Yerbamate Tea Consumption: A Protective Factor in Parkinson Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about the association between Yerbamate (YMT) tea consumption and Parkinson disease (PD). We determined whether there was an association between YMT tea consumption and PD. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter case-control study in 3 countries (Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay). We applied a structured questionnaire about YMT tea consumption history. The survey also included information about factors previously associated with a decreased and increased risk of PD, apart from medical and demographic factors. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using multivariate unconditional binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: We included 215 cases and 219 controls. The mean age of the cases was 65.6 ± 10.5 years and that of controls was 63.1 ± 10.5 years (P < 0.02). Years of YMT tea consumption, number of liters drunk per day, and amount of YMT used for preparing the infusion were similar between cases and controls (P > 0.05), but not the number of times the YMT was added into the container (P = 0.003) and the YMT tea concentration per serving (P = 0.02). The multivariate analysis showed that YMT tea concentration per serving lowered the risk for PD, independent of potential confounders (odds ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.47-0.84). CONCLUSIONS: This multicenter study highlights the association between an environmental factor, the YMT tea drinking, and PD. Although more evidence from longitudinal studies is needed, the results obtained here points toward a protective effect of the YMT tea concentration per serving on PD.

Adherence to treatment in Parkinson's disease: A multicenter exploratory study with patients from six Latin American countries.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to treatment in Parkinson's disease (PD) is compromised due to the need for multiple therapies, comorbidities related to aging, and the complexity of therapeutic schemes. In the present study, we aimed to explore adherence to treatment in groups of PD patients from six Latin-American (LA) countries and identify its associated demographic and clinical parameters. METHODS: A multicenter, cross-sectional, exploratory study was conducted from September 2016 to March 2017. Treatment adherence was assessed using the simplified medication adherence questionnaire (SMAQ), applied to patients and caregivers. Sociodemographic and clinical variables (MDS-UPDRS Part III-IV, MMSE, Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)) were recorded. RESULTS: Eight hundred patients from six LA countries were evaluated. Nonadherence was reported in 58.25% of the population, according to patients. The most frequent issues were forgetfulness and correct timing of doses. A high level of agreement in adherence prevalence and most SMAQ items were observed between patients and their caregivers. The nonadherent population had a significantly higher proportion of unemployment, free access to medication, troublesome dyskinesias and off-periods, lesser years of education, and worse motor, cognitive, and mood scores. In multiple logistic and linear regression analyses, MDS-UPDRS Part III, BDI-II, gender, free access to medication, treatment with dopamine agonists alone, years of education, excessive concerns about adverse effects, and beliefs about being well-treated remained significant contributors to adherence measures. CONCLUSION: Educational strategies, greater involvement of PD patients in decision-making, and consideration of their beliefs and values might be of great need to improve medication adherence in this PD population.

Neuro-Behçet's disease in Peru: a case report and literature review. / Enfermedad de neuro-Behçet en Perú: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura.

Behçet's disease is a vasculitis that can cause inflammatory lesions in multiple organs or systems including the nervous system. Most cases worldwide have been reported along what is called the "Silk Route" from the Mediterranean region to Japan, so it is considered a rare disease in Latin American countries. The frequency of neurological involvement ranges from 5 to 13%. We present the case of a young adult woman with diagnostic criteria for Behçet's disease and manifestations of neurological disease, as well as a review of the literature.

La enfermedad de Behçet es una vasculitis que puede ocasionar lesiones inflamatorias en múltiples órganos o sistemas como el neurológico. El mayor número de casos a nivel mundial se han reportado a lo largo de la llamada Ruta de la Seda, que va desde la región mediterránea hasta Japón, siendo considerado una enfermedad rara en países latinoamericanos. La frecuencia de afectación neurológica oscila en un rango entre 5 y 13%. Se presenta el caso de una mujer adulta joven con criterios diagnósticos de enfermedad de Behçet y manifestaciones de afectación neurológica, así como una revisión de la literatura en Perú.