Psychiatric comorbidity in pediatric patients with demyelinating disorders

Unveiling the Psychological Consequences of Illness Perception in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis: A Parent-Child Study

BACKGROUND

Previous research has emphasized the significant role of illness perception in chronic diseases, including Multiple Sclerosis. Limited research has been conducted on exploring illness perception in Pediatric Onset Multiple Sclerosis (POMS), parental illness perception, and the impact of differences in their illness perceptions on the emotional well-being of the child.

METHOD

This study included 65 dyads of children aged 10-17 and their parents, divided into the following two groups: (I) 32 dyads of children with POMS and their parents; and (II) 33 dyads of healthy children and their parents.

RESULTS

Overall, 73.1% and 43.8% of the children with POMS met the criteria for probable anxiety and depression, respectively, compared to 27.3% and 0% of the healthy children. Differences were found between the dimensions of illness perception in the POMS children and their parents, in the areas of consequences, personal control, identity, and control factors. Multinomial Logistic Regression indicated that differences in child-parent illness perception increased the likelihood of comorbid anxiety and depression by 37%.

DISCUSSION

These findings underscore the importance of alignment between children with POMS and their parents in illness perception. Healthcare providers should prioritize interventions that address illness perceptions and be mindful of the potential impact on depression and anxiety comorbidity.

Recommendations for Therapy following Nerve Transfer for Children with Acute Flaccid Myelitis

AIM

To provide recommendations for pre- and post-operative occupational and physical therapy for children with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM).

METHODS

Writing panel members consisted of an interdisciplinary team of seven healthcare professionals specializing in the care of children with AFM. The panel reviewed background material on AFM, nerve transfer, and rehabilitation principles applied to pediatrics. Recommendations were prioritized if evidence was available. Where there was no known evidence to support a recommendation, this was noted.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Communication and coordination among interprofessional team members are vital to a comprehensive family-centered rehabilitation program. Surgical planning should include team preparation accounting for frequency, duration, and timing of treatment, as well as individual characteristics and developmental status of the child. Recommendations for pre-operative and six phases of post-operative therapy address assessment, strengthening, range of motion, orthoses, performance of functional activity, and support of the family.

CONCLUSION

Rehabilitation following nerve transfer in children with AFM requires interdisciplinary collaboration and a multisystem approach to assessment and treatment. As new evidence becomes available, recommendations may be revised or replaced accordingly.

Psychosocial impact of paediatric demyelinating disorders: a scoping review

AIM

To: (1) provide greater insight into the psychological and social impact of a range of demyelinating disorders, (2) explore differences between disorders, and (3) provide direction for future research.

METHOD

Studies were identified by searching online databases. Studies that explored the psychological, emotional, or social impact of a range of demyelinating disorders in childhood, including acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, and multiple sclerosis, were included and screened independently by three authors. Data on the design, sample characteristics, psychosocial measures, key findings, and methodological strengths and limitations were extracted. Twenty-five studies were included in the narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

Demyelinating disorders are associated with lower quality of life, affecting young people's emotional, social, school, and behavioural functioning. There is a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders and fatigue, particularly in multiple sclerosis. Subtle differences exist in the psychological presentation between different demyelinating disorders, with clear gaps in the research for the long-term psychosocial impact of monophasic conditions.

INTERPRETATION

The difference between the impact of monophasic and relapsing demyelinating disorders on psychosocial functioning is unclear. Future research should aim to identify the psychosocial impact across disorders and over time, ensure that services are capturing those patients who may benefit from tailored interventions.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

Prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses in paediatric demyelinating disorders is higher than controls. Depression and emotional concerns are elevated in paediatric demyelinating disorders. Demyelinating disorders impact children's quality of life across school, social, and physical functioning.

School performance, psychiatric comorbidity, and healthcare utilization in pediatric multiple sclerosis: A nationwide population-based observational study

Background:

Pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) may hamper educational achievements due to psychiatric comorbidity and cognitive impairment. Our aims were to investigate school performance, psychiatric comorbidity, and healthcare utilization following pediatric MS and to differentiate between disability in MS and that arising from a non-brain-related chronic disease.

Methods:

We included all children (<18 years) with MS onset during 2008–2015 in Denmark with a medical record–validated MS diagnosis. The control groups were children from the general population or children with non-brain-related chronic diseases. Outcomes were register-based on 9–12 grade point average, psychiatric comorbidity, and healthcare visits.

