[Suicide attempts with a violent method: Experience of a transdisciplinary psychiatric ward combining psychiatric and somatic care]. / Prise en charge des tentatives de suicide graves : expérience d'un service transdisciplinaire de psychiatrie.

INTRODUCTION: Suicide is the second leading cause of death in young adults. Suicide attempts by violent methods predict later completed suicide and premature mortality. Suicide prevention is a major public health issue in this specific population. The French Student Health Foundation (FSEF) developed a psychiatric ward that includes psychiatric and somatic approaches. This transdisciplinary unit provides mixed psychiatric and rehabilitation treatments for those persons who have attempted suicide and have severe somatic injuries. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study including all subjects admitted into the transdisciplinary unit from 1st January 2011 to 31 December 2017, after a suicide attempt by jumping from a height, in front of a moving object, or by crashing of a motor vehicle. Data was obtained from the medical and administrative records of the clinic. RESULTS: In total, 215 persons were admitted into the transdisciplinary unit after a suicide attempt by a violent mean. Among them, 91.6% had jumped from a height, 7.4% had jumped in front of a train or a metro and 0.9% had crashed a motor vehicle. They were on average 25.5years old and 50.2% were men. 45.1% had a diagnosis of schizophrenic disorders and 34.4% of mood disorders. A total of 35.6% presented at least one previous suicide attempt, and among them 40.3% had previously attempted suicide with a violent mean. Substance abuse, mostly alcohol and/or cannabis, featured in 40.8% of subject history. The subjects hospitalised in the transdisciplinary unit had multiple, severe injuries: 78.1% had spine fractures, 69.8% had lower limb fractures, 47.9% had pelvic fractures and 43.3% had upper limb fractures. Moreover, 25.5% of them had sacral root damages. The length of stay averaged 184days and varied in a large range (less than a month to more than two years). The Activities of Daily Living scores were higher than 3 (out of a maximum score of 4) reflecting an important need of assistance. These scores decreased significantly during the hospitalisation for dressing, feeding, continence and locomotion but remained high for comportment and communication. At discharge, the physical sequelae were still important: 61% of people hospitalised had pain that required step 2 or 3 analgesics, 44% had analgesics for neuropathic pain, 80% had lower limb impairments, most often with walking limitation, and 26% had continence disorders. The psychotropic treatments at discharge were related to the psychiatric disorders observed and included 42% antidepressants, 63% neuroleptics and 16% mood stabilizers. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the severity of the somatic and psychiatric disorders affecting people who are admitted into this transdisciplinary unit. These subjects who have attempted suicide require particular care with multidisciplinary management in order to promote their rehabilitation, reintegration and prevent a suicide reattempt.

Management of unfavorable outcome after mild traumatic brain injury: Review of physical and cognitive rehabilitation and of psychological care in post-concussive syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) is a public health issue with approximately 42 million people worldwide affected yearly. Most patients have a favorable short-term recovery but 10-20% are likely to develop post-concussive syndrome (association of physical, cognitive, and psychological difficulties after injury). Post-concussive syndrome can be associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). There is to date no recommendation on the interventions that could be done to reduce post-concussive syndrome. The present review aims at summarizing the effect of therapeutic education, physical and cognitive rehabilitation and of psychological care in mTBI patients with post-concussive syndrome. METHODS: In the current international literature, we investigated the effects of therapeutic education, physical and cognitive rehabilitation and of psychological care in this population using the Medline database and we discussed the results of these studies. RESULTS: The application of a therapeutic education intervention within 3 months after mTBI has been found appropriate and effective to prevent post-concussion syndrome in several studies but the timeline of this intervention differs among the existing studies. Concerning physical disabilities, several pharmacological, rehabilitative and non-pharmacological techniques have shown some efficacy in reducing headache and vertigo; rTMS seems also promising in this context. The management of fatigue is also crucial and requires a multidisciplinary approach. We did not find any intervention in mTBI patients with post-concussive syndrome suffering from dysosmia and/or dysgueusia. No pharmacological treatment is currently recommended to reduce the cognitive symptoms of post-concussive syndrome after mTBI. Rehabilitation and brain-stimulation techniques have already proven their efficacy to reduce the cognitive impairment in this population. Even if the use of Virtual Reality software seems well tolerated in this population, its efficacy and additional value needs to be demonstrated in larger studies. Concerning the psychological care after mTBI, Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy interventions are the most frequently reported in this population, followed by psychoeducational interventions. PTSD management seems crucial in overall recovery of patients with post-concussive syndrome. CONCLUSION: Many studies have sought to demonstrate the effectiveness of various rehabilitation techniques, including different cognitive rehabilitation programs, technology-assisted rehabilitation, different types of brain stimulation and some pharmacological treatments. However, most of these studies are of a low level of scientific evidence and it would be necessary to carry out well-conducted prospective randomized trials in order to offer an appropriate and effective multidisciplinary management for patients with post-concussive syndrome after mTBI.

