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1. Applying multidimensional computerized adaptive testing to the MSQOL-54: a simulation study

Author

Andrea Giordano, Silvia Testa, Marta Bassi, Sabina Cilia, Antonio Bertolotto, Maria Esmeralda Quartuccio, Erika Pietrolongo, Monica Falautano, Monica Grobberio, Claudia Niccolai, Beatrice Allegri, Rosa Gemma Viterbo, Paolo Confalonieri, Ambra Mara Giovannetti, Eleonora Cocco, Maria Grazia Grasso, Alessandra Lugaresi, Elisa Ferriani, Ugo Nocentini, Mauro Zaffaroni, Alysha De Livera, George Jelinek, Alessandra Solari, and Rosalba Rosato

Subjects
Multiple sclerosis, Bifactor model, Item response theory, Multidimensional computerized adaptive test, Health-related quality of life, MSQOL-54, Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics, R858-859.7
Abstract

Abstract Background The Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54) is one of the most commonly-used MS-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures. It is a multidimensional, MS-specific HRQOL inventory, which includes the generic SF-36 core items, supplemented with 18 MS-targeted items. Availability of an adaptive short version providing immediate item scoring may improve instrument usability and validity. However, multidimensional computerized adaptive testing (MCAT) has not been previously applied to MSQOL-54 items. We thus aimed to apply MCAT to the MSQOL-54 and assess its performance. Methods Responses from a large international sample of 3669 MS patients were assessed. We calibrated 52 (of the 54) items using bifactor graded response model (10 group factors and one general HRQOL factor). Then, eight simulations were run with different termination criteria: standard errors (SE) for the general factor and group factors set to different values, and change in factor estimates from one item to the next set at

Published
2023
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2. An Internet- and Kinect-Based Multiple Sclerosis Fitness Intervention Training With Pilates Exercises: Development and Usability Study

Author

Andrea Tacchino, Michela Ponzio, Paolo Confalonieri, Letizia Leocani, Matilde Inglese, Diego Centonze, Eleonora Cocco, Paolo Gallo, Damiano Paolicelli, Marco Rovaris, Loredana Sabattini, Gioacchino Tedeschi, Luca Prosperini, Francesco Patti, Placido Bramanti, Elisabetta Pedrazzoli, Mario Alberto Battaglia, and Giampaolo Brichetto

Subjects
Information technology, T58.5-58.64, Public aspects of medicine, RA1-1270
Abstract

BackgroundBalance impairments are common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), with reduced ability to maintain position and delayed responses to postural adjustments. Pilates is a popular alternative method for balance training that may reduce the rapid worsening of symptoms and the increased risk of secondary conditions (eg, depression) that are frequently associated with physical inactivity. ObjectiveIn this paper, we aimed to describe the design, development, and usability testing of MS Fitness Intervention Training (MS-FIT), a Kinect-based tool implementing Pilates exercises customized for MS. MethodsMS-FIT has been developed using a user-centered design approach (design, prototype, user feedback, and analysis) to gain the target user’s perspective. A team composed of 1 physical therapist, 2 game programmers, and 1 game designer developed the first version of MS-FIT that integrated the knowledge and experience of the team with MS literature findings related to Pilates exercises and balance interventions based on exergames. MS-FIT, developed by using the Unity 3D (Unity Technologies) game engine software with Kinect Sensor V2 for Windows, implements exercises for breathing, posture, and balance. Feedback from an Italian panel of experts in MS rehabilitation (neurologists, physiatrists, physical therapists, 1 statistician, and 1 bioengineer) and people with MS was collected to customize the tool for use in MS. The context of MS-FIT is traveling around the world to visit some of the most important cities to learn the aspects of their culture through pictures and stories. At each stay of the travel, the avatar of a Pilates teacher shows the user the exercises to be performed. Overall, 9 people with MS (n=4, 44% women; mean age 42.89, SD 11.97 years; mean disease duration 10.19, SD 9.18 years; Expanded Disability Status Scale score 3.17, SD 0.75) were involved in 3 outpatient user test sessions of 30 minutes; MS-FIT’s usability was assessed through an ad hoc questionnaire (maximum value=5; higher the score, higher the usability) evaluating easiness to use, playability, enjoyment, satisfaction, and acceptance. ResultsA user-centered design approach was used to develop an accessible and challenging tool for balance training. All people with MS (9/9, 100%) completed the user test sessions and answered the ad hoc questionnaire. The average score on each item ranged from 3.78 (SD 0.67) to 4.33 (SD 1.00), which indicated a high usability level. The feedback and suggestions provided by 64% (9/14) of people with MS and 36% (5/14) of therapists involved in the user test were implemented to refine the first prototype to release MS-FIT 2.0. ConclusionsThe participants reported that MS-FIT was a usable tool. It is a promising system for enhancing the motivation and engagement of people with MS in performing exercise with the aim of improving their physical status.

Published
2023
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3. Uncovering Subtle Gait Deterioration in People with Early-Stage Multiple Sclerosis Using Inertial Sensors: A 2-Year Multicenter Longitudinal Study

Author

Elisa Gervasoni, Denise Anastasi, Rachele Di Giovanni, Claudio Solaro, Marco Rovaris, Giampaolo Brichetto, Paolo Confalonieri, Andrea Tacchino, Ilaria Carpinella, and Davide Cattaneo

Subjects
gait quality, instrumented gait assessment, rehabilitation, multiple sclerosis, wearable sensors, Chemical technology, TP1-1185
Abstract

Limited longitudinal studies have been conducted on gait impairment progression overtime in non-disabled people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Therefore, a deeper understanding of gait changes with the progression of the disease is essential. The objective of the present study was to describe changes in gait quality in PwMS with a disease duration ≤ 5 years, and to verify whether a change in gait quality is associated with a change in disability and perception of gait deterioration. We conducted a multicenter prospective cohort study. Fifty-six subjects were assessed at baseline (age: 38.2 ± 10.7 years, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS): 1.5 ± 0.7 points) and after 2 years, participants performed the six-minute walk test (6MWT) wearing inertial sensors. Quality of gait (regularity, symmetry, and instability), disability (EDSS), and walking perception (multiple sclerosis walking scale-12, MSWS-12) were collected. We found no differences on EDSS, 6MWT, and MSWS-12 between baseline and follow-up. A statistically significant correlation between increased EDSS scores and increased gait instability was found in the antero-posterior (AP) direction (r = 0.34, p = 0.01). Seventeen subjects (30%) deteriorated (increase of at least 0.5 point at EDSS) over 2 years. A multivariate analysis on deteriorated PwMS showed that changes in gait instability medio-lateral (ML) and stride regularity, and changes in ML gait symmetry were significantly associated with changes in EDSS (F = 7.80 (3,13), p = 0.003, R2 = 0.56). Moreover, gait changes were associated with a decrease in PwMS perception on stability (p < 0.05). Instrumented assessment can detect subtle changes in gait stability, regularity, and symmetry not revealed during EDSS neurological assessment. Moreover, instrumented changes in gait quality impact on subjects’ perception of gait during activities of daily living.

Published
2023
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4. Viability of a MSQOL-54 general health-related quality of life score using bifactor model

Author

Andrea Giordano, Silvia Testa, Marta Bassi, Sabina Cilia, Antonio Bertolotto, Maria Esmeralda Quartuccio, Erika Pietrolongo, Monica Falautano, Monica Grobberio, Claudia Niccolai, Beatrice Allegri, Rosa Gemma Viterbo, Paolo Confalonieri, Ambra Mara Giovannetti, Eleonora Cocco, Maria Grazia Grasso, Alessandra Lugaresi, Elisa Ferriani, Ugo Nocentini, Mauro Zaffaroni, Alysha De Livera, George Jelinek, Alessandra Solari, and Rosalba Rosato

Subjects
Multiple sclerosis, Bifactor model, Dimensionality, Factor analyses, Health-related quality of life, MSQOL-54, Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics, R858-859.7
Abstract

Abstract Background MSQOL-54 is a multidimensional, widely-used, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) instrument specific for multiple sclerosis (MS). Findings from the validation study suggested that the two MSQOL-54 composite scores are correlated. Given this correlation, it could be assumed that a unique total score of HRQOL may be calculated, with the advantage to provide key stakeholders with a single overall HRQOL score. We aimed to assess how well the bifactor model could account for the MSQOL-54 structure, in order to verify whether a total HRQOL score can be calculated. Methods A large international database (3669 MS patients) was used. By means of confirmatory factor analysis, we estimated a bifactor model in which every item loads onto both a general factor and a group factor. Fit of the bifactor model was compared to that of single and two second-order factor models by means of Akaike information and Bayesian information criteria reduction. Reliability of the total and subscale scores was evaluated with Mc Donald’s coefficients (omega, and omega hierarchical). Results The bifactor model outperformed the two second-order factor models in all the statistics. All items loaded satisfactorily (≥ 0.40) on the general HRQOL factor, except the sexual function items. Omega coefficients for total score were very satisfactory (0.98 and 0.87). Omega hierarchical for subscales ranged between 0.22 to 0.57, except for the sexual function (0.70). Conclusions The bifactor model is particularly useful when it is intended to acknowledge multidimensionality and at the same time take account of a single general construct, as the HRQOL related to MS. The total raw score can be used as an estimate of the general HRQOL latent score.

Published
2021
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5. A group resilience training program for people with multiple sclerosis: Study protocol of a multi-centre cluster-randomized controlled trial (multi-READY for MS)

Author

Ambra Mara Giovannetti, Kenneth Ian Pakenham, Giovambattista Presti, Maria Esmeralda Quartuccio, Paolo Confalonieri, Roberto Bergamaschi, Monica Grobberio, Massimiliano Di Filippo, Mary Micheli, Giampaolo Brichetto, Francesco Patti, Massimiliano Copetti, Paola Kruger, and Alessandra Solari

Subjects
Medicine, Science
Abstract

Introduction REsilience and Activities for every DaY (READY) is an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based group resilience-training program that has preliminary empirical support in promoting quality of life and other psychosocial outcomes in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Consistent with the Medical Research Council framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions, we conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), followed by a phase III RCT. The present paper describes the phase III RCT protocol. Methods and analysis This is a multi-centre cluster RCT comparing READY with a group relaxation program (1:1 ratio) in 240 PwMS from eight centres in Italy (trial registration: isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN67194859). Both interventions are composed of 7 weekly sessions plus a booster session five weeks later. Resilience (primary outcome), mood, health-related quality of life, well-being and psychological flexibility will be assessed at baseline, after the booster session, and at three and six month follow-ups. If face-to-face group meetings are interrupted because of COVID-19 related-issues, participants will be invited to complete their intervention via teleconferencing. Relevant COVID-19 information will be collected and the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress scale will be administered (ancillary study) at baseline and 3-month follow-up. Analysis will be by intention-to-treat to show superiority of READY over relaxation. Longitudinal changes will be compared between the two arms using repeated-measures, hierarchical generalized linear mixed models. Conclusion It is expected that his study will contribute to the body of evidence on the efficacy and effectiveness of READY by comparing it with an active group intervention in frontline MS rehabilitation and clinical settings. Results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and at other relevant conferences.

Published
2022

6. Walking With Horizontal Head Turns Is Impaired in Persons With Early-Stage Multiple Sclerosis Showing Normal Locomotion

Author

Ilaria Carpinella, Elisa Gervasoni, Denise Anastasi, Rachele Di Giovanni, Andrea Tacchino, Giampaolo Brichetto, Paolo Confalonieri, Claudio Solaro, Marco Rovaris, Maurizio Ferrarin, and Davide Cattaneo

Subjects
multiple sclerosis, wearable inertial sensors, instrumented assessment, dynamic balance, rehabilitation outcome assessment, Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system, RC346-429
Abstract

BackgroundTurning the head while walking (an action often required during daily living) is particularly challenging to maintain balance. It can therefore potentially reveal subtle impairments in early-stage people with multiple sclerosis who still show normal locomotion (NW-PwMS). This would help in identifying those subjects who can benefit from early preventive exercise aimed at slowing the MS-related functional decline.ObjectivesTo analyze if the assessment of walking with horizontal head turns (WHHT) through inertial sensors can discriminate between healthy subjects (HS) and NW-PwMS and between NW-PwMS subgroups. To assess if the discriminant ability of the instrumented WHHT is higher compared to clinical scores. To assess the concurrent validity of the sensor-based metrics.MethodsIn this multicenter study, 40 HS and 59 NW-PwMS [Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≤ 2.5, disease duration ≤ 5 years] were tested. Participants executed Item-6 of the Fullerton Advanced Balance scale-short (FAB-s) wearing three inertial sensors on the trunk and ankles. The item required to horizontally turn the head at a beat of the metronome (100 bpm) while walking. Signals of the sensors were processed to compute spatiotemporal, regularity, symmetry, dynamic stability, and trunk sway metrics descriptive of WHHT.ResultsMediolateral regularity, anteroposterior symmetry, and mediolateral stability were reduced in NW-PwMS vs. HS (p ≤ 0.001), and showed moderate discriminant ability (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve [AUC]: 0.71–0.73). AP symmetry and ML stability were reduced (p ≤ 0.026) in EDSS: 2–2.5 vs. EDSS: 0–1.5 subgroup (AUC: 0.69–0.70). The number of NW-PwMS showing at least one abnormal instrumented metric (68%) was larger (p ≤ 0.002) than the number of participants showing abnormal FAB-s-Item6 (32%) and FAB-s clinical scores (39%). EDSS: 2–2.5 subgroup included more individuals showing abnormal instrumented metrics (86%) compared to EDSS: 0–1.5 subgroup (57%). The instrumented metrics significantly correlated with FAB-s-Item6 and FAB-s scores (|Spearman's rs| ≥ 0.37, p < 0.001), thus demonstrating their concurrent validity.ConclusionThe instrumented assessment of WHHT provided valid objective metrics that discriminated, with higher sensitivity than clinical scores, between HS and NW-PwMS and between EDSS subgroups. The method is a promising tool to complement clinical evaluation, and reveal subclinical impairments in persons who can benefit from early preventive rehabilitative interventions.

Published
2022
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7. Balance Impairments in People with Early-Stage Multiple Sclerosis: Boosting the Integration of Instrumented Assessment in Clinical Practice

Author

Ilaria Carpinella, Denise Anastasi, Elisa Gervasoni, Rachele Di Giovanni, Andrea Tacchino, Giampaolo Brichetto, Paolo Confalonieri, Marco Rovaris, Claudio Solaro, Maurizio Ferrarin, and Davide Cattaneo

Subjects
multiple sclerosis, balance, inertial sensor, early assessment, preventive rehabilitation, Chemical technology, TP1-1185
Abstract

The balance of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) is commonly assessed during neurological examinations through clinical Romberg and tandem gait tests that are often not sensitive enough to unravel subtle deficits in early-stage PwMS. Inertial sensors (IMUs) could overcome this drawback. Nevertheless, IMUs are not yet fully integrated into clinical practice due to issues including the difficulty to understand/interpret the big number of parameters provided and the lack of cut-off values to identify possible abnormalities. In an attempt to overcome these limitations, an instrumented modified Romberg test (ImRomberg: standing on foam with eyes closed while wearing an IMU on the trunk) was administered to 81 early-stage PwMS and 38 healthy subjects (HS). To facilitate clinical interpretation, 21 IMU-based parameters were computed and reduced through principal component analysis into two components, sway complexity and sway intensity, descriptive of independent aspects of balance, presenting a clear clinical meaning and significant correlations with at least one clinical scale. Compared to HS, early-stage PwMS showed a 228% reduction in sway complexity and a 63% increase in sway intensity, indicating, respectively, a less automatic (more conscious) balance control and larger and faster trunk movements during upright posture. Cut-off values were derived to identify the presence of balance abnormalities and if these abnormalities are clinically meaningful. By applying these thresholds and integrating the ImRomberg test with the clinical tandem gait test, balance impairments were identified in 58% of PwMS versus the 17% detected by traditional Romberg and tandem gait tests. The higher sensitivity of the proposed approach would allow for the direct identification of early-stage PwMS who could benefit from preventive rehabilitation interventions aimed at slowing MS-related functional decline during neurological examinations and with minimal modifications to the tests commonly performed.

Published
2022
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8. Multicenter Interventional Phase IV Study for the Assessment of the Effects on Patient's Satisfaction of Peg IFN Beta-1a (Pre-filled Pen) in Subjects With Relapsing–Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Unsatisfied With Other Injectable Subcutaneous Interferons (PLATINUM Study)

Author

Diego Centonze, Roberta Fantozzi, Fabio Buttari, Luigi Maria Edoardo Grimaldi, Rocco Totaro, Francesco Corea, Maria Giovanna Marrosu, Paolo Confalonieri, Salvatore Cottone, Maria Trojano, and Valentina Zipoli

Subjects
Peg-IFN beta-1a, multiple sclerosis, adverse event, adherence, treatment satisfaction, Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system, RC346-429
Abstract

Subcutaneous (SC) interferons beta (IFN-beta) are effective therapies for the treatment of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Factors such as dosing schedule, needle intolerance/fatigue, and side effects may impact patient satisfaction with treatment. Improvement of patient satisfaction may increase the adherence to treatment and the patient quality of life. This study was aimed at evaluating the impact of switching to “Peginterferon beta-1a (Peg-IFN beta-1a)” in patients with RRMS unsatisfied with other SC interferons. The multicenter, open-label, phase IV PLATINUM study was conducted in 32 Italian centers. The primary endpoint was changes from baseline in the score of a convenience satisfaction domain of the TSQM-9 questionnaire at 12 weeks. The secondary endpoints were patients' global satisfaction, short-term adherence to treatment, satisfaction with the injection system, effect on fatigue, disease activity, and patient inability score. A total of 193 patients were enrolled and 166 (86%) completed the study, receiving Peg-IFN beta-1a for 24 weeks. Patients switching to Peg-IFN beta-1a from other SC interferons reported a significant improvement (p < 0.001) of Convenience Score and all other scores of the TSQM-9 questionnaire at 12 and 24 weeks (p < 0.001). Peg IFN beta-1a attained very high adherence to the treatment (92 and 86% at 12 and 24 weeks, respectively) with a stable annualized relapse rate (ARR). At 24 weeks, 94% of the participants were relapse free. Adverse events (AEs), recorded on 82 patients (42%), were mild or moderate. The most common AE was flu-like syndrome (29.2%). Patients switching from SC IFN beta therapy to Peg IFN beta-1a showed high treatment satisfaction with a positive safety profile, comparable with that of other currently approved first-line injectable SC interferons. This study suggests that Peg IFN beta-1a might represent a treatment choice to improve adherence in RRMS patients unsatisfied with other SC interferons.

Published
2021
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9. Immune Soluble Factors in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Patients Segregate Into Two Groups

Author

Gloria Donninelli, Valeria Studer, Laura Brambilla, Chiara Zecca, Daniele Peluso, Alice Laroni, Daniele Michelis, Renato Mantegazza, Paolo Confalonieri, and Elisabetta Volpe

Subjects
progressive multiple sclerosis, cytokines, chemokines, expanded disability status scale, cerebrospinal fluid, Immunologic diseases. Allergy, RC581-607
Abstract

Primary-progressive (PP) and secondary-progressive (SP) multiple sclerosis (MS) are characterized by neurological deficits caused by a permanent neuronal damage, clinically quantified by the expanded disability status scale (EDSS). Neuronal tissue damage is also mediated by immune infiltrates producing soluble factors, such as cytokines and chemokines, which are released in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The mechanisms regulating the production of a soluble factor are not completely defined. Using multiplex bead-based assays, we simultaneously measured 27 immune soluble factors in the CSF collected from 38 patients, 26 with PP-MS and 12 with SP-MS. Then, we performed a correlation matrix of all soluble factors expressed in the CSF. The CSF from patients with PP-MS and SP-MS had similar levels of cytokines and chemokines; however, the stratification of patients according to active or inactive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unveils some differences. Correlative studies between soluble factors in the CSF of patients with PP-MS and SP-MS revealed two clusters of immune mediators with pro-inflammatory functions, namely IFN-γ, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, IL-8, IP-10, and TNF-α (group 1), and anti-inflammatory functions, namely IL-9, IL-15, VEGF, and IL-1ra (group 2). However, most of the significant correlations between cytokines of group 1 and of group 2 were lost in patients with more severe disability (EDSS ≥ 4) compared to patients with mild to moderate disability (EDSS < 4). These results suggest a common regulation of cytokines and chemokines belonging to the same group and indicate that, in patients with more severe disability, the production of those factors is less coordinated, possibly due to advanced neurodegenerative mechanisms that interfere with the immune response.

Published
2021
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10. A resilience group training program for people with multiple sclerosis: Results of a pilot single-blind randomized controlled trial and nested qualitative study.

Author

Ambra Mara Giovannetti, Rui Quintas, Irene Tramacere, Andrea Giordano, Paolo Confalonieri, Michele Messmer Uccelli, Alessandra Solari, and Kenneth Ian Pakenham

Subjects
Medicine, Science
Abstract

INTRODUCTION:An Australian case series study demonstrated the effectiveness of the REsilience and Activities for every DaY for people with multiple sclerosis (READY for MS), a resilience group training program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, in improving quality of life in people with MS. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the Italian READY for MS program, and to preliminary assess its efficacy when compared to an active control intervention (group relaxation). METHODS:Single-blind phase II randomized controlled trial (RCT) and nested qualitative study (ISRCTN registration number: 38971970). Health-related quality of life (primary study outcome), mood, resilience, psychological flexibility and its protective factors were measured at baseline, after seven, 12 and 24 weeks. READY participants completed the purpose-built satisfaction questionnaire after 12 weeks. After trial completion, the control group also received READY. One-to-one participant interviews were conducted within three months of finishing the READY groups. RESULTS:Four intervention groups were conducted with 39 participants (20 READY, 19 relaxation). Two patients (READY) withdrew before beginning the intervention due to unexpected work commitments. Feasibility and acceptability of READY were good, with high participant engagement and satisfaction. No statistical effects of READY were detected vs relaxation. Thirty participants were interviewed (18 READY; 12 relaxation + READY). Content data analysis revealed seven overarching themes: "Attitudes towards participation"; "Perceptions of program composition"; "Program impacts on life domains"; "Program active elements"; "Program improvement trajectories"; "Program differences and similarities"; "Suggested READY improvements". CONCLUSION:READY was well accepted by MS patients with varied socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Qualitative (but not quantitative) data provided evidence in favour of READY. Our findings will inform methodological and intervention refinements for the multi-centre RCT that will follow.

Published
2020
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11. Participant perspectives of a home-based palliative approach for people with severe multiple sclerosis: A qualitative study.

