Association between subclinical carotid atherosclerosis, hyperhomocysteinaemia and mild cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence suggests that intima-media thickness (IMT) and plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels are associated with one another, and both appear to be related to cognitive dysfunction. However, no connection between both factors taken together and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has been established. This study analysed potential relationships between IMT, Hcy and MCI. METHODS: We included 105 patients with MCI and 76 controls with no history of vascular disease. All participants underwent laboratory analyses, a carotid ultrasound, and clinical and neuropsychological assessment. We used the Mantel-Haenszel test (MHT), ANCOVA and multiple linear regression models (MLRM) to examine any associations between IMT, Hcy and cognitive state. RESULTS: The MHT revealed a significant association between IMT and risk of MCI (z = 4.285, P < 0.0001). The OR for the upper quartile vs the lower quartile was 5.12 (95% CI: 2.12-12.36). MHT also showed a clear association between Hcy levels and risk of MCI (z = 3.01, P = 0.003). OR for the upper vs the lower quartile was 3.39 (95% CI: 1.41-8.12). Additionally, we found a correlation between IMT and Hcy (r = 0.162, P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that there is a connection between IMT, Hcy levels and presence of amnestic MCI in a population with no history of clinically manifest atherosclerosis. Furthermore, there is also a connection between the IMT and Hcy levels themselves.

A stroke care management system prevents outcome differences related to time of stroke unit admission.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence supports that admitting patients with stroke during different hospital work periods is related to distinct outcomes. We aimed to analyse outcomes in patients according to the period and time of admission to the stroke unit. METHODS: Retrospective study. For purposes of data analysis, patients were grouped according to the following time periods: a) day of the week, b) period of the year, c) shift. We analysed demographic characteristics, stroke type and severity, and the percentage undergoing thrombolysis in each group. The measures used to evaluate early outcomes were the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), neurological complications (NC), and in-hospital mortality. Functional outcome at 3 months was determined using the modified Rankin scale. RESULTS: The stroke unit admitted 1250 patients. We found NC to be slightly more frequent for weekend admissions than for weekday admissions, but this trend does not seem to have influenced in-hospital mortality. Regarding functional outcome at 3 months, 67.0% of weekday vs. 60.7% of weekend admissions were independent (P=.096), as were 65.5% of patients admitted during the academic months vs. 63.5% of those admitted during summer holidays (P=.803). We identified no significant differences in 3-month mortality linked to the day or period of admission; however, for the variable 'shift', 13.2% of the patients died during the morning shift, 11.5% during the afternoon shift, and 6.0% during the night shift (P=.017). We identified a trend toward higher rates of thrombolysis administration on weekdays, during the morning shift, and during the academic months. CONCLUSIONS: Time of admission to the stroke unit did not affect early outcomes or functional independence at 3 months.

Functional outcome of stroke and the cumulative experience of a stroke unit.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with acute stroke are more likely to survive and achieve independence if they are treated in a stroke unit. Available information in our setting is scarce. We analyse the outcomes of our patients on the basis of cumulative experience in a stroke unit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to a stroke unit. We differentiate between two groups according to the year of admission: group A (July 2007-December 2009) and group B (January 2010-December 2011), analysing early outcome based on the score on the National Institute of Health stroke scale and mortality at discharge, and medium-term outcome in terms of mortality and functional status according to the modified Rankin scale at three months. RESULTS: A total 1070 patients were included. There were no differences between groups with respect to favourable outcome (68.3% vs 63.9), hospital mortality (5.1% vs 6.6%), or 90-day mortality (12.8% vs 13.1%). The percentage of patients who were independent at 90 days was greater in group B (56.3% vs 65.5%, P=.03). In the multivariate analysis adjusted for stroke subtype and fibrinolytic therapy, the association between patient independence and admission period remained present. CONCLUSIONS: The probability of functional independence in our patients increased alongside accumulated experience in our stroke unit with no differences in mortality.

