[Clinical profile and non-recreational methamphetamine abuse (shabu) among stroke patients in the Philippine population]. / Perfil clínico y abuso de metanfetamina no recreativa (shabú) entre los pacientes con ictus en la población filipina.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic non-recreational use of methamphetamine (shabu) is increasing among the Filipino population in Barcelona. The Asian population presents a different stroke pattern, with a higher incidence of haemorrhage, and different vascular risk factors and health behaviours. The objective of this study is to describe the stroke profile and incidence of methamphetamine use in patients of Filipino origin admitted to our centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Demographic data, vascular risk factors, clinical data and prognosis were recorded. Methamphetamine exposure was analysed in plasma samples collected on admission, which were then analysed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Of a total of 6,418 stroke patients, 73 (1.1%) were identified as being of Filipino origin. The mean age was 54.4 ± 12.1 years, 54% were male and the stroke was ischaemic in 64.4% of cases. Arterial hypertension was the main risk factor. Ten (13.7%) patients tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine. These results confirm recent substance use prior to the stroke, mostly in men (80%). In patients who were consumers, 60% had a haemorrhagic stroke, with a poor functional prognosis at three months in 55.6% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: In our setting, patients of Filipino ethnicity admitted for stroke related to the consumption of shabu belonged a younger age bracket, with a lower prevalence of vascular risk factors and a predominance of the haemorrhagic subtype. Methamphetamine testing in Filipino stroke patients is recommended due to the high prevalence of methamphetamine use in our country.

TITLE: Perfil clínico y abuso de metanfetamina no recreativa (shabú) entre los pacientes con ictus en la población filipina.Introducción. En la población filipina de Barcelona está aumentando el consumo crónico no recreativo de metanfetaminas (shabú). La población asiática presenta un patrón de ictus diferente, con mayor incidencia de hemorragias, y diferentes factores de riesgo vascular y conductas de salud. El objetivo es describir el perfil de ictus e incidencia de consumo de metanfetaminas en pacientes de origen filipino ingresados en nuestro centro. Pacientes y métodos. Se registraron datos demográficos, factores de riesgo vascular, datos clínicos y pronóstico. Se analizó la exposición a metanfetamina en muestras de plasma recogidas en el ingreso, que se analizaron por cromatografía líquida-espectrometría de masas. Resultados. Del total de 6.418 pacientes con ictus, se identificó a 73 pacientes filipinos (1,1%). La edad media era de 54,4 ± 12,1 años, el 54% eran hombres y el ictus era isquémico en el 64,4%. La hipertensión arterial fue el principal factor de riesgo. Diez (13,7%) pacientes dieron positivo a metanfetamina y anfetamina. Estos resultados confirman un consumo reciente de sustancias previo al ictus, principalmente en hombres (80%). En pacientes consumidores, un 60% presentaba un ictus hemorrágico, con mal pronóstico funcional a tres meses en el 55,6% de los pacientes. Conclusiones. En nuestro medio, los pacientes de etnia filipina ingresados por ictus en relación con consumo de shabú presentaron un perfil de edad más joven, con menor prevalencia de factores de riesgo vascular y predominio del subtipo hemorrágico. Se recomienda la determinación de metanfetamina en los pacientes filipinos con ictus debido a la alta prevalencia del consumo de metanfetamina en nuestro país.

Perfil clínico y abuso de metanfetamina no recreativa (shabú) entre los pacientes con ictus en la población filipina / Clinical profile and non-recreational methamphetamine abuse (shabu) among stroke patients in the Philippine population

Introducción En la población filipina de Barcelona está aumentando el consumo crónico no recreativo de metanfetaminas (shabú). La población asiática presenta un patrón de ictus diferente, con mayor incidencia de hemorragias, y diferentes factores de riesgo vascular y conductas de salud. El objetivo es describir el perfil de ictus e incidencia de consumo de metanfetaminas en pacientes de origen filipino ingresados en nuestro centro. Pacientes y métodos Se registraron datos demográficos, factores de riesgo vascular, datos clínicos y pronóstico. Se analizó la exposición a metanfetamina en muestras de plasma recogidas en el ingreso, que se analizaron por cromatografía líquida-espectrometría de masas. Resultados Del total de 6.418 pacientes con ictus, se identificó a 73 pacientes filipinos (1,1%). La edad media era de 54,4 ± 12,1 años, el 54% eran hombres y el ictus era isquémico en el 64,4%. La hipertensión arterial fue el principal factor de riesgo. Diez (13,7%) pacientes dieron positivo a metanfetamina y anfetamina. Estos resultados confirman un consumo reciente de sustancias previo al ictus, principalmente en hombres (80%). En pacientes consumidores, un 60% presentaba un ictus hemorrágico, con mal pronóstico funcional a tres meses en el 55,6% de los pacientes. Conclusiones En nuestro medio, los pacientes de etnia filipina ingresados por ictus en relación con consumo de shabú presentaron un perfil de edad más joven, con menor prevalencia de factores de riesgo vascular y predominio del subtipo hemorrágico. Se recomienda la determinación de metanfetamina en los pacientes filipinos con ictus debido a la alta prevalencia del consumo de metanfetamina en nuestro país. (AU)

