Prevalence of Neuropathic Pain in Patients with Osteoarthritis / Prevalência de dor neuropática em pacientes com osteoartrite

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of neuropathic pain and characterize the quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis who consulted a pain clinic in Southwestern Colombia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted via telephone survey. Participants ≥18 years of age with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis were included. The LANSS questionnaire was used to evaluate symptoms and signs of neuropathic pain, and the Short Form-8 was used to evaluate quality of life. Results Response rate was 54.1% (46/85). The male-to-female ratio was 5:1, with an average age of 72 ±10 years. Most participants (91.3%) had severe pain. The prevalence of neuropathic pain was 28.3% (95%CI = 15.99-43.46), and the prevalence of neuropathic pain amongst women was 84.6% (95%CI = 54.55-98.01 ). Dysesthesias and paroxysmal pain were present in 92.3% of individuals with neuropathic pain. Regarding quality of life, limitations in physical activity were the most significant, as 63% of individuals reported such limitations. Conclusion Neuropathic pain was found to be prevalent and had a negative impact on physical function, highlighting the need for therapeutic strategies targeted to specific neuropathic pain pathways in patients with osteoarthritis.

Resumo Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência de dor neuropática e caracterizar a qualidade de vida de pacientes com osteoartrite que consultaram um ambulatório de dor no sudoeste da Colômbia. Métodos Este foi um estudo transversal realizado por meio de entrevista telefônica. Foram incluídos participantes ≥18 anos de idade com diagnóstico de osteoartrite. O questionário Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) foi utilizado para avaliação dos sintomas e sinais de dor neuropática e o Short Form-8 analisou a qualidade de vida. Resultados A taxa de resposta foi de 54,1% (46/85). A razão homem:mulher foi de 5:1, com média de idade de 72 ±10 anos. A maioria dos participantes (91,3%) apresentava dor intensa. A prevalência de dor neuropática foi de 28,3% (intervalo de confiança [IC] de 95% = 15,99-43,46) e a prevalência de dor neuropática entre mulheres foi de 84,6% (IC 95% = 54,55-98,01). Disestesias e dor paroxística foram relatadas por 92,3% dos indivíduos com dor neuropática. Em relação à qualidade de vida, as limitações na prática de atividade física foram as mais significativas e relatadas por 63% dos indivíduos. Conclusão A dor neuropática foi prevalente e tinha impacto negativo na função física. Isso destaca a necessidade de estratégias terapêuticas direcionadas a vias específicas da dor neuropática em pacientes com osteoartrite.

Cerebrospinal fluid closing pressure-guided tap test for the diagnosis of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: A descriptive cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Tap test improves symptoms of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH); hence, it is widely used as a diagnostic procedure. However, it has a low sensitivity and there is no consensus on the parameters that should be used nor the volume to be extracted. We propose draining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during tap test until a closing pressure of 0 cm H2O is reached as a standard practice. We use this method with all our patients at our clinic. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study where all patients with presumptive diagnosis of iNPH from January 2014 to December 2019 were included in the study. We used a univariate descriptive analysis and stratified analysis to compare the opening pressure and the volume of CSF extracted during the lumbar puncture, between patients in whom a diagnosis of iNPH was confirmed and those in which it was discarded. RESULTS: A total of 92 patients were included in the study. The mean age at the time of presentation was 79.4 years and 63 patients were male. The diagnosis of iNPH was confirmed in 73.9% patients. The mean opening pressure was 14.4 cm H2O mean volume of CSF extracted was 43.4 mL. CONCLUSION: CSF extraction guided by a closing pressure of 0 cm H2O instead of tap test with a fixed volume of CSF alone may be an effective method of optimizing iNPH symptomatic improvement and diagnosis.

Cerebral haemorrhage as a clinical manifestation of human ehrlichiosis.

A 16-year-old young man presented to the emergency room with new-onset generalised tonic-clonic seizures. Examination showed a Glasgow score of 13 and predominantly crural left hemiparesis. Imaging demonstrated a right frontoparietal haemorrhage of non-vascular origin with perilesional oedema. Surgical drainage was carried out, but rebleeding occurred within 24 hours following surgery, and again 1 week after discharge. On reinterrogation and examination, Ehrlichia canis infection was suspected and empirical management with doxycycline was begun. Improvement was evident 72 hours after antibiotic initiation, and PCR confirmed the diagnosis; thus, doxycycline was continued for 6 months. After 2 years, seizures recurred and treatment was reinstated with good clinical response. However, seizures reappeared whenever treatment discontinuation was attempted. Lacking alternatives, doxycycline was maintained up to the third year following the initial episode. Subsequently, the patient showed complete resolution without neurological sequelae up to his last follow-up visit, 12 months following treatment cessation.