Epidemiology and characteristics of ischaemic stroke in young adults in Aragon.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke affects around 15 million people per year, with 10%-15% occurring in individuals under 50 years old (stroke in young adults). The prevalence of different vascular risk factors and healthcare strategies for stroke management vary worldwide, making the epidemiology and specific characteristics of stroke in each region an important area of research. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of different vascular risk factors and the aetiology and characteristics of ischaemic stroke in young adults in the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain. METHODS: A cross-sectional, multi-centre study was conducted by the neurology departments of all hospitals in the Aragonese Health Service. We identified all patients aged between 18 and 50 years who were admitted to any of these hospitals with a diagnosis of ischaemic stroke or TIA between January 2005 and December 2015. Data were collected on demographic variables, vascular risk factors, and type of stroke, among other variables. RESULTS: During the study period, 786 patients between 18 and 50 years old were admitted with a diagnosis of ischaemic stroke or TIA to any hospital of Aragon, at a mean annual rate of 12.3 per 100 000 population. The median age was 45 years (IQR: 40-48 years). The most prevalent vascular risk factor was tobacco use, in 404 patients (51.4%). The majority of strokes were of undetermined cause (36.2%), followed by other causes (26.5%). The median NIHSS score was 3.5 (IQR: 2.0-7.0). In total, 211 patients (26.8%) presented TIA. Fifty-nine per cent of the patients admitted with a diagnosis of ischaemic stroke (10.3%) were treated with fibrinolysis. CONCLUSIONS: Ischaemic stroke in young adults is not uncommon in Aragon, and is of undetermined aetiology in a considerable number of cases; it is therefore necessary to implement measures to improve study of the condition, to reduce its incidence, and to prevent its recurrence.

Pronóstico funcional a 3 meses de pacientes hospitalizados por ictus isquémico agudo en Aragón: análisis regional de la repercusión de la COVID-19 / Three-month functional prognosis of patients hospitalised due to acute ischaemic stroke in Aragon: Rregional analysis of the impact of COVID-19

Introducción: La pandemia por COVID-19 ha tenido un impacto en el manejo del ictus isquémico; se ha descrito una disminución de los ingresos hospitalarios e incluso una interrupción en la cadena de atención y un aumento de la mortalidad intrahospitalaria. Sin embargo, falta evidencia sobre su impacto en el pronóstico funcional. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar el efecto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en el pronóstico funcional a 3 meses de los pacientes con ictus isquémico agudo hospitalizados en Aragón.Material y métodosRevisamos los datos de todos los pacientes ingresados por ictus isquémico en todos los hospitales de nuestro sistema sanitario entre el 30 de diciembre del 2019 y el 3 de mayo del 2020. Comparamos su mRS y la mortalidad a 3 meses de los hospitalizados antes y después de haberse establecido el estado de emergencia secundario a la pandemia por COVID-19.ResultadosEn total, 318 pacientes con ictus isquémico agudo cumplieron nuestros criterios de inclusión. No hubo diferencias en las características globales y específicas de cada periodo, excepto por una mayor proporción de pacientes mayores de 80 años de edad durante el periodo pre-CoV (42,2% vs. 29,0%, p = 0,028). En el análisis comparativo, no encontramos una diferencia significativa en la mortalidad (12,3 vs. 7,9, p = 0,465) o la proporción de pacientes con mRS ≤ 2 (57,7% vs. 57,1%, p = 0,425) a los 3 meses.ConclusiónHasta donde sabemos, este es el primer estudio que analiza el impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en el pronóstico funcional a 3 meses de pacientes con ictus isquémico. En nuestra comunidad autónoma, no ha habido un incremento en la mortalidad o discapacidad a 3 meses de pacientes hospitalizados por ictus isquémico durante el periodo de COVID-19. (AU)

