Clinical features and outcomes of patients with pancreatic cancer requiring unplanned medical ICU admission: A retrospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: We sought to describe the reasons for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and outcomes of patients with pancreatic cancer requiring unplanned medical ICU admission. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study in five ICUs from 2009 to 2020. All patients with pancreatic cancer admitted to the ICU were included. Patients having undergone recent surgery were excluded (< 4 weeks). RESULTS: 269 patients were included. Tumors were mainly adenocarcinoma (90%). Main reason for admission was sepsis/septic shock (32%) with a biliary tract infection in 44 (51%) patients. Second reason for admission was gastrointestinal bleeding (28%). ICU and 3-month mortality rates were 26% and 59% respectively. Performance status 3-4 (odds ratio OR 3.58), disease status (responsive/stable -ref-, newly diagnosed OR 3.25, progressive OR 5.99), mechanical ventilation (OR 8.03), vasopressors (OR 4.19), SAPS 2 (OR 1.69) and pH (OR 0.02) were independently associated with ICU mortality. Performance status 3-4 (Hazard ratio HR 1.96) and disease status (responsive/stable -ref-, newly diagnosed HR 2.67, progressive HR 4.14) were associated with 3-month mortality. CONCLUSION: Reasons for ICU admissions of pancreatic cancer patients differ from those observed in other solid cancer. Short- and medium-term mortality are strongly influenced by performance status and disease status at ICU admission.

Causes, management, and prognosis of severe gastrointestinal bleedings in critically ill patients with pancreatic cancer: A retrospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a leading cause of intensive care unit (ICU) admission in pancreatic cancer patients. AIMS: To analyze causes, ICU mortality and hemostatic treatment success rates of GI bleeding in pancreatic cancer patients requiring ICU admission. METHODS: Retrospective multicenter cohort study between 2009 and 2021. Patients with a recent pancreatic resection surgery were excluded. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients were included (62 % males, 67 years-old). Fifty-one percent presented hemorrhagic shock, 41 % required mechanical ventilation. Main GI bleeding causes were gastroduodenal tumor invasion (32 %), gastroesophageal varices (21 %) and arterial aneurysm (12 %). Arterial aneurysms were more frequent in patients with previous pancreatic resection (36 % vs 2 %, p < 0.001). Hemostatic procedures included gastroduodenal endoscopy in 81 % patients and arterial embolization in 28 % patients. ICU mortality was 19 %. Multivariate analysis identified four variables associated with mortality: performance status >2 (OR 9.34, p = 0.026), mechanical ventilation (OR 14.14, p = 0.003), treatment success (OR 0.09, p = 0.010), hemorrhagic shock (OR 11.24, p = 0.010). Treatment success was 46 % and was associated with aneurysmal bleeding (OR 29.89, p = 0.005), ongoing chemotherapy (OR 0.22, p = 0.016), and prothrombin time ratio (OR 1.05, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In pancreatic cancer patients with severe GI bleeding, early identification of aneurysmal bleeding (particularly in case of previous resection surgery) and coagulopathy management may increase the treatment success and reduce mortality.

Thymocognitive input and postural regulation: a study on obsessive-compulsive disorder patients.

CONTEXT: To show that emotional and cognitive information acts upon the postural balance system in a way comparable to that of the other known inputs (vision, vestibular, proprioception). METHOD: Controlled case study on 90 subjects. One group was composed of 45 subjects suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in accordance with the Yale-Brown scale, while the other was the control group. All of the subjects underwent recording of their orthostatic posture on a force platform with eyes open and eyes closed. RESULTS: As regards to the postural findings, the two groups appear to be quite different. The OCD patients present a considerably reduced area and velocity of sway regardless of whether their eyes are open or closed. CONCLUSION: These results are coherent with regard to those of other studies establishing the link between postural balance and psychological status. Recent morphological studies likewise tend to confirm the existence of neuronal networks common to postural regulation and cognitive and emotional functioning. When interpreting symptoms, these interactions should be taken into account.

[Late diagnosis of Dandy-Walker syndrome revealed by gait disorders in an elderly]. / Diagnostic tardif d'un syndrome de Dandy-Walker révélé par des troubles de la marche chez le sujet âgé.