Definition and epidemiology of mild traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The definition of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), also known as concussion, has been a matter of controversy, which makes comparison between studies difficult. Incidence varies greatly from one country to another. The present article reviews definitions and epidemiology. METHODS: Literature review. RESULTS: According to the Mild TBI Committee of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, revised by the World Health Organization (WHO), mTBI is defined by a Glasgow Coma Scale score between 13 and 15 at 30minutes post-injury, and one or more of the following symptoms: <30min loss of consciousness; <24hours post-traumatic amnesia (PTA); impaired mental state at time of accident (confusion, disorientation, etc.); and/or transient neurological deficit. If a focal lesion is found on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the term "complicated mild TBI" has been proposed. Incidence of mTBI is 200-300/100,000 persons per year for hospitalized patients and probably twice as high if non-hospitalized patients are included. However, a few recent population-based studies reported a much higher rate (>700/100,000). A changing pattern of epidemiology has been found in high-income countries, related to a decrease in road-accident injuries in young adults, while conversely the proportion of falls has increased with population aging. CONCLUSION: Mild TBI is a major public health concern, the epidemiology of which has greatly changed in the last twenty years.

Neuropsychology of traumatic brain injury: An expert overview.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious healthcare problem, and this report is a selective review of recent findings on the epidemiology, pathophysiology and neuropsychological impairments following TBI. Patients who survive moderate-to-severe TBI frequently suffer from a wide range of cognitive deficits and behavioral changes due to diffuse axonal injury. These deficits include slowed information-processing and impaired long-term memory, attention, working memory, executive function, social cognition and self-awareness. Mental fatigue is frequently also associated and can exacerbate the consequences of neuropsychological deficits. Personality and behavioral changes can include combinations of impulsivity and apathy. Even mild TBI raises specific problems: while most patients recover within a few weeks or months, a minority of patients may suffer from long-lasting symptoms (post-concussion syndrome). The pathophysiology of such persistent problems remains a subject of debate, but seems to be due to both injury-related and non-injury-related factors.

Late Functional Changes Post-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Are Related to Community Reentry Support: Results From the PariS-TBI Cohort.

OBJECTIVES: To explore late functional changes after a traumatic brain injury and their relation to patients' characteristics and reentry support. DESIGN: Prospective follow-up of an inception cohort of adults with severe traumatic brain injury recruited in 2005-2007 in the Parisian area, France. One and 4-year assessments were performed by trained neuropsychologists. One-to-4-year change in the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended defined 3 groups: "improvement," "stability," and "worsening." Relationships between these groups and patients' characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 504 recruited patients and 245 four-year survivors, 93 participated in both evaluations. Overall Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended improved by 0.4. Forty percent of the sample improved, 44% were stable, and 16% worsened. Being in a more unfavorable group was related to preinjury alcohol abuse and to higher anxiety and depression at 4 years. Attendance to a specialized community reentry unit was related to higher chances of being in the "improvement" group in univariate analyses and after adjustment for age, time to follow command, preinjury alcohol and occupation, and mood disorders (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 4.6 [1.1-20]). CONCLUSION: Late functional changes were related to psychosocial variables and to reentry support. The effect of reentry support on late recovery needs to be confirmed by further investigations.

Neurobehavioral and self-awareness changes after traumatic brain injury: Towards new multidimensional approaches.

Neurobehavioral and self-awareness changes are frequently observed following traumatic brain injury (TBI). These disturbances have been related to negative consequences on functional outcomes, caregiver distress and social reintegration, representing therefore a challenge for clinical research. Some studies have recently been conducted to specifically explore apathetic and impulsive manifestations, as well as self-awareness impairments in patients with TBI. These findings underlined the heterogeneity of clinical manifestations for each behavioral disturbance and the diversity of psychological processes involved. In this context, new multidimensional approaches taking into account the various processes at play have been proposed to better understand and apprehend the complexity and dynamic nature of these problematic behaviors. In addition, the involvement of social and environmental factors as well as premorbid personality traits have increasingly been addressed. These new multidimensional frameworks have the potential to ensure targeted and effective rehabilitation by allowing a better identification and therefore consideration of the various mechanisms involved in the onset of problematic behaviors. In this context, the main objective of this position paper was to demonstrate the interest of multidimensional approaches in the understanding and rehabilitation of problematic behaviors in patients with TBI.

