Biomedical subjects

Burcu Ormeci

Publications and source records attributed to Burcu Ormeci.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Utilization of the multiple sclerosis functional composite in follow-up: relationship to disease phenotype, disability and treatment strategies.

As multiple sclerosis (MS) has a dynamic process, monitoring of the disability is important in the remission period. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the usefulness of MSFC instead of EDSS in the follow-up period of MS. In addition, evaluation of the effect of immunomodulatory therapy, and the difference among the type of MS in follow-up was purposed. One hundred and eighty-three patients with definite MS were enrolled in the present study. Patients were diagnosed as having relapsing-remitting (RR) MS (n=149) or secondary progressive (SP) MS (n=34). Fifty-eight out of 149 RRMS patients who had at least two relapses in the last 2 years have received any of the immunomodulator agents. The Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) were performed at baseline and after 2 years to assess disability. Patients who were under disease modifying therapy were assessed before the treatment and 2 years after starting the treatment. Cross-sectional correlations between MSFC and EDSS score at baseline and follow-up were studied. Patients were divided into three subgroups: (1) RRMS patients who did not receive disease modifying therapy (DMT)--non-DMT group, (2) RRMS patients who received DMT--DMT group, (3) SPMS patients who did not receive DMT--SPMS group. EDSS and MSFC scores got worsened significantly at the end of the second year. Decreases in either EDSS or MSFC scores were more prominent in SPMS group. The most significant worsening was found in T25WT. The most prominent and significant decrease was in PASAT of SPMS group. Moderately strong cross-sectional correlations were found between MSFC and EDSS scores at baseline and follow-up. The most prominent correlation was between EDSS and T25WT scores with an excellent correlation. We concluded that the MSFC assesses aspects of neurological function not measured by the EDSS, suggesting that it is more sensitive to detect change over time and better able to demonstrate a therapeutic effect. The pattern of correlations among the MSFC, its components, and the EDSS supported the validity of MSFC.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Correlations between multiple sclerosis functional composite, expanded disability status scale and health-related quality of life during and after treatment of relapses in patients with multiple sclerosis.

The measurement of the clinical manifestations of multiple sclerosis (MS) is difficult. In the present study, we examined the changes in measurement of functions during and after pulse methylprednisolon (MP) treatment of MS exacerbations using the MSFC and EDSS. Correlation between multiple sclerosis quality of life (MSQoL)-54, EDSS and MSFC were studied. Thirty-six clinically definite MS patients were included in this study. Because of MSFC's repeating feature, we administered the tests to a control group to exclude practise effects. All patients received 1000-mg intravenous MP for 5 days, followed by tappering dose of 100-mg oral prednisolone. All three scales were assessed on day 0. EDSS and two components of MSFC (nine HPT and T25WT) were administered on the other days of pulse MP treatment. PASAT was not applied before the day 5 to exclude the practise effect. MSQoL-54 was assessed again on day 30. Mean EDSS values significantly decreased after the day 2. MSFC score improved from 0.03 +/- 1.71 on day 0 to 0.79 +/- 1.51 on day 5. Improvement continued on day 30. The mean physical health composite score increased from 66.50 +/- 9.3 on day 0 to 74.34 +/- 8.9 on day 30. Mental health composite had also a significant improvement on day 30. Correlation between the baseline overall MSFC and the EDSS was moderately strong. T25WT correlated most strongly with EDSS. Significant positive correlation was found between MSFC and both components of MSQoL-54. It is more prominent for the MSFC and physical health composite correlation. The same correlation was found for the EDSS and MSQoL-54 composites. Changes in EDSS and MSFC scores and MSQoL-54 were found significantly correlated for the overall score on day 30 compared with day 0. In conclusion, MSFC seems to be more sensitive in detecting changes in function than the EDSS. Hence, EDSS is still useful for daily routine practise. When these results combined with the significant correlation between MSFC and MSQoL-54 measures, which indicated the MSFC reflects the severity of MS as perceived by patients, MSFC seems to be the most useful scale for clinical trials.

Adult↗