Movement Disorders and Mortality in Severely Mentally Ill Patients: The Curacao Extrapyramidal Syndromes Study XIV.

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: There is a substantial gap in life expectancy between patients with severe mental illness (SMI) and the general population and it is important to understand which factors contribute to this difference. Research suggests an association between tardive dyskinesia (TD) and mortality; however, results are inconclusive. In addition, studies investigating associations between parkinsonism or akathisia and mortality are rare. We hypothesized that TD would be a risk factor for mortality in patients with SMI. STUDY DESIGN: We studied a cohort of 157 patients diagnosed predominantly with schizophrenia on the former Netherlands Antilles. TD, parkinsonism, and akathisia were assessed with rating scales on eight occasions over a period of 18 years. Twenty-four years after baseline, survival status and if applicable date of death were determined. Associations between movement disorders and survival were analyzed using Cox regression. Sex, age, antipsychotics, antidepressants and benzodiazepines at each measurement occasion were tested as covariates. STUDY RESULTS: Parkinsonism was a significant risk factor with an HR of 1.02 per point on the motor subscale of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (range 0-56). TD and akathisia were not significantly associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Parkinsonism may be an important risk factor for mortality in SMI patients. This finding calls for more follow-up and intervention studies to confirm this finding and to explore whether treatment or prevention of parkinsonism can reduce excess mortality.

Blink rate is associated with drug-induced parkinsonism in patients with severe mental illness, but does not meet requirements to serve as a clinical test: the Curacao extrapyramidal syndromes study XIII.

BACKGROUND: Drug-induced parkinsonism (DIP) has a high prevalence and is associated with poorer quality of life. To find a practical clinical tool to assess DIP in patients with severe mental illness (SMI), the association between blink rate and drug-induced parkinsonism (DIP) was assessed. METHODS: In a cohort of 204 SMI patients receiving care from the only mental health service of the previous Dutch Antilles, blink rate per minute during conversation was assessed by an additional trained movement disorder specialist. DIP was rated on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) in 878 assessments over a period of 18 years. Diagnostic values of blink rate were calculated. RESULTS: DIP prevalence was 36%, average blink rate was 14 (standard deviation (SD) 11) for patients with DIP, and 19 (SD 14) for patients without. There was a significant association between blink rate and DIP (p < 0.001). With a blink rate cut-off of 20 blinks per minute, sensitivity was 77% and specificity was 38%. A 10% percentile cut-off model resulted in an area under the ROC curve of 0.61. A logistic prediction model between dichotomous DIP and continuous blink rate per minute an area under the ROC curve of 0.70. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant association between blink rate and DIP as diagnosed on the UPDRS. However, blink rate sensitivity and specificity with regard to DIP are too low to replace clinical rating scales in routine psychiatric practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was started over 20 years ago in 1992, at the time registering a trial was not common practice, therefore the study was never registered.

Are low doses of antipsychotics effective in the management of psychomotor agitation? A randomized, rated-blind trial of 4 intramuscular interventions.

BACKGROUND: Psychomotor agitation can be associated with a wide range of medical conditions. Although clinical practice advocates the use of several drugs for the management of psychomotor agitation, there are still very few controlled studies comparing the profiles of action and the adverse effects of different drugs that induce tranquilization. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of 4 low-dose pharmacological interventions used to control psychomotor agitation guided by the clinical response. METHODS: Using a randomized, rated-blind design, 100 agitated patients were assigned to receive 1 of 4 treatments: haloperidol (2.5 mg) + promethazine (25 mg) (HLP + PMZ), haloperidol (2.5 mg) + midazolam (7.5 mg) (HLP + MID), ziprasidone (10 mg) (ZIP), or olanzapine (10 mg) (OLP). Patients were evaluated just before the intervention and after 30, 60, and 90 minutes, using the Agitation-Calmness Evaluating Scale. Adverse effects were assessed within 24 hours after the intervention, using selected items from the UKU Scale (Ugvalg Klinisk Undersgelser Side Effect Scale). According to the clinical indication, medication could be repeated twice after the first injection. Data were analyzed using general linear model with repeated measures and logistic regression. RESULTS: All treatment options promoted a reduction in agitation, without causing excessive sedation, although a lower reduction in agitation was observed with HLP + PMZ and ZIP compared with HLP + MID and OLZ. The need for an additional dose of medication was observed in 22 patients, and only 8 remained agitated during the entire 90-minute period. A higher risk for the development of extrapyramidal symptoms within the following 24 hours was observed with HLP + PMZ. DISCUSSION: Low doses of haloperidol combined with midazolam can be as effective as olanzapine in reducing psychomotor agitation without increasing the risk of extrapyramidal effects. Because of the higher risk for the occurrence of extrapyramidal symptoms, the combination of haloperidol with promethazine should be considered a second-line treatment option.

