Medical Tourism for CCSVI Procedures in People with Multiple Sclerosis: An Observational Study

The Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences. Le Journal Canadien Des Sciences Neurologiques
Luanne M MetzOksana Suchowersky

Abstract

Many Canadians with multiple sclerosis (MS) have recently travelled internationally to have procedures for a putative condition called chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI). Here, we describe where and when they went and describe the baseline characteristics of persons with MS who participated in this non-evidence-based medical tourism for CCSVI procedures. We conducted a longitudinal observational study that used online questionnaires to collect patient-reported information about the safety, experiences, and outcomes following procedures for CCSVI. A convenience sample of all Albertans with MS was recruited between July 2011 and March 2013. In total, 868 individuals enrolled; 704 were included in this cross-sectional, baseline analysis. Of these, 128 (18.2%) participants retrospectively reported having procedures for CCSVI between April 2010 and September 2012. The proportion of participants reporting CCSVI procedures declined from 80 (62.5%) in 2010, to 40 (31.1%) in 2011, and 8 (6.3%) in 2012. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, CCSVI procedures were independently associated with longer disease duration, secondary progressive clinical course, and greater disability status. Although all types of people...Continue Reading

References

Sep 1, 1977·American Journal of Epidemiology·M M WeissmanB Z Locke
Jun 1, 1995·Quality of Life Research : an International Journal of Quality of Life Aspects of Treatment, Care and Rehabilitation·B G VickreyG W Ellison
Jan 1, 1994·Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America·J D FiskW F Schlech
May 8, 1995·PharmacoEconomics·D FeenyG W Torrance
Oct 30, 2003·Multiple Sclerosis : Clinical and Laboratory Research·Ruth Ann MarrieTimothy Vollmer
Jun 5, 2004·Journal of Neuro-ophthalmology : the Official Journal of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society·Deborah I Friedman, Daniel M Jacobson
Oct 22, 2004·Nature Reviews. Neuroscience·Luigi ZeccaRobert R Crichton
Feb 8, 2006·Multiple Sclerosis : Clinical and Laboratory Research·L ShintoD Bourdette
Jul 12, 2007·Multiple Sclerosis : Clinical and Laboratory Research·R A Marrie, M Goldman
Mar 13, 2008·Journal of Clinical Ultrasound : JCU·Florian DoeppStephan J Schreiber
Dec 9, 2008·Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry·P ZamboniF Salvi
Apr 22, 2009·Neurology·Eduardo E Benarroch
Dec 5, 2009·Journal of Vascular Surgery·Paolo ZamboniFabrizio Salvi
Feb 13, 2010·Multiple Sclerosis : Clinical and Laboratory Research·G IngramN P Robertson
Apr 8, 2010·Annals of Neurology·Omar KhanRobert Lisak
Jun 11, 2010·Journal of Public Health Policy·Laura HopkinsCorinne Packer
Aug 10, 2010·Annals of Neurology·Peter SundströmJan Malm
Oct 29, 2010·Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry·Mike P WattjesFrederik Barkhof
Apr 29, 2011·Nature·Roger ChafeAndreas Laupacis
Aug 9, 2011·Journal of the Neurological Sciences·E AurielH Hallevi
Aug 23, 2011·The Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences. Le Journal Canadien Des Sciences Neurologiques·Jodie M BurtonMichael D Hill
Oct 5, 2011·CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association Journal = Journal De L'Association Medicale Canadienne·Andreas LaupacisJulian Spears
Jun 1, 2012·Journal of Neurology·Claudio BaracchiniLaszlo Csiba
May 3, 2013·Journal of Medical Internet Research·Ruth Ann MarrieGary R Cutter
Mar 4, 2014·Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders·Georgios TsivgoulisChristos Krogias
Jul 1, 2014·Neurology·Adnan H SiddiquiBianca Weinstock-Guttman

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Oct 6, 2016·Journal of General Internal Medicine·Peter CramJanice L Kwan
Dec 23, 2017·Health and Quality of Life Outcomes·Kirsten M FiestRuth Ann Marrie
Jan 19, 2018·JMIR Research Protocols·Ruth Ann MarrieCharles N Bernstein

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.