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Demirci PY, Yeşilot SB, Eskimez Z. The Influence of Loneliness and Anxiety Levels on MG-Specific Quality of Life in Patients with Myasthenia Gravis during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int J Behav Med 2024; 31:414-421. [PMID: 37851275 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-023-10234-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myasthenia gravis (MG) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases and can occur at any age. The study aimed to evaluate the influence of loneliness and anxiety levels on MG-specific quality of life in patients with myasthenia gravis during the COVID-19. METHODS This was a cross sectional study and the population consisted of patients with MG throughout Turkey between August 1 and October 31, 2021. The study was completed with 149 patients who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the research. RESULTS The mean MG-specific quality of life score was 44.15 ± 13.77, the mean UCLA loneliness scale was 56.13 ± 11.55, and the mean Beck Anxiety Inventory score was 24.63 ± 13.78. There was a moderately positive linear relationship between the participants' MG-specific quality of life (r = 0.589; p < 0.001) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and there was a weak negative linear relationship with the UCLA loneliness scale (r = 0.323; p < 0.001). The variables affecting the MG-specific quality of life were the following: anxiety, loneliness, employment status, income level, symptom levels, and having another chronic disease; a multiple regression model was created with these variables, and it was observed that anxiety and loneliness affected participants' MG-specific quality of life. The variables in the model explained 52.9% of the MG-specific quality of life, and the model was statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The study determined that the participants had intense loneliness, moderate anxiety, and a moderate MG-specific quality of life. The participants' MG-specific quality of life has decreased as their anxiety has increased, and the participants' MG-specific quality of life has increased as their loneliness has increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pınar Yeşil Demirci
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey.
| | | | - Zehra Eskimez
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey
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Blendermann M, Ebalu TI, Obisie-Orlu IC, Fried EI, Hallion LS. A narrative systematic review of changes in mental health symptoms from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychol Med 2024; 54:43-66. [PMID: 37615061 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723002295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns regarding population-wide impacts on mental health. Existing work on the psychological impacts of disaster has identified the potential for multiple response trajectories, with resilience as likely as the development of chronic psychopathology. Early reviews of mental health during the pandemic suggested elevated prevalence rates of multiple forms of psychopathology, but were limited by largely cross-sectional approaches. We conducted a systematic review of studies that prospectively assessed pre- to peri-pandemic changes in symptoms of psychopathology to investigate potential mental health changes associated with the onset of the pandemic (PROSPERO #CRD42021255042). A total of 97 studies were included, covering symptom clusters including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), fear, anxiety, depression, and general distress. Changes in psychopathology symptoms varied by symptom dimension and sample characteristics. OCD, anxiety, depression, and general distress symptoms tended to increase from pre- to peri-pandemic. An increase in fear was limited to medically vulnerable participants, and findings for PTSD were mixed. Pre-existing mental health diagnoses unexpectedly were not associated with symptom exacerbation, except in the case of OCD. Young people generally showed the most marked symptom increases, although this pattern was reversed in some samples. Women in middle adulthood in particular demonstrated a considerable increase in anxiety and depression. We conclude that mental health responding during the pandemic varied as a function of both symptom cluster and sample characteristics. Variability in responding should therefore be a key consideration guiding future research and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Blendermann
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Tracie I Ebalu
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Eiko I Fried
- Department of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lauren S Hallion