The Dandy-Walker syndrome is a rare malformation usually diagnosed during pregnancy or early in the course of life. We report a case in an elderly hospitalised for gait disorders and recurrent falls. Cerebral MRI revealed hydrocephalus and posterior fossa cyst. The patient improved after ventriculocisternostomia.

[Isokinetic profile of knee flexors and extensors in a population of rugby players]. / Profil isocinétique des muscles fléchisseurs et extenseurs du genou chez une population de rugbymen.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the isokinetic profile of the flexor and extensor muscles of the knee within a population of rugby players. METHODS AND POPULATION: This was a descriptive study. The rugby players underwent bilateral isokinetic assessment of knee flexion and extension on a CON-TREX MJ isokinetic dynamometer functioning at four angular frequencies - 90, 120, 180 and 240 degrees/s - in a concentric manner. The isokinetic parameters were peak torque, mean power, and mean work in relation to weight and femoral bicep: quadriceps ratio. The population included 16 "Federal 1" (semi-professional) rugby players with mean age 25 years (range 20-33 years). The players were divided into two groups: "forward" players (props, hookers, second line, third line) and "back" players (scrum, inside, center, wing, tail). RESULTS: The values of the isokinetic parameters did not reveal use of a preferred limb. Consequently, peak torque and mean power were higher in forward players than back players, whereas back players showed a higher relative power throughout the isokinetic test. CONCLUSION: Among rugby players, forward and back players showed differences in several isokinetic parameters. Accurate knowledge of the equilibrium between the knee's effector muscles is important for stability of the joint, to not only minimize articular accidents but also pinpoint force imbalances, thereby preventing muscular lesions during the sports season.

[Home postural evaluation in the elderly: comparison between fallers and non fallers]. / Evaluation posturale à domicile chez la personne âgée: comparaison chuteurs-non chuteurs.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the main clinical and posturographic factors correlated with falls in elderly individuals and to specify the role of static posturography in this appraisal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 38 people living in an residential center who were autonomously ambulatory and had a Mini Mental Test score> or =24. Fallers (N = 15) had fallen within 1 month, and nonfallers (N = 23) had not fallen for at least a year. Assessment consisted of a series of questions, a complete clinical appraisal, specific independently validated tests, and static posturographic analysis different parameters of the stabilogram with the eyes first open and then closed, all carried out in the center. RESULTS: From the clinical standpoint, spinal pathologic features and the scores on the Functional Reach Test were significantly different between the fallers and nonfallers. In static posturography, fallers' equilibrium was more precarious than that of nonfallers with eyes are closed: significant differences were observed in surface, X length and overall fast Fourier transform score. The comparison between results with open and closed eyes showed that the fallers had a pronounced tendency to retropulsion in the absence of visual participation: a significant difference as regards overall length, Y length, minimum Y and FFT Y (0.5-2 Hz). CONCLUSIONS: To complement a satisfactorily conducted clinical examination, static posturography allows for rapid assessment of equilibrium and posture in elderly patients who fall? Performed at the place where an individual resides, this appraisal constitutes an original and pragmatic element. As an evaluation strategy, it can reveal nonnegligible information within the framework of an appraisal of such, and thereby allows for adjustment of the rehabilitation or compensatory strategy.

[Factors predicting falls by patients with vascular hemiplegia at a physical medicine center]. / Facteurs prédictifs de la chute chez l'hémiplégique vasculaire en centre de médecine physique.

