Exaggerated response to pattern reversal visual evoked potential among migraineurs.

OBJECTIVE: Visual evoked potential recording has reported ambiguous results among migraineurs, thus the present study explored the association of check-size and reversal rates on the latency and amplitude of pattern reversal VEP among migraineurs. METHOD AND MATERIAL: Monocular VEP responses for both eyes were recorded in 133 migraineurs and 111 controls. Checkerboard pattern with phase reversal frequency of 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 Hz and check-size of 16 × 16, 32 × 32, 64 × 64 and 128 × 128, i.e. spatial frequency of 0.475, 1.029, 2.056 and 4.112 cycle per degree (cpd) were used to record 100 responses each. Three-minutes gap was given after change of reversal frequency to a higher rate for next cycle of 4 check-size records. RESULT: A linear increase in latencies was observed with decreasing check-size in both groups, but migraineurs had significantly higher latencies at a given reversal rate. Amplitudes A1 and A2 were higher among migraineurs and amplitude A2 showed an inverted 'U' shaped trend with maximum amplitude at 32 × 32 check size (1.029 cpd) in both groups, with an exaggerated response among migraineurs. Check-size 32 × 32 i.e. spatial frequency of 1.029 behaves differently than other larger or smaller check-sizes. CONCLUSION: Variable VEP response for different visual stimuli may be due to differential activation of respective retinocortical pathways and cortical areas. The highest amplitude at modest check-size suggests a contributory role of foveal-parafoveal fibres in migraineurs. Exaggerated physiological response to visual stimuli may be responsible for higher amplitudes and prolonged latencies among migraineurs.

Exaggerated physiological VEP response as higher amplitudes and prolonged latencies, among migraineurs may be due to differential activation of respective retinocortical pathways and cortical areas.

Exploratory study to understand association of emotional comorbidities and sleep with migraine.

BACKGROUND: Migraine is often associated with psychiatric and emotional co-morbidities. Several studies have shown association of sleep problems and/or emotional co-morbidities among migraineurs. However, less is known about the association of migraine disability with sleep and emotional co-morbidities. OBJECTIVE: To explore the association of emotional co-morbidities and sleep quality with migraine disability among migraineurs in the central part of India. METHODS AND MATERIAL: A cross-sectional study enrolling 132 patients of migraine was conducted at a tertiary care centre. They were evaluated for migraine disability by Migraine Disability Assessment Test (MIDAS), emotional co-morbidities by depression, anxiety, stress scale (DASS-21) and sleep quality by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). RESULT: Mean age of participants was 32.9 ± 9.8 and 83.3% (n = 110) were females. Fourty seven percentage(n = 62) patients reported moderate to severe disability on MIDAS. Anxiety was most frequent (n = 87; 65.9%) emotional co-morbidity followed by depression (n = 70;53%) and stress (n = 52;39.4%). Severity of emotional co-morbidities increased while sleep quality deteriorated with increasing migraine disability. However, migraine frequency had positive correlation only with sleep quality. Stress showed a linear relationship with migraine disability at highest second-third decile of MIDAS. CONCLUSION: Migraineurs in central India have higher emotional co-morbidities. These co-morbidities increased and sleep quality deteriorated with increasing migraine disability. Frequency of migraine has no association with emotional co-morbidities. Linear association of stress at higher migraine disability prompts possible role of stress management to break the complex relationship between stress and migraine.

INSTRuCT: Protocol, Infrastructure, and Governance.

