Perfil clínico de los pacientes con aneurisma cerebral atendidos en el Hospital Carlos Andrade Marín / Clinical profile of patients with cerebral aneurysms treated at Carlos Andrade Marín Hospital

INTRODUCCIÓN. En Ecuador, las enfermedades cerebrovasculares son la tercera causa de muerte en la población general; existen pocos datos en la literatura médica sobre la hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática y aneurismas no rotos, por lo que fue fundamental describir un perfil clínico. OBJETIVO. Caracterizar la clínica de los pacientes con diagnóstico de aneurisma cerebral. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS. Estudio observacional descriptivo. Población de 450 y muestra de 447 pacientes con diagnóstico de aneurisma cerebral atendidos en la Unidad de Neurología del Hospital Carlos Andrade Marín, periodo enero 2010 a diciembre 2018. Los datos clínicos e imagenológicos fueron recolectados a través de la revisión de historias clínicas digitales obtenidas del sistema informático MIS/AS400, y se analizaron en el programa estadístico International Business Machines Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, versión 23. RESULTADOS. Se identificaron 605 aneurismas en 447 pacientes. El 80,5% (360; 447) presentó aneurismas rotos, de éstos el 81,4% (293; 360) tuvo un solo aneurisma. El factor de riesgo más frecuente fue la hipertensión arterial con el 44,3% (198; 447), las manifestaciones observadas fueron: hemorragia subaracnoidea con el 98,9% (356; 360) en aneurismas rotos; y cefalea con el 65,5% (57; 87) en aneurismas no rotos. DISCUSIÓN. Se encontró datos relevantes no coincidentes con la literatura científica mundial, como el bajo número de aneurismas asintomáticos y no rotos, comparados con su contraparte. CONCLUSIÓN. Se evidenció que los aneurismas intracraneales produjeron una amplia gama de manifestaciones clínicas, que fluctuaron desde la hemorragia subaracnoidea como la más frecuente en el grupo de aneurismas rotos, hasta pacientes completamente asintomáticos en el grupo de aneurismas no rotos.

INTRODUCTION. In Ecuador, cerebrovascular diseases are the third leading cause of death in the general population; there are few data in the medical literature on aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and unruptured aneurysms, so it was essential to describe a clinical profile. OBJECTIVE. To characterize the clinical profile of patients diagnosed with cerebral aneurysm. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Descriptive observational study. Population of 450 and sample of 447 patients with a diagnosis of cerebral aneurysm seen in the Neurology Unit of the Carlos Andrade Marín Hospital, period January 2010 to December 2018. Clinical and imaging data were collected through the review of digital medical records obtained from the MIS/AS400 computer system, and were analyzed in the statistical program International Business Machines Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 23. RESULTS. A total of 605 aneurysms were identified in 447 patients. A total of 80,5% (360; 447) had ruptured aneurysms, of which 81,4% (293; 360) had a single aneurysm. The most common risk factor was hypertension with 44,3% (198; 447), the manifestations observed were: subarachnoid hemorrhage with 98,9% (356; 360) in ruptured aneurysms; and headache with 65,5% (57; 87) in unruptured aneurysms. DISCUSSION. We found relevant data not consistent with the world scientific literature, such as the low number of asymptomatic and unruptured aneurysms, compared with its counterpart. CONCLUSION. It was evidenced that intracranial aneurysms produced a wide range of clinical manifestations, ranging from subarachnoid hemorrhage as the most frequent in the group of ruptured aneurysms, to completely asymptomatic patients in the group of unruptured aneurysms.

