Clinical Features of Cryptococcal Meningoencephalitis in HIV-Positive and -Negative Patients in a Resource-Limited Setting.

Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis is a systemic fungal infection in immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. This study investigated the clinical characteristics and factors associated with mortality in HIV-associated and non-HIV-associated cryptococcal meningoencephalitis in a resource-limited setting. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis between January 2009 and December 2019 at a tertiary teaching hospital in Thailand. Overall, 1019 patients with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis were enrolled, and 923 (90.6%) were HIV-positive. The patients with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningoencephalitis were younger than the HIV-negative patients (37 versus 56 years, p < 0.01). The HIV-negative patients were more likely to have underlying conditions (52.1% versus 7.5%; p < 0.01), had a longer median duration of headaches prior to admission (14 days versus 6 days, p < 0.01), and were more likely to have an altered mental status at presentation (36.5% versus 18.6%, p < 0.01) and pulmonary involvement (15.6% versus 0.8%, p < 0.01). The HIV-positive patients had lower cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cell counts (4 versus 94 cells/mm3; p < 0.01), lower CSF protein (69 versus 157 mg/dL; p < 0.01), higher CSF glucose (38.8 versus 21 mg/dL; p < 0.01), and more frequent cryptococcemia (44.1% versus 20.5%; p < 0.01). The mortality rate was high but not significantly different between the two groups (30.2% versus 33.2%; p = 0.53). The HIV-positive patients with comorbidities, fever, an altered mental status at presentation, a CSF white blood cell count below 20 cell/mm3, fungemia, and positive CSF India ink were independently associated with 30-day mortality. In comparison, an altered mental status at presentation and fungemia were associated with 30-day mortality in HIV-negative patients. In conclusion, HIV-negative patients with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis had more extensive central nervous system inflammation, although the two groups' mortality rates were similar. Unfavorable prognostic factors included comorbidities, fever, an altered mental status at presentation, a low CSF white blood cell count, fungemia, and positive CSF India ink.

Validation of the Thai Version of the Movement Disorder Society-Sponsored Revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to validate the Thai translation of the Movement Disorder Society-sponsored revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS). METHODS: The English version was translated into Thai and then back-translated into English. The translated version underwent 2 rounds of cognitive pretesting to assess the ease of comprehension, ease of use and comfort with the scale. Then, it underwent large clinimetric testing. RESULTS: The Thai version was validated in 354 PD patients. The comparative fit index (CFI) for all four parts of the Thai version of the MDS-UPDRS was 0.93 or greater. Exploratory factor analysis identified isolated item differences in factor structure between the Thai and English versions. CONCLUSION: The overall factor structure of the Thai version was consistent with that of the English version based on the high CFIs (all CFI ≥ 0.90). Hence, it can be designated the official Thai version of the MDS-UPDRS.

Nocturnal journey of body and mind in Parkinson's disease: the manifestations, risk factors and their relationship to daytime symptoms. Evidence from the NIGHT-PD study.

