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IntroductionThe complexity of the associations between religiosity and indicators of well-being suggests the presence of a mediating mechanism. Previous studies indicate that religion may influence subjective well-being because it helps to find meaning and purpose. Therefore, the aim of our study was to examine the mediating role of the presence and search dimensions of meaning in life in the relationship between religious meaning system and life satisfaction in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 600 MS patients recruited from Poland who completed the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the Religious Meaning System Questionnaire (RMS) and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ). Model 6 of Hayes PROCESS was used to test the hypotheses.ResultsThe results of our research indicate that there was a significant indirect effect of religious meaning system on life satisfaction through the presence of meaning in life. The specific indirect effect of religious meaning system on life satisfaction through searching for meaning in life was not significant.DiscussionThe results of our study are relevant because they show that religion as a meaning system is positively related to the presence of meaning in life, which in turn positively predicts life satisfaction. This is particularly important in the case of incurable illness, where finding meaning in life is one of the natural stages of adaptation. By incorporating these findings into mental health practice, professionals can enhance the holistic well-being of people coping with MS and contribute to a more comprehensive and effective approach to mental health care.

The coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) course and serological statuses of patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are generally parallel that of the general population. Over the pandemic’s course, however, a notable increase in the number of RRMS patients who received vaccination against severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and those who had COVID-19 (symptomatic and asymptomatic) was reported. This virus and/or vaccination likely influenced DMT-treated RRMS patients’ serological statuses regarding the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and their quantitative expression. This investigation assesses the presence and levels of the antibody directed against the S1 protein receptor binding domain (SRBD) and against the N protein of SARS-CoV-2 in 38 DMT-treated RRMS patients. The findings indicate that people vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 exhibited significantly higher levels of IgG antibodies against S1-RBD at both assessment points. Patients with a prior history of COVID-19 demonstrated statistically significant increases in anti-N antibodies at visit 1, whereas such statistical significance was not observed at visit 2. DMT-treated RRMS patients generated neutralizing antibodies following vaccination and/or COVID-19 infection. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that antibody levels more accurately reflect the serological status and exhibit a stronger correlation with vaccination than just the presence of antibodies.

Background and ObjectivesSince vaccination against COVID-19 is available for over a year and the population of immunized individuals with autoimmune disorders is higher than several months before, an evaluation of safety and registered adverse events can be made. We conducted a large study of side effects following the COVID-19 vaccine among patients with multiple (MS) sclerosis treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and analyzed factors predisposing for particular adverse events.MethodsWe gathered data of individuals with MS treated with DMTs from 19 Polish MS Centers, who reported at least one adverse event following COVID-19 vaccination. The information was obtained by neurologists using a questionnaire. The same questionnaire was used at all MS Centers. To assess the relevance of reported adverse events, we used Fisher's exact test, t-test, and U-Menn-Whutney test.ResultsA total of 1,668 patients with MS and reports of adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination were finally included in the study. Besides one case marked as “red flag”, all adverse events were classified as mild. Pain at the injection site was the most common adverse event, with a greater frequency after the first dose. Pain at the injection site was significantly more frequent after the first dose among individuals with a lower disability (EDSS ≤2). The reported adverse events following immunization did not differ over sex. According to age, pain at the injection site was more common among individuals between 30 and 40 years old, only after the first vaccination dose. None of the DMTs predisposed for particular side effects.ConclusionsAccording to our findings, vaccination against COVID-19 among patients with MS treated with DMTs is safe. Our study can contribute to reducing hesitancy toward vaccination among patients with MS.

