title: [Neuropsychological assessment of patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis prior to the use of immunomodulatory drugs].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The detection of cognitive changes (CC) and psychiatric disorders in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS-RR) contributes to patient clinical monitoring.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the frequency and characteristics of CC and psychiatric disorders in Chilean patients with MS-RR, before starting immunomodulatory treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of data that was obtained following a standard assessment protocol. It consisted in the application of the Expanded Disability Status Scale of Kurtzke (EDSS), Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC), fatigue intensity scale of Krupp, brief repeatable battery of neuropsychological Rao (BRN-R) and Hamilton's depression and anxiety questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We evaluated 129 patients aged between 12 and 60 years of age (69% women). Ninety four percent of patients had eight or more years of schooling. The average EDSS score was 2.83. CC were detected in 62% of participants, in at least one subtest of the BRN-R. The main changes were verbal memory and speed in the processing information. The frequency of cognitive impairment (CI), defined as at least two BRN-R subtests altered, was 36%. The figures decreased to 17% when significant major depression or associated fatigue were excluded. Depressive symptoms were observed in 58% and anxiety in 76.7%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results are consistent with those described in the literature. The type of instruments used in the investigation of CC and the definition of CI in MS should be standardized.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neurología, Complejo Asistencial Barros Luco Trudeau, Chile. nogalesjorge65@gmail.com
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nogales-Gaete
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aracena
authors.forename: Vannia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zitko
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eloiza
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cepeda-Zumaeta
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Agurto
authors.forename: Carola
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: González
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors