Contributions
Abstract: EP1381
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - 7 MS symptoms
Cognitive deficits in MS-patients have moved into the focus of interest in the past few years. Many studies have demonstrated that the disease leads to cognitive decline. Cognition itself is not a singular ability of the brain but indeed consists of various skills.
In a follow-up study we examined different cognitive abilities in MS-patients using the Vienna Test Expert System Traffic which has been established for testing driving ability skills.
Objective: The aim of the study was to look for the change of different aspects of cognition after a 3-4 year follow-up and their association with depression, disease activity and physical impairment.
Methods: 40 patients with relapsing remitting MS at baseline and a 3-4 year follow-up have been examined by using cognitive tests (MUSIC), a fatigue scale (FSMC), two depression scales (HAMD, BDI II) and the Expert System Traffic of the Vienna Test System consisting of 5 subtests including reaction time, reactive stress tolerance, visual orientation performance, attention, concentration, observational ability and skills in gaining an overview. The mean value-differences between the examinations were compared by Mann-Whitney-U-Test.
Results: Between baseline and follow-up 41% of patients suffered from one or more relapses. During this time 43% changed their prophylactic medication. The medium EDSS score increased from 1.54 to 1,57. There were no significant differences between the results in the Vienna Test System. Depression (MBaseline = 11,55, MFollowUp = 11,15) fatigue (MBaseline = 60,50, MFollowUp = 59,26) and cognitive impairment (MBaseline = 22,28, MFollowUp = 23,5) didn't show any significant differences either. The asymptotic significance of all variables ranged between p = .337 and p = .996. More than 40% of the MS-patients showed disease activity in terms of relapses, which led to a change of prophylactic medication. The results of all kinds of cognitive testings remained stable in all aspects within 4 years.
Conclusion: Despite the fact that the disease was clinically active in almost half of all patients, there was no significant change in cognitive performance or in depression. Disease activity does not necessarily lead to cognitive decline.
Disclosure: The work was supported by a scientific grant of Novartis Pharma GmbH Nürnberg
Abstract: EP1381
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - 7 MS symptoms
Cognitive deficits in MS-patients have moved into the focus of interest in the past few years. Many studies have demonstrated that the disease leads to cognitive decline. Cognition itself is not a singular ability of the brain but indeed consists of various skills.
In a follow-up study we examined different cognitive abilities in MS-patients using the Vienna Test Expert System Traffic which has been established for testing driving ability skills.
Objective: The aim of the study was to look for the change of different aspects of cognition after a 3-4 year follow-up and their association with depression, disease activity and physical impairment.
Methods: 40 patients with relapsing remitting MS at baseline and a 3-4 year follow-up have been examined by using cognitive tests (MUSIC), a fatigue scale (FSMC), two depression scales (HAMD, BDI II) and the Expert System Traffic of the Vienna Test System consisting of 5 subtests including reaction time, reactive stress tolerance, visual orientation performance, attention, concentration, observational ability and skills in gaining an overview. The mean value-differences between the examinations were compared by Mann-Whitney-U-Test.
Results: Between baseline and follow-up 41% of patients suffered from one or more relapses. During this time 43% changed their prophylactic medication. The medium EDSS score increased from 1.54 to 1,57. There were no significant differences between the results in the Vienna Test System. Depression (MBaseline = 11,55, MFollowUp = 11,15) fatigue (MBaseline = 60,50, MFollowUp = 59,26) and cognitive impairment (MBaseline = 22,28, MFollowUp = 23,5) didn't show any significant differences either. The asymptotic significance of all variables ranged between p = .337 and p = .996. More than 40% of the MS-patients showed disease activity in terms of relapses, which led to a change of prophylactic medication. The results of all kinds of cognitive testings remained stable in all aspects within 4 years.
Conclusion: Despite the fact that the disease was clinically active in almost half of all patients, there was no significant change in cognitive performance or in depression. Disease activity does not necessarily lead to cognitive decline.
Disclosure: The work was supported by a scientific grant of Novartis Pharma GmbH Nürnberg