Religiosity and spirituality can be both beneficial and harmful to happiness. It depends on its operationalization and the measures of religiosity and sociodemographics used, together with cultural and psychosocial factors, still not comprehensively explored. This topic is especially important for religious-affiliated chronic patients such as those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Religion can deliver a sense of meaning, direction, and purpose in life and be an additional source of support to cope with the stress and limitations connected with the disease. The aim of the present study was to verify whether religiosity, directly and indirectly, through finding meaning in life, is related to one’s level of happiness and whether gender, the drinking of alcohol, financial status, and age are moderators in this relationship. In sum, 600 patients from Poland who suffered from multiple sclerosis were included in the study. Firstly, some gender differences were noticed. In women, religiosity was both directly and indirectly, through finding significance, positively related to happiness. Secondly, it was found that in women, the direct effect of age on happiness was generally negative but was positively affected by religiosity; however, among men, age was not correlated with happiness. In the group of women, religiosity and a lower propensity to drink alcohol in an interactive way explained happiness. Thirdly, both in men and women, financial status positively correlated with happiness, but in the group of wealthy men only, religiosity was negatively related to happiness. In conclusion, religion was found to show a positive correlation with the happiness of Roman Catholic multiple sclerosis patients from Poland. In this group of patients, religious involvement can be suggested and implemented as a factor positively related to happiness, with the one exception regarding wealthy men.

Urological complications affect 57–83% of patients in the early phase of stroke. Urinary incontinence, which may affect 40–60% of people with stroke, with 25% still having problems when discharged from hospital and 15% remaining incontinent after one year, is the most common complication. Urological disturbances can cause a variety of long-term complications; the most significant being deterioration of renal function. Infections of the urinary tract, diagnosed in 2–44% of patients after a stroke, are a frequent consequence of bladder dysfunction. Urinary tract infections significantly deteriorate patient’s condition, causing an elevated body temperature and a general inflammatory response, which may extend the ischaemic penumbra. Urinary incontinence increases the risk of skin damage and falls, reduces the quality of life, and delays recovery. The treatment of patients suffering from neurogenic bladder and urethral dysfunction requires the collaboration of specialists representing multiple disciplines. Without the treatment of the key symptoms of neurological diseases and rehabilitative treatment, no improvement in bladder function can be expected. Moreover, bladder dysfunction may result from the adverse impact of drugs used in the treatment of neurological diseases. Considering the possible occurrence of these post-stroke complications, collaboration with a urologist may be found valuable.

Migraine is a neurological disorder characterised by recurrent attacks of headache accompanied by vegetative symptoms. It is estimated that 11–12% of the world’s population suffers from migraine. Triptans are the drugs of choice for emergency treatment, but they are ineffective in 30–35% of patients. Triptans also have serious contraindications, mainly from the cardiovascular system. Hence the need to look for new, more effective therapeutic methods for both interrupting and preventing migraine attacks. Studies on the pathogenesis of migraine have shown that the dominant role during an attack is played by the trigeminovascular system and release of a number of peptides, of which the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is the strongest. Great hopes are associated with the use of CGRP receptor antagonists (gepants) and monoclonal antibodies directed against CGRP and its receptors. Selective 5-HT1F receptor agonists (ditans) may also make some progress. Studies are ongoing on antagonists of other neuropeptides associated with migraine pathogenesis – pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), glutamate, a vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and neurokinin A (NKA). The results of studies assessing the efficacy and safety of CGRP antagonists are promising. Some of them have already been registered for the prevention of migraine attacks and there is hope that in the near future they will expand the possibilities of effective emergency and preventive treatment.

Compression syndromes are a multidisciplinary issue. Many specialists are involved in the problem of peripheral nerve injury, but it is the neurologist’s task to identify the nerve and locate the level of its damage. The nerve damage occurs in the anatomic isthmus and in the area of the nerves’ course under the surface of the skin. Compression syndromes manifest themselves with muscle weakness and sensory ailments such as paraesthesia, numbness, and pain. Symptoms occur in the sensory and motor supply of a given nerve. In diagnostics, we use clinical evaluation, provocative tests, electrophysiological diagnostics, and imaging examinations. Treatment is divided into conservative and operational. The increased availability of electrophysiological research in recent years allows for precise differential diagnosis of individual compression syndromes and the selection of optimal treatment. In this study, a clinical picture of the most frequent syndromes of compression syndromes and the role of electrophysiological research in their diagnosis and treatment are presented.

