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Published on: January 12, 2019
Physical activity demonstrates protective associations with structural visual metrics in children with multiple
Samantha Stephens1, Nahid Iseyas2,3, E Ann Yeh2,3,4,5
1Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Insights
Higher physical activity (PA) levels are linked to better retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness in children with multiple sclerosis (MS) over time. These benefits were not observed in children with monophasic acquired demyelinating syndromes (mono-ADS).
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroimmunology
Background:
- Previous research indicates a positive correlation between physical activity (PA) and retinal fiber integrity in pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Understanding the longitudinal impact of PA on retinal health in demyelinating diseases is crucial for managing long-term outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between high PA levels and retinal fiber integrity over time in children diagnosed with demyelinating diseases.
- Specifically examining if sustained PA influences retinal nerve and ganglion cell inner plexiform fiber layer thickness in pediatric MS and mono-ADS.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of children with MS or monophasic acquired demyelinating syndromes (mono-ADS) was recruited.
- Physical activity (PA) levels were assessed using questionnaires.
- Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) was employed to measure retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness.
- Longitudinal data were analyzed using linear mixed models.
Main Results:
- In children with MS, RNFL and GCIPL thickness showed a longitudinal decline of 1.0 mm (p < 0.05).
- More active children with MS exhibited significantly thicker GCIPL over time compared to inactive peers (2.5 mm, p < 0.01).
- Strenuous PA was associated with greater RNFL and GCIPL thickness (1.5-2.1 mm, p < 0.05) in pediatric MS, but not in mono-ADS.
Conclusions:
- Moderate to vigorous physical activity (PA) is associated with preserved retinal integrity over time in pediatric MS.
- Future research should explore interventions aimed at increasing PA levels to assess their impact on retinal integrity in children with MS.
Background:
Previous work has demonstrated that higher levels of physical activity (PA) are associated with better retinal fiber integrity in children with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Objective:
To determine whether high PA levels are associated with retinal fiber integrity through time in children with demyelinating disease.
Methods:
Children with MS or monophasic acquired demyelinating syndromes (mono-ADS) were included. PA level was assessed by questionnaire, and a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanner determined retinal nerve and ganglion cell inner plexiform fiber layer thickness (RNFL and GCIPL, respectively). Linear mixed models were used to analyze longitudinal associations.
Results:
Children with MS (n = 28, 20F, mean age 14.6 (standard deviation (SD) ±2.4)) and mono-ADS (n = 24, 11F, mean age 9.5 (SD ±4.5)) took part. In children with MS, RNFL and GCIPL thickness was shown to decline by 1.0 mm (p < 0.05) over time. More active children with MS had thicker GCIPL through time compared to those who were inactive (2.5 mm, p < 0.01). Furthermore, taking part in any strenuous PA was associated with greater RNFL and GCIPL thickness (1.5-2.1 mm, p < 0.05). These differences were not found in children with mono-ADS.
Conclusion:
Moderate to vigorous PA is associated with better retinal integrity over time in pediatric MS. Future interventions should evaluate whether changes to PA level coincide with changes to retinal integrity in children with MS.