A comprehensive picture of 4-year outcome of severe brain injuries. Results from the PariS-TBI study.

OBJECTIVES: Survivors of severe traumatic brain injury have a great variety of impairments and participation restrictions. Detailed descriptions of their long-term outcome are critical. We aimed to assess brain injury outcome for subjects with traumatic brain injury in terms of the International classification of functioning, disability and health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four-year follow-up of an inception cohort of adults with severe traumatic brain injury by using face-to-face interviews with patients and proxies. RESULTS: Among 245 survivors at 4 years, 147 were evaluated (80% male, mean age: 32.5±14.2 years at injury); 46 (32%) presented severe disability, 58 (40%) moderate disability, and 40 (28%) good recovery. Most frequent somatic problems were fatigue, headaches, other pain, and balance. One quarter of subjects had motor impairments. Rates of cognitive complaints ranged from 25 to 68%, the most frequent being memory, irritability, slowness and concentration. With the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, 43% had anxiety and 25% depression. Overall, 79% were independent in daily living activities and 40 to 50% needed help for outdoor or organizational activities on the BICRO-39. Most had regular contacts with relatives or close friends but few contacts with colleagues or new acquaintances. Subjects spent little time in productive activities such as working, studying, looking after children or voluntary work. Quality of life on the QOLIBRI scale was associated with disability level (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Management of late brain injury needs to focus on cognitive difficulties, particularly social skills, to enhance patient participation in life.

Does galvanic vestibular stimulation reduce spatial neglect? A negative study.

INTRODUCTION: In spatial neglect, the functional benefit of rehabilitation methods is subject to debate. A few studies have reported that galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) is efficacious in spatial neglect. The objective of the present study was to establish whether the effects of GVS persist after the end of stimulation. MATERIALS: Four patients with pathological rightward deviation in a bisection task at least three months after right hemisphere stroke. A single-blind, randomized crossover design was used to assess the effects of GVS on performance in line bisection and star cancellation tasks under three different conditions (cathode-right, cathode-left and sham stimulation). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the performance of either task following GVS (relative to sham stimulation). CONCLUSION: Galvanic vestibular stimulation did not reduce spatial neglect symptoms in any of the stimulation conditions. Further studies are necessary to understand the disparity between our results and those reported in the literature. Repeated sessions, a higher current intensity and/or alternating-current stimulation may improve this method before it can be used clinically.

Pharmacological therapies in post stroke recovery: recommendations for future clinical trials.

Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability in adults and is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Early reperfusion and neuroprotection techniques have been the focus of much effort with the aim of very acute treatment of the stroke. Targeting different mechanisms, pharmacological therapies have the potential to reduce disability in a large fraction of patients who survive the acute stroke. The brain's capacity to reorganize after stroke through plasticity mechanisms can be modulated by pharmacological agents. A number of therapeutic interventions are under study, including small molecules, growth factors, and monoclonal antibodies. Recently it has been shown that the SSRI fluoxetine improved motor deficit in patients with ischaemic stroke and hemiplegia which appeared to be independent of the presence of depression. In this context, it is of major importance to support innovative research in order to promote the emergence of new pharmacological treatments targeting neurological recovery after stroke, as opposed to acute de-occlusion and neuroprotection. This paper is the work of a group of 14 scientists with aim of (1) addressing key areas of the basic and clinical aspects of human brain plasticity after stroke and potential pharmacological targets for recovery, (2) asking questions about the most appropriate characteristics of clinical trials testing drugs in post stroke recovery and (3) proposing recommendations for future clinical trials.

Predictive factors for 1-year outcome of a cohort of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI): results from the PariS-TBI study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess outcome and predicting factors 1 year after a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: Multi-centre prospective inception cohort study of patients aged 15 or older with a severe TBI in the Parisian area, France. Data were collected prospectively starting the day of injury. One-year evaluation included the relatives-rating of the Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX-R), the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE) and employment. Univariate and multivariate tests were computed. RESULTS: Among 257 survivors, 134 were included (mean age 36 years, 84% men). Good recovery concerned 19%, moderate disability 43% and severe disability 38%. Among patients employed pre-injury, 42% were working, 28% with no job change. DEX-R score was significantly associated with length of education only. Among initial severity measures, only the IMPACT prognostic score was significantly related to GOSE in univariate analyses, while measures relating to early evolution were more significant predictors. In multivariate analyses, independent predictors of GOSE were length of stay in intensive care (LOS), age and education. Independent predictors of employment were LOS and age. CONCLUSIONS: Age, education and injury severity are independent predictors of global disability and return to work 1 year after a severe TBI.