Clinical and neuroradiological signs in adults with type 1 neurofibromatosis.

INTRODUCTION: Type 1 neurofibromatosis is the most common neurocutaneous syndrome. Most published case series study the paediatric population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study of cases of type 1 neurofibromatosis from neurology departments that were recorded in a database. We analysed the different clinical variables providing the diagnosis as well as demographic and neuroradiological variables. RESULTS: We found a total of 31 patients with type 1 neurofibromatosis. The mean age was 28.9 years and 58.4% were women. Subjects with unidentified bright objects (UBOs) were younger than those without them (22.45±8.22 years vs. 32.5±10.64; P=.011). In contrast, subjects with neurofibromas were older than those without them (30.56±10.68 years vs. 18.25±4.34; P=.032). No sex differences were found in the presentation of clinical or radiological variables. Seven patients (22.6%) had tumours; 3 were optic pathway gliomas (1 bilateral), 3 were plexiform neurofibromas, and 1 was a pilocytic astrocytoma in the brainstem. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with type 1 neurofibromatosis presented both peripheral neurofibromas and tumorous lesions of the central nervous system. Subjects with neurofibromas were older than those who did not present them, while subjects with UBOs were younger than those without such lesions.

[The impact of neurological and medical complications on the mortality and functional situation of acute stroke patients]. / Impacto de las complicaciones neurologicas y medicas sobre la mortalidad y situacion funcional de pacientes con ictus agudo.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke patients have a high risk of presenting complications, the appearance of which can condition the prognosis of the stroke. We studied the frequency and impact of the onset of several different complications on the early and mid-term prognosis of these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted an observation-based study of the patients admitted to a stroke unit. The complications that occurred while hospitalised were recorded, a distinction being drawn between neurological and medical complications. The study examined their influence, according to the subtype of stroke, on intra-hospital mortality and that at 90 days, as well as on the functional situation at 90 days, by analysing the clinical factors that are predictive for the appearance of complications. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 847 patients. Altogether, 29.5% of the patients presented complications, which were more frequent in haemorrhagic stroke (50.5% versus 26.6%; p < 0.0001). The most usual complications were of a neurological nature (21%). For both subtypes, the presence of complications was associated with a higher rate of mortality both in hospital (2.1% versus 12.6%; p < 0.0001) and at 90 days (5.7% versus 29.6%; p < 0.0001), and a lower probability of independence at 90 days (72.9% versus 30.4%; p < 0.0001). The severity of the stroke on admission revealed itself as the most powerful predictor of the onset of any type of complication. CONCLUSIONS: The appearance of complications during the acute phase of the stroke has an adverse influence on mortality and on the functional prognosis. The identification of predictive factors could reduce the impact upon the progress of acute stroke patients.

TITLE: Impacto de las complicaciones neurologicas y medicas sobre la mortalidad y situacion funcional de pacientes con ictus agudo.Introduccion. Los pacientes con ictus presentan un elevado riesgo de presentar complicaciones. Su aparicion puede condicionar el pronostico del ictus. Estudiamos la frecuencia y el impacto de la aparicion de diversas complicaciones en el pronostico precoz y a medio plazo en estos pacientes. Pacientes y metodos. Estudio observacional de los pacientes ingresados en una unidad de ictus. Se registraron las complicaciones durante su estancia, distinguiendose entre complicaciones neurologicas y medicas. Se estudio la influencia de estas segun subtipo de ictus en la mortalidad intrahospitalaria y a los 90 dias, y en la situacion funcional a los 90 dias, analizandose los factores clinicos predictores para la aparicion de complicaciones. Resultados. Muestra de 847 pacientes. Un 29,5% de los pacientes presento complicaciones, que fueron mas frecuentes en el ictus hemorragico (50,5% frente a 26,6%; p < 0,0001). Las complicaciones mas habituales fueron las neurologicas (21%). Para ambos subtipos, la presencia de complicaciones se asocio a mayor mortalidad intrahospitalaria (2,1% frente a 12,6%; p < 0,0001) y a 90 dias (5,7% frente a 29,6%; p < 0,0001), y menor probabilidad de independencia a 90 dias (72,9% frente a 30,4%; p < 0,0001). La gravedad del ictus al ingreso se mostro como el predictor mas potente en la aparicion de cualquier tipo de complicacion. Conclusiones. La aparicion de complicaciones durante la fase aguda del ictus influye de forma adversa en la mortalidad y en el pronostico funcional. La identificacion de factores predictores podria disminuir el impacto sobre la evolucion del paciente con un ictus agudo.

