MyMS: An Interface for Patient-Reported Outcomes for Finnish Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Patient-generated data are a cornerstone of individualized multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment. MyMS, an interface for patient-reported outcomes (PROs) was developed by the Finnish MS Register to enable systematic collection of PROs.

Methods: MyMS collects data on demographics, lifestyle factors, disease-related factors, and validated questionnaires, including the Quality of Life Questionnaire (15D), the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29), and the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS).

Self-reported Reasons for Changes in Performance of Daily Activities During a 2-Year Multidisciplinary Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation.

Background: Few multidisciplinary rehabilitation studies with a heterogeneous design have focused on individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study compared subjective-reported changes in performance and satisfaction with daily activities among moderately and severely disabled individuals with MS during a 2-year, multidisciplinary, group-based, outpatient rehabilitation program comprising education in self-management and compensatory techniques, exercise, and guided peer support.

Methods: Thirty-eight adults with moderate disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] score of 4.

Validation of the Finnish version of the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) and evaluation of the applicability of the Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychological Questionnaire (MSNQ) and the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions (FSMC).

Objectives: Cognitive impairment is frequent in multiple sclerosis (MS) as approximately half of the patients manifest some degree of cognitive impairment. The Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) has been designed for brief cognitive evaluation. The purpose of the study was to validate the BICAMS along with the Finnish versions of one self-rating questionnaire each for cognition and fatigue.

Research on lower extremity health in patients with multiple sclerosis: a systematic scoping review.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) often affects ambulation and the function of the lower limbs. However, little is known about how much research has been conducted on lower extremity health in patients with MS.

Objective: To analyse empirical studies and their evidence on lower extremity health in patients with MS, in order to identify the need for future studies in key areas.

The retirement rate due to multiple sclerosis has decreased since 1995- A retrospective study in a Finnish central hospital.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common cause of non-traumatic neurological disability affecting young adults during their best working years. Previous studies have shown that approximately two-thirds of patients with MS (PwMS) are unable to retain employment in the long term, and many retire soon after the diagnosis. However, it is not known, how the rate of retirement has changed over the decades, especially after the introduction of disease modifying therapies (DMTs).

Cost Assessment Modelling of Treatments for Highly Active Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis.

Introduction: Cost assessment modelling (CAM) of treatments in highly active relapsing multiple sclerosis was conducted.

Methods: The CAM was developed using the R programming language. The PICOSTEPS health technology assessment framework was applied in the CAM.

Impact of multiple sclerosis phenotypes on burden of disease in Finland.

The aim of this study was to quantify how multiple sclerosis (MS) phenotypes differ from each other in respect of costs and quality-of-life. The study is based on survey data from Finnish patients with MS ( = 553). The information contained disease type, disease severity according to self-reported Expanded Disease Severity Scale (EDSS), healthcare resource use, and medication use.

Predictors of Participation and Autonomy in People With Multiple Sclerosis.

Importance: Because multiple sclerosis (MS) affects many life areas, it is important to know how participation and autonomy are associated with the perceived impact of MS on everyday life.

Objective: To investigate how perceived quality of life, disease impact, gender, and disease severity predict participation and autonomy in people with MS.

Design: Cross-sectional study in which structural equation modeling was used to evaluate relationships between measured variables.

Validity and reliability of the Fatigue Severity Scale in Finnish multiple sclerosis patients.

Background: Fatigue is one of the most debilitating symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS) considerably interfering with patients' daily functioning. Both researchers and clinicians need psychometrically robust methods to evaluate fatigue in MS.

Objectives: The objective of this study was (i) to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Finnish version of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and (ii) to describe the results among patients with MS.

Validity and reliability of the Finnish version of the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29.

Background: The Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 (MSIS-29) has been increasingly used to evaluate the self-perceived impact of multiple sclerosis (MS) on a patient.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Finnish version of MSIS-29 in patients with MS.

Methods: A total of 553 patients with MS completed the MSIS-29 and self-administered questionnaires capturing information on demographics, disease characteristics and severity, perceived quality of life (EuroQol 5D-3L instrument), and fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale).

Psychometric evaluation of the Finnish version of the impact on participation and autonomy questionnaire in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the impact on participation and autonomy (IPA) questionnaire. The Finnish version of IPA (IPAFin) was translated into Finnish using the protocol for linguistic validation for patient-reported outcomes instruments.

Methods: A total of 194 persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) (mean age 50 years SD 9, 72% female) with moderate to severe disability participated in this study.

Risk of osteoporotic fractures in multiple sclerosis patients in southwest Finland.

Objectives: Increased risk of osteoporotic fractures in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients compared with general population has been reported. The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of osteoporotic and other low-energy fractures in an MS cohort from a large hospital district in southwest Finland. Age-adjusted total and gender-specific prevalence for definite MS per 100 000 in a population of 472 139 was calculated as a point prevalence in December 31, 2012.