Background and Purpose: Very few large scale multicentric stroke clinical trials have been done in India. The Indian Council of Medical Research funded INSTRuCT (Indian Stroke Clinical Trial Network) as a task force project with the objectives to establish a state-of-the-art stroke clinical trial network and to conduct pharmacological and nonpharmacological stroke clinical trials relevant to the nation and globally. The purpose of the article is to enumerate the structure of multicentric stroke network, with emphasis on its scope, challenges and expectations in India. Methods: Multiple expert group meetings were conducted by Indian Council of Medical Research to understand the scope of network to perform stroke clinical trials in the country. Established stroke centers with annual volume of 200 patients with stroke with prior experience of conducting clinical trials were included. Central coordinating center, standard operating procedures, data and safety monitoring board were formed. Discussion: In first phase, 2 trials were initiated namely, SPRINT (Secondary Prevention by Structured Semi-Interactive Stroke Prevention Package in India) and Ayurveda treatment in the rehabilitation of patients with ischemic stroke in India (RESTORE [Rehabilitation of Ischemic stroke Patients in India: A Randomized controlled trial]). In second phase, 4 trials have been approved. SPRINT trial was the first to be initiated. SPRINT trial randomized first patient on April 28, 2018; recruited 3048 patients with an average of 128.5 per month so far. The first follow-up was completed on May 27, 2019. RESTORE trial randomized first patient on May 22, 2019; recruited 49 patients with an average of 3.7 per month so far. The first follow-up was completed on August 30, 2019. Conclusions: In next 5 years, INSTRuCT will be able to complete high-quality large scale stroke trials which are relevant globally. REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.ctri.nic.in/; Unique Identifier: CTRI/2017/05/008507.

Unrecognized catatonia as a cause for delayed weaning in Intensive Care Unit.

The cause of altered sensorium in critical care settings includes metabolic derangements, drug and toxin overdose, central nervous system infections, neurodegenerative disorders, vascular events, hypo-perfusion states, and septic encephalopathy. Here, we present a case of an elderly woman who presented to us with altered sensorium with respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. Her metabolic parameters, imaging, and cerebrospinal fluid study were all normal despite that she continued to remain in altered sensorium and had an unrecognized behavioral state that delayed her weaning.

Impact of fibromyalgia severity on patients mood, sleep quality, and quality of life.

Objectives: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is characterized by persistent widespread pain which greatly impacts the quality of life (QOL). Pain not only limits patients' daily activities but also restricts their social activities further leading to depression, anxiety, and stress. The present cross-sectional study elucidated the association of sleep quality and mood with increasing symptom severity of fibromyalgia and its impact on the QOL of fibromyalgia patients. Materials and Methods: Hundred adult fibromyalgia patients diagnosed by the American College of Rheumatology 2010 criteria were evaluated for: sleep - using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index, QOL by SF-36, pain-visual analog scales (VASs) and global pain scale (GPS), mood-depression, anxiety, stress scale-21, somatic symptoms, anxiety and depression - by patients health questionnaire somatic, anxiety, and depressive symptom scales (PHQ-SADS), and FMS severity was evaluated using fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQR). Results: The mean pain score was 6.80 ± 1.58 on VAS and 54.10 ± 14.33 on GPS. FIQR score was 50.62 ± 13.68, mean sleep quality was poor (9.30 ± 3.88), and depression, anxiety, and stress scores were increased (10.04 ± 4.59, 8.33 ± 4.48, and 10.75 ± 4.66). An increasing trend of depression, anxiety, stress, and somatoform symptoms was observed with an increase in the severity of FMS when patients were compared according to FMS severity scores. Sleep also deteriorated with increasing severity of FMS from 5.66 ± 1.92 in mild FMS to 12.0 ± 3.41 in highly severe FMS patients. The QOL too deteriorated in all the domains with increasing severity. Conclusion: With the increasing severity of fibromyalgia, not only does the pain increase but mood and sleep quality also deteriorate, which further impacts the QOL of FMS patients. Thus, comorbid mood derangements must also be screened and addressed for maximum benefit of the patients.

Translation of Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale-2 (PDSS-2) in Hindi (H-PDSS-2) and its Validation for Assessment of Sleep Disturbances among Indian Parkinson's Disease Patients.