Author

Ambra Mara Giovannetti, Claudia Borreani, Elisabetta Bianchi, Andrea Giordano, Sabina Cilia, Susanna Cipollari, Ilaria Rossi, Claudia Cavallaro, Valentina Torri Clerici, Edoardo Rossetti, Maria Consiglia Stefanelli, Amadio Totis, Angelo Pappalardo, Gina Occhipinti, Paolo Confalonieri, Simone Veronese, Maria Grazia Grasso, Francesco Patti, Paola Zaratin, Mario Alberto Battaglia, Alessandra Solari, and PeNSAMI project

Subjects
Medicine, Science
Abstract

BACKGROUND:We performed a qualitative study to investigate the experiences of participants in a multicentre randomized controlled trial on a home-based palliative approach (HPA) for adults with severe multiple sclerosis (MS) and their caregivers. Our aim was to explore the strengths and challenges of the intervention, and circumstances that may have influenced its efficacy. METHODS:Participants to the qualitative study were the patients, their caregivers, patient referring physicians, and the teams who delivered the HPA intervention. We performed semi-structured one-on-one interviews with 12 patients and 15 informal caregivers chosen using a maximum variation strategy, two focus group meetings with patient referring physicians (4 participants each), and one with the HPA teams (9 participants). RESULTS:From data analysis (framework method) 38 sub-categories emerged, which were grouped into 10 categories and 3 themes: 'expectations,' 'met and unmet needs', and 'barriers'. Intervention benefits were improved control of symptoms and reduced sense of isolation of the patient-caregiver dyads. Limitations were: factors related to experimental design (difficulty of dyads in identifying examiner and team roles, additional burden for caregivers); team issues (insufficient team building /supervision, competing priorities); limitations of the intervention itself (insufficient length, lack of rehabilitation input); and external factors (resource limitations, under-responsive services/professionals). The referring physician focus groups provided little experiential data. CONCLUSIONS:The HPA reduced patient symptoms and sense of isolation in patients and caregivers. The indirect role of the HPA teams, and insufficient length of the intervention were key limitations. The experimental design imposed additional burdens on the dyads. Key barriers were the paucity of available services, the demanding administrative procedures, and lack of networking facilities. These findings suggest that two major requirements are necessary for home palliative care to be effective in this patient population: HPA teams well-connected with MS rehabilitation services, and care delivered over the long-term, with variable intensity. TRIAL REGISTRATION:Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN73082124 (Registered 19/06/2014).

Published
2018
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12. Development of a Short Version of MSQOL-54 Using Factor Analysis and Item Response Theory.

Author

Rosalba Rosato, Silvia Testa, Antonio Bertolotto, Paolo Confalonieri, Francesco Patti, Alessandra Lugaresi, Maria Grazia Grasso, Anna Toscano, Andrea Giordano, and Alessandra Solari

Subjects
Medicine, Science
Abstract

BACKGROUND:The Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54, 52 items grouped in 12 subscales plus two single items) is the most used MS specific health related quality of life inventory. OBJECTIVE:To develop a shortened version of the MSQOL-54. METHODS:MSQOL-54 dimensionality and metric properties were investigated by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Rasch modelling (Partial Credit Model, PCM) on MSQOL-54s completed by 473 MS patients. Their mean age was 41 years, 65% were women, and median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score was 2.0 (range 0-9.5). Differential item functioning (DIF) was evaluated for gender, age and EDSS. Dimensionality of the resulting short version was assessed by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and CFA. Cognitive debriefing of the short instrument (vs. the original) was then performed on 12 MS patients. RESULTS:CFA of MSQOL-54 subscales showed that the data fitted the overall model well. Two subscales (Role Limitations--Physical, Role Limitations--Emotional) did not fit the PCM, and were removed; two other subscales (Health Perceptions, Social Function) did not fit the model, but were retained as single items. Sexual Satisfaction (single-item subscale) was also removed. The resulting MSQOL-29 consisted of 25 items grouped in 7 subscales, plus 4 single items. PCM fit statistics were within the acceptability range for all MSQOL-29 items except one which had significant DIF by age. EFA and CFA indicated adequate fit to the original two-factor (Physical and Mental Health Composites) hypothesis. Cognitive debriefing confirmed that MSQOL-29 was acceptable and had lost no key items. CONCLUSIONS:The proposed MSQOL-29 is 50% shorter than MSQOL-54, yet preserves key quality of life dimensions. Prospective validation on a large, independent MS patient sample is ongoing.

Published
2016
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13. Patient expression of emotions and neurologist responses in first multiple sclerosis consultations.

Author

Lidia Del Piccolo, Erika Pietrolongo, Davide Radice, Carla Tortorella, Paolo Confalonieri, Maura Pugliatti, Alessandra Lugaresi, Andrea Giordano, Christoph Heesen, Alessandra Solari, and AutoMS Project

Subjects
Medicine, Science
Abstract

Anxiety and depression are common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), but data on emotional communication during MS consultations are lacking. We assessed patient expressions of emotion and neurologist responses during first-ever MS consultations using the Verona Coding Definitions of Emotional Sequences (VR-CoDES).We applied VR-CoDES to recordings/transcripts of 88 outpatient consultations (10 neurologists, four MS Italian centers). Before consultation, patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Multilevel sequential analysis was performed on the number of cues/concerns expressed by patients, and the proportion of reduce space responses by neurologists.Patients expressed 492 cues and 45 concerns (median 4 cues and 1 concern per consultation). The commonest cues were verbal hints of hidden worries (cue type b, 41%) and references to stressful life events (type d, 26%). Variables independently associated with number of cues/concerns were: anxiety (HADS-Anxiety score >8) (incidence risk ratio, IRR 1.08, 95% CI 1.06-1.09; p

Published
2015
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14. Overactivity of exercise-sensitive cation channels and their impaired modulation by IGF-1 in mdx native muscle fibers: Beneficial effect of pentoxifylline

Author

Jean-François Rolland, Annamaria De Luca, Rosa Burdi, Francesca Andreetta, Paolo Confalonieri, and Diana Conte Camerino

Subjects
In vivo exercise, Muscular dystrophy, mdx mouse, Patch-clamp recordings, Voltage-insensitive cation channels, IGF-1 and cAMP modulation, Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry, RC321-571
Abstract

Cell-attached patch-clamp recordings on native striated myofibers from adult dystrophic mdx mice revealed a higher occurrence and open probability compared to non-dystrophic wild-type myofibers of a 30 pS voltage-insensitive Ca2+-permeable channel, inhibited by Gd3+, streptomycin and ruthenium red. Myofibers from in vivo exercised animals had higher channel occurrence and/or open probability. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (3.3 nM) induced and/or enhanced channel activity, via PI3 kinase, in wild-type but not in mdx myofibers. Interestingly, in both genotypes the current was silenced by db-cAMP or pentoxifylline, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. The channel activity/occurrence in pentoxifylline-treated exercised mdx (50 mg/kg/day i.p. for 4–8 weeks) overlapped that of exercised wild-type mice. Thus, a growth factor-sensitive current, likely due to a TRP channel, is activated in vivo by exercise in native striated fibers; its deregulation in the absence of dystrophin may contribute to Ca2+ homeostasis alteration. The possibility to pharmacologically counteract abnormal channel activity discloses important therapeutic application.

Published
2006
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15. Quantitative detection of epstein-barr virus DNA in cerebrospinal fluid and blood samples of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Author

Clementina E Cocuzza, Fabrizio Piazza, Rosario Musumeci, Davide Oggioni, Simona Andreoni, Margherita Gardinetti, Letizia Fusco, Maura Frigo, Paola Banfi, Maria R Rottoli, Paolo Confalonieri, Monica Rezzonico, Maria T Ferrò, Guido Cavaletti, and EBV-MS Italian Study Group

Subjects
Medicine, Science
Abstract

The presence of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) DNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood (PB) samples collected from 55 patients with clinical and radiologically-active relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and 51 subjects with other neurological diseases was determined using standardized commercially available kits for viral nucleic acid extraction and quantitative EBV DNA detection. Both cell-free and cell-associated CSF and PB fractions were analyzed, to distinguish latent from lytic EBV infection. EBV DNA was detected in 5.5% and 18.2% of cell-free and cell-associated CSF fractions of patients with RRMS as compared to 7.8% and 7.8% of controls; plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) positivity rates were 7.3% and 47.3% versus 5.8% and 31.4%, respectively. No significant difference in median EBV viral loads of positive samples was found between RRMS and control patients in all tested samples. Absence of statistically significant differences in EBV positivity rates between RRMS and control patients, despite the use of highly sensitive standardized methods, points to the lack of association between EBV and MS disease activity.

Published
2014
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16. Unmet needs of people with severe multiple sclerosis and their carers: qualitative findings for a home-based intervention.

Author

Claudia Borreani, Elisabetta Bianchi, Erika Pietrolongo, Ilaria Rossi, Sabina Cilia, Miranda Giuntoli, Andrea Giordano, Paolo Confalonieri, Alessandra Lugaresi, Francesco Patti, Maria Grazia Grasso, Laura Lopes de Carvalho, Lucia Palmisano, Paola Zaratin, Mario Alberto Battaglia, Alessandra Solari, and PeNSAMI project

Subjects
Medicine, Science
Abstract

Few data on services for people with severe multiple sclerosis (MS) are available. The Palliative Network for Severely Affected Adults with MS in Italy (PeNSAMI) developed a home palliative care program for MS patients and carers, preceded by a literature review and qualitative study (here reported).To identify unmet needs of people with severe MS living at home by qualitative research involving key stakeholders, and theorize broad areas of intervention to meet those needs.Data were collected from: at least 10 personal interviews with adults with severe MS (primary/secondary progressive, EDSS≥8.0); three focus group meetings (FGs) of carers of people with severe MS; and two FGs of health professionals (HPs). Grounded theory guided the analysis of interview and FG transcripts, from which the areas of intervention were theorized.Between October 2012 and May 2013, 22 MS patients, 30 carers and 18 HPs participated. Forty-eight needs themes were identified, grouped into 14 categories and four domains. Seven, highly interdependent intervention areas were theorized. Patients had difficulties expressing needs; experiences of burden and loneliness were prominent, chiefly in dysfunctional, less affluent families, and among parent carers. Needs differed across Italy with requirements for information and access to services highest in the South. All participants voiced a strong need for qualified personnel and care coordination in day-to-day home care. Personal hygiene emerged as crucial, as did the need for a supportive network and preservation of patient/carer roles within family and community.Unmet needs transcended medical issues and embraced organizational and psychosocial themes, as well as health policies. The high interdependence of the seven intervention areas theorized is in line with the multifaceted approach of palliative care. At variance with typical palliative contexts, coping with disability rather than end-of-life was a major concern of patients and carers.

Published
2014
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17. Decision-making in multiple sclerosis consultations in Italy: third observer and patient assessments.

Author

Erika Pietrolongo, Andrea Giordano, Monica Kleinefeld, Paolo Confalonieri, Alessandra Lugaresi, Carla Tortorella, Maura Pugliatti, Davide Radice, Claudia Goss, Christoph Heesen, Alessandra Solari, and AutoMS group

Subjects
Medicine, Science
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess decision-making in multiple sclerosis (MS) from third observer and patient perspectives. METHOD: Audio recordings of first-ever consultations with a participating physician (88 outpatients, 10 physicians) at four tertiary MS care clinics in Italy, were rated by a third observer using the Observing Patient Involvement in Shared Decision Making (OPTION) and by patients using the Perceived Involvement in Care Scale (PICS). RESULTS: Mean patient age was 37.5, 66% were women, 72% had MS, and 28% had possible MS or other disease. Mean PICS subscale scores (range 0 poor, 100 best possible) were 71.9 (SD 24.3) for "physician facilitation" (PICS-F); 74.6 (SD 22.9) for "patient information exchange" (PICS-I); and only 22.5 (SD 16.2) for "patient decision making" (PICS-DM). Mean OPTION total score (0 poor, 100 best possible) was 29.6 (SD 10.3). Poorest OPTION scores were found for items assessing "preferred patient approach to receiving information" and "preferred patient level of involvement." Highest scores were for "clinician drawing attention to identified problem", "indicating need for decision making," and "need to review the decision." Consultation time, woman physician, patient-physician gender concordance and PICS-F were associated with higher OPTION total score; older physician and second opinion consultation were associated with lower OPTION score. CONCLUSIONS: In line with findings in other settings, our third observer findings indicated limited patient involvement abilities of MS physicians during first consultations. Patient perceptions of physician skills were better than third observers', although they correlated. Consultations with women physicians, and younger physicians, were associated with higher third observer and patient-based scores. Our findings reveal a need to empower Italian MS physicians with better communication and shared decision-making skills, and show in particular that attention to MS patient preferences for reception of information and involvement in health decisions, need to be improved.

Published
2013
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18. The impact of PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 on Covid-19 severity in a sample of patients with multiple sclerosis: A case-control study

Author

Gianmarco, Abbadessa, Umberto, Aguglia, Lia, Allegorico, Maria, Allegri Rossi Beatrice, Anastasia, Alteno, Pia, Amato Maria, Pietro, Annovazzi, Carlo, Antozzi, Lucia, Appendino, Sebastiano, Arena, Viola, Baione, Roberto, Balgera, Valeria, Barcella, Damiano, Baroncini, Caterina, Barrilà, Mario A, Battaglia, Alessandra, Bellacosa, Gianmarco, Bellucci, Roberto, Bergamaschi, Valeria, Bergamaschi, Daiana, Bezzini, Beatrice, Biolzi, Alvino, Bisecco, Simona, Bonavita, Giovanna, Borriello, Chiara, Bosa, Antonio, Bosco, Francesca, Bovis, Marco, Bozzali, Laura, Brambilla, Vincenzo, Brescia Morra, Giampaolo, Brichetto, Maria, Buccafusca, Elisabetta, Bucciantini, Sebastiano, Bucello, Chiara, Buscarinu Maria, Paola, Cabboi Maria, Massimiliano, Calabrese, Francesca, Calabria, Francesca, Caleri, Federico, Camilli, Maria, Caniatti Luisa, Roberto, Cantello, Marco, Capobianco, Ruggero, Capra, Rocco, Capuano, Luca, Carmisciano, Patrizia, Carta, Paola, Cavalla, Grazia, Celani Maria, Maria, Cellerino, Raffaella, Cerqua, Clara, Chisari, Raffaella, Clerici, Marinella, Clerico, Eleonora, Cocco, Gaia, Cola, Giancarlo, Comi, Paolo, Confalonieri, Antonella, Conte, Zaffira, Conti Marta, Christian, Cordano, Susanna, Cordera, Cinzia, Cordioli, Francesco, Corea, Claudio, Correale, Salvatore, Cottone, Francesco, Crescenzo, Erica, Curti, Alessandro, d'Ambrosio, Emanuele, D'Amico, Chiara, Danni Maura, Alessia, d'Arma, Vincenzo, Dattola, Stefano, de Biase, Giovanna, De Luca, Federica, De Mercanti Stefania, Paolo, De Mitri, Nicola, De Rossi, Nicola, De Stefano, Maria, Della Cava Fabio, Marco, Della Cava, Sonia, Di Lemme, Mario, di Napoli, Alessia, Di Sapio, Renato, Docimo, Anna, Dutto, Luana, Evangelista, Salvatore, Fanara, Roberta, Fantozzi, Diana, Ferraro, Teresa, Ferrò Maria, Massimo, Filippi, Cristina, Fioretti, Mario, Fratta, Jessica, Frau, Marzia, Fronza, Roberto, Furlan, Alberto, Gajofatto, Antonio, Gallo, Paolo, Gallo, Claudio, Gasperini, Anna, Ghazaryan, Bruno, Giometto, Francesca, Gobbin, Flora, Govone, Franco, Granella, Erica, Grange, Grazia, Grasso Maria, Luigi ME, Grimaldi, Angelica, Guareschi, Clara, Guaschino, Simone, Guerrieri, Donata, Guidetti, Barbara, Juergenson Ina, Pietro, Iaffaldano, Antonio, Ianniello, Luigi, Iasevoli, Paolo, Immovilli, Daniele, Imperiale, Teresa, Infante Maria, Matilde, Inglese, Rosa, Iodice, Aniello, Iovino, Giovanna, Konrad, Doriana, Landi, Roberta, Lanzillo, Caterina, Lapucci, Luigi, Lavorgna, Rita, L'Episcopo Maria, Serena, Leva, Giuseppe, Liberatore, Marianna, Lo Re, Marco, Longoni, Leonardo, Lopiano, Lorena, Lorefice, Matteo, Lucchini, Giacomo, Lus, Davide, Maimone, Maria, Malentacchi, Giulia, Mallucci, Simona, Malucchi, Rosa, Mancinelli Chiara, Luca, Mancinelli, Paolo, Manganotti, Teresa, Maniscalco Giorgia, Vittorio, Mantero, Sabrina, Marangoni, Damiano, Marastoni, Alessandra, Marfia Girolama, Fabiana, Marinelli, Alessandro, Marti, Filippo, Martinelli Boneschi, Federco, Masserano Zoli, Francesca, Matta, Laura, Mendozzi, Giuseppe, Meucci, Silvia, Miante, Giuseppina, Miele, Eva, Milano, Massimiliano, Mirabella, Rosanna, Missione, Marcello, Moccia, Lucia, Moiola, Sara, Montepietra, Margherita, MontiBragadin, Federico, Montini, Roberta, Motta, Raffaele, Nardone, Gabri, Nicoletti Carolina, Eduardo, Nobile-Orazio, Agostino, Nozzolillo, Marco, Onofrj, Riccardo, Orlandi, Anna, Palmieri, Damiano, Paolicelli, Livia, Pasquali, Fulvio, Pasquin, Luisa, Pastò, Francesco, Patti, Elisabetta, Pedrazzoli, Paola, Perini, Ilaria, Pesci, Maria, Petracca, Alfredo, Petrone, Carlo, Piantadosi, Anna M, Pietroboni, Federica, Pinardi, Marta, Ponzano, Emilio, Portaccio, Mattia, Pozzato, Carlo, Pozzilli, Luca, Prosperini, Alessandra, Protti, Eugenio, Pucci, Marta, Radaelli, Paolo, Ragonese, Sarah, Rasia, Sabrina, Realmuto, Anna, Repice, Eleonora, Rigoni, Teresa, Rilla Maria, Francesca, Rinaldi, Marcello, Romano Calogero, Marco, Ronzoni, Marco, Rovaris, Francesca, Ruscica, Loredana, Sabattini, Giuseppe, Salemi, Marco, Salvetti, Lorenzo, Saraceno, Alessia, Sartori, Arianna, Sartori, Elvira, Sbragia, Cinzia, Scandellari, Ilaria, Scarano Giuditta, Valentina, Scarano, Irene, Schiavetti, Maria, Sessa, Caterina, Sgarito, Grazia, Sibilia, Gabriele, Siciliano, Alessio, Signori, Elisabetta, Signoriello, Leonardo, Sinisi, Francesca, Sireci, Patrizia, Sola, Claudio, Solaro, Pia, Sormani Maria, Stefano, Sotgiu, Maddalena, Sparaco, Laura, Stromillo Maria, Silvia, Strumia, Laura, Susani Emanuela, Giulietta, Tabiadon, Francesco, Teatini, Gioacchino, Tedeschi, Valentina, Tomassini, Simone, Tonietti, Valentina, Torri Clerici, Carla, Tortorella, Simona, Toscano, Rocco, Totaro, Maria, Trojano, Maria, Trotta, Gabriella, Turano, Monica, Ulivelli, Manzo, Valentino, Giovanna, Vaula, Domizia, Vecchio, Marco, Vercellino, Pinuccia, Verrengia Elena, Marika, Vianello, Eleonora, Virgilio, Francesca, Vitetta, Stefano, Vollaro, Mauro, Zaffaroni, Mauro, Zampolini, Roberto, Zarbo Ignazio, Antonio, Zito, Luigi, Zuliani, Ponzano, Marta, Schiavetti, Irene, Bergamaschi, Roberto, Pisoni, Enrico, Bellavia, Andrea, Mallucci, Giulia, Carmisciano, Luca, Inglese, Matilde, Cordioli, Cinzia, Marfia, Girolama Alessandra, Cocco, Eleonora, Immovilli, Paolo, Pesci, Ilaria, Scandellari, Cinzia, Cavalla, Paola, Radaelli, Marta, Vianello, Marika, Vitetta, Francesca, Montepietra, Sara, Amato, Maria Pia, Fioretti, Cristina, Filippi, Massimo, Sartori, Arianna, Caleri, Francesca, Clerico, Marinella, Gallo, Antonio, Conte, Antonella, Clerici, Raffaella, De Luca, Giovanna, Boneschi, Filippo Martinelli, Cantello, Roberto, Calabrese, Massimiliano, Tortorella, Carla, Rovaris, Marco, Verrengia, Elena Pinuccia, Patti, Francesco, Morra, Vincenzo Brescia, Salvetti, Marco, and Sormani, Maria Pia

Published
2022
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20. The effect of air pollution on COVID‐19 severity in a sample of patients with multiple sclerosis