INTRODUCTION Chronic non-recreational use of methamphetamine (shabú) is increasing among the Filipino population in Barcelona. The Asian population presents a different stroke pattern, with a higher incidence of haemorrhage, and different vascular risk factors and health behaviours. The objective of this study is to describe the stroke profile and incidence of methamphetamine use in patients of Filipino origin admitted to our centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS Demographic data, vascular risk factors, clinical data and prognosis were recorded. Methamphetamine exposure was analysed in plasma samples collected on admission, which were then analysed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS Of a total of 6,418 stroke patients, 73 (1.1%) were identified as being of Filipino origin. The mean age was 54.4 ± 12.1 years, 54% were male and the stroke was ischaemic in 64.4% of cases. Arterial hypertension was the main risk factor. Ten (13.7%) patients tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine. These results confirm recent substance use prior to the stroke, mostly in men (80%). In patients who were consumers, 60% had a haemorrhagic stroke, with a poor functional prognosis at three months in 55.6% of patients. CONCLUSIONS In our setting, patients of Filipino ethnicity admitted for stroke related to the consumption of shabú belonged a younger age bracket, with a lower prevalence of vascular risk factors and a predominance of the haemorrhagic subtype. Methamphetamine testing in Filipino stroke patients is recommended due to the high prevalence of methamphetamine use in our country. (AU)

Estudio descriptivo de los stroke mimics después de un estudio neurovascular completo / Description of stroke mimics after complete neurovascular assessment

Introducción: Un porcentaje de casos diagnosticados inicialmente como infartos isquémicos son de causa no cerebrovascular o stroke mimics (SM). Los datos publicados al respecto son heterogéneos y, generalmente, con cohortes pequeñas. Objetivo: Nuestro objetivo es establecer qué enfermedades cursan como SM, definir sus características epidemiológicas y clínicas e identificar el porcentaje de casos tratados con fibrinólisis. Métodos: Registro prospectivo de los eventos considerados cerebrovasculares desde junio del 2005 a abril del 2015, analizando datos demográficos, factores de riesgo cardiovascular, activación de Código Ictus e ingreso, severidad (NIHSS), destino al alta, morbilidad (mRS) y tratamiento recibido. Se han comparado los ictus isquémicos con los SM. Se excluyeron las hemorragias intracraneales, subaracnoideas y las causas de SM detectables en la TC inicial. Resultados: Sobre 4.570 casos, 404 (8,8%) son SM. Los pacientes con SM son más jóvenes (70,3 vs. 74 años, p < 0,0001), tienen menos factores de riesgo cardiovascular y fibrilación auricular (13 vs. 34%, p < 0,0001), una menor puntuación en NIHSS (2 vs. 4, p < 0,0001) y menos afasia (9,4 vs. 19,6%, p < 0,02) y disfagia (1,2 vs. 17%, p < 0,0001). En los SM se activan menos códigos ictus (28 vs. 40%, p < 0,0001) y requieren menos días de ingreso (4,9 vs. 7,8; p<0,0001) y menos ingresos en la unidad de ictus (47 vs. 60%, p < 0,0001). Los SM son dados de alta a domicilio con mayor frecuencia (95 vs. 62%, p < 0,0001) y con menor discapacidad (mRS 0-2; 76 vs. 54%, p < 0,0001). Un 4,7% de los SM recibieron fibrinólisis. La primera causa de SM fueron las crisis epilépticas (26%). Conclusiones: Los SM supusieron el 8,8% de los ingresos con diagnóstico inicial de ictus isquémico. Los SM tienen características demográficas, clínicas y pronósticas diferentes, siendo la epilepsia la etiología más frecuente. Pese a recibir atención urgente especializada, 19 pacientes (4,7%) fueron trataron con fibrinólisis

Introduction: A considerable percentage of events initially diagnosed as ischaemic stroke have non-cerebrovascular causes; these are called stroke mimics (SM). Currently available evidence about these events is heterogeneous and comes from studies with small samples. Objective:The purpose of our study is to identify conditions that may present as SM, define their epidemiological and clinical characteristics, and determine the percentage of cases of SM treated with intravenous fibrinolysis. Methods: Prospective study including all patients admitted to a tertiary university hospital between June 2005 and April 2015 with a diagnosis of acute stroke. We analysed demographic data, cardiovascular risk factors, time from code stroke activation to admission, stroke severity (NIHSS), final destination after discharge, degree of disability (mRS), and treatment. We compared SM and ischaemic strokes. We ruled out patients with intracranial haemorrhage, subarachnoid haemorrhage, or other causes of SM that may be detected on the baseline CT scan. Results: Four hundred four of the 4,570 included patients (8.8%) were found to have SM. Patients with SM were younger (70.3 vs. 74, P <. 0001), less likely to exhibit cardiovascular risk factors and atrial fibrillation (13 vs. 34%, P < .0001), scored lower on the NIHSS at baseline (2 vs. 4, P<.0001), and included fewer cases of aphasia (9.4 vs. 19.6%, P < .02) and dysphagia (1.2 vs. 17%, P < .0001) than patients with stroke. SM caused fewer code stroke activations (28 vs. 40%, P < .0001). Patients with SM required shorter hospital stays (4.9 vs. 7.8 days, P < .0001), were