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Vu T, Wiendl H, Katsuno M, Reddel SW, Howard JF. Ravulizumab in Myasthenia Gravis: A Review of the Current Evidence. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2023; 19:2639-2655. [PMID: 38059203 PMCID: PMC10697093 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s374694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The terminal complement C5 inhibitor ravulizumab was engineered from the humanized monoclonal antibody eculizumab to have an extended half-life and duration of action. It binds to human terminal complement protein C5, inhibiting its cleavage into C5a and C5b, thus preventing the cascade of events that lead to architectural destruction of the postsynaptic neuromuscular junction membrane by the membrane attack complex, and consequent muscle weakness in patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). The 26-week randomized, placebo-controlled period (RCP) of the phase 3 CHAMPION MG study demonstrated the rapid efficacy of ravulizumab in reducing MG symptoms. Weight-based dosing of ravulizumab every 8 weeks provided sustained efficacy, in terms of patient-reported (Myasthenia Gravis-Activities of Daily Living) and clinician-reported (Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis) endpoints in patients with anti-AChR antibody-positive gMG. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses showed therapeutic serum ravulizumab concentrations (>175 µg/mL) were achieved immediately after the first dose and were maintained throughout 26 weeks, irrespective of patient body weight; inhibition of serum free C5 was immediate, complete (<0.5 μg/mL), and sustained in all patients. Interim results from the open-label extension (OLE) showed that after 60 weeks, efficacy was maintained in patients continuing on ravulizumab. Rapid and sustained improvements in efficacy, similar to those seen in patients initiating ravulizumab in the RCP, were observed after initiation of ravulizumab treatment in patients who switched from placebo in the RCP to ravulizumab in the OLE. The findings from the RCP and OLE support ravulizumab's favorable safety profile. In conclusion, ravulizumab has a simple weight-based administration and long dosing interval. Its targeted mechanism of action without generalized immunosuppression is reflected in its rapid onset of symptom improvement, sustained efficacy and good safety profile in the treatment of patients with anti-AChR antibody-positive gMG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuan Vu
- Department of Neurology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Heinz Wiendl
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Masahisa Katsuno
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Stephen W Reddel
- Department of Neurology, Concord Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - James F Howard
- Department of Neurology, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Musche V, Bäuerle A, Jahre L, Schweda A, Dinse H, Moradian S, Weismüller B, Fink M, Wolters A, Fleischer M, Kleinschnitz C, Teufel M, Skoda EM, Stettner M. COVID-19-Related Burden and Risk Perception in Individuals with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy and Multifocal Motor Neuropathy: A Cross-Sectional Study. Neurol Ther 2022; 11:1135-1146. [PMID: 35553393 PMCID: PMC9096336 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-022-00359-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study investigated the mental health burden of patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) or multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) during the COVID-19 pandemic in comparison to matched healthy controls. Methods The cross-sectional study included 59 patients with a diagnosis of either CIDP or MMN and 59 propensity score matched healthy controls. All participants completed a survey including demographics, distress (distress thermometer), depressive symptoms (PHQ-2), generalized anxiety (GAD-7), COVID-19-related fear, and risk perception. Additionally, patients with CIDP or MMN were asked about the frequency and type of infections since treatment initiation. Results Patients with either CIDP or MMN reported experiencing reduced frequency or no differences in infection frequency since immune medication was initiated. Regarding COVID-19, patients with CIDP or MMN rated their risk of infection similar to healthy controls, while they expected a higher probability of the occurrence of symptoms, severe course, and dying of COVID-19. They reported increased depressive symptoms, generalized anxiety, and COVID-19-related fear in comparison to healthy controls. Conclusion Despite their personal experience of reduced frequency of infection since immune medication was initiated, patients with CIDP or MMN reported increased risk perception and prevalence of depressive symptoms, generalized anxiety, and COVID-19-related fear in comparison to healthy controls. This highlights the need for evidence-driven strategies to protect the mental health of this vulnerable group. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40120-022-00359-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venja Musche
- Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, LVR University Hospital, Essen, Germany. .,Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Alexander Bäuerle
- Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, LVR University Hospital, Essen, Germany.,Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Lisa Jahre
- Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, LVR University Hospital, Essen, Germany.,Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Adam Schweda
- Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, LVR University Hospital, Essen, Germany.,Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Hannah Dinse
- Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, LVR University Hospital, Essen, Germany.,Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sheila Moradian
- Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, LVR University Hospital, Essen, Germany.,Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Weismüller
- Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, LVR University Hospital, Essen, Germany.,Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Madeleine Fink
- Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, LVR University Hospital, Essen, Germany.,Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Anna Wolters
