[The effect of fampridine on gait in people with Multiple sclerosis (MS)].

INTRODUCTION: Fampridine is a drug for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). It is a broad-spectrum voltage-dependent potassium channel blocker that enhances synaptic transmission. The drug has been shown to be able to enhance conduction in demyelinated axons, thereby leading to improved gait in patients with MS. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of fampridine on gait function in people with MS in the end of a 2 weeks trial drug period and to observe how many patients continued drug therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 41 individuals with MS was collected retrospectively for this study. Measurements were administered by physiotherapists and the results from the Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW) and 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12) were obtained from medical records from The National University Hospital of Iceland. RESULTS: The results showed a significant difference in walking speed before and at the end of trial period (p<0.0001). The average improvement in walking speed was 22%. Results also demonstrated a significant difference in MSWS-12 scores before and at the end of treatment (p<0.0001). The average improvement in MSWS-12 was 11.4 points. Eighteen individuals (43.9%) continued treatment after the trial period. CONCLUSION: Fampridine can have a positive effect on impaired gait function in people with MS and can be an important adjunct to treatment.

Improved prognosis of diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetes.

The natural history of diabetic nephropathy offered an average survival of only 5-7 years. During the past decades, multiple changes in therapy and lifestyle have occurred. The prognosis of diabetic nephropathy after implementing stricter control of blood pressure (including increased use of long-term renin-angiotensin system inhibition), lipids, and glycemia, along with less smoking and other lifestyle and treatment advancements, is inadequately analyzed. To clarify this, we studied 497 patients with type 1 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy at the Steno Diabetes Center and compared them with previous data, obtained using identical criteria at our hospital. The glomerular filtration rate, measured yearly by 51Cr-EDTA plasma clearance, was a mean of 71 ml/min per 1.73 m2 at baseline. The mean glomerular filtration rate decline was significantly reduced by 19% (95% confidence interval 5-34) from previously 4.0 to 3.3 ml/min per 1.73 m2/year. During a median follow-up of 9.1 years, 29% of participants doubled their plasma creatinine or developed end-stage renal disease. Mortality risk was similar to our prior study (hazard ratio 1.05 (0.76-1.43). However, after age adjustment, as both diabetes and nephropathy onset occurred later in life, mortality was reduced by 30%. Risk factors for decline in glomerular filtration rate, death, and other renal end points were generally in agreement with prior studies. Thus, with current treatment of nephropathy in type 1 diabetes, the prognosis and loss of renal function has improved along with better control of modifiable risk factors.

24-hour central aortic systolic pressure and 24-hour central pulse pressure are related to diabetic complications in type 1 diabetes - a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive measurements of 24 hour ambulatory central aortic systolic pressure (24 h-CASP) and central pulse pressure (24 h-CPP) are now feasible. We evaluate the relationship between 24 h central blood pressure and diabetes-related complications in patients with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: The study was cross-sectional, including 715 subjects: 86 controls (C), 69 patients with short diabetes duration (< 10 years), normoalbuminuria (< 30 mg/24 h) without receiving antihypertensive treatment (SN), 211 with longstanding diabetes (≥ 10 years) and normoalbuminuria (LN), 163 with microalbuminuria (30-299 mg/24 h) (Mi) and 186 with macroalbuminuria (> 300 mg/24 h) (Ma).24 h-CASP and 24 h-CPP was measured using a tonometric wrist-watch-like device (BPro, HealthStats, Singapore) and derived using N-point moving average. RESULTS: In C, SN, LN, Mi and Ma mean ± SD 24 h-CASP was: 114 ± 17, 115 ± 13, 121 ± 13, 119 ± 16 and 121 ± 13 mmHg (p < 0.001); and 24 h-CPP: 38 ± 8, 38 ± 7, 44 ± 10, 46 ± 11 and 46 ± 11 mmHg, (p < 0.001).Following rigorous adjustment (24 h mean arterial pressure and conventional risk factors), 24 h-CASP and 24 h-CPP increased with diabetes, albuminuria degree, previous cardiovascular disease (CVD), retinopathy and autonomic dysfunction (p ≤ 0.031).Odds ratios per 1 standard deviation increase in 24 h-CASP, 24 h-CPP and 24 h systolic blood pressure (24 h-SBP) were for CVD: 3.19 (1.68-6.05), 1.43 (1.01-2.02) and 2.39 (1.32-4.33), retinopathy: 4.41 (2.03-9.57), 1.77 (1.17-2.68) and 3.72 (1.85-7.47) and autonomic dysfunction: 3.25 (1.65-6.41), 1.64 (1.12-2.39) and 2.89 (1.54-5.42). CONCLUSIONS: 24 h-CASP and 24 h-CPP was higher in patients vs. controls and increased with diabetic complications independently of covariates. Furthermore, 24 h-CASP was stronger associated to complications than 24 h-SBP.The prognostic significance of 24 h-CASP and 24 h-CPP needs to be determined in follow-up studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01171248.

