Predictors of early seizure recurrence among elderly inpatients admitted to a tertiary center: A prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Early seizure recurrence is common among elderly inpatients and is related to increased morbidity and a longer length of hospital stay. There are few studies on the short-term outcomes of seizures in the elderly population. We aimed to identify the predictors of early seizure recurrence among elderly inpatients. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled patients aged 60 years and older from a tertiary center who had seizures that either led to their hospital admission or occurred during hospitalization. We analyzed the demographic and hospitalization data, characteristics and etiology of seizures, and neurological and clinical comorbidities. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to determine the 30-day cumulative recurrence rates. The logrank test was used to analyze the risk of seizure recurrence within 30 days after the index seizure. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for the recurrence of seizures within 30 days. RESULTS: Overall, 109 patients (mean age: 75.9 ±â€¯9.6 years) were enrolled. The mean age at the first-ever seizure was 74 ±â€¯11.7 years. Unprovoked seizures occurred in 59.6% of the patients. Cerebrovascular disorders were the most prevalent etiology (52.3%). Early seizure recurrence, defined as within 30 days, occurred in 27.5% of patients. Multimorbidity was found in 95.4% of our inpatients (6.3 ±â€¯2.3 [95% confidence interval, 5.4-7.2]), and the number of comorbidities was higher among those who had seizure recurrence than that among those who did not have seizure recurrence (p = 0.02). The probability of seizure recurrence was similar among the subgroups of patients who experienced acute seizures versus unprovoked seizures (both p = 0.03), and seizure recurrence was associated with a longer length of hospital stay (p = 0.005) compared to that of patients who did not experience seizure recurrence. After multivariate analysis, sepsis (p = 0.011), psychiatric disorders (p = 0.032), and cardiac arrhythmias (p = 0.037) were identified as risk factors for early seizure recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Higher multimorbidity and a longer length of stay were associated with early seizure recurrence; and sepsis, psychiatric disorders, and cardiac arrhythmias were independent risk factors for early seizure recurrence among elderly inpatients.

Frequency, associated features, and burden of neurological disorders in older adult inpatients in Brazil: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The burden of neurological disorders (NDs) in older adult inpatients is often underestimated. We studied diagnostic frequency and comorbidity of NDs among inpatients aged ≥60 years. We compared rates of hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), and readmission with younger patient counterparts (aged 18-59 years) and older adult non-neurological patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of inpatients in a tertiary care center in Brazil. We compiled data for all patients admitted between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2010, and selected those aged ≥18 years for inclusion in the study. We collected data for inpatients under care of a clinical neurologist who were discharged with primary diagnoses of NDs or underlying acute clinical disorders, and data for complications in clinical or surgical inpatients. Patients who remained hospitalized for more than 9 days were categorized as having long LOS. RESULTS: Older adult inpatients with NDs (n = 798) represented 56% of all neurological inpatients aged ≥18 years (n = 1430), and 14% of all geriatric inpatients (n = 5587). The mean age of older adult inpatients was 75 ± 9.1 years. Women represented 55% of participants. The most common NDs were cerebrovascular diseases (51%), although multimorbidity was observed. Hospital mortality rate was 18% (95% confidence interval [CI], 15-21) and readmission rate was 31% (95% CI, 28-35), with 40% of patients readmitted 1.8 ± 1.5 times. The long LOS rate was 51% and the median LOS was 9 days (interquartile interval, 1-20 days). In younger inpatients mortality rate was 1.4%, readmission rate was 34%, and long LOS rate was 14%. In older adult non-neurological inpatients, mortality rate was 22%, readmission rate was 49%, and long LOS rate was 30%. CONCLUSIONS: Older adult neurological inpatients had the highest long LOS rate of all patient groups, and a higher mortality rate than neurological patients aged 18-59 years. Readmissions were high in all groups studied, particularly among older adult non-neurological inpatients. Improved structures and concerted efforts are required in hospitals in Brazil to reduce burden of NDs in older adult patients.

Trends in prescribing patterns of antiepileptic drugs among older adult inpatients in a Brazilian tertiary center.

