Encefalopatía asociada a enfermedad tiroidea autoinmune: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / Encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroid disease: Case report and literature review

RESUMEN INTRODUCCIÓN: La encefalopatía asociada a enfermedad tiroidea autoinmune se caracteriza por un inicio insidioso de síntomas neuropsiquiátricos que incluyen alteración de la función cognoscitiva, cambios del comportamiento, crisis convulsivas y trastornos del movimiento. REPORTE DE CASO: Hombre de 69 años con antecedente de hipotiroidismo primario que consultó por dos semanas de alteración de la memoria, confusión y trastorno del lenguaje, asociados a hiperreflexia y temblor generalizado. Los estudios mostraron nivel de hormona tiroidea y títulos de anticuerpos antitiroideos elevados, líquido cefalorraquídeo con aumento de proteínas y anticuerpos antineuronales negativos, neuroimagen normal y electroencefalograma con alteraciónes inespecíficas. Posterior a descartar otras etiologías, se hizo el diagnóstico de encefalopatía asociada a enfermedad tiroidea autoinmune y se inició manejo con esteroides, con los que presentó una mejoría clínica significativa. DISCUSIÓN: La encefalopatía asociada a enfermedad tiroidea autoinmune es un trastorno complejo que requiere un diagnóstico oportuno y rápido. En todos los pacientes con síntomas neuropsiquiátricos agudos o subagudos, y sin causa clara, es pertinente solicitar un perfil de anticuerpos antitiroideos independiente de la función tiroidea basal.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Thyroid autoimmune disease-associated encephalopathy is characterized by an insidious onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms which may include impaired cognitive function, behavioral changes, seizures, and movement disorders. CASE REPORT: A 69-year-old man with a history of primary hypothyroidism who consulted for two weeks of memory impairment, confusion, and language disorder, associated with hyperreflexia and generalized tremor. Studies showed elevated thyroid hormone levels and antithyroid antibody titers, cerebrospinal fluid with increased protein and negative antineuronal antibodies, normal neuroimaging, and electroencephalogram with nonspecific abnormalities. After ruling out other etiologies, a diagnosis of encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroid disease was made and management with steroids was started, with which he presented significant clinical improvement. DISCUSSION: Encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroid disease is a complex disorder that requires timely and rapid diagnosis. In all patients with acute or subacute neuropsychiatric symptoms, and without a clear cause, it is pertinent to request an antithyroid antibody profile independent of baseline thyroid function

Factors involved in time reduction between seizure relapses in patients with epilepsy attending emergency rooms in Medellín, Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Seizure relapses are the leading cause of admission to emergency rooms (ER) in people with epilepsy. OBJECTIVE: To analyze administrative and clinical factors associated with the duration between seizure relapses in people with epilepsy admitted to the Neurological Institute of Colombia (Medellin) between July 2018 and July 2019. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective follow-up study of 156 patients over 18 years old, diagnosed with epilepsy, and treated for over a year. The outcome variable was the time between seizure relapses, identified through the record of ER attendances. In addition, difficulties in the prescription filling process (delay, omission, or brand change) and clinical characteristics were analyzed as potential associated influence factors. The statistical analysis was performed using the Prentice, Williams & Peterson-Gap Time survival model for recurrent events. Finally, Adjusted Hazard Ratios (aHR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) are also presented. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-six patients were analyzed. Their average age of diagnosis was 15.5 years (SD = 22.5), the median number of monthly seizures was 3 (SD = 9.3), and 50.6% were women. Moreover, difficulties in the prescription filling process were associated with a time reduction between seizure relapses (aHR = 2.61; 95%CI 1.49-4.57), showing a similar impact as having a history of three or four types of events (aHR = 2.96; 95%CI 1.23-7.12) and neuropsychiatric comorbidity (aHR = 1.89; 95%CI 1.04-3.54). CONCLUSION: Neuropsychiatric comorbidity, history of several types of events, and experiencing difficulties with prescription filling are associated with lower benefit from treatment to control seizure relapses.

Pronóstico en pacientes con ataque cerebrovascular isquémico de circulación posterior / Functional outcome in posterior circulation acute ischemic stroke patients

RESUMEN INTRODUCCIÓN: El ochenta por ciento de los ataques cerebrovasculares son isquémicos, y uno de cada cinco afecta la circulación posterior. Su diagnóstico es difícil y los datos disponibles sobre el pronóstico y la mortalidad son discordantes. OBJETIVO: Evaluar el desenlace funcional a 180 días de los pacientes con ataque cerebrovascular (ACV) isquémico de circulación posterior (CP). MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Seguimiento prospectivo a pacientes con ACV de CP que ingresaron al Instituto Neurológico de Colombia entre septiembre del 2017 y septiembre del 2018. El desenlace clínico fue determinado mediante la escala Rankin modificada (mRS) al mes, a los seis meses y al año. RESULTADOS: Fueron incluidos 68 pacientes. La edad promedio fue 61 ±17 años y 60,3 % fueron hombres. El 85% tenía un mRS previo al ACV ≤ 1 y el 63 % un NIHSS basal ≤ 4. Nueve pacientes (13,2 %) recibieron terapia de reperfusión aguda (rtPA, TEV o ambas) y siete (10,3 %) adicionales arteriografía diferida. Dieciséis pacientes (23,5 %) presentaron una mejoría del NIHSS basal ≥ 4 puntos. Cuarenta y seis pacientes (74,2 %) presentaron un desenlace excelente mRS 0-1 a los seis meses y 87,1 % fueron categorizados mRS favorable (mRS 0-2). En el análisis ajustado, el NIHSS ≥ 4 fue un predictor de desenlace desfavorable a seis meses (RR 6,4; IC95 % 2,9-14,2). Seis pacientes (9,0 %) fallecieron, cuatro relacionados con el episodio actual o su recurencia. CONCLUSIONES: La mayoría de los pacientes con ACV de CP tienen desdenlaces favorables y una baja mor%talidad. La escala de NIHSS basal es un factor pronóstico independiente.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: Ischemic strokes account for 80 % of all strokes, and one of every five compromises the posterior circulation. The diagnosis is difficult, and the data available about the outcome and mortality are discordant in the literature. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicai outcome of patients at 180 days after posterior circulation ischemic stroke METHODS: Patients with diagnosis of posterior circulation stroke admitted to Instituto Neurológico de Colombia between September 2017 to 2018 were prospective included. The functional outcome by modified Rankin scale score (mRS) was determined at 1-month, 6-month, and 12-month after disease onset. RESULTS: 68 patients were included. The median age was 61 years ± 17 and 60.3 % were male. 85 % had a baseline mRS ≤ 1, and 63 % had a baseline National Institute Stroke Scale (NIHSS) ≤ 4. Nine patients were taken to acute recanalization therapies (rtPA, endovascular therapy or both) and seven more delayed arteriography. Sixteen patients (23.5 %) demonstrated an improvement of four or more points over the baseline NIHSS. Forty-six patients (74.2 %) had an excellent outcome 0-1 at six months and 87,1 % were categorized favorable mRS (mRS 0-2). In the adjusted analysis an NIHSS > 4 was a predictor of an unfavorable outcome at 6-month (RR 6.4; IC95 % 2.9-14.2). Six patients died (9 %); four of them in relation to the current event or an ischemic stroke recurrence. CONCLUSION: Most of the patients with posterior ischemic stroke have favorable outcomes and a low mortality. The baseline NIHSS is an independent prognostic risk factor.