The knee joint in early juvenile idiopathic arthritis: An ROC study for evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced MR imaging

Purpose: Diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) remains difficult due to unspecific clinical and laboratory findings, especially in early stages of the disease. The purpose of our study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of MR imaging in diagnosing JIA of the knee joints.

Material and Methods: Forty children (3–17 years old) clinically diagnosed with JIA (follow-up >1 year) of a knee joint and a control group of 40 children with painful knee joints (MR diagnosis: bone bruise of the knee (n=7), normal knee joint (n=12), osteomyelitis (n=6), septic arthritis (n=2), bone tumor (n=7) and miscellaneous bone lesions (n=6)) were examined using a 1.5 T MR unit. T1-weighted spin-echo (SE), T2-weighted fast SE, contrast-enhanced T1-weighted SE and 2D gradient echo sequences were performed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves evaluation was conducted by 5 independent radiologists.

Results: The positive criteria for diagnosing JIA were joint effusions (n=40), contrast-enhancing synovitis (n=39), cartilage lesions (n=15), subchondral erosions and bony destruction (n=1). Sensitivity and specificity were 93.5= and 92.5=, respectively. Both cases of septic arthritis were misdiagnosed as JIA by all radiologists.

Conclusion: Contrast-enhanced MR imaging seems to be a highly sensitive tool in establishing the diagnosis of JIA.

White matter lesions and temporal lobe atrophy related to incidence of both dementia and major depression in 70-year-olds followed over 10 years

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A number of studies have suggested associations between dementia and depression in older adults. One reason could be that these disorders share structural correlates, such as white matter lesions (WMLs) and cortical atrophy. No study has examined whether these lesions precede both dementia and depression independently of each other in the general population.

METHODS

Whether WMLs and cortical atrophy on computed tomography predict dementia and depression was investigated in a population-based sample of 70-year-olds (n = 380) followed over 10 years. Exclusion criteria were dementia, major depression, history of stroke and a Mini-Mental State Examination score below 26 at baseline in 2000-2001. Dementia was diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, third edition, revised, and depression according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition. Primary outcomes included dementia and major depression at 10-year follow-up.

RESULTS

Adjusted logistic regression models, including both WMLs and temporal lobe atrophy, showed that moderate to severe WMLs [odds ratio (OR) 3.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-12.76] and temporal lobe atrophy (OR 2.93, 95% CI 1.13-7.60) predicted dementia during a 10-year follow-up independently of major depression. Similarly, both moderate to severe WMLs (OR 3.84, 95% CI 1.25-11.76) and temporal lobe atrophy (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.06-5.96) predicted depression even after controlling for incident dementia.

CONCLUSION

White matter lesions and temporal lobe atrophy preceded 10-year incidence of both dementia and depression in 70-year-olds. Shared structural correlates could explain the reported associations between dementia and depression. These brain changes may represent independent and complementary pathways to dementia and depression. Strategies to slow progression of vascular pathology and neurodegeneration could indirectly prevent both dementia and depression in older adults.

Time matters - acute stress response and glucocorticoid sensitivity in early multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

Psychosocial stress has frequently been associated with disease activity and acute exacerbations in multiple sclerosis (MS). Despite this well established finding, strikingly little is known about the acute hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) stress response in MS.

METHODS

Twenty-six early relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients and seventeen age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects (CS) took part in the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), a well validated psycho-social laboratory stress protocol. Repeated blood samples were analyzed for stress-related cortisol and catecholamine levels as well as for glucocorticoid sensitivity (GCS) of target immune cells. Chronic and acute stress appraisals were assessed by self-report measures.

RESULTS

RRMS patients and CS did not differ in stress-related cortisol/catecholamine levels, GCS or stress appraisal in response to the TSST. However, cortisol release as well as GCS was strongly correlated with time since diagnosis but not with neurological disability. Patients with shorter disease duration (2-12 months) expressed a significantly higher cortisol stress response while MS patients with longer disease duration (14-36 months) showed a significantly diminished HPA response as well as lower post-stress GCS.

DISCUSSION

There is evidence for a time-dependent variability in the HPA stress system with an increased cortisol stress response in the first year after diagnosis along with a more blunted HPA stress response and a diminished GCS in subsequent disease stages. Data underscore the highly dynamic nature of HPA axis regulation in the MS disease process, which could possibly relate to compensatory mechanisms within a cytokine-HPA axis feedback circuit model.

Evidence-based patient information programme in early multiple sclerosis: a randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of an evidence-based patient information programme aiming to increase informed choice in patients with early multiple sclerosis (MS).

