Contributions
Abstract: P296
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Paediatric MS
Objective: The Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychology Questionnaire (MSNQ) is a 15-item self-report questionnaire used to screen for cognitive complaints in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Previous studies in adults with MS have shown that psychosocial factors, particularly mood and fatigue, have a major influence on patients" perception of cognition. This study examined whether a similar relationship between depression and fatigue and self-reported cognitive complaints is found in pediatric-onset MS patients.
Methods: Twenty-five pediatric-onset MS patients [mean (SD) age= 18.82 (2.94) yrs; range: 13-24 yrs] completed self-reported measures of cognitive complaints (MSNQ), fatigue (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory; PedQoL) and mood (Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale; CES-D), and underwent neuropsychological testing. Hierarchical regression was used to examine whether the neuropsychological composite score (derived from testing) predicts cognitive complaints on the MSNQ after controlling for depression and fatigue.
Results: Overall levels of fatigue and depression were mild [PedQoL= 59.42 (18.94); CES-D=15.60 (13.16)] and performance on the neuropsychological composite was in the average range (z=0.03 (0.73). Cognitive complaints on the MSNQ correlated with more symptoms of fatigue, as indicated by a low score on the PedQoL (r=-0.78, p< 0.0001), and more symptoms of depression (r=0.72, p< 0.0001), but not with neuropsychological composite score (r=-0.09, p=0.66). Neuropsychological composite score did not significantly predict MSNQ scores over and above fatigue and mood scores [ΔR2=0.011, F(1,20)=44.33, p=0.42). Findings did not change when examining the subset of patients who were < 19 years at time of testing (n=16).
Conclusion: Self-report measures of fatigue and depression were stronger predictors of cognitive complaints than were objectively measured cognitive functions in this cohort. These findings highlight the major influence of psychosocial factors on the self-perception of cognitive abilities and thus should be taken into consideration when interpreting self-reported cognitive complaints in both adolescents and young adults with MS.
Disclosure:
Dr. Banwell serves as a consultant to Novartis, and as an advisor for clinical trials for Biogen Idec, Sanofi, and Tevaneuroscience.
All other authors have nothing to declare.
Abstract: P296
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Paediatric MS
Objective: The Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychology Questionnaire (MSNQ) is a 15-item self-report questionnaire used to screen for cognitive complaints in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Previous studies in adults with MS have shown that psychosocial factors, particularly mood and fatigue, have a major influence on patients" perception of cognition. This study examined whether a similar relationship between depression and fatigue and self-reported cognitive complaints is found in pediatric-onset MS patients.
Methods: Twenty-five pediatric-onset MS patients [mean (SD) age= 18.82 (2.94) yrs; range: 13-24 yrs] completed self-reported measures of cognitive complaints (MSNQ), fatigue (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory; PedQoL) and mood (Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale; CES-D), and underwent neuropsychological testing. Hierarchical regression was used to examine whether the neuropsychological composite score (derived from testing) predicts cognitive complaints on the MSNQ after controlling for depression and fatigue.
Results: Overall levels of fatigue and depression were mild [PedQoL= 59.42 (18.94); CES-D=15.60 (13.16)] and performance on the neuropsychological composite was in the average range (z=0.03 (0.73). Cognitive complaints on the MSNQ correlated with more symptoms of fatigue, as indicated by a low score on the PedQoL (r=-0.78, p< 0.0001), and more symptoms of depression (r=0.72, p< 0.0001), but not with neuropsychological composite score (r=-0.09, p=0.66). Neuropsychological composite score did not significantly predict MSNQ scores over and above fatigue and mood scores [ΔR2=0.011, F(1,20)=44.33, p=0.42). Findings did not change when examining the subset of patients who were < 19 years at time of testing (n=16).
Conclusion: Self-report measures of fatigue and depression were stronger predictors of cognitive complaints than were objectively measured cognitive functions in this cohort. These findings highlight the major influence of psychosocial factors on the self-perception of cognitive abilities and thus should be taken into consideration when interpreting self-reported cognitive complaints in both adolescents and young adults with MS.
Disclosure:
Dr. Banwell serves as a consultant to Novartis, and as an advisor for clinical trials for Biogen Idec, Sanofi, and Tevaneuroscience.
All other authors have nothing to declare.