Background and Objective: Parkinson's disease sleep scale-2 (PDSS-2) is a reliable sleep assessment tool which has been validated in several languages. As sleep problems have a great impact on the quality of life of Parkinson's disease patients, we aimed to translate and validate PDSS-2 in Hindi for its wider use among Hindi-speaking Indian patients. Our study objective was to translate PDSS-2 in Hindi (H-PDSS-2) and to assess the psychometric properties of H-PDSS-2 questionnaire for its use in Hindi-speaking Indian PD patients. Secondly, we aimed to compare the results with those of the other language PDSS-2 validation studies. Material and Methods: This study was done in two phases, enrolling 16 patients and 16 controls in the first/translation phase for assessment of internal consistency and discriminative power of PDSS-2. The test-retest reliability was determined in the second phase on 35 Parkinson's disease patients who were followed-up at an interval of 7-10 days. Results: No difficulties were faced by the patients and controls in the first phase, and internal consistency of the scale was good (Cronbach's alpha = 0.804). There was no significant difference in total H-PDSS-2 score at baseline 16.86 ± 10.59 and on retest 16.40 ± 9.54, suggesting good reliability. Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.710 to 0.901, and precision was 2.82 over the period of 7-10 days. Subdomains of H-PDSS-2 had moderate/high internal validity, and they showed significant correlation with Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS) and HY disease scale. Conclusion: H-PDSS-2 is equivalent to the original PDSS-2 for tested psychometric attributes. Its use among Indian Parkinson's disease patients will help in the comprehensive assessment of sleep problems among PD patients.

Effectiveness of rehabilitation strategies in primary fibromyalgia syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: The aim of this review was to (1) summarize evidence on the effectiveness of rehabilitation strategies in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and (2) determine the most effective rehabilitation strategy for reducing pain and depression in people with FMS. Data Sources: PubMed, Ovid (Sp), and Cochrane search engines were used for identifying relevant studies done up to 1st of July 2022. Study Selection: Randomized control trials (RCTs) that have a passive control group and an active control group were included in this review for primary and secondary aim, respectively. The primary outcome measures were pain and depression. Secondary outcome was one from the sleep or fatigue or healthy related quality of life (HRQOL). Data Extraction: Two researchers independently selected the studies and extracted the key information. Data Synthesis: A total of 25 RCTs were included. Studies with passive control group showed moderate to large positive effects on pain (standard mean difference -0.65, 95% confidence interval -0.93 to -0.38; I2 = 72%) and HRQOL (MD -5.40, 95% CI -10.17 to -0.62; I2 = 74%) but were not statistically significant for sleep, fatigue, and depression. Furthermore, on subgroup analysis studies with a short term protocol showed significant effects on pain only, whereas studies with long term protocols showed positive effects on pain and HRQOL only, but no statistical significance at the time of post-trial follow-up. Studies with active control groups gave non-significant results except where there was mixed exercises, which showed a positive effect (mean difference -4.78, 95% CI -7.98 to -1.57; I2 = 0%) for HRQOL. Conclusion: All rehabilitation strategies were effective for pain and HRQOL, and had a marginal effect on depression, sleep, and fatigue but efficacy was not maintained at the time of post-trial follow-up. However, in this review, we could not differentiate any rehabilitation strategies for the best among those used in the included studies.

Impact of school start time and sleep pattern of adolescents on their mood and sleep quality.

Objective: The physiological delay in bedtime among adolescents, compounded with the early start of school, results in insufficient sleep, especially on school days. The present study compared the sleep pattern and moods of students attending two schools with different start timing. Materials and Methods: The study involved adolescents from two schools with different start times: School A (7 am) and School B (8 am). Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21, and Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale questionnaires were used to assess students' mood, sleep duration, sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness. The clinical trial registry number is CTRI/2022/06/043556. Result: A total of 640 students (mean age 13.7 ± 2.0 years; 47.5% male) participated in this study. Students from School B had longer sleep duration, with 72.9% reporting sleep deprivation compared to 87.1% of School A (P = 0.00001). School A students reported having (P ≤ 0.001) higher daytime sleepiness, higher daytime dysfunction (P = 0.023), and poorer sleep quality. Students at School A scored higher for all mood derangements, with significantly higher scores for depression (P = 0.041). Conclusion: The study illustrates that though not much differences are observed in the bedtime of adolescents of the two schools, however, due to the early school start time of School A, students have to compulsorily wake up early, leading to higher sleep deprivation and greater mood derangements among them.

Effect of Early Yoga Practice on Post Stroke Cognitive Impairment.