Un sistema organizado de atención al ictus evita diferencias en la evolución de los pacientes en relación con el momento de su ingreso en una unidad de ictus / A stroke care management system prevents outcome differences related to time of stroke unit admission

Introducción: Existe evidencia de que el ingreso de pacientes con ictus en diferentes periodos laborales influye en su evolución. Analizamos la evolución de los pacientes con relación al momento del ingreso en una unidad de ictus. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo. Se agrupó a los pacientes considerando los siguientes periodos: a) día de la semana, b) periodo del año y c) turno de trabajo. Analizamos características demográficas, tipo y gravedad del ictus y porcentaje de trombólisis. Determinamos la evolución precoz considerando: la National Institute of Heath Stroke Scale (NIHSS), complicaciones neurológicas (CN) y mortalidad hospitalaria, y situación funcional (SF) a 3 meses mediante la escala modificada de Rankin. Resultados: Se incluyó a 1.250 pacientes. Las CN fueron más frecuentes durante el fin de semana que en los días laborales, sin influir en la mortalidad hospitalaria. Respecto a la SF a 3 meses, el 67,0% de pacientes ingresados en días laborales vs. 60,7% durante el fin de semana (p = 0,096), el 65,5% de los pacientes ingresados durante los meses académicos vs. 63,5% durante las vacaciones de verano (p = 0,803) eran independientes. No identificamos diferencias significativas en la mortalidad a 3 meses según el día o periodo del año; sin embargo, para la variable turno de trabajo, el 13,2% de los pacientes ingresados durante la mañana, el 11,5% por la tarde y el 6,0% durante el turno de noche fallecieron (p = 0,017). Observamos una tendencia a realizar más fibrinólisis en días laborables, turno de la mañana y meses académicos. Conclusiones: El momento del ingreso en la unidad de ictus no influyó en la evolución precoz ni en la situación de independencia a 3 meses

Introduction: Evidence supports that admitting patients with stroke during different hospital work periods is related to distinct outcomes. We aimed to analyse outcomes in patients according to the period and time of admission to the stroke unit. Methods: Retrospective study. For purposes of data analysis, patients were grouped according to the following time periods: a) day of the week, b) period of the year, c) shift. We analysed demographic characteristics, stroke type and severity, and the percentage undergoing thrombolysis in each group. The measures used to evaluate early outcomes were the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), neurological complications (NC), and in-hospital mortality. Functional outcome at 3 months was determined using the modified Rankin scale. Results: The stroke unit admitted 1250 patients. We found NC to be slightly more frequent for weekend admissions than for weekday admissions, but this trend does not seem to have influenced in-hospital mortality. Regarding functional outcome at 3 months, 67.0% of weekday vs. 60.7% of weekend admissions were independent (P=.096), as were 65.5% of patients admitted during the academic months vs. 63.5% of those admitted during summer holidays (P=.803). We identified no significant differences in 3-month mortality linked to the day or period of admission; however, for the variable ‘shift’, 13.2% of the patients died during the morning shift, 11.5% during the afternoon shift, and 6.0% during the night shift (P=.017). We identified a trend toward higher rates of thrombolysis administration on weekdays, during the morning shift, and during the academic months. Conclusions: Time of admission to the stroke unit did not affect early outcomes or functional independence at 3 months