Multiple Sclerosis Flashcards
What is MS?
Autoimmune demyelinating condition of the CNS
Mix of environmental and genetic factors are thought to cause MS.
What are 2 environmental factors that are linked to MS?
Thought to be:
- meat based diet increases risk
- vit D activation further from poles - increases risk
What is the most common type of MS?
Relapsing remitting MS which in some patients turns into secondary progressive
What is the name of the type that doesn’t experience relapses?
Primary progressive
What kind of sensory dysfunction can you get in MS?
Both sensory loss and parasethsia
What impact does MS have on urinary tract?
Leads to dysfunction - similar to UTI w/o pain
How is it diagnosed?
White plaques present on MRI
Exclude other causes - infection etc.
What sex of patient is more likely to get MS?
Female (about 3:1)
Presentation of MS is dependant on location of plaques.
How can it present ocularly?
Optic neuritis - painful visual loss
What is pyramidal dysfunction?
Increased tone Spasticity Weakness - extensors of upper limbs - flexors of lower limbs \+ve Babinski sign - where toes flex away when u do that weird movement on the sole
What is the buzzword for CSF you get in 90+% of patients?
Unmatched
means unmatched between CSF and plasma
When it comes to acute relapse. If mild we just do symptomatic treatment.
How is treatment advanced if moderate or severe relapse
Moderate - oral steroids
Severe - IV steroids - admit
What is the first line drug used for relapsing-remitting form?
What is the side effect?
Tecfidera
Can cause neutropenia - FBC needs to be done every 3 months
What two drugs can be given alongside physio and potentially botox for spasticity?
Baclofen
Tizanidine
What drug is gabapentin and what is it used for?
Anti-convulsant used for neuropathic pain symptom relief