Stroke is a ma jor challenge for medicine in the 21st century. Despite modern diagnostics and even revolutionary methods of treatment, stroke is still the main cause of permanent disability and the second cause of death worldwide. Recent clinical trials have led to a breakthrough in the treatment of stroke. On their basis, many scientific societies updated the guidelines for the management of stroke. We present the most important changes in prehospital care, emergency evaluation, in-hospital non-specific treatment and specific treatment with intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular therapies. The paper is based on the recent recommendations of American Heart Association/American Stroke Association; Canadian Stroke Consortium and the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians; European Stroke Organisation and Polish Neurological Society. Problems related to the pre- and in-hospital management of patients with acute ischaemic stroke, with a particular emphasis on the dilemma on whether to bypass a primary stroke centre to transport the patient to a comprehensive stroke centre offering endovascular thrombectomy, and the problem of reducing door-to-needle time for intravenous thrombolysis are discussed. The recommendations for the treatment of arterial hypertension and hyperglycaemia in acute ischaemic stroke and the problem of extended time window for intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy are also discussed.

The aim of the work is to present current knowledge on epidemiology, causes, symptomatology and diagnosis of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy. This neuropathy usually manifests itself in the 2nd and 3rd decade of life, but also can occur at any age. Its genetic basis is the deletion or, less frequently, a point mutation of the PMP22 gene in chromosome 17p11. Symptoms appear after a small extension or compression of a nerve. In the recent years, special attention has been paid to its occurrence in the course of intense physical exercises. The most common clinical syndromes occurring in the course of the disease are paresis and sensory disturbances in the area of the median, ulnar, radial and peroneal nerves as well as brachial plexus palsy. Presence of structures called tomaculas in a nerve biopsy is characteristic for the disease. Electrophysiological and genetic studies play a key role in diagnostics. In the light of the recent studies, the frequency of occurrence of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy seems to be significantly underestimated and ranges from 0.84 to 58.9 per 100,000. Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies should be differentiated from compression syndromes, hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (HMSN IA), multifocal axonal neuropathy and familial brachial plexus palsy. After recognising the syndrome, it is important to properly rehabilitate and avoid situations where there may be compression on peripheral nerves. In addition, the paper presents a case of genetically confirmed familial neuropathy with hypersensitivity to pressure in a 24-year-old male patient with a negative family history.

Low level of self-management in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is considered to be a predominant factor that leads to poor rehabilitation efficacy. Studies focusing on the relationship between self-management and psychological variables that can be modified could contribute to expanding the knowledge needed to propose interventional programs aiming at patient activation. This study aimed to analyze whether coping strategies play a mediating role in the association between the perceived impact of MS and level of self-management in people with MS. The cross-sectional study included 382 people with MS. The participants completed the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Management Scale-Revised, Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29, and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations. The study hypothesis was evaluated using mediation analysis. The STROBE checklist specifically prepared for cross-sectional research was applied in this study for reporting. Results indicate that the emotion- and problem-focused strategies of coping can be treated as mediating the association between the MS impact and level of self-management in people with MS. A negative relationship was found between the perceived MS impact and problem-oriented coping, while a positive relationship was found between problem-oriented coping and self-management. Furthermore, a positive relationship was found between the MS impact and emotion-oriented coping, while a negative relationship was found between emotion-oriented coping and self-management. The indirect role of avoidance-oriented coping was not significant. Our study confirms the role played by coping strategies in individuals' self-management. In MS, self-management determined by perceived MS impact can be controlled by decreasing emotional-coping while increasing problem-coping strategies. Our study imparts new knowledge regarding the potential interventions for improving the level of self-management in people with MS. It indicates that recognition of individuals' illness perceptions as well as maladaptive coping strategies can help health professionals identify those who might be having lower level of self-management.

