Pascal Auquier

Cognitive function and quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundNearly half of all patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) will develop cognitive dysfunction. Studies highlighted from no/weak impact to a strong impact of cognitive impairment on quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of cognitive dysfunction on self-reported QoL in MS patients while considering key confounding factors.MethodsDesign: cross-sectional study. Inclusion criteria: MS patients of any disease subtype. Data collection: sociodemographic (age, gender, marital status, education level, and occupational activity) and clinical data (MS subtype, disease duration); MS disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale, EDSS); depression (Beck Depression Inventory); fatigue (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale); QoL (SF36 and MusiQoL); and neuropsychological performance (Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests, BRB-N). Statistical analysis: multiple linear regressions (forward-stepwise selection).ResultsOne hundred and twenty-four patients were enrolled. Performance on BRB-N subtests varied widely (6% to 70% abnormal). The BRB-N classified 37-78% of the patients as cognitively impaired, depending on the definition of cognitive impairment. No links were found between the MusiQoL index and cognitive subtests, whereas marital status, EDSS, and depression were found to be independent predictive factors.ConclusionsThe present study demonstrated the weak and scarce association between cognitive impairment and QoL, when the key confounding factors were considered. These results need to be confirmed with larger samples and more accurate tests of cognitive function.

Is the Concept of Quality of Life Relevant for Multiple Sclerosis Patients with Cognitive Impairment? Preliminary Results of a Cross-Sectional Study

Background Cognitive impairment occurs in about 50% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and the use of self-reported outcomes for evaluating treatment and managing care among subjects with cognitive dysfunction has been questioned. The aim of this study was to provide new evidence about the suitability of self-reported outcomes for use in this specific population by exploring the internal structure, reliability and external validity of a specific quality of life (QoL) instrument, the Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life questionnaire (MusiQoL). Methods Design: cross-sectional study. Inclusion criteria: MS patients of any disease subtype. Data collection: sociodemographic (age, gender, marital status, education level, and occupational activity) and clinical data (MS subtype, Expanded Disability Status Scale, disease duration); QoL (MusiQoL and SF36); and neuropsychological performance (Stroop color-word test). Statistical analysis: confirmatory factor analysis, item-dimension correlations, Cronbachs alpha coefficients, Rasch statistics, relationships between MusiQoL dimensions and other parameters. Principal Findings One hundred and twenty-four consecutive patients were enrolled. QoL scores did not differ between the 69 cognitively non-impaired patients and the 55 cognitively impaired patients, except for the symptoms dimension. The confirmatory factor analysis performed among the impaired subjects showed that the structure of the questionnaire matched with the initial structure of the MusiQoL. The unidimensionality of the MusiQoL dimensions was preserved, and the internal validity indices were satisfactory and close to those of the reference population. Conclusions/Significance Our study suggests that executive dysfunction did not compromise the reliability and the validity of the self-reported QoL questionnaires.

[Quality of life of elderly people on oral anticoagulant for atrial fibrillation: VKA versus direct oral anticoagulants].

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia. Its prevalence increases with age and increases the risk of stroke and systemic embolism. Few data are currently available on the quality of life (QOL) of anticoagulated patients with the advent of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC). Our study aims to describe levels of QOL in elderly patients with AF receiving oral anticoagulants and compare QOL of patients treated with vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and DOAC. This prospective study included patients of 65 years and over, receiving anticoagulants for AF (VKA or DOAC) from general practice (n=70) or cardiac practice (n=30). The patients completed a self-administered questionnaire that included demographic, geriatric data and a QOL standardized scale: the anti-clot treatment scale (ACTS) 17 items exploring two dimensions Burdens and Benefits. Eighty-nine patients were enrolled: 61 were taking VKA and 28 taking DOAC. Our two groups were comparable for all demographic and clinical characteristics studied. Our patients mean scores were 48.6±12.1 on Burdens and 9.7±3.8 on Benefits. Burdens and Benefits scores were significantly better for patients treated with DOAC compared to patients with VKA (p<0.0001 and p<0.01, respectively). Anticoagulation in the elderly should be encouraged given the high thrombotic risk of AF. No matter what kind of molecule is chosen if in accordance to good guidance. Patients treated with ACOD seem to have a better QOL, but these results should be confirmed through larger randomized studies.