Costs of thalamic deep brain stimulation for movement disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Several studies have shown that thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) reduces tremor and improves hand performance in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The purpose of this paper is to describe the cost implications of DBS in MS patients and to highlight postoperative medical requirements that can be associated with this therapy. In a prospective study of thalamic DBS in MS patients the mean equipment costs were pounds 4769 (median pounds 7010, Medtronic, 1998 prices); mean neurosurgical inpatient costs per operated patient (n = 15) were pounds 4848 (range pounds 1982-8920, median pounds 5110); and mean in-patient postoperative rehabilitation cost pounds 4602 (range pounds 0-32,225, median pounds 1783). In addition there were transport and follow up costs. Mean neurosurgical inpatient stay following stereotactic DBS implantation was 15 days (median 12 days); and mean inpatient, postoperative rehabilitation stay 54 days (median 25 days). Although there were significant improvements in hand function and tremor reduction at 12 months postoperation, the level of patient performance in activities of daily living, their perception of their handicap and ipse facto the amount of home support required were unchanged from preoperative levels. This study has highlighted significant unforeseen medical requirements and costs that can occur in MS patients who have thalamic DBS surgery.

A prospective study of thalamic deep brain stimulation for the treatment of movement disorders in multiple sclerosis.

The place for neurosurgical management of movement disorders in multiple sclerosis is unclear. To evaluate the potential benefits of unilateral thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) a prospective study was performed. Fifteen patients with confirmed MS and chronic, severe, drug-resistant movement disorders underwent stereotactic surgery to implant a thalamic DBS electrode using CT image guidance and intra-operative neurophysiological testing. The primary outcome measures were reduction in tremor severity and improvement in tests of hand function when the DBS electrode was turned on, 12 months after surgery. Secondary outcome measures included indices of disability, handicap, neuropsychological function and independence. Thirty-seven patients were assessed for treatment, but only 15 underwent surgery. In the 10 patients in whom implantation of the complete DBS system was carried out there was a significant reduction in the severity of tremor (p = 0.02) and improvement in hand function (p = 0.02). There were no benefits in any of the secondary outcome measures. Two patients had thalamocapsular haemorrhages at the site of electrode implantation and two had seizures in the follow-up period. Thalamic stimulation significantly reduced the tremor associated with MS and improved hand function in the targeted upper limb. However, there can be difficulties with identifying an optimal implantation site during operation, significant procedural morbidity and difficulty in predicting immediate outcome. It is also likely that the insignificant benefits of DBS on disability and handicap reflect persisting cerebeller dysmetria, and both the severity and diffuse nature of the disease process in this patient cohort.

Chronic posttraumatic movement disorder alleviated by insertion of meso-diencephalic deep brain stimulating electrode.

Incapacitating and drug-resistant posttraumatic movement disorders have successfully been treated by stereotactic thalamotomy. We describe the case of a young man with a posttraumatic hemiballismoid type movement disorder of the left arm, persistent for 2 years, who was selected for treatment with a thalamic deep brain stimulator. However, placement of the stimulating electrode tip at the junction of the zona incerta and subthalamic regions caused abolition of the movement disorder, and the pulse generator was not required. Reassessment over a 44-month period using multiple clinical and functional tests has confirmed continued benefit. This case adds to the reports of alleviation of movement disorders following either stereotactic thalamic mapping or placement of stimulating electrodes without macroscopic thalamic lesioning.

Plasma homocysteine concentrations and risk of coronary heart disease in UK Indian Asian and European men.

BACKGROUND: Reasons for the increase in mortality due to coronary heart disease (CHD) in UK Indian Asians are not well understood. In this study, we tested the hypotheses that elevated plasma homocysteine concentrations are a risk factor for CHD in Indian Asians, and explain part of their increased CHD risk, compared with Europeans. METHODS: We undertook two parallel case-control studies, one in Europeans and one in Indian Asians. We recruited 551 male cases (294 European, 257 Indian Asian) and 1025 healthy male controls (507 European, 518 Indian Asian). Fasting and post-methionine load homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folate concentrations, and conventional CHD risk factors were measured. FINDINGS: Fasting homocysteine concentrations were 8% higher (95% CI 3-14) in cases compared with controls, in both ethnic groups. The odds ratio of CHD for a 5 micromol/L increment in fasting plasma homocysteine was 1.3 (1.1-1.6) in Europeans and 1.2 (1.0-1.4) in Indian Asians. The association between fasting plasma homocysteine and CHD was independent of conventional CHD risk factors in both ethnic groups. Post-load homocysteine concentrations were not significantly different in cases compared with controls. Among the controls, fasting homocysteine concentrations were 6% (2-10) higher in Indian Asians than in Europeans. From the results we estimate that elevated homocysteine may contribute to twice as many CHD deaths in Indian Asians, compared with Europeans. The differences in homocysteine concentrations between the two ethnic groups were explained by lower vitamin B12 and folate levels in Asians. INTERPRETATION: Plasma homocysteine is a novel and independent risk factor for CHD in Indian Asians, and may contribute to their increased CHD risk. Raised homocysteine concentrations in Indian Asians may be related to their reduced vitamin B12 and folate levels, implying that the increased CHD risk in this group may be reduced by dietary vitamin supplementation.

Comparison of the scope of allopathic and osteopathic medical school health promotion programs for students.

