Insights into the changing perspectives of multiple sclerosis in India

Mapping cognitive dysfunction in relapsing multiple sclerosis with mild disability: A cross-sectional study from South India

Background

Cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS) occurs early. Locally adapted neuropsychological data from India in MS is scarce.

Objectives

We aimed to identify the pattern of cognitive impairment in relapsing MS (RMS) with mild disability using a regionally-adapted MS-specific cognitive battery.

Methodology

The study included 59 persons with MS (pwMS) with expanded disability status scale (EDSS)≤ 4 and 62 controls. The battery had 8 neuropsychological tests (Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test [PASAT], Symbol Digit Modalities Test [SDMT], Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test [RAVLT], Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised [BVMT-R], verbal fluency [VF], Judgement of Line Orientation Test [JOLOT], Wisconsin Card Sorting Test [WCST] and Trail Making Test-B [TMT-B]) with 11 measures. The scores were compared between the groups for pattern and associations of cognitive impairment.

Results

The pwMS cohort had 39 (66.1%) females; mean age of 32.56 (±8.17) years. Scores were significantly worse for pwMS in 10 of 11 tests (except JOLOT). Cohen's-d test showed the largest effect sizes for PASAT, SDMT, VF and TMT-B. Cognitive impairment (defined as ≥2 abnormal tests) were noted in 41 (69.5%) pwMS. Male sex was associated with cognitive impairment (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

In pwMS with mild disability, nearly two-thirds had cognitive abnormalities, predominantly involving processing speed, working memory, executive function, and VF.

Multicentric clinical and epidemiological comparison of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder with multiple sclerosis from India

BACKGROUND

In India, Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) can often be misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis (MS) leading to wrong or delayed treatment. Although diagnostic criteria exist it is important to flag certain highlights in the phenotype by direct comparison which will prompt investigation in the right direction. The aim was to identify distinguishing features, especially differences in disability status and frequency of the optico-spinal syndrome.

METHODS

This study was designed as a multicentric, hospital based, ambispective, observational study of patients with primary demyelination due to either NMOSD or MS. Various variables were collected using a data extraction proforma and were compared using statistical means.

RESULTS

A total of 212 patients, 166 (78.3%) with MS and 46 (21.7%) with NMOSD, were included from six different cities across India. The male to female ratio was 1:1.3 in MS group and 1:2.3 in NMOSD group. Significant differences on logistic regression included: patients with NMOSD were more disabled despite having a shorter duration of illness with a high progression index (EDSS/ duration of disease in years) of 5.99 vs 0.74 respectively (p = 0.02); in subset of relapsing patients relapsing optico-spinal syndrome (optic neuritis with myelitis) was more common in NMOSD (39.1% vs 0.8%); presence of at least one T2 lesion in the last available MRI brain (78.6% vs 39.1%) and presence of at least one gadolinium enhancing lesion in brain MRI documented during course of illness (30.2% vs 8.7%) was more in MS patients. If the patient with demyelination had a progression index of ≥ 0.39, the Likelihood Ratio (LR) of having NMOSD was 1.32 (95% CI 1.06-1.64), the sensitivity was 0.74 and specificity 0.44. Other notable variables significant on univariate but not on multivariate analysis were: other autoimmune diseases were present more in the NMOSD group (13% vs 2.4%); proportion of patients who had only school education (up to class 12) but not higher were more in NMOSD (67.4% vs 38.5%); the most common clinical presentation in MS patients was either a brainstem or cerebral syndrome (41% vs 21.8%) while it was isolated myelitis in NMOSD patients (37% vs 19.3%). Other findings included: optic neuritis as a presenting feature was common and present in similar proportions in both the groups (around 37%); 50% (23/46) of NMOSD and around 30% (50/166) of MS patients had a single clinical episode during the course of their illness and in the relapsing patients, mean no of relapses (around 2.7) and ARR (MS 0.38, NMOSD 0.54) were similar. Secondary progressive MS was diagnosed in 4.8% (8/166) and primary progressive MS was diagnosed in 3.7% (6/166).

