Search

The novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) and the subsequent pandemic present a challenge to neurologists treating patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) worldwide. Many national professional bodies have responded rapidly by issuing guidelines for the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily focused on MS disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). In this article, we review implications of COVID-19 for people with MS, including general health advice, the risk of respiratory infections, basic recommendations for relapse management, MS treatment, including disease-modifying therapies, and medical services for MS patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The analysis of cognition during multiple sclerosis relapse and recovery period both in Lithuania and in the world the first time is presented in this doctoral dissertation. The assessment of prognostic factors that predict the recovery of cognition after relapse is investigated as well. Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis was prepared and adapted for quick and meaningful assessment of cognitive status in Lithuania. 90 patients with multiple sclerosis and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. Physical disability, relapse, its treatment mode and biological activity of interferon-beta with MxA expression method were assessed in multiple sclerosis patients. Also cognitive functions with Brief Cognitive Assessment and computerized tests both in multiple sclerosis patients and healthy controls were asssessed. Various cognitive and non-cognitive factors that had the impact on the recovery of cognitive functions after multiple sclerosis relapse were recognized. The independent predictors of relatively good cognition recovery and significant early cognitive improvement were identified. Practical recommendations for quick and effective assessment of cognition during multiple sclerosis relapse and relapse treatment in case of better recovery after relapse were proposed. The results of this study could be helpful for all clinicians and scientists, who are interested in evaluation and monitoring of cognitive functions in multiple sclerosis both during relapse and remission.

The analysis of cognition during multiple sclerosis relapse and recovery period both in Lithuania and in the world the first time is presented in this doctoral dissertation. The assessment of prognostic factors that predict the recovery of cognition after relapse is investigated as well. Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis was prepared and adapted for quick and meaningful assessment of cognitive status in Lithuania. 90 patients with multiple sclerosis and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. Physical disability, relapse, its treatment mode and biological activity of interferon-beta with MxA expression method were assessed in multiple sclerosis patients. Also cognitive functions with Brief Cognitive Assessment and computerized tests both in multiple sclerosis patients and healthy controls were asssessed. Various cognitive and non-cognitive factors that had the impact on the recovery of cognitive functions after multiple sclerosis relapse were recognized. The independent predictors of relatively good cognition recovery and significant early cognitive improvement were identified. Practical recommendations for quick and effective assessment of cognition during multiple sclerosis relapse and relapse treatment in case of better recovery after relapse were proposed. The results of this study could be helpful for all clinicians and scientists, who are interested in evaluation and monitoring of cognitive functions in multiple sclerosis both during relapse and remission.