Multiple Sclerosis Flashcards
Who is the typical/most common patient that is diagnosed with MS (4)?
- typical onset between 20-40 yr. old.
- predominately white populations
- more common in women (2-3:1)
- higher frequency in tempered zones (northern US/southern Canada, Scandinavian countries, northern Europe, New Zealand and southern Australia)
MS is characterized by (4) things.
- autoimmune disease
- inflammation
- selective demyelination
- gliosis
T/F - It appears a person can inherit MS?
False - a person may inherit a genetic susceptibility to immune system dysfunction.
When persons with genetic susceptibility are exposed to a viral agent, the immune system responds with activated myelin-reactive lymphocytes, what are the (5) viruses under investigation?
- Epstein-Barr
- Measles
- Canine distemper
- Human herpesvirus-6
- Chlamydia pneumonia
Name (2) risk factors that may increase your chances of developing MS?
- Vitamin D deficiency
- smoking
What is the pathophysiology or events (7) that take place with MS?
- immune response (to virus) triggers activation of immune cells
- cells activate autoantigens, producing cytotoxic effects within CNS “friendly fire”
- Phagocytic activity of macrophages may also contribute to demyelination
- demyelination slows neural transmission and causes nerve to fatigue rapidly
- Acute inflammatory event emerges (edema and infiltrates surround the acute lesion, can cause mass effect further interfering with nerve conduction)
- During early stages of MS, oligodendrocytes survive and can produce remyelination.
- Demyelinated areas become filled with fibrous astrocytes and undergoes gliosis. (this glial scare or plaque is a permanent change)
T/F - Damaged cells that result in demyelination (in MS) can regenerate myelin?
True - but often incomplete and to 100% of its pre-damaged function.
What is gliosis?
- proliferation of neuroglial tissue within the CNS resulting in glial scars (plaques)
- axon itself becomes interrupted and undergoes neurodegeneration
- this is the main cause of permanent disability
What are the four major clinical subtypes of MS?
- Relapsing-Remitting MS (about 85% of MS at diagnosis, lack of disease progression between periods of relapse)
- Secondary-Progressive MS (begins with RRMS course, followed by steady irreversible decline)
- Primary-Progressive MS (continuous worsening of disease, without discrete attacks)
- Progressive-Relapsing MS (steady deterioration from onset with occasional acute attacks)
T/F - There has been recently fewer incidences, due to newer medications, of persons diagnosed with Secondary-Progressive MS?
True - before newer medications, the majority of patients with RRMS progressed to SPMS.
Describe the disease course of MS (3).
- it DEPENDS!!!!!!
- it is highly variable and unpredictable from person to person and within an individual over time.
- relapses (exacerbations) = new and recurrent MS symptoms lasting more than 24 hours that are unrelated to another etiology.
What are (4) exacerbating factors that if possible should be avoided to ensure the MS patient’s optimal function?
- avoiding overall health decline (deteriorate)
- viral or bacterial infections
- diseases of major organ systems
- modest link between stress and relates
What is a pseudoexacerbation?
- temporary worsening of MS symptoms
- typically comes and goes within 24 hours
T/F - Increase in body temperature can bring on a pseudo-attack?
True
What are common sensory deficits seen in MS (4)?
- focal deficits produce limited areas of diminished sensation
- altered sensation is common, paresthesias (pins and needles)
- numbness, decreased proprioception also common
- pain, 80% and 50% chronic pain, trigeminal neuralgia (face, cheek, jaw) Lhermitte’s sign (flexion of neck produces electric shock-like sensation down spine and into LE’s)
What are common visual deficits seen in MS (3)?
- Optic Neuritis (inflammation of optic nerve)
- Nystagmus
- Diplopia (double vision)
- visual symptoms found in 80% of pt’s
What is described as an icepick-like pain behind the eye with blurring or graying of vision or blindness in one eye?
- optic neuritis
- generally improve with in 4 to 12 weeks