OBJECTIVES: To determine factors predicting falls by patients with vascular hemiplegia to establish a program aimed at preventing falls in this population. METHODS: A comparative prospective study performed over 19 months with 44 patients older than 16 years who had had a cerebral vascular accident (CVA, stroke) and were consequently admitted to the Centre Richelie. The exclusion criteria were represented by CVA history, evidence of another form of encephalic lesion, and subsequent admission to hospital after hemiplegia or for follow-up. Assessment consisted of taking note of the mechanism of the fall, possible lesions, and number of falls and analyzing follow-up after the return home. Also included for all patients was information on 20 variables that could be risk factors for fall. RESULTS: The patients' average age was 60.43+/-13.43 years and 20 had had at least one fall (mean 2.2), which allowed us to determine a "falling" group and a control group. Statistical analysis revealed the following factors considered to predict falls: large amount of time prior to hospitalization and lengthy hospitalization, low functional independence measure for entering and leaving, the existence of sensitivity disorders, spatial neglect, failed seated and standing equilibrium, and sedative treatment. In most cases, whatever their nature, falls occurred during transfers (68% of cases). Most often, the post-fall lesions were minor. However, in one case, a femur neck fracture necessitated osteosynthesis. One-third of the patients had a fall at home (as opposed to 5% of the control group). CONCLUSION: Our results confirm those in the literature. The predictive factors for falls in patients with hemiplegia are therefore well established and essentially correlate with the CVA. This consideration must lead to implementation of a prevention program including material-based as well as human measures.

The "Stroop Walking Task": An innovative dual-task for the early detection of executive function impairment.

AIMS OF THE STUDY: To evaluate a dual-task named the "Stroop Walking Task", which is similar to the task of making a decision of whether to cross a street based on a pedestrian traffic light. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-one subjects (15 young adults, 21 subjectively healthy old subjects and 15 old subjects with mild cognitive impairment) had to respond to a visual signal (pictogram) with an appropriate motor response (walk or stop). We used an electronic walkway system to record the gait parameters and performed a cluster analysis on the obtained data. RESULTS: This dual-task enables the early detection of executive function impairment with 89% sensitivity and 87% specificity. CONCLUSION: The use of a dual-task that is inspired by an everyday event as an evaluation tool seems to facilitate the detection of ageing subjects' cognitive impairment, which is not detectable with traditional psychometric tests.

Chronic bilateral pallidal stimulation and levodopa do not improve gait in the same way in Parkinson's disease: a study using a video motion analysis system.

Chronic bilateral internal globus pallidus (GPi) stimulation allows control of levodopa induced dyskinesias (LID) and motor symptoms in severe Parkinson's disease (PD). The effect on gait has not been clearly established. Different results have been reported, mostly consisting of clinical data. The aim of this study was to evaluate, by means of a video motion analysis system (optoelectronic VICON system), the influence of bilateral GPi stimulation on gait in PD. Five patients underwent bilateral GPi stimulation. The preoperative and postoperative (3 months after surgery) clinical gait disturbances (items 29 and 30 of the motor UPDRS), as well as spatial and temporal gait measurements (namely cadence, velocity, stride and step times, single and double limb support times, stride and step lengths) were analysed in off condition (the patient had received no treatment for 12 hours or merely the lowest dose of levodopa allowing him to walk for the gait analysis) and in the on drug condition (after administration of 200 mg of levodopa). The gait analysis was performed with the VICON system. In off condition, there was a statistically significant improvement after surgery for UPDRS III and gait (clinically assessed). In on drug condition, there was a significant improvement for LID whereas UPDRS III and clinical assessment of gait were unchanged. The VICON system also showed that surgery improved gait especially in off condition, but also in on drug condition. Our method allowed exact quantification of the influence of surgery on gait characteristics. As compared with levodopa treatment, the effect of stimulation seems to be different. Indeed, the results suggest only limited effects of pallidal stimulation on the control of stride length and rather point to compensatory additional mechanisms.

Comparison of two modes of administration of a personalized quality of life scale in a longitudinal study of total hip arthroplasty.

UNLABELLED: Quality of life scales are being increasingly used to evaluate patients. The earliest scales were standardized questionnaire that did not necessarily provide an optimal evaluation of the quality of life of each individual patient. A number of personalized scales are now available, including the SEIQoL, in which the patients nominate the five quality of life areas most important to them. The SEIQoL has been validated. We tested the SEIQoL in patients treated by total hip arthroplasty, a procedure that is expected to improve quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To compare two methods of administration of the SEIQoL several months after total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: The SEIQoL was administered before and after the arthroplasty. During the postoperative test session, the SEIQoL was administered twice, once using the items nominated preoperatively and once after allowing the patient to repeat the nomination procedure. RESULTS: With both methods, significant improvements in quality of life were demonstrated (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two methods. CONCLUSION: Changing the items of the SEIQoL during prospective studies does not modify the overall quality of life score. Keeping the same items throughout the study is nevertheless warranted.