Basal ganglia and internal capsule stroke in childhood--risk factors, neuroimaging, and outcome in a series of 28 patients: a tertiary hospital experience.

We present 28 patients with basal ganglia ischemic stroke and describe the main neurological manifestations, neuroimaging findings, risk factors, and outcome. In 23 cases, at least 1 risk factor was identified. A total of 7 cases (25%) had antecedent of varicella infection and 7 cases (25%) had preceding mild head trauma. Similar antecedents were present only in 2.6% and 5.3% of patients with nonbasal ganglia stroke, respectively (odds ratio: 12.2, 95% confidence interval: 2.04-124.65 and odds ratio: 5.92, 95% confidence interval: 1.32-29.7). The arterial abnormalities identified in 10 patients were narrowing (6) or occlusion (4) of the M1 segment. After a median follow-up of 24 months, 19 patients had a good outcome. Magnetic resonance angiography and catheter cerebral angiography played an important role in the identification of arterial disease. We propose that basal ganglia infarction is a different group of ischemic stroke with prevalent risk factors (varicella infection and mild head trauma) and good outcome.

Cognitive and motor features in elderly people with bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: Although elderly people will represent one third of the bipolar population in a few years, data about cognitive and motor features in these patients are very scarce. The aim of this study was to compare the cognitive and motor functioning between elderly euthymic patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and healthy controls, as well as to determine the degree of correlation with psychosocial functioning. METHODS: Euthymic older adults with BD (n=20) and healthy controls (n=20) were evaluated with traditional clinical instruments and measures of exposure to psychotropic drugs and extrapyramidal symptoms. All subjects completed an extensive neuropsychological battery. RESULTS: Patients with BD had more extrapyramidal symptoms and worse performance than healthy controls in psychomotor speed, verbal memory, and executive functions even after controlling sub-clinical symptomatology. These findings were not associated with age at onset or length of illness or with current pharmacological exposure. Psychosocial functioning correlated negatively with performance in psychomotor speed and executive function, and with extrapyramidal symptoms. LIMITATIONS: The small sample size and cross-sectional design. CONCLUSIONS: Older adult patients with BD in a euthymic state could have a similar cognitive and motor profile to that described in younger euthymic bipolar patients. Cognitive-motor disturbances may help to explain impairments in daily functioning among elderly patients with bipolar disorder during remission.

The course of tardive dystonia in Afro Caribbean patients, a population-based study: the Curacao extrapyramidal syndromes study: VII.

Tardive dystonia (TDt) is a severe side effect of long-term use of antipsychotics. Previous publications suggested that TDt persist but the results are distorted by referral bias. In a population-based nine-year follow-up study (one baseline, six follow-ups) of chronic psychiatric patients (N=194) on a Caribbean island, the course of prevalent and incident TDt was measured with the Fahn-Marsden rating scale. Of the 26 patients (mean age 53.3 yrs) with TDt at baseline, 64% recovered, 20% persisted, and in 16% the course was intermittent. The severity of baseline TDt was significantly higher in persistent cases versus those who recovered (t=3.01, P<0.008). Of the 27 incident cases (cumulative 9-year incidence: 16.1%; mean age 57.6 yrs), 80% recovered, 8% persisted, and in 12% the course was intermittent. Predominantly affected were hands, eyes (blepharospasm), neck and mouth. The natural course of TDt is better than previously suggested but severe cases tend to persist.

[Neuroepidemiology profile of the central zone of the department of Caldas (Colombia), years 2004-2005]. / Perfil neuroepidemiológico en la zona centro del departamento de Caldas (Colombia), años 2004-2005.