CONCLUSION

Index of suspicion for NMOSD should be high in a patient if: the course is relatively short; disability is out of proportion and progression index is ≥0.39 or the patient has had recurrent optico-spinal relapses. It is important to distinguish early in the course NMOSD from MS as timely specific treatment may prevent future disability.

Identifying clues to molecular etiology of multiple sclerosis in South Indian patients

BACKGROUND

Environmental risk factors have a dominant role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Unhealthy lifestyle can predispose people to autoimmune diseases. MS was a rare disease in Kerala, but now, we notice frequent cases of MS at the city neurology clinic. Changing lifestyle and associated changes in the level of proinflammatory biomolecules like: leptin, soluble leptin receptor (SLR) and free fatty acids (FA) could be contributing to rise in MS incidence.

OBJECTIVE

To identify variations in the levels of bio-molecules: leptin, SLR and FA, between MS patients and matched healthy control.

METHOD

Leptin and SLR levels in the blood serum, were estimated using ELISA, while total FA levels, were estimated using an enzyme based calorimetric assay.

RESULT

Mean serum FA levels in MS patients (31.39 ± 4.83 nmole/100 μl) were 2.7 fold higher than controls (11.54 ± 2.66 nmoles/100 μl) at more than 99% CI. The differences in mean leptin and SLR levels were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

MS patients had high level of total FA in their blood. High FA in blood may have a role in MS pathogenesis. More in-depth study is required to understand the precise mechanism by which FA rise in MS blood sample can contribute to pathogenesis.

Prevalence and Incidence of Multiple Sclerosis in Fars Province, Southern Iran

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, which is accompanied by significant disabilities. Although there are some published data regarding the epidemiological features of MS in other parts of Iran, scarce data are available about the prevalence and demographic characteristics of MS in Fars province. The current study aimed to address the prevalence and incidence rate of MS as well as the temporal trend of the disease in Fars province, southern Iran.

METHODS

This historical retrospective cohort study was carried out in Fars Multiple Sclerosis Society affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. All the consecutive patients who fulfilled 2010 McDonald criteria for definite MS were included in the study. The patients' gender, age at time of diagnosis, education, and clinical course were recorded. The prevalence and incidence rates were also calculated.

RESULTS

This study was conducted on 3,354 patients. Among the patients, 2,689 (80.2%) were female and 665 (19.8%) were male. The female/male ratio was 4.04. The point prevalence rate of the disease was 72.1/100,000 persons in October 2013. This index was 116.5 per 100,000 persons in females (95% CI: 113.4-119.6) and 28.3 per 100,000 persons in males (95% CI: 26.8-29.9). The mean annual incidence rate was 5.2/100,000 from 2002 until 2012.

CONCLUSION

Considering Kurtzke classification, Fars is a high-risk area for MS and women are affected more compared with men. Moreover, the incidence rate sharply increased in the last decade.

MS in South Asians in England: early disease onset and novel pattern of myelin autoimmunity

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological studies describe a latitude gradient for increased MS prevalence and a preponderance of disease in Caucasian individuals. However, individuals from other ethnic backgrounds and low-risk regions can acquire a raised risk through migration. Nearly a fifth of the London population is of Asian/Asian-British origin and a significant proportion of referrals are from this group.

METHODS

We investigated whether there were differences in timing, presentation, severity, and immunology of disease (with respect to CD4 myelin epitope recognition) between individuals in London with MS who were either of S. Asian or Caucasian origin. Individuals of S. Asian origin with MS were compared with healthy S. Asian controls, individuals with MS and of Caucasian origin and Caucasian controls.

RESULTS

Age at MS onset is significantly lower in the S. Asian group, attributable to earlier onset specifically in UK-born individuals, though clinical presentation is similar. Analysis of CD4 autoimmunity to myelin antigens shows disease in S. Asian individuals to encompass recognition of novel epitopes; immunity to MBP116-130 in S. Asian individuals was highly disease-specific.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings emphasize the need to define disease profiles across ethnicities and identify environmental triggers conferring acquired risk. Such findings must inform choices for immunotherapeutic interventions suitable for all, across ethnicities.