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on ischaemic stroke management, with a reported decrease in hospital admissions, and even disruptions in healthcare and increased in-hospital mortality. However, there is a lack of evidence on the impact of the pandemic on functional prognosis. The aim of this study is to analyse the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the 3-month functional outcomes of patients hospitalised due to acute ischaemic stroke in Aragon (Spain).Materil and methodsWe reviewed the data of all patients admitted due to ischaemic stroke to any hospital in our regional healthcare system between 30 December 2019 and 3 May 2020. We compared modified Rankin Scale scores and mortality at 3 months in patients hospitalised before and after the declaration of a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsIn total, 318 patients with acute ischaemic stroke met our inclusion criteria. No differences were observed between periods in global or specific characteristics, with the exception of a higher proportion of patients older than 80 years during the first period (42.2% vs. 29.0%, P=.028). In the comparative analysis, we found no significant differences in mortality (12.3 vs. 7.9, P=.465) or in the proportion of patients with modified Rankin Scale scores ≤ 2 (57.7% vs. 57.1%, P=.425) at 3 months.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first study to analyse the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the 3-month functional outcomes of patients with ischaemic stroke. In our region, there has been no increase in rates of mortality or disability at 3 months in patients admitted due to ischaemic stroke during the pandemic. (AU)

Three-month functional prognosis of patients hospitalised due to acute ischaemic stroke in Aragon: regional analysis of the impact of COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on ischaemic stroke management, with a reported decrease in hospital admissions, and even disruptions in healthcare and increased in-hospital mortality. However, there is a lack of evidence on the impact of the pandemic on functional prognosis. The aim of this study is to analyse the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the 3-month functional outcomes of patients hospitalised due to acute ischaemic stroke in Aragon (Spain). METHODS: We reviewed the data of all patients admitted due to ischaemic stroke to any hospital in our regional healthcare system between 30 December 2019 and 3 May 2020. We compared modified Rankin Scale scores and mortality at 3 months in patients hospitalised before and after the declaration of a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: In total, 318 patients with acute ischaemic stroke met our inclusion criteria. No differences were observed between periods in global or specific characteristics, with the exception of a higher proportion of patients older than 80 years during the first period (42.2% vs 29.0%, P = .028). In the comparative analysis, we found no significant differences in mortality (12.3 vs 7.9, P = .465) or in the proportion of patients with modified Rankin Scale scores ≤ 2 (57.7% vs 57.1%, P = .425) at 3 months. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to analyse the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the 3-month functional outcomes of patients with ischaemic stroke. In our region, there has been no increase in rates of mortality or disability at 3 months in patients admitted due to ischaemic stroke during the pandemic.

[Three-month functional prognosis of patients hospitalised due to acute ischaemic stroke in Aragon: Rregional analysis of the impact of COVID-19]. / Pronóstico funcional a 3 meses de pacientes hospitalizados por ictus isquémico agudo en Aragón: análisis regional de la repercusión de la COVID-19.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on ischaemic stroke management, with a reported decrease in hospital admissions, and even disruptions in healthcare and increased in-hospital mortality. However, there is a lack of evidence on the impact of the pandemic on functional prognosis. The aim of this study is to analyse the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the 3-month functional outcomes of patients hospitalised due to acute ischaemic stroke in Aragon (Spain). Materil and methods: We reviewed the data of all patients admitted due to ischaemic stroke to any hospital in our regional healthcare system between 30 December 2019 and 3 May 2020. We compared modified Rankin Scale scores and mortality at 3 months in patients hospitalised before and after the declaration of a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: In total, 318 patients with acute ischaemic stroke met our inclusion criteria. No differences were observed between periods in global or specific characteristics, with the exception of a higher proportion of patients older than 80 years during the first period (42.2% vs. 29.0%, P=.028). In the comparative analysis, we found no significant differences in mortality (12.3 vs. 7.9, P=.465) or in the proportion of patients with modified Rankin Scale scores ≤ 2 (57.7% vs. 57.1%, P=.425) at 3 months. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to analyse the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the 3-month functional outcomes of patients with ischaemic stroke. In our region, there has been no increase in rates of mortality or disability at 3 months in patients admitted due to ischaemic stroke during the pandemic.