[Parkinson's disease as a model of aging: prospective analysis of gait discorders]. / Maladie de Parkinson comme modèle de vieillissement: analyse prospective des troubles de la marche.

Falls are a dramatic consequence of the age-related gait disorders. There are few prospective studies on falls predictive of the biomechanical features of gait. According to the literature, there are similarities between the gait observed in older people and in parkinsonian subjects. The objective of this study was to apply multiparametric gait analysis to demonstrate changes of the neuromotor gait pattern connected with falls. This prospective study included two groups of 16 subjects aged more than 60 years, who had not fallen during the previous year. One group included 16 minimally disabled parkinsonian patients off drugs, and the other group 16 healthy people. Gait recordings were obtained with a three-dimensional optoelectronic movement analysis system coupled with 2 force platforms in all persons who were followed for 1 year to collect data on all new events, particularly falls. Data analysis concerned spatiotemporal stride and three-dimensional power peaks developed in each lower limb joint. Cluster analysis of the 32 persons was used to determine various infraclinic neuromotor gait patterns. A post hoc analysis of variance was then applied to identify discriminating parameters. Three groups of subjects were identified with 3 different neuromotor gait patterns, independently of the presence of Parkinson disease. There were no fallers in first group (n=18). The second group (n=8) had 20 p.cent fallers and the third group (n=4) 100 p.cent fallers. The groups differed by 4 spatiotemporal parameters and 3 joint power peaks in the sagittal plane. Functional capacity was good in the first group with no falls recorded. This group of subjects had characteristics reported in the literature corresponding to a category of persons who compensate well for the phenomena of aging. Functional capacity was intermediary in the second group (20 p. cent were fallers). The kinematic pattern appeared to be less successful, revealing a tendency for stiff posture. The third group (100 p. cent fallers) exhibited inferior functional capacity. In this group, the kinematic pattern appeared to be disrupted. The subjects were unable to adapt satisfactorily to situations other than by stereotypical neuromotor reactions. In conclusion this study demonstrated a close determinism between physiological neuromotor aging and Parkinson's disease. The prospective follow-up demonstrated that falls that occurred were related to changes in neuromotor gait patterns. Three phases of gait pattern were also identified from minimal to major risk of falls.

[MRI study of the tissue volume progression of lower limbs in hemiplegic subjects]. / Etude de l'évolution des volumes des tissus des membres inférieurs chez le sujet hémiplégique par IRM.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper was to present the first results of a study about lower limbs' soft tissues (fat and muscle) evolution using magnetic resonance images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Magnetic resonance images method (MRI) was chosen instead of X-ray scanner for its non-invasive and non-radiating properties. Three hemiplegics volunteers were followed during the first 6 months of their therapy. Lower limbs' MRI captures were made at the beginning and in the end of this period. Computerized processing of the data allows automatic recognition of the main lower limb's tissues. Volumes were determined from images and classified in 4 categories (i.e. muscle, fat, spongy bone, cortical bone). RESULTS: Data analysing showed a different evolution of soft tissues in healthy lower limb compared to pathological lower limb. DISCUSSION-CONCLUSION: This results should lead us to a better understanding of therapeutic efficiency.

[Postural strategies and falls in elderly and in parkinsonism]. / Stratégies posturales et chutes chez la personne âgée et le sujet parkinsonien.

