Predictive factors for the development of epilepsy after ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVES: Ischemic stroke is one of the most common causes of epilepsy in adults. The incidence of post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) is approximately 7%. Risk factors are higher stroke severity, cortical localization, higher National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) upon admission and acute symptomatic seizures. We analyzed the predictive factors of PSE development in our population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective observational cohort of adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) with ischemic stroke assessed between January 2012 and June 2020. Patients with personal history of epilepsy and potentially epileptogenic structural injury other than acute or chronic stroke were excluded. Demographic, clinical and imaging variables were evaluated in a multivariate analysis for independent risk factors associated with PSE. RESULTS: Medical records of 1586 stroke patients were reviewed, 691 met the inclusion criteria and had at least one year of follow-up. Of them, 428 (61.9%) were males. During follow-up, 6.2% had diagnosis of PSE (42/691) with a higher frequency of: previous ischemic stroke, higher NIHSS upon admission, treatment with rt-PA, higher Fazekas scale grade, cortical involvement, hemorrhagic transformation, acute symptomatic seizures, longer hospitalization and higher modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge compared to the group without PSE. In a multivariate analysis, acute symptomatic seizures (OR=3.22, p: 0.033), cortical involvement (OR=0.274, p < 0.05), Fazekas scale score (OR=0.519, p < 0.05) and mRS at discharge (OR=1.33, p: 0.043) were independent risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The variables related to higher risk of PSE were similar to those reported in the literature, highlighting the importance of neuroimaging findings, acute symptomatic seizures during hospitalization and neurological deficit at discharge. The data obtained will serve as the basis for construction of predictive models, allowing to individualize PSE probability in our population.

[Migraine preventive treatment: monoclonal antibodies against calcitonine gene related peptide]. / Tratamiento preventivo en migraña: anticuerpos monoclonales contra la vía del péptido relacionado con el gen de la calcitonina.

Migraine is a very prevalent disorder that is estimated to affect about 10-15% of adult subjects. According to the World Health Organization migraine is one of the first causes of disability. Traditional preventive treatments discovered by serendipity include Beta blockers, antinconvulsants drugs, calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants and onabotulinum A and offer about 50% efficacy after controlled placebo trials and real life use. Because of lack of adherence and adverse events, there is a loss of beneficial sustain on these treatments. Recently, the efficacy and safety of monoclonal antibodies (MA) that act on the peptide pathway related to the calcitonin gene (CGRP) has been evaluated in migraine, being the first specific tailored treatment on one of the multiple targets on migraine. This family of drugs: erenumab, galcanezumab, fremanezumab, eptinezumab, finished Fase III, extensions trials and many of them are in the market approved since 2018.Since 2019 are available in Argentina. We will describe the rationale for the prescription of this family of new drugs for migraine.

La migraña es un trastorno muy prevalente que afecta a alrededor del 15% de los sujetos adultos. Es clasificada por la Organización Mundial de la Saludentre los primeros puestos como causa de discapacidad. Los tratamientos preventivos habituales hasta ahora derivan de otras indicaciones y por serendipia se utilizan en prevención de migraña: betabloqueantes, drogas antiepilépticas, antidepresivos tricíclicos, bloqueantes de canales de calcio, toxina botulínica. Todas ellas han mostrado eficacia similar al 50% en reducir el número de episodios migrañosos pese a efectos secundarios indeseados. Durante los últimos años, se ha evaluado la eficacia y seguridad de los anticuerpos monoclonales (AM) que actúan sobre la vía del péptido relacionado con el gen de la calcitonina (CGRP) en migraña. Dicho péptido es relevante en la activación del dolor en territorio meníngeoy es mediado por terminales nerviosas trigeminales una vez activado el proceso migrañoso. Su dosaje en crisis migrañosas ha sido elevado en diversos estudios y su neutralización/bloqueo, redunda en alivio del dolor. Los anticuerpos monoclonales erenumab, galcanezumab, fremanezumab, eptinezumab aprobados en el mercado EE.UU./Europa desde 2018 y tras varios trabajos de Fase III y abiertos de extensión, mostraron clara seguridad yeficacia y están presentes en nuestro medio desde mediados de 2019. Desarrollamos la racionalidad e indicaciones de uso de los mismos.