PURPOSE: To compare the number and scope of health promotion programs for students in allopathic and osteopathic medical schools in the U.S. and Canada. DESIGN: A one-time cross-sectional survey design was applied in this study. SETTING: This study was conducted in 141 accredited allopathic and 17 accredited osteopathic medical schools. SUBJECTS: A total of 158 representatives from the allopathic and osteopathic medical schools participated in this study. The response rate for the survey was 100%. MEASURES: A structured telephone interview was conducted to survey representatives from the medical schools. The survey contained 85 multiple-choice questions organized into four sections: administrative characteristics, types of institutional and health promotion program policies, participation incentives and facilities, and type/scope of health promotion program activities. Chi-square analysis was used to analyze survey variables by type of medical education and level of intervention. RESULTS: Of the 158 medical schools, only 20% (n = 32) provided a health promotion program for students. Although osteopathic institutions (29.4%) had a greater percentage of programs than allopathic schools (19.2%), there was no significant difference in scope of program offerings by type of medical education. Allopathic programs offered exercise and nutrition/weight management significantly more often and at a higher level of intervention. Lastly, allopathic programs had significantly more monetary resources available for programming. Following prudent research protocol, investigators should be mindful of the limitations of this study. In this study, some school representatives chose not to answer personnel- and finance-related questions. Additionally, because of the self-report nature of the survey, the responses given to the questions may not have been accurate. CONCLUSION: Allopathic and osteopathic medical school health promotion programs for students were very similar in scope.

Deficient insulin-like growth factor I in chronic heart failure predicts altered body composition, anabolic deficiency, cytokine and neurohormonal activation.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies of growth hormone supplementation in chronic heart failure have been associated with variable results. Acquired abnormalities of biochemical parameters of the growth hormone insulin-like growth factor I axis have been associated with severe chronic heart failure. There are suggestions of an acquired growth hormone resistance with deficient insulin-like growth factor I in some patients. OBJECTIVES: Therefore, we set out to investigate the clinical and functional status and the degree of cytokine and neurohormonal alteration of chronic heart failure patients with deficient insulin-like growth factor I responses. METHODS: Patients with chronic heart failure were divided into two groups according to their insulin-like growth factor I levels (classified according to the manufacturer's assay range in normal controls): low insulin-like growth factor I <104 (n = 20; 89 +/- 9.6 ng/ml), and normal/high >104 ng/ml (n = 32; 169 +/- 52 ng/ml). Between groups there was no difference in age (low versus high: 65.3 +/- 12.1 versus 61.6 +/- 9.1 years, p = 0.21), body mass index, aerobic capacity (peak oxygen consumption: low versus high: 15.5 +/- 5.2 versus 17.3 +/- 6.3 mL/kg/min, p = 0.23), left ventricular ejection fraction, New York Heart Association classification. RESULTS: During quadriceps strength testing, patients with low insulin-like growth factor I had reduced absolute strength (-24%), and strength per unit area muscle (- 14%) than patients with normal/high insulin-like growth factor I. Leg muscle cross-sectional area was lower in the low insulin-like growth factor I group (-12% and -13% for right and left legs, respectively). These alterations were accompanied by increased levels of growth hormone (+145%), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (+46%), cortisol/ dehydroepiandrosterone ratio (+60%), noradrenaline (+49%) and adrenaline (+136%) (all at least p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with low insulin-like growth factor I levels show signs of altered body composition, cytokine and neuroendocrine activation, to a greater extent than patients with normal/high levels.

The family receiving home care: functional health pattern assessment.

The winds of change in health care make assessment of the family more important than ever as a tool for health care providers seeking to assist the family move themselves toward high-level wellness. Limited medical care and imposed self-responsibility for health promotion and illness prevention, which are natural consequences of these changes, move the locus of control for health management back to the family. The family's teachings, modeling, and interactions are greater influences than ever on the health of the patient. Gordon's functional health patterns provide a holistic model for assessment of the family because assessment data are classified under 11 headings: health perception and health management, nutritional-metabolic, elimination, activity and exercise, sleep and rest, cognition and perception, self-perception and self-concept, roles and relationships, sexuality and reproduction, coping and stress tolerance, and values and beliefs. Questions posed under each of the health patterns can be varied to reflect the uniqueness of the individual family as well as to inquire about family strengths and weaknesses in all patterns. Data using this model provide a comprehensive base for including the family in designing a plan of care.

Effects of short-term supplementation with coenzyme Q10 on myocardial protection during cardiac operations.

BACKGROUND: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a naturally occurring vitamin-like substance that may have a beneficial role in ischemia-reperfusion injury. Coenzyme Q10 administered either as an additive to cardioplegia or as long-term preoperative oral supplementation has been reported to ameliorate myocardial injury after cardiac operations. METHODS: To determine whether short-term supplementation with large doses of CoQ10 (600 mg in divided doses 12 hours before operation) was effective in myocardial protection, 20 patients with well-preserved left ventricular function (ejection fraction greater than 0.50) undergoing elective coronary revascularization were enrolled in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. Serial concentrations of CoQ10, myoglobin, creatine kinase MD fraction, and cardiac troponin T were measured preoperatively and 1, 6, 24, 72, and 120 hours postoperatively. Efficacy of myocardial protection was also assessed by clinical outcome and serial changes in electrocardiographic indices. RESULTS: The patient groups were similar with respect to preoperative and intraoperative characteristics. There was no significant difference in the preoperative plasma levels of CoQ10. These levels fell significantly in both groups after operation, although the magnitude of the decrease was less in the CoQ10-supplemented group (43% versus 60%). In both groups, there were significant postoperative increases in myoglobin, creatine kinase MB fraction, and cardiac troponin T. The magnitude of increases in cardiac troponin T was greater in the CoQ10-supplemented group, reaching marginal overall statistical significance (p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Short-term supplementation with large doses of CoQ10 does not lead to improved myocardial protection in patients undergoing coronary revascularization with well-preserved ventricular function and relatively short ischemic times.