Perfil clínico y epidemiológico de los pacientes con diagnóstico de neuromielitis óptica / Clinical and epidemiological profile of patients with neuromyelitis optica diagnosis

INTRODUCCIÓN. El trastorno del espectro de neuromielitis óptica, enfermedad inflamatoria, desmielinizante, afecta al sistema nervioso central, frecuente en poblaciones no caucásicas como la ecuatoriana. El retraso en su diagnóstico y tratamiento provoca discapacidad que se puede prevenir. OBJETIVO. Determinar el perfil clínico y epidemiológico de los pacientes con diagnóstico de trastorno del espectro de neuromielitis óptica. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS. Estudio descriptivo transversal. Población de 45 Historias Clínicas y una muestra de 41 de pacientes con diagnóstico de trastorno del espectro de neuromielitis óptica atendidos en la Unidad de Neurología del Hospital de Especialida-des Carlos Andrade Marín, período enero 2005 a diciembre 2019. Se realizó análisis univarial. Se aplicó el programa estadístico International Business Machines Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, versión 25. RESULTADOS. El 76,0% (31; 41) fueron mujeres. Datos promedios: edad 48,9 años; diagnóstico definitivo demoró 4,12 años, desde el inicio de los síntomas; tiempo de diagnóstico fue 3,17 años; 3,7 brotes en total; el 87,8% (36; 41) con un fenotipo recurrente. La media de duración de la enfermedad fue de 6,8 años. En el 70,7% (29; 41), se identificaron anticuerpos anti-AQP4 en suero mediante inmunofluorescencia directa, el 51,2% requirieron para la marcha apoyo uni o bilateral. El 43,9% (18; 41) debutó con neuritis óptica; el 31,7% (13; 41) presentaron mielitis como primer síntoma y el 24,4% (10; 41) la combinación de neuritis óptica y mielitis fueron los síntomas iniciales. CONCLUSIÓN. Se determinó el perfil clínico y epi-demiológico de los pacientes con diagnóstico de trastorno del espectro de neuromielitis óptica. Existió demora en el diagnóstico definitivo de los pacientes desde el inicio de los síntomas, lo que se tradujo en un aumento de la discapacidad.

INTRODUCTION. Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, an inflammatory, demyelinating disease, affects the central nervous system, common in non-Caucasian popu-lations such as Ecuadorians. The delay in its diagnosis and treatment causes disabi-lity that can be prevented. OBJECTIVE. To determine the clinical and epidemiological profile of patients diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Cross-sectional descriptive study. Population of 45 Medical Records and a sample of 41 patients with a diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disor-der seen at the Neurology Unit of the Carlos Andrade Marín Specialties Hospital, period from January 2005 to December 2019. Univariate analysis was performed. The statistical program International Business Machines Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 25 was used. RESULTS. 76,0% (31; 41) were women. Average data: age 48,9 years; definitive diagnosis took 4,12 years from the onset of symptoms; time to diagnosis was 3,17 years; 3,7 outbreaks in total; 87,8% (36; 41) with a recurrent phenotype. The average disease duration was 6,8 years. In 70,7% (29; 41), anti-AQP4 antibodies were identified in serum by direct immunofluorescence, 51,2% required uni- or bilateral su-pport for walking. Optic neuritis started in 43,9% (18; 41); 31,7% (13; 41) had myelitis as the first symptom and 24,4% (10; 41) the combination of optic neuritis and myelitis were the initial symptoms. CONCLUSION. The clinical and epidemiological profile of patients diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder was determined. There was delay in the conclusive diagnosis of patients from the beginning of symptoms, which resulted in increased disability.

An Abnormally High Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Is Not an Independent Outcome Predictor in AQP4-IgG-Positive NMOSD.

Background: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been investigated in many autoimmune conditions as a biomarker of inflammation and/or disease activity. The role of NLR in AQP4-IgG-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) is far from clear. In this study, NLR was evaluated in patients with AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD at disease onset and its prognostic impact was subsequently assessed. Methods: In this multicenter study, we retrospectively included all recent/newly diagnosed treatment-naïve patients with AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD (n=90) from three different countries in Latin America (LATAM): Argentina, Ecuador, and Mexico. NLR was compared between AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD and healthy controls (HC, n = 365). Demographic, clinical, paraclinical (including imaging), and prognostic data at 12 and 24 months were also evaluated. Multivariate regression analysis was used to describe and identify independent associations between the log-transformed NLR and clinical (relapses and EDSS) and imaging (new/enlarging and/or contrast-enhancing MRI lesions) outcomes. Results: NLR was higher in NMOSD patients during the first attack compared with HC (2.9 ± 1.6 vs 1.8 ± 0.6; p<0.0001). Regardless of immunosuppressant's initiation at disease onset, NLR remained higher in NMOSD patients at 12 (2.8 ± 1.3; p<0.0001) and 24 (3.1 ± 1.6; p<0.0001) months. No association was found at 12 and 24 months between the log-transformed NLR and the presence of relapses, new/enlarging and/or contrast-enhancing MRI lesions, and/or physical disability. Conclusions: In this cohort of LATAM patients with AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD, NLR was abnormally high in attacks but also during follow-up. However, a high NLR was not an independent predictor of clinical or imaging outcomes in our models.