Author

Bergamaschi, Roberto, Ponzano, Marta, Schiavetti, Irene, Carmisciano, Luca, Cordioli, Cinzia, Filippi, Massimo, Radaelli, Marta, Immovilli, Paolo, Capobianco, Marco, De Rossi, Nicola, Brichetto, Giampaolo, Cocco, Eleonora, Scandellari, Cinzia, Cavalla, Paola, Pesci, Ilaria, Zito, Antonio, Confalonieri, Paolo, Marfia, Girolama Alessandra, Perini, Paola, Inglese, Matilde, Trojano, Maria, Brescia Morra, Vincenzo, Pisoni, Enrico, Tedeschi, Gioacchino, Comi, Giancarlo, Battaglia, Mario Alberto, Patti, Francesco, Salvetti, Marco, Sormani, Maria Pia, Gianmarco Abbadessa, Umberto Aguglia, Lia Allegorico, Rossi Beatrice Maria Allegri, Anastasia Alteno, Maria Pia Amato, Pietro Annovazzi, Carlo Antozzi, Lucia Appendino, Sebastiano Arena, Viola Baione, Roberto Balgera, Valeria Barcella, Damiano Baroncini, Caterina Barrilà, Mario A Battaglia, Alessandra Bellacosa, Gianmarco Bellucci, Roberto Bergamaschi, Valeria Bergamaschi, Daiana Bezzini, Beatrice Biolzi, Alvino Bisecco, Simona Bonavita, Giovanna Borriello, Chiara Bosa, Antonio Bosco, Francesca Bovis, Marco Bozzali, Laura Brambilla, Morra Vincenzo Brescia, Giampaolo Brichetto, Maria Buccafusca, Elisabetta Bucciantini, Sebastiano Bucello, Maria Chiara Buscarinu, Maria Paola Cabboi, Massimiliano Calabrese, Francesca Calabria, Francesca Caleri, Federico Camilli, Luisa Maria Caniatti, Roberto Cantello, Marco Capobianco, Ruggero Capra, Rocco Capuano, Luca Carmisciano, Patrizia Carta, Paola Cavalla, Maria Grazia Celani, Maria Cellerino, Raffaella Cerqua, Clara Chisari, Raffaella Clerici, Marinella Clerico, Eleonora Cocco, Gaia Cola, Giancarlo Comi, Paolo Confalonieri, Antonella Conte, Marta Zaffira Conti, Christian Cordano, Susanna Cordera, Cinzia Cordioli, Francesco Corea, Claudio Correale, Salvatore Cottone, Francesco Crescenzo, Erica Curti, Alessandro d'Ambrosio, Emanuele D'Amico, Maura Chiara Danni, Alessia d'Arma, Vincenzo Dattola, Stefano de Biase, Giovanna De Luca, Stefania Federica De Mercanti, Paolo De Mitri, Nicola De Rossi, Nicola De Stefano, Cava Marco Della, Mario di Napoli, Alessia Di Sapio, Renato Docimo, Anna Dutto, Luana Evangelista, Salvatore Fanara, Diana Ferraro, Maria Teresa Ferrò, Massimo Filippi, Cristina Fioretti, Mario Fratta, Jessica Frau, Marzia Fronza, Roberto Furlan, Alberto Gajofatto, Antonio Gallo, Paolo Gallo, Claudio Gasperini, Anna Ghazaryan, Bruno Giometto, Francesca Gobbin, Flora Govone, Franco Granella, Erica Grange, Maria Grazia Grasso, Angelica Guareschi, Clara Guaschino, Simone Guerrieri, Donata Guidetti, Pietro Iaffaldano, Antonio Ianniello, Luigi Iasevoli, Paolo Immovilli, Daniele Imperiale, Maria Teresa Infante, Matilde Inglese, Rosa Iodice, Aniello Iovino, Giovanna Konrad, Doriana Landi, Roberta Lanzillo, Caterina Lapucci, Luigi Lavorgna, Maria Rita L'Episcopo, Serena Leva, Giuseppe Liberatore, Re Marianna Lo, Marco Longoni, Leonardo Lopiano, Lorena Lorefice, Matteo Lucchini, Giacomo Lus, Davide Maimone, Maria Malentacchi, Giulia Mallucci, Simona Malucchi, Chiara Rosa Mancinelli, Luca Mancinelli, Paolo Manganotti, Giorgia Teresa Maniscalco, Vittorio Mantero, Sabrina Marangoni, Damiano Marastoni, Girolama Alessandra Marfia, Fabiana Marinelli, Alessandro Marti, Boneschi Filippo Martinelli, Zoli Federco Masserano, Francesca Matta, Laura Mendozzi, Giuseppe Meucci, Silvia Miante, Giuseppina Miele, Eva Milano, Massimiliano Mirabella, Rosanna Missione, Marcello Moccia, Lucia Moiola, Sara Montepietra, Margherita MontiBragadin, Federico Montini, Roberta Motta, Raffaele Nardone, Carolina Gabri Nicoletti, Eduardo Nobile-Orazio, Agostino Nozzolillo, Marco Onofrj, Riccardo Orlandi, Anna Palmieri, Damiano Paolicelli, Livia Pasquali, Luisa Pastò, Francesco Patti, Elisabetta Pedrazzoli, Paola Perini, Ilaria Pesci, Maria Petracca, Alfredo Petrone, Carlo Piantadosi, Anna M Pietroboni, Federica Pinardi, Marta Ponzano, Emilio Portaccio, Mattia Pozzato, Carlo Pozzilli, Luca Prosperini, Alessandra Protti, Marta Radaelli, Paolo Ragonese, Sarah Rasia, Sabrina Realmuto, Anna Repice, Eleonora Rigoni, Maria Teresa Rilla, Francesca Rinaldi, Calogero Marcello Romano, Marco Ronzoni, Marco Rovaris, Francesca Ruscica, Loredana Sabattini, Giuseppe Salemi, Marco Salvetti, Lorenzo Saraceno, Alessia Sartori, Arianna Sartori, Elvira Sbragia, Cinzia Scandellari, Giuditta Ilaria Scarano, Valentina Scarano, Irene Schiavetti, Maria Sessa, Caterina Sgarito, Grazia Sibilia, Gabriele Siciliano, Alessio Signori, Elisabetta Signoriello, Leonardo Sinisi, Francesca Sireci, Patrizia Sola, Claudio Solaro, Maria Pia Sormani, Stefano Sotgiu, Maddalena Sparaco, Maria Laura Stromillo, Silvia Strumia, Emanuela Laura Susani, Giulietta Tabiadon, Francesco Teatini, Gioacchino Tedeschi, Valentina Tomassini, Simone Tonietti, Clerici Valentina Torri, Carla Tortorella, Simona Toscano, Rocco Totaro, Maria Trojano, Maria Trotta, Gabriella Turano, Monica Ulivelli, Manzo Valentino, Giovanna Vaula, Domizia Vecchio, Marco Vercellino, Elena Pinuccia Verrengia, Marika Vianello, Eleonora Virgilio, Francesca Vitetta, Stefano Vollaro, Mauro Zaffaroni, Mauro Zampolini, Ignazio Roberto Zarbo, Antonio Zito, Luigi Zuliani, Bergamaschi, R, Ponzano, M, Schiavetti, I, Carmisciano, L, Cordioli, C, Filippi, M, Radaelli, M, Immovilli, P, Capobianco, M, De Rossi, N, Brichetto, G, Cocco, E, Scandellari, C, Cavalla, P, Pesci, I, Zito, A, Confalonieri, P, Marfia, Ga, Perini, P, Inglese, M, Trojano, M, Brescia Morra, V, Pisoni, E, Tedeschi, G, Comi, G, Battaglia, Ma, Patti, F, Salvetti, M, Sormani, Mp, Abbadessa, Gianmarco, Umberto, Aguglia, Lia, Allegorico, Rossi Beatrice Maria Allegri, Anastasia, Alteno, Maria Pia Amato, Pietro, Annovazzi, Carlo, Antozzi, Lucia, Appendino, Sebastiano, Arena, Viola, Baione, Roberto, Balgera, Valeria, Barcella, Damiano, Baroncini, Caterina, Barrilà, Mario, A Battaglia, Alessandra, Bellacosa, Gianmarco, Bellucci, Roberto, Bergamaschi, Valeria, Bergamaschi, Daiana, Bezzini, Beatrice, Biolzi, Bisecco, Alvino, Bonavita, Simona, Giovanna, Borriello, Chiara, Bosa, Bosco, Antonio, Francesca, Bovi, Marco, Bozzali, Laura, Brambilla, Morra Vincenzo Brescia, Giampaolo, Brichetto, Maria, Buccafusca, Elisabetta, Bucciantini, Sebastiano, Bucello, Maria Chiara Buscarinu, Maria Paola Cabboi, Massimiliano, Calabrese, Francesca, Calabria, Francesca, Caleri, Federico, Camilli, Luisa Maria Caniatti, Roberto, Cantello, Marco, Capobianco, Ruggero, Capra, Capuano, Rocco, Luca, Carmisciano, Patrizia, Carta, Paola, Cavalla, Maria Grazia Celani, Maria, Cellerino, Raffaella, Cerqua, Clara, Chisari, Raffaella, Clerici, Marinella, Clerico, Eleonora, Cocco, Gaia, Cola, Giancarlo, Comi, Paolo, Confalonieri, Antonella, Conte, Marta Zaffira Conti, Christian, Cordano, Susanna, Cordera, Cinzia, Cordioli, Corea, Francesco, Claudio, Correale, Salvatore, Cottone, Francesco, Crescenzo, Erica, Curti, Alessandro, D'Ambrosio, Emanuele, D'Amico, Maura Chiara Danni, Alessia, D'Arma, Vincenzo, Dattola, Stefano de Biase, Giovanna De Luca, Stefania Federica De Mercanti, Paolo De Mitri, Nicola De Rossi, Nicola De Stefano, Cava Marco Della, Mario di Napoli, Alessia Di Sapio, Docimo, Renato, Anna, Dutto, Luana, Evangelista, Salvatore, Fanara, Diana, Ferraro, Maria Teresa Ferrò, Massimo, Filippi, Cristina, Fioretti, Fratta, Mario, Jessica, Frau, Marzia, Fronza, Roberto, Furlan, Alberto, Gajofatto, Gallo, Antonio, Paolo, Gallo, Claudio, Gasperini, Anna, Ghazaryan, Bruno, Giometto, Francesca, Gobbin, Flora, Govone, Franco, Granella, Erica, Grange, Maria Grazia Grasso, Angelica, Guareschi, Clara, Guaschino, Simone, Guerrieri, Donata, Guidetti, Pietro, Iaffaldano, Antonio, Ianniello, Luigi, Iasevoli, Paolo, Immovilli, Daniele, Imperiale, Maria Teresa Infante, Matilde, Inglese, Rosa, Iodice, Aniello, Iovino, Giovanna, Konrad, Doriana, Landi, Roberta, Lanzillo, Caterina, Lapucci, Luigi, Lavorgna, Maria Rita L'Episcopo, Serena, Leva, Giuseppe, Liberatore, Re Marianna Lo, Marco, Longoni, Leonardo, Lopiano, Lorena, Lorefice, Matteo, Lucchini, Lus, Giacomo, Davide, Maimone, Maria, Malentacchi, Giulia, Mallucci, Simona, Malucchi, Chiara Rosa Mancinelli, Luca, Mancinelli, Paolo, Manganotti, Giorgia Teresa Maniscalco, Vittorio, Mantero, Sabrina, Marangoni, Damiano, Marastoni, Girolama Alessandra Marfia, Fabiana, Marinelli, Alessandro, Marti, Boneschi Filippo Martinelli, Zoli Federco Masserano, Francesca, Matta, Laura, Mendozzi, Giuseppe, Meucci, Silvia, Miante, Miele, Giuseppina, Eva, Milano, Massimiliano, Mirabella, Missione, Rosanna, Marcello, Moccia, Lucia, Moiola, Sara, Montepietra, Margherita, Montibragadin, Federico, Montini, Roberta, Motta, Raffaele, Nardone, Carolina Gabri Nicoletti, Eduardo, Nobile-Orazio, Agostino, Nozzolillo, Marco, Onofrj, Riccardo, Orlandi, Palmieri, Anna, Damiano, Paolicelli, Livia, Pasquali, Luisa, Pastò, Francesco, Patti, Elisabetta, Pedrazzoli, Paola, Perini, Ilaria, Pesci, Maria, Petracca, Alfredo, Petrone, Carlo, Piantadosi, Anna, M Pietroboni, Federica, Pinardi, Marta, Ponzano, Emilio, Portaccio, Mattia, Pozzato, Carlo, Pozzilli, Luca, Prosperini, Alessandra, Protti, Marta, Radaelli, Paolo, Ragonese, Sarah, Rasia, Sabrina, Realmuto, Anna, Repice, Eleonora, Rigoni, Maria Teresa Rilla, Francesca, Rinaldi, Calogero Marcello Romano, Marco, Ronzoni, Marco, Rovari, Francesca, Ruscica, Loredana, Sabattini, Giuseppe, Salemi, Marco, Salvetti, Lorenzo, Saraceno, Alessia, Sartori, Arianna, Sartori, Elvira, Sbragia, Cinzia, Scandellari, Giuditta Ilaria Scarano, Valentina, Scarano, Irene, Schiavetti, Maria, Sessa, Caterina, Sgarito, Grazia, Sibilia, Gabriele, Siciliano, Alessio, Signori, Signoriello, Elisabetta, Leonardo, Sinisi, Francesca, Sireci, Patrizia, Sola, Claudio, Solaro, Maria Pia Sormani, Stefano, Sotgiu, Sparaco, Maddalena, Maria Laura Stromillo, Silvia, Strumia, Emanuela Laura Susani, Giulietta, Tabiadon, Francesco, Teatini, Tedeschi, Gioacchino, Valentina, Tomassini, Simone, Tonietti, Clerici Valentina Torri, Carla, Tortorella, Simona, Toscano, Rocco, Totaro, Maria, Trojano, Trotta, Maria Consiglia, Gabriella, Turano, Monica, Ulivelli, Manzo, Valentino, Giovanna, Vaula, Domizia, Vecchio, Marco, Vercellino, Elena Pinuccia Verrengia, Marika, Vianello, Eleonora, Virgilio, Francesca, Vitetta, Stefano, Vollaro, Mauro, Zaffaroni, Mauro, Zampolini, Ignazio Roberto Zarbo, Zito, Guido Antonio, Bergamaschi, R., Ponzano, M., Schiavetti, I., Carmisciano, L., Cordioli, C., Filippi, M., Radaelli, M., Immovilli, P., Capobianco, M., De Rossi, N., Brichetto, G., Cocco, E., Scandellari, C., Cavalla, P., Pesci, I., Zito, A., Confalonieri, P., Marfia, G. A., Perini, P., Inglese, M., Trojano, M., Brescia Morra, V., Pisoni, E., Tedeschi, G., Comi, G., Battaglia, M. A., Patti, F., Salvetti, M., Sormani, M. P., Bergamaschi, Roberto, Ponzano, Marta, Schiavetti, Irene, Carmisciano, Luca, Cordioli, Cinzia, Filippi, Massimo, Radaelli, Marta, Immovilli, Paolo, Capobianco, Marco, De Rossi, Nicola, Brichetto, Giampaolo, Cocco, Eleonora, Scandellari, Cinzia, Cavalla, Paola, Pesci, Ilaria, Zito, Antonio, Confalonieri, Paolo, Marfia, Girolama Alessandra, Perini, Paola, Inglese, Matilde, Trojano, Maria, Brescia Morra, Vincenzo, Pisoni, Enrico, Comi, Giancarlo, Battaglia, Mario Alberto, Patti, Francesco, Salvetti, Marco, Sormani, Maria, Pia, Gianmarco, Abbadessa, Alvino, Bisecco, Simona, Bonavita, Antonio, Bosco, Rocco, Capuano, Francesco, Corea, Renato, Docimo, Mario, Fratta, Antonio, Gallo, Iodice, Rosa, Iovino, Aniello, Lanzillo, Roberta, Giacomo, Lu, Giuseppina, Miele, Rosanna, Missione, Moccia, Marcello, Anna, Palmieri, Elisabetta, Signoriello, Maddalena, Sparaco, Gioacchino, Tedeschi, Maria, Trotta, Antonio, Zito, and Luigi, Zuliani

Subjects
air pollution, coronavirus, multiple sclerosis, medicine.medical_specialty, Multivariate analysis, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Clinical Sciences, Air pollution, Sample (statistics), Neurodegenerative, Settore MED/26, medicine.disease_cause, Autoimmune Disease, law.invention, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Clinical Research, law, Humans, Medicine, Climate-Related Exposures and Conditions, Neurology & Neurosurgery, MuSC-19 study group, SARS-CoV-2, business.industry, Multiple sclerosis, Neurosciences, COVID-19, Retrospective cohort study, Original Articles, medicine.disease, Intensive care unit, Particulate Matter, Air Pollution, Multiple Sclerosis, Brain Disorders, coronaviru, Settore MED/26 - NEUROLOGIA, Good Health and Well Being, Neurology, multiple sclerosi, Emergency medicine, Original Article, Neurology (clinical), Ordered logit, business, Human
Abstract

Background and purpose Some studies have shown that air pollution, often assessed by thin particulate matter with diameter below 2.5 µg/m3 (PM2.5), may contribute to severe COVID‐19 courses, as well as play a role in the onset and evolution of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the impact of air pollution on COVID‐19 has never been explored specifically amongst patients with MS (PwMS). This retrospective observational study aims to explore associations between PM2.5 and COVID‐19 severity amongst PwMS. Methods Data were retrieved from an Italian web‐based platform (MuSC‐19) which includes PwMS with COVID‐19. PM2.5 2016–2018 average concentrations were provided by the Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service. Italian patients inserted in the platform from 15 January 2020 to 9 April 2021 with a COVID‐19 positive test were included. Ordered logistic regression models were used to study associations between PM2.5 and COVID‐19 severity. Results In all, 1087 patients, of whom 13% required hospitalization and 2% were admitted to an intensive care unit or died, were included. Based on the multivariate analysis, higher concentrations of PM2.5 increased the risk of worse COVID‐19 course (odds ratio 1.90; p = 0.009). Conclusions Even if several other factors explain the unfavourable course of COVID‐19 in PwMS, the role of air pollutants must be considered and further investigated., Air pollution, often assessed by particulate matter with diameter below 2.5 µg/m3, may contribute to severe COVID‐19 courses. 1087 patients were included, of whom 13% required hospitalization and 2% were admitted to an intensive care unit or died. Even if several other factors explain the unfavourable course of COVID‐19 in patients with multiple sclerosis, the role of air pollutants must be considered and further investigated.

Published
2021

21. The impact of PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 on Covid-19 severity in a sample of patients with multiple sclerosis: A case-control study

Author

Ponzano, Marta, primary, Schiavetti, Irene, additional, Bergamaschi, Roberto, additional, Pisoni, Enrico, additional, Bellavia, Andrea, additional, Mallucci, Giulia, additional, Carmisciano, Luca, additional, Inglese, Matilde, additional, Cordioli, Cinzia, additional, Marfia, Girolama Alessandra, additional, Cocco, Eleonora, additional, Immovilli, Paolo, additional, Pesci, Ilaria, additional, Scandellari, Cinzia, additional, Cavalla, Paola, additional, Radaelli, Marta, additional, Vianello, Marika, additional, Vitetta, Francesca, additional, Montepietra, Sara, additional, Amato, Maria Pia, additional, Fioretti, Cristina, additional, Filippi, Massimo, additional, Sartori, Arianna, additional, Caleri, Francesca, additional, Clerico, Marinella, additional, Gallo, Antonio, additional, Conte, Antonella, additional, Clerici, Raffaella, additional, De Luca, Giovanna, additional, Boneschi, Filippo Martinelli, additional, Cantello, Roberto, additional, Calabrese, Massimiliano, additional, Tortorella, Carla, additional, Rovaris, Marco, additional, Verrengia, Elena Pinuccia, additional, Patti, Francesco, additional, Morra, Vincenzo Brescia, additional, Salvetti, Marco, additional, Sormani, Maria Pia, additional, Gianmarco, Abbadessa, additional, Umberto, Aguglia, additional, Lia, Allegorico, additional, Maria, Allegri Rossi Beatrice, additional, Anastasia, Alteno, additional, Pia, Amato Maria, additional, Pietro, Annovazzi, additional, Carlo, Antozzi, additional, Lucia, Appendino, additional, Sebastiano, Arena, additional, Viola, Baione, additional, Roberto, Balgera, additional, Valeria, Barcella, additional, Damiano, Baroncini, additional, Caterina, Barrilà, additional, Mario A, Battaglia, additional, Alessandra, Bellacosa, additional, Gianmarco, Bellucci, additional, Roberto, Bergamaschi, additional, Valeria, Bergamaschi, additional, Daiana, Bezzini, additional, Beatrice, Biolzi, additional, Alvino, Bisecco, additional, Simona, Bonavita, additional, Giovanna, Borriello, additional, Chiara, Bosa, additional, Antonio, Bosco, additional, Francesca, Bovis, additional, Marco, Bozzali, additional, Laura, Brambilla, additional, Vincenzo, Brescia Morra, additional, Giampaolo, Brichetto, additional, Maria, Buccafusca, additional, Elisabetta, Bucciantini, additional, Sebastiano, Bucello, additional, Chiara, Buscarinu Maria, additional, Paola, Cabboi Maria, additional, Massimiliano, Calabrese, additional, Francesca, Calabria, additional, Francesca, Caleri, additional, Federico, Camilli, additional, Maria, Caniatti Luisa, additional, Roberto, Cantello, additional, Marco, Capobianco, additional, Ruggero, Capra, additional, Rocco, Capuano, additional, Luca, Carmisciano, additional, Patrizia, Carta, additional, Paola, Cavalla, additional, Grazia, Celani Maria, additional, Maria, Cellerino, additional, Raffaella, Cerqua, additional, Clara, Chisari, additional, Raffaella, Clerici, additional, Marinella, Clerico, additional, Eleonora, Cocco, additional, Gaia, Cola, additional, Giancarlo, Comi, additional, Paolo, Confalonieri, additional, Antonella, Conte, additional, Zaffira, Conti Marta, additional, Christian, Cordano, additional, Susanna, Cordera, additional, Cinzia, Cordioli, additional, Francesco, Corea, additional, Claudio, Correale, additional, Salvatore, Cottone, additional, Francesco, Crescenzo, additional, Erica, Curti, additional, Alessandro, d'Ambrosio, additional, Emanuele, D'Amico, additional, Chiara, Danni Maura, additional, Alessia, d'Arma, additional, Vincenzo, Dattola, additional, Stefano, de Biase, additional, Giovanna, De Luca, additional, Federica, De Mercanti Stefania, additional, Paolo, De Mitri, additional, Nicola, De Rossi, additional, Nicola, De Stefano, additional, Maria, Della Cava Fabio, additional, Marco, Della Cava, additional, Sonia, Di Lemme, additional, Mario, di Napoli, additional, Alessia, Di Sapio, additional, Renato, Docimo, additional, Anna, Dutto, additional, Luana, Evangelista, additional, Salvatore, Fanara, additional, Roberta, Fantozzi, additional, Diana, Ferraro, additional, Teresa, Ferrò Maria, additional, Massimo, Filippi, additional, Cristina, Fioretti, additional, Mario, Fratta, additional, Jessica, Frau, additional, Marzia, Fronza, additional, Roberto, Furlan, additional, Alberto, Gajofatto, additional, Antonio, Gallo, additional, Paolo, Gallo, additional, Claudio, Gasperini, additional, Anna, Ghazaryan, additional, Bruno, Giometto, additional, Francesca, Gobbin, additional, Flora, Govone, additional, Franco, Granella, additional, Erica, Grange, additional, Grazia, Grasso Maria, additional, Luigi ME, Grimaldi, additional, Angelica, Guareschi, additional, Clara, Guaschino, additional, Simone, Guerrieri, additional, Donata, Guidetti, additional, Barbara, Juergenson Ina, additional, Pietro, Iaffaldano, additional, Antonio, Ianniello, additional, Luigi, Iasevoli, additional, Paolo, Immovilli, additional, Daniele, Imperiale, additional, Teresa, Infante Maria, additional, Matilde, Inglese, additional, Rosa, Iodice, additional, Aniello, Iovino, additional, Giovanna, Konrad, additional, Doriana, Landi, additional, Roberta, Lanzillo, additional, Caterina, Lapucci, additional, Luigi, Lavorgna, additional, Rita, L'Episcopo Maria, additional, Serena, Leva, additional, Giuseppe, Liberatore, additional, Marianna, Lo Re, additional, Marco, Longoni, additional, Leonardo, Lopiano, additional, Lorena, Lorefice, additional, Matteo, Lucchini, additional, Giacomo, Lus, additional, Davide, Maimone, additional, Maria, Malentacchi, additional, Giulia, Mallucci, additional, Simona, Malucchi, additional, Rosa, Mancinelli Chiara, additional, Luca, Mancinelli, additional, Paolo, Manganotti, additional, Teresa, Maniscalco Giorgia, additional, Vittorio, Mantero, additional, Sabrina, Marangoni, additional, Damiano, Marastoni, additional, Alessandra, Marfia Girolama, additional, Fabiana, Marinelli, additional, Alessandro, Marti, additional, Filippo, Martinelli Boneschi, additional, Federco, Masserano Zoli, additional, Francesca, Matta, additional, Laura, Mendozzi, additional, Giuseppe, Meucci, additional, Silvia, Miante, additional, Giuseppina, Miele, additional, Eva, Milano, additional, Massimiliano, Mirabella, additional, Rosanna, Missione, additional, Marcello, Moccia, additional, Lucia, Moiola, additional, Sara, Montepietra, additional, Margherita, MontiBragadin, additional, Federico, Montini, additional, Roberta, Motta, additional, Raffaele, Nardone, additional, Gabri, Nicoletti Carolina, additional, Eduardo, Nobile-Orazio, additional, Agostino, Nozzolillo, additional, Marco, Onofrj, additional, Riccardo, Orlandi, additional, Anna, Palmieri, additional, Damiano, Paolicelli, additional, Livia, Pasquali, additional, Fulvio, Pasquin, additional, Luisa, Pastò, additional, Francesco, Patti, additional, Elisabetta, Pedrazzoli, additional, Paola, Perini, additional, Ilaria, Pesci, additional, Maria, Petracca, additional, Alfredo, Petrone, additional, Carlo, Piantadosi, additional, Anna M, Pietroboni, additional, Federica, Pinardi, additional, Marta, Ponzano, additional, Emilio, Portaccio, additional, Mattia, Pozzato, additional, Carlo, Pozzilli, additional, Luca, Prosperini, additional, Alessandra, Protti, additional, Eugenio, Pucci, additional, Marta, Radaelli, additional, Paolo, Ragonese, additional, Sarah, Rasia, additional, Sabrina, Realmuto, additional, Anna, Repice, additional, Eleonora, Rigoni, additional, Teresa, Rilla Maria, additional, Francesca, Rinaldi, additional, Marcello, Romano Calogero, additional, Marco, Ronzoni, additional, Marco, Rovaris, additional, Francesca, Ruscica, additional, Loredana, Sabattini, additional, Giuseppe, Salemi, additional, Marco, Salvetti, additional, Lorenzo, Saraceno, additional, Alessia, Sartori, additional, Arianna, Sartori, additional, Elvira, Sbragia, additional, Cinzia, Scandellari, additional, Ilaria, Scarano Giuditta, additional, Valentina, Scarano, additional, Irene, Schiavetti, additional, Maria, Sessa, additional, Caterina, Sgarito, additional, Grazia, Sibilia, additional, Gabriele, Siciliano, additional, Alessio, Signori, additional, Elisabetta, Signoriello, additional, Leonardo, Sinisi, additional, Francesca, Sireci, additional, Patrizia, Sola, additional, Claudio, Solaro, additional, Pia, Sormani Maria, additional, Stefano, Sotgiu, additional, Maddalena, Sparaco, additional, Laura, Stromillo Maria, additional, Silvia, Strumia, additional, Laura, Susani Emanuela, additional, Giulietta, Tabiadon, additional, Francesco, Teatini, additional, Gioacchino, Tedeschi, additional, Valentina, Tomassini, additional, Simone, Tonietti, additional, Valentina, Torri Clerici, additional, Carla, Tortorella, additional, Simona, Toscano, additional, Rocco, Totaro, additional, Maria, Trojano, additional, Maria, Trotta, additional, Gabriella, Turano, additional, Monica, Ulivelli, additional, Manzo, Valentino, additional, Giovanna, Vaula, additional, Domizia, Vecchio, additional, Marco, Vercellino, additional, Pinuccia, Verrengia Elena, additional, Marika, Vianello, additional, Eleonora, Virgilio, additional, Francesca, Vitetta, additional, Stefano, Vollaro, additional, Mauro, Zaffaroni, additional, Mauro, Zampolini, additional, Roberto, Zarbo Ignazio, additional, Antonio, Zito, additional, and Luigi, Zuliani, additional