Environmental factors related to multiple sclerosis in Indian population

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is less prevalent among Indians when compared to white populations. Genetic susceptibility remaining the same it is possible that environmental associations may have a role in determining disease prevalence.

AIMS

To determine whether childhood infections, vaccination status, past infection with Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori), diet, socioeconomic and educational status were associated with MS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

139 patients and 278 matched control subjects were selected. A validated environmental exposure questionnaire was administered. Estimation of serum H.pylori IgG antibody was done by ELISA. Patients and controls were genotyped for HLA-DRB1*15:01.

RESULTS

In our cohort a significant association was seen with measles (p < 0.007), vegetarian diet (p < 0.001, higher educational status (p < 0.0001) and urban living (p < 0.0001). An inverse relationship was seen with H.Pylori infection and MS (p < 0.001). Measles infection (OR 6.479, CI 1.21-34.668, p < 0.029) and high educational status (OR 3.088, CI 1.212-7.872, p < 0.018) were significant risk factors associated with MS. H.pylori infection was inversely related to MS (OR 0. 319, CI 0.144- 0.706, p < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Environmental influences may be important in determining MS prevalence.

Quick screening of cognitive function in Indian multiple sclerosis patients using Montreal cognitive assessment test-short version

Background:

Cognitive impairments in multiple sclerosis (MS) are now well recognized worldwide, but unfortunately this domain has been less explored in India due to many undermining factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate cognitive impairments in Indian MS patients with visual or upper limb motor problems with the help of short version of Montreal cognitive assessment test (MoCA).

Subjects and Methods:

Thirty MS patients and 50 matched controls were recruited for the 12 points MoCA task. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was performed to determine optimal sensitivity and specificity of the 12 points MoCA in differentiating cognitively impaired patients and controls.

Results:

The mean 12 points MoCA scores of the controls and MS patients were 11.56 ± 0.67 and 8.06 ± 1.99, respectively. In our study, the optimal cut-off value for 12 points MoCA to be able to differentiate patients with cognitive impairments from controls is 10/12. Accordingly, 73.3% patients fell below the cut off value. Both the groups did not have significant statistical differences with regard to age and educational years.

Conclusion:

The 12 points, short version of MoCA, is a useful brief screening tool for quick and early detection of mild cognitive impairments in subjects with MS. It can be administered to patients having visual and motor problems. It is of potential use by primary care physicians, nurses, and other allied health professionals who need a quick screening test. No formal training for administration is required. Financial and time constraints should not limit the use of the proposed instrument.

Optimizing the management of neuromyelitis optica and spectrum disorders in resource poor settings: Experience from the Mangalore demyelinating disease registry

BACKGROUND

In resource-poor settings, the management of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and NMO spectrum (NMOS) disorders is limited because of delayed diagnosis and financial constraints.

AIM

To device a cost-effective strategy for the management of NMO and related disorders in India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cost-effective and disease-specific protocol was used for evaluating the course and treatment outcome of 70 consecutive patients.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients (65%) had a relapse from the onset and included NMO (n = 20), recurrent transverse myelitis (RTM; n = 10), and recurrent optic neuritis (ROPN; n = 15). In 38 (84.4%) patients presenting after multiple attacks, the diagnosis was made clinically. Only 7 patients with a relapsing course were seen at the onset and included ROPN (n = 5), NMO (n = 1), and RTM (n = 1). They had a second attack after a median interval of 1 ± 0.9 years, which was captured through our dedicated review process. Twenty-five patients had isolated longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM), of which 20 (80%) remained ambulant at follow-up of 3 ± 1.9 years. Twelve patients (17%) with median expanded disability status scale (EDSS) of 8.5 at entry had a fatal outcome. Serum NMO-IgG testing was done in selected patients, and it was positive in 7 of 18 patients (39%). Irrespective of the NMO-IgG status, the treatment compliant patients (44.4%) showed significant improvement in EDSS (P ≤ 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Early clinical diagnosis and treatment compliance were important for good outcome. Isolated LETM was most likely a post-infectious demyelinating disorder in our set-up. NMO and NMOS disorders contributed to 14.9% (45/303) of all demyelinating disorders in our registry.