SynthesisAnnals of clinical and translational neurology2026
Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis: The Role of Clinical and Sociodemographic Factors - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Synthesis in Annals of clinical and translational neurology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveCognitive impairment (CI) affects the quality of life in multiple sclerosis (MS). Identifying influencing factors is key to improving CI monitoring. This systematic review and meta-analysis examines clinical and sociodemographic variables impacting the cognitive screening Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) performance across MS subtypes, identifying subgroups at greater risk of cognitive impairment.
methodsRegistered on PROSPERO (CRD42023451696), a literature search was conducted on August 6, 2023, using PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL. Following the PRISMA 2020 guideline, a random-effects meta-analysis addressed heterogeneity in correlation and meta-regression analyses. Multivariable regression model results were qualitatively synthesized (systematic review). The JBI Critical Appraisal Tool assessed bias risk. Primary outcome was SDMT raw scores, with EDSS and disease duration as primary exposures, extended with age, sex, education, depression, fatigue, mobility scores, and treatment as secondary exposures, according to our protocol. Associations were evaluated via univariate study-level correlations, univariate meta-regressions, study-level multivariable regression models, and multivariate meta-regressions, assessing covariate interdependence. Heterogeneity was quantified with I
resultsA total of 155 studies with 22,828 patients were analyzed. In mixed and relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), EDSS was the strongest negative correlate of SDMT (mixed MS: -0.44 CI:[-0.50; -0.36]; RRMS: -0.47 [-0.66; -0.23]). Education showed a moderate positive correlation (mixed MS: 0.31 [0.20; 0.42]; RRMS: 0.32 [-0.02; 0.59]). Due to cross-sectional design, heterogeneity, and potential aggregation/ecological bias, findings are exploratory.
interpretationPoor SDMT performance is mainly driven by physical disability and cognitive reserve (education), modulated by sex, depression, and age, highlighting the need to integrate clinical and sociodemographic data in MS cognitive monitoring.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.