Published
2022
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22. Development and assessment of a website presenting evidence-based information for people with multiple sclerosis: the IN-DEEP project

Author

Silvia Traversa, Irene Tramacere, Roberta Guglielmino, Cinzia Colombo, Paola Mosconi, Anneliese Synnot, Paolo Confalonieri, Graziella Filippini, and Sophie Hill

Subjects
Adult, Male, Evidence-based practice, Multiple Sclerosis, media_common.quotation_subject, Population, Decision Making, Information Dissemination, Clinical Neurology, Information needs, Pilot Projects, 03 medical and health sciences, Young Adult, 0302 clinical medicine, Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting, Reading (process), Surveys and Questionnaires, Medicine, Humans, 030212 general & internal medicine, Plain language, education, media_common, Aged, Uncategorized, education.field_of_study, Medical education, Internet, business.industry, Information dissemination, Australia, Patient information needs, Mean age, General Medicine, Middle Aged, Italy, Consumer health information, The Internet, Female, Neurology (clinical), business, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery, Research Article
Abstract

Background People with multiple sclerosis (MS) are increasingly using the Internet in the daily management of their condition. They search for high-quality information in plain language, from independent sources, based on reliable and up-to-date evidence. The Integrating and Deriving Evidence, Experiences and Preferences (IN-DEEP) project in Italy and Australia aimed to provide people with MS and family members with an online source of evidence-based information, starting from their information needs. This paper reports on the Italian project’s website. Methods Contents, layout and wording were developed with people with MS and pilot-tested. The website was evaluated using an online 29-item questionnaire for ease of language, contents, navigation, and usefulness of information aimed at people with MS, family members and the general population. Results The website (http://indeep.istituto-besta.it/) is structured in multiple levels of information. The first topic was interferons-β for people with relapsing-remitting MS. In all, 433 people responded to the survey (276 people with MS, 68 family members and 89 others). The mean age was 45 years, almost 90 % had a high school diploma, about 80 % had relapsing-remitting MS, and the median disease duration was seven years. About 90 % judged the website clear, understandable, useful, and easy to navigate. Ninety percent of people with MS and family members would recommend it to others. Sixty-two percent reported they felt confident in making decisions on interferons-β after reading the website. Conclusions The model was judged clear and useful. It could be adapted to other topics and diseases. Clinicians may find it useful in their relationship with patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12883-016-0552-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Published
2023
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23. Viability of a MSQOL-54 general health-related quality of life score using bifactor model

Author

Marta Bassi, Claudia Niccolai, Beatrice Allegri, Rosa Gemma Viterbo, Eleonora Cocco, Maria Grazia Grasso, Alysha M De Livera, Mauro Zaffaroni, Monica Grobberio, Elisa Ferriani, Monica Falautano, Alessandra Lugaresi, George A Jelinek, Antonio Bertolotto, Maria Esmeralda Quartuccio, Sabina Cilia, Silvia Testa, Paolo Confalonieri, Ugo Nocentini, Alessandra Solari, Rosalba Rosato, Erika Pietrolongo, Andrea Giordano, Ambra Mara Giovannetti, Giordano A., Testa S., Bassi M., Cilia S., Bertolotto A., Quartuccio M.E., Pietrolongo E., Falautano M., Grobberio M., Niccolai C., Allegri B., Viterbo R.G., Confalonieri P., Giovannetti A.M., Cocco E., Grasso M.G., Lugaresi A., Ferriani E., Nocentini U., Zaffaroni M., De Livera A., Jelinek G., Solari A., and Rosato R.

Subjects
Health-related quality of life, Bifactor model, Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics, R858-859.7, Reproducibility of Result, MSQOL-54, Settore MED/26, Correlation, Multiple sclerosis, Bayes' theorem, Quality of life, Bayesian information criterion, Surveys and Questionnaires, Statistics, Multiple Sclerosi, Raw score, Surveys and Questionnaire, Humans, Mathematics, Factor analysis, Models, Statistical, Research, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Factor analyse, Reproducibility of Results, Bayes Theorem, General Medicine, Models, Theoretical, Confirmatory factor analysis, Dimensionality, Factor analyses, Quality of Life, Akaike information criterion, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Human
Abstract

Background MSQOL-54 is a multidimensional, widely-used, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) instrument specific for multiple sclerosis (MS). Findings from the validation study suggested that the two MSQOL-54 composite scores are correlated. Given this correlation, it could be assumed that a unique total score of HRQOL may be calculated, with the advantage to provide key stakeholders with a single overall HRQOL score. We aimed to assess how well the bifactor model could account for the MSQOL-54 structure, in order to verify whether a total HRQOL score can be calculated. Methods A large international database (3669 MS patients) was used. By means of confirmatory factor analysis, we estimated a bifactor model in which every item loads onto both a general factor and a group factor. Fit of the bifactor model was compared to that of single and two second-order factor models by means of Akaike information and Bayesian information criteria reduction. Reliability of the total and subscale scores was evaluated with Mc Donald’s coefficients (omega, and omega hierarchical). Results The bifactor model outperformed the two second-order factor models in all the statistics. All items loaded satisfactorily (≥ 0.40) on the general HRQOL factor, except the sexual function items. Omega coefficients for total score were very satisfactory (0.98 and 0.87). Omega hierarchical for subscales ranged between 0.22 to 0.57, except for the sexual function (0.70). Conclusions The bifactor model is particularly useful when it is intended to acknowledge multidimensionality and at the same time take account of a single general construct, as the HRQOL related to MS. The total raw score can be used as an estimate of the general HRQOL latent score.

Published
2021

25. Progression is independent of relapse activity in early multiple sclerosis: a real-life cohort study

Author

Emilio Portaccio, Angelo Bellinvia, Mattia Fonderico, Luisa Pastò, Lorenzo Razzolini, Rocco Totaro, Daniele Spitaleri, Alessandra Lugaresi, Eleonora Cocco, Marco Onofrj, Franco Di Palma, Francesco Patti, Davide Maimone, Paola Valentino, Paolo Confalonieri, Alessandra Protti, Patrizia Sola, Giacomo Lus, Giorgia Teresa Maniscalco, Vincenzo Brescia Morra, Giuseppe Salemi, Franco Granella, Ilaria Pesci, Roberto Bergamaschi, Umberto Aguglia, Marika Vianello, Marta Simone, Vito Lepore, Pietro Iaffaldano, Massimo Filippi, Maria Trojano, Maria Pia Amato, Portaccio, Emilio, Bellinvia, Angelo, Fonderico, Mattia, Pastò, Luisa, Razzolini, Lorenzo, Totaro, Rocco, Spitaleri, Daniele, Lugaresi, Alessandra, Cocco, Eleonora, Onofrj, Marco, Di Palma, Franco, Patti, Francesco, Maimone, Davide, Valentino, Paola, Confalonieri, Paolo, Protti, Alessandra, Sola, Patrizia, Lus, Giacomo, Maniscalco, Giorgia Teresa, Brescia Morra, Vincenzo, Salemi, Giuseppe, Granella, Franco, Pesci, Ilaria, Bergamaschi, Roberto, Aguglia, Umberto, Vianello, Marika, Simone, Marta, Lepore, Vito, Iaffaldano, Pietro, Filippi, Massimo, Trojano, Maria, and Amato, Maria Pia

Subjects
Multiple Sclerosis, relapse-associated worsening, progression independent of relapse activity, relapsing multiple sclerosis, Cohort Studies, Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting, relapse associated worsening, Recurrence, Chronic Disease, Disease Progression, Humans, Settore MED/26 - Neurologia, Neurology (clinical), Retrospective Studies
Abstract

Portaccio et al. report that in early relapsing-onset multiple sclerosis, progression independent of relapse activity is an important contributor to disability accumulation. Insidious progression occurs even in the earliest disease phases, suggesting that inflammation and degeneration may represent a single disease continuum.Disability accrual in multiple sclerosis may occur as relapse-associated worsening or progression independent of relapse activity. The role of progression independent of relapse activity in early multiple sclerosis is yet to be established. The objective of this multicentre, observational, retrospective cohort study was to investigate the contribution of relapse-associated worsening and progression independent of relapse activity to confirmed disability accumulation in patients with clinically isolated syndrome and early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, assessed within one year from onset and with follow-up >= 5 years (n = 5169). Data were extracted from the Italian Multiple Sclerosis Register. Confirmed disability accumulation was defined by an increase in Expanded Disability Status Scale score confirmed at 6 months, and classified per temporal association with relapses. Factors associated with progression independent of relapse activity and relapse-associated worsening were assessed using multivariable Cox regression models. Over a follow-up period of 11.5 +/- 5.5 years, progression independent of relapse activity occurred in 1427 (27.6%) and relapse-associated worsening in 922 (17.8%) patients. Progression independent of relapse activity was associated with older age at baseline [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.19; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13-1.25, P < 0.001], having a relapsing-remitting course at baseline (HR = 1.44; 95% CI 1.28-1.61, P < 0.001), longer disease duration at baseline (HR = 1.56; 95% CI 1.28-1.90, P < 0.001), lower Expanded Disability Status Scale at baseline (HR = 0.92; 95% CI 0.88-0.96, P < 0.001) and lower number of relapses before the event (HR = 0.76; 95% CI 0.73-0.80, P < 0.001). Relapse-associated worsening was associated with younger age at baseline (HR = 0.87; 95% CI 0.81-0.93, P < 0.001), having a relapsing-remitting course at baseline (HR = 1.55; 95% CI 1.35-1.79, P < 0.001), lower Expanded Disability Status Scale at baseline (HR = 0.94; 95% CI 0.89-0.99, P = 0.017) and a higher number of relapses before the event (HR = 1.04; 95% CI 1.01-1.07, P < 0.001). Longer exposure to disease-modifying drugs was associated with a lower risk of both progression independent of relapse activity and relapse-associated worsening (P < 0.001). This study provides evidence that in an early relapsing-onset multiple sclerosis cohort, progression independent of relapse activity was an important contributor to confirmed disability accumulation. Our findings indicate that insidious progression appears even in the earliest phases of the disease, suggesting that inflammation and neurodegeneration can represent a single disease continuum, in which age is one of the main determinants of disease phenomenology.

Published
2022

26. An interactive Multiple Sclerosis Fitness Intervention Training (MS-FIT) with Pilates exercises. Development and usability of a Kinect-based system. (Preprint)

Author

Andrea Tacchino, Michela Ponzio, Paolo Confalonieri, Letizia Leocani, Matilde Inglese, Diego Centonze, Eleonora Cocco, Paolo Gallo, Damiano Paolicelli, Marco Rovaris, Loredana Sabattini, Gioacchino Tedeschi, Luca Prosperini, Francesco Patti, Placido Bramanti, Elisabetta Pedrazzoli, Mario Alberto Battaglia, and Giampaolo Brichetto

Abstract

BACKGROUND Balance impairments are common in multiple sclerosis (MS) with reduced ability to maintain position and delayed responses to postural adjustments. Pilates is a popular alternative method for balance training that may reduce the rapid worsening of symptoms and the increased risk of secondary conditions (e.g. depression) frequently associated with physical inactivity. An Italian network of fifteen Centres specialized in MS rehabilitation developed the MS-FIT exergame to autonomously train balance through Pilates exercises. OBJECTIVE Here, we describe the design, development and usability testing of MS-FIT, a Kinect-based tool implementing Pilates exercises customized for MS. METHODS MS-FIT has been developed through a User-Centered Design approach (design, prototype, user feedback and analysis) allowing gaining the target user’s perspective. A team composed of one physical therapist, two game programmers and one game designer provided the first version of MS-FIT that integrated knowledge and experience of the team with MS literature findings related to Pilates exercises and balance interventions based on exergames. MS-FIT, developed by using the Unity 3D game engine software with Kinect Sensor V2 for Windows, implements exercises for breathing, posture and balance. Feedbacks from neurologists, physiatrists, physical therapists and people with MS (PwMS) were collected to customize the tool for a use in MS. The MS-FIT context is the travel around the world to visit some of the most important cities in order to learn aspects of their culture through pictures and stories. At each stay of the travel, the avatar of a teacher of Pilates shows the user the exercises to be performed. Nine PwMS (4 females; mean age: 42.89 ± 11.97 years; mean disease duration 10.19 ± 9.18 years; Expanded Disability Status Scale: 3.17 ± 0.75) were involved in three outpatient user-test sessions of 30 minutes; the MS-FIT usability was assessed through an ad-hoc questionnaire (maximum value = 5; higher the score, higher the usability) evaluating easiness-to-use, playability, enjoyment, satisfaction and acceptance. RESULTS All nine PwMS completed the sessions of user-test and answered the ad-hoc questionnaire. The average score on each item ranged from 3.78 and 4.11, which indicated a high usability level. The feedbacks and suggestions provided by the 9 PwMS and by the 5 therapists involved in the user-test were implemented to refine the first prototype in order to release the MS-FIT 2.0. CONCLUSIONS MS-FIT is a highly usable tool and is a promising system for enhancing motivation and engagement of PwMS in performing exercise with the aim to improve their physical status.

Published
2022

27. A multiparametric score for assessing the individual risk of severe Covid-19 among patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Author

Marta Ponzano, Irene Schiavetti, Francesca Bovis, Doriana Landi, Luca Carmisciano, Nicola De Rossi, Cinzia Cordioli, Lucia Moiola, Marta Radaelli, Paolo Immovilli, Marco Capobianco, Margherita Monti Bragadin, Eleonora Cocco, Cinzia Scandellari, Paola Cavalla, Ilaria Pesci, Paolo Confalonieri, Paola Perini, Roberto Bergamaschi, Matilde Inglese, Maria Petracca, Maria Trojano, Gioacchino Tedeschi, Giancarlo Comi, Mario Alberto Battaglia, Francesco Patti, Yara Dadalti Fragoso, Sedat Sen, Aksel Siva, Rana Karabudak, Husnu Efendi, Roberto Furlan, Marco Salvetti, and Maria Pia Sormani

Subjects
Male, Multiple Sclerosis, COVID-19, Bayes Theorem, Covid-19 severity, Risk assessment score, General Medicine, Settore MED/26, Methylprednisolone, Neurology, Humans, Personal Protective Equipment, Neurology (clinical)
Abstract

Many risk factors for the development of severe forms of Covid-19 have been identified, some applying to the general population and others specific to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. However, a score for quantifying the individual risk of severe Covid-19 in patients with MS is not available. The aim of this study was to construct such score and to evaluate its performance.Data on patients with MS infected with Covid-19 in Italy, Turkey and South America were extracted from the Musc-19 platform. After imputation of missing values, data were separated into training data set (70%) and validation data set (30%). Univariable logistic regression models were performed in the training dataset to identify the main risk factors to be included in the multivariable logistic regression analyses. To select the most relevant variables we applied three different approaches: (1) multivariable stepwise, (2) Lasso regression, (3) Bayesian model averaging. Three scores were defined as the linear combination of the coefficients estimated in the models multiplied by the corresponding value of the variables and higher scores were associated to higher risk of severe Covid-19 course. The performances of the three scores were compared in the validation dataset based on the area under the ROC curve (AUC) and an optimal cut-off was calculated in the training dataset for the score with the best performance. The probability of showing a severe Covid-19 course was calculated based on the score with the best performance.3852 patients were included in the study (2696 in the training dataset and 1156 in the validation data set). 17% of the patients required hospitalization and risk factors for severe Covid-19 course were older age, male sex, living in Turkey or South America instead of living in Italy, presence of comorbidities, progressive MS, longer disease duration, higher Expanded Disability Status Scale, Methylprednisolone use and anti-CD20 treatment. The score with the best performance was the one derived using the Lasso selection approach (AUC= 0.72) and it was built with the following variables: age, sex, country, BMI, presence of comorbidities, EDSS, methylprednisolone use, treatment. An excel spreadsheet to calculate the score and the probability of severe Covid-19 is available at the following link: https://osf.io/ac47u/?view_only=691814d57b564a34b3596e4fcdcf8580.The originality of this study consists in building a useful tool to quantify the individual risk for Covid-19 severity based on patient's characteristics. Due to the modest predictive ability and to the need of external validation, this tool is not ready for being fully used in clinical practice to make important decisions or interventions. However, it can be used as an additional instrument to identify high-risk patients and persuade them to take important measures to prevent Covid-19 infection (i.e. getting vaccinated against Covid-19, adhering to social distancing, and using of personal protection equipment).

Published
2022

28. Walking With Horizontal Head Turns Is Impaired in Persons With Early-Stage Multiple Sclerosis Showing Normal Locomotion

Author

Ilaria Carpinella, Elisa Gervasoni, Denise Anastasi, Rachele Di Giovanni, Andrea Tacchino, Giampaolo Brichetto, Paolo Confalonieri, Claudio Solaro, Marco Rovaris, Maurizio Ferrarin, and Davide Cattaneo

Subjects
instrumented assessment, Neurology, dynamic balance, wearable inertial sensors, rehabilitation outcome assessment, Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system, Neurology (clinical), multiple sclerosis, RC346-429
Abstract

BackgroundTurning the head while walking (an action often required during daily living) is particularly challenging to maintain balance. It can therefore potentially reveal subtle impairments in early-stage people with multiple sclerosis who still show normal locomotion (NW-PwMS). This would help in identifying those subjects who can benefit from early preventive exercise aimed at slowing the MS-related functional decline.ObjectivesTo analyze if the assessment of walking with horizontal head turns (WHHT) through inertial sensors can discriminate between healthy subjects (HS) and NW-PwMS and between NW-PwMS subgroups. To assess if the discriminant ability of the instrumented WHHT is higher compared to clinical scores. To assess the concurrent validity of the sensor-based metrics.MethodsIn this multicenter study, 40 HS and 59 NW-PwMS [Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≤ 2.5, disease duration ≤ 5 years] were tested. Participants executed Item-6 of the Fullerton Advanced Balance scale-short (FAB-s) wearing three inertial sensors on the trunk and ankles. The item required to horizontally turn the head at a beat of the metronome (100 bpm) while walking. Signals of the sensors were processed to compute spatiotemporal, regularity, symmetry, dynamic stability, and trunk sway metrics descriptive of WHHT.ResultsMediolateral regularity, anteroposterior symmetry, and mediolateral stability were reduced in NW-PwMS vs. HS (p ≤ 0.001), and showed moderate discriminant ability (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve [AUC]: 0.71–0.73). AP symmetry and ML stability were reduced (p ≤ 0.026) in EDSS: 2–2.5 vs. EDSS: 0–1.5 subgroup (AUC: 0.69–0.70). The number of NW-PwMS showing at least one abnormal instrumented metric (68%) was larger (p ≤ 0.002) than the number of participants showing abnormal FAB-s-Item6 (32%) and FAB-s clinical scores (39%). EDSS: 2–2.5 subgroup included more individuals showing abnormal instrumented metrics (86%) compared to EDSS: 0–1.5 subgroup (57%). The instrumented metrics significantly correlated with FAB-s-Item6 and FAB-s scores (|Spearman's rs| ≥ 0.37, p < 0.001), thus demonstrating their concurrent validity.ConclusionThe instrumented assessment of WHHT provided valid objective metrics that discriminated, with higher sensitivity than clinical scores, between HS and NW-PwMS and between EDSS subgroups. The method is a promising tool to complement clinical evaluation, and reveal subclinical impairments in persons who can benefit from early preventive rehabilitative interventions.

