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PubMed · 8340639

Multiple sclerosis: a literature review.

C M Miller·M Hens
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Abstract

The pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS) was first described over 150 years ago. An estimated 250,000 to 350,000 people are affected with MS in this country. Young adults between the ages of 20 and 50 years are most commonly affected, with the majority of patients experiencing a relapsing course and progressive functional disability. To date, researchers have been unable to discover a precipitating cause. However, many now believe MS develops due to exposure to some unknown virus in a genetically predisposed individual. The incidence of disease is limited in temperate climates and higher in northern latitudes. Neuroscience nurses frequently care for individuals with MS and must, therefore, maintain a familiarity with the current literature and research.

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Cause of DeathCognition DisordersDepressionFemaleHumansMultiple SclerosisNursing DiagnosisPregnancyPregnancy ComplicationsPsychology, SocialJournal ArticleReview

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C M Miller, M Hens. 1993. Multiple sclerosis: a literature review.. https://doi.org/10.1097/01376517-199306000-00007

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Overall and cause-specific mortality in ulcerative colitis: meta-analysis of population-based inception cohort studies.

OBJECTIVES: It remains debated whether patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are at greater risk of dying and whether a possible alteration in mortality can be attributed to specific causes of death. We aimed to clarify this issue by conducting a meta-analysis of population-based inception cohort studies on overall and cause-specific mortality in patients with UC. METHODS: The MEDLINE search engine and abstracts from international conferences were searched for relevant literature by use of explicit search criteria. STATA meta-analysis software was used to calculate pooled risk estimates (SMR, standardized mortality ratio, observed/expected deaths) of overall mortality and specific causes of death and to conduct metaregression analyses of the influence of specific variables on SMR. RESULTS: Ten papers fulfilled the inclusion criteria, reporting SMRs varying from 0.7 to 1.4. The overall pooled estimate was 1.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.9-1.2, P= 0.42). However, greater risk of dying was observed during the first years of follow-up, in patients with extensive colitis, and in patients from Scandinavia. Metaregression analysis showed an increase in SMR by increasing cohort size. UC-related mortality accounted for 17% of all deaths. Mortality from gastrointestinal diseases, nonalcoholic liver diseases, pulmonary embolisms, and respiratory diseases was increased whereas mortality from pulmonary cancer was reduced. CONCLUSIONS: The overall risk of dying in patients with UC did not differ from that of the background population, although subgroups of patients were at greater risk of dying. The cause-of-death distribution seemed to differ from that of the background population.

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