Results:

Cohorts were children with MS ( n = 92), control children matched to children with MS ( n = 920), children with non-brain-related chronic diseases ( n = 9108), and “healthy” children with neither MS nor brain-related chronic disease ( n = 811,464). School performance in grades 9–12 was similar, but children with MS compared to those with non-brain-related chronic disease had an almost doubled hazard for psychiatric comorbidity (hazard ratio = 1.87; 95% confidence interval = 1.38–2.53; p < 0.0001) and a higher rate of all hospital visits ( p < 0.0001) but a lower rate of hospital admissions ( p = 0.001).

Conclusion:

Children with MS have a seemingly standard school performance but increased psychiatric comorbidity and a high rate of healthcare utilization.

Current Advances in Pediatric Onset Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system leading to demyelination. MS in the pediatric population is rare, but has been shown to lead to significant disability over the duration of the disease. As we have learned more about pediatric MS, there has been a development of improved diagnostic criteria leading to earlier diagnosis, earlier initiation of disease-modifying therapies (DMT), and an increasing number of DMT used in the treatment of pediatric MS. Over time, treatment with DMT has trended towards the initiation of higher efficacy treatment at time of diagnosis to help prevent further disease progression and accrual of disability over time, and there is evidence in current literature that supports this change in treatment patterns. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge in diagnosis, treatment, and clinical outcomes in pediatric MS.

Fatigue, depression, and quality of life in children with multiple sclerosis: a comparative study with other demyelinating diseases

AIM

To evaluate fatigue, depression, and quality of life (QoL) of children with multiple sclerosis and compare to other acute demyelinating syndromes (ADS).

METHOD

Children followed in the National Referral Centre of rare inflammatory brain and spinal diseases were included in this study. The Expanded Disability Status Scale, the fatigue severity scale, the Multiscore Depression Inventory for Children, and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory were used for evaluation.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven children (23 females, 14 males) were included in this study. Multiple sclerosis was diagnosed in 26 children and ADS in 11 children. Although not significant, severe fatigue was less frequently reported by patients with multiple sclerosis than children with ADS (44% vs 63%, p=0.2). Depression was reported more often in the multiple sclerosis group compared to the ADS group (24% vs 18%, p=0.6). Concerning the QoL in patients with multiple sclerosis, both parents and children reported poor emotional and school functioning. Physical and social functioning were rated as being good in both groups, and was significantly higher in the children's group (p=0.007).

INTERPRETATION

This study highlights the importance of fatigue and depression in children with ADS and particularly in paediatric onset multiple sclerosis. Moreover, difficulties in school and emotional functioning were the main concerns for parents and children in the multiple sclerosis group which need to be taken in account during their care and treatment proposal.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

Invisible signs such as fatigue and depression affect all forms of acute demyelinating syndromes (ADS) in children. Depression seems to be higher in children with multiple sclerosis than with other forms of ADS. Fatigue seems to be lower in children with multiple sclerosis than with other forms of ADS. Children with multiple sclerosis and their parents are most concerned with emotional and academic functioning.

Improving Outcomes in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis: Current and Emerging Treatments

Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) comprises 2-5% of MS cases, and is known to be associated with high disease activity and the accumulation of disability at an earlier age than their adult-onset counterparts. Appropriate therapy leading to disease control has the potential to alter the known trajectory of adverse long-term physical, cognitive, and psychosocial outcomes in this population. Thus, optimizing treatment for children and adolescents with MS is of paramount importance. The last decade has seen a growing number of disease-modifying therapies approved for relapsing MS in adults, and available agents now include oral, injectable, and infusion therapies. Recently, the development of randomized controlled MS trials in youth has led to the first agent approved by the US FDA for the treatment of pediatric MS-fingolimod. With this, we have entered a new era of knowledge and treatment in this population and ongoing pediatric trials are expected to further inform clinical management. With the emergence of highly effective therapies targeting the inflammatory component of the disease, there has been increased interest in identifying treatment strategies that instead target mechanisms such as remyelination/repair, neuroprotection, or rehabilitation. The potential role for such emerging therapies in the treatment of pediatric MS remains an important area of study. In this review, we discuss current evidence for MS therapies in children including the treatment of acute relapses, disease-modifying therapies, and symptomatic management. We will also discuss evidence for emerging therapies, including remyelinating and neuroprotective agents.

Psychiatric disorders in children with demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system

Introduction:

The profile of psychiatric disorders associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) may differ in children. We aimed to assess the risk of psychiatric disorders in children with MS and other demyelinating diseases, and vice versa.