BACKGROUND: Data on prescribing patterns of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) to older adult inpatients are limited. OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in prescribing patterns of AEDs to older adult inpatients with late-onset epilepsy between 2009-2010 and 2015-2019, and to interpret any unexpected patterns over the 2015-2019 period. METHODS: Patients aged ≥60 years with late-onset epilepsy from a tertiary center were selected. Demographic data, seizure characteristics and etiology, comorbidities, and comedications were analyzed, in addition to prescription regimens of inpatients taking AEDs to treat epilepsy. AED regimens were categorized into two groups: group 1 included appropriate AEDs (carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, valproic acid, gabapentin, clobazam, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, topiramate, and lacosamide); and group 2 comprised suboptimal AEDs (phenytoin and phenobarbital). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for prescription of suboptimal AEDs. RESULTS: 134 patients were included in the study (mean age: 77.2±9.6 years). A significant reduction in the prescription of suboptimal AEDs (from 73.3 to 51.5%; p<0.001) was found; however, phenytoin remained the most commonly prescribed AED to older adult inpatients. We also found an increase in the prescription of lamotrigine (from 5.5 to 33.6%) and levetiracetam (from 0 to 29.1%) over time. Convulsive status epilepticus (SE) and acute symptomatic seizures associated with remote and progressive etiologies were risk factors for the prescription of suboptimal AEDs. CONCLUSIONS: Phenytoin was the main suboptimal AED prescribed in our population, and convulsive SE and acute symptomatic seizures associated with some etiologies were independent risk factors for phenytoin prescription. These results suggest ongoing commitment to reducing the prescription of suboptimal AEDs, particularly phenytoin in Brazilian emergence rooms.

Predictors of readmission and long length of stay in elders admitted with neurological disorders in a tertiary center: a real-world investigation.

OBJECTIVE: Hospital readmission and long length of stay (LOS) increase morbidity and hospital mortality and are associated with excessive costs to health systems. This study aimed to identify predictors of hospital readmission and long LOS among elders with neurological disorders (NDs). METHODS: Patients ≥ 60 years of age admitted to the hospital between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2010, with acute NDs, chronic NDs as underpinnings of acute clinical disorders, and neurological complications of other diseases were studied. We analyzed demographic factors, NDs, and comorbidities as independent predictors of readmission and long LOS (≥ 9 days). Logistic regression was performed for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 1,154 NDs and 2,679 comorbidities were identified among 798 inpatients aged ≥ 60 years (mean 75.8 ± 9.1). Of the patients, 54.5% were female. Patient readmissions were 251(31%) and 409 patients (51%) had an LOS ≥ 9 days (95% confidence interval 48%-55%). We found no predictors for readmission. Low socioeconomic class (p = 0.001), respiratory disorder (p < 0.001), infection (p < 0.001), genitourinary disorder (p < 0.033), and arterial hypertension (p = 0.002) were predictors of long LOS. Identified risks of long LOS explained 22% of predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying risk factors for patient readmission are challenges for neurology teams and health system stakeholders. As low socioeconomic class and four comorbidities, but no NDs, were identified as predictors for long LOS, we recommend studying patient multimorbidity as well as functional and cognitive scores to determine whether they improve the risk model of long LOS in this population.

Hospital Mortality Among Elderly Patients Admitted With Neurological Disorders Was Not Predicted by any Particular Diagnosis in a Tertiary Medical Center.

BACKGROUND: Neurological disorders (NDs) are associated with high hospital mortality. We aimed to identify predictors of hospital mortality among elderly inpatients with NDs. METHODS: Patients aged ≥60 years admitted to the hospital between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010 with acute NDs, chronic NDs as underpinnings of acute clinical disorders, and neurological complications of other diseases were studied. We analyzed demographic data, NDs, and comorbidities as independent predictors of hospital mortality. Logistic regression was performed for multivariable analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 1540 NDs and 2679 comorbidities were identified among 798 inpatients aged ≥ 60 years (mean 75.8±9.1). Of these, 54.5% were female. Diagnostic frequency of NDs ranged between 0.3% and 50.8%. Diagnostic frequency of comorbidities ranged from 5.6% to 84.5%. Comorbidities varied from 0 to 9 per patient (90% of patients had ≥2 comorbidities), mean 3.2±1.47(CI, 3.1-3.3). Patients with multimorbidities presented with a mean of 4.7±1.7 morbidities per patient. Each ND and comorbidity were associated with high hospital mortality, producing narrow ranges between the lowest and highest incidences of death (hospital mortality = 18%) (95% CI, 15%-21%). After multivariable analysis, advanced age (P<0.001) and low socioeconomic status (P=0.003) were recognized as predictors of mortality, totaling 9% of the variables associated with hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: Neither a particular ND nor an individual comorbidity predicted hospital mortality. Age and low socioeconomic class accounted for 9% of predictors. We suggest evaluating whether functional, cognitive, or comorbidity scores will improve the risk model of hospital mortality in elderly patients admitted with ND.