Published
2021

29. Annual RIMS Conference 2019

Author

Kenneth I. Pakenham, Andrea Giordano, Ambra Mara Giovannetti, Paolo Confalonieri, Michele Messmer Uccelli, Alessandra Solari, Irene Tramacere, and Rui Quintas

Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty, Neurology, Randomized controlled trial, law, business.industry, Physical therapy, medicine, Neurology (clinical), Resilience (network), Training program, business, law.invention
Published
2019

30. Physical activity in non-disabled people with early multiple sclerosis: A multicenter cross-sectional study

Author

Elisa Gervasoni, Denise Anastasi, Rachele Di Giovanni, Claudio Solaro, Marco Rovaris, Giampaolo Brichetto, Ilaria Carpinella, Paolo Confalonieri, Andrea Tacchino, Marco Rabuffetti, and Davide Cattaneo

Subjects
Multiple Sclerosis, Physical activity, Rehabilitation, Settore MED/48 -Scienze Infermie.e Tecniche Neuro-Psichiatriche e Riabilitattive, Walk Test, General Medicine, Early intervention, Cross-Sectional Studies, Multiple sclerosis, Exercise, Fatigue, Humans, Neurology, Settore ING-INF/06 - Bioingegneria Elettronica e Informatica, Neurology (clinical)
Abstract

People with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) show low levels of physical activity (PA), however there has been limited research on PA in early diagnosed and no/minimally impaired (5 years, EDSS≤ 2.5) PwMS. The aims of the study were to objectively quantify PA levels in non-disabled PwMS, to compare the time spent daily at different PA levels (No activity (NPA), Light PA (LPA), Moderate PA (MPA), and Vigorous PA (VPA)) with healthy subjects (HS), and to examine the association of PA with disability, and clinical measures in PwMS.We assessed 58 PwMS (mean age±standard deviation, SD 39.1 ± 10.6years) and 20 HS (mean age±SD 39.3 ± 8.9 years). Demographic and clinical data were recorded at the hospital during the baseline assessment. Subjects wore the wrist GENEActiv accelerometer for 7-days. Data were collected at 100 Hz and summarized into a motor activity (MA) index using 60 s epochs with the following thresholds: MAPwMS show higher NPA and lower VPA compared to matched healthy subjects (NPA: Mean±SD, HS: 7.2 ± 0.9 h/day; PwMS: 8.1 ± 1.2 h/day, p0.01; VPA: HS: 0.78± 0.42 h/day; PwMS: 0.50± 0.40 h/day, p = 0.01), while no between group differences were observed for LPA and MPA (p0.05). Bivariate analysis showed that higher NPA was associated with fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale, FSS score) in PwMS with EDSS 0-1.5 (r = 0.34, p = 0.05). In PwMS with EDSS 2-2.5, NPA was correlated with Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT, r=-0.45, p = 0.02) and CIQ (r=-0.41, p = 0.04), while VPA was more associated with FSS (R= -0.38, p = 0.06).The PA level of PwMS differs from that of healthy subjects even in early diagnosed subjects. In PwMS with EDSS 0-1.5 only, fatigue is associated to prolonged inactive behavior. Conversely, in PwMS with EDSS 2-2.5 both inactivity and vigorous activities are modulated by fatigue, endurance and associated with different level of social participation.

Published
2022

31. Injectable Versus Oral First-Line Disease-Modifying Therapies: Results from the Italian MS Register

Author

Marco Onofrj, Giacomo Lus, Damiano Paolicelli, Matilde Inglese, Giorgia Teresa Maniscalco, Massimo Filippi, Emanuele D'Amico, M. Vianello, Simonetta Galgani, Vincenzo Brescia Morra, Francesco Patti, Antonio Gallo, Aurora Zanghì, Paolo Confalonieri, Giuseppe Salemi, Giovanna De Luca, Maria Trojano, Carlo Avolio, Maria Pia Amato, Eleonora Cocco, Marzia Romeo, D'Amico, E., Zanghi, A., Romeo, M., Cocco, E., Maniscalco, G. T., Brescia Morra, V., Paolicelli, D., De Luca, G., Galgani, S., Amato, M. P., Salemi, G., Inglese, M., Confalonieri, P. A., Lus, G., Avolio, C., Gallo, A., Vianello, M., Onofrj, M., Filippi, M., Trojano, M., Patti, F., D'Amico, Emanuele, Zanghì, Aurora, Romeo, Marzia, Cocco, Eleonora, Maniscalco, Giorgia Teresa, Brescia Morra, Vincenzo, Paolicelli, Damiano, De Luca, Giovanna, Galgani, Simonetta, Amato, Maria Pia, Salemi, Giuseppe, Inglese, Matilde, Confalonieri, Paolo Agostino, Lus, Giacomo, Avolio, Carlo, Gallo, Antonio, Vianello, Marika, Onofrj, Marco, Filippi, Massimo, Trojano, Maria, and Patti, Francesco

Subjects
Male, oral DMTs, oral DMT, Administration, Oral, Disease, Relapsing-Remitting, Cohort Studies, 0302 clinical medicine, Immunologic, injectable DMT, Pharmacology (medical), 030212 general & internal medicine, Registries, Subcutaneous, Middle Aged, Italy, EDSS score, injectable DMTs, Multiple sclerosis, real-world setting, Adjuvants, Immunologic, Adult, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Glatiramer Acetate, Humans, Immunologic Factors, Injections, Subcutaneous, Interferon-beta, Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting, Retrospective Studies, Administration, Cohort, Settore MED/26 - Neurologia, Original Article, Neurosurgery, Cohort study, Oral, medicine.medical_specialty, Lower risk, Injections, 03 medical and health sciences, Internal medicine, medicine, Multiple sclerosi, Adjuvants, Pharmacology, business.industry, medicine.disease, Discontinuation, Observational study, Neurology (clinical), business, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Abstract

The current study aims to compare injectable and oral first-line disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for time to first relapse, time to confirmed disability progression (CDP), and time to discontinuation using a cohort of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients, with data extracted from the Italian MS Register. This multicenter, observational, retrospectively acquired, and propensity-adjusted cohort study utilized RRMS-naïve patients from the Italian MS Register who started either injectable or oral first-line DMTs between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2017, to evaluate the impact on disability outcomes in patients. Enrolled patients were divided into two groups, namely the injectable group (IG) and the oral group (OG). Of a cohort of 11,416 patients, 4602 were enrolled (3919 in the IG and 683 in the OG). The IG had a higher rate of women (67.3% vs 63.4%, p p p p = 0.941), while a lower risk of DMT was found in the OG (HR = 0.72; CI 95% 0.58–0.88, p = 0.002) for the event time to discontinuation. Real-world data from the Italian MS Register suggests that first-line oral DMTs are associated with a lower risk of experiencing a new relapse and of therapy discontinuation compared to injectable DMTs.

Published
2021

32. SARS-CoV-2 serology after COVID-19 in multiple sclerosis: An international cohort study

Author

Maria Pia Sormani, Irene Schiavetti, Doriana Landi, Luca Carmisciano, Nicola De Rossi, Cinzia Cordioli, Lucia Moiola, Marta Radaelli, Paolo Immovilli, Marco Capobianco, Vincenzo Brescia Morra, Maria Trojano, Gioacchino Tedeschi, Giancarlo Comi, Mario Alberto Battaglia, Francesco Patti, Yara Dadalti Fragoso, Sedat Sen, Aksel Siva, Roberto Furlan, Marco Salvetti, Gianmarco Abbadessa, Umberto Aguglia, Lia Allegorico, Rossi Beatrice Maria Allegri, Maria Pia Amato, Pietro Annovazzi, Carlo Antozzi, Lucia Appendino, Sebastiano Arena, Viola Baione, Roberto Balgera, Valeria Barcella, Damiano Baroncini, Caterina Barrilà, Mario A. Battaglia, Alessandra Bellacosa, Gianmarco Bellucci, Roberto Bergamaschi, Valeria Bergamaschi, Daiana Bezzini, Beatrice Biolzi, Alvino Bisecco, Simona Bonavita, Giovanna Borriello, Chiara Bosa, Antonio Bosco, Francesca Bovis, Marco Bozzali, Laura Brambilla, Morra Vincenzo Brescia, Giampaolo Brichetto, Maria Buccafusca, Elisabetta Bucciantini, Sebastiano Bucello, Maria Chiara Buscarinu, Maria Paola Cabboi, Massimiliano Calabrese, Francesca Calabria, Francesca Caleri, Federico Camilli, Luisa Maria Caniatti, Roberto Cantello, Ruggero Capra, Rocco Capuano, Patrizia Carta, Paola Cavalla, Maria Grazia Celani, Maria Cellerino, Raffaella Cerqua, Clara Chisari, Raffaella Clerici, Marinella Clerico, Eleonora Cocco, Gaia Cola, Paolo Confalonieri, Antonella Conte, Marta Zaffira Conti, Christian Cordano, Susanna Cordera, Francesco Corea, Claudio Correale, Salvatore Cottone, Francesco Crescenzo, Erica Curti, Alessandro d’Ambrosio, Emanuele D’Amico, Maura Chiara Danni, Alessia d’Arma, Vincenzo Dattola, Stefano de Biase, Giovanna De Luca, Stefania Federica De Mercanti, Paolo De Mitri, Nicola De Stefano, Marco Della Cava, Mario di Napoli, Alessia Di Sapio, Renato Docimo, Anna Dutto, Luana Evangelista, Salvatore Fanara, Diana Ferraro, Maria Teresa Ferrò, Massimo Filippi, Cristina Fioretti, Mario Fratta, Jessica Frau, Marzia Fronza, Alberto Gajofatto, Antonio Gallo, Paolo Gallo, Claudio Gasperini, Anna Ghazaryan, Bruno Giometto, Francesca Gobbin, Flora Govone, Franco Granella, Erica Grange, Maria Grazia Grasso, Angelica Guareschi, Clara Guaschino, Simone Guerrieri, Donata Guidetti, Pietro Iaffaldano, Antonio Ianniello, Luigi Iasevoli, Daniele Imperiale, Maria Teresa Infante, Matilde Inglese, Rosa Iodice, Aniello Iovino, Giovanna Konrad, Roberta Lanzillo, Caterina Lapucci, Luigi Lavorgna, Rita L’Episcopo Maria, Serena Leva, Giuseppe Liberatore, Marianna Lo Re, Marco Longoni, Leonardo Lopiano, Lorena Lorefice, Matteo Lucchini, Giacomo Lus, Davide Maimone, Maria Malentacchi, Giulia Mallucci, Simona Malucchi, Chiara Rosa Mancinelli, Luca Mancinelli, Paolo Manganotti, Teresa Giorgia Maniscalco, Vittorio Mantero, Sabrina Marangoni, Damiano Marastoni, Alessandra Girolama Marfia, Fabiana Marinelli, Alessandro Marti, Filippo Martinelli Boneschi, Federco Masserano Zoli, Francesca Matta, Laura Mendozzi, Giuseppe Meucci, Silvia Miante, Giuseppina Miele, Eva Milano, Massimiliano Mirabella, Rosanna Missione, Marcello Moccia, Sara Montepietra, Margherita Monti Bragadin, Federico Montini, Roberta Motta, Raffaele Nardone, Carolina Gabri Nicoletti, Eduardo Nobile-Orazio, Agostino Nozzolillo, Marco Onofrj, Riccardo Orlandi, Anna Palmieri, Damiano Paolicelli, Livia Pasquali, Luisa Pastò, Elisabetta Pedrazzoli, Paola Perini, Ilaria Pesci, Maria Petracca, Alfredo Petrone, Carlo Piantadosi, Anna M. Pietroboni, Federica Pinardi, Marta Ponzano, Emilio Portaccio, Mattia Pozzato, Carlo Pozzilli, Luca Prosperini, Alessandra Protti, Paolo Ragonese, Sarah Rasia, Sabrina Realmuto, Anna Repice, Eleonora Rigoni, Maria Teresa Rilla, Francesca Rinaldi, Calogero Marcello Romano, Marco Ronzoni, Marco Rovaris, Francesca Ruscica, Loredana Sabattini, Giuseppe Salemi, Lorenzo Saraceno, Alessia Sartori, Arianna Sartori, Elvira Sbragia, Cinzia Scandellari, Ilaria Scarano Giuditta, Valentina Scarano, Valentina Schillaci, Maria Sessa, Caterina Sgarito, Grazia Sibilia, Gabriele Siciliano, Alessio Signori, Elisabetta Signoriello, Leonardo Sinisi, Francesca Sireci, Patrizia Sola, Claudio Solaro, Stefano Sotgiu, Maddalena Sparaco, Maria Laura Stromillo, Silvia Strumia, Laura Emanuela Susani, Giulietta Tabiadon, Francesco Teatini, Valentina Tomassini, Simone Tonietti, Clerici Valentina Torri, Carla Tortorella, Simona Toscano, Rocco Totaro, Maria Trotta, Gabriella Turano, Monica Ulivelli, Manzo Valentino, Giovanna Vaula, Domizia Vecchio, Marco Vercellino, Elena Pinuccia Verrengia, Marika Vianello, Eleonora Virgilio, Francesca Vitetta, Stefano Vollaro, Mauro Zaffaroni, Mauro Zampolini, Ignazio Roberto Zarbo, Antonio Zito, Luigi Zuliani, Sormani, M. P., Schiavetti, I., Landi, D., Carmisciano, L., De Rossi, N., Cordioli, C., Moiola, L., Radaelli, M., Immovilli, P., Capobianco, M., Brescia Morra, V., Trojano, M., Tedeschi, G., Comi, G., Battaglia, M. A., Patti, F., Fragoso, Y. D., Sen, S., Siva, A., Furlan, R., Salvetti, M., Bisecco, Alvino, Pia Sormani, Maria, Schiavetti, Irene, Landi, Doriana, Carmisciano, Luca, De Rossi, Nicola, Cordioli, Cinzia, Moiola, Lucia, Radaelli, Marta, Immovilli, Paolo, Capobianco, Marco, Brescia Morra, Vincenzo, Trojano, Maria, Tedeschi, Gioacchino, Comi, Giancarlo, Alberto Battaglia, Mario, Patti, Francesco, Dadalti Fragoso, Yara, Sen, Sedat, Siva, Aksel, Furlan, Roberto, Salvetti, Marco, Study Group Gianmarco Abbadessa, MuSC-19, Aguglia, Umberto, Allegorico, Lia, Beatrice Maria Allegri, Rossi, Pia Amato, Maria, Annovazzi, Pietro, Antozzi, Carlo, Appendino, Lucia, Arena, Sebastiano, Baione, Viola, Balgera, Roberto, Barcella, Valeria, Baroncini, Damiano, Barrilà, Caterina, A Battaglia, Mario, Bellacosa, Alessandra, Bellucci, Gianmarco, Bergamaschi, Roberto, Bergamaschi, Valeria, Bezzini, Daiana, Biolzi, Beatrice, Bonavita, Simona, Borriello, Giovanna, Bosa, Chiara, Bosco, Antonio, Bovis, Francesca, Bozzali, Marco, Brambilla, Laura, Vincenzo Brescia, Morra, Brichetto, Giampaolo, Buccafusca, Maria, Bucciantini, Elisabetta, Bucello, Sebastiano, Chiara Buscarinu, Maria, Paola Cabboi, Maria, Calabrese, Massimiliano, Calabria, Francesca, Caleri, Francesca, Camilli, Federico, Maria Caniatti, Luisa, Cantello, Roberto, Capra, Ruggero, Capuano, Rocco, Carta, Patrizia, Cavalla, Paola, Grazia Celani, Maria, Cellerino, Maria, Cerqua, Raffaella, Chisari, Clara, Clerici, Raffaella, Clerico, Marinella, Cocco, Eleonora, Cola, Gaia, Confalonieri, Paolo, Conte, Antonella, Zaffira Conti, Marta, Cordano, Christian, Cordera, Susanna, Corea, Francesco, Correale, Claudio, Cottone, Salvatore, Crescenzo, Francesco, Curti, Erica, D'Ambrosio, Alessandro, D'Amico, Emanuele, Chiara Danni, Maura, D'Arma, Alessia, Dattola, Vincenzo, de Biase, Stefano, De Luca, Giovanna, Federica De Mercanti, Stefania, De Mitri, Paolo, De Stefano, Nicola, Della Cava, Marco, di Napoli, Mario, Di Sapio, Alessia, Docimo, Renato, Dutto, Anna, Evangelista, Luana, Fanara, Salvatore, Ferraro, Diana, Teresa Ferrò, Maria, Filippi, Massimo, Fioretti, Cristina, Fratta, Mario, Frau, Jessica, Fronza, Marzia, Gajofatto, Alberto, Gallo, Antonio, Gallo, Paolo, Gasperini, Claudio, Ghazaryan, Anna, Giometto, Bruno, Gobbin, Francesca, Govone, Flora, Granella, Franco, Grange, Erica, Grazia Grasso, Maria, Guareschi, Angelica, Guaschino, Clara, Guerrieri, Simone, Guidetti, Donata, Iaffaldano, Pietro, Ianniello, Antonio, Iasevoli, Luigi, Imperiale, Daniele, Teresa Infante, Maria, Inglese, Matilde, Iodice, Rosa, Iovino, Aniello, Konrad, Giovanna, Lanzillo, Roberta, Lapucci, Caterina, Lavorgna, Luigi, L'Episcopo Maria, Rita, Leva, Serena, Liberatore, Giuseppe, Lo Re, Marianna, Longoni, Marco, Lopiano, Leonardo, Lorefice, Lorena, Lucchini, Matteo, Lus, Giacomo, Maimone, Davide, Malentacchi, Maria, Mallucci, Giulia, Malucchi, Simona, Rosa Mancinelli, Chiara, Mancinelli, Luca, Manganotti, Paolo, Giorgia Maniscalco, Teresa, Mantero, Vittorio, Marangoni, Sabrina, Marastoni, Damiano, Girolama Marfia, Alessandra, Marinelli, Fabiana, Marti, Alessandro, Martinelli Boneschi, Filippo, Masserano Zoli, Federco, Matta, Francesca, Mendozzi, Laura, Meucci, Giuseppe, Miante, Silvia, Miele, Giuseppina, Milano, Eva, Mirabella, Massimiliano, Missione, Rosanna, Moccia, Marcello, Montepietra, Sara, Monti Bragadin, Margherita, Montini, Federico, Motta, Roberta, Nardone, Raffaele, Gabri Nicoletti, Carolina, Nobile-Orazio, Eduardo, Nozzolillo, Agostino, Onofrj, Marco, Orlandi, Riccardo, Palmieri, Anna, Paolicelli, Damiano, Pasquali, Livia, Pastò, Luisa, Pedrazzoli, Elisabetta, Perini, Paola, Pesci, Ilaria, Petracca, Maria, Petrone, Alfredo, Piantadosi, Carlo, M Pietroboni, Anna, Pinardi, Federica, Ponzano, Marta, Portaccio, Emilio, Pozzato, Mattia, Pozzilli, Carlo, Prosperini, Luca, Protti, Alessandra, Ragonese, Paolo, Rasia, Sarah, Realmuto, Sabrina, Repice, Anna, Rigoni, Eleonora, Teresa Rilla, Maria, Rinaldi, Francesca, Marcello Romano, Calogero, Ronzoni, Marco, Rovaris, Marco, Ruscica, Francesca, Sabattini, Loredana, Salemi, Giuseppe, Saraceno, Lorenzo, Sartori, Alessia, Sartori, Arianna, Sbragia, Elvira, Scandellari, Cinzia, Scarano Giuditta, Ilaria, Scarano, Valentina, Schillaci, Valentina, Sessa, Maria, Sgarito, Caterina, Sibilia, Grazia, Siciliano, Gabriele, Signori, Alessio, Signoriello, Elisabetta, Sinisi, Leonardo, Sireci, Francesca, Sola, Patrizia, Solaro, Claudio, Sotgiu, Stefano, Sparaco, Maddalena, Laura Stromillo, Maria, Strumia, Silvia, Emanuela Susani, Laura, Tabiadon, Giulietta, Teatini, Francesco, Tomassini, Valentina, Tonietti, Simone, Valentina Torri, Clerici, Tortorella, Carla, Toscano, Simona, Totaro, Rocco, Trotta, Maria, Turano, Gabriella, Ulivelli, Monica, Valentino, Manzo, Vaula, Giovanna, Vecchio, Domizia, Vercellino, Marco, Pinuccia Verrengia, Elena, Vianello, Marika, Virgilio, Eleonora, Vitetta, Francesca, Vollaro, Stefano, Zaffaroni, Mauro, Zampolini, Mauro, Roberto Zarbo, Ignazio, Zito, Antonio, Zuliani, Luigi, Abbadessa, Gianmarco, Trotta, Maria Consiglia, and Zito, Guido Antonio

Subjects
0301 basic medicine, 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), immunosuppressive therapie, coronavirus, Settore MED/26, medicine.disease_cause, Antibodies, Viral, immunosuppressive therapies, Antibodies, Serology, Cohort Studies, Multiple sclerosis, 03 medical and health sciences, 0302 clinical medicine, Seroepidemiologic Studies, Pandemic, Medicine, Humans, Multiple sclerosi, Viral, Coronavirus, business.industry, immunomodulatory therapie, immunomodulatory therapies, COVID-19, medicine.disease, Virology, coronaviru, Settore MED/26 - NEUROLOGIA, Sars-COV-2, 030104 developmental biology, Neurology, Neurology (clinical), business, SARS-CoV-2, Multiple Sclerosis, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery, Cohort study
Abstract

Background: The MuSC-19 project is an Italian cohort study open to international partners that collects data on multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with COVID-19. During the second wave of the pandemic, serological tests became routinely available. Objective: To evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies according to the use of disease-modifying therapy (DMT) in a subset of patients included in the MuSC-19 data set who had undergone a serological test. Methods: We evaluated the association between positive serological test results and time elapsed since infection onset, age, sex, Expanded Disability Status Scale score, comorbidities and DMT exposure using a multivariable logistic model. Results: Data were collected from 423 patients (345 from Italy, 61 from Turkey and 17 from Brazil) with a serological test performed during follow-up. Overall, 325 out of 423 tested patients (76.8%) had a positive serological test. At multivariate analysis, therapy with anti-CD20 was significantly associated with a reduced probability of developing antibodies after COVID-19 (odds ratio (OR) = 0.20, p = 0.002). Conclusion: Patients with MS maintain the capacity to develop humoral immune response against SARS-COV-2, although to a lesser extent when treated with anti-CD20 drugs. Overall, our results are reassuring with respect to the possibility to achieve sufficient immunization with vaccination.