Background: Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is a clinical entity that encompasses all types of cognitive impairment following an index stroke. Yoga has been proven to have a beneficial effect not only on cardiovascular risk factors but also on cognition. Hence, this study explored the PSCI spectrum and assessed the effect of yoga on PSCI. Methods: Forty stroke patients were enrolled in each yoga and control arm in this study. After the baseline assessment, control arm was administered standard care (including physiotherapy) while yoga arm received additional yoga intervention. Change in MoCA scores by 2 points in either direction, or FAB scale by 2 points at 6 months was taken as primary outcome, whereas improvement in MRS, CDPSS, CBS, and P300 values were considered as secondary outcomes. Results: Significant improvements were observed in MoCA, FAB, MRS, CPDSS, and CBS scores in both groups after 6 months. However, intergroup comparisons revealed better MoCA (25.5, IQR 22-27) and FAB scores (15.5, IQR 14-17) in yoga group compared to controls (24, IQR20-25.75) and (14, IQR12-15.75). Equivalent improvement was observed in MRS and CBS scores in both groups at 6 months; however, CDPSS score was better in yoga group (p = 0.0008). Both P300 amplitudes and latencies improved in all patients and median P300 amplitudes were significantly better in control group; however, no difference could be appreciated in P300 latencies improvement on intergroup comparisons at follow-up. Conclusion: Study reveals that early yoga intervention in stroke survivors leads to better improvement in cognitive abilities which would further facilitate in early reduction of caregiver burden.

Assessment of the Diagnostic Utility of GeneXpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis/Rifampicin (MTB/RIF) Assay in the Suspected Cases of Tuberculous Meningitis.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). The central nervous system is involved in about 1%-2% of all current tuberculosis (TB) cases and about 7%-8% of all EPTB. if not treated early, TBM leads to a high rate of neurological sequelae and mortality. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of the GeneXpert MTB/rifampicin (RIF) assay in patients with TBM. METHODS: A total of 100 suspected TBM cases were enrolled from various departments at tertiary care hospital, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, and classified as definite, possible, or probable TBM. The clinical samples were tested for microbiological and other cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing. RESULTS: Out of 100 cases, 14 (14%) were classified as definite TBM, 15 (15%) were having probable TBM, and 71 (71%) were having possible TBM. Out of a total of 100 participants, all were negative for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) staining. Of the 100 cases, 11 (11%) were positive by mycobacterium growth indicator tube (MGIT) culture, of which only four (36.36%) were positive by GeneXpert MTB/RIF. GeneXpert MTB/RIF detected three (3%) cases that were negative by MGIT culture. Ten (90.9%) of the 11 MGIT-positive culture isolates were found to be RIF sensitive while one (9.1%) was found to be RIF resistant. Three cases tested positive/sensitive by the GeneXpert MTB/RIF but negative by MGIT culture. Six (85%) of the seven GeneXpert MTB/RIF positive cases were RIF sensitive while one (15%) was RIF resistant. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and diagnostic accuracy were 36.36% (95% Confidence Interval (CI) (10.93% to 69.21%)), 96.63% (95% CI (90.46% to 99.30%)), 57.14% (95% CI (25.50% to 83.85%)), 92.47% (95% CI (88.70% to 95.06%)) and 90% (95% CI (82.38% to 95.10%)) for GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay, compared with MGIT culture as the reference standard. CONCLUSION: Our study found that the sensitivity is lower when compared to culture, so using GeneXpert MTB/RIF alone is not recommended. Overall performance of GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay is noteworthy. The GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay is a potentially accepted test for obtaining an earlier diagnosis, and if it tested positive, the treatment should begin immediately. However, culture must be performed in GeneXpert MTB/RIF negative cases.

Use of corticosteroids and other adjunct therapies for acute bacterial meningitis in adults.