BACKGROUND

Patients with early MS face a number of uncertainties concerning diagnosis, prognosis and effectiveness of immunotherapy. Prior studies suggest that evidence-based patient information combined with group education can promote informed choice in MS patients.

METHODS

A 12-month, six-centre, double-blind randomised controlled clinical trial with 192 patients with a diagnosis of confirmed relapsing-remitting MS or clinical isolated syndrome in Germany. A 4-h interactive evidence-based educational programme was compared with a 4-h MS-specific stress management programme. The primary endpoint was informed choice after 6 months comprising risk knowledge and congruency between attitude towards immunotherapy and actual immunotherapy uptake. Secondary endpoints included autonomy preference, decision autonomy, decisional conflict and satisfaction, anxiety and depression, and number of immunotherapies.

RESULTS

For the primary endpoint, a significant difference was shown with 50 of 85 (59%) participants in the intervention group achieving informed choice after 6 months compared with 18 of 89 (20%) in the control group (OR 0.2 (95% CI 0.1 to 0.4), p<0.001). Four weeks after the intervention, more participants in the intervention group showed good risk knowledge (difference between groups 39% (95% CI 26% to 53%), p<0.001). There were no significant differences between groups for attitude towards immunotherapy and for immunotherapy uptake. There were trends towards increased autonomy preference after the intervention and increased adherence to immunotherapies in the intervention group.

CONCLUSIONS

The intervention significantly increased informed choice and relevant risk knowledge without negative side effects.

Employment status in multiple sclerosis: impact of disease-specific and non-disease-specific factors

Background:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with high rates of early retirement (ER).

Objectives:

A German cohort of MS patients and healthy control subjects (HCs) were compared cross-sectionally to investigate disease- and non-disease-specific factors that are associated with employment status (ES) in MS and to identify predictors of ES in MS.

Methods:

A total of 39 ER MS patients, 48 employed MS patients, and 37 HCs completed a brief neuropsychological battery and questionnaires related to depressive symptoms, fatigue, health-related quality of life (HrQoL) and health locus of control (HLC). Neurological disability was assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC).

Results:

ER compared with employed MS patients scored significantly higher in neurological disability, depressive symptoms and fatigue and significantly lower in cognitive functioning and HrQoL. Further, both groups differed with regard to age, education, disease course and duration but not in HLC. Neurological disability, age and fatigue were identified as significant predictors of ES in MS.

Conclusions:

ES in MS was associated with demographic aspects, neurological and cognitive status, depressive symptoms, fatigue and HrQoL but was not associated with HLC. Findings confirm neurological disability, age and fatigue as independent predictors of ES in MS.

Cortisol awakening response is linked to disease course and progression in multiple sclerosis

Objectives

Dysregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has frequently been reported in multiple sclerosis (MS). So far, HPA axis function in MS has predominantly been studied under pharmacological stimulation which is associated with a series of methodological caveats. Knowledge of circadian cortisol patterns and cortisol awakening response (CAR) is still limited.

Methods

A total of 77 MS patients (55 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS)/22 secondary-progressive MS (SPMS)) as well as 34 healthy control (HC) subjects were enrolled. Diurnal cortisol release was assessed by repeated salivary cortisol sampling. Neurological disability was rated by the Kurtzke’s Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Depressive symptoms and perceived stress were assessed by self-report measures.

Results

RRMS but not SPMS patients differed in circadian cortisol release from HC subjects. Differences in cortisol release were restricted to CAR. Treated and treatment naïve RRMS patients did not differ in CAR. In a RRMS follow-up cohort (nine months follow-up), RRMS patients with EDSS progression (≥0.5) expressed a significantly greater CAR compared to HC subjects. RRMS patients with a stable EDSS did not differ from HC subjects. Neither depressive symptoms nor perceived stress ratings were associated with CAR in RRMS patients. In a step-wise regression analysis, EDSS at baseline and CAR were predictive of EDSS at follow-up (R² = 67%) for RRMS patients.

Conclusions

Circadian cortisol release, in particular CAR, shows a course specific pattern with most pronounced release in RRMS. There is also some evidence for greater CAR in RRMS patients with EDSS progression. As a consequence, CAR might be of predictive value in terms of neurological disability in RRMS patients. The possible role of neuroendocrine-immune interactions in MS pathogenesis is further discussed.

[Chronically ill and unemployed? A review on vocational status in multiple sclerosis]

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological disorders in young adults. It is characterised by a chronic progressive course with far reaching implications on the patient's private and professional life. Based on the current literature, employment status is analysed in relation to disease-specific, therapeutic, psychosocial, and socioeconomic factors. A special emphasis is placed on the vocational status of MS patients in Germany.

