Lancet neurology
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Although the interaction between comorbidities and chronic diseases is strong, the effect of comorbidities receives little attention in many chronic diseases. In multiple sclerosis (MS), an increasing amount of evidence suggests that physical and mental comorbidities, and adverse health factors such as smoking and obesity, are common and can affect the disease. These comorbid diseases and lifestyle factors affect clinical phenotype, the diagnostic delay between symptom onset and diagnosis, disability progression, and health-related quality of life. ⋯ Studies of the frequency of comorbidities in patients with MS should be population based, incorporating appropriate comparator groups. These studies should expand the range of comorbidities assessed, and examine how the frequency of comorbidities is changing over time. Further research is needed to answer many other questions about comorbidities and their associations with MS, including the best way to measure and analyse comorbidities to understand these associations.
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Multicenter Study
Asymptomatic embolisation for prediction of stroke in the Asymptomatic Carotid Emboli Study (ACES): a prospective observational study.
Whether surgery is beneficial for patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis is controversial. Better methods of identifying patients who are likely to develop stroke would improve the risk-benefit ratio for carotid endarterectomy. We aimed to investigate whether detection of asymptomatic embolic signals by use of transcranial doppler (TCD) could predict stroke risk in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis. ⋯ British Heart Foundation.
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Biography Historical Article
Ralph Sacco: putting the heart into neurology.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Methylprednisolone in combination with interferon beta-1a for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MECOMBIN study): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial.
Interferon beta is commonly used to treat patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis; however, the treatment is only partially effective in reducing relapses and progression of disability. Corticosteroids are used to treat relapses in patients with multiple sclerosis. We therefore aimed to investigate the combination of cyclic methylprednisolone and interferon beta for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. ⋯ Biogen Idec.