Introduction: Since cognitive impairment (CI) occurs on average in 45% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, the early detection of patients “at risk” of CI is important in order to promptly apply preventive strategies. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for CI in MS patients using the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) as a screening test. Methods: During the 1-year period, CI was evaluated in 82 consecutives mild relapsing-remitting MS (EDSS ≤ 3.5) patients. Patients with 1 altered BICAMS test were defined “at risk.” Both “at risk” and CI patients underwent an extensive neuropsychological battery. Results: We found that: (i) 23% had CI, (ii), 25% were “at risk” of CI, and (iii) 76% of the “at risk” patients were already impaired at the NP assessment. In particular, the Symbol Digit Modalities Test was the most compromised (70% of “at risk” and 79% of CI patients). Patients with CI had more frequently an EDSS ≥ 2.5 (p = 0.05), lower education (p = 0.05), and relapses in the last 12 months (p = 0.03). Conclusions: CI is a significant issue in MS and integration of a screening test, such as the SDMT, into routine clinical practice could be of worth to identify “at risk” patients and to promote an early therapeutic intervention.
Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord

中文翻译：

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复发缓解型多发性硬化症的认知表现：有风险还是受损？

简介：由于认知障碍 (CI) 平均发生在 45% 的多发性硬化症 (MS) 患者中，因此早期发现处于 CI“风险”中的患者对于及时应用预防策略非常重要。本研究的目的是使用多发性硬化症简要国际认知评估 (BICAMS) 作为筛查测试，调查 MS 患者 CI 的患病率和危险因素。方法：在 1 年期间，对 82 名连续轻度复发缓解型 MS（EDSS ≤ 3.5）患者进行 CI 评估。有 1 次 BICAMS 测试改变的患者被定义为“有风险”。“处于危险中”和 CI 患者都接受了广泛的神经心理学测试。结果：我们发现：(i) 23% 有 CI，(ii)，25% 有 CI“风险”，以及 (iii) 76% 的“有风险”患者在 NP 评估中已经受损。特别是，符号数字模态测试受到的影响最大（70% 的“有风险”和 79% 的 CI 患者）。CI 患者的 EDSS ≥ 2.5 ( p = 0.05)、受教育程度较低 ( p = 0.05) 和在过去 12 个月内复发 ( p = 0.03) 的频率更高。结论： CI 是 MS 中的一个重要问题，将筛查测试（如 SDMT）整合到常规临床实践中可能有助于识别“有风险”的患者并促进早期治疗干预。
老年痴呆症认知障碍