Vitamin D supplementation for patients with multiple sclerosis treated with interferon-beta: a randomized controlled trial assessing the effect on flu-like symptoms and immunomodulatory properties.

Background: Flu-like symptoms (FLS) are common side effects of interferon beta (IFN-β) treatment in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) and are associated with post-injection cytokine surge. We hypothesized that vitamin D3 supplementation would ameliorate FLS by decreasing related serum cytokines' levels.

Methods: In a randomized, double blind study of 45 IFNβ-treated PwMS, 21 patients were assigned to 800 IU of vitamin D3 per day (low dose), while 24 patients received 4,370 IU per day (high dose) for one year.

The influence of vitamin D supplementation on melatonin status in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) incidence is higher in geographic regions with less sunlight exposure. Both vitamin D and melatonin are essential mediators of the effect of sunlight in health, and as such are candidates to play a key role in MS. We hypothesized that vitamin D and melatonin may have related influences in patients with MS.

Multiple sclerosis in diverse populations: characteristics in distinct Arab ethnicities in Israel.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence and genetic susceptibility varies among the different ethnic groups of Jews and Arabs in Israel.

Objective: Characterization of MS disease course in Christian, Muslim and Druze Arabs in Israel.

Methods: Historical cohort and three-year follow-up cohort analyses based on interviews and clinical charts of 149 Arab MS patients (78 Muslims, 49 Christians and 22 Druze) from three MS centers in Israel.

The evolving role of the multiple sclerosis nurse: an international perspective.

A greater understanding of the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and the need for treatments with increased efficacy, safety, and tolerability have led to the ongoing development of new treatments. The evolution of treatments for MS is expected to have a dramatic impact on the entire health-care team, especially MS nurses, who build strong collaborative partnerships with their patients. MS nurses help patients better understand their disease and treatment options, facilitate the initiation and management of treatment, and encourage adherence.

High risk of colorectal and endometrial cancer in Ashkenazi families with the MSH2 A636P founder mutation.

Background & Aims: The MSH2 A636P mutation is a founder mutation in Ashkenazi Jews that causes Lynch syndrome, with a prevalence of 0.4%-0.7%.

Patients with multiple sclerosis in a war zone: coping strategies associated with reduced risk for relapse.

The objective of this article is to examine the role of coping strategies in multiple sclerosis outcomes among civilians under a military attack during the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. Participants were 156 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. We analysed the relationships between coping and emotional distress and between coping and multiple sclerosis exacerbation.

Internet usage by patients with multiple sclerosis: implications to participatory medicine and personalized healthcare.

Online health information and services for patients were suggested to improve symptom management and treatment adherence, thereby contributing to healthcare optimization. This paper aimed to characterize multiple sclerosis (MS) patients Internet usage. Information regarding browsing habits, Internet reliability, and the medical team's attitude to information collected online was obtained by questionnaires from MS patients.

BRCA1 breast cancer risk is modified by CYP19 polymorphisms in Ashkenazi Jews.

Exposure to sex hormones is a major risk factor for breast cancer and current treatments include hormone modifying drugs, among them aromatase inhibitors. We studied the association of CYP19 (Val(80) and [TTTA](n)) polymorphisms, the gene translated to aromatase, and the risk of breast cancer in BRCA carriers and noncarriers. The study consisted of 958 cancer cases and 931 healthy controls, including 474 carriers and 1,415 noncarriers.

Gynecologic malignancies in Ashkenazi families with the MSH2 A636P founder mutation.

Objective: A founder mutation A636P in the MSH2 gene was found to be related to hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer in Ashkenazi Jews. Although the incidence of colorectal cancer in carriers is relatively well established, the frequency of other tumors is less clear.

Study Design: We studied a consecutive series of 19 carrier families that were cared for by the Clalit Health Studies National Familial Cancer Consultation Service, most of whom were identified through a population-based case-control study of colorectal cancer in northern Israel.

Impact of exposure to war stress on exacerbations of multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To assess the relation between stress caused by the perils of rocket attack on civilian centers in northern Israel during the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel and multiple sclerosis (MS) exacerbations.

Methods: Participants were 156 patients with relapsing-remitting MS. We compared the number of relapses during and after the war with similar time periods at the preceding year.

Health-related quality of life in multiple sclerosis: The impact of disability, gender and employment status.

Objectives: (1) Evaluate the impact of the patient characteristics of disability, gender and employment status on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in multiple sclerosis (MS) and (2) Characterize the functional relationship between HRQOL and disability overall, and by gender and employment status.

Methods: We assessed the HRQOL of 215 MS outpatients in our clinic using the MSQOL-54 and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and that of 172 healthy controls, using the SF-36 (a subset of MSQOL-54). We compared QOL between MS subgroups defined by disability, gender and employment, and computed the linear and non-linear relationships between disability level measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and MSQOL-54 dimensions.

Health-related quality of life in multiple sclerosis: psychometric analysis of inventories.

Objective: Measuring health-related quality of life (HRQoL) enables attainment of a comprehensive picture of chronic patients' conditions. The aim was to gain insight into HRQoL as viewed by Israeli multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, with an eye to its cross-cultural applicability, using psychometric analysis and a regression-based procedure.

Methods: The reliability and validity of the MSQoL-54 was assessed in 215 Israeli MS patients.

BRCA1/2 mutation carriers: living with susceptibility.

Objectives: To examine whether being a BRCA1/2 mutation carrier affects a wide array of aspects of life, and if so, how.

Methods: Participants were grouped according to their carrier status (carrier and noncarrier status), health status (affected or unaffected by cancer), and their enrollment at the counseling service (probands and other family members). One hundred and sixty-five women completed a self-administered questionnaire following their genetic consultation session.