INTRODUCTION: The neurological disease (ND) is a challenge for the medical community, cause of a high degree of morbility, mortality, deterioration in the quality of life of the patient and its family. AIM. To determine the prevalence of ND in the population of the department of Caldas (Colombia): migraine, movement disorders, cerebrovascular diseases, peripheral neuropathy, epilepsy, dementia and insomnia. This last one is innovating aspect in the published Colombian studies has not considered and therefore its prevalence with World Health Organization (WHO) methodology is not known. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a population, descriptive study, of cross section. The neuroepidemiological protocol developed by the WHO, modified for Colombia was used. The suspicious cases to suffer ND were evaluated by the neurologist. The information was processed in the statistical package Epi Info 6.04d. RESULTS: Of 787 interviews, 360 were suspicious of ND; additionally 20 non suspicious subjects were evaluated like controls. The global prevalence of ND, excluding insomnia was 13.4%, while including insomnia was 60.4%. The prevalence diseases in sequence (by 1,000 inhabitants) were: insomnia 468 (CI 95%: 433.4-504.4), migraine 278 (CI 95%: 246.3-310.2), dementia (in older 50 years) 51 (CI 95%: 15.8-87), peripheral neuropathy 48 (CI 95%: 32.7-63.4), movement disorders 25 (CI 95%: 13.8-37.0), epilepsy 24 (CI 95%: 12.8-35.5) and cerebrovascular disease 10 (CI 95%: 2.5-17.8). CONCLUSIONS: These results show high prevalence of migraine in our community. Also, the peripheral neuropathy, movement disorders and epilepsy were more frequent than in previous investigations. Dementia and stroke presented prevalence similar to the reported one. The insomnia showed very high prevalence, but by the non possibility of comparison with other local studies, it is need conduced others studies to confirm these findings.

[Validating the Simpson-Angus Extrapyramidal Collateral Symptom Evaluation Scale]. / Validació de una escala para evaluación de síntomas colaterales extrapiramidales de Simpson-Angus.

OBJECTIVES: The study was aimed at validating the Simpson-Angus scale for neuroleptic-induced extrapyramidal syndrome in Colombia, using a Spanish version of the scale. METHODS: The scale was validated in four steps: translating the scale, pilot study, preliminary use for factorial analysis and analysis of validity, reliability and sensitivity to change. RESULTS: Factorial structure and internal consistency were evaluated in 86 psychiatric inpatients. Test-retest and inter-rater reliability were evaluated in a 15-patient subgroup. Concurrent validity was analysed by simultaneously applying Simpson-Angus and Chouinard scales. Sensitivity to change was evaluated by comparing the scores of two different clinical points in a 20-patient subgroup. Main factor analysis revealed that the scale has a one-dimensional structure; the Glabella tap did not contribute towards total variability of the condition measured for the scale. Test-retest and inter-rater reliability values, concurrent validity and sensitivity to change were good. Correlation estimation scores were above 0.8 and accuracy levels were also good. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish version of the SA scale, adapted for this study, is suitable for assessing neuroleptic-induced extrapyramidal syndrome; it would be a useful instrument in both clinical practice and research settings in Colombia. However, an important limitation could be its lack of detecting any domain different to that of rigidity.

Validación de una escala para evaluación de síntomas colaterales extrapiramidales de Simpson-Angus / Validating the Simpson-Angus extra-pyramidal collateral symptom evaluation scale

Objetivos: Validar la Escala para Evaluación de Síntomas Colaterales Extrapiramidales de Simpson-Angus en Colombia, usando una versión en lengua española. Métodos Estudio de validación de escala de medición, que constó de cuatro fases: traducción de la escala, estudio piloto, aplicación preliminar para análisis factorial, y análisis de validez, confiabilidad y sensibilidad al cambio del instrumento. Resultados La estructura factorial y la consistencia interna se evaluaron en 86 pacientes psiquiátricos hospitalizados. La confiabilidad test-retest e intervaluador se analizaron en una submuestra de 15 pacientes. El análisis de la validez de criterio concurrente se efectuó aplicando de manera simultánea las escalas de Simpson-Angus y la escala de Chouinard. La sensibilidad al cambio fue evaluada comparando las puntuaciones en dos momentos clínicamente diferentes en una submuestra de 20 pacientes. El análisis de factores principales mostró que la escala corresponde a una estructura unidimensional y dentro de esa estructura el signo de la Glabela aporta poco a la variabilidad total de la condición medida por la Escala. Los valores de confiabilidad test-retest, confiabilidad interevaluador, validez de criterio concurrente y sensibilidad al cambio fueron satisfactorios, con valores de estimadores de correlación superiores a 0,8 y niveles de precisión satisfactorios. Conclusiones La versión española adoptada en este estudio tiene adecuadas propiedades de medición del síndrome extrapiramidal inducido por neurolépticos y puede considerarse un instrumento de utilidad tanto en la práctica clínica como en investigación en Colombia. Sin embargo, una limitación importante puede ser su deficiencia para detectar dominios diferentes de la rigidez.

