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Previous studies have showed that perceived stress (PS) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) constitutes an important factor for disease onset, relapse, symptomatology and psychological adjustment. Objectives: The aim of this pilot cross-sectional study was to examine the role of self-esteem in PS, after controlling for sociodemographical characteristics, depression and personality in MS patients. Methods: Sixty-six relapsing-remitting MS patients (66.67% females, mean age of 40 ± 11.1 years old, mean duration of disease 133.6 ± 128.8 months) were studied. Perceived stress, self-esteem, depression and personality type were assessed using self-administered questionnaires. Hierarchical multivariate regression modelling was used. Results: Higher education and depression and lower self-esteem were independently and significantly associated with increased PS, accounting for 40.5% of its variance. Univariate analyses revealed that low extroversion and openness and higher neurotism were associated with higher PS, although no significant after adjusting for other factors. Discussion: Although our findings need further confirmation, psychological interventions targetting self-esteem are strongly encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the role of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) as a possible risk factor for several diseases of the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma levels of Hcy in a group of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients from a Greek population and the possible correlation with age, disability status, activity or duration of disease, sex, and treatment. Methods: The MS group that was studied consisted of 46 patients and a total of 42 healthy individuals served as a control group. Plasma Hcy levels were determined by means of high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection, after precolumn derivatization with 4-Fluoro-7-aminosulfonylbenzofurazan (ABD-F). Results: Statistical analysis revealed that, in the MS patients, Hcy levels were not significantly different as compared to those in the controls. Men presented with higher Hcy levels than women in the MS group; however, age, disease subtype, disease duration, relapse rate, and Expanded Disability Status Scale score/Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score did not significantly affect Hcy levels in MS patients. Conclusion: The preliminary data suggest that Hcy levels were not elevated in our sample of Greek MS patients, which does not support previous findings of a significant correlation between elevated serum Hcy levels and MS. Further studies to establish a possible association between MS and Hcy levels in the context of different ethnic groups with different habits are needed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: The frequency of sleep disturbances in patients with epilepsy and their impact on quality of life (QoL) have been documented in a few reports, and the results are conflicting. We identified 124 consecutive epilepsy out-patients who visited the epilepsy out-patient clinics at the University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, the AHEPA Hospital in Thessaloniki and the Aeginitio Hospital in Athens. We measured excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with the Sleep Apnea scale of the Sleep Disorders Questionnaire (SA-SDQ), and insomnia with the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). We evaluated quality of life by the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31). EDS was found in 16.9% (21/124) of epileptic patients, OSA in 28.2% (35/124), and insomnia in 24.6% (30/122). In multivariate analysis, we found that insomnia was an independent negative factor for Total score (p <0.001), Overall QoL (p =0.002), Emotional well-being (p <0.001), Energy/fatigue (p <0.001), Cognitive functioning (p =0.04) and Social functioning (p =0.03), and OSA only for Cognitive functioning (p =0.01). According to our findings, EDS, OSA, and insomnia are frequent in epileptic patients. Epileptic patients with sleep disturbance, mainly insomnia, have significant QoL impairment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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