Ultrasound measures of muscle morphology in people with multiple sclerosis are associated with muscle performance and functional mobility.

Background: Neurologically-based muscle weakness is a common symptom in people with multiple sclerosis MS (MS), who may also exhibit muscle morphology changes and intrinsic muscle dysfunction. Diagnostic ultrasound (sonography) is a non-invasive, inexpensive, and clinically feasible method to measure muscle morphology. The purpose of this study was to investigate possible asymmetries in lower limb muscle morphology and performance in people with MS, and to assess the relationships of muscle morphology measures with individual patient characteristics, muscle performance, and functional mobility.

Telemedicine and Multiple Sclerosis: A Survey of Health Care Providers Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Telemedicine provides a gateway to specialty care that, otherwise, patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) could have difficulty accessing. Studies have shown that telemedicine provides a valid alternative to in-person visits. There are limited data on the strengths and limitations of telemedicine from the perspective of MS providers.

A Qualitative, Multiperspective Inquiry of Multiple Sclerosis Telemedicine in the United States.

Background: Telemedicine has expanded access to high-quality, appropriate, and affordable health care for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study explored how the expansion of MS telemedicine is perceived and experienced by people with MS, health care providers (HCPs), and payers and policy experts (PYs).

Methods: Forty-five semistructured interviews with 20 individuals with MS, 15 HCPs, and 10 PYs were conducted between September 2020 and January 2021.

Liver kinase B1 rs9282860 polymorphism and risk for multiple sclerosis in White and Black Americans.

Background: We previously reported that the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs9282860 in serine threonine kinase 11 (STK11) gene which codes for liver kinase B1 (LKB1) has higher prevalence in White relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients than controls. However it is not known if this SNP is a risk factor for MS in other populations.

Methods: We assessed the prevalence of the STK11 SNP in samples collected from African American (AA) persons with MS (PwMS) and controls at multiple Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers and from a network of academic MS centers.

Acceptability and outcomes of an individualized exergaming telePT program for veterans with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.

Background: Physical rehabilitation services are an important component of treatment for persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) to improve and maintain physical mobility. However, PwMS often have significant barriers to outpatient physical therapy (PT) services including mobility deficits and lack of transportation. The integration of exercise gaming (exergaming) and telehealth into clinical PT practices may overcome these barriers.

The Multiple Sclerosis Surveillance Registry: A Novel Interactive Database Within the Veterans Health Administration.

Objective: To demonstrate the infrastructure and utility of an interactive health system database for multiple sclerosis (MS), we present the MS Surveillance Registry (MSSR) within the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Background: Disease specific databases can be helpful in the management of neurologic conditions but few are fully integrated into the electronic health record and linked to health system data. Creating a consistent information technology (IT) architecture and with ongoing support within disease specific registries has been a challenge.

Telemedicine and multiple sclerosis: A comprehensive literature review.

Introduction: Patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) face barriers accessing specialty care for evaluation and treatment. Telemedicine, the practice of clinical care at a distance with the aid of technology, may be a potential bridge to close the access gap for pwMS separated by distance or disability. The objective of this review was to investigate the types of telemedicine being utilized and overall outcomes for pwMS and their providers.

Biomechanical analysis of spasticity treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Objectives: New metrics for clinical spasticity are needed to assess motor performance, since scales such as the Ashworth and Tardieu are unreliable. Here, we assessed outcomes of baclofen treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) using biomechanical analysis of voluntary movements.

Methods: Patients with MS and symptomatic limb spasticity were recruited for a pre-post baclofen titration study, along with age-matched healthy controls.

Monitoring medication adherence in multiple sclerosis using a novel web-based tool: A pilot study.

Monitoring medication adherence in multiple sclerosis (MS) can be time consuming and expensive; however, non-adherence is common and is very costly in terms of lost therapeutic benefit and unused medications. To address this problem, we employed a web-based system to monitor and potentially modify medication adherence. Participants (n = 30) were randomized either to routine care or to the MS Home Automated Telehealth (MS HAT) system.

Presentation of multiple sclerosis with comorbid Huntington's disease.

We report a case of Huntington's disease (HD) in a 53-year-old male with multiple sclerosis (MS). The diagnosis of MS met the McDonald criteria and was based on clinical attacks separated in space and time, cerebrospinal fluid, and MRI. The diagnosis of HD was established by DNA testing, family history, and positron emission tomography.

Remote cognitive assessments for patients with multiple sclerosis: a feasibility study.

Background: measuring cognitive function in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) can be challenging given the obstacles faced when traveling to testing centers.

Objective: the purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of remote cognitive assessment in patients with MS using the automated neuropsychological assessment metrics (ANAM-MS) and the symbol digit modalities test (SDMT).

Methods: patients meeting the McDonald criteria for MS (n = 24) were randomized to complete the live-in-office condition or a remote-in-office condition first, with all patients completing both sessions.

Multiple sclerosis in gulf war era veterans. 2. Military deployment and risk of multiple sclerosis in the first gulf war.

Background: Concern has been raised that US veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War (GW1) may be at increased risk to develop neurologic disease.

Methods: An incident cohort of multiple sclerosis (MS) and other demyelinating disease (ODD) was assembled from the US military comprising the Gulf War era (1990-2007). Cases of MS and ODD meeting standard diagnostic criteria were matched to a database of all active duty personnel from the Department of Defense.

Clinical management of multiple sclerosis through home telehealth monitoring: results of a pilot project.

This study examined the feasibility of using home telehealth monitoring to improve clinical care and promote symptom self-management among veterans with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was a longitudinal cohort study linking mailed survey data at baseline and 6-month follow-up with information from home telehealth monitors. The study was conducted in two large Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) MS clinics in Seattle, Washington, and Washington, DC, and involved 41 veterans with MS.

Multiple sclerosis: managing patients in primary care.

In this era of the Patient Centered Medical Home model of care, chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) are managed in partnership with specialty care practices. For the patient and family living with MS, assuring that patients get proper care when and where they need it requires that nurse practitioners understand their role in assessing and managing complex chronic diseases.

The Gulf War era multiple sclerosis cohort: age and incidence rates by race, sex and service.

We characterize here a new nationwide incident cohort of multiple sclerosis from the US military-veteran population. This cohort provides an update to the only other US nationwide incidence study of multiple sclerosis performed during the 1970s. Medical records and data from the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs for cases of multiple sclerosis who served in the military between 1990, the start of the Gulf War era, and 2007 and who were service-connected for this disorder by the Department of Veterans Affairs from 1990 on, were reviewed.

What does the nurse reinvestment act mean to you?

During 2002, the 107th Congress passed landmark legislation, the Nurse Reinvestment Act, P.L. 107-205.