Trends in prescribing patterns of antiepileptic drugs among older adult inpatients in a Brazilian tertiary center / Tendências no padrão de prescrição de drogas antiepilépticas em idosos internados em um centro terciário brasileiro

ABSTRACT Background: Data on prescribing patterns of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) to older adult inpatients are limited. Objective: To assess changes in prescribing patterns of AEDs to older adult inpatients with late-onset epilepsy between 2009-2010 and 2015-2019, and to interpret any unexpected patterns over the 2015-2019 period. Methods: Patients aged ≥60 years with late-onset epilepsy from a tertiary center were selected. Demographic data, seizure characteristics and etiology, comorbidities, and comedications were analyzed, in addition to prescription regimens of inpatients taking AEDs to treat epilepsy. AED regimens were categorized into two groups: group 1 included appropriate AEDs (carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, valproic acid, gabapentin, clobazam, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, topiramate, and lacosamide); and group 2 comprised suboptimal AEDs (phenytoin and phenobarbital). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for prescription of suboptimal AEDs. Results: 134 patients were included in the study (mean age: 77.2±9.6 years). A significant reduction in the prescription of suboptimal AEDs (from 73.3 to 51.5%; p<0.001) was found; however, phenytoin remained the most commonly prescribed AED to older adult inpatients. We also found an increase in the prescription of lamotrigine (from 5.5 to 33.6%) and levetiracetam (from 0 to 29.1%) over time. Convulsive status epilepticus (SE) and acute symptomatic seizures associated with remote and progressive etiologies were risk factors for the prescription of suboptimal AEDs. Conclusions: Phenytoin was the main suboptimal AED prescribed in our population, and convulsive SE and acute symptomatic seizures associated with some etiologies were independent risk factors for phenytoin prescription. These results suggest ongoing commitment to reducing the prescription of suboptimal AEDs, particularly phenytoin in Brazilian emergence rooms.

RESUMO Introdução: Os dados referentes à prescrição de drogas antiepilépticas (DAE) em pacientes idosos hospitalizados são limitados. Objetivo: Avaliar as mudanças no padrão de prescrição de DAE em idosos hospitalizados com epilepsia de início tardio, entre 2009-2010 e 2015-2019, e interpretar quaisquer padrões inesperados no período de 2015-2019. Métodos: Foram selecionados pacientes com ≥60 anos com epilepsia de início tardio admitidos em um centro terciário. Analisamos os dados demográficos, as características e etiologia das crises, as comorbidades e as comedicações. Foram avaliados os esquemas de prescrição das DAE no tratamento de epilepsia para pacientes internados. Os regimes de DAE foram categorizados em dois grupos: o grupo 1 incluiu as DAE apropriadas (carbamazepina, oxcarbazepina, ácido valproico, gabapentina, clobazam, lamotrigina, levetiracetam, topiramato e lacosamida); e o grupo 2 compreendeu as DAE subótimas (fenitoína e fenobarbital). A análise de regressão logística multivariada foi realizada para identificar fatores de risco para prescrição de DAE subótimas. Resultados: Foram incluídos 134 pacientes (idade média: 77,2±9,6 anos). Encontramos uma redução significativa do uso das DAE subótimas (73,3 para 51,5%; p<0.001); entretanto, a fenitoína permaneceu sendo a DAE mais prescrita para os idosos hospitalizados. Também encontramos um aumento na prescrição da lamotrigina (5,5 para 33,6%) e do levetiracetam (0 para 29,1%) no período. O estado de mal epiléptico (EME) convulsivo e as crises agudas sintomáticas que estiveram associadas a etiologias remotas e progressivas foram fatores de risco para prescrição de DAE subótimas. Conclusões: A fenitoína foi a principal DAE subótima prescrita em nossa população, e o EME convulsivo e as crises agudas sintomáticas associadas a algumas etiologias foram fatores independentes de risco para a prescrição da fenitoína. Esses resultados sugerem a necessidade de compromisso contínuo para reduzir a prescrição de DAE subótimas, particularmente a fenitoína nas salas de emergência brasileiras.

Etiological prevalence of epilepsy and epileptic seizures in hospitalized elderly in a Brazilian tertiary center - Salvador - Brazil.