Epidemiology and characteristics of ischaemic stroke in young adults in Aragon. / Epidemiología y características del ictus isquémico en el adulto joven en Aragón.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke affects around 15 million people per year, with 10%-15% occurring in individuals under 50 years old (stroke in young adults). The prevalence of different vascular risk factors and healthcare strategies for stroke management vary worldwide, making the epidemiology and specific characteristics of stroke in each region an important area of research. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of different vascular risk factors and the aetiology and characteristics of ischaemic stroke in young adults in the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain. METHODS: A cross-sectional, multi-centre study was conducted by the neurology departments of all hospitals in the Aragonese Health Service. We identified all patients aged between 18 and 50 years who were admitted to any of these hospitals with a diagnosis of ischaemic stroke or TIA between January 2005 and December 2015. Data were collected on demographic variables, vascular risk factors, and type of stroke, among other variables. RESULTS: During the study period, 786 patients between 18 and 50 years old were admitted with a diagnosis of ischaemic stroke or TIA to any hospital of Aragon, at a mean annual rate of 12.3 per 100 000 population. The median age was 45 years (IQR: 40-48 years). The most prevalent vascular risk factor was tobacco use, in 404 patients (51.4%). The majority of strokes were of undetermined cause (36.2%), followed by other causes (26.5%). The median NIHSS score was 3.5 (IQR: 2.0-7.0). In total, 211 patients (26.8%) presented TIA. Fifty-nine per cent of the patients admitted with a diagnosis of ischaemic stroke (10.3%) were treated with fibrinolysis. CONCLUSIONS: Ischaemic stroke in young adults is not uncommon in Aragon, and is of undetermined aetiology in a considerable number of cases; it is therefore necessary to implement measures to improve study of the condition, to reduce its incidence, and to prevent its recurrence.

Tendencia de las tasas de hospitalización y de letalidad hospitalaria de la enfermedad cerebrovascular aguda en Aragón en el periodo 1998-2010 / Trends in stroke hospitalisation rates and in-hospital mortality in Aragon, 1998-2010

INTRODUCCIÓN: A pesar de la relevancia sanitaria de la enfermedad cerebrovascular (ECV), su morbilidad en España y sus tendencias temporales no se conocen con precisión. OBJETIVO: El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue caracterizar la epidemiología del ictus en Aragón y su evolución en el periodo 1998-2010. MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo a partir de una base de datos extraída del Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos, incluyendo todas las altas por ECV de los hospitales de Aragón en el periodo 1998-2010. Se presentan los datos de manera global y separada por tipo de ictus, sexo y franja etaria. RESULTADOS: El número de casos aumentó un 13%, mientras que las tasas de hospitalización ajustadas por edad y sexo han mostrado un descenso significativo para el conjunto de los ictus (descenso medio anual del 1,6%). Hemos observado tendencias opuestas en las tasas de ictus isquémico entre varones y mujeres de los grupos de edad más jóvenes. La tasa de letalidad a los 28 días fue del 17,9%, y fue superior en los pacientes con hemorragia cerebral (35,8%) con respecto a los pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea (26,2%) e ictus isquémico (13%). La letalidad por ECV presentó un descenso medio anual del 2,8%, a expensas del descenso observado en el ictus isquémico, y fue más pronunciada en los hombres que en las mujeres. DISCUSIÓN: El conocimiento de la epidemiología del ictus a nivel regional y sus tendencias contribuirá a establecer un sistema eficiente de vigilancia y diseñar estrategias adecuadas de planificación sanitaria

INTRODUCTION: Despite the impact of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) on global health, its morbidity and time trends in Spain are not precisely known. :Objective The purpose of our study was to characterise the epidemiology and trends pertaining to stroke in Aragon over the period 1998-2010. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive study using the data of the Spanish health system's Minimum Data Set and included all stroke patients admitted to acute care hospitals in Aragon between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2010. We present data globally and broken down by stroke subtype, sex, and age group. RESULTS: The number of cases increased by 13% whereas age- and sex-adjusted hospitalisation rates showed a significant decrease for all types of stroke (mean annual decrease of 1.6%). Men and women in younger age groups showed opposite trends in hospitalisation rates for ischaemic stroke. Case fatality rate at 28 days (17.9%) was higher in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage (35.8%) than in those with subarachnoid haemorrhage (26.2%) or ischaemic stroke (13%). CVD case fatality showed a mean annual decline of 2.8%, at the expense of the fatality rate of ischaemic stroke, and it was more pronounced in men than in women. DISCUSSION: Understanding stroke epidemiology and trends at the regional level will help establish an efficient monitoring system and design appropriate strategies for health planning