Acute bacterial meningitis is associated with high morbidity and mortality despite the availability of effective antibiotics. The inflammatory response induced by bacterial products in the subarachnoid space is responsible for neuronal injury. The use of adjuvant therapy in acute bacterial meningitis draws its rationale from the notion of arresting the inflammatory cascade at an early stage of the disease to improve clinical outcome. Corticosteroids have been studied extensively in these patients and seems effective in selective groups of patients, particularly those with pneumococcal meningitis. Glycerol appears harmful in adults with acute bacterial meningitis. Experimental models suggest promising role of newer anti-inflammatory drugs such as antioxidants, inhibitors of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, poly-ADP-ribose inhibitors, caspase inhibitors, brain-derived neurotrophic factor etc.; however clinical trials are still lacking for these novel potential targets in acute bacterial meningitis. This review focuses on corticosteroids with comments on the role of other potential adjuvant therapy in adults with acute bacterial meningitis.

Paroxysmal Kinesigenic Dyskinesia Masquerading as Dissociative Disorder: A Case Report on Pseudo-Dissociation.

Movement disorders are common presentations to psychiatry and neurology clinics in general hospitals. Many a times, liaison between psychiatry and neurology helps in determining the exact etiology and diagnosis of rare movement disorders. Paroxysmal dyskinesia is a group of disorders caused by a genetic mutation. It is one of the rare presentations among dyskinetic disorders but often encountered by psychiatrists due to the psychogenic nature of episodes and apparently normal neurological findings in-between the episodes. Liaison work with a neurologist is of great importance rather than misdiagnosing them as a dissociative or psychogenic movement disorder. Unawareness of their presentation can lead to repeated consultations, unwarranted psychotherapies, and can create a sense of therapeutic nihilism among the treating psychiatrists. Predominantly four different variants are described in the literature under this group and new classification has been proposed recently. We encountered a case of paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia with obstructive sleep apnea masquerading as a dissociative disorder.

Validation and Diagnostic Accuracy of Hindi Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS-H) Screening Tool.

Background Restless legs syndrome (RLS), a prevalent and treatable entity, has high impact on quality of life, requiring a better screening tool for its early detection. Thus, present study aimed to derive a Hindi RLS (RLS-H) screening tool for its use in Indian population. Materials and Methods RLS-H screening tool, derived by translating first four criteria of 2012 revised International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) diagnostic criteria in Hindi and was validated in 50 RLS and 50 non-RLS patients. This validated RLS-H tool was used to screen 1,066 patients attending neurology clinic for assessing its diagnostic accuracy. Internal consistency, discriminatory validity, and various diagnostic yields were calculated. IRLSSG was used as gold standard for final diagnosis of RLS. Results RLS-H screening tool had an internal consistency of 0.910. No correlation was found between RLS-H screening tool and Epworth sleepiness scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index, or International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group rating scale indicating satisfactory discriminant validity. Prevalence of RLS was 13.6%. The question (Q)1 had highest sensitivity (97.9%) and Q4 had highest specificity (92.66%). Thus, its combinations (Q1 + Q4) along with addition of Q2 or Q3 were compared for best combination of diagnostic accuracy. A minimum cutoff value of RLS-H screening tool was 2.5 for considering patients requiring detailed RLS evaluation. Conclusion RLS-H screening tool can be used as a screening tool for early detection of RLS among susceptible patients. Patients answering "yes" to more than two questions (cutoff = 2.5) or "yes" to Q1 and Q4 should be interviewed and assessed for RLS.

Impact of Stroke on Quality of Life of Stroke Survivors and Their Caregivers: A Qualitative Study from India.

Objectives Stroke is a significant global public health challenge attributable to an array of disabilities it causes alongside an impairment in cognition. The monetary impact of stroke care includes acute treatment expenses as well as outrageous expenses of postdischarge chronic hospital care and rehabilitation services. The current study aimed to study the perceptions along with experiences of stroke survivors and caregivers. Materials and Methods In-depth interviews (IDIs) of stroke survivors and their primary caregivers were conducted at their home 2 months after their discharge from the hospital in Bhopal, India. These IDIs were later analyzed. Results The following eight themes emerged: pervasive and irreversible, multifunction loss and dependency, holistic impact on the health of person and family, money and matter, nonaccommodative cost and baffled belief, professional paralysis, social crisis, and slow and obscured progress. The added obligation of taking care of a disabled stroke survivor along with adjusting their own lifestyle with financial apprehensions, worry about future, prolonged hours of care, and stress are major factors that increase the burden of the caregivers. Conclusion Caregivers should be sensitized with proper counseling and training through health care institutions to ensure appropriate care and management of stroke survivors at home, as it will also help in addressing their psychosocial needs, and minimizing the knowledge gap, doubts and uncertainties about the disease and its aftereffects.