(1) Background: The present study aims to report the side effects of vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who were being treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in Poland. (2) Methods: The study included 2261 patients with MS who were being treated with DMTs, and who were vaccinated against COVID-19 in 16 Polish MS centers. The data collected were demographic information, specific MS characteristics, current DMTs, type of vaccine, side effects after vaccination, time of side-effect symptom onset and resolution, applied treatment, relapse occurrence, and incidence of COVID-19 after vaccination. The results were presented using maximum likelihood estimates of the odds ratio, t-test, Pearson’s chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact p, and logistic regression. The statistical analyses were performed using STATA 15 software. (3) Of the 2261 sampled patients, 1862 (82.4%) were vaccinated with nucleoside-modified messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. Mild symptoms after immunization, often after the first dose, were reported in 70.6% of individuals. Symptoms included arm pain (47.5% after the first dose and 38.7% after the second dose), fever/chills/flu-like symptoms (17.1% after the first dose and 20.5% after the second dose), and fatigue (10.3% after the first dose and 11.3% after the second dose). Only one individual presented with severe side effects (pro-thrombotic complications) after vaccination. None of the DMTs in the presented cohort were predisposed to the development of side effects. Nine patients (0.4%) had a SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed despite vaccination. (4) Conclusions: Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is safe for people with MS who are being treated with DMTs. Most adverse events following vaccination are mild and the acute relapse incidence is low.

Introduction : Comprehensive epidemiologic data for multiple sclerosis (MS) in Poland are limited. Aim of the research: To analyse patient-reported quality of life and selected clinical and socio-demographic factors of patients registered in the Świętokrzyskie Cohort of the Polish Registry of Multiple Sclerosis (RejSM). Material and methods: Participants were residents of Świętokrzyskie Province, and the data were collected between January 1st 2014 and December 31st 2015 by the RejSM web portal. After registration by doctors, the respondents assessed their quality of life individually using the Polish language versions of self-assessment questionnaires, the EuroQol (EQ-5D and EQ-VAS), and the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29). Results : Of 1525 registered patients, 765 agreed to perform self-assessments of life quality and were included in the study. The mean degree of disability measured with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was 3.8 ±2.3. The mean EQ-5D index score was 0.78 ±0.28, and the mean EQ-VAS score was 65.6 ±23.8. Assessment score with MSIS-29 averaged 86.4 ±22.4 (64.2 ±19.6 for physical state and 24.7 ±7.8 for mental state). Only 34.7% of respondents were economically active. Lower quality of life was significantly associated with higher disability scores (p < 0.001), age over 40 years (p < 0.001), longer disease duration (p < 0.001), no access to therapy (p < 0.001), and unemployment (p = 0.002). No correlation was found between life quality and sex, course of disease, level of education, place of residence, or family status. Conclusions: The main factors decreasing life quality among patients in Świętokrzyskie Province are advanced disability, old age, long disease duration, and limited access to both employment and immunomodulatory treatment.

