Gastrointestinal symptom burden in diabetic autonomic and peripheral neuropathy - A Danes cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated associations between gastrointestinal symptoms - evaluated as a combined weighted symptom score (CWSS) - Diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN), and distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN) in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study in a tertiary outpatient clinic. CWSS was calculated based on questionnaires: gastroparesis composite symptom index (GCSI) and gastrointestinal symptom rating score (GSRS). DAN and DSPN were addressed using the composite autonomic symptom score 31 (COMPASS-31) questionnaire, cardiac autonomic reflex tests (CARTs), electrochemical skin conductance (ESC), vibration perception threshold (VPT), Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI), pain- and thermal sensation. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, diabetes duration, smoking, LDL-cholesterol, HbA1C and systolic blood pressure. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes were evaluated separately. RESULTS: We included 566 with type 1 diabetes and 377 with type 2 diabetes. Mean ± SD age was 58 ± 15 years and 565 (59.9 %) were women. A high CWSS was present in 143 (25 %) with type 1 and 142 (38 %) with type 2 diabetes. The odds of DAN by COMPASS-31 (p < 0.001) were higher in the high score group. For type 1 diabetes, odds of cardiac autonomic neuropathy were higher in the high CWSS group. The odds of DSPN by VPT and MNSI in type 1 diabetes, and by ESC, VPT and pain sensation in type 2 diabetes were higher in the high CWSS group. CONCLUSIONS: A high symptom score was associated with neuropathy by COMPASS-31 and vibration perception. Gastrointestinal symptom burden associated inconsistently with other neuropathy tests between diabetes types.

Rehabilitation for motor functional neurological disorder: a follow-up study of 185 patients / Reabilitação para transtorno neurológico funcional motor: um estudo de acompanhamento de 185 casos

ABSTRACT Background: Motor functional neurological disorder (mFND) is a common and disabling condition. There are no evidence-based guidelines for treatment. Long-term outcome is often poor. This study describes the epidemiological profile, symptom pattern and outcome of patients admitted to the Belo Horizonte unit of the SARAH Network of Rehabilitation Hospitals from 1997 to 2018 with functional motor symptoms resulting from functional neurological disorder. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed data from 185 patients who met inclusion criteria for mFND. Diagnoses were made by multiple professionals in the presence of positive signs and excluding other neurological and systemic conditions. Results: 75.1% were women; 48.3% were receiving social security benefits. The youngest was 3 years old, the oldest 69. 23.8% were in wheelchairs, 77.2% had psychiatric disorders, 69.7% participated in rehabilitation programs and, among them, 70% improved. Conclusion: Participation in rehabilitation is beneficial for patients with mFND. Symptoms lasting for less than 30 days and aged less than 18 years had better outcomes (p<0.001).

RESUMO Introdução: Alterações motoras decorrentes de Transtorno Neurológico Funcional (TNF) são comuns, incapacitantes e com prognóstico ruim. Não há protocolos de tratamento baseado em evidências. Esse estudo descreve o perfil epidemiológico, os sintomas e a evolução de pacientes com alterações motoras decorrentes de Transtorno Neurológico Funcional (TNF) admitidos na unidade de Belo Horizonte da Rede SARAH de Hospitais de Reabilitação no período de 1997 a 2018. Métodos: Este estudo retrospectivo analisou dados de 185 pacientes que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão para TNF. Os diagnósticos foram realizados por múltiplos profissionais considerando a presença de sinais positivos e a exclusão de outras condições neurológicas e sistêmicas. Resultados: 75,1% eram mulheres; 48,3% estavam recebendo benefícios previdenciários. O indivíduo mais jovem tinha 3 anos de idade, e o mais velho, 69 anos. 23,8% usavam cadeira de rodas, 77,2% apresentavam desordens psiquiátricas, 69,7% tinham participado do programa de reabilitação e, dentre esses, 70% apresentaram melhora dos sintomas. Conclusão: O processo de reabilitação é benéfico para pacientes com TNF. Pacientes menores de 18 anos de idade e com sintomas de evolução com duração inferior a 30 dias apresentaram melhores resultados no tratamento (p<0,001).

Association of virological control and antiretroviral therapy with a cardiovascular autonomic balance in HIV / Associação do controle virológico e da terapia antirretroviral com o balanço autonômico cardiovascular no HIV

Association of virological control and antiretroviral therapy with a cardiovascular autonomic balance in HIV(AU)

Associação do controle virológico e da terapiaantirretroviral com o balanço autonômicocardiovascular no HIV(AU)

Relação entre a regulação autonômica cardíaca e mecanismos auditivos: importância para o crescimento e desenvolvimento / Relationship between cardiac autonomic regulation and auditory mechanisms: importance for growth and development

A literatura já demonstrou que a estimulação auditiva por meio de música influencia o sistema cardiovascular. Neste estudo, foi realizada uma revisão da literatura, a fim de investigar a relação entre os mecanismos auditivos e a regulação autonômica cardíaca. Os estudos selecionados indicaram forte correlação entre a intensidade do ruído e o equilíbrio simpatovagal. Além disso, foi relatado que a terapia com música melhorou a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca em pacientes com câncer de mama tratados com antraciclinas. Postula-se que a dopamina liberada no sistema estriatal, induzida por canções alegres, está envolvida na regulação autonômica. Estudos posteriores sãonecessários para adicionar novos elementos na literatura, para melhorar a novas terapias e para o tratar doenças cardiovasculares.