Patients and methods:

We analyzed linked English Hospital Episode Statistics, and mortality data, 1999–2011. Cohorts were constructed of children admitted with MS and other central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating diseases. We searched for any subsequent episode of care with psychiatric disorders in these cohorts and compared to a reference cohort.

Results:

Children with CNS demyelinating diseases had an increased rate of psychotic disorders (rate ratio (RR) = 5.77 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.48–11.41)); anxiety, stress-related, and somatoform disorders (RR = 2.38 (1.39–3.81)); intellectual disability (RR = 6.56 (3.66–10.84)); and other behavioral disorders (RR = 8.99 (5.13–14.62)). In analysis of the pediatric MS cohort as the exposure, there were elevated rates of psychotic disorders (RR = 10.76 (2.93–27.63)), mood disorders (RR = 2.57 (1.03–5.31)), and intellectual disability (RR = 6.08 (1.25–17.80)). In reverse analyses, there were elevated rates of a recorded hospital episode with CNS demyelinating disease after a previous recorded episode with anxiety, stress-related, and somatoform disorders; attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); autism; intellectual disability; and other behavioral disorders.

Conclusion:

This analysis of a national diagnostic database provides strong evidence for an association between pediatric CNS demyelinating diseases and psychiatric disorders, and highlights a need for early involvement of mental health professionals.

Quality of Life, Cognition and Mood in Adults with Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Pediatric onset multiple sclerosis (MS) negatively affects cognitive function, mood and health related quality of life (HRQOL). We aimed to explore the cognitive, psychological and HRQOL impacts of pediatric MS on young adults and to explore the relationships between disability, disease duration, cognition, mood and HRQOL in this hypotheses generating study.

METHODS

Thirty-four young adults with pediatric onset MS at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto were included in this cross-sectional study (mean age 21.3 years, 56% female). Participants completed assessments of physical disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)), cognitive function (Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT)), mood (Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II)), and HRQOL (Short Form Health Survey (SF-36v2)). Findings were compared to age- and gender- matched normative data.

RESULTS

Individuals with pediatric MS performed worse on the SDMT compared to normative data, with 53% demonstrating cognitive impairment. There was no difference in BDI-II scores from normative data, but 21% showed at least mild depression. There was a non-significant impairment in physical HRQOL compared to normative data. Decreased physical HRQOL was related to disability (EDSS), while mental HRQOL was related to depression (BDI-II).

CONCLUSIONS

Young adults with pediatric MS have reduced cognitive function. Non-significant reductions in HRQOL may be partly attributed to physical disability and depression. These factors should be addressed in the care of adults with pediatric MS. Further studies including control groups and longitudinal design are needed to confirm these findings.

Psychiatric diagnoses and cognitive impairment in pediatric multiple sclerosis

Background:

Pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) represents approximately 5% of the MS population; information regarding clinical features is slowly accumulating. Cognitive and psychiatric impairments frequently occur, but remain poorly understood.

Objectives:

To describe psychiatric diagnoses among children with MS referred for psychiatric assessment and their relation to cognitive impairment.

Methods:

Forty-five pediatric MS patients (aged 8 to 17 years) were referred for outpatient psychiatric evaluation including a psychiatric interview (K-SADS), a clinician-based global assessment of functioning (Children’s Global Assessment Scale, CGAS), a neurologic examination including the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and a neuropsychological test battery.

Results:

The most common categories of psychiatric diagnoses were anxiety disorders ( n=15), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, n=12), and mood disorders ( n=11). Cognitive impairment was classified in 20/25 (80%) of patients meeting criteria for a psychiatric disorder versus 11/20 (55%) of those without psychiatric disorder ( p=0.08). Those diagnosed with anxiety or mood disorder had the highest frequency of cognitive impairment, with a significantly higher rate when compared with those with psychiatric diagnoses in other categories ( p=0.05).

Conclusions:

A variety of psychiatric diagnoses can occur in children with pediatric MS. Many of these children also had cognitive impairment, particularly those in the mood and anxiety groups.

Psychiatric morbidity in patients with transverse myelitis and stroke: A comparison

BACKGROUND

Psychiatric morbidity may be highly prevalent in transverse myelitis (TM), but data on this aspect are limited.

AIM

To assess psychiatric morbidity in a clinical sample of patients with idiopathic TM compared to patients with a recent stroke.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Consecutive patients with idiopathic TM and stroke (30 each) underwent two-stage screening with the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) and Structured Clinical Interview for Axis I DSM-IV Disorders - Clinician Version (SCID I-CV), and ratings of depression, disability levels, and cognitive impairment.

RESULTS

Seventy percent of the patients with TM scored above the cut-off on the GHQ; 30% had a positive diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder. Major depression (17%) was the commonest psychiatric disorder. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores indicated cognitive impairment in 23% of patients with TM. Higher GHQ-12 scores were associated with greater disability. These results were similar to those obtained among patients with stroke.

CONCLUSION

A high prevalence of psychological distress and psychiatric morbidity was found in idiopathic TM. This morbidity was associated with greater disability.

Depression in multiple sclerosis: a review of assessment and treatment approaches in adult and pediatric populations

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic demyelinating disease affecting one million people worldwide, with a significant burden of psychiatric comorbidity. Depression is the commonest psychiatric manifestation but still remains largely underdiagnosed and undertreated. The present work reviews current knowledge on diagnosis, assessment, and somatic and psychotherapeutic treatment interventions for depression in adult and pediatric populations of patients with multiple sclerosis.

Factors associated with emotional and behavioral outcomes in adolescents with multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis (MS) onset during adolescence has the potential to disrupt a key period of psychosocial maturation.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to examine the prevalence and risk factors associated with emotional and behavioral outcomes in adolescents with MS.

METHODS

The Behavioral Assessment System for Children-2nd Edition (BASC-2) was completed by 31 adolescents with MS (mean age = 16.1 years), 31 age-matched controls, and parents of all participants. BASC-2 outcomes were compared between groups. Base rates were examined for scores falling at least one or two standard deviations below norm. Associations between BASC-2 outcomes and features of disease severity and IQ were examined.

RESULTS

Youth with MS were reported by their parents to have more symptoms of depression and somatization and lower adaptive skills compared with reports by parents of controls. On the self-report, patients endorsed more problems of inattention/hyperactivity and lower self-reliance relative to controls. Behavioral concerns and reduced adaptive functioning in the MS group were associated with fatigue, poor relations with parents, and perceived social stress. Psychosocial outcomes did not associate with number of relapses, Expanded Disability Status Scale score, disease duration, brain lesion volume or IQ.

CONCLUSION

Youth with MS are at risk of difficulties in behavioral and emotional health. Relations with parents emerged as a key factor influencing the emotional well-being of youth with MS, suggesting an important role for family-centered care in this population.

Pediatric multiple sclerosis

In the past 5 years, there has been an exponential growth in the knowledge about multiple sclerosis (MS) in children and adolescents. Recent publications have shed light on its diagnosis, pathogenesis, clinical course, and treatment. However, there remain several key areas that require further exploration. This article summarizes the current state of knowledge on pediatric MS and discusses future avenues of investigation.

Co-occuring psychiatric symptoms in children perinatally infected with HIV and peer comparison sample

OBJECTIVE

To compare the rates of psychopathology in youths perinatally infected with HIV (N = 319) with a comparison sample of peers (N = 256) either HIV-exposed or living in households with HIV-infected family members.

METHOD

Participants were randomly recruited from 29 sites in the United States and Puerto Rico and completed an extensive battery of measures including standardized DSM-IV-referenced ratings scales.

RESULTS

The HIV+ group was relatively healthy (73% with CD4% >25%), and 92% were actively receiving antiretroviral therapy. Youths with HIV (17%) met symptom and impairment criteria for the following disorders: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (12%), oppositional defiant disorder (5%), conduct disorder (1%), generalized anxiety disorder (2%), separation anxiety disorder (1%), depressive disorder (2%), or manic episode (1%). Many youths with HIV (27%) and peers (26%) were rated (either self- or caregiver report) as having psychiatric problems that interfered with academic or social functioning. With the exception of somatization disorder, the HIV+ group did not evidence higher rates or severity of psychopathology than peers, although rates for both groups were higher than the general population. Nevertheless, self-awareness of HIV infection in younger children was associated with more severe symptomatology, and youths with HIV had higher lifetime rates of special education (44 vs 32%), psychopharmacological (23 vs 12%), or behavioral (27 vs 17%) interventions. Youth-caregiver agreement was modest, and youths reported more impairment.

CONCLUSION

HIV infection was not associated with differentially greater levels of current psychopathology; nevertheless, investigation of relations with developmental changes and specific illness parameters and treatments are ongoing.