Recent studies have reported autonomic dysfunction (AD) in multiple sclerosis (MS), and bladder and/or bowel dysfunction, orthostatic hypotension, and cardiac adaptation disorders have been observed in a wide range of patients (15-80%). The primary aim of this study is to investigate the frequency and association of AD in MS patients, assessed by sympathetic skin response (SSR) and a symptoms q...

We hypothesized that a better correlation between MRI and clinical measures of neurological disability using the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) in multiple sclerosis could be obtained by assessing lesion load only in and around the corticospinal tracts, since the EDSS is weighted towards motor and ambulatory deficits. Multiple sclerosis lesions in cerebral MRIs from 39 patients with re...

Abstract Background Brain volume loss (BVL) is widespread in MS and occurs throughout the disease course at a rate considerably greater than general population. In MS, brain correlates with predicts future disability, making BVL relevant measure of diffuse CNS damage leading to clinical progression, as well serving useful outcome evaluating therapies. The aim our study was evaluate role automat...

OBJECTIVE To determine if comorbid asthma is associated with accumulation of multiple sclerosis (MS)-related impairment and disability. METHOD We sent a comprehensive questionnaire to a cohort of patients with MS and examined the association between comorbid asthma and reaching Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores 4.0 and 6.0. Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29) scores were co...

OBJECTIVE Our objective was to estimate the effectiveness of disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) in delaying multiple sclerosis (MS) disability progression in relapsing-onset (R-onset) definite MS patients under "real-world" conditions. METHODS Treatment effect size, for DMDs as a class, was estimated in absolute terms and relative to MS natural history. A basic model estimated annual Expanded Dis...

The last years, many studies reported associations between correlates of vitamin D exposure and several correlates of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity. This review discusses studies on vitamin D status, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, and relapse activity of MS. Furthermore, several considerations for intervention studies on vitamin D supplementation in MS are provided.

BACKGROUND Posturography is considered the gold standard objective measure of standing postural control in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). This reliable tool provides quantitative data related to risk of falling and white and gray matter brain damage due to MS. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether and to what extent, postural control declines throughout the disease process. We theref...

OBJECTIVE To assess axonal damage and its contribution to disability at different stages of multiple sclerosis (MS). BACKGROUND Recent in vivo imaging and in situ pathologic studies have demonstrated that substantial axonal damage accompanies the inflammatory lesions of MS. However, the relation of axonal damage to the duration of MS and its contribution to disability at different stages of t...

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common cause of progressive neurological disability in young adults who may be sexually active. MS patients experience high levels of sexual dysfunction with hypoactive sexual behavior and abnormalities in hypothalamus- pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the correlation between serum levels of sex hormones durin...

INTRODUCTION Studies have shown that natalizumab is an effective treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). To date, no data are available in Portuguese patients. AIM To determine the efficacy and safety of natalizumab in patients with RRMS in routine clinical practice in Portugal. PATIENTS AND METHODS Clinical data for adult patients with RRMS treated with natalizumab at ...