Protocol for the MS-CEBA study: an observational, prospective cohort study identifying Cognitive, Energetic, Behavioural and Affective (CEBA) profiles in Multiple Sclerosis to guide neuropsychological treatment choice.

Background: Neuropsychological symptoms in the Cognitive, Energetic, Behavioural, and Affective (CEBA) domains are common in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and can negatively affect societal participation. The current study aims to investigate whether there are combinations of symptoms in the different CEBA domains that consistently occur together, that is, if there are CEBA profiles that can be identified. If so, this study aims to develop a screening instrument identifying CEBA profiles in PwMS to select the most suitable neuropsychological rehabilitation treatment for a given CEBA profile and consequently improve the societal participation of PwMS.

Muscle strength is reduced in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Muscle strength is decreased in adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We aim to investigate muscle strength in children with PAH in relation to a cohort of healthy children, and investigate correlations with disease severity markers. This prospective study included children with PAH aged 4-18 years, who visited the Dutch National Referral Center for Pulmonary Hypertension in Childhood between October 2015 and March 2016.

Self-reported work productivity in people with multiple sclerosis and its association with mental and physical health.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify mental health, physical health, demographic and disease characteristics relating to work productivity in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 236 employed people with MS (median age = 42 years, 78.8% female) underwent neurological and neuropsychological assessments.

A Dutch validation study of the Multiple Sclerosis Work Difficulties Questionnaire in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: The current study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Multiple Sclerosis Work Difficulties Questionnaire-23 (MSWDQ-23).

Methods: Two hundred and thirty-nine employed persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 59 healthy controls completed the MSWDQ-23. To verify the factor structure, a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted.

Cognitive functioning as a predictor of employment status in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a 2-year longitudinal study.

Background: Cognitive functioning has been linked to employment outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS) in cross-sectional studies. Longitudinal studies are however lacking and previous studies did not extensively examine executive functioning.

Objectives: We examined whether baseline cognitive functioning predicts a change in employment status after 2 years, while taking into account mood, fatigue and disability level.

Functional ability and muscle force in healthy children and ambulant Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients.

Neuromuscular disorders are characterised by progressive muscle weakness, which in time causes functional impairment. To quantify the extent of disease progression, muscle force and functional ability can be measured. Which of these parameters changes most depends on the disease stage.

Intermittent prednisone therapy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Prednisone treatment is used to prolong ambulation in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). However, since severe adverse effects often accompany prednisone treatment, it is debatable whether the benefits of prednisone treatment outweigh its adverse effects.

Objectives: To study the effects of prednisone on muscle function and to determine the extent of steroid-related adverse effects and their influence on the quality of life of ambulant patients with DMD.

Muscle ultrasound in children: normal values and application to neuromuscular disorders.

In this study, 105 healthy children (45 to 156 months old, 57 girls) were examined using ultrasound (US) imaging to obtain reference values of muscle dimensional and aspect parameters. We measured biceps and quadriceps sizes and subcutaneous tissue thickness. To quantify muscle aspect, we calculated muscle density, inhomogeneity and white-area index by digital image analysis.