Tratamiento preventivo en migraña: anticuerpos monoclonales contra la vía del péptido relacionado con el gen de la calcitonina / Migraine preventive treatment: monoclonal antibodies against calcitonine gene related peptide

Resumen La migraña es un trastorno muy prevalente que afecta a alrededor del 15% de los sujetos adultos. Es clasificada por la Organización Mundial de la Saludentre los primeros puestos como causa de discapacidad. Los tratamientos preventivos habituales hasta ahora derivan de otras indicaciones y por serendipia se utilizan en prevención de migraña: betabloqueantes, drogas antiepilépticas, antidepresivos tricíclicos, bloquean tes de canales de calcio, toxina botulínica. Todas ellas han mostrado eficacia similar al 50% en reducir el número de episodios migrañosos pese a efectos secundarios indeseados. Durante los últimos años, se ha evaluado la eficacia y seguridad de los anticuerpos monoclonales (AM) que actúan sobre la vía del péptido relacionado con el gen de la calcitonina (CGRP) en migraña. Dicho péptido es relevante en la activación del dolor en territorio meníngeoy es mediado por terminales nerviosas trigeminales una vez activado el proceso migrañoso. Su dosaje en crisis migrañosas ha sido elevado en diversos estudios y su neutralización/bloqueo, redunda en alivio del dolor. Los anticuerpos monoclonales erenumab, galcanezumab, fremanezumab, eptinezumab aprobados en el mercado EE.UU./Europa desde 2018 y tras varios trabajos de Fase III y abiertos de extensión, mostraron clara seguridad yeficacia y están presentes en nuestro medio desde mediados de 2019. Desarrollamos la racionalidad e indicaciones de uso de los mismos.

Abstract Migraine is a very prevalent disorder that is estimated to affect about 10-15% of adult subjects. Ac cording to the World Health Organization migraine is one of the first causes of disability. Traditional preventive treatments discovered by serendipity include Beta blockers, antinconvulsants drugs, calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants and onabotulinum A and offer about 50% efficacy after controlled placebo trials and real life use. Because of lack of adherence and adverse events, there is a loss of beneficial sustain on these treat ments. Recently, the efficacy and safety of monoclonal antibodies (MA) that act on the peptide pathway related to the calcitonin gene (CGRP) has been evaluated in migraine, being the first specific tailored treatment on one of the multiple targets on migraine. This family of drugs: erenumab, galcanezumab, fremanezumab, eptinezumab, finished Fase III, extensions trials and many of them are in the market approved since 2018.Since 2019 are available in Argentina. We will describe the rationale for the prescription of this family of new drugs for migraine.

The prevalence of migraine in Argentina: A reappraisal.

BACKGROUND: Argentina has one of the largest territories in the world, which spreads over a lengthy latitudinal span. Its population is mainly composed of a mixture of South American natives and the descendants of numerous waves of European immigrants. Results from a previous study suggested that the prevalence of migraine in Argentina is the lowest in the region. Here we aimed to reassess the prevalence of migraine in Argentina applying a more sensitive and specific screening tool. METHODS: We conducted a random computer assisted telephonic interview (n= 2500) using the Migraine Screen Questionnaire to evaluate the prevalence of migraine and some of its features among Argentinian adults. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of migraine was 9.5% (14% in females and 5% in males). Estimated migraine prevalence rates ranged between 6.3% and 12% across different regions. The approximated prevalence of high frequency and chronic migraine were 1.9% and 1.5% of the total population respectively. Consumption of analgesics on 10 or more days per month was reported by 18% of migraine sufferers (≈1.7% of the population). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of migraine in Argentina is higher than previously reported. Prevalence rates vary extensively across the territory. Specifically evaluating the determinants of these variations might be a promising avenue of research.

Prediction of Balance After Inpatient Rehabilitation in Stroke Subjects with Severe Balance Alterations at the Admission.

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe motor alterations would be those on who the prediction of the expected motor response after inpatient rehabilitation programs is most required. OBJECTIVES: To analyze if the balance progress measured by the Berg Balance Scale and the time of hospitalization could be independent predictors of the Berg Balance at the end of a post stroke rehabilitation program in patients with severe balance alteration at the admission. Secondly, to compare a Berg Balance prediction model at the time of discharge based on the Berg Balance at the time of admission (model 1) to a Berg Balance prediction model at the time of discharge based on Berg Balance progress and the time of hospitalization (model 2). METHODS: Subjects suffering a first subacute supratentorial stroke admitted for inpatient rehabilitation between 2010 through 2018 were included to develop two linear regression models of predicted Berg Balance at discharge (n=149). RESULTS: According to model 1 (p < 0.0001, R2= 0.166), the Berg Balance at the admission would be a predictor of the Berg Balance at discharge from hospitalization. According to model 2 (p < 0.0001, R2= 0.993) the Berg Balance progress (ß= 1.026; p < 0.0001) and the hospitalization time (ß=-0.006; p < 0.0001) would be independent predictors of the Berg Balance at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The motor response to the rehabilitation programs in subacute patients with severe motor alterations could be explained on the basis of balance condition at the admission, but this explanation may be improved considering the progress on the balance the patients achieve during inpatient rehabilitation irrespective the time of hospitalization.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Crisis - Intravenous Phenytoin as Acute Rescue Treatment.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to analyze responses to intravenous (IV) phenytoin (PHT) for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) crisis in a group of patients treated at our institution. BACKGROUND: TN is one of the most common causes of facial pain. Its treatment relies on preventive therapy with either carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine. During severe pain episodes, patients may be unable to eat, drink, or even swallow oral medication, requiring in-hospital treatment. There is scarce evidence to support IV medication use for TN, making management of this condition difficult. METHODS: We reviewed clinical records of patients with TN crisis consulting the emergency department at a tertiary neurological referral center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, treated with IV PHT as analgesic strategy, and with at least 1-month posttreatment follow-up. Demographic features, magnetic resonance imaging findings, and therapeutic management were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients with TN were included, 18 (46.2%) receiving IV PHT more than once (total number of infusions administered, 65). Immediate pain relief was observed in 89.2% (58/65) and 15.4% (10/65) presented side effects. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend IV PHT as acute rescue treatment in TN crisis.

