Calidad de vida en demencia Alzheimer: un nuevo desafío / Quality of life in Alzheimer's dementia: a new challenge

Resumen El progresivo envejecimiento de la población mundial se encuentra directamente asociado al aumento de las patologías neurodegenerativas. Dentro de estas, la Enfermedad de Alzheimer es el tipo de demencia de mayor prevalencia a nivel mundial y se asocia a un mayor deterioro de la calidad de vida, no solo en los pacientes, sino que también en sus cuidadores y entorno familiar. Frente a este escenario, durante los últimos años ha adquirido especial importancia el evaluar la calidad de vida en pacientes con demencia Alzheimer, siendo un aspecto de creciente interés en el ámbito clínico y de la salud pública al ser considerado como un indicador en la medición de la efectividad de los distintos tipos de intervenciones, farmacológicas y no farmacológicas, sobre la enfermedad y su evolución. El conocer el concepto calidad de vida por parte de los equipos de salud y la evaluación clínica de esta en pacientes con demencia Alzheimer se ha vuelto un pilar fundamental tanto en el manejo, como en el uso de la información para la toma de decisiones en relación a políticas públicas relacionadas a pacientes con demencia. En este trabajo se abordará la temática desde tres ámbitos, la importancia de la enfermedad de Alzheimer, la calidad de vida a lo largo de los años, y como ésta puede ser utilizada en el manejo de patologías neurodegenerativas como la demencia.

The progressive aging of the world population is directly associated with the increase in neurodegenerative pathologies. Among these, Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent type of dementia worldwide which is associated with a greater deterioration in the quality of life, not only in patients but also in their caregivers and family environment. In this context, during the last years has become important to evaluate the quality of life in patients with Alzheimer's dementia to be an area of growing interest in clinical and public health because it is considered as an indicator in effectiveness measurement of the different types of interventions, pharmacological and non-pharmacological, on the disease and its evolution. Heath teams know the concept of quality of life and its clinical evaluation in patients with Alzheimer's dementia and it has become fundamental support for both management and the use of information for decision-making in the field of public policies related to patients with dementia. In this viewpoint the theme will be addressed from three areas, the importance of Alzheimer's disease, quality of life throughout history, and how it can be used in the management of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia.

Factores asociados a respuesta favorable de tratamiento corticoidal en pacientes con polirradiculoneuropatía desmielinizante inflamatoria crónica / Variables associated with a good response to steroids in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy

Background: The treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is based on corticosteroids, immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis. In our Health System, corticosteroids are commonly used as first line therapy for economic reasons and accessibility. However, the factors associated with a good response are not well known. Aim: To assess the association of demographic, clinical and laboratory variables with a favorable response to corticosteroid therapy in patients with CIDP. Material and Methods: Observational, descriptive, longitudinal and retrospective study of 33 patients with a diagnosis of typical, definitive or probable CIDP, treated with corticosteroids for at least six months. Results: Twenty-three patients had a good clinical response to corticosteroid treatment and 10 were non-responders. The variables significantly associated with a good response to steroids were a disease lasting less than 1 year prior to the start of treatment, the absence of axonal damage in electromyography a relapsing-recurrent course and a favorable response within two months of treatment. Conclusions: Most of these patients with CIDP had good response to corticosteroid therapy.

[Variables associated with a good response to steroids in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy]. / Factores asociados a respuesta favorable de tratamiento corticoidal en pacientes con polirradiculoneuropatía desmielinizante inflamatoria crónica.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is based on corticosteroids, immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis. In our Health System, corticosteroids are commonly used as first line therapy for economic reasons and accessibility. However, the factors associated with a good response are not well known. AIM: To assess the association of demographic, clinical and laboratory variables with a favorable response to corticosteroid therapy in patients with CIDP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, descriptive, longitudinal and retrospective study of 33 patients with a diagnosis of typical, definitive or probable CIDP, treated with corticosteroids for at least six months. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients had a good clinical response to corticosteroid treatment and 10 were non-responders. The variables significantly associated with a good response to steroids were a disease lasting less than 1 year prior to the start of treatment, the absence of axonal damage in electromyography a relapsing-recurrent course and a favorable response within two months of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Most of these patients with CIDP had good response to corticosteroid therapy.