Uhthoff's Phenomenon in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica

Abstract

To evaluate and compare the incidence and clinical features of Uhthoff's phenomenon in Japanese patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and those with multiple sclerosis (MS), we asked 135 consecutive patients with MS and an NMO-related disorder (NMOrd) whether they experienced worse neurological symptoms after an increase in body temperature. Responses were obtained from 54 MS and 37 NMOrd patients. Uhthoff's phenomenon was observed in 26 MS (48.1%) and 20 NMOrd patients (54.1%). Motor and sensory symptoms were more frequent than visual symptoms in both diseases. The incidence of Uhthoff's phenomenon was similar in MS and NMOrd.

Caracterização do perfil de síndromes dolorosas, psicofísica e medidas de excitabilidade cortical em doentes com neuromielite óptica controlada

“…It was present in 50% of our sample, with no difference between groups. This prevalence is similar to another study which reported it in 48.1% of the subjects with NMO, compared to 54.1% of those with MS (Park et al, 2014). A lower prevalence of Uhthoff was described in another study in 2015: only 27.1% of the NMO subgroup (Muto et al, 2015).…”

“…Concomitant sensory and motor symptoms were the most frequent symptoms, followed by visual disturbances (Park et al, 2014). Another study described that 27.1% of the NMO subgroup presented this phaenomenon (Muto et al, 2015).…”

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSDs) Diagnosed After Surgery for the Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament of the Cervical and Thoracic Spine: A Case Report

“…Despite the early surgical interventions for the cervical and thoracic spine, the patient’s muscle strength in the lower extremities temporarily decreased. It has been reported that increased body temperature may deteriorate neurological symptoms in MS and NMOSD (Uhthoff phenomenon) [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Since there was no direct injury of the spinal cord during surgeries, postoperative fever or inflammation may have caused a temporary exacerbation of neurological symptoms.…”

The “Treatise on the spleen and stomach” (Pí Wèi Lùn) as the first record of multiple sclerosis in the medical literature – A hypothesis based on the analysis of clinical presentation and herbal medicine

“…18 The UP is typically encountered in MS but appears in other demyelinating conditions such as Neuro Myelitis Optica (NMO). 19 Until recently, NMO was considered a subtype of MS due to a similar clinical presentation. However, in 2004 upon the publication on the association between NMO and an antibody against aquaporin 4 (anti-AQP4 Ab) or NMO-IgG, NMO started being considered a different disease.…”