Longitudinal determinants of employment status in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: To investigate longitudinal relationships between employment status and disease-related, (neuro)psychological, and work-related factors in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: 170 employed people with MS underwent yearly neurological and neuropsychological examinations to assess MS-related disability and cognitive functioning. Additionally, they completed yearly questionnaires assessing depression, anxiety, fatigue, cognitive complaints, workplace support and coping.

Primary cerebral immunoglobulin light chain amyloidoma in a patient with multiple sclerosis.

A man in his 60s, known with multiple sclerosis, presented with seizures and paresis of the left arm and leg. Brain imaging showed a white matter lesion, right parietal, which was progressive over the last 6 years and not typical for multiple sclerosis. Brain biopsy showed a B-cell infiltrate with IgA lambda monotypic plasma cell differentiation and amyloid deposits, typed as lambda immunoglobulin light chain (AL).

Personality traits are not associated with changes in employment status over 3 years in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Previous research discovered a protective effect of higher conscientiousness against a 3-year deterioration in employment status in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). To replicate these findings, we used data from a multicentre prospective cohort study where 145 employed pwMS completed questionnaires, neurological and neuropsychological examinations at baseline and after 3 years. A 3-year deterioration in employment status was reported in 31.

Development of an international, multidisciplinary, patient-centered Standard Outcome Set for Multiple Sclerosis: The S.O.S.MS project.

Background: Currently, outcomes of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are not standardized and it is unclear which outcomes matter most to people living with MS. A consensus between patients and healthcare professionals on which outcomes to measure and how, would facilitate a move towards value-based MS care.

Objective: to develop an internationally accepted, patient-relevant Standard Outcome Set for MS (S.

Subjective cognitive impairment is related to work status in people with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Unemployment is common among people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) and has been associated with subjective cognitive difficulties, specifically in memory, attention, and executive functioning. However, longitudinal research on subjective cognitive difficulties and employment is scarce.

Objective: We investigated whether subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), based on the clinical cut-off score of the MS Neuropsychological Screening Questionnaire (MSNQ), was associated with work status and negative work events (NWE) at baseline and after 2 years.

Work difficulties in people with multiple sclerosis: The role of anxiety, depression and coping.

Background: Symptoms of anxiety and depression affect the daily life of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study examined work difficulties and their relationship with anxiety, depression and coping style in people with MS.

Methods: 219 employed people with MS (median age  =  43 years, 79% female) completed questionnaires on anxiety, depression, coping style, demographics and work difficulties, and underwent a neurological examination.

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.

Self-reported occupational functioning in persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: Does personality matter?

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) poses a major threat to sustainable employability. Identifying conditions and factors that promote work participation is of great importance. Our objective was to explore the contribution of personality traits in explaining occupational functioning in MS.

Real-World Results of Ocrelizumab Treatment for Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Recently, ocrelizumab (Ocrevus®) was approved for the treatment of primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) based on data from the ORATORIO clinical trial. Real-world data about the clinical effectiveness of ocrelizumab has yet to be gathered.

Objective: The aim of this study was to provide data about the clinical effectiveness of ocrelizumab for patients diagnosed with PPMS in a real-world setting.

Empathy in multiple sclerosis--Correlates with cognitive, psychological and occupational functioning.

Background: Recent studies report deficits in social cognition in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Social cognitive skills such as empathy are important for adequate social and occupational functioning. Our objectives are: (1) to examine whether empathy differs between individuals with MS and healthy controls, (2) to examine relations between empathy and cognitive, psychological and occupational functioning.

A tumefactive demyelinating lesion in a person with MS after five years of fingolimod.

A 38-year-old man with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) developed a tumefactive demyelinating lesion (TDL) after being clinically and radiologically stable on fingolimod for the last five years. TDLs in MS tend to occur early on in the disease and are uncommon in longstanding MS. Compared to other immune modifying drugs used in MS, there is a relatively high and still increasing number of reports describing the development of TDL under treatment with fingolimod, suggesting a causal relation.

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.

Caregiver strain among life partners of persons with mild disability due to relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disorder of the central nervous system with an unpredictable disease course. Life partners often become caregivers, which can be both rewarding and challenging, as the caregiver's physical and mental health is often negatively affected. Previous studies on caregiver strain focused on caregivers of persons with MS with relatively high disability levels, while caregiver strain may already be experienced by life partners living with mildly disabled persons with MS.

Cost-minimization analysis of alemtuzumab compared to fingolimod and natalizumab for the treatment of active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in the Netherlands.

Aim: In active relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients requiring second-line treatment, the Dutch National Health Care Institute (ZiN) has not stated a preference for either alemtuzumab, fingolimod, or natalizumab. The aim was to give healthcare decision-makers insight into the differences in cost accumulation over time between alemtuzumab-with a unique, non-continuous treatment schedule-and fingolimod and natalizumab for second-line treatment of active RRMS patients in the Netherlands.

Methods: In line with ZiN's assessment, a cost-minimization analysis was performed from a Dutch healthcare perspective over a 5-year time horizon.

The capability set for work - correlates of sustainable employability in workers with multiple sclerosis.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine whether work capabilities differ between workers with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and workers from the general population. The second aim was to investigate whether the capability set was related to work and health outcomes.

Methods: A total of 163 workers with MS from the MS@Work study and 163 workers from the general population were matched for gender, age, educational level and working hours.

Coping strategies in relation to negative work events and accommodations in employed multiple sclerosis patients.

Background: Job loss is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and is known to exert a negative effect on quality of life. The process leading up to job loss typically includes negative work events, productivity losses and a need for accommodations. By using active coping strategies job loss may be prevented or delayed.

Cerebrospinal Venous Outflow in Multiple Sclerosis Patients versus Fatigue and/or Depression.

Background: Endovascular treatment of impaired cerebrospinal venous outflow has been suggested to improve the overall quality of life in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Fatigue and depression are key factors in measuring the quality of life in MS patients.

Objective: In the present study, we investigated the correlation between anomalous venous outflow and the seriousness of fatigue and depression in MS patients and healthy controls.

MRI pattern in asymptomatic natalizumab-associated PML.

Objective: To investigate the MRI manifestation pattern of asymptomatic natalizumab-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: 18 patients with MS with natalizumab-associated PML lesions on MRI were included. In 6 patients, the PML lesions were identified on MRI prospectively and in 12 patients PML lesions were identified retrospectively.

[A woman with a postoperative lumbar swelling].

A 65-year-old woman had developed a large lumbar swelling in a period of four weeks following lumbar laminectomy. An MRI-scan revealed a large fluid collection, which had formed from the spinal canal. The diagnosis 'liquorcele', a rare complication of spine surgery, was established.

Fingolimod reduces direct medical costs compared to natalizumab in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in The Netherlands.

Objective: To assess the costs of oral treatment with Gilenya® (fingolimod) compared to intravenous infusion of Tysabri® (natalizumab) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in The Netherlands.

Methods: A cost-minimization analysis was used to compare both treatments. The following cost categories were distinguished: drug acquisition costs, administration costs, and monitoring costs.

Daily negative interactions and mood among patients and partners dealing with multiple sclerosis (MS): the moderating effects of emotional support.

Negative interactions with intimate partners may have adverse consequences for well-being, especially for individuals dealing with chronic illness. However, it is not clear whether negative interactions affect both dimensions of positive and negative well-being and factors that may moderate this effect have not been well-described. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between daily received negative responses from the partner and end-of-day positive and negative mood in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their intimate partners.