Multiple Sclerosis Flashcards
Define MS
Inflammatory Autoimmune Demyelinating (white matter) disease of the CNS.
When does MS generally present?
In young people from their teens->30s
Primary Progressive (PPMS) tends to show up later in life (50s/60s)
Who is predisposed to MS?
People with other autoimmune conditions
Describe the prevalence of MS?
In scotland its roughly 190/100,000
2 or 3x more common in women than men
Most common in white northern countries such as the UK & Canada. (Possibly because of less sunlight, as Vit D deficiency is a risk factor for MS)
How do most MS sufferer’s initially present?
In early life during a relapse
A few days gradual onset of symptoms then it takes a few weeks to stabilize and they recover slowly in hospital.
What types of relapses are common in MS?
- Optic Neuritis
- Spinal Cord (Myelitis)
- Brain Stem & Cerebellar
- Sensory symptoms
- Limb Weakness
What symptoms are a part of optic neuritis?
- Subacute visual loss
- Pain on moving the eye
- Colour vision disturbed
- Swelling and/or atrophy of the optic disc
- Relative afferent pupillary reflex (pupils reacting differently to light)
What are the types of myelitis?
Partial (one sided) or transverse (complete)
What are the effects of myelitis?
- Weakness & UMN syndrome below the level of the myelitis
- The affected level may have hyperaesthesia (physical hypersensitivity)
- Bladder & Bowel Symptoms
How would a brainstem relapse present?
- Cranial Nerve Involvement
- Cerebellum (Vertigo, ataxia, nystagmus)
- Can affect the sensory fibres or UMNs
- Internuclear Opthalmoplegia
What is internuclear opthalmoplegia
Occurs due to MS affecting the Pons, (specifically the nerve fibres connecting the nuclei of VI & III)
Ipsilateral slow & deficient adduction + Contralateral Abducting Nystagmus
when you look contralateral to the effected eye.
What kind of sensory symptoms can occur in an MS relapse?
Numbness, tingling, lack of sensation or pain are common
What kind of motor symptoms come with an MS relapse?
- Clumsiness
- Spasticity
- Tremors
- Weakness
- Hypereflexia
etc
Dsecribe the progression of MS?
Most MS presents with a relapse:
- Then the relapse heals and the disease follows a pattern of relapse & remission, possibly with some permanent disability developing after each relapse
- Most people eventually develop Secondary Progressive MS where the disease remains active between relapses resulting in progressively worsening disability
What sort of effects can develop in progressive MS?
- Fatigue
- Unusual sensation
- Stiffness, spasms, weakness, hyperreflexia, plantar extension
- Speech & swallowing problems
- Bladder & bowel symptoms
- Visual loss/oscillopsia/diplopia
- Balance problems
- Cognitive. Mainly mild memory impairment