Objectives: The aim of the study was the epidemiological analysis and evaluation of selected clinical and sociodemographic factors in Polish patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Methods: The study included patients from 7 provinces in central and eastern Poland registered in the Registry of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis on 31 December 2016. The incidence of various forms of the disease was compared, and clinical, demographic and social disparities between relapsing-remitting and primary progressive multiple sclerosis were analysed. Results: Of 3,199 registered patients, 2,188 persons (66.2%) had the relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis, 774 (24.2%) had the secondary progressive type and 307 (9.6%) suffered from primary progressive disease. The first symptoms of primary progressive multiple sclerosis appeared almost 10 years later than in patients with the relapsing-remitting type (39.2 ± 11.4 vs. 29.8 ± 9.8). The period from the first symptoms to diagnosis was more than twice as long in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (5.8 ± 3.4) as in those with relapsing-remitting disease (2.4 ± 1.6). The average degree of disability in the Expanded Disability Status Scale was similar and amounted to 3.2 ± 2.1 for relapsing-remitting and 3.6 ± 2.4 for primary progressive multiple sclerosis. The relapsing-remitting form was observed more often in women (2.4:1), and the primary progressive form appeared with equal frequency in both sexes (1:1). Disease-modifying treatment was received by 34% of patients with relapsing-remitting and in only 1.9% of patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Conclusions: The primary progressive form affects approximately 10% of Polish patients with multiple sclerosis. The first symptoms appear at about 40 years of age with equal frequency in both sexes, and its diagnosis takes more than twice as much time as in the case of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE:The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients treated in MS centres in Poland. METHODS:Demographic and clinical data of all Polish RRMS patients receiving DMTs were prospectively collected from 2014 to 2018 in electronic files using the Therapeutic Program Monitoring System (SMPT). RESULTS:The study included 10,764 RRMS patients treated with DMTs in first-line and 1,042 in second-line programmes. IFNβ more effectively lengthened the times to the first relapse, disability progression, and brain MRI activity than GA. After 2 and 4 years of follow-up, more patients on IFNβ showed no evidence of disease activity (NEDA-3) in comparison to GA (66.3% and 44.3% vs 55.2% and 33.2%, respectively; p

Stwardnienie rozsiane jest postępującą zapalno-demielinizacyjną chorobą ośrodkowego układu nerwowego o nieznanej etiologii, dotykającą przede wszystkim ludzi młodych i stanowiącą najczęstszą przyczynę niesprawności neurologicznej w tej grupie wiekowej. Szacuje się, że w Polsce na stwardnienie rozsiane choruje około 40 000 osób, a rocznie stwierdza się około 2000 nowych przypadków. Wskaźniki te oparte są jedynie na statystykach Narodowego Funduszu Zdrowia i nie zawierają wielu istotnych danych, m.in. na temat postaci i przebiegu choroby, stopnia niepełnosprawności, rodzaju leczenia czy jakości życia chorych. W większości krajów europejskich takie informacje są zbierane przez narodowe rejestry chorych, często funkcjonujące już od lat. Polska była pod tym względem białą plamą na mapie świata i największym państwem o tak dużej liczbie chorych, w którym nie wprowadzono żadnej bazy danych. Wzorem innych krajów w 2013 roku powołano ogólnopolski rejestr chorych na stwardnienie rozsiane, którego celem było opisanie podstawowych parametrów epidemiologicznych zebranych ze wszystkich ośrodków zajmujących się leczeniem stwardnienia rozsianego. W artykule przedstawiono założenia polskiego Rejestru Chorych ze Stwardnieniem Rozsianym (RejSM) i omówiono wyniki z regionu świętokrzyskiego, który jest najbardziej zaangażowany w zbieranie danych. Na dzień 31 grudnia 2013 roku chorobowość w tym rejonie Polski określono na 109,1/100 000, a zapadalność w latach 2011–2013 – na 4,1/100 000/rok. Wskaźniki te są wyższe od dotychczas publikowanych polskich danych. Przedstawiono również wstępną analizę samooceny jakości życia pacjentów oraz ograniczenia i problemy związane z dalszym rozwojem rejestru.

