Cited by 71Multiple Sclerosis Research StudiesCancer survivorship and careFibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research

The Berlin Treatment Algorithm: recommendations for tailored innovative therapeutic strategies for multiple sclerosis-related fatigue

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Veauthier, Christian, Hasselmann, Helge, Gold, Stefan M., Paul, Friedemann·2016·EPMA Journal

Abstract

More than 80% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients suffer from fatigue. Despite this, there are few therapeutic options and evidence-based pharmacological treatments are lacking. The associated societal burden is substantial (MS fatigue is a major reason for part-time employment or early retirement), and at least one out of four MS patients view fatigue as the most burdensome symptom of their disease. The mechanisms underlying MS-related fatigue are poorly understood, and objective criteria for distinguishing and evaluating levels of fatigue and tiredness have not yet been developed. A further complication is that both symptoms may also be unspecific indicators of many other diseases (including depression, sleep disorders, anemia, renal failure, liver diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, drug side effects, recent MS relapses, infections, nocturia, cancer, thyroid hypofunction, lack of physical exercise). This paper reviews current treatment options of MS-related fatigue in order to establish an individualized therapeutic strategy that factors in existing comorbid disorders. To ensure that such a strategy can also be easily and widely implemented, a comprehensive approach is needed, which ideally takes into account all other possible causes and which is moreover cost efficient. Using a diagnostic interview, depressive disorders, sleep disorders and side effects of the medication should be identified and addressed. All MS patients suffering from fatigue should fill out the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory (or a similar depression scale), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (or the Insomnia Severity Index). In some patients, polygraphic or polysomnographic investigations should be performed. The treatment of underlying sleep disorders, drug therapy with alfacalcidol or fampridine, exercise therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy-based interventions may be effective against MS-related fatigue. The objectives of this article are to identify the reasons for fatigue in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis and to introduce individually tailored treatment approaches. Moreover, this paper focuses on current knowledge about MS-related fatigue in relation to brain atrophy and lesions, cognition, disease course, and other findings in an attempt to identify future research directions.

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  • Fatigue is an unpleasant subjective feeling that impairs physical and mental function and prevents patients from daily activities.

    “خستگی نوعی احساس ذهنی ناخوشایند است که عملکرد جسمی و روحی فرد را مختل میکند و بیمار را از انجام کارهای روزمره بازمیدارد ] 5 [ .”

    From The Effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on the Psychological Consequences of Anxiety, Pain Intensity, and Fatigue in Women with Fibromyalgia: Study with the Effect of Waiting (2022) · cites this paper as [5]

    The Background defines MS-related fatigue as a subjective lack of physical or mental energy that interferes with usual activities, and describes it as burdensome. That supports the general description, but the claim’s statement that fatigue prevents daily activities is stronger than the source’s wording; the Clinical correlates section also says severe fatigue does not necessarily reduce cognitive performance. (LLM, conf=0.83)

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Authors
Veauthier, C., Hasselmann, H., Gold, S. M., & Paul, F.
Affiliations
  • Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (DE)
  • University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (DE)
  • Max Delbrück Center (DE)
Corresponding author
Veauthier, Christian
Venue
EPMA Journal
Published
2016-11-24
Volume
7
Issue
1
Pages
25-25
ISSN
  • 1878-5077 (ISSN-L)
  • 1878-5085
OpenAlex
W2553775483
Cited by
71
References
192
Citations by year
2024: 2 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 11
FWCI
1.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • The EPMA Journal (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • MDC Repository (Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine) (acceptedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research
Keywords
multiple sclerosis, fatigue, treatment algorithm, personalized treatment, comorbidities, sleep disorders, depression, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, insomnia, alfacalcidol, fampridine, exercise therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, brain atrophy, cognitive impairment

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