OBJECTIVE: To use a posture analysis to show the evolution of postural pattern connected with falls. MATERIAL AND METHOD: It is a prospective study on two groups of 16 persons of more than 60 years. A group concerns 16 small disability off drug parkinsonian patients, a group concerns 16 healthy witnesses. All the persons benefited from a posture recording by means of a force platform and were followed during 1 year. RESULTS: Data analysis underlines three groups of persons corresponding to three postural patterns, independently of the presence of Parkinson disease. A group (n = 18) did not contain fallers, the second (n = 10 ) contained 20% of fallers, the third (n = 4) contained 100% of fallers. Differences between the groups were identified on 16 posturographic parameters. DISCUSSION: A group has a good functional value and one does not record any fall. Its characteristics, which correspond to a category of persons who compensate well for the phenomena of ageing, are found in the literature. A group has an intermediate functional value and regrets 20% of fallers. Kinetic profile reveals a tendency to the stiffness of the posture. This group is going to operate rather ankle strategies. A group has an inferior functional value and regrets 100% of fallers. Kinetic profile seems disrupted and not to be able to adapt itself in a satisfactory way to the situation otherwise than by stereotypical reactions. This group is going to operate systematically much less stabilizing hip strategies. CONCLUSION: A close determinism between physiological neuromotor ageing and Parkinson disease does exist. We showed with a prospective follow-up, the arisen of fall and showed the evolution of postural patterns related to fall. It appears as well that evolution mainly follows three stages leading from a small risk of fall gait pattern to a major risk of fall gait pattern.

[Impact of functional restoration programs on fears, avoidance and beliefs in chronic low back pain patients]. / Impact de programmes de restauration fonctionnelle sur les peurs, croyances et conduites d'évitement du lombalgique chronique.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of functional restoration programs on fears, avoidance and beliefs in chronic low back pain. METHODS: Open prospective study in eight spine centers. Seventy patients enrolled in several restoration programs were evaluated before and at the end of the program. Variables recorded were pain (VAS), disability (Quebec back pain disability scale), handicap (VAS), anxiety and depression (HAD scale), and fears, avoidance and beliefs (FABQ). RESULTS: All variables recorded significantly improved at the end of the programs except for fears about professional activities (FABQ1) and lumbar mobility. Fears about physical activities (FABQ2) significantly decreased after these programs. Variations in FABQ1 and FABQ2 scores were not correlated with variations in scores of outcome measures assessing impairment, disability, and handicap. CONCLUSION: Functional restoration programs in their current form in France do not decrease fears and beliefs about professional activities in chronic low back pain patients. Adding psychosocial intervention at the work place to the functional restoration programs may lead to a better impact on fears about work thus reducing work loss.

[Gait disorders in Parkinson disease. Neuroanatomic and physiologic organization of gait]. / Troubles de la marche dans la maladie de Parkinson. Organisation neuroanatomique et physiologique de la marche.

GAIT IS A VOLUNTARY, AUTOMATIC AND REFLEX RHYTHMIC ACTIVITY: It is generated by a central pattern generator identified from animal models. This spinal gait generator (SGG) is controlled by various parts of the central nervous system: the descending tracts and locomotor regions of the brainstem, the cerebellum, the basal ganglia, the motor and parietal cortex and the hippocampus. Kinesthetic inputs which project to the SGG and the cerebellum, play an important role in the production of postural reflex responses; vestibular and visual inputs mainly control balance. GAIT MAINLY DEPENDS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POSTURE BALANCE AND MOVEMENT: As concerns posture each segment is under the control of both peripheral and central nervous systems and is used as a system of reference to organize movements of adjacent segments. Balance is maintained by sensory inputs which provide corrective mechanisms: anticipatory postural responses, reflex postural responses and voluntary responses. DIFFERENT DESCRIPTIVE PARAMETERS MAY BE PROPOSED: Analysis of kinematic (displacement, speed and acceleration of segments) and kinetic parameters during the four successive stages of gait (posture, initiation, rhythmic gait and return to the initial posture) provides an understanding of neurological gait disorders. In particular the relationship between the center of pressure and the center of gravity is used to analyze infraclinical gait abnormalities. NEW AND SOPHISTICATED INVESTIGATIONS METHODS ARE AVAILABLE: The optoelectronic system provides a tridimensional analysis of movement and can be combined with forceplate and electromyographic recordings. These methods constitute an interesting contribution to the clinical analysis of gait. CLASSIFICATION: This is established according to clinical data and the positionment of the lesion among the structures of the nervous system. The physiopathological approach is then specified taking into account the lesions of the muscular, skeletal and nervous structures.