RESULTS

According national and international studies, around 40 % of all MS patients are currently unemployed. Main reasons for early retirement are disease-specific factors such as impaired mobility, disability in the upper extremities, fatigue, and cognitive impairment. According to the German Multiple Sclerosis Registry (GMSR), these symptoms are still insufficiently treated. In patients with minor motoric impairment (EDSS ≤ 3.0), depressive symptoms seem to have a major impact on employment status. Disease progression, older age at diagnosis, and hard physical work are negative predictors in terms of employment situation. The lack of flexible working hours, the inability to have flexible resting times at work, a lack of understanding from colleagues and employers as well as the personal attitude were main non-disease-specific reasons for early retirement.

CONCLUSIONS

The current knowledge on the vocational status in MS is mainly based on international studies (e. g., Scandinavia, England, USA, Australia, MSIF Survey). For Germany, only the GMSR supports significant information on the employment status of MS patients. According to the GMSR, ataxia, fatigue and cognitive dysfunction are still insufficiently treated - a situation that is at least partly due to insufficient treatment options. Comprehensive studies that focus on a broad range of possible influencing factors on vocational status of German MS patients are currently lacking.

Circadian cortisol, depressive symptoms and neurological impairment in early multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

There is evidence for the existence of a hyperactive hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and its potential role in disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS). Depressive symptoms are also common in MS. At the same time, depressive symptoms are often associated with an elevated circadian cortisol secretion. So far, little is known about the interplay between depressive symptoms and circadian HPA axis abnormalities in MS.

METHODS

Here we investigated depressive symptoms, circadian HPA axis function, cortisol awakening response (CAR) and neurological impairment in 32 early stage relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients and 16 age- and sex-matched controls. Saliva cortisol samples were collected in patients' home environment. Depressive symptoms were assessed by self-report measures. Neurological impairment was assessed by the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).

RESULTS

RRMS patients expressed a significantly higher CAR when compared to healthy controls. After patients were divided into two groups based on their depressive symptom load (Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); median-split), only RRMS patients with moderately elevated depression scores (BDI high) statistically differed in their cortisol release when compared to healthy controls. RRMS patients with low depression scores (BDI low) expressed similar circadian patterns as healthy controls. Neurological impairment (EDSS) was more pronounced in the BDI high group than in the BDI low group.

CONCLUSION

In summary, there is evidence, that a hyperactive HPA axis is primarily present in MS patients expressing moderately elevated depressive symptoms. MS patients with only few depressive symptoms do not significantly differ in CAR when compared to healthy controls. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study showing that in early stage MS, a hyperactive HPA axis is primarily present in patients who express moderate depressive symptoms.

Cortisol's effects on hippocampal activation in depressed patients are related to alterations in memory formation

Many investigators have hypothesized that brain response to cortisol is altered in depression. However, neural activation in response to exogenously manipulated cortisol elevations has not yet been directly examined in depressed humans. Animal research shows that glucocorticoids have robust effects on hippocampal function, and can either enhance or suppress neuroplastic events in the hippocampus depending on a number of factors. We hypothesized that depressed individuals would show 1) altered hippocampal response to exogenous administration of cortisol, and 2) altered effects of cortisol on learning. In a repeated-measures design, 19 unmedicated depressed and 41 healthy individuals completed two fMRI scans. Fifteen mg oral hydrocortisone (i.e., cortisol) or placebo (order randomized and double-blind) was administered 1 h prior to encoding of emotional and neutral words during fMRI scans. Data analysis examined the effects of cortisol administration on 1) brain activation during encoding, and 2) subsequent free recall for words. Cortisol affected subsequent recall performance in depressed but not healthy individuals. We found alterations in hippocampal response to cortisol in depressed women, but not in depressed men (who showed altered response to cortisol in other regions, including subgenual prefrontal cortex). In both depressed men and women, cortisol's effects on hippocampal function were positively correlated with its effects on recall performance assessed days later. Our data provide evidence that in depressed compared to healthy women, cortisol's effects on hippocampal function are altered. Our data also show that in both depressed men and women, cortisol's effects on emotional memory formation and hippocampal function are related.

Neurological disability, psychological distress, and health-related quality of life in MS patients within the first three years after diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Psychological distress and psychiatric co-morbidity are common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and is often associated with neurological disability as well as reduced quality of life.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate psychological distress and the possible association with quality of life as well as neurological disability in MS patients within the first 3 years after diagnosis.

METHODS

Psychological distress was measured using a standardized questionnaire (Symptom-Check-List-90-R; SCL-90-R) in 31 relapsing-remitting MS patients and 24 sex- and age-matched healthy controls.