Impact of brain injury on driving skills.

AIM: Review of the literature regarding the impact of brain injury on driving skills. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pubmed and Cochrane publications from 2000 to 2010. RESULTS: Thirty-five articles were selected for this review of literature. Despite an increased risk of accident in this population according to retrospective studies, no methodology is currently validated to assess impact of brain injury, especially cognitive sequelae, on driving capacity, given the low level of evidence of studies. Assessment of attentional, executive and visuo-spatial deficits is given great importance. On-road assessments have to be carried out. CONCLUSION: It appears necessary to combine medical and neuropsychological evaluations with an on-road assessment of driving capacity.

Physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) care pathways: adults with severe traumatic brain injury.

This document is part of a series of guidelines documents designed by the French Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Society (SOFMER) and the French Federation of PRM (FEDMER). These reference documents focus on a particular pathology (here patients with severe TBI). They describe for each given pathology patients' clinical and social needs, PRM care objectives and necessary human and material resources of the pathology-dedicated pathway. 'Care pathways in PRM' is therefore a short document designed to enable readers (physician, decision-maker, administrator, lawyer, finance manager) to have a global understanding of available therapeutic care structures, organization and economic needs for patients' optimal care and follow-up. After a severe traumatic brain injury, patients might be divided into three categories according to impairment's severity, to early outcomes in the intensive care unit and to functional prognosis. Each category is considered in line with six identical parameters used in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (World Health Organization), focusing thereafter on personal and environmental factors liable to affect the patients' needs.

Botulinum toxin and refractory non-neurogenic overactive detrusor.

PURPOSE: To study the value and efficacy of botulinum toxin for treatment of cases of non-neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NNDO) that are refractory to anticholinergic drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of the literature, based on a keyword search of the Medline database. Selection of articles in French and English (meta-analyses, reviews, case studies and randomized, controlled clinical trials) on intradetrusor botulinum toxin injection in the management of refractory NNDO. RESULTS: Nineteen publications (including three randomized, controlled trials) were selected. Intradetrusor injection of botulinum toxin in patients with refractory NNDO has produced promising results, with a significant improvement in physical symptoms, urodynamic parameters and quality of life. The rare side effects consist primarily of dose-dependent urine retention. CONCLUSION: On the basis of preliminary data, botulinum toxin appears to be a valuable therapeutic option and fills the gap between anticholinergics and surgery in the treatment of NNDO that is refractory to anticholinergic agents. Botulinum toxin has a promising future in urology but requires further scientific evaluation.

Is there a link between alertness and fatigue in patients with traumatic brain injury?

OBJECTIVES: Many patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) report chronic fatigue, and previous studies showed a potential relationship between sleepiness and fatigue in these patients. Our study first looked at the impact of objective and subjective sleepiness on fatigue in patients with TBI. We then investigated how fatigue could affect driving performance in these patients. METHODS: Nocturnal polysomnography, the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and five 40-minute maintenance of wakefulness tests (MWT) were collected in 36 patients with TBI. Fitness to drive was assessed in a subsample of 22 patients compared to 22 matched controls during an hour simulated driving session. RESULTS: In patients with TBI, FSS, ESS, and mean MWT scores (+/-SD) were 27 +/- 10, 8 +/- 4, and 35 +/- 7 minutes vs 15 +/- 2.5, 5 +/- 3, and 37 +/- 5 minutes in controls. Patients with TBI reported more chronic fatigue (W = 99, p < 0.001) than controls, and, unlike in controls, the level of chronic fatigue was correlated to their MWT scores. Patients' driving performances were worse than the controls' (W = 79, p < 0.001). The best predictive factors of driving performance were fatigue scores and body mass index (multiple R = 0.458, 41.8% of explained variance). CONCLUSION: In patients with TBI, chronic fatigue is significantly related to subjective and objective levels of alertness, even though these levels are not highly pathologic. This might suggest that a small level of sleepiness (i.e., MWT scores between 33 and 39 minutes) worsens fatigue in these patients. Chronic fatigue and body mass index could predict driving simulator performance in patients with TBI.