UNLABELLED: Epilepsy in the elderly has high incidence and prevalence and is often underecognized. OBJECTIVE: To describe etiological prevalence of epilepsy and epileptic seizures in elderly inpatients. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on elderly patients who had epilepsy or epileptic seizures during hospitalization, from January 2009 to December 2010. One hundred and twenty patients were enrolled. They were divided into two age subgroups (median 75 years) with the purpose to compare etiologies. RESULTS: The most common etiology was ischemic stroke (36.7%), followed by neoplasias (13.3%), hemorrhagic stroke (11.7%), dementias (11.4%) and metabolic disturbances (5.5%). The analysis of etiological association showed that ischemic stroke was predominant in the younger subgroup (45% vs 30%), and dementias in the older one (18.9% vs 3.8%), but with no statistical significance (p = 0.23). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that epilepsy and epileptic seizures in the elderly inpatients have etiological association with stroke, neoplasias and dementias.

Mortality predictors of epilepsy and epileptic seizures among hospitalized elderly.

UNLABELLED: Epilepsy and epileptic seizures are common brain disorders in the elderly and are associated with increased mortality that may be ascribed to the underlying disease or epilepsy-related causes. OBJECTIVE: To describe mortality predictors of epilepsy and epileptic seizures in elderly inpatients. METHOD: Retrospective analysis was performed on hospitalized elderly who had epilepsy or epileptic seizures, from January 2009 to December 2010. One hundred and twenty patients were enrolled. RESULTS: The most common etiology was ischemic stroke (37%), followed by neoplasias (13%), hemorrhagic stroke (12%), dementias (11.4%) and metabolic disturbances (5.5%). In a univariate analysis, disease duration (p = 0.04), status epilepticus (p < 0.001) and metabolic etiology (p = 0.005) were associated with mortality. However after adjustment by logistic regression, only status epilepticus remained an independent predictor of death (odds ratio = 13; 95%CI = 2.3 to 72; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: In this study status epilepticus was an independent risk factor for death during hospitalization.

Guillain-Barré syndrome in the course of dengue: case report.

This case report describes the findings of a 45-year-old white woman from Brazil, who developed myalgia, fever and macular rash. She was diagnosed as having dengue, based on clinical manifestations and specific IgM titers. One week after the first symptoms of dengue, the patient developed muscle weakness, followed by tetraplegia with areflexia, and respiratory insufficiency. The electromyography had evidence of demyelinating neuropathy and the cerebrospinal fluid showed albuminocytologic dissociation. These neurologic findings were consistent with the diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome. The patient was treated with immunoglobulin and metylprednisolone. Mechanical ventilation was started one week after hospital admission and maintained for four weeks. After six weeks of hospitalization the patient was discharged from the hospital on wheel chair, presenting mild muscle weakness and loss of patellar and ankle reflexes. When the patient was seen at the outpatient service three weeks after hospital discharge she was able to walk with help. This case report suggests a possible association between dengue and Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Clinical and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) profile and CSF criteria for the diagnosis of spinal cord schistosomiasis.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical and CSF findings among patients with presumptive neuroschistosomiasis (NS) and to suggest a classification for the CSF diagnosis of presumptive NS. METHOD: The charts of all patients whose CSF exam was performed at the CSF Lab, Jos Silveira Foundation, Salvador, Brazil, from 1988 to 2002 were reviewed. Those with clinically suspected NS whose indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFA) and or hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies test (HAI) were positive to S. mansoni were identified. RESULTS: Of 377 patients, 67.9% were males; the median age was 36 years (mean 37 + 16 yrs, range 3-82 yrs). The most frequent complaints were paraparesis (59.9%), urinary retention (36.2%), lower limb pain (22.8%). WBC of CSF (count/mm ) was > 4 in 66.0% (mean 83 + 124, median 40, range 4.3-1,100), protein (mg/dl) was > 40 in 84.6% (mean 185 + 519, median 81, range 41-6,800) and eosinophils were present in 46.9%. IFA and HAI were positive in 75.3%. WBC > 4 and presence of eosinophils were associated with IFA and HAI positive (67.3% versus 51.4%, p 0.014; 49.1% versus 23.0%, p 0.0001, respectively) and protein > 40 was not (85.4% versus 77.0%, p 0.09). Presence of WBC > 4, protein > 40 and eosinophils was associated with IFA and HAI positive (71.6% versus 38.2%, p 0.0003) but presence of eosinophils and any other combination of WBC and protein were not. CONCLUSION: NS should be considered as a possible diagnosis in patients who had had contact with schistosome-infected water and present with spinal cord compromising. Presence of IFA and HAI positive to S. mansoni, WBC > 4, protein > 40 and presence of eosinophils in the CSF may be considered as a criterium of highly probable presumptive diagnosis.