Burden of illness in multiple sclerosis (DEFENSE) study: the costs and quality-of-life of Finnish patients with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: Although multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common causes of non-traumatic disability among young adults, no published data on its economic and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) burden is available from Finland. The DEFENSE study aimed to estimate the costs and HRQoL of patients with MS (PwMS) in Finland and explore how these variables are influenced by disease severity and relapses.

Methods: Overall, 553 PwMS registered with the Finnish Neuro Society, a national patient association in Finland, completed a self-administered questionnaire capturing information on demographics, disease characteristics and severity (Expanded Disease Severity Scale [EDSS]), relapses, resource consumption and HRQoL.

[Update on Current Care Guideline: Multiple sclerosis].

Treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is initiated upon fulfillment of new McDonald 2010 criteria for RRMS. In addition, lumbar puncture is an essential diagnostic method. Interferon-β, dimethyl fumarate, glatiramer acetate and teriflunomide are the first-line immunomodulating drugs (IMD) for RRMS.

Cognitive performance profile in different phenotypes of MS with cognitive complaints.

Background: The relationship between cognitive impairment and disease course and severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) is not well understood.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether cognitive complaints in different clinical phenotypes and severity stages of MS are associated with differences in the profile of cognitive impairment.

Methods: 196 MS patients (relapsing-remitting RRMS n=138; secondary progressive SPMS n=32; primary progressive PPMS n=26) with perceived cognitive deficits underwent neuropsychological assessment with the brief repeatable battery of neuropsychological tests (BRBNT).

Relationship between subjective and objective cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis.

Objectives: Self- and informant reports of patients' cognitive performance are an important source of information for clinicians to consider in neuropsychological evaluation. The aim of the study was to find out whether the relationship between subjective or informant observations of cognitive deterioration and objective cognitive performance differ in patients with relapsing and progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).

Materials & Methods: One ninety-six MS patients (relapsing-remitting n = 138; progressive n = 58) underwent neuropsychological assessment with the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests.

The activities and participation categories of the ICF Core Sets for multiple sclerosis from the patient perspective.

Purpose: To validate the activities and participation components of The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 113 Finnish community-dwelling persons with MS were assessed using a semi-structured interview provided by the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) to capture participants' self-perceived problems in everyday activities and participation. Problems were linked to the ICF categories.

The effects of heat stress on physical functioning in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Heat sensitivity is a well-recognised feature in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, little is known about how heat affects physical performance in persons with MS. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of short-term heat stress on physical functioning in persons with MS.

The effects of heat stress on cognition in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Heat sensitivity and cognitive deficits are typical manifestations of multiple sclerosis (MS). Although cognitive deficits are quite well characterized, practically no data exist on the effects of heat on cognitive performances in MS.

Objective: To assess the effects of short-term heat stress on cognitive functioning in subjects with MS.

The effects of rivastigmine on processing speed and brain activation in patients with multiple sclerosis and subjective cognitive fatigue.

Background: Cognitive decline and fatigue are typical in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, there is no official medication for either of these symptoms.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the effects of a single dose of rivastigmine on processing speed and associated brain activity in patients with MS and subjective cognitive fatigue.

Cerebral acetylcholinesterase activity is not decreased in MS patients with cognitive impairment.

Background: Neuropsychological studies have extensively described the presence of cognitive dysfunction in MS patients. One possible pharmacological treatment of the impairment could be based on acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs), which have shown efficacy in alleviating cognitive impairment in many other disorders. The findings on the efficacy of AChEI medication in MS associated cognitive symptoms are preliminary and no studies concerning cerebral acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in these patients have been published.

[Update on current care guidelines: diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation of multiple sclerosis].

Treatment is initiated when the McDonald criteria for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) are fulfilled. High-risk patients with clinically isolated syndrome are followed using magnetic resonance imaging for one year after the first imaging. Interferon-beta or glatiramer acetate are the first-line immunomodulating drugs (IMD) for RRMS.

Fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients during inpatient rehabilitation.

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate symptomatic fatigue in patients with mild to moderate multiple sclerosis (MS) during inpatient rehabilitation. We examined fatigue at the beginning and at the end of a 3-week rehabilitation period as well as its daily variation.

Method: Ninety-one patients participated.

A follow-up study of chromosome 19q13 in multiple sclerosis susceptibility.

A possible role of allelic variation on chromosome 19q13 in multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility has been suggested. We tested association of sixteen 19q13 markers with MS in 459 families. Nominally significant associations were tested in an independent set of 323 families as well as in the pooled set of 782 families.

Pupillary function in early multiple sclerosis.

Autonomic pupillary function was assessed with pupillometry in 95 mildly or moderately disabled patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 81 healthy subjects. The parasympathetic pupillary function was measured as initial diameter (mm), time to minimum diameter (seconds), reflex amplitude (mm), relative reflex amplitude (%), and maximal constriction velocity (mm/seconds). To reflect the sympathetic pupillary function maximal redilatation velocity (mm/seconds), and time of 75% of redilatation (seconds) were measured.