived empathy. RESULTS: We included 1133 PwMS (age, 45.26 ± 11.50 years; females, 68.49%). ChatGPT's responses showed significantly higher empathy scores (Coeff = 1.38; 95% CI = 0.65, 2.11; p > z < 0.01), when compared with neurologists' responses. No association was found between ChatGPT' responses and mean satisfaction (Coeff = 0.03; 95% CI = - 0.01, 0.07; p = 0.157). College graduate, when compared with high school education responder, had significantly lower likelihood to prefer ChatGPT response (IRR = 0.87; 95% CI = 0.79, 0.95; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: ChatGPT-authored responses provided higher empathy than neurologists. Although AI holds potential, physicians should prepare to interact with increasingly digitized patients and guide them on responsible AI use. Future development should consider tailoring AIs' responses to individual characteristics. Within the progressive digitalization of the population, ChatGPT could emerge as a helpful support in healthcare management rather than an alternative.