Contributions
Abstract: 196
Type: Oral
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - 3 Paediatric MS
Background: There are few data on the long-term cognitive outcomes of patients with paediatric onset multiple sclerosis (POMS), particularly in comparison with adult-onset patients with MS (AOMS).
Objective: To compare the prevalence and profile of cognitive impairment between adults with a history of POMS and those with classic, adult-onset multiple sclerosis (AOMS).
Methods: Cognitive performance was assessed through the Brief Repeatable Battery and the Stroop Test in consecutive patients referred to six Italian MS centres. CI was defined as impairment in ≥2 cognitive domains.
Results: 119 patients with POMS and 712 with AOMS were included in this analysis. The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 48.0% in AOMS and 44.5% in POMS, with similar neuropsychological profile between the two groups. However, when adjusting for current age, we found a significantly increased risk for CI (OR=1.71; p=0.02) and for impairment in information processing speed (OR=1.86; p< 0.01) in patients with POMS. A higher EDSS was also identified in POMS (p=0.03) compared with AOMS patients. The subgroup of POMS patients with cognitive impairment also presented higher disability levels when compared to cognitively preserved POMS (p< 0.01).
Conclusions: Patients with a history of POMS appear to be at higher risk of physical and cognitive disability than AOMS patients of the same age, with particular involvement of information processing speed. These findings highlight the need for early screening and systematic monitoring of cognitive functioning in the paediatric MS population, aimed at providing prompt counselling and intervention strategies in everyday practice.
Disclosure: The authors report no conflict of interest.
Abstract: 196
Type: Oral
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - 3 Paediatric MS
Background: There are few data on the long-term cognitive outcomes of patients with paediatric onset multiple sclerosis (POMS), particularly in comparison with adult-onset patients with MS (AOMS).
Objective: To compare the prevalence and profile of cognitive impairment between adults with a history of POMS and those with classic, adult-onset multiple sclerosis (AOMS).
Methods: Cognitive performance was assessed through the Brief Repeatable Battery and the Stroop Test in consecutive patients referred to six Italian MS centres. CI was defined as impairment in ≥2 cognitive domains.
Results: 119 patients with POMS and 712 with AOMS were included in this analysis. The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 48.0% in AOMS and 44.5% in POMS, with similar neuropsychological profile between the two groups. However, when adjusting for current age, we found a significantly increased risk for CI (OR=1.71; p=0.02) and for impairment in information processing speed (OR=1.86; p< 0.01) in patients with POMS. A higher EDSS was also identified in POMS (p=0.03) compared with AOMS patients. The subgroup of POMS patients with cognitive impairment also presented higher disability levels when compared to cognitively preserved POMS (p< 0.01).
Conclusions: Patients with a history of POMS appear to be at higher risk of physical and cognitive disability than AOMS patients of the same age, with particular involvement of information processing speed. These findings highlight the need for early screening and systematic monitoring of cognitive functioning in the paediatric MS population, aimed at providing prompt counselling and intervention strategies in everyday practice.
Disclosure: The authors report no conflict of interest.