A recent review has found too little evidence on pharmacological treatments for systemic sclerosis (SSc) digital ulcers (DU) and was unable to promote the development of evidence-based treatment guidelines.
Female Post-9/11 Veterans More Likely to Have MS Than Males
Among post-9/11 veterans, sex-based differences were common in an assessment of health status. For example, women had higher odds for multiple sclerosis and a range of other conditions compared to men.
Using Ultrasound Measures of Functionality in MS Patients
Can sonography be a useful tool in evaluating changes due to disease progression or therapeutic interventions in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients? A new VA study suggested it could be.
White Women Most Likely to Have MS in United States
Multiple sclerosis affects diverse racial and ethnic groups in the United States, according to a recent study, which suggested that “racial, ethnic, and geographic differences in multiple sclerosis (MS) are important factors to assess when determining the disease burden and allocating health care resources.”
Walter Reed, NIAID Scientists Help Develop Monoclonal Antibodies That Might Block Epstein-Barr Virus Infection; EBV Linked to MS Development
Scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) have developed a panel of investigational monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that target two key proteins—gH and gL—on the surface of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
PTSD Appears to Accelerate Multiple Sclerosis Progression for Veterans
An unfortunate confluence of events puts a significant number of veterans at higher risk of both multiple sclerosis and post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTSD). Agent Orange and other exposures make multiple sclerosis (MS) a presumptive condition for those who have served, while combat experience, higher rates of sexual assault and other factors increase the likelihood of PTSD among veterans.
Federal Medicine Leads the Battle Against MS from Cause to Vaccine
Researchers with the DoD provided a breakthrough in resolving the mystery surrounding the cause of multiple sclerosis (MS).
VA Research Finds Disease-Modifying Therapies Protective Against COVID-19
For veterans with multiple sclerosis (MS), the COVID-19 pandemic increased anxiety. Would the demyelinating disease increase the risk of hospitalization or death in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2?
VA Partners with PVA, National MS Society to Support Veterans with MS
The VA’s Multiple Sclerosis Centers of Excellence (MSCoE) offer a wide range of services for veterans affected by the neurological condition and ensures veterans have access to high quality care wherever they are.
PTSD Appears to Accelerate Multiple Sclerosis Progression for Veterans
An unfortunate confluence of events puts a significant number of veterans at higher risk of both multiple sclerosis and post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTSD).
VA Researchers, Others, Determine That MS Costs the U.S. $85.4 Billion Annually
An estimated one million people in the U.S. live with multiple sclerosis (MS) today, making understanding the economic impact of the disease a matter of increasing importance.
Response to MS Disease-Modifying Therapy May Differ by Race, Ethnicity
Disease-modifying therapies have transformed the lives of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) by slowing progression, decreasing relapse rates, and reducing brain lesion accumulation since the first approval of interferon beta nearly 30 years ago.
Depression Can Affect Dual-Task Walking in Multiple Sclerosis
Dual-task walking (DTW) can be a complex process for multiple sclerosis patients. A new study looks at what functions it requires.
MS Patients With RRMS Have More Anxiety Than Those With PMS
Multiple sclerosis patients in general appear to have higher rates of anxiety than the general population, but it remains unclear how much their disease course affects that response.
Comorbidities Predict ED Use by Veterans With MS
Would addressing comorbidities in multiple sclerosis patients help reduce use of all-cause emergency services?
Ground-breaking Study in U.S. Military Finds Link Between MS, Epstein-Barr Virus
Researchers with the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS) and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health appear to have solved one of the most perplexing mysteries in medicine: What causes multiple sclerosis (MS)?
Predicting MS Development After Optic Neuritis in Military
A new military study looked at how accurately a type of eye inflammation predicts later multiple sclerosis development.
Global Warming Might Exacerbate Disease Burden of Multiple Sclerosis
While the global effects of climate change are much discussed, research now is evaluating the much more specific consequences of temperature fluctuations, including detrimental outcomes for multiple sclerosis patients.
DMTs Appear to Be Underused in Younger MS Patients, Including Veterans
Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) help prevent permanent damage to the central nervous system when used early on to treat multiple sclerosis patients.
Advice on MS Treatment During COVID-19 Pandemic
Selecting appropriate treatments for multiple sclerosis is complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study.
Psychotherapeutic Services Can Be Critical for Veterans With Multiple Sclerosis
Some Mental Health Issues More Common in MS Patients HARTFORD, CT—Emotional disorders are common in patients with multiple sclerosis and can complicate treatment, according to the American Academy of Neurology. The specialty group noted on its website that one-third...
Is a Modified Paleolithic Diet Safe, Effective for MS-Associated Fatigue?
Study Recommends Some Supplementation But Generally Approves IOWA CITY, IA—With judicious use of the type of supplements found at the pharmacy, a restrictive diet is showing promise for improving some symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Based on preliminary studies...
Biomarker Helps Identify Multiple Sclerosis Much Earlier in the Disease Process
Military Personnel Study Could Improve MS Treatment BOSTON—Early identification of multiple sclerosis could enable interventions to prevent demyelinating events and the progression of neurodegeneration, as well as help pinpoint causal factors of the disease. A study...
VA Seeks Increase in Medication Adherence Among Veterans With MS
A recent VA study found that 31% of MS patients in the VA system had suboptimal medication adherence. That can especially be an issue for relapsing forms of the disease, which affect 85% of MS patients, because there could be times of partial or complete remission when symptoms are reduced or absent.
Researchers note that recent exacerbations tended to increase adherence, although failing to regularly use disease modifying treatment has been associated with more relapses and exacerbations, a greater likelihood of disease progression and a poorer quality of life.
VA-led Study Finds U.S. MS Prevalence Is Double Previous Estimates
WASHINGTON—Researchers and policy makers estimated that 300,000 to 400,000 people in the U.S. had multiple sclerosis in 2010, but new data indicates that number grossly undercounted the number of people affected by the neurological disease.
New Biomarker for MS Discovered; Could Replace MRI for Detection
BALTIMORE—A University of Maryland research team has discovered a biomarker that can determine whether a patients has multiple sclerosis or is relapsing, thanks to VA funding.
MS Surprisingly Prevalent in U.S., Dropping Among Servicemembers
The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in the United States population appears to be nearly double previous estimates. Among servicemembers, however, the rate of new MS diagnoses has dropped significantly in recent years.
Focus on Diabetes Control, Cancer Screening Helps Reduce MS Deaths
OKLAHOMA CITY — While multiple sclerosis (MS) itself remains incurable, development of more effective treatments over the past 25 years has increased life expectancy for patients with the disease. Today, MS patients have a life expectancy only about seven years less than individuals without the disease, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.