ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Different types of therapies were proven effective for the medical management of motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed to gain consensus on the dopamine agonist (DA) therapy use in different clinical scenarios of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. METHODS: This consensus study was based on the nominal group technique. Initially, a consensus group comprising 12 expert neurologists in the PD field identified the topics to be addressed and elaborated different evidence-based preliminary statements. Next, a panel of 48 Spanish neurologists expressed their opinion on an internet-based systematic voting program. Finally, initial ideas were reviewed and rewritten according to panel contribution and were ranked by the consensus group using a Likert-type scale. The analysis of data was carried out by using a combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods. The consensus was achieved if the statement reached ≥ 3.5 points in the voting process. RESULTS: The consensus group produced 76 real-world recommendations. The topics addressed included 12 statements related to DA therapy in early PD, 20 statements concerning DA treatment strategy in patients with motor complications, 11 statements associated with DA drugs and their side effects, and 33 statements regarding DA therapy in specific clinical scenarios. The consensus group did not reach a consensus on 15 statements. CONCLUSION: The findings from this consensus method represent an exploratory step to help clinicians and patients in the appropriate use of DA in different stages and clinical situations of PD.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) is a medical emergency with a high morbimortality rate. We analyzed the casuistry in our hospital and we assessed the causes related to mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 57 cases of GCSE that took place between january 1992 to december 1998. The variables studied were mortality among groups according to age, previous epilepsy and the duration of the convulsive episode. RESULTS: We found male prevalence (63.2%). The 49.2% of patients didn't have previous history of epilepsy. In 38.6% of cases the treatment dose was insufficient and in 61.4% it was delated. The mortality rate was 36.8% with a higher significance in patients older than 65 (p < 0.02), without previous history of epilepsy (p < 0.001) and in episodes lasting more than 4 hours (p < 0.05). Only 12.9% of patients received prehospital treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The mortality of GCSE is very high. The initial treatment is inadequate. We must establish a premature and adequate protocol, with optim pharmacological doses and a good coordination with intensive care units.
Subject(s)
Status Epilepticus , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use , Child , Child, Preschool , Critical Care , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Sex Factors , Status Epilepticus/mortality , Status Epilepticus/therapyABSTRACT
Introducción: El status epiléptico convulsivo generalizado (SECG) es una urgencia médica que se acompaña de una elevada morbimortalidad. Analizamos la casuística en nuestro hospital y valoramos las causas relacionadas con la mortalidad. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de 57 casos de SECG ocurridos entre enero 1992-diciembre 1998; las variables estudiadas fueron la mortalidad entre grupos según la edad, la existencia previa de epilepsia y la duración del episodio convulsivo.Resultados: Hubo predominio masculino (63,2 por ciento). El 49,2 por ciento de los pacientes no tenían antecedentes de epilepsia. En el 38,6 por ciento de los casos el tratamiento administrado fue insuficiente en su dosificación, y en un 61,4 por ciento fue tardío. La mortalidad fue del 36,8 por ciento siendo significativamente más elevada en mayores de 65 años (p<0,02), en pacientes sin antecedentes de epilepsia (p<0,001) y en los episodios de más de 4 horas de duración (p<0,05). Solo el 12,9 por ciento de los pacientes recibieron tratamiento prehospitalario.Conclusiones: La mortalidad del SECG es muy elevada, el tratamiento inicial es inadecuado. Es necesario el establecimiento de un protocolo de actuación precoz y adecuado, con dosis farmacológicas óptimas y una buena coordinación con las unidades de cuidados intensivos. (AU)