[Multidisciplinary rehabilitation for adult patients with stroke]. / Rehabilitación multidisciplinaria para pacientes adultos con accidente cerebrovascular.

It is estimated that two thirds of people who have suffered a stroke have sequels that condition their quality of life. The rehabilitation of the stroke is a complex process, which requires the multidisciplinary approach of specialized professionals (doctors, kinesiologists, nurses, occupational therapists, phonoaudiologists, neuropsychologists and nutritionists). Currently, the practices carried out are a consequence of the combination of evidence and consensus, most of them through international stroke rehabilitation guides. The objective of this review is to adjust the international recommendations on stroke rehabilitation to what is applied to daily practice, in order to unify the criteria of the recommendations and to reduce the variability of the practices carried out. This work is a review of the literature on stroke rehabilitation guides developed in the last 10 years. Each section was supervised by different professionals specialized in these areas. We analyze the time and organization necessary to develop rehabilitation, recommendations for motor, cognitive and visual rehabilitation, the management of dysphagia and nutrition, the approach of comorbidities (venous thrombosis, skin ulcers, pain, psychiatric disorders and osteoporosis) and the necessary tasks to favor the return to the activities of daily life.

Se estima que dos tercios de las personas que han sufrido un accidente cerebrovascular (ACV) tienen secuelas que condicionan su calidad de vida. La rehabilitación del ACV es un proceso complejo, que requiere de un equipo multidisciplinario de profesionales especializados (médicos, kinesiólogos, enfermeros, terapistas ocupacionales, fonoaudiólogos, neuropsicólogos y nutricionistas). Actualmente, las prácticas realizadas en rehabilitación son consecuencia de la combinación de evidencia y consenso, siendo la mayoría aportadas a través de guías internacionales de rehabilitación en ACV. El objetivo de esta revisión es ajustar las recomendaciones internacionales sobre rehabilitación a lo aplicado a la práctica diaria, a fin de unificar criterios en las recomendaciones y reducir la variabilidad de las prácticas empleadas. En este trabajo, se realizó una revisión de la literatura sobre las guías de rehabilitación en ACV realizadas en los últimos 10 años y cada apartado fue supervisado por distintos profesionales especializados en dichas áreas. Se analizaron los tiempos y organización necesaria para desarrollarla, las recomendaciones para la rehabilitación motora, cognitiva y visual, el tratamiento de la disfagia y nutrición, de las comorbilidades (trombosis venosa, úlceras cutáneas, dolor, trastornos psiquiátricos, osteoporosis) y las tareas necesarias para favorecer el retorno a las actividades de la vida diaria.

Rehabilitación multidisciplinaria para pacientes adultos con accidente cerebrovascular / Multidisciplinary rehabilitation for adult patients with stroke

Se estima que dos tercios de las personas que han sufrido un accidente cerebrovascular (ACV) tienen secuelas que condicionan su calidad de vida. La rehabilitación del ACV es un proceso complejo, que requiere de un equipo multidisciplinario de profesionales especializados (médicos, kinesiólogos, enfermeros, terapistas ocupacionales, fonoaudiólogos, neuropsicólogos y nutricionistas). Actualmente, las prácticas realizadas en rehabilitación son consecuencia de la combinación de evidencia y consenso, siendo la mayoría aportadas a través de guías internacionales de rehabilitación en ACV. El objetivo de esta revisión es ajustar las recomendaciones internacionales sobre rehabilitación a lo aplicado a la práctica diaria, a fin de unificar criterios en las recomendaciones y reducir la variabilidad de las prácticas empleadas. En este trabajo, se realizó una revisión de la literatura sobre las guías de rehabilitación en ACV realizadas en los últimos 10 años y cada apartado fue supervisado por distintos profesionales especializados en dichas áreas. Se analizaron los tiempos y organización necesaria para desarrollarla, las recomendaciones para la rehabilitación motora, cognitiva y visual, el tratamiento de la disfagia y nutrición, de las comorbilidades (trombosis venosa, úlceras cutáneas, dolor, trastornos psiquiátricos, osteoporosis) y las tareas necesarias para favorecer el retorno a las actividades de la vida diaria.