Impact of Rituximab on relapse rate and disability in an Ecuadorian cohort of patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

BACKGROUND: Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) is a severe inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that often causes disability. Based on evidence from prospective and retrospective studies, Rituximab (RTX) has been used as the first-line of therapy in NMOSD. Nevertheless, evidence of the impact of RTX on relapse rate and disability in Ecuadorian patients with NMOSD is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of RTX in an Ecuadorian cohort of patients with NMOSD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in a cohort of patients with NMOSD who received treatment with RTX in a third-level hospital in Quito, Ecuador. Digital medical records of NMOSD patients were reviewed to attain sociodemographic data, disease characteristics, and treatment with RTX. The annualized relapse rate ARR, as well as the degree of disability measured through the expanded disability scale (EDSS), was established before and after treatment. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients with NMOSD treated with RTX were included, the mean age of onset of the disease was 37.2 years (range, 13-64.5). The average duration of disease was 8.5 years (range, 1.3-34.4). Positivity for antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4-IgG) was identified in 78% of the patients. The mean duration of the treatment with RTX was 40 months (range, 12-61). After the RTX therapy, the number of relapses was reduced in 91% (21/23) of cases. The annualized relapsed rate (ARR) was reduced with RTX from 1.89 to 0.12 (p <0.001). The mean EDSS was also reduced from 4.8 to 3.9 (p = 0.014). In all patients, the mean EDSS was reduced or stabilized with RTX. Overall, the drug was well tolerated, the most frequent adverse events were infections which were present in 65.2% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Though with the limitations of and observational study, our data support RTX effectiveness and safety in an Ecuadorian cohort of patients with NMOSD.

Acute optic nerve lesions in first-ever NMOSD-related optic neuritis using conventional brain MRI: A Latin American multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Few studies regarding MRI-defined acute optic nerve lesions (aONL) in patients with first-ever neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)-related optic neuritis (ON) have been reported worldwide and none of them was conducted in Latin America (LATAM). Therefore, we aimed to assess the frequency of aONL at disease onset using conventional brain MRI in LATAM. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records and brain MRIs (≤30 days from ON onset) of patients with ON as first lifetime NMOSD attack. Patients from Argentina (n=48), Ecuador (n=24), Brazil (n=22), Venezuela (n=10) and Mexico (n=8) were included, and further divided into two subgroups according to either presence (P-MRI) or absence (A-MRI) of aONL (T2 hyperintensity and/or contrast enhancement). Clinical, paraclinical, imaging and prognostic data were compared. RESULTS: A total of 112 patients were included and aONL were found in 86 (76.7%) at disease onset. Aquaporin-4 antibodies were detected in 69.6%. Non-Caucasian patients comprised 59.8% of the total cohort. In P-MRI, conventional brain MRI showed isolated or combined unilateral (54.4%, [8.5% of these aONL were associated with chiasmatic lesions]) and bilateral (46.6%, [35.9% of these aONL were associated with chiasmatic lesions]) lesions. Thus, 100% of chiasmatic lesions were associated with unilateral or bilateral lesions. No statistically significant differences were found in age, gender, ethnicity, clinical course, mean follow-up time, disability, and spinal cord MRI findings. However, rituximab use was higher in P-MRI than in A-MRI (p=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: More than three quarters of LATAM patients with first-ever NMOSD-related ON have aONL detected by brain MRI. Unilateral lesions were the most common finding. Further studies including different ethnicities are needed to assess the generalizability of our results.