Assessment of sexual dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis: a perspective from neurologist.

BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common comorbidity in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). It affects the quality of life and remains an overlooked condition. The objective of this study was to describe how Colombian neurologists assess and treat SD and explore the barriers during sexual function evaluation. METHODS: In this observational cross-sectional study we developed a questionnaire for neurologists with 4 sections (demographic data, evaluation and treatment of SD, and possible reasons for not discussing sexual dysfunction.) It was sent via email to 326 Colombian neurologists. We grouped the answers according to the type of consultation (neurologists from a MS program or no MS program). We described through absolute frequencies and proportions. RESULTS: Fifty neurologists answered the survey. 64% stated that they usually study sexual dysfunction in neurological disorders. The main methods employed were private reading (86%) and attending conferences (14%). 5/50 participants have never attend pwMS; the Sect. 2-4 was not answered by them. 29% work in a MS program, all of them asked their patients about sexual function, but 18.75% of physicians working outside an MS program have never asked about it. Main reasons for not talking about sexual dysfunction were lack of knowledge (65.1%), presence of a companion (65.1%) and lack of time (55.8%). 91% of the neurologists reported that their patients usually and frequently ask about sexual function. Neurologists use informal questions to assess sexual function (80%), although 64.4% said that they are aware of SD questionnaires. When sexual dysfunction is detected, 91% of neurologists refer patients to another specialist and 87% do not start any treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Colombian neurologists are concerned with sexual function in pwMS, however it remains an underdiagnosed an undertreated condition. It is necessary to strengthen knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction in pwMS, for neurologists and patients. It is also imperative to eliminate barriers around the topic and include sexual function evaluation and treatment as the routine care of pwMS.

Polycystic ovary syndrome and the new antiepileptic drugs: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women of reproductive age with the use of antiepileptic drugs. METHODS: A systematic literature review of observational analytical studies (cohort, cross-sectional and case-control), from January 1966 to January 2021 on PCOS in women of reproductive age with the use of the antiepileptics. The search covered the Cochrane, MEDLINE, Embase and LILACS databases. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Studies reporting the frequency of PCOS with the antiepileptic drugs in women of reproductive age. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: studies that did not have categorically relevant measurements, those published as abstracts only, and studies of investigational treatment. Data extraction was performed based on the PECOT strategy, considering the method of intervention, methodological quality, and presence of PCOS with the antiepileptic drugs. RESULTS: A total of 2043 references were obtained from which 22 articles were selected by title and abstract. Four articles met the inclusion criteria. No articles were found describing the risk of PCOS upon exposure to levetiracetam, felbamate, gabapentin, lacosamide, pregabalin, rufinamide, tiagabine, topiramate, vigabatrin, or zonisamide. Only articles related to oxcarbazepine and lamotrigine were found, in which the frequency of PCOS was like that found in women without epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS: The anticonvulsants are probably safer, but the risk of developing PCOS associated with the antiepileptics cannot be established, since there are insufficient studies.

Síndrome de alertamiento capsular asociado con el síndrome antifosfolípidos: reporte de un caso / Capsular Warning Syndrome Associated with Antiphospholipid Syndrome: Case Report / Síndrome de advertência capsular associado à síndrome antifosfolípide: reporte de um caso

El síndrome de alertamiento es definido como ataques isquémicos transitorios esterotipados y recurrentes, los cuales se manifiestan con síntomas motores y/o sensitivos de un hemicuerpo. Las lesiones, generalmente, son de pequeño vaso de la cápsula interna. Entre un 40% y 60% de los casos terminan con infarto del territorio sintomático. El proceso fisiopatológico exacto aún se desconoce y, a pesar de algunos casos exitosos, no existe consenso sobre el manejo óptimo de este síndrome. Se presenta un caso de síndrome de alertamiento capsular de un en paciente con historia de síndrome antifosfolípidos, a la fecha no hay casos publicados que describan la correlación de estas dos condiciones clínicas.

The capsular warning syndrome is defined as recurrent and stereotyped transient ischemic attacks that manifest themselves with motor and/or sensory symptoms. Generally, injuries take place in the small vessel of the internal capsule. Between 40 and 60% of cases will have a stroke.The pathophysiological process is still unknown, and despite some success cases, there is no consensus for the optimal management of the condition.This case of the capsular warning syndrome is presented in a patient with a history of antiphospholipid syndrome. To date, there are no published cases describing the correlation between these two conditions.

A síndrome de advertência é definida como ataques isquêmicos transitórios estereotipados e recorrentes, os quais manifestam-se com sintomas motores e/ou sensitivos de um hemicorpo. As lesões são geralmente de pequeno vaso da capsula interna.Entre um 40% e 60% dos casos terminam com infarto do território sintomático. O processo fisiopatológico exato ainda desconhece-se e apesar de alguns casos de sucesso não existe consenso sobre o manejo óptimo desta síndrome.Apresenta-se um caso de síndrome de advertência capsular de um paciente com história de síndrome antifosfolípide; até esta data não há casos publicados que descrevam a correlação destas duas condições clínicas.

Meningoencefalitis por Nocardia spp: Reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Nocardia spp meningoencephalitis: A case report and literature review

Resumen La nocardiosis es una rara infección oportunista que afecta principalmente a pacientes con alteración de la inmunidad celular, como pacientes con síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida o postrasplantes. El compromiso del sistema nervioso central es generalmente como absceso y menos frecuentemente como meningitis primaria. El presente artículo hace el reporte de un caso de meningitis primaria por Nocardia en paciente inmunocompetente y revisión de la literatura.

Nocardiosis is a rare opportunistic disease that affects mainly patients with deficient cell-mediated immunity, such as those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or transplant recipients. The central nervous system presentation is as cerebral abscesses and less frequently, as primary meningitis. Here, a case of primary nocardia meningitis is described in a patient without a predisposing condition, along with a literature review.