RESULTS

Psychological distress was significantly more pronounced in MS patients when compared to healthy controls. Interpersonal sensitivity and psychoticism were positively associated with neurological disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS]). A high EDSS group (median split EDSS; 1.5) expressed significantly more psychological distress when compared to the low EDSS group and healthy controls. MS patients with minimal to no neurological disability (low EDSS group) also expressed significantly more emotional distress when compared to healthy controls. MS-related quality of life was positively associated with neurological disability as well as SCL-90-R scores. After adjusting for neurological disability, psychological distress was still significantly associated with quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Early stage MS patients significantly differ in their psychological distress when compared to healthy controls. Psychological distress in these patients is associated with neurological disability, but it is also present in patients with minimal to no neurological disability. Psychological distress was identified as an independent predictor for MS-related quality of life.

Subcutaneous scalp emphysema, pneumo-orbitis and pneumocephalus in a neonate on high humidity high flow nasal cannula

High humidity high flow nasal cannula has become a widely used alternative for nasal continuous positive airway pressure for the treatment of apnea of prematurity. We describe our experience of one incident of subcutaneous scalp emphysema, pneumo-orbitis and pneumocephalus with concomitant use of the high-flow nasal cannula.

[Adherence to neurologic treatment. Lessons from multiple sclerosis]

In light of increasing prevalence rates of chronic conditions and a growing elderly population, patients' nonadherence to medical regimes reflects a significant problem in modern health care. In the past, patients were primarily held responsible for problematic adherence. Over the past decades this attitude has changed dramatically, and it is now acknowledged that lack of adherence reflects a problem requiring different approaches and interventions on many different levels. Here we highlight central aspects and consequences of adherence problems in long-term therapy. Factors affecting treatment motivation in multiple sclerosis patients are summarized focusing on neurologic treatment issues, and specific intervention strategies for patients, doctors, and nurses are discussed.

Effects of glatiramer acetate on fatigue and days of absence from work in first-time treated relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVES

Treatment of multiple sclerosis patients with glatiramer acetate has been demonstrated a beneficial effect on disease activity. The objective of this prospective naturalistic study was to evaluate the impact of glatiramer acetate on fatigue and work absenteeism.

METHODS

291 treatment-naïve patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis were included and treated with glatiramer acetate for twelve months. Relapse rates, disability, fatigue symptoms, days of absence from work and adverse events were monitored. Fatigue was measured with the MFIS scale and with a visual analogue scale.

RESULTS

Total MFIS scores decreased by 7.6 +/- 16.4 from 34.6 to 27.0 (p < or = 0.001). Significant reductions were observed on all three subscales of the MFIS. Fatigue symptoms, assessed using a visual analogue scale, decreased by 1.04 +/- 2.88 cm from 4.47 cm to 3.43 cm (p < or = 0.001). The proportion of patients absent from work at least once was reduced by a factor of two from 65.1% to 30.1% (p < or = 0.001). Tolerance to treatment was rated as very good or good in 78.3% of patients. Adverse effects, most frequently local injection site reactions, were reported in 15.1% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with glatiramer acetate was associated with a significant improvement in fatigue symptoms and a marked reduction in absence from work. Treatment was well-tolerated. Such benefits are of relevance to overall patient well-being.

Personality characteristics in chronic and non-chronic allergic conditions

In psycho-allergological research, the potential relevance of personality factors in the maintenance and exacerbation of atopic symptoms is still a matter of debate. The present study aimed to assess personality dimensions in chronic atopic disease, i.e. atopic dermatitis (AD) and in acute manifestation of atopy (seasonal allergic rhinitis, SAR). Further, the association of a potentially atopy-specific personality profile with atopy-relevant biological stress responses should be evaluated. Subjects suffering from AD (n=36), or SAR (n=20) and non-atopic controls (n=37) were investigated. To determine different personality domains, Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Questionnaire for Competence and Control (FKK) and the Questionnaire for Stress Vulnerability (MESA) were administered. To assess the relation between these personality dimensions and biological stress responses, atopics and non-atopic controls were exposed to a standardized laboratory stressor (Trier Social Stress Test, TSST). Endocrine (cortisol, ACTH), immune (total IgE, leukocyte subsets) and physiological (heart rates) measures were recorded before and after the stress test. When compared to healthy controls, AD and SAR patients showed significantly higher trait anxiety (STAI) and stress vulnerability in situations characterized by failure, job overload and social conflicts (MESA). Moreover, AD subjects scored significantly lower in self-competence and self-efficacy (FKK) as well as in recreation ability (MESA). No difference trait anxiety and stress vulnerability could be detected between AD and SAR subjects. Pearson correlational analyses yielded no significant correlation between the different personality domains and the endocrine, physiological and immunological stress responses. However, stress-induced increase in eosinophil number was significantly correlated with the perceived self-competence/self-efficacy in SAR patients.