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Michael Fleischer
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christoph Kleinschnitz
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Martin Teufel
- Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, LVR University Hospital, Essen, Germany.,Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Eva-Maria Skoda
- Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, LVR University Hospital, Essen, Germany.,Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mark Stettner
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Vu T, Meisel A, Mantegazza R, Annane D, Katsuno M, Aguzzi R, Enayetallah A, Beasley KN, Rampal N, Howard JF. Terminal Complement Inhibitor Ravulizumab in Generalized Myasthenia Gravis. NEJM EVIDENCE 2022; 1:EVIDoa2100066. [PMID: 38319212 DOI: 10.1056/evidoa2100066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) is a rare, chronic, and debilitating autoimmune disease. Activation of the complement system by autoantibodies against the postsynaptic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) leads to destruction of the postsynaptic membrane and disruption of neuromuscular transmission. This trial evaluated ravulizumab, a long-acting inhibitor of terminal complement protein C5, as a treatment for gMG. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multinational trial, we randomly assigned (1:1) patients with anti-AChR antibody-positive gMG to intravenous ravulizumab or placebo for 26 weeks. Patients received a loading dose on day 1, followed by maintenance doses on day 15 and every 8 weeks thereafter. The primary end point and first secondary end point (change from baseline to week 26 in patient-reported Myasthenia Gravis–Activities of Daily Living [MG-ADL] scale and clinician-reported Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis [QMG] total scores, respectively) were compared between the ravulizumab- and placebo-treated groups. RESULTS: In total, 175 patients were enrolled. Ravulizumab significantly increased the magnitude of mean changes from baseline to week 26 versus placebo in MG-ADL (−3.1 vs. −1.4; P<0.001) and QMG (−2.8 vs. −0.8; P<0.001) total scores. Improvements in both measures occurred within 1 week of ravulizumab initiation and were sustained through week 26. QMG total scores improved by 5 points or more in a significantly greater proportion of ravulizumab-treated patients than of those receiving placebo (30.0% vs. 11.3%; P=0.005). No notable differences in adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Ravulizumab demonstrated rapid and sustained improvements in both patient- and clinician-reported outcomes and had a side effect and adverse-event profile that did not limit treatment in adults with anti-AChR antibody-positive gMG. (Funded by Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03920293; EudraCT number, 2018-003243-39.)
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuan Vu
- University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa
| | | | - Renato Mantegazza
- Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan
| | - Djillali Annane
- Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, University of Versailles, Garches, France
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Stojanov A, Vojinovic S, Stojanov J, Malobabic M, Stevic M, Milosevic V, Stanojevic G. Quality of sleep and fatigue in patients with the relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2021; 205:106640. [PMID: 33901751 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2021.106640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
ОBJECTIVE: Sleep disturbances and fatigue are frequent symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients. The aim was to assess the quality of sleep (QoS) and fatigue in patients with the relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS The study included 67 patients with RRMS and 85 healthy control subjects. RRMS patients, who were tested in first half of 2019, were retested in April and May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected sociodemographic and clinical data, and also used the following questionnaires: Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 Instrument (MSQOL-54). RESULTS The FSS score and PSQI global score were significantly higher in patients with RRMS than in the control group (p < 0.01). We noticed a statistically significant difference between the results obtained a year ago and the results during the COVID-19 pandemic in PSQI global score (p < 0.01) and all subscores. Higher disability status was an independent predictor of the worse PSQI scores. CONCLUSION During the COVID-19 outbreak worse QoS were noticed in RRMS patients than in healthy individuals. Also, QoS of RRMS patients is more affected during the COVID-19 pandemic than in regular circumstances. High levels of sleep disturbance and fatigue in RRMS patients correlates with worse life quality, female gender, lower educational level and partner status. The results of the present study provide evidence in support of regular screening and monitoring of fatigue and QoS in this patient population, especially during the pandemic states.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Slobodan Vojinovic
- Neurology Clinic, University Clinical Center Nis, Serbia; Medical Faculty, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia
| | - Jelena Stojanov
- Special hospital for psychiatric diseases "Gornja Toponica", Nis, Serbia
| | | | | | - Vuk Milosevic
- Neurology Clinic, University Clinical Center Nis, Serbia
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