Investigating the relationship between multiple sclerosis disability and driving performance: A comparative study of the multiple sclerosis functional composite and expanded disability status scale.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can affect the ability to perform complex tasks such as driving. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) overlooks cognitive deficits crucial for driving. We investigated the relationship between the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC), which includes cognitive assessment, and EDSS in relation to driving performance. METHODS:  This exploratory study involved 30 MS patients (mean EDSS 2.4 ± 2.0) and 15 healthy controls. We correlated the results of the EDSS, MSFC, and driving performance tests, namely the Two-Hand Coordination Test (2HAND) and the Speed Anticipation Reaction Test (SART). RESULTS: Patients did not differ from the healthy controls regarding age, sex, and driving experience. However, they exhibited lower mean Z-scores in MSFC, particularly in motor domains, but not in cognitive function. The mean Z-score for the 25-foot Walk test was -0.42 in patients compared to -0.04 in controls. For the 9-hole Peg Test, it was 0.17 in patients versus 1.47 in controls. Patients had a mean total error time of 19.7 seconds for both hands in the 2HAND test, compared to 7.7 seconds in controls. In MS patients, the MSFC and EDSS significantly correlated with SART and 2HAND components. While upper limb function (9-HPT) did not correlate with 2HAND, cognitive function (PASAT) did correlate with the number of 2HAND errors, indicating that cognitive dysfunction impacts driving performance more than physical dysfunction. CONCLUSION: The MSFC may provide valuable insights into the driving abilities of MS patients, potentially offering advantages over the EDSS in predicting driving performance. Further research with larger, more diverse populations across various driving environments is necessary to validate these findings.

Impact of SAfinamide on Depressive Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease Patients (SADness-PD Study): A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess the effects of safinamide on depression, motor symptoms, and the serotonin syndrome related to its co-administration with antidepressants in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients at 1 and 3 months of follow-up compared to baseline. RESULTS: n = 82 (safinamide 50 mg = 22, 100 mg = 60, with antidepressants = 44). First, we found improvement in depression (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale: -6 ± 5.10 at 1 month and -7.27 ± 5.10 at 3 months, p < 0.0001; Patient Global Impression of Improvement Scale: 60.3% and 69.5% of patients at 1 and 3 months reported some improvement). Second, safinamide improved the daily life activities and motor symptoms/motor complications (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-II): -2.51 ± 6.30 and -2.47 ± 6.11 at 1 and 3 months, p < 0.0001; III: -3.58 ± 8.68 and -4.03 ± 8.95 at 1 and 3 months, p < 0.0001; IV: -0.61 ± 2.61 and -0.8 ± 2.53 at 1 and 3 months, p < 0.0001). Third, 7.31% and 8.53% of patients developed non-severe adverse events related to safinamide at 1 and 3 months. Serotonin syndrome was not observed in the patients treated with antidepressants; some isolated serotonin syndrome symptoms were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Safinamide could be useful for treating depression in PD; it was effective for motor symptoms and motor complications and safe even when co-administered with antidepressants.

Variabilidad de la frecuencia cardiaca tras tres partidos de bádminton. ¿hay diferencias por sexo? / Heart rate variability after threee badminton matches. Are there gender diferences?

Objetivos: Analizar la variabilidad de la frecuencia cardiaca (VFC) en reposo y tras 3 partidos de Bádminton consecutivos jugados en un corto periodo de tiempo (2 o 3 días) para evaluar el efecto de la fatiga acumulada y si existen diferencias entre hombres y mujeres en estas condiciones. Métodos: Hemos estudiado a 19 jugadores de Bádminton divididos en dos grupos: 11 mujeres (17,88±3,01 años) y 8 hombres (18,16±2,87 años). Se tomaron un gran número de registros iniciales en cuatro campeonatos diferentes, pero se seleccionaron para el estudio a aquellos jugadores que jugaron al menos tres partidos antes de ser eliminados del torneo. Se registró la señal cardiaca latido a latido durante 20 minutos en posición supina antes de iniciarse la competición y después de3 partidos consecutivos. El registro inicial (basal) se hizo en la habitación de los jugadores al día siguiente a su llegada a la ciudad sede y los otros tres registros se tomaron entre 15 y 25 minutos tras la finalización del partido (media 17.14 + 3, 93 minutes). Se calcularon los parámetros usuales del dominio de tiempo y los diámetros transversal (SD1) y longitudinal (SD2) del gráfico de Poincaré. Resultados: Todos los parámetros del dominio de tiempo fueron significativamente más bajos tras los partidos, respecto a la situación basal, pero sin diferencias entre los tres partidos. No se encontraron diferencias entre hombres y mujeres en ninguno de los parámetros en las cuatro situaciones. Los diámetros SD1, SD2 y la relación SD1/SD2 también tuvieron valores más bajos tras los partidos y sin diferencias entre sexos. Conclusiones: La VFC disminuye tras los partidos de Bádminton pero sin diferencias debidas al número de partidos y con los mismos cambios para hombres y mujeres (AU)

Objectives: To analyze heart rate variability (HRV) at rest and after 3 consecutive badminton matches played in a short period of time (2 or 3 days) in order to assess the effect of accumulated tiredness and if there were differences between males and females under these conditions. Methods: We have studied 19 badminton players divided into two groups: 11 females (age 17,88±3,01 years) and 8 males (age 18,16±2,87 years). In four different championships we took initial records in a large number of players, but we selected for the study to those players who played at least 3 matches before of being eliminated from the tournament. The heartbeat signal was recorded beat to beat for 20 minutes in supine position before the competition and after 3 matches. The initial record (baseline) was made at their own room one day after arriving in the host city and the another three records were made after finishing the match, between 15 and 25 minutes (average 17.14 + 3, 93 minutes).The usual parameters in the time domine as well as the transverse(SD1) and the longitudinal axis (SD2) of the Poincaré plot were calculated. Results: All parameters in time domine were significantly lower after the matches than basal but the differences between the matches were not significant. No significant differences were found between males and females in none of the parameters at the four situations. SD1, SD2 and the ratio SD1/SD2 in the Poincaré plot post-matches were lower than the baseline, but without significant gender differences. Conclusions: HRV decreases after matches but without differences due to the number of matches and these changes are the same for men and women (AU)