It is estimated that two thirds of people who have suffered a stroke have sequels that condition their quality of life. The rehabilitation of the stroke is a complex process, which requires the multidisciplinary approach of specialized professionals (doctors, kinesiologists, nurses, occupational therapists, phonoaudiologists, neuropsychologists and nutritionists). Currently, the practices carried out are a consequence of the combination of evidence and consensus, most of them through international stroke rehabilitation guides. The objective of this review is to adjust the international recommendations on stroke rehabilitation to what is applied to daily practice, in order to unify the criteria of the recommendations and to reduce the variability of the practices carried out. This work is a review of the literature on stroke rehabilitation guides developed in the last 10 years. Each section was supervised by different professionals specialized in these areas. We analyze the time and organization necessary to develop rehabilitation, recommendations for motor, cognitive and visual rehabilitation, the management of dysphagia and nutrition, the approach of comorbidities (venous thrombosis, skin ulcers, pain, psychiatric disorders and osteoporosis) and the necessary tasks to favor the return to the activities of daily life.

High-technology augmentative communication for adults with post-stroke aphasia: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems were introduced into clinical practice by therapists to help compensate for persistent language deficits in people with aphasia. Although, there is currently a push towards an increased focus on compensatory approaches in an attempt to maximize communication function for social interaction, available studies including AAC systems, especially technologically advanced communication tools and systems, known as 'high-technology AAC', show key issues and obstacles for these tools to become utilized in mainstream clinical practice. Areas covered: The current review synthesizes communication intervention studies that involved the use of high-technology communication devices to enhance linguistic communication skills for adults with post-stroke aphasia. The review focuses on compensatory approaches that emphasized functional communication. It also summarizes recommendations for the report of studies evaluating high-technology devices that may be potentially relevant for other researchers working with adults with post-stroke aphasia. Expert commentary: Taken together with positive results in heterogeneous studies, high-technology devices represent a compensatory strategy to enhance communicative skills in individuals with post-stroke aphasia. Improvements in the design of studies and reporting of results may lead to better interpretation of the already existing scientific results from aphasia management.

Early motor predictors of recovery in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

RESEARCH DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. OBJECTIVE: To compare motor variables between patients with severe traumatic brain injury who emerge and patients who do not emerge from vegetative state, in an attempt to identify early motor manifestations associated with consistent patient improvement. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Patients were divided into two groups: group 1, patients who emerged from vegetative state attaining at least a state of functional interactive communication and/or functional use of two different objects (n = 8); and group 2, patients who did not emerge (n = 7). Twenty-one motor variables were compared weekly between groups until the end of the treatment programme. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in head control (p = 0.051) and head turning (p = 0.002) variables, as well as in visual fixation and pursuit (p = 0.051) after a median of 41 days of therapy; and in head control and head turning; visual fixation and pursuit; phonation; pain localization, reach and grasp, and trunk movement (p ≤ 0.051) after a median of 212 days of programme duration. CONCLUSIONS: Head turning, together with or immediately followed by visual pursuit and fixation, proved to be clinically significant variables associated with recovery from vegetative state to higher states of consciousness beyond minimally conscious state.

Cluster headache in children and adolescents: ten years of follow-up in three pediatric cases.

BACKGROUND: Cluster headache (CH) is a rare cause of headache in children. Onset before 12 years of age is unusual, and long-term follow-up of pediatric cases has been not reported. OBJECTIVES: To report three cases of CH with onset at childhood and at least ten years of follow-up. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: The first case is that of a 12-year-old boy with episodic CH with unilateral pain and striking, bilateral autonomic manifestations, remitted for over eight years. The second case is unique in that it reports a case of chronic CH in a 13-year-old boy with Down syndrome. The third case is that of a 9-year-old girl with episodic CH with remissions of 2 and 5 years. All cases had prominent autonomic features. The frequency and duration of the attacks were similar to those that have been reported in adults. Good response to indomethacin was obtained in two cases, although tolerability issues occurred in one. CONCLUSION: Sustained, long-term, medical and/or spontaneous remission occurs in CH of early onset. The phenotype and response to therapy in children, at least in these case examples, are similar to equivalent observations in adult patients with CH.