Impact of sleep disturbances and autonomic dysfunction on the quality of life of patients with fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVES: Fibromyalgia, a painful musculoskeletal disorder is associated with sleep disturbances as well as autonomic dysfunction. Pathophysiology of fibromyalgia is yet not clear and neuroanatomical proximity of sleep and autonomic centre prompts probable involvement of the two impacting the quality of life of fibromyalgia patients. Present study was done with the objective to explore the extent of sleep disturbances and/or autonomic dysfunction in fibromyalgia and asses their impact on quality of life of fibromyalgia patients. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Thirty consecutive fibromyalgia patients (diagnosed by ACR 2010) from out-patient department and 30 age-gender matched controls were enrolled after the ethical clearance. All participants were evaluated for: (1) sleep using Pittsburgh sleep quality index and medical outcomes study sleep scale-12 Revised, (2) Quality of life by 36 item short-form health survey-36v2TM and revised fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (only patients). Autonomic functions of patients were evaluated by standard cardiovascular autonomic function tests by Ewing's battery and heart rate variability (5-min) measurement. RESULTS: Fibromyalgia patients had increased sleep disturbances compared to controls (39.46 ± 11, 59.61 ± 2.31; p=0.0001) and very poor sleep quality (13.63 ± 4.15, 3.03 ± 1.56; p=0.0001) as well as quality of life (p=0.0001) which further deteriorated with increasing severity of fibromyalgia. Twelve patients had autonomic dysfunction but it was neither associated with sleep disturbances nor with quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Mild to moderate grade fibromyalgia patients have significant sleep disturbance, poor sleep quality which remarkably impacts their quality of life. Autonomic dysfunction is not an early feature of disease. The study suggests that full spectrum of sleep disturbances and sleep quality should be explored in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients.

Nephrocalcinosis-A gateway to the Diagnosis.

Nephrocalcinosis (NC) is the augmented calcium content within the renal parenchyma. Its pathogenesis mainly involves hypercalciuria. The presence of medullary NC provides a window to the clinician for the diagnosis of many important diseases. In this case series, we highlight three diseases that could be diagnosed with a high index of suspicion and detailed evaluation after their presentation as medullary NC.

Clinical Features and Outcome of Stroke with COVID-19. COVID-19 Stroke Study Group (CSSG), India.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Occurrence of stroke has been reported among patients with COVID-19. The present study compares clinical features and outcomes of stroke patients with and without COVID-19. METHODS: The COVID-19 Stroke Study Group (CSSG) is a multicentric study in 18 sites across India to observe and compare the clinical characteristics of patients with stroke admitted during the current pandemic period and a similar epoch in 2019. The present study reports patients of stroke with and without COVID-19 (CoVS and non-CoVS, respectively) seen between February 2020 and July 2020. Demographic, clinical, treatment, and outcome details of patients were collected. RESULTS: The mean age and gender were comparable between the two groups. CoVS patients had higher stroke severity and extent of cerebral involvement on imaging. In-hospital complications and death were higher among CoVS patients (53.06% vs. 17.51%; P < 0.001) and (42.31% vs. 7.6%; P < 0.001), respectively. At 3 months, higher mortality was observed among CoVS patients (67.65% vs. 13.43%; P < 0.001) and good outcome (modified Rankin score [mRS]: 0-2) was seen more often in non-CoVS patients (68.86% vs. 33.33%; P < 0.001). The presence of COVID-19 and baseline stroke severity were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: CoVS is associated with higher severity, poor outcome, and increased mortality. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and baseline stroke severity are independent predictors of mortality.

Clinical profile and outcome of non-COVID strokes during pandemic and the pre pandemic period: COVID-Stroke Study Group (CSSG) India.