Published
2021

33. COVID-19 Severity in Multiple Sclerosis: Putting Data Into Context

Author

Maria Pia Sormani, Irene Schiavetti, Luca Carmisciano, Cinzia Cordioli, Massimo Filippi, Marta Radaelli, Paolo Immovilli, Marco Capobianco, Nicola De Rossi, Giampaolo Brichetto, Eleonora Cocco, Cinzia Scandellari, Paola Cavalla, Ilaria Pesci, Antonio Zito, Paolo Confalonieri, Girolama Alessandra Marfia, Paola Perini, Matilde Inglese, Maria Trojano, Vincenzo Brescia Morra, Gioacchino Tedeschi, Giancarlo Comi, Mario Alberto Battaglia, Francesco Patti, Marco Salvetti, Gianmarco Abbadessa, Umberto Aguglia, Lia Allegorico, Beatrice Maria Allegri Rossi, Maria Pia Amato, Pietro Annovazzi, Carlo Antozzi, Lucia Appendino, Sebastiano Arena, Viola Baione, Roberto Balgera, Valeria Barcella, Damiano Baroncini, Caterina Barrilà, Alessandra Bellacosa, Gianmarco Bellucci, Roberto Bergamaschi, Valeria Bergamaschi, Daiana Bezzini, Beatrice Biolzi, Alvino Bisecco, Simona Bonavita, Giovanna Borriello, Chiara Bosa, Antonio Bosco, Francesca Bovis, Marco Bozzali, Laura Brambilla, Maria Buccafusca, Elisabetta Bucciantini, Sebastiano Bucello, Maria Chiara Buscarinu, Maria Paola Cabboi, Massimiliano Calabrese, Francesca Calabria, Francesca Caleri, Federico Camilli, Luisa Maria Caniatti, Roberto Cantello, Ruggero Capra, Rocco Capuano, Patrizia Carta, Maria Grazia Celani, Maria Cellerino, Raffaella Cerqua, Clara Chisari, Raffaella Clerici, Marinella Clerico, Gaia Cola, Antonella Conte, Marta Zaffira Conti, Christian Cordano, Susanna Cordera, Francesco Corea, Claudio Correale, Salvatore Cottone, Francesco Crescenzo, Erica Curti, Alessandro d'Ambrosio, Emanuele D'Amico, Maura Chiara Danni, Alessia d'Arma, Vincenzo Dattola, Stefano de Biase, Giovanna De Luca, Stefania Federica De Mercanti, Paolo De Mitri, Nicola De Stefano, Marco Della Cava, Mario di Napoli, Alessia Di Sapio, Renato Docimo, Anna Dutto, Luana Evangelista, Salvatore Fanara, Ferraro Diana, Maria Teresa Ferrò, Cristina Fioretti, Mario Fratta, Jessica Frau, Marzia Fronza, Roberto Furlan, Alberto Gajofatto, Antonio Gallo, Paolo Gallo, Claudio Gasperini, Anna Ghazaryan, Bruno Giometto, Francesca Gobbin, Flora Govone, Franco Granella, Erica Grange, Maria Grazia Grasso, Angelica Guareschi, Clara Guaschino, Simone Guerrieri, Donata Guidetti, Pietro Iaffaldano, Antonio Ianniello, Luigi Iasevoli, Daniele Imperiale, Maria Teresa Infante, Rosa Iodice, Aniello Iovino, Giovanna Konrad, Doriana Landi, Roberta Lanzillo, Caterina Lapucci, Luigi Lavorgna, Maria Rita L'Episcopo, Serena Leva, Giuseppe Liberatore, Marianna Lo Re, Marco Longoni, Leonardo Lopiano, Lorena Lorefice, Matteo Lucchini, Giacomo Lus, Davide Maimone, Maria Malentacchi, Giulia Mallucci, Simona Malucchi, Chiara Rosa Mancinelli, Luca Mancinelli, Paolo Manganotti, Giorgia Teresa Maniscalco, Vittorio Mantero, Sabrina Marangoni, Damiano Marastoni, Fabiana Marinelli, Alessandro Marti, Filippo Martinelli Boneschi, Federco Masserano Zoli, Francesca Matta, Laura Mendozzi, Giuseppe Meucci, Silvia Miante, Giuseppina Miele, Eva Milano, Massimiliano Mirabella, Rosanna Missione, Marcello Moccia, Lucia Moiola, Sara Montepietra, Margherita MontiBragadin, Federico Montini, Roberta Motta, Raffaele Nardone, Carolina Gabri Nicoletti, Eduardo Nobile-Orazio, Agostino Nozzolillo, Marco Onofrj, Riccardo Orlandi, Anna Palmieri, Damiano Paolicelli, Livia Pasquali, Luisa Pastò, Elisabetta Pedrazzoli, Maria Petracca, Alfredo Petrone, Carlo Piantadosi, Anna M Pietroboni, Federica Pinardi, Marta Ponzano, Emilio Portaccio, Mattia Pozzato, Carlo Pozzilli, Luca Prosperini, Alessandra Protti, Paolo Ragonese, Sarah Rasia, Sabrina Realmuto, Anna Repice, Eleonora Rigoni, Maria Teresa Rilla, Francesca Rinaldi, Calogero Marcello Romano, Marco Ronzoni, Marco Rovaris, Francesca Ruscica, Loredana Sabattini, Giuseppe Salemi, Lorenzo Saraceno, Alessia Sartori, Arianna Sartori, Elvira Sbragia, Giuditta Ilaria Scarano, Valentina Scarano, Valentina Schillaci, Maria Sessa, Caterina Sgarito, Grazia Sibilia, Gabriele Siciliano, Alessio Signori, Elisabetta Signoriello, Leonardo Sinisi, Francesca Sireci, Patrizia Sola, Claudio Solaro, Stefano Sotgiu, Maddalena Sparaco, Maria Laura Stromillo, Silvia Strumia, Emanuela Laura Susani, Giulietta Tabiadon, Francesco Teatini, Valentina Tomassini, Simone Tonietti, Clerici Valentina Torri, Carla Tortorella, Simona Toscano, Rocco Totaro, Maria Trotta, Gabriella Turano, Monica Ulivelli, Manzo Valentino, Giovanna Vaula, Domizia Vecchio, Marco Vercellino, Elena Pinuccia Verrengia, Marika Vianello, Eleonora Virgilio, Francesca Vitetta, Stefano Vollaro, Mauro Zaffaroni, Mauro Zampolini, Ignazio Roberto Zarbo, Luigi Zuliani, Pia Sormani, Maria, Schiavetti, Irene, Carmisciano, Luca, Cordioli, Cinzia, Filippi, Massimo, Radaelli, Marta, Immovilli, Paolo, Capobianco, Marco, De Rossi, Nicola, Brichetto, Giampaolo, Cocco, Eleonora, Scandellari, Cinzia, Cavalla, Paola, Pesci, Ilaria, Zito, Guido Antonio, Confalonieri, Paolo, Alessandra Marfia, Girolama, Perini, Paola, Inglese, Matilde, Trojano, Maria, Brescia Morra, Vincenzo, Tedeschi, Gioacchino, Comi, Giancarlo, Alberto Battaglia, Mario, Patti, Francesco, Salvetti, Marco, Abbadessa, Gianmarco, Aguglia, Umberto, Allegorico, Lia, Maria Allegri Rossi, Beatrice, Pia Amato, Maria, Annovazzi, Pietro, Antozzi, Carlo, Appendino, Lucia, Arena, Sebastiano, Baione, Viola, Balgera, Roberto, Barcella, Valeria, Baroncini, Damiano, Barrilà, Caterina, Bellacosa, Alessandra, Bellucci, Gianmarco, Bergamaschi, Roberto, Bergamaschi, Valeria, Bezzini, Daiana, Biolzi, Beatrice, Bisecco, Alvino, Bonavita, Simona, Borriello, Giovanna, Bosa, Chiara, Bosco, Antonio, Bovis, Francesca, Bozzali, Marco, Brambilla, Laura, Buccafusca, Maria, Bucciantini, Elisabetta, Bucello, Sebastiano, Chiara Buscarinu, Maria, Paola Cabboi, Maria, Calabrese, Massimiliano, Calabria, Francesca, Caleri, Francesca, Camilli, Federico, Maria Caniatti, Luisa, Cantello, Roberto, Capra, Ruggero, Capuano, Rocco, Carta, Patrizia, Grazia Celani, Maria, Cellerino, Maria, Cerqua, Raffaella, Chisari, Clara, Clerici, Raffaella, Clerico, Marinella, Cola, Gaia, Conte, Antonella, Zaffira Conti, Marta, Cordano, Christian, Cordera, Susanna, Corea, Francesco, Correale, Claudio, Cottone, Salvatore, Crescenzo, Francesco, Curti, Erica, D'Ambrosio, Alessandro, D'Amico, Emanuele, Chiara Danni, Maura, D'Arma, Alessia, Dattola, Vincenzo, de Biase, Stefano, De Luca, Giovanna, Federica De Mercanti, Stefania, De Mitri, Paolo, De Stefano, Nicola, Della Cava, Marco, di Napoli, Mario, Di Sapio, Alessia, Docimo, Renato, Dutto, Anna, Evangelista, Luana, Fanara, Salvatore, Diana, Ferraro, Teresa Ferrò, Maria, Fioretti, Cristina, Fratta, Mario, Frau, Jessica, Fronza, Marzia, Furlan, Roberto, Gajofatto, Alberto, Gallo, Antonio, Gallo, Paolo, Gasperini, Claudio, Ghazaryan, Anna, Giometto, Bruno, Gobbin, Francesca, Govone, Flora, Granella, Franco, Grange, Erica, Grazia Grasso, Maria, Guareschi, Angelica, Guaschino, Clara, Guerrieri, Simone, Guidetti, Donata, Iaffaldano, Pietro, Ianniello, Antonio, Iasevoli, Luigi, Imperiale, Daniele, Teresa Infante, Maria, Iodice, Rosa, Iovino, Aniello, Konrad, Giovanna, Landi, Doriana, Lanzillo, Roberta, Lapucci, Caterina, Lavorgna, Luigi, Rita L'Episcopo, Maria, Leva, Serena, Liberatore, Giuseppe, Lo Re, Marianna, Longoni, Marco, Lopiano, Leonardo, Lorefice, Lorena, Lucchini, Matteo, Lus, Giacomo, Maimone, Davide, Malentacchi, Maria, Mallucci, Giulia, Malucchi, Simona, Rosa Mancinelli, Chiara, Mancinelli, Luca, Manganotti, Paolo, Teresa Maniscalco, Giorgia, Mantero, Vittorio, Marangoni, Sabrina, Marastoni, Damiano, Marinelli, Fabiana, Marti, Alessandro, Martinelli Boneschi, Filippo, Masserano Zoli, Federco, Matta, Francesca, Mendozzi, Laura, Meucci, Giuseppe, Miante, Silvia, Miele, Giuseppina, Milano, Eva, Mirabella, Massimiliano, Missione, Rosanna, Moccia, Marcello, Moiola, Lucia, Montepietra, Sara, Montibragadin, Margherita, Montini, Federico, Motta, Roberta, Nardone, Raffaele, Gabri Nicoletti, Carolina, Nobile-Orazio, Eduardo, Nozzolillo, Agostino, Onofrj, Marco, Orlandi, Riccardo, Palmieri, Anna, Paolicelli, Damiano, Pasquali, Livia, Pastò, Luisa, Pedrazzoli, Elisabetta, Petracca, Maria, Petrone, Alfredo, Piantadosi, Carlo, M Pietroboni, Anna, Pinardi, Federica, Ponzano, Marta, Portaccio, Emilio, Pozzato, Mattia, Pozzilli, Carlo, Prosperini, Luca, Protti, Alessandra, Ragonese, Paolo, Rasia, Sarah, Realmuto, Sabrina, Repice, Anna, Rigoni, Eleonora, Teresa Rilla, Maria, Rinaldi, Francesca, Marcello Romano, Calogero, Ronzoni, Marco, Rovaris, Marco, Ruscica, Francesca, Sabattini, Loredana, Salemi, Giuseppe, Saraceno, Lorenzo, Sartori, Alessia, Sartori, Arianna, Sbragia, Elvira, Ilaria Scarano, Giuditta, Scarano, Valentina, Schillaci, Valentina, Sessa, Maria, Sgarito, Caterina, Sibilia, Grazia, Siciliano, Gabriele, Signori, Alessio, Signoriello, Elisabetta, Sinisi, Leonardo, Sireci, Francesca, Sola, Patrizia, Solaro, Claudio, Sotgiu, Stefano, Sparaco, Maddalena, Laura Stromillo, Maria, Strumia, Silvia, Laura Susani, Emanuela, Tabiadon, Giulietta, Teatini, Francesco, Tomassini, Valentina, Tonietti, Simone, Valentina Torri, Clerici, Tortorella, Carla, Toscano, Simona, Totaro, Rocco, Trotta, Maria Consiglia, Turano, Gabriella, Ulivelli, Monica, Valentino, Manzo, Vaula, Giovanna, Vecchio, Domizia, Vercellino, Marco, Pinuccia Verrengia, Elena, Vianello, Marika, Virgilio, Eleonora, Vitetta, Francesca, Vollaro, Stefano, Zaffaroni, Mauro, Zampolini, Mauro, Roberto Zarbo, Ignazio, Zuliani, Luigi, Sormani, M. P., Schiavetti, I., Carmisciano, L., Cordioli, C., Filippi, M., Radaelli, M., Immovilli, P., Capobianco, M., De Rossi, N., Brichetto, G., Cocco, E., Scandellari, C., Cavalla, P., Pesci, I., Zito, A., Confalonieri, P., Marfia, G. A., Perini, P., Inglese, M., Trojano, M., Brescia Morra, V., Tedeschi, G., Comi, G., Battaglia, M. A., Patti, F., Salvetti, M., Zito, Antonio, BRESCIA MORRA, Vincenzo, Trotta, Maria, Sormani, Maria Pia, Marfia, Girolama Alessandra, and Battaglia, Mario Alberto

Subjects
Adult, Male, medicine.medical_specialty, Multiple Sclerosis, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Population, Intensive Care Unit, COVID-19, Cohort Studies, Comorbidity, Female, Hospitalization, Humans, Intensive Care Units, Italy, Middle Aged, Retrospective Studies, Risk Factors, Severity of Illness Index, Context (language use), Settore MED/26, Lower risk, Retrospective Studie, Internal medicine, Multiple Sclerosi, Medicine, In patient, National level, education, education.field_of_study, Expanded Disability Status Scale, business.industry, Risk Factor, Ethics committee, medicine.disease, Icu admission, Settore MED/26 - NEUROLOGIA, Neurology, Relative risk, Family medicine, Cohort, Honorarium, Observational study, Neurology (clinical), Cohort Studie, business, Human
Abstract

Background: It is unclear how multiple sclerosis (MS) affects the severity of Covid-19. Methods: Hospitalization, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission and death after Covid-19 diagnosis of 1362 MS patients were compared to the age and sex-matched Italian population in a retrospective observational case-cohort study with population-based control. The observed vs the expected events were compared in the whole MS cohort and in different subgroups (higher-risk: EDSS>3 or at least one comorbidity, lower-risk: EDSS

Published
2021

34. Living with severe multiple sclerosis: Cost-effectiveness of a palliative care intervention and cost of illness study

Author

Eva Pagano, Mariangela Farinotti, PeNSAMI, Simone Veronese, Francesco Patti, Alessandra Solari, Rosalba Rosato, Maria Grazia Grasso, Michela Ponzio, Andrea Giordano, and Paolo Confalonieri

Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty, Palliative care, Cost effectiveness, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Population, Multiple sclerosis, 03 medical and health sciences, Indirect costs, 0302 clinical medicine, Cost of Illness, Intervention (counseling), Health care, Medicine, Humans, 030212 general & internal medicine, education, health care economics and organizations, education.field_of_study, Personal care, business.industry, Palliative Care, General Medicine, Confidence interval, Neurology, Italy, Emergency medicine, Cost-effectiveness, Neurology (clinical), business, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Abstract

Background Little is known about the economic consequences of living with severe multiple sclerosis (SMS). Aims To assess the cost-effectiveness of a home-based palliative approach (HPA) for people with SMS (pwSMS). To assess direct healthcare costs in this population. Methods PwSMS from three Italian centers received (2:1 ratio) HPA or usual care over six months. Direct healthcare costs were collected on a monthly basis. Incremental cost-effectiveness was gauged from a national healthcare system (NHS) and a personal perspective, considering the Palliative Outcome Scale-Symptoms-MS (POS-S-MS) and the EuroQol five-dimension descriptive system quality-adjusted life years (EQ-5D-3L QALYs), both completed at baseline, after three and six months. Results Of 78 randomized pwSMS, 76 (50 HPA, 26 usual care) were analyzed. Mean QALYs were close to zero, and the mean group difference was -0.006 (95% CI -0.057 to 0.044). The mean baseline-adjusted cost difference was € -394 (95% confidence interval, CI -3,532 to 2,743). POS-S-MS cost-effectiveness showed a slight mean reduction of symptom burden (-1.9; 95% CI -1.1 to 5.0) with unchanged costs. Mean direct costs due to MS were € 23,195/year, almost equally distributed between NHS (€ 13,108) and pwSMS (€ 10,087). Personal care, medications and home rehabilitation accounted for 80% of total expenditures. Most personal care costs were covered by pwSMS, and these costs were 3/4 of pwSMS out-of-pocket. Conclusions The slight reduction of symptom burden produced by the HPA was not associated with an increase in costs. NHS and pwSMS almost equally sustained these costs. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN73082124.

Published
2021

35. The Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak on the Psychological Flexibility and Behaviour of Cancelling Medical Appointments of Italian Patients with Pre-Existing Medical Condition: The 'ImpACT-COVID-19 for Patients' Multi-Centre Observational Study

Author

Fabio Marchioretto, Ambra Mara Giovannetti, Andrea Angheben, Maria Moschetto, Roland Keim, Antonio Marchetta, Anna Di Profio, Anna Scaglione, Gabriella Biffa, Ronaldo Silva, Filippo Alongi, Jennifer Faietti, Matteo Giansante, Carlo Sestito, Zeno Bisoffi, Alessandro Failo, Giuseppe Deledda, Niccolò Riccardi, Eleonora Geccherle, Antonio Di Biagio, Paolo Confalonieri, Mariantonietta Mazzoldi, Hector Soto Parra, Giulio Molon, Cristina Mazzi, Alida M R Di Gangi Hermis, Stefano Rusconi, Andrea Giacomelli, Naida Faldetta, Licia Grazzi, Nicoletta Desantis, Sara Poli, Stefania Gori, Elena Sarcletti, Alessandra Solari, and Patrizia Dorangricchia

Subjects
050103 clinical psychology, medicine.medical_specialty, Patients, COVID-19, anxiety, cancelling medical appointments, depression, lockdown, pandemic, psychological flexibility, psychological impact, stress, virus, Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis, lcsh:Medicine, Dysfunctional family, Stress, Psychological Distress, Acceptance and commitment therapy, Article, Disease Outbreaks, 03 medical and health sciences, Appointments and Schedules, 0302 clinical medicine, Humans, Italy, Stress, Psychological, Surveys and Questionnaires, Experiential avoidance, medicine, 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences, 030212 general & internal medicine, Psychiatry, DASS, lcsh:R, 05 social sciences, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Flexibility (personality), Loneliness, Anxiety, Psychological, medicine.symptom, Psychology, Psychosocial
Abstract

Psychological distress imposed by the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak particularly affects patients with pre-existing medical conditions, and the progression of their diseases. Patients who fail to keep scheduled medical appointments experience a negative impact on care. The aim of this study is to investigate the psychosocial factors contributing to the cancellation of medical appointments during the pandemic by patients with pre-existing health conditions. Data were collected in eleven Italian hospitals during the last week of lockdown, and one month later. In order to assess the emotional impact of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and the subject&rsquo, s degree of psychological flexibility, we developed an ad hoc questionnaire (ImpACT), referring to the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) model. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) and the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ) were also used. Pervasive dysfunctional use of experiential avoidance behaviours (used with the function to avoid thought, emotions, sensations), feelings of loneliness and high post-traumatic stress scores were found to correlate with the fear of COVID-19, increasing the likelihood of cancelling medical appointments. Responding promptly to the information and psychological needs of patients who cancel medical appointments can have positive effects in terms of psychological and physical health.