Introduction: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological illnesses occurring in children. In approximately 20–30% of cases it is drug-resistant. Aim of the research: To assess the already-known risk factors, analyse the rarely described ones, and find new causes of epilepsy drug resistance in children, taking into account the level of impact of each factor. Material and methods : The study comprised 152 of all 383 children hospitalised in 2012 at the Neurology Department of the Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital in Lodz due to epilepsy. Based on medical documentation, neurological examination, and our own questionnaire, we divided patients into two groups: drug-resistant epilepsy or drug-sensitive epilepsy. We compared the type, level of influence, and prevalence of different factors. For statistical analysis, the 2 test was used. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Drug-resistant epilepsy was found in 64 patients (42.1%), and drug-sensitive epilepsy was found in 88 patients (57.9%). Factors that were most probable to cause drug resistance included: high prevalence of seizures (Cramer’s V = 0.66), type of epileptic syndrome (V = 0.62), psychomotor developmental delay (V = 0.62), and occurrence of status epilepticus (V = 0.6). Factors such as infections of CNS in early childhood, repeated severe infections of airways in childhood, and mother’s infectious diseases with high fever during pregnancy were rare or non occurring (Cramer’s V = 0.41, 0.32, and 0.31, respectively). Conclusions : The study confirmed the previously known causes of drug resistance and indicated the significance of underestimated inflammatory and infectious factors involving pyrexia, in children and also in mothers during pregnancy.

Sarcoidosis is a multi-organ granulomatous disease of unknown aetiology, most frequently affecting the respiratory system. It usually involves lungs and hilar lymph nodes. Pulmonary symptoms can also be accompanied by lesions located in other organs. Although the nervous system is rarely affected, the neurological symptoms can precede the diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis by several years. In this report we present a case of a 24-year-old male, who reported to his general practitioner due to numbness and hypoaesthesia of distal regions of his upper and lower limbs. Electrophysiological study revealed symmetrical sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Despite the lack of any other symptoms, supplementing the diagnostic evaluation with lung imaging and histopathological examination of bronchial mucous membrane led to the diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a multi-organ granulomatous disease of unknown aetiology. Although it usually affects lungs and hilar lymph nodes, lesions can also affect other organs, including the organs of the nervous system. Five–fifteen percent of sarcoidosis patients are diagnosed with diverse neurological symptoms, in most cases the cranial nerves and meninges. Parenchymal lesions in the cerebrum, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles are less common. Such a complex symtomatology causes numerous diagnostic problems, especially in cases beginning with neurological symptoms. The diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis is based on clinical signs, radiological techniques, examination of cerebrospinal fluid and histopathological examination confirming the presence of non-caseating granulomas. The treatment in neurosarcoidosis is difficult and depends on the manifestation of the disease. Adrenal corticosteroids are commonly used.

Zmęczenie, definiowane jako subiektywne odczucie braku energii do rozpoczynania i podtrzymywania dowolnej aktywności pozostające bez związku z depresją lub osłabieniem siły mięśniowej, jest jednym z najczęstszych i zwykle najbardziej uciążliwych objawów stwardnienia rozsianego (SR). Dotyczy prawie wszystkich chorych, natomiast u ponad połowy jest objawem dominującym. Może występować u chorych ze stosunkowo niewielkimi objawami neurologicznymi i w znacznym stopniu wpływać na jakość życia. Mimo intensywnych badań w ostatnich latach patofizjologia zespołu zmęczenia nie jest w pełni poznana. Za występowanie zmęczenia w SR odpowiedzialne mogą być różne mechanizmy: lokalny zanik kory przedczołowej i jąder podstawy, zmiana aktywności limfocytów B, zaburzenia transmisji glutaminergicznej przez cytokiny prozapalne (TNF-α, IL-1β i IL-6), nieprawidłowe funkcjonowanie osi podwzgórze – przysadka – nadnercza, zaburzenia metabolizmu astrogleju i spadek produkcji dehydroepiandrosteronu (DHEA) oraz obniżenie poziomu neuroprzekaźników noradrenaliny i serotoniny. Rozpoznanie zespołu zmęczenia opiera się na wywiadzie, badaniu fizykalnym, przesiewowych badaniach laboratoryjnych i skalach oceniających zmęczenie, np. Skali Ciężkości Zmęczenia (FSS) i Skali Oddzia- ływania Zmęczenia (MFIS). Warunkiem koniecznym jest wykluczenie depresji oraz dodatkowych przyczyn organicznych (niedokrwistości, chorób serca, nerek czy niedoczynności tarczycy). Leczenie zmęczenia jest mało skuteczne. Farmakoterapia daje niewielką poprawę, chociaż ostatnie próby z zastosowaniem modafinilu i famprydyny przyniosły obiecujące rezultaty. Zaobserwowano korzystny wpływ ćwiczeń fizycznych, krioterapii i magnetostymulacji. Pomocne są też wsparcie emocjonalne chorego, terapia poznawczo-behawioralna i psychoterapia oraz unikanie czynników mogących nasilać zmęczenie, takich jak gorączka, lęk, depresja, ból, zaburzenia snu, czy niektórych leków, np. opiatów, benzodiazepin.

