Biomedical subjects

Erwin L J Hoogervorst

Publications and source records attributed to Erwin L J Hoogervorst.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

A study validating changes in the multiple sclerosis functional composite.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively characterize the relation between 1-year changes in neurologist ratings of abnormalities as measured by means of the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and changes in observations of functional impairment as measured by means of the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) in the clinical assessment of multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: One hundred twenty patients with MS were recruited at our outpatient clinic. Impairment and disability at baseline and follow-up were assessed using the EDSS and MSFC. We studied correlations between change (Delta) in the EDSS, MSFC, and MSFC components for the total population and different subgroups and analyzed the contribution of change in MSFC components to change in the EDSS and MSFC. RESULTS: Median EDSS score at baseline was 4.5; at follow-up, 5.0. Mean MSFC score at baseline was -0.00; at follow-up, -0.04. Good cross-sectional correlations were found between the EDSS and MSFC at baseline (-0.72) and follow-up (-0.73). Only weak correlations were found between DeltaEDSS and DeltaMSFC. Although DeltaEDSS showed the strongest correlations with change in leg function and weak or no correlation with change in cognitive function or arm function, DeltaMSFC showed the highest correlation with change in arm function and cognitive function. CONCLUSION: Our longitudinal data indicate that the MSFC reflects change from different dimensions of neurologic functions, which is a favorable characteristic when compared with the EDSS.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

INTERMED: a measure of biopsychosocial case complexity: one year stability in Multiple Sclerosis patients.

The 1-year temporal stability of the INTERMED in a sample of patients with relatively stable care needs, patients with established Multiple Sclerosis (MS) was analyzed. Seventy MS patients underwent an interview to assess the INTERMED by a trained nurse, and two examinations of disability, EDSS and GNDS by medical doctors. At the following appointment with the nurse, approximately 1 year later, a second INTERMED assessment was done. Spearman correlations and change scores between the INTERMED assessments were calculated. Correlations between the two assessments were considerable: 0.75 for the total score and 0.55-0.74 for the domain scores (all P <.05). Median change of all four INTERMED domain scores and total score were 0. Changes in INTERMED total scores tended to be associated with changes in EDSS scores over time (P = 0.09), but not with changes in GNDS scores (P = 0.67). Patients with INTERMED scores above 20 on at least one of the two assessments had longer disease duration (P < 0.01), were more frequently suffering from a chronic form of MS (P < 0.01), and had more disability on EDSS (P < 0.01) and GNDS (P < 0.01) assessments. In a sample of patients with an established diagnosis of MS, INTERMED scores remained fairly stable over the period of a year. Implementing the INTERMED in routine care of patients with chronic conditions may help the clinician to structure interdisciplinary care.

Persons with Disabilities↗