Published
2021

36. Disease-Modifying Therapies and Coronavirus Disease 2019 Severity in Multiple Sclerosis

Author

Sormani, Maria P., Nicola De Rossi, Irene, Schiavetti, Luca, Carmisciano, Cinzia, Cordioli, Lucia, Moiola, Marta, Radaelli, Paolo, Immovilli, Marco, Capobianco, Maria, Trojano, Paola, Zaratin, Gioacchino, Tedeschi, Giancarlo, Comi, Battaglia, Mario A., Francesco, Patti, Marco, Salvetti, Agostino, Nozzolillo, Alessandra, Bellacosa, Alessandra, Protti, Alessia Di Sapio, Alessio, Signori, Alfredo, Petrone, Alvino, Bisecco, Aniello, Iovino, Anna, Dutto, Anna Maria Repice, Antonella, Conte, Antonio, Bertolotto, Antonio, Bosco, Antonio, Gallo, Antonio, Zito, Arianna, Sartori, Bruno, Giometto, Carla, Tortorella, Carlo, Antozzi, Carlo, Pozzilli, Chiara Rosa Mancinelli, Chiara, Zanetta, Christian, Cordano, Cinzia, Scandellari, Clara, Guaschino, Claudio, Gasperini, Claudio, Solaro, Cristina, Fioretti, Daiana, Bezzini, Damiano, Marastoni, Damiano, Paolicelli, Domizia, Vecchio, Doriana, Landi, Elisabetta, Bucciantini, Elisabetta, Pedrazzoli, Elisabetta, Signoriello, Elvira, Sbragia, Emanuela Laura Susani, Erica, Curti, Eva, Milano, Fabiana, Marinelli, Federico, Camilli, Filippo Martinelli Boneschi, Flora, Govone, Francesca, Bovis, Francesca, Calabria, Francesca, Caleri, Francesca, Rinaldi, Francesca, Vitetta, Francesco, Corea, Francesco, Crescenzo, Francesco, Teatini, Giulietta, Tabiadon, Franco, Granella, Giacomo, Boffa, Giacomo, Lus, Giampaolo, Brichetto, Giorgia Teresa Maniscalco, Giovanna, Borriello, Giovanna De Luca, Giovanna, Konrad, Giovanna, Vaula, Girolama Alessandra Marfia, Giulia, Mallucci, Giuseppe, Liberatore, Giuseppe, Salemi, Giuseppina, Miele, Grazia, Sibilia, Ilaria, Pesci, Laura, Brambilla, Leonardo, Lopiano, Leonardo, Sinisi, Pasquali, Livia, Lorenzo, Saraceno, Luca, Chiveri, Luca, Mancinelli, Grimaldi, Luigi M. E., Luisa Maria Caniatti, Marco Della Cava, Marco, Onofrj, Marco, Rovaris, Marco, Vercellino, Margherita Monti Bragadin, Maria, Buccafusca, Maria Chiara Buscarinu, Maria Grazia Celani, Maria Grazia Grasso, Maria Laura Stromillo, Maria, Petracca, Maria Pia Amato, Maria Pia Sormani, Maria Rita L'Episcopo, Maria, Sessa, Maria Teresa Ferrò, Maria Vittoria Ercolani, Mariangela, Bianco, Marianna Lo Re, Marika, Vianello, Marinella, Clerico, Mario Alberto Battaglia, Mario di Napoli, Marta, Ponzano, Marta Zaffira Conti, Massimiliano, Calabrese, Massimiliano, Mirabella, Massimo, Filippi, Matilde, Inglese, Matteo, Lucchini, Matteo, Pozzato, Maura Chiara Danni, Mauro, Zaffaroni, Mauro, Zampolini, Michela, Ponzio, Milena De Riz, Nicola De Stefano, Paola, Cavalla, Paola De Mitri, Paola, Grossi, Paolo, Confalonieri, Paolo, Gallo, Paolo, Ragonese, Patrizia, Sola, Pietro, Annovazzi, Pietro, Iaffaldano, Raffaele, Nardone, Raffaella, Cerqua, Raffaella, Clerici, Roberta, Lanzillo, Roberta, Motta, Roberto, Balgera, Roberto, Bergamaschi, Rocco, Totaro, Rosa, Iodice, Ruggero, Capra, Sabrina, Marangoni, Sabrina, Realmuto, Salvatore, Cottone, Sara, Montepietra, Sarah, Rasia, Sebastiano, Arena, Sebastiano, Bucello, Silvia, Banfi, Simona, Bonavita, Simona, Malucchi, Simone, Tonietti, Stefano, Vollaro, Susanna, Cordera, Umberto, Aguglia, Valentina Torri Clerici, Valeria, Barcella, Valeria, Bergamaschi, Vincenzo Brescia Morra, Vincenzo, Dattola, and Vittorio Mantero, Sormani, M. P., De Rossi, N., Schiavetti, I., Carmisciano, L., Cordioli, C., Moiola, L., Radaelli, M., Immovilli, P., Capobianco, M., Trojano, M., Zaratin, P., Tedeschi, G., Comi, G., Battaglia, M. A., Patti, F., Salvetti, M., P Sormani, Maria, De Rossi, Nicola, Schiavetti, Irene, Carmisciano, Luca, Cordioli, Cinzia, Moiola, Lucia, Radaelli, Marta, Immovilli, Paolo, Capobianco, Marco, Trojano, Maria, Zaratin, Paola, Tedeschi, Gioacchino, Comi, Giancarlo, A Battaglia, Mario, Patti, Francesco, Salvetti, Marco, Nozzolillo, Agostino, Bellacosa, Alessandra, Protti, Alessandra, Di Sapio, Alessia, Signori, Alessio, Petrone, Alfredo, Bisecco, Alvino, Iovino, Aniello, Dutto, Anna, Maria Repice, Anna, Conte, Antonella, Bertolotto, Antonio, Bosco, Antonio, Gallo, Antonio, Zito, Antonio, Sartori, Arianna, Giometto, Bruno, Tortorella, Carla, Antozzi, Carlo, Pozzilli, Carlo, Rosa Mancinelli, Chiara, Zanetta, Chiara, Cordano, Christian, Scandellari, Cinzia, Guaschino, Clara, Gasperini, Claudio, Solaro, Claudio, Fioretti, Cristina, Bezzini, Daiana, Marastoni, Damiano, Paolicelli, Damiano, Vecchio, Domizia, Landi, Doriana, Bucciantini, Elisabetta, Pedrazzoli, Elisabetta, Signoriello, Elisabetta, Sbragia, Elvira, Laura Susani, Emanuela, Curti, Erica, Milano, Eva, Marinelli, Fabiana, Camilli, Federico, Martinelli Boneschi, Filippo, Govone, Flora, Bovis, Francesca, Calabria, Francesca, Caleri, Francesca, Rinaldi, Francesca, Vitetta, Francesca, Corea, Francesco, Crescenzo, Francesco, Teatini, Francesco, Tabiadon, Giulietta, Granella, Franco, Boffa, Giacomo, Lus, Giacomo, Brichetto, Giampaolo, Teresa Maniscalco, Giorgia, Borriello, Giovanna, De Luca, Giovanna, Konrad, Giovanna, Vaula, Giovanna, Alessandra Marfia, Girolama, Mallucci, Giulia, Liberatore, Giuseppe, Salemi, Giuseppe, Miele, Giuseppina, Sibilia, Grazia, Pesci, Ilaria, Brambilla, Laura, Lopiano, Leonardo, Sinisi, Leonardo, Pasquali, Livia, Saraceno, Lorenzo, Chiveri, Luca, Mancinelli, Luca, E Grimaldi, Luigi M, Maria Caniatti, Luisa, Della Cava, Marco, Onofrj, Marco, Rovaris, Marco, Vercellino, Marco, Monti Bragadin, Margherita, Buccafusca, Maria, Chiara Buscarinu, Maria, Grazia Celani, Maria, Grazia Grasso, Maria, Laura Stromillo, Maria, Petracca, Maria, Pia Amato, Maria, Pia Sormani, Maria, Rita L'Episcopo, Maria, Sessa, Maria, Teresa Ferrò, Maria, Vittoria Ercolani, Maria, Bianco, Mariangela, Lo Re, Marianna, Vianello, Marika, Clerico, Marinella, Alberto Battaglia, Mario, di Napoli, Mario, Ponzano, Marta, Zaffira Conti, Marta, Calabrese, Massimiliano, Mirabella, Massimiliano, Filippi, Massimo, Inglese, Matilde, Lucchini, Matteo, Pozzato, Matteo, Chiara Danni, Maura, Zaffaroni, Mauro, Zampolini, Mauro, Ponzio, Michela, De Riz, Milena, De Stefano, Nicola, Cavalla, Paola, De Mitri, Paola, Grossi, Paola, Confalonieri, Paolo, Gallo, Paolo, Ragonese, Paolo, Sola, Patrizia, Annovazzi, Pietro, Iaffaldano, Pietro, Nardone, Raffaele, Cerqua, Raffaella, Clerici, Raffaella, Lanzillo, Roberta, Motta, Roberta, Balgera, Roberto, Bergamaschi, Roberto, Totaro, Rocco, Iodice, Rosa, Capra, Ruggero, Marangoni, Sabrina, Realmuto, Sabrina, Cottone, Salvatore, Montepietra, Sara, Rasia, Sarah, Arena, Sebastiano, Bucello, Sebastiano, Banfi, Silvia, Bonavita, Simona, Malucchi, Simona, Tonietti, Simone, Vollaro, Stefano, Cordera, Susanna, Aguglia, Umberto, Torri Clerici, Valentina, Barcella, Valeria, Bergamaschi, Valeria, Brescia Morra, Vincenzo, Dattola, Vincenzo, Mantero, Vittorio, Mp, Sormani, N, De Rossi, I, Schiavetti, L, Carmisciano, C, Cordioli, L, Moiola, M, Radaelli, P, Immovilli, M, Capobianco, M, Trojano, P, Zaratin, G, Tedeschi, G, Comi, Ma, Battaglia, F, Patti, M, Salvetti, Study Group Agostino Nozzolillo, Musc-19, Grimaldi, Luigi M. E., Vittorio Mantero, And, Nozzolillo, A., Bellacosa, A., Protti, A., Di Sapio, A., Signori, A., Petrone, A., Bisecco, A., Iovino, A., Dutto, A., Repice, A. M., Conte, A., Bertolotto, A., Bosco, A., Gallo, A., Zito, A., Sartori, A., Giometto, B., Tortorella, C., Antozzi, C., Pozzilli, C., Mancinelli, C. R., Zanetta, C., Cordano, C., Scandellari, C., Guaschino, C., Gasperini, C., Solaro, C., Fioretti, C., Bezzini, D., Marastoni, D., Paolicelli, D., Vecchio, D., Landi, D., Bucciantini, E., Pedrazzoli, E., Signoriello, E., Sbragia, E., Susani, E. L., Curti, E., Milano, E., Marinelli, F., Camilli, F., Boneschi, F. M., Govone, F., Bovis, F., Calabria, F., Caleri, F., Rinaldi, F., Vitetta, F., Corea, F., Crescenzo, F., Teatini, F., Tabiadon, G., Granella, F., Boffa, G., Lus, G., Brichetto, G., Maniscalco, G. T., Borriello, G., De Luca, G., Konrad, G., Vaula, G., Marfia, G. A., Mallucci, G., Liberatore, G., Salemi, G., Miele, G., Sibilia, G., Pesci, I., Brambilla, L., Lopiano, L., Sinisi, L., Pasquali, L., Saraceno, L., Chiveri, L., Mancinelli, L., Grimaldi, L. M. E., Caniatti, L. M., Cava, M. D., Onofrj, M., Rovaris, M., Vercellino, M., Bragadin, M. M., Buccafusca, M., Buscarinu, M. C., Celani, M. G., Grasso, M. G., Stromillo, M. L., Petracca, M., Amato, M. P., L'Episcopo, M. R., Sessa, M., Ferro, M. T., Ercolani, M. V., Bianco, M., Re, M. L., Vianello, M., Clerico, M., di Napoli, M., Ponzano, M., Conti, M. Z., Calabrese, M., Mirabella, M., Filippi, M., Inglese, M., Lucchini, M., Pozzato, M., Danni, M. C., Zaffaroni, M., Zampolini, M., Ponzio, M., De Riz, M., De Stefano, N., Cavalla, P., De Mitri, P., Grossi, P., Confalonieri, P., Gallo, P., Ragonese, P., Sola, P., Annovazzi, P., Iaffaldano, P., Nardone, R., Cerqua, R., Clerici, R., Lanzillo, R., Motta, R., Balgera, R., Bergamaschi, R., Totaro, R., Iodice, R., Capra, R., Marangoni, S., Realmuto, S., Cottone, S., Montepietra, S., Rasia, S., Arena, S., Bucello, S., Banfi, S., Bonavita, S., Malucchi, S., Tonietti, S., Vollaro, S., Cordera, S., Aguglia, U., Clerici, V. T., Barcella, V., Bergamaschi, V., Morra, V. B., Dattola, V., Mantero, V., Sormani M.P., De Rossi N., Schiavetti I., Carmisciano L., Cordioli C., Moiola L., Radaelli M., Immovilli P., Capobianco M., Trojano M., Zaratin P., Tedeschi G., Comi G., Battaglia M.A., Patti F., Salvetti M., Nozzolillo A., Bellacosa A., Protti A., Di Sapio A., Signori A., Petrone A., Bisecco A., Iovino A., Dutto A., Repice A.M., Conte A., Bertolotto A., Bosco A., Gallo A., Zito A., Sartori A., Giometto B., Tortorella C., Antozzi C., Pozzilli C., Mancinelli C.R., Zanetta C., Cordano C., Scandellari C., Guaschino C., Gasperini C., Solaro C., Fioretti C., Bezzini D., Marastoni D., Paolicelli D., Vecchio D., Landi D., Bucciantini E., Pedrazzoli E., Signoriello E., Sbragia E., Susani E.L., Curti E., Milano E., Marinelli F., Camilli F., Boneschi F.M., Govone F., Bovis F., Calabria F., Caleri F., Rinaldi F., Vitetta F., Corea F., Crescenzo F., Teatini F., Tabiadon G., Granella F., Boffa G., Lus G., Brichetto G., Maniscalco G.T., Borriello G., De Luca G., Konrad G., Vaula G., Marfia G.A., Mallucci G., Liberatore G., Salemi G., Miele G., Sibilia G., Pesci I., Brambilla L., Lopiano L., Sinisi L., Pasquali L., Saraceno L., Chiveri L., Mancinelli L., Grimaldi L.M.E., Caniatti L.M., Cava M.D., Onofrj M., Rovaris M., Vercellino M., Bragadin M.M., Buccafusca M., Buscarinu M.C., Celani M.G., Grasso M.G., Stromillo M.L., Petracca M., Amato M.P., L'Episcopo M.R., Sessa M., Ferro M.T., Ercolani M.V., Bianco M., Re M.L., Vianello M., Clerico M., di Napoli M., Ponzano M., Conti M.Z., Calabrese M., Mirabella M., Filippi M., Inglese M., Lucchini M., Pozzato M., Danni M.C., Zaffaroni M., Zampolini M., Ponzio M., De Riz M., De Stefano N., Cavalla P., De Mitri P., Grossi P., Confalonieri P., Gallo P., Ragonese P., Sola P., Annovazzi P., Iaffaldano P., Nardone R., Cerqua R., Clerici R., Lanzillo R., Motta R., Balgera R., Bergamaschi R., Totaro R., Iodice R., Capra R., Marangoni S., Realmuto S., Cottone S., Montepietra S., Rasia S., Arena S., Bucello S., Banfi S., Bonavita S., Malucchi S., Tonietti S., Vollaro S., Cordera S., Aguglia U., Clerici V.T., Barcella V., Bergamaschi V., Morra V.B., Dattola V., and Mantero V.

Subjects
Male, 0301 basic medicine, Dimethyl Fumarate, Neurodegenerative, multiple sclerosis, coronavirus, pneumonia, Severity of Illness Index, law.invention, Immunosuppressive Agent, Immunologic Factor, 0302 clinical medicine, Natalizumab, law, Monoclonal, Multiple Sclerosi, 80 and over, Lung, Humanized, Research Articles, Aged, 80 and over, Middle Aged, Intensive care unit, Hospitalization, Settore MED/26 - NEUROLOGIA, Intensive Care Units, Neurology, Methylprednisolone, Neurological, Pneumonia & Influenza, Interferon, Female, Immunosuppressive Agents, Research Article, Human, medicine.drug, Adult, medicine.medical_specialty, Musc-19 Study Group, Multiple Sclerosis, Adolescent, Clinical Sciences, Intensive Care Unit, Clinical Neurology, Settore MED/26, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized, Autoimmune Disease, Antibodies, Young Adult, 03 medical and health sciences, Clinical Research, Internal medicine, Severity of illness, medicine, Humans, Immunologic Factors, Mortality, Aged, COVID-19, Fingolimod Hydrochloride, Interferons, SARS-CoV-2, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Expanded Disability Status Scale, business.industry, Multiple sclerosis, Neurosciences, Pneumonia, Odds ratio, medicine.disease, Brain Disorders, Good Health and Well Being, 030104 developmental biology, Ocrelizumab, Neurology (clinical), business, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Abstract

Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the impact of immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory therapies on the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Methods: We retrospectively collected data of PwMS with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. All the patients had complete follow-up to death or recovery. Severe COVID-19 was defined by a 3-level variable: mild disease not requiring hospitalization versus pneumonia or hospitalization versus intensive care unit (ICU) admission or death. We evaluated baseline characteristics and MS therapies associated with severe COVID-19 by multivariate and propensity score (PS)-weighted ordinal logistic models. Sensitivity analyses were run to confirm the results. Results: Of 844 PwMS with suspected (n = 565) or confirmed (n = 279) COVID-19, 13 (1.54%) died; 11 of them were in a progressive MS phase, and 8 were without any therapy. Thirty-eight (4.5%) were admitted to an ICU; 99 (11.7%) had radiologically documented pneumonia; 96 (11.4%) were hospitalized. After adjusting for region, age, sex, progressive MS course, Expanded Disability Status Scale, disease duration, body mass index, comorbidities, and recent methylprednisolone use, therapy with an anti-CD20 agent (ocrelizumab or rituximab) was significantly associated (odds ratio [OR] = 2.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18–4.74, p = 0.015) with increased risk of severe COVID-19. Recent use (

Published
2021

37. Anti-Spike IgG in multiple sclerosis patients after BNT162b2 vaccine: An exploratory case-control study in Italy

Author

Alessandra Consonni, Fiammetta Vanoli, Carlo Antozzi, Antonio Zito, Valentina Torri Clerici, Emilio Ciusani, Sebastiano Giuseppe Crisafulli, Paolo Confalonieri, Francesca Andreetta, Antonella Bellino, Silvia Bonanno, Rita Frangiamore, Renato Mantegazza, Laura Brambilla, Riccardo Giossi, Roberto Bergamaschi, Eleonora Rigoni, Fulvio Baggi, Elena Corsini, Antonella Conte, and Irene Tramacere

Subjects
COVID-19 Vaccines, Multiple Sclerosis, Antibodies, Viral, Article, Antibodies, Medicine, Humans, Disease-modifying therapies, Viral, BNT162 Vaccine, Vaccine, BNT162b2, COVID-19, Multiple sclerosis, Case-Control Studies, Immunoglobulin G, SARS-CoV-2, business.industry, Case-control study, General Medicine, medicine.disease, Neurology, Immunology, Spike (software development), BNT162b2, Neurology (clinical), business, Vaccine
Abstract

Background Patients with neuroimmunological conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) often receive disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) or immunosuppressants which may reduce the response to vaccines. BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) is the first COVID-19 vaccine authorized in Italy. Its clinical efficacy and serological response were not evaluated in MS patients receiving DMTs or immunosuppressants. This early multicenter study evaluated serological response to BNT162b2 and safety in these patients. Methods From February 2021 we enrolled consecutive MS patients, treated with at least one DMT and all healthcare workers (HCWs), having received or being scheduled to receive the first dose of BNT162b2. Blood samples were collected after the second vaccine dose and analyzed to quantitatively detect the presence of anti-Spike antibodies. Serological response was compared to the one from a control population of HCWs, with neither neuroimmunological conditions nor receiving immunosuppressants. Patients receiving treatments associated with a possible reduced response (Under-scrutiny treatment group) were also compared to those undergoing other treatments. Anti-Spike levels were described as median and interquartile range (IQR). Comparisons were performed with Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. Solicited and unsolicited adverse events (AEs) were collected. Results 39 MS patients and a control population of 273 HCWs were included. One patient, under treatment with ocrelizumab, did not respond to BNT162b2, while all the remaining patients and all controls developed a serological response to the vaccine. Median anti-Spike levels were similar between patients (1471.0 BAU/ml; IQR 779.7 to 2357.0) and controls (1479.0 BAU/ml; IQR 813.1 to 2528.0) (p = 0.53). Patients included in the Under-scrutiny treatments group showed reduced anti-Spike levels (156.4 BAU/ml; IQR 33.4 to 559.1) compared to those receiving other treatments (1582.4 BAU/ml; IQR 1296.5 to 2219.0) (p = 0.001). Solicited AEs were all mild to moderate in severity, generally reported in the first days after vaccination, and resolved in the following days. Two MS patients reported a clinical relapse after the second vaccine dose. Conclusion BNT162b2 induced a serological response in MS patients treated with DMTs similar to controls not receiving DMTs or immunosuppressants. Some treatments were associated with reduced levels of anti-Spike antibodies in patients. These observations have relevant implications for treated patients receiving BNT162b2 and the community.

Published
2021

38. The IN-DEEP project 'INtegrating and Deriving Evidence, Experiences, Preferences': a web information model on magnetic resonance imaging for people with multiple sclerosis

Author

Marco Rovaris, Cinzia Caserta, Paola Mosconi, Paolo Galeazzi, Cinzia Colombo, Graziella Filippini, Simonetta Gerevini, Nicola De Stefano, Silena Trevisan, Loredana La Mantia, Roberta Guglielmino, Paolo Confalonieri, and Anita Pariani

Subjects
Evidence-based practice, Multiple Sclerosis, Glossary, Computer science, Information needs, law.invention, World Wide Web, 03 medical and health sciences, Online health information, 0302 clinical medicine, law, Phone, Humans, Health information needs, 030212 general & internal medicine, Patient involvement, business.industry, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Visualization, Systematic review, Neurology, Italy, CLARITY, The Internet, Neurology (clinical), business, Magnetic resonance imaging, Multiple sclerosis, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Abstract

The IN-DEEP project aims to provide people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) with evidence-based information on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosis and monitoring the disease through a website, and to collect their opinions on the clarity of the website’s contents and its usefulness. A multidisciplinary advisory board committee was set up. We investigated the experience, attitude and information needs on MRI through three meetings with 24 PwMS, facilitated by an expert researcher and an observer. We developed the website on the basis of input from PwMS and systematic reviews and guidelines, assessed with AMSTAR and AGREE II. We sought feedback from nine PwMS who pilot-tested the beta-version of the website, during a meeting and through phone interviews and judged whether the contents were clear, understandable and useful, and the website was easily navigable. The website is in Italian. The website ( https://www.istituto-besta.it/in-deep-risonanza-magnetica2 ) provides two levels of information, different layouts and visualization of data covering MRI diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity, contents on how MRI can monitor PwMS over time to determine changes in the condition and evaluate treatment effects, practical information on how to prepare for the exam, educational tools and a glossary. The website was judged clear and useful by a sample of PwMS. The website is a tool to address PwMS information needs on the role of MRI. It could be used by neurologists to facilitate communication with PwMS.