Udar mózgu jest stanem nagłym wymagającym szybkiej diagnostyki i terapii. Podstawowym postępowaniem w ostrej fazie udaru mózgu wciąż pozostaje leczenie zachowawcze, które należy prowadzić w warunkach pododdziału udarowego. Najlepsze efekty daje leczenie trombolityczne, ale mimo dostępności trombolizy dożylnej jedynie 10% pacjentów w najlepszych polskich ośrodkach jest leczonych rekombinowanym tkankowym aktywatorem plazminogenu (rt-PA). W skali kraju odsetek ten nie przekracza bariery 1%. W ostatnich latach dynamicznie rozwija się neurologia interwencyjna, której głównym celem jest zabiegowe leczenie niedokrwiennego udaru mózgu. Jej zakres działania obejmuje trombolizę dotętniczą, mechaniczną rekanalizację tętnic (embolektomię), endarterektomię, remodeling, angioplastykę i stentowanie tętnic w ostrym okresie udaru niedokrwiennego. Brak jest jednak wiarygodnych badań potwierdzających ich skuteczność. Zgodnie z Wytycznymi Grupy Ekspertów Narodowego Programu Profilaktyki i Leczenia Chorób Układu Sercowo-Naczyniowego POLKARD interwencja neurochirurgiczna wskazana jest w nielicznych sytuacjach. Leczenie chirurgiczne zalecane jest jedynie w szczególnych przypadkach udaru niedokrwiennego (zło- śliwy zespół tętnicy środkowej mózgu, rozległy zawał móżdżku) oraz w niektórych przypadkach krwotoku mózgowego. Leczenie operacyjne krwotoku ogranicza się do chorych z powierzchownie położonym krwiakiem bez zajęcia jąder podstawy oraz przypadków z szybko narastającymi zaburzeniami świadomości i pogłębiającym się deficytem neurologicznym. Osobnym zagadnieniem jest leczenie krwotoku podpajęczynówkowego związanego z malformacją tętniczo-żylną, gdzie zakres wskazań do operacji neurochirurgicznych jest znacznie większy. Chirurgiczne zamknięcie pękniętego tętniaka jest metodą z wyboru.

An overall aim of treatment in multiple sclerosis is to lower the negative impact of the disease on functioning and quality of life of patients. Therefore, a measurement of functioning and quality of life should be included in the evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment. The most commonly used quality of life questionnaires, either generic or specific, were presented in this paper,. Information about clinical and functional status is useful in the interpretation of the quality of life assessment results. Because of that, instruments for the assessment of depression, cognitive functions, functional ability and fatigue in multiple sclerosis were also described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common cause of neurological disability of young people. It is estimated that 40 000-60 000 people in the country suffer from MS, and approximately 2000 new cases are diagnosed annually. These are, however, estimated data and require verification by nation-wide research. Results published so far concern only certain regions of Poland. It is also vital to precisely describe the needs of patients in terms of immunomodulating treatment and to perform detailed pharmacoeconomical analysis. In order to estimate basic epidemiological parameters there is a need of creating, in imitation of many other countries, a national register of MS patients which would concentrate all assets concerning MS around this project. The article presented the most important of American and European databases and explained the basis of the Polish register of MS patients, which is already functioning in one of the regions.