Objectives: The study was aimed at validating the Simpson-Angus scale for neuroleptic-induced extrapyramidal syndrome in Colombia, using a Spanish version of the scale. Methods The scale was validated in four steps: translating the scale, pilot study, preliminary use for factorial analysis and analysis of validity, reliability and sensitivity to change. Results Factorial structure and internal consistency were evaluated in 86 psychiatric inpatients. Test-retest and inter-rater reliability were evaluated in a 15-patient subgroup. Concurrent validity was analysed by simultaneously applying Simpson-Angus and Chouinard scales. Sensitivity to change was evaluated by comparing the scores of two different clinical points in a 20-patient subgroup. Main factor analysis revealed that the scale has a one-dimensional structure; the Glabella tap did not contribute towards total variability of the condition measured for the scale. Test-retest and inter-rater reliability values, concurrent validity and sensitivity to change were good. Correlation estimation scores were above 0.8 and accuracy levels were also good. Conclusions The Spanish version of the SA scale, adapted for this study, is suitable for assessing neuroleptic-induced extrapyramidal syndrome; it would be a useful instrument in both clinical practice and research settings in Colombia. However, an important limitation could be its lack of detecting any domain different to that of rigidity.

Lack of extrapyramidal side effects predicts quality of life in outpatients treated with clozapine or with typical antipsychotics.

We compared symptom severity and quality of life (QOL) in schizophrenic patients adequately treated with typical antipsychotics (TAP) or clozapine (CZP). Groups did not differ in symptom severity or QOL. Clozapine caused fewer extrapyramidal symptoms. Negative and extrapyramidal symptoms predicted QOL. Similar outcome in both groups suggests a common ceiling to antipsychotic efficacy.

Estudios neuroepidemiológicos colombianos empleando el protocolo de la OMS / Colombian neuroepidemiological studies using the WHO protocol

Empleando el protocolo para estudios neuroepidemiológicos de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, se realizaron seis estudios pilotos de campo de corte transversal en poblaciones urbanas y rurales colombianas para determinar la prevalencia de las principales enfermedades neurológicas. Las investigaciones contemplaron una muestra de 9.800 habitantes y fueron estudiados entre 1983 y 1991. Se utilizaron definiciones y criterios diagnósticos establecidos por la OMS y se utilizó una metodología similar a la empleada en el estudio piloto pionero colombiano de Girón. La prevalencia de las enfermedades neurológicas (por 1.000 habitantes) mostró los siguientes resultados: 1. Migraña:100; 2. Epilepsia:13,2; 3. Neuropatías Perisféricas:9,0; 4. Retardo Mental:7,4; 5. Enfermedad cerebrovscular:6,7; 6. Enfermedades extrapiramidales:6,6. De las enfermedades no neurológicas llamó la atención el Síncope con una prevalencia de 7,1 o/oo. Los resultados anteriores demuestran una alta prevalencia de Migraña, Epilepsia, Neuropatías Perisféricas y Retardo Mental principalmente, que deben confirmarse mediante estudios con un protocolo similar en poblaciones mayores

Estudios neuroepidemiológicos colombianos empleando el protocolo de la OMS / Colombian neuroepidemiological studies using the WHO protocol

Empleando el protocolo para estudios neuroepidemiológicos de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, se realizaron seis estudios pilotos de campo de corte transversal en poblaciones urbanas y rurales colombianas para determinar la prevalencia de las principales enfermedades neurológicas. Las investigaciones contemplaron una muestra de 9.800 habitantes y fueron estudiados entre 1983 y 1991. Se utilizaron definiciones y criterios diagnósticos establecidos por la OMS y se utilizó una metodología similar a la empleada en el estudio piloto pionero colombiano de Girón. La prevalencia de las enfermedades neurológicas (por 1.000 habitantes) mostró los siguientes resultados: 1. Migraña:100; 2. Epilepsia:13,2; 3. Neuropatías Perisféricas:9,0; 4. Retardo Mental:7,4; 5. Enfermedad cerebrovscular:6,7; 6. Enfermedades extrapiramidales:6,6. De las enfermedades no neurológicas llamó la atención el Síncope con una prevalencia de 7,1 o/oo. Los resultados anteriores demuestran una alta prevalencia de Migraña, Epilepsia, Neuropatías Perisféricas y Retardo Mental principalmente, que deben confirmarse mediante estudios con un protocolo similar en poblaciones mayores(AU)