Trends in stroke hospitalisation rates and in-hospital mortality in Aragon, 1998-2010. / Tendencia de las tasas de hospitalización y de letalidad hospitalaria de la enfermedad cerebrovascular aguda en Aragón en el periodo 1998-2010.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the impact of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) on global health, its morbidity and time trends in Spain are not precisely known. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to characterise the epidemiology and trends pertaining to stroke in Aragon over the period 1998-2010. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive study using the data of the Spanish health system's Minimum Data Set and included all stroke patients admitted to acute care hospitals in Aragon between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2010. We present data globally and broken down by stroke subtype, sex, and age group. RESULTS: The number of cases increased by 13% whereas age- and sex-adjusted hospitalisation rates showed a significant decrease for all types of stroke (mean annual decrease of 1.6%). Men and women in younger age groups showed opposite trends in hospitalisation rates for ischaemic stroke. Case fatality rate at 28 days (17.9%) was higher in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage (35.8%) than in those with subarachnoid haemorrhage (26.2%) or ischaemic stroke (13%). CVD case fatality showed a mean annual decline of 2.8%, at the expense of the fatality rate of ischaemic stroke, and it was more pronounced in men than in women. DISCUSSION: Understanding stroke epidemiology and trends at the regional level will help establish an efficient monitoring system and design appropriate strategies for health planning.

Lesiones focales transitorias en resonancia magnética tras una primera crisis epiléptica / Transient focal lesions in magnetic resonance imaging following the first epileptic seizures

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Manifestaciones neurológicas en la esclerosis sistémica / Neurological involvement in systemic sclerosis

Introducción. La esclerosis sistémica (ES) se considera la enfermedad del tejido conjuntivo que con menor frecuencia presenta complicaciones neurológicas; sin embargo, estudios recientes demuestran que dichas complicaciones son más frecuentes de lo que se había estimado. Pacientes y métodos. Veintiséis pacientes con ES definida fueron sometidos a un examen clínico neurológico y en 23 casos se practicó un electroneurograma con el fin de determinar la prevalencia de patología neurológica central y de neuropatía periférica, definir sus características e investigar posibles asociaciones con parámetros clínicos y de autoinmunidad. Resultados. Veintitrés casos (88 por ciento) fueron mujeres y 3 (12 por ciento) hombres, con una edad media de 57,5 ñ 12,0 desviación estándar (DE), una edad media al diagnóstico de 51,3 ñ 12,3 DE y un tiempo medio de evolución de la enfermedad de 6,2 ñ 3,1 años. Siete pacientes (26,9 por ciento) presentaron afectación del sistema nervioso central (SNC), siendo la cefalea y las manifestaciones neuropsiquiátricas las patologías más comunes (11,5 por ciento). La prevalencia de neuropatía periférica fue del 39,1 por ciento (9 casos); atendiendo a la extensión de la lesión, predominó la polineuropatía en un 30,4 por ciento de casos; con respecto a la selectividad funcional, las formas sensitivomotoras fueron las más frecuentes (55,6 por ciento), y según la estructura principalmente afectada, la neuropatía axonal fue la más común (44,4 por ciento).Discusión. Se discuten los posibles mecanismos patogénicos de la patología neurológica en esta enfermedad. (AU)

