Fall risk is related to cognitive functioning in ambulatory multiple sclerosis patients

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) may suffer severely from falling and gait disturbance. Cognitive dysfunction, a common condition in MS patients, may also increase falling rates, regardless of physical disability. We planned this study to determine the fall rate and risk factors in MS patients, follow patients for falls, and reveal the relationship between falls and cognitive dysfunction.

METHODS

The study was conducted on 124 patients who have RRMS diagnoses. Patients' gait speed, simultaneous gait speed during other tasks, functions of the upper extremity, balance rating, and fear of falling were evaluated with dual-task Timed-Up-and-Go-3 versions (TUG, TUG-C, TUG-M), Timed 25 Foot Walk (T25WFT), Nine Hole Peg Test (9HPT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) tests. Cognitive functions, fatigue levels, and quality of life were measured with the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life (MSQoL) test. Two groups were formed as "fallers" and "non-faller patients". We monitored the patients in six months period.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients fell at least once in the last one year before the study began. Fallers were older, less educated, had lower SDMT scores and higher disability scores. Non-faller patients scored lower in FES-I, TUG, and FSS tests. SDMT scores showed statistically significant, linear, positive, and moderate correlation with BBS and 9HPT scores (r = 0.307, p = 0.038, and r = 0.320, p = 0.030, respectively).

CONCLUSION

We determined that advanced age, lower education level, and cognitive dysfunction adversely affect gait speed and balance. Among the fallers, those with lower SDMT and MoCA scores had higher falling rates. We determined that EDSS and BBS scores are predictive factors for falls in patients with MS. In conclusion, patients with cognitive impairment should be closely monitored for the risk of falling. Consideration of falls during follow-up examinations might be predictive of cognitive deterioration in patients with MS.

Is there a relationship between fall status, cognition and cerebellar lobule volume in patients with multiple sclerosis?

In this prospective case control study, relationship of detailed cerebellar volumetric data and cognition in patients with multiple sclerosis considering falling status using 3 D MRI and network analysis were evaluated. Participants consist of 106 adults with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Scores of Montreal cognitive assessment test, symbol digit modality Test, nine-hole peg test, berg balance scale test, timed up and go test, timed 25-foot walk test were worse in faller group than non faller group (p < 0.05 for all tests). There was no significant difference in terms of cerebellar lobule volumes between groups. But using artificial intelligence (AI) based network analysis, we brought a new perspective to interpreting the relationship between the cerebellum, cognition, gait, and balance. Overall, data from the study suggest a possible relationship between cerebellar volume changes and cognitive dysfunction through connectivity analysis in patients with multiple sclerosis. Further studies are needed to examine this issue by using connectivity analysis.

Bilateral Optic Neuropathy Revealing Chronic Hepatitis B Infection: A Report of A Rare Case

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major public health problem. Liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are the main causes of mortality and morbidity associated with this viral infection. Ocular manifestations may also arise during the course of HBV infection. We herein present a 44-year-old male with bilateral optic neuropathy revealing chronic HBV infection.

Atypical posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome with albuminocytological dissociation and late emerging neuroradiological findings: A case report

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a central nervous system disorder accompanied by vasogenic edema in white matter that is usually located in temporo-parieto-occipital area. Typically, PRES is presented with headaches, seizures, and change of consciousness. The most common etiologic factor is fluctuations in blood pressure. An eighty-eight-year-old female patient was evaluated because of her acute confused state. Medical history revealed hypertension. Blood pressure was 190/100 mmHg. The initial examination showed impaired consciousness. Radiological investigations of brain showed chronic ischemic lesions. Albuminocytological dissociation was detected in CSF examination. On the 6^th day of admission, cranial MRI was repeated. Radiological findings were typical for PRES. The cranial MRI is a valuable diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of the PRES but, as in our case, despite the subtle clinical and radiological findings presented during admission, repeated MRI and CSF examination may contribute to a definite diagnosis. This case is remarkable for severe protein elevation in CSF, irreversible fatal course and radiographic evidence of vasogenic edema occurred subsequently.