[Gait disorders in Parkinson disease. Clinical description, analysis of posture, initiation of stabilized gait]. / Troubles de la marche dans la maladie de Parkinson. Description clinique, analyse de la posture, de l'initiation et de la marche stabilisée.

A WELL INFORMED DESCRIPTION: The parkinsonian posture is generally described as a stooped one. At the beginning of the disease, the gait troubles remain moderate; gradually the gait is composed of small steps without a wide base; the patient tends to run after his centre of gravity by accelerating the step (festination phenomenon). Difficulties occurs for starting up (delay of gait initiation), for about-turn or for clearing obstacles. Kinetic jammings and standing around (freezing) can last several seconds and be responsible for falls. POSTURAL INSTABILITY, A MAJOR SYMPTOM IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE: This symptom is little improved by therapies and is responsible for serious disability. Postural instability induces a disequilibrium and is partially due to a simultaneous antagonist muscles contraction and to the impossibility of modifying postural responses to changing support conditions. The passive viscoelastic properties of muscles and tendons constitute a first line of defence against the disequilibrium and contribute to postural stability in the case of medium disturbances. Automatic and voluntary postural responses which come into play in the case of major disturbances can also be impaired (delay or defect of the responses). GAIT INITIATION FAILURE ARE FREQUENT: They result from an increase of the postural phase and a decrease of the propulsion forces, depending on a deficit of the postural anticipation mechanisms and also the sequential organization and the integration of two different motor programs, postural and locomotor. They can be controlled partially with sensory stimuli, notably visual inputs. DATA CONCERNING STABILIZED WALKING AND ITS PATHOPHYSIOLOGY REMAINS TO BE CLARIFIED: Spatial and temporal parameters are impaired: speed, step length and swing phase are reduced, while cadence increases to compensate these troubles. These modifications are the consequence of an incapacity to produce internal marks to generate regular steps. When the parkinsonian patient is supplied with external marks, these parameters can be normalized. From a pathophysiological point of view, gait disorders could result from defective central integration of proprioceptive information during movement within the basal ganglia, associated with a visual perceptive deficit linked with a retinal dopaminergic cells dysfunction and finally from an impairment of the proprioceptive feedback of the load receptors in the leg extensor muscles.

[Gait disorders in Parkinson disease. Gait freezing and falls: therapeutic management]. / Troubles de la marche dans la maladie de Parkinson. Enrayages cinétiques et chutes: prise en charge thérapeutique.

GAIT ARRESTS: They affect the evolution of the disease. This freezing phenomenon which induces falls sometimes constitutes an initial sign. Like the gait initiation failure, freezing can be controlled by sensory stimulation, notably visual inputs, but also by more sustained attention. FALLS ARE MAINLY CONNECTED WITH BOTH POSTURAL INSTABILITY AND RIGIDITY: They are poorly influenced by dopaminergic therapies. The progressive decrease of step width represents a main factor in their occurrence. PRECOCITY OF GAIT DISORDERS IS UNUSUAL IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE: Other parkinsonian syndromes such as progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple system atrophy and vascular parkinsonian syndrome must then be evoked. Their association with a cognitive impairment and abnormal sphincter behaviour infers a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus. GAIT IMPROVES WITH L-DOPA THERAPY: Speed, step length and duration of the swing phase are increased without change of cadence. Progressive loss of L-dopa efficiency on gait and postural stability contrasts with the persistent effect on tremor, rigidity and bradykinesia; a functional abnormality of nondopaminergic systems can explain these symptoms. In the following stages, gait troubles increased by motor fluctuations and abnormal involuntary movements are less controlled by L-dopa therapy. PHYSICAL THERAPY PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN THERAPEUTIC MANAGEMENT: An individual or collective rehabilitation project must be established according to the stage of evolution; the exercises aim to protect postural control and coordination. Visual or sound rhythmic inputs can be employed in the case of gait initiation failure. THE EFFECTS OF FUNCTIONAL NEUROSURGERY ARE IN THE COURSE OF EVALUATION: Thermolesion and chronic electrical stimulation of deep brain structures have opposite effects on gait troubles. Bilateral thalamotomy or pallidotomy are sometimes a source of disequilibrium. Chronic thalamic stimulation does not induce either benefits or adverse effects. On the other hand, stimulation of the internal pallidum improves gait kinematic parameters; improved postural adjustments have also been reported. The effect of subthalamic nucleus stimulation is comparable to that of L-dopa, however the long-term effect remains to be evaluated.

