Ecological impact of isolated cognitive relapses in MS

Mult Scler. 2020 Jan;26(1):114-117. doi: 10.1177/1352458518813722. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Abstract

Isolated cognitive relapses (ICRs) are transient deficits in cognitive performance that are the only presentation of a multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse. Here, we evaluated the impact of ICRs on cognitive difficulties in daily activities (assessed with the Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychological Screening Questionnaire, Informant Version (MSNQ-I)) to characterize ICRs' clinical relevance. We used 2-year-long retrospective data to compare 15 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients with ICRs with 57 RRMS patients presenting an asymptomatic gadolinium enhancing lesion (and no-ICRs). ICRs were associated not only with neuropsychological performance decline but also with an increase in the daily cognitive difficulties. These findings support the ecological relevance of ICRs.

Keywords: Relapses; cognition; quality of life.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cognitive Dysfunction* / diagnosis
  • Cognitive Dysfunction* / etiology
  • Cognitive Dysfunction* / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting* / complications
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting* / diagnostic imaging
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting* / physiopathology
  • Quality of Life*
  • Recurrence
  • Retrospective Studies