Perceived behavioral changes in early multiple sclerosis

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Lima, Fabiana Souza | Simioni, Samanta | Bruggimann, Laure | Ruffieux, Christiane | Dudler, Jean | Felley, Christian | Michetti, Pierre | Annoni, Jean-Marie^; | Schluep, Myriam

Affiliations: Department of Neurology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland | Social and Preventive Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland | Department of Rheumatology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland | Department of Gastroenterology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland | Department of Neurology, Geneva University Hospital, Switzerland

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dr Myriam Schluep, Department of Neurology, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. Tel.: +41 21 3141269; Fax: +41 21 3143259; E-mail: Myriam.Schluep@chuv.ch

Abstract: Acquired behavioral changes have essentially been described in advanced multiple sclerosis (MS). The present study was designed to determine whether behavioral modifications specifically related to the MS pathological process could be identified in the initial phase of the disease, as compared to control patients with chronic, relapsing and progressive inflammatory disorders not involving the central nervous system (CNS). Eighty-eight early MS patients (Expanded Disability Status Scale score ⩽ 2.5) and 48 controls were tested. Perceived changes by informants in behavioral control, goal-directed behavior, decision making, emotional expression, insight and interpersonal relationships were assessed using the Iowa Scale of Personality Change (ISPC). Executive behavioral disturbances were screened using the Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX). The mean change between the premorbid and postmorbid ISPC ratings was similar in the MS [12.2 (SD 15.6)] and in the control [11.5 (SD 15.1)] group. The perceived behavioral changes (PBCs) most frequently reported in both groups were lack of stamina, lability/moodiness, anxiety, vulnerability to stress and irritability. Pathological scores in the DEX were also similar in both groups. Correlations between PBCs and DEX scores were different in MS and control groups. MS patients with cognitive impairment had a marginally higher number of PBCs than control patients (p=0.056) and a significantly higher DEXp score (p=0.04). These results suggest that (1) PBCs occurring in early MS patients were not different from those induced by comparable chronic non-CNS disorders, (2) qualitative differences in the relationship between behavioral symptoms and executive-behavioral changes may exist between MS and control groups, and (3) behavioral symptoms seem associated with cognitive deficits in MS. We further plan to assess these observations longitudinally.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, behavioral changes, Iowa Scale of Personality Change, Dysexecutive Questionnaire

Journal: Behavioural Neurology, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 81-90, 2007