BACKGROUND: As the health systems around the world struggled to meet the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic, care of many non-COVID emergencies was affected. AIMS: The present study examined differences in the diagnosis, evaluation and management of stroke patients during a defined period in the ongoing pandemic in 2020 when compared to a similar epoch in year 2019. METHODS: The COVID stroke study group (CSSG) India, included 18 stroke centres spread across the country. Data was collected prospectively between February and July 2020 and retrospectively for the same period in 2019. Details of demographics, stroke evaluation, treatment, in-hospital and three months outcomes were collected and compared between these two time points. RESULTS: A total of 2549 patients were seen in both study periods; 1237 patients (48.53%) in 2019 and 1312 (51.47%) in 2020. Although the overall number of stroke patients and rates of thrombolysis were comparable, a significant decline was observed in the month of April 2020, during the initial period of the pandemic and lockdown. Endovascular treatment reduced significantly and longer door to needle and CT to needle times were observed in 2020. Although mortality was higher in 2020, proportion of patients with good outcome were similar in both the study periods. CONCLUSIONS: Although stroke admissions and rates of thrombolysis were comparable, some work flow metrics were delayed, endovascular stroke treatment rates declined and mortality was higher during the pandemic study period. Reorganization of stroke treatment pathways during the pandemic has likely improved the stroke care delivery across the globe.

Community-based longitudinal follow-up of Stroke patients discharged from a tertiary care center in Central India.

CONTEXT: Stroke is a condition that may affect the functionality of a person to a significant degree; however, there is very little data available that speaks about the objective state of a patient from a revalidated scale after the post-stroke event. AIMS: To fill the knowledge gap and generate first-hand evidence about the post-stroke events in the community. To study post-stroke well-being of patients discharged from health facility and assess them longitudinally by Relevant Physical Examination, National Institute of Health stroke scale, and Modified Rankin Scale. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty patients who suffered from first episode of stroke were followed in their home longitudinally by Relevant Physical Examination, National Institute of Health (NIH) stroke scale and Modified Rankin Scale. Patients under study were first visited after 2 months of discharge from the hospital set up after which two more follow-up visits were conducted at 2 months interval each. RESULTS: There was an improvement in muscle power, sensation in the upper and lower limb, gait, and posture as well as language and vision in the patients in three subsequent visits. There was no significant difference in the fine movements of the patients. There was a gradual improvement in NIH score and there was a dominant presence of moderate-severe disability among the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative scales largely showed on a primary basis that on the physical dimension of the disease, the effects of Stroke were affecting the functioning of the body at optimum capacity and harmony.

Diagnostic accuracy of composite autonomic symptom scale 31 (COMPASS-31) in early detection of autonomic dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE: Diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN) is a common and disabling complication of diabetes, with cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) being a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Standard autonomic function tests (AFT) are cumbersome and time consuming to conduct in OPD setting. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of composite autonomic symptom scale 31 (COMPASS-31) as a screening test for DAN. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study which enrolled 60 type 2 diabetes individuals was conducted at a tertiary care center. Autonomic functions were evaluated by COMPASS-31 questionnaire as well as by standard Ewing's battery of tests; short-term heart rate variability; sympathetic skin response along with nerve conduction studies. RESULTS: Thirty males and 24 females completed the study. Forty-nine (89%) participants had CAN, of which, 9 (17%) had definite CAN. Peripheral neuropathy was present in 20 (37%). COMPASS-31 scores showed no difference between "No CAN" and "Early CAN". "Definite CAN" individuals differed significantly from "No and Early CAN" on COMPASS-31 scores and its gastrointestinal sub-domain. Receiver operating characteristic between "Definite CAN" and "No and Early CAN" showed fair accuracy with AUC of 0.731 (95% CI 0.561-0.901), sensitivity 77.8%, specificity 71.7% at a cut-off of 28.67 of COMPASS-31 score. Gastrointestinal sub-domain, at a cut-off score of 5.8, had 77.8% sensitivity, 60% specificity, and AUC was 0.748 (95% CI 0.603-0.894). CONCLUSION: COMPASS-31, a self-administered tool, requiring less time, qualifies as an acceptable screening tool, especially for definite CAN. However, individuals scoring low on COMPASS-31 are still required to be evaluated by Ewing's battery to differentiate between "Early CAN" and "No CAN".