Moving from stigmatization toward competent interdisciplinary care of patients with functional neurological disorders: focus group interviews.

PURPOSE: To explore facilitating and inhibiting factors in the inpatient care of patients with functional neurological disorders as experienced by interdisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals. METHOD: Qualitative focus group interviews were conducted with 18 healthcare professionals of various professions. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis with inductive coding of data. RESULTS: Two main categories were formulated: (a) Giving the diagnosis to patients - a moment of fragility and opportunities, and (b) Organization of care - ensuring the continuity and protecting patients' self-image. One overarching theme tied the two categories together: Establishing coherence in the inpatient trajectory - moving from stigmatization toward competent care. Coherence and steadiness in care was a prerequisite for transparency in goalsetting and for designating the responsibilities of individual healthcare professionals. Stigma and having clinical experience and knowledge of functional neurological disorders, as two counter-factors, influenced the extent to which this was achieved. Examples of facilitating factors for enhancing competent care were documentation of symptoms, effective ways of passing on clinical information, education, professional dialog, and organizational support. DISCUSSION: To nurture competent care, guidelines, structured educational initiatives and other supportive actions should be promoted. We provide ideas for the next logical steps for clinical practice and research.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONClose collaboration between interdisciplinary healthcare professionals plays an important role for reaching optimal results in the rehabilitation of inpatients with functional neurological disorder.There is currently limited knowledge regarding the facilitating and inhibiting features encountered by interdisciplinary healthcare professionals in the provision of care for patients with a functional neurological disorder.The findings show that a working environment that endorses a skillful culture of practice and which facilitates actions to reduce problems that hamper effective teamwork needs to be promoted.Solutions that help to solve many obstacles encountered by the team of healthcare professionals in the care provision of patients with functional neurological disorders include open dialog regarding symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, effective ways of documenting and reporting symptoms, and availability of guidelines and supporting educational material.

Empowerment, motivation, and medical adherence (EMMA): the feasibility of a program for patient-centered consultations to support medication adherence and blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

PURPOSE: To explore the feasibility of a research-based program for patient-centered consultations to improve medical adherence and blood glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The patient-centered empowerment, motivation, and medical adherence (EMMA) consultation program consisted of three individual consultations and one phone call with a single health care professional (HCP). Nineteen patients with type 2 diabetes completed the feasibility study. Feasibility was assessed by a questionnaire-based interview with patients 2 months after the final consultation and interviews with HCPs. Patient participation was measured by 10-second event coding based on digital recordings and observations of the consultations. RESULTS: HCPs reported that EMMA supported patient-centered consultations by facilitating dialogue, reflection, and patient activity. Patients reported that they experienced valuable learning during the consultations, felt understood, and listened to and felt a trusting relationship with HCPs. Consultations became more person-specific, which helped patients and HCPs to discover inadequate diabetes self-management through shared decision-making. Compared with routine consultations, HCPs talked less and patients talked more. Seven of ten dialogue tools were used by all patients. It was difficult to complete the EMMA consultations within the scheduled time. CONCLUSION: The EMMA program was feasible, usable, and acceptable to patients and HCPs. The use of tools elicited patients' perspectives and facilitated patient participation and shared decision-making.

Improved survival and renal prognosis of patients with type 2 diabetes and nephropathy with improved control of risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate long-term survival, development of renal end points, and decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in patients with type 2 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy (DN) after renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibition and multifactorial treatment of cardiovascular risk factors have become standard of care. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: All patients with type 2 diabetes and DN (n = 543) at the Steno Diabetes Center were followed during 2000-2010. GFR was measured yearly with 51Cr-EDTA plasma clearance. Annual decline in GFR was determined in patients with at least three measurements over a minimum of 3 years (∆GFR cohort, n = 286). Results were compared with historical data, obtained using identical criteria at our hospital, before implementation of current treatment guidelines. RESULTS: Baseline mean (SD) GFR was 74 (32) mL/min/1.73 m2. More than 93% received RAS inhibition. During median 7.8 (interquartile range 5.7-9.8) years, mean (SE) annual GFR decline was 4.4 (0.24) compared with previously 5.2 (0.27) mL/min/1.73 m2/year (P = 0.04). Doubling of plasma creatinine or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) developed in 19%, and 37% died during 5.7 (3.3-8.8) years. Mortality from onset of DN in the ∆GFR cohort was compared with that of our prior ∆GFR cohort from 1983 to 2003 (n = 227). Crude mortality risk was reduced by 42% and after age adjustment by 50% (P < 0.001 for both). In a multistate model accounting for competing risks of ESRD and death, prior cardiovascular disease and lower GFR were predictors of mortality, whereas albuminuria, HbA1c, and low GFR predicted ESRD. CONCLUSIONS: Overall prognosis has improved considerably with current multifactorial treatment of DN in type 2 diabetes, including long-term RAS inhibition.