Comparação entre métodos de avaliação da modulação vagal cardíaca / Comparison of assessment methods of cardiac vagal modulation

FUNDAMENTO: Diversos métodos têm sido utilizados para avaliar a modulação vagal cardíaca; entretanto, há lacunas quanto a associação e acurácia desses métodos. OBJETIVO: Investigar a associação entre três métodos válidos, reprodutíveis e comumente utilizados para avaliação da modulação vagal cardíaca, e comparar as suas acurácias. MÉTODOS: Trinta homens saudáveis (23 ± 4 anos) e 15 homens com coronariopatia (61 ± 10 anos) foram avaliados em ordem contrabalanceada pela Variabilidade da Frequência Cardíaca (VFC; variáveis: domínio do tempo = pNN50, DPNN e RMSSD, domínio da frequência = AF ms² e AF u.n.), Arritmia Sinusal Respiratória (ASR) e Teste de Exercício de 4 segundos (T4s). RESULTADOS: Indivíduos saudáveis apresentaram maior modulação vagal nos três métodos (p < 0,05). No grupo saudável houve correlação (p < 0,05) entre os resultados da VFC (pNN50 e DPNN) e da ASR, mas não houve correlação entre o T4s e os outros dois métodos estudados. No grupo com coronariopatia houve correlação entre os resultados da VFC (pNN50, DPNN, RMSSD, AF ms² e AF u.n.) e da ASR. Em adição, houve correlação entre o T4s e a ASR. Por fim, os métodos ASR e T4s apresentaram tamanho do efeito mais preciso e melhor acurácia (p < 0,05) comparados à VFC. CONCLUSÃO: A VFC e a ASR geraram resultados parcialmente redundantes em indivíduos saudáveis e em pacientes com coronariopatia, enquanto o T4s gerou resultados complementares a VFC e ASR em indivíduos saudáveis. Além disso, os métodos ASR e T4s foram mais precisos para discriminar a modulação vagal cardíaca entre indivíduos saudáveis e pacientes com coronariopatia comparados à VFC.

BACKGROUND: Several methods have been used to assess cardiac vagal modulation, but there are gaps regarding the association and accuracy of these methods. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between three valid, reproducible and commonly methods used to assess cardiac vagal modulation and compare their accuracies. METHODS: Thirty healthy men (23 ± 4 years) and 15 men with coronary artery disease (61 ± 10 years) were evaluated in counterbalanced design by Heart Rate Variability (HRV; variables: the time domain = pNN50, SDNN and RMSSD, the frequency domain HF = ms² and HF n.u.), Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA) and 4-second Exercise Test (T4s). Thirty healthy men (23 ± 4 years) and 15 men with coronary artery disease (61 ± 10 years) were evaluated in counterbalanced order by Heart Rate Variability (HRV; variables: the time domain = pNN50, SDNN and RMSSD, the frequency domain HF = ms² and HF n.u.), Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA) and 4-second Exercise Test (T4s). RESULTS: Healthy subjects had higher vagal modulation by the three methods (p <0.05). There was a correlation in the healthy group (p <0.05) between the results of HRV (SDNN and pNN50 and RSA, but there was no correlation between the T4s and the other two methods. In the group with coronary artery disease, there was a correlation between the results of HRV (pNN50, SDNN, RMSSD, HF ms² and HF n.u.) and RSA. In addition, there was a correlation between the RSA and T4s. Finally, the T4s and RSA methods presented more accurate effect size and better accuracy (p <0.05), when compared to the HRV. CONCLUSION: HRV and RSA generated partially redundant results in healthy subjects and in patients with coronary artery disease, while the T4s generated results that were complementary to HRV and RSA in healthy subjects. In addition, RSA and T4s methods were more accurate when discriminating cardiac vagal modulation between healthy subjects and patients with coronary artery disease, when compared to HRV.

Avaliaçäo hormonal e de reflexos cardiovasculares em portadora de falência autonômica pura / Hormonal and cardiovascular reflex assessment in a female patient with pure autonomic failure

We report the case of a 72-year-old female with pure autonomic failure, a rare entity, whose diagnosis of autonomic dysfunction was determined with a series of complementary tests. For approximately 2 years, the patient has been experiencing dizziness and a tendency to fall, a significant weight loss, generalized weakness, dysphagia, intestinal constipation, blurred vision, dry mouth, and changes in her voice. She underwent clinical assessment and laboratory tests (biochemical tests, chest X-ray, digestive endoscopy, colonoscopy, chest computed tomography, abdomen and pelvis computed tomography, abdominal ultrasound, and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring). Measurements of catecholamine and plasmatic renin activity were performed at rest and after physical exercise. Finally the patient underwent physiological and pharmacological autonomic tests that better diagnosed dysautonomia.