title: Cerebrospinal Venous Outflow in Multiple Sclerosis Patients versus Fatigue and/or Depression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endovascular treatment of impaired cerebrospinal venous outflow has been suggested to improve the overall quality of life in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Fatigue and depression are key factors in measuring the quality of life in MS patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, we investigated the correlation between anomalous venous outflow and the seriousness of fatigue and depression in MS patients and healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five cerebrospinal venous outflow parameters were measured in 20 MS patients and age- and sex-matched controls using extra- and transcranial Colour Doppler sonography. All patients and volunteers filled out the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and Hospital Anxiety Depression Subscale (HADS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine abnormal parameters were found in 8 MS patients, whereas five abnormal parameters were found in 3 healthy controls (no significant difference). Only 1 MS patient met the criteria for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency compared to 2 healthy controls. No significant differences were found in the FSS and HADS scores between patients with and without abnormal cerebrospinal venous outflow parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found no significantly impaired cerebrospinal venous outflow in patients with MS versus sex- and age-matched controls. Furthermore, we did not find any correlation between anxiety or depression and impaired venous outflow in MS patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marloes H J
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hagens
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Erwin L J
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Hoogervorst
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Stephan T F M
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Frequin
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Selma C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Tromp
keywords: Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency; Colour Doppler sonography; Depression; Fatigue; Multiple sclerosis; Quality of life