MSCopilot, a new multiple sclerosis self-assessment digital solution: results of a comparative study versus standard tests

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Assessing patients' disability in multiple sclerosis (MS) requires time-consuming batteries of hospital tests. MSCopilot is a software medical device for the self-assessment of patients with MS (PwMS), combining four tests: walking, dexterity, cognition and low contrast vision. The objective was to validate MSCopilot versus the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC).

METHODS

This multicentre, open-label, randomized, controlled, crossover study enrolled 141 PwMS and 76 healthy controls (HCs). All participants performed MSCopilot and MSFC tests at day 0. To assess reproducibility, 46 PwMS performed the same tests at day 30 ± 3. The primary end-point was the validation of MSCopilot versus MSFC for the identification of PwMS against HCs, quantified using the area under the curve (AUC). The main secondary end-point was the correlation of MSCopilot z-scores with MSFC z-scores.

RESULTS

In all, 116 PwMS and 69 HCs were analysed. The primary end-point was achieved: MSCopilot performance was non-inferior to that of MSFC (AUC 0.92 and 0.89 respectively; P = 0.3). MSCopilot and MSFC discriminated PwMS and HCs with 81% and 76% sensitivity and 82% and 88% specificity respectively. Digital and standard test scores were highly correlated (r = 0.81; P < 0.001). The test-retest study demonstrated the good reproducibility of MSCopilot.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms the reliability of MSCopilot and its usability in clinical practice for the monitoring of MS-related disability.

Enquête préliminaire sur l’intérêt de consommer des probiotiques, du cyprès et de l’échinacée en prévention des infections hivernales

Introduction

L’hiver est une période propice aux infections virales. Certaines plantes et souches probiotiques pourraient conférer à notre organisme une meilleure protection en renforçant nos défenses immunitaires.

Objectif

Cette enquête préliminaire avait pour objectif d’évaluer l’intérêt de consommer des probiotiques, du cyprès et de l’échinacée pour prévenir l’apparition d’affections hivernales.

Méthode

Il s’agit d’une enquête déclarative par questionnaire. Son objectif était de comparer l’incidence des affections hivernales dans deux groupes de sujets âgés de 18 à 65 ans en bonne santé, complémentés ou non avec du Lactibiane Référence® et des comprimés de Phytostandard® cyprès-échinacée pendant trois mois ou plus en période hivernale.

Résultats

L’incidence de la grippe (5 vs 10 %, p = 0,012), du rhume (29 vs 50 %, p = 0,002) et de la rhinopharyngite (9 vs 15 %, p = 0,017) était significativement moins élevée chez les personnes complémentées que chez celles non com-plémentées. L’incidence du rhume était également significativement moins élevée dans un sous-groupe de personnes sensibles aux infections hivernales complémentées pendant trois mois ou plus, comparées à celles ne s’étant pas com-plémentées (36 vs 78 % de rhume, p = 0,004).

Conclusion

Les résultats montrent que la consommation des deux produits pendant trois mois ou plus est associée à une moindre incidence des affections hivernales de types grippe, rhume et rhinopharyngite. Il pourrait être intéressant de mener ultérieurement une étude prospective de plus grande envergure pour déterminer le rôle exact respectif du Lactibiane Référence® et des comprimés de Phytostandard® cyprès-échinacée dans la prévention des affections hivernales.

A double blind randomized controlled trial of a probiotic combination in 100 patients with irritable bowel syndrome

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a probiotic combination on symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

METHODS

We investigated the efficiency of a probiotic dietary supplement, containing four strains of lactic acid bacteria, on symptoms of IBS. One hundred and sixteen patients with IBS fulfilling the Rome II criteria were randomized in a parallel group, double-blind study to receive a placebo or a probiotic combination (1 x 10(10) cfu once daily) for four weeks. The symptoms that were monitored weekly included discomfort, abdominal pain, and stool frequency and quality. Quality of life was assessed before and at the end of the treatment using the SF36 and FDD-quality-of-life questionnaires.

RESULTS

One hundred subjects completed the study (48 probiotic combination, 52 placebo). The probiotic combination was not superior to the placebo in relieving symptoms of IBS (42.6 versus 42.3% improvement). However, the decrease of abdominal pain between the first and the fourth week of treatment was significantly higher in probiotic treated patients (-41.9 versus -24.2%, P=0.048). Interesting findings from the IBS sub-groups were also observed such as a lower pain score at end point in patients with alternating bowel habits (P=0.023) and an increase of stool frequency in the constipated sub-group from the first week of probiotic treatment (P=0.043).

CONCLUSIONS

The probiotic combination was not significantly superior to the placebo in relieving symptoms of IBS. Despite the apparent high placebo response, interesting findings from IBS sub-groups were observed in the field of abdominal pain and stool frequency.