Published
2020

39. A resilience group training program for people with multiple sclerosis: Results of a pilot single-blind randomized controlled trial and nested qualitative study

Author

Michele Messmer Uccelli, Kenneth I. Pakenham, Rui Quintas, Irene Tramacere, Ambra Mara Giovannetti, Alessandra Solari, Paolo Confalonieri, and Andrea Giordano

Subjects
Male, European People, 050103 clinical psychology, Emotions, Social Sciences, Pilot Projects, Anxiety, Spectrum analysis techniques, Acceptance and commitment therapy, law.invention, Cognition, 0302 clinical medicine, Randomized controlled trial, law, Surveys and Questionnaires, Outcome Assessment, Health Care, Medicine and Health Sciences, Psychology, Ethnicities, Single-Blind Method, Qualitative Research, media_common, Multidisciplinary, 05 social sciences, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Middle Aged, Resilience, Psychological, Qualitative Studies, Italian People, Neurology, Research Design, Medicine, Female, Psychological resilience, Research Article, Adult, medicine.medical_specialty, Multiple Sclerosis, media_common.quotation_subject, Science, Immunology, Psychological Stress, Autoimmune Diseases, Interviews as Topic, 03 medical and health sciences, NMR spectroscopy, Quality of life (healthcare), Intervention (counseling), Mental Health and Psychiatry, medicine, Humans, 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Biology and Life Sciences, Relaxation (Psychology), Demyelinating Disorders, Research and analysis methods, Mood, NMR relaxation, People and Places, Quality of Life, Physical therapy, Feasibility Studies, Cognitive Science, Clinical Immunology, Population Groupings, Clinical Medicine, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery, Program Evaluation, Neuroscience, Qualitative research, Case series
Abstract

Introduction An Australian case series study demonstrated the effectiveness of the REsilience and Activities for every DaY for people with multiple sclerosis (READY for MS), a resilience group training program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, in improving quality of life in people with MS. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the Italian READY for MS program, and to preliminary assess its efficacy when compared to an active control intervention (group relaxation). Methods Single-blind phase II randomized controlled trial (RCT) and nested qualitative study (ISRCTN registration number: 38971970). Health-related quality of life (primary study outcome), mood, resilience, psychological flexibility and its protective factors were measured at baseline, after seven, 12 and 24 weeks. READY participants completed the purpose-built satisfaction questionnaire after 12 weeks. After trial completion, the control group also received READY. One-to-one participant interviews were conducted within three months of finishing the READY groups. Results Four intervention groups were conducted with 39 participants (20 READY, 19 relaxation). Two patients (READY) withdrew before beginning the intervention due to unexpected work commitments. Feasibility and acceptability of READY were good, with high participant engagement and satisfaction. No statistical effects of READY were detected vs relaxation. Thirty participants were interviewed (18 READY; 12 relaxation + READY). Content data analysis revealed seven overarching themes: “Attitudes towards participation”; “Perceptions of program composition”; “Program impacts on life domains”; “Program active elements”; “Program improvement trajectories”; “Program differences and similarities”; “Suggested READY improvements”. Conclusion READY was well accepted by MS patients with varied socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Qualitative (but not quantitative) data provided evidence in favour of READY. Our findings will inform methodological and intervention refinements for the multi-centre RCT that will follow.

Published
2020

40. eMSQOL-29: Prospective validation of the abbreviated, electronic version of MSQOL-54

Author

Francesco Patti, Ilaria Rossi, Silvia Testa, Paolo Confalonieri, Francesco Scavelli, Antonio Bertolotto, Andrea Giordano, Rosalba Rosato, Ambra Mara Giovannetti, Erika Pietrolongo, Clara Grazia Chisari, Alessandra Solari, Anna Toscano, Maria Grazia Grasso, Alessandra Lugaresi, Barbara Loera, Rosato, Rosalba, Testa, Silvia, Bertolotto, Antonio, Scavelli, Francesco, Giovannetti, Ambra M, Confalonieri, Paolo, Patti, Francesco, Chisari, Clara Grazia, Lugaresi, Alessandra, Pietrolongo, Erika, Grasso, Maria Grazia, Rossi, Ilaria, Toscano, Anna, Loera, Barbara, Giordano, Andrea, and Solari, Alessandra

Subjects
Adult, Male, Gerontology, Psychometrics, Health-related quality of life, psychometric assessment, MSQOL-54, patient reported outcomes, multiple sclerosis, Young Adult, 03 medical and health sciences, 0302 clinical medicine, Quality of life (healthcare), Humans, Patient Reported Outcome Measures, Prospective Studies, 030212 general & internal medicine, electronic migration, Aged, Health related quality of life, Reproducibility of Results, Middle Aged, patient reported outcome, Cross-Sectional Studies, Neurology, multiple sclerosi, Quality of Life, Female, Neurology (clinical), Psychology, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Abstract

Background: We recently devised a shortened version of the 54-item Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life (MSQOL-54) in paper (MSQOL-29, consisting of 25 items forming 7 subscales and 4 single items, and one filter question for 3 ‘sexual function’ items) and electronic format (eMSQOL-29). Objectives: To prospectively assess eMSQOL-29 psychometric properties, acceptability/equivalence versus MSQOL-29. Methods: Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients ( n = 623; Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) range 0.0–9.0) completed eMSQOL-29, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Functional Assessment of MS (FAMS), European Quality of life Five Dimensions-3L, and received EDSS and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Equivalence versus MSQOL-29 was assessed in 242 patients (randomized cross-over design). Results: ‘Sexual function’ items were filtered out by 273 patients (47%). No multi-item scale had floor effect, while five had ceiling effect. Cronbach’s alpha range was 0.88–0.90. Confirmatory factor analysis showed good overall fit and the two-factor solution for composite scores was confirmed. Criterion validity was sub-optimal for ‘cognitive function’ (vs SDMT, r = 0.25) and ‘social function’ (vs FAMS social function, r = 0.38). eMSQOL-29 equivalence was confirmed and its acceptability was good. Conclusion: eMSQOL-29 showed good internal consistency, factor structure and no floor effect, while most subscales had some ceiling effect. Criterion validity was sub-optimal for two subscales. Equivalence and acceptability were good.

Published
2018

41. Older age, higher perceived disability and depressive symptoms predict the amount and severity of work-related difficulties in persons with multiple sclerosis

Author

Paola Zaratin, Valentina Torri Clerici, Silvia Schiavolin, Francesca Cortese, Rita Frangiamore, Paolo Confalonieri, Matilde Leonardi, Greta Brenna, Marco Moscatelli, Laura De Torres, Renato Mantegazza, Ambra Mara Giovannetti, Michela Ponzio, Laura Brambilla, and Alberto Raggi

Subjects
Adult, Male, 030506 rehabilitation, Multiple Sclerosis, Sample (statistics), Work related, Disability Evaluation, 03 medical and health sciences, 0302 clinical medicine, Surveys and Questionnaires, medicine, Humans, Disabled Persons, Work Performance, Depression (differential diagnoses), Depressive symptoms, Depression, business.industry, Multiple sclerosis, Rehabilitation, Age Factors, Rehabilitation, Vocational, Middle Aged, medicine.disease, Self Concept, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Vocational rehabilitation, 0305 other medical science, business, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery, Clinical psychology
Abstract

Purpose: This cross-sectional study aims to identify the predictors of work-related difficulties in a sample of employed persons with multiple sclerosis as addressed with the Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire for Job Difficulties. Materials and methods: Hierarchical linear regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of work difficulties: predictors included demographic variables (age, formal education), disease duration and severity, perceived disability and psychological variables (cognitive dysfunction, depression and anxiety). The targets were the questionnaire’s overall score and its six subscales. Results: A total of 177 participants (108 females, aged 21–63) were recruited. Age, perceived disability and depression were direct and significant predictors of the questionnaire total score, and the final model explained 43.7% of its variation. The models built on the questionnaire’s subscales show that perceived disability and depression were direct and significant predictors of most of its subscales. Conclusions: Our results show that, among patients with multiple sclerosis, those who were older, with higher perceived disability and higher depression symptoms have more and more severe work-related difficulties. The Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire for Job Difficulties can be fruitfully exploited to plan tailored actions to limit the likelihood of near-future job loss in persons of working age with multiple sclerosis.Implications for rehabilitationDifficulties with work are common among people with multiple sclerosis and are usually addressed in terms of unemployment or job loss. The Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire for Job Difficulties is a disease-specific questionnaire developed to address the amount and severity of work-related difficulties.We found that work-related difficulties were associated to older age, higher perceived disability and depressive symptoms.Mental health issues and perceived disability should be consistently included in future research targeting work-related difficulties. Difficulties with work are common among people with multiple sclerosis and are usually addressed in terms of unemployment or job loss. The Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire for Job Difficulties is a disease-specific questionnaire developed to address the amount and severity of work-related difficulties. We found that work-related difficulties were associated to older age, higher perceived disability and depressive symptoms. Mental health issues and perceived disability should be consistently included in future research targeting work-related difficulties.

Published
2018

42. Long-term disability progression in childhood and adolescent onset multiple sclerosis patients

Author

Mattia Fonderico, Alessandra Lugaresi, Maria Trojano, Franco Granella, Davide Maimone, Antonio Bertolotto, Paola Cavalla, Eleonora Cocco, Giacomo Lus, Vincenzo Brescia Morra, Marco Rovaris, Maria Pia Amato, Patrizia Sola, Paolo Confalonieri, Giuseppe Salemi, Marta Simone, Paola Valentino, Francesco Patti, Marco Onofrj, Ermelinda De Meo, Roberto Bergamaschi, Massimo Filippi, Giorgia Teresa Maniscalco, Ilaria Pesci, and Raffaello Bonacchi

Subjects
Pediatrics, medicine.medical_specialty, Adolescent onset, Neurology, business.industry, Multiple sclerosis, medicine, Neurology (clinical), Long term disability, medicine.disease, business
Published
2021

43. Multimorbidity in multiple sclerosis: Impact on disability, quality of life and health status

Author

Claudia Toppo, Alberto Raggi, Matilde Leonardi, Renato Mantegazza, Laura Brambilla, Valentina Torri Clerici, Maria Teresa Pugliese, Paolo Confalonieri, Erika Guastafierro, and Carlo Antozzi

Subjects
Gerontology, Quality of life (healthcare), Neurology, business.industry, Multiple sclerosis, medicine, Multimorbidity, Neurology (clinical), medicine.disease, business
Published
2021

44. Progression independent of relapse activity in early multiple sclerosis patients

Author

Franco Di Palma, Angelo Bellinvia, Marta Simone, Eleonora Cocco, Vito Lepore, Lorenzo Razzolini, Paola Valentino, Maria Pia Amato, Francesco Patti, Massimo Filippi, Daniele Spitaleri, Pietro Iaffaldano, Luisa Pastò, Rocco Totaro, Davide Maimone, Giacomo Lus, A. Protti, Ilaria Pesci, Patrizia Sola, Marco Onofrj, Mattia Fonderico, Alessandra Lugaresi, Roberto Bergamaschi, Giorgia Teresa Maniscalco, M. Vianello, Vincenzo Brescia Morra, Maria Trojano, Franco Granella, Emilio Portaccio, Paolo Confalonieri, Umberto Aguglia, and Giuseppe Salemi

Subjects
Oncology, medicine.medical_specialty, Neurology, business.industry, Internal medicine, Multiple sclerosis, medicine, Neurology (clinical), medicine.disease, business
Published
2021

45. Assessing measurement invariance of MSQOL-54 across Italian and English versions

Author

Maria Grazia Grasso, Alysha M De Livera, Ugo Nocentini, George A Jelinek, Elisa Ferriani, Sabina Cilia, Rosa Gemma Viterbo, Antonio Bertolotto, Maria Esmeralda Quartuccio, Marta Bassi, Andrea Giordano, Ambra Mara Giovannetti, Rosalba Rosato, Silvia Testa, Monica Falautano, Monica Grobberio, Claudia Niccolai, Erika Pietrolongo, Paolo Confalonieri, Beatrice Allegri, Mauro Zaffaroni, Alessandra Lugaresi, Eleonora Cocco, Alessandra Solari, and DIPARTIMENTO DI SCIENZE BIOMEDICHE E NEUROMOTORIE

Subjects
Adult, Male, Psychometrics, Mean squared error, Health-related quality of life, Measurement invariance, MSQOL-54, Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis, Multiple sclerosis, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Female, Humans, Ireland, Language, Middle Aged, Multiple Sclerosis, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires, Health Status, Structural equation modeling, 03 medical and health sciences, 0302 clinical medicine, Statistics, Equivalence (measure theory), Mathematics, Psychometry, Factor analysis, 030503 health policy & services, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Statistical, Settore MED/34 - Medicina Fisica e Riabilitativa, Level of measurement, 030220 oncology & carcinogenesis, 0305 other medical science, Factor Analysis
Abstract

none 24 no Purpose: The Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54) is a specific multiple sclerosis (MS) health-related quality of life inventory consisting of 52 items organized into 12 subscales plus two single items. No study was found in literature assessing its measurement invariance across language versions. We investigated whether MSQOL-54 items provide unbiased measurements of underlying constructs across Italian and English versions. Methods: Three constrained levels of measurement invariance were evaluated: configural invariance where equivalent numbers of factors/factor patterns were required; metric invariance where equivalent factor loadings were required; and scalar invariance where equivalent item intercepts between groups were required. Comparative fit index (CFI), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), and standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) fit indices and their changes between nested models were used to assess tenability of invariance constraints. Results: Overall, the dataset included 3669 MS patients: 1605 (44%) Italian, mean age 41years, 62% women, 69% with mild level of disability; 2064 (56%) English-speaking (840 [41%] from North America, 797 [39%] from Australasia, 427 [20%] from UK and Ireland), mean age 46years, 83% women, 54% with mild level of disability. The configural invariance model showed acceptable fit (RMSEA = 0.052, CFI = 0.904, SRMR = 0.046); imposing loadings and intercepts equality constraints produced negligible worsening of fit (ΔRMSEA < 0.001, ΔCFI = − 0.002, ΔSRMR = 0.002 for metric invariance; ΔRMSEA = 0.003, ΔCFI = − 0.013, ΔSRMR = 0.003 for scalar invariance). Conclusions: These findings support measurement invariance of the MSQOL-54 across the two language versions, suggesting that the questionnaire has the same meaning and the same measurement paramaters in the Italian and English versions. open Giordano A.; Testa S.; Bassi M.; Cilia S.; Bertolotto A.; Quartuccio M.E.; Pietrolongo E.; Falautano M.; Grobberio M.; Niccolai C.; Allegri B.; Viterbo R.G.; Confalonieri P.; Giovannetti A.M.; Cocco E.; Grasso M.G.; Lugaresi A.; Ferriani E.; Nocentini U.; Zaffaroni M.; De Livera A.; Jelinek G.; Solari A.; Rosato R. Giordano A.; Testa S.; Bassi M.; Cilia S.; Bertolotto A.; Quartuccio M.E.; Pietrolongo E.; Falautano M.; Grobberio M.; Niccolai C.; Allegri B.; Viterbo R.G.; Confalonieri P.; Giovannetti A.M.; Cocco E.; Grasso M.G.; Lugaresi A.; Ferriani E.; Nocentini U.; Zaffaroni M.; De Livera A.; Jelinek G.; Solari A.; Rosato R.

Published
2019

46. Cognitive function alone is a poor predictor of health-related quality of life in employed patients with MS: results from a cross-sectional study

Author

Paolo Confalonieri, Silvia Schiavolin, Greta Brenna, Francesca Cortese, Ambra Mara Giovannetti, Michela Ponzio, Valentina Torri Clerici, Venusia Covelli, Alberto Raggi, Marco Moscatelli, Renato Mantegazza, Laura Brambilla, Matilde Leonardi, Rita Frangiamore, and Paola Zaratin

Subjects
Adult, Employment, Male, Multivariate statistics, Multiple Sclerosis, Cross-sectional study, Anxiety, Neuropsychological Tests, Disability Evaluation, Young Adult, 03 medical and health sciences, Cognition, 0302 clinical medicine, Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous), Quality of life, Predictive Value of Tests, Surveys and Questionnaires, Developmental and Educational Psychology, medicine, Humans, 030212 general & internal medicine, Cognitive skill, Young adult, Depression (differential diagnoses), Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Depression, Middle Aged, humanities, Psychiatry and Mental health, Clinical Psychology, Cross-Sectional Studies, Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology, Socioeconomic Factors, Quality of Life, Female, Self Report, medicine.symptom, Psychology, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery, Clinical psychology
Abstract

Depression, anxiety, disease severity, and cognitive functions impact on the quality of life of people with MS. However, the majority of studies were not based on multivariate models and did not target employed patients. The aim of this study was to investigate predictors of HRQoL in persons with MS in the workforce considering cognitive, psychological, disease severity, and disability-related variables.Cross-sectional study. Hierarchical block regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of physical and mental components of HRQoL, measured with the MSQOL-54. Candidate predictors included cognitive functioning (a selection of Rao's BRB-NT), sample features (age, education, MS duration), depressive symptoms (BDI-II), anxiety (STAI-Y), disability (WHODAS 2.0), and MS severity (EDSS): those that correlated with PCS and MCS with p .250 and those that correlated with other predictors with coefficients.800 were excluded from regression analyses.In total, 181 patients (60.8% females, mean age 39.6, median EDSS 1.5) were included. In both models, cognitive variables had a poor explicative power. The models improved significantly when psychological, as well as, disease severity and disability variables were added. R(2) of complete models was 0.732 for the physical component, 0.697 for the mental one: BDI-II, STAI-State and, some WHODAS 2.0 scales were significant predictors of HRQoL.Monitoring anxiety, depressive symptoms, and level of disability through self-reported questionnaires may provide useful suggestions to improve the HRQoL of persons with MS in the workforce, permitting to address possible problems in the work context and plan corrective actions.

Published
2016

47. Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire for Job Difficulties (MSQ-Job): definition of the cut-off score

Author

Ambra Mara Giovannetti, Silvia Schiavolin, Francesca Cortese, Renato Mantegazza, Alberto Raggi, Matilde Leonardi, Marco Moscatelli, Laura Brambilla, Paola Zaratin, Michela Ponzio, Paolo Confalonieri, Venusia Covelli, Rita Frangiamore, Valentina Torri Clerici, and Greta Brenna

Subjects
Adult, Male, 030506 rehabilitation, medicine.medical_specialty, Multiple Sclerosis, Job difficulties, Sample (statistics), Dermatology, Disease cluster, 03 medical and health sciences, 0302 clinical medicine, Quality of life, Surveys and Questionnaires, medicine, Humans, Work Performance, Analysis of Variance, Receiver operating characteristic, Multiple sclerosis, General Medicine, Middle Aged, medicine.disease, Psychiatry and Mental health, ROC Curve, Quality of Life, Physical therapy, Female, Neurology (clinical), Analysis of variance, Cut-off, 0305 other medical science, Psychology, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Abstract

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) mainly affects people of working age. The Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire for Job Difficulties (MSQ-Job) was designed to measure difficulties in work-related tasks. Our aim is to define cut-off score of MSQ-Job to identify potential critical situations that might require specific attention. A sample of patients with MS completed the MSQ-Job, WHODAS 2.0 and MSQOL-54 respectively for work difficulties, disability and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) evaluation. K-means Cluster Analysis was used to divide the sample in three groups on the basis of HRQoL and disability. ANOVA test was performed to compare the response pattern between these groups. The cut-off score was defined using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses for MSQ-Job total and count of MSQ-Job items scores ≥3: a score value corresponding to the maximum of the sensitivity-to-specificity ratio was chosen as the cut-off. Out of 180 patients enrolled, twenty were clustered in the higher severity group. The area under the ROC curve was 0.845 for the MSQ-Job total and 0.859 for the count of MSQ-Job items scores ≥3 while the cut-off score was 15.8 for MSQ-Job total and 8 for count of items scored ≥3. We recommend the use of MSQ-Job with this calculation as cut-off for identifying critical situations, e.g. in vocational rehabilitation services, where work-related difficulties have a significant impact in terms of lower quality of life and higher disability.

Published
2016

48. Trigeminal interfascicular neurolysis (nerve combing) for refractory recurrent neuralgia in multiple sclerosis

Author

Morgan Broggi, Paolo Ferroli, Francesco Acerbi, Gabriella Raccuia, Luisa Chiapparini, Paolo Confalonieri, Ignazio G. Vetrano, and Marco Schiariti

Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty, Refractory, business.industry, Multiple sclerosis, medicine, Neuralgia, Pharmacology (medical), Combing, medicine.disease, business, Neurolysis, Surgery
Abstract

In multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, trigeminal neuralgia (TN) represents a challenging syndrome to treat, often refractory to medical therapy and percutaneous techniques. Despite the frequent lack of a neurovascular conflict, the trigeminal nerve’s axons are often damaged, with the myelin sheath permanently degenerated, thus explaining the difficulty in treating TN in MS.The authors illustrate trigeminal interfascicular neurolysis (the combing technique) to control refractory recurrent TN in MS: the nerve is longitudinally divided along its fibers from the root entry zone, determining good pain relief.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/o1XksPW5fMY

Published
2020

49. Severe thrombocytopenia during Natalizumab therapy: A case report

Author

Bruno Passarella, Mattea Modesto, Valentina Torri Clerici, Erminia Rinaldi, Domenico Pastore, Paolo Confalonieri, and Augusto Maria Rini

Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty, business.industry, Multiple sclerosis, medicine.disease, Dermatology, Severe thrombocytopenia, Purpura, Natalizumab, Neurology, medicine, Neurology (clinical), medicine.symptom, business, medicine.drug
Published
2020

50. Design and Development of a Web-Based Platform for Comprehensive Autonomous Home Rehabilitation Management in Multiple Sclerosis

Author

Renato Mainetti, Alessandro Tironi, Manuel Pezzera, Roberta Cazzaniga, N. Alberto Borghese, Simone Mercurio, Barbara Reggiori, Jacopo Essenziale, and Paolo Confalonieri

Subjects
Home rehabilitation, Schedule, Rehabilitation, Computer science, Human–computer interaction, business.industry, medicine.medical_treatment, medicine, Web application, Set (psychology), business, Motion (physics), Avatar
Abstract

With the increase of rehabilitation costs in the last years, tele-rehabilitation systems are becoming popular. These systems allow patients to exercise at home, without the need to commute to a rehabilitation center. In this paper we introduce a web-based platform to support and manage the entire cycle of a rehabilitation program that can be carried out autonomously at home. In particular, the platform lets therapists schedule a set of exercises and tune their difficulty level, according to patient’s residual capabilities. Moreover, it provides clinicians with the trend over time of specific indexes (accuracy, speed, amplitude, strength), computed over the whole pool of exercises carried out daily. Therapists may review patients’ activities through an avatar animated with previously acquired motion data. The platform is currently being tested on patients suffering from multiple sclerosis; however, it can be used also in other rehabilitation domains.

Published
2018

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