[Neurological involvement in systemic sclerosis]. / Manifestaciones neurológicas en la esclerosis sistémica.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic sclerosis (SS) is recognized as the connective tissue disease which less frequently presents neurological complications; in recent studies it is demonstrated, however, that neurological involvement in SS is more frequent of what it had been assumed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical neurological exploration was done in 26 patients with definitive SS; an electroneurogram was carried out in 23 cases in order to determine the prevalence of central neurological pathology and of peripheral neuropathy, to define its characteristics, and to investigate possible associations with clinical parameters and with autoimmunity. RESULTS: 23 cases (88%) were females and 3 cases (12%) males; the median age was 57.5 12.0 (SD) years, while the median age to the diagnosis was 51.3 12.3 (SD) years and the median period of natural history of disease was 6.2 3.1 years. Seven patients (26.9%) showed involvement of the CNS, being the headache and the neuropsychiatric manifestations the most common conditions (11.5%). Peripheral neuropathy prevalence was 39.1% (9 cases); according to the distribution of the injury, the polyneuropathy prevailed in 30.4% of cases. With regard to the functional selectivity, the sensitive-motor forms were most frequent (55.6%); according to the most involved structure, the axonal neuropathy was most common (44.4%).Discussion. The possible pathogenic mechanisms of the neurological pathology in this disease are discussed.

Polirradiculoneuropatía subaguda asociada a síndrome de Sjögren primario / Subacute polyradiculoneuropathy associated with primary Sjögren syndrome

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[Sarcoidosis: the presentation of a case with clinical features limited to the nervous system]. / Sarcoidosis: presentación de un caso con clínica restringida al sistema nervioso.

INTRODUCTION: Neurological pathology as the initial form of sarcoidosis is exceptional. Neurosarcoidosis represents 5% of all cases. Central nervous system involvement is more frequent in the acute forms of this illness, whilst myositis and peripheral neuropathy are more common in chronic sarcoidosis. CLINICAL CASE: A 60 year old woman presented with peripheral facial diplegia, diminished visual acuity and bilateral papilloedema, dysarthria and unsteady gait with left lateropulsion and paresia and dysesthesia of the distal parts of the limbs. X-ray and laboratory findings were normal. Gammography with Gallium 67 citrate showed mediastimal adenopathy. Neurographic study was compatible with mixed polyneuropathy and lumbar puncture showed aseptic meningitis. The diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis was confirmed by histopathological study of the skin and sural nerve. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: When the presenting features of sarcoidosis are neurological, as in this case, diagnosis is difficult and pathology studies showing the presence of non-caseous granulomas are essential. Biopsy of the sural nerve may be very useful. Although the pathogenesis of sarcoid neuropathology is not completely clear, finding non-caseous granulomas associated with vasculitis in the nerve biopsy indicates that both disease processes may be involved in the peripheral nerve lesion.

[Thromboangiitis obliterans with cerebral involvement]. / Tromboangeítis obliterante con isquemia cerebral.

We report the case of a male with Buerger's disease and neurologic involvement. Cerebral arteriography showed multiple distal arterial obliterans with left-sided Moya-moya phenomena. Thromboangiitis obliterans is a chronic segmental occlusive disease affecting medium-sized and small arteries and veins throughout the body. Neurologic signs are rare, occurring in fewer than 2 % of cases, and most often found on the cortical surface and adjacent territories. We review the most common signs of this entity and its main diagnostic difficulties.

[Myasthenia gravis and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]. / Miastenia grave y linfoma no hodgkiniano.

We describe 2 patients with myasthenia gravis and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma outside the thymus gland, in whom the two diseases progressed at different rates. Diagnosis of myasthenia gravis was based on clinical signs and compatible neurophysiologic studies, specifically by high acetylcholine antireceptor titers in the first patient and a positive Tensilon test in the second. In the first patient the clinical and serological signs of the two diseases progressed similarly. The association of these two diseases may have been the result of an underlying immunological disorder favoring their appearance, or of an immune response, caused by the lymphoma involving postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

[Brain stem encephalitis due to herpes simplex]. / Encefalitis de troncoencéfalo por herpes simple.

Brainstem encephalitis is an unusual infection caused by a variety of agents, among them the herpes simplex (HS) virus. The difficulty of establishing a diagnosis by neurophysiological and radiological examination is greater in this type of encephalitis than in the usual form produced by HS. We describe a fatal case of brainstem encephalitis. Inflammatory and necrotic lesions in the pous and medulla confirmed the clinical diagnosis, while the etiology was determined by immuno-histo-chemical techniques and viral culture of the cerebral parenchyma. Early diagnosis of this form of encephalitis, based on new virological techniques, allows more effective antiviral treatment.