Nocturnal manifestations of Parkinson's disease (PD) are myriad, have diverse etiologies and include motor, sleep, urinary, and neuropsychiatric symptoms which are often associated with daytime somnolence. While most patients perceive these symptoms as troublesome, the recognition of nocturnal problems related to PD is still low in clinical practice. We conducted a survey using semi-structured interviews and self-rated questionnaires of 215 consecutive patients with PD enrolled in three centers in Thailand to determine the prevalence and risk factors of nocturnal disabilities and their relationship to daytime symptoms. We found that 96.6% of patients reported the presence of nocturnal symptoms as determined by the modified version of Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale (MPDSS). Our survey indicated that the most frequent and distressing symptom was the interruption of sleep to pass urine (56.7%, 4.4 ± 3.9). The severity of symptoms revealed in the MPDSS increased along with the disease duration (p < 0.05) and Hoehn and Yahr stages (p = 0.01). There were similar to findings of the Nocturnal Akinesia Dystonia and Cramp Score (NADCS) where patients with advanced disease had significantly higher NADCS scores than early/moderate disease (p < 0.001). There was a significant correlation of total MPDSS scores with the total scores of the 9-item Wearing-Off Questionnaire (WOQ-9); (r = -0.43, p < 0.05) [motor (r = -0.35, p < 0.05) and nonmotor subscores (r = -0.43, p < 0.05)]; total nonmotor symptoms (NMS) scores (r = -0.55, p < 0.05); Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-8 Summary Index (PDQ-8 SI) (r = -0.52, p < 0.05); and the total NADCS (r = -0.35, p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis identified PDQ-8 SI (ß = -0.27, p = 0.005) as the most significant predictor of nocturnal manifestations of PD, followed by the nonmotor subscore of WOQ (ß = -0.24, p = 0.006), and the NMS item 20 (feeling light-headed, dizzy, or weak when standing from sitting or lying) (ß = -0.22, p = 0.003). Our study found that nocturnal symptoms of PD are very common and we suggest that good clinical practice should include a comprehensive review of nighttime manifestations, particularly for those patients who already experience "wearing-off" symptoms.

The impact of the nocturnal disabilities of Parkinson's disease on caregivers' burden: implications for interventions.

Parkinson's disease (PD) imposes a burden on those who care for the person afflicted. The objective of this study was to assess and analyze the main determinants of caregivers' burden, especially the nocturnal manifestations of PD. This multi-center, national, cross-sectional study included 89 patient-caregiver pairs. Caregiver self-assessments were performed with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZCBI). Patient self-assessments were performed with Modified Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale (MPDSS), Nocturnal Akinesia Dystonia and Cramp Score (NADCS), HADS and Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (PDQ-8). Most of the caregivers were employed women, and the majority had been permanently taking care of the patient for 6.8 ± 5.4 years. The study found that the ZCBI mean score of the caregivers significantly worsened as patients became more dependent (HY: 4-5, p = 0.036), and the mean ZCBI score of spousal caregivers (19.4; SD 15.5) was significantly higher than that of the offspring group (11.7; SD 7.9) (p = 0.008). Disease duration (r = 0.22), NADCS (r = 0.38), MPDSS (r = -0.36), PDQ-8 SI (r = 0.39) and HADS (total, anxiety and depression) scores (r = 0.46-0.49), and HADS (total, anxiety and depression scores (r = 0.37-0.52), had significant negative effect on caregivers' burden. Moderate association was found on MPDSS item 14 (r = 0.38) and NADCS akinesia score (r = 0.37). Patients' anxiety, nocturnal akinesia and the feeling of tiredness and sleepiness upon awakening in the morning were independent predictors of caregivers' burden (adjusted R2 = 0.46). Based on these findings, treatment of early mood symptoms of the patients and caregivers at risk may be helpful for the effective management of PD and it is also important to have well-designed psycho-educational and multicomponent interventions in the community for caregivers of persons with PD.

The prevalence and the associated factors of dementia in patients with Parkinson's disease at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and the associated factors of dementia in Thai Parkinson's disease (PD) patients at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital (MNRH), Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross sectional study in consecutive PD patients at the neurological clinic, MNRH between January andAugust 2011 was performed. The baseline characteristics such as age, sex, duration and severity of disease, education level, and medications were collected Dementia was assessed according to Thai Mini Mental State Examinations (TMSE). The data were analyzed for determining the prevalence and factors that might correlate with dementia in patients with PD. RESULTS: One hundred forty three PD patients with mean age of 65.8 +/- 10.5 years and 49% males were enrolled in the present study. The prevalence of dementia was 35.0% in all subjects and 39.4% with education level adjustment. Dementia was found in any severity of PD. The advanced age and the later age at PD onset were the associated factors that had influenced on developing of dementia. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dementia in PD patients at MNRH with education level adjustment was 39.4% and could be found in any stage of disease. The advanced age and later age at PD onset were the significant associated factors for this condition. TMSE with cut-off score below 24 points was suitable for using to define dementia in Thai PD patients.