Abstract: P520
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Neuropsychology
Background and objective: Cognitive impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and it has shown to have important implications on patient's quality of life (QOL). Our objective is to assess the correlation between the symbol digit modalities test (SDMT) and QOL in a 5-year follow-up study.
Method: A group of MS patients underwent a neuropsychological evaluation with the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests (BRB-N) that includes the SDMT. They also answered the Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS) scale, used to assess QOL. A second and a third evaluation were performed one year and 5 years later respectively.
Results: A total of 358 patients were included, 87,7% had relapsing remitting MS. There were 242 females, with a mean age of 39,83 years (SD=11) and a mean of 96,85 months of evolution of the disease (SD=97,62).The second evaluation included 284 patients and the third one 94. This last evaluation was performed 7,85 years (SD=2,02) after the first one. In the first and second assessments, from all the BRB-N's subtests, the higher significant correlation was observed between the SDMT and the total score of the FAMS (FAMST) (r=0,415, p< 0,001 and r=0,410, p< 0,001). In the third evaluation, most of the BRB-N subtests had no significant correlations with the FAMST score, except for the immediate and delayed spatial recall test (r=0,298, p=0,004 and r=0,278, p=0,007) and the SDMT (r=0,248, p=0,017). Significant differences were observed between the first and the third evaluation with lower results in the last one for the SDMT (p=0,032) and the FAMST score of (p=0,004). Other tests as the immediate visual recall test, the PASAT 3 seconds and the semantic fluency test, showed significant better scores in the second assessment when compared to the first one (p=0,002, p=0,047 and p=0,005).
Conclusions: The SDMT showed a significant positive correlation with the QOL score in a follow-up period of approximately 5 years. It was the only test from the BRB-N that showed significant lower scores in the last evaluation when compared to the first one, which supports previous findings regarding its sensitivity to detect cognitive impairment in MS patients. The significant higher scores of some tests in the second assessment may be explained because of the previous described practice effects of some of the tests. These findings support the SDMT as a unique tool to assess MS patients when a comprehensive assessment is not possible.
Disclosure: Authors have nothing to disclose.
Abstract: P520
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Neuropsychology
Background and objective: Cognitive impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and it has shown to have important implications on patient's quality of life (QOL). Our objective is to assess the correlation between the symbol digit modalities test (SDMT) and QOL in a 5-year follow-up study.
Method: A group of MS patients underwent a neuropsychological evaluation with the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests (BRB-N) that includes the SDMT. They also answered the Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS) scale, used to assess QOL. A second and a third evaluation were performed one year and 5 years later respectively.
Results: A total of 358 patients were included, 87,7% had relapsing remitting MS. There were 242 females, with a mean age of 39,83 years (SD=11) and a mean of 96,85 months of evolution of the disease (SD=97,62).The second evaluation included 284 patients and the third one 94. This last evaluation was performed 7,85 years (SD=2,02) after the first one. In the first and second assessments, from all the BRB-N's subtests, the higher significant correlation was observed between the SDMT and the total score of the FAMS (FAMST) (r=0,415, p< 0,001 and r=0,410, p< 0,001). In the third evaluation, most of the BRB-N subtests had no significant correlations with the FAMST score, except for the immediate and delayed spatial recall test (r=0,298, p=0,004 and r=0,278, p=0,007) and the SDMT (r=0,248, p=0,017). Significant differences were observed between the first and the third evaluation with lower results in the last one for the SDMT (p=0,032) and the FAMST score of (p=0,004). Other tests as the immediate visual recall test, the PASAT 3 seconds and the semantic fluency test, showed significant better scores in the second assessment when compared to the first one (p=0,002, p=0,047 and p=0,005).
Conclusions: The SDMT showed a significant positive correlation with the QOL score in a follow-up period of approximately 5 years. It was the only test from the BRB-N that showed significant lower scores in the last evaluation when compared to the first one, which supports previous findings regarding its sensitivity to detect cognitive impairment in MS patients. The significant higher scores of some tests in the second assessment may be explained because of the previous described practice effects of some of the tests. These findings support the SDMT as a unique tool to assess MS patients when a comprehensive assessment is not possible.
Disclosure: Authors have nothing to disclose.