Anxiety after a fall in elderly subjects and subsequent risk of developing post traumatic stress disorder at two months. A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The psychological burden suffered by elderly subjects after a fall adds to rehabilitation difficulties. We hypothesised that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may be at the root of these psychological post-fall problems. The immediate psychological state was examined after 2 months post-fall in order to determine the prevalence of anxiety and PTSD and their possible correlates. METHOD: A single centre prospective survey including elderly subjects referred to an emergency department (ED) after a fall with a 2-month follow-up. RESULTS: 30.5% of patients showed a significant level of anxiety after their fall and (26%) showed evidence supporting the presence of PTSD at 2-months. Immediate anxiety, ability to re-establish upright posture and a history of repeated falls were significant predictors of PTSD at 2-months. CONCLUSION: persistent psychological problems post fall may be related to PTSD which is significantly correlated to immediate anxiety. This study can be seen as a first step in patient characterisation, and predicts who may benefit from which of the various approaches of rehabilitation.

Concomitant changes in clinical and posturographic data in elderly fallers during the course of an in-home anti-falling multimodal program--a preliminary investigation.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The objective of this preliminary study was to evaluate the effectiveness, in terms of fall reduction, of an in-home strategy that we have developed for elderly fallers. We also aimed at finding links between the expected changes in the data obtained in static posturography and in clinical balance tests through our program. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve elderly patients living at home who were diagnosed as fallers (5 males and 7 females; 77.9±4.1 years) participated in the study. Our multimodal intervention lasted 6 months. Before this period, and one year later, an evaluation was conducted using cognitive (MMSE), clinical balance tests (i.e. Berg Balance Scale, Balance One leg, Timed Up and Go, and Functional Reach tests) and static posturography (where the area of body sway, velocity and medio-lateral and antero-posterior amplitudes were recorded twice, first with eyes open and then with eyes closed). RESULTS: Among the 12 patients who were diagnosed as fallers, eight became non-fallers. When comparing data obtained after the intervention with those obtained beforehand, we found significant changes in all of the clinical balance tests and in the posturographic-derived variables indicating improvements in the balance control in our group of subjects. We also found significant correlations between the changes in the Berg Balance Scale scores and the changes in the area of body sway data, in antero-posterior amplitude both with eyes open and with eyes closed, and also in the medio-lateral amplitude in the eyes closed condition. CONCLUSIONS: We prospectively demonstrated the relevance of our anti-falling intervention at home and of the use of posturography for clinical follow-up.

Walking Stroop carpet: an innovative dual-task concept for detecting cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported the potential value of the dual-task concept during locomotion in clinical evaluation because cognitive decline is strongly associated with gait abnormalities. However, current dual-task tests appear to be insufficient for early diagnosis of cognitive impairment. METHODS: Forty-nine subjects (young, old, with or without mild cognitive impairment) underwent cognitive evaluation (Mini-Mental State Examination, Frontal Assessment Battery, five-word test, Stroop, clock-drawing) and single-task locomotor evaluation on an electronic walkway. They were then dual-task-tested on the Walking Stroop carpet, which is an adaptation of the Stroop color-word task for locomotion. A cluster analysis, followed by an analysis of variance, was performed to assess gait parameters. RESULTS: Cluster analysis of gait parameters on the Walking Stroop carpet revealed an interaction between cognitive and functional abilities because it made it possible to distinguish dysexecutive cognitive fragility or decline with a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 94%. Locomotor abilities differed according to the group and dual-task conditions. Healthy subjects performed less well on dual-tasking under reading conditions than when they were asked to distinguish colors, whereas dysexecutive subjects had worse motor performances when they were required to dual task. CONCLUSION: The Walking Stroop carpet is a dual-task test that enables early detection of cognitive fragility that has not been revealed by traditional neuropsychological tests or single-task walking analysis.