Prevalence and predictors of bowel dysfunction in a large multiple sclerosis outpatient population: an Italian multicenter study

INTRODUCTION

Bowel dysfunction (BD) is reported as a common and disabling symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. To date, no studies have explored the prevalence of these symptoms in a large multicenter outpatient setting. The aims of the present study are to assess: (i) the prevalence of BD in a large multicenter Italian MS population, and (ii) the correlation between clinico-demographic variables and the severity of BD.

METHODS

Each of the nine participating center screened MS patients prospectively: 1100 subjects were enrolled. All patients underwent the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and completed the Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction score (NBDs). Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to assess the association between NBDs and several clinico-demographic variables.

RESULTS

Fourteen percent of MS patients showed a moderate/severe BD (NBDs > 10); this percentage increased in patients with high disability, ranging from 26 to 32%. Moderate/severe BD was more frequent in MS patients with: progressive phenotypes, higher disability, older age, and longer disease duration. NBDs severity was predicted by female sex, ambulation impairment and bladder symptoms.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms the relatively high prevalence of moderate/severe BD in a large, multicenter, unselected, outpatient MS population. BD appears to be mainly associated to female sex and MS-related disability.

Differential lethality following treatment with ionizing radiations of various energies in Drosophila

Male and female gametes of Drosophila were treated with various doses of ionizing radiations: X-rays at different energy, and gamma-rays from 2 sources given singly and in 2 temporal sequences. The induced lethality was assessed in successive developmental stages by scoring the number of eggs, larvae and adults. The results clearly show that the effects of various radiations appear in terms of difference among developmental stages and/or between treated sexes/genotypes. It is suggested that the various energies affect different gene functions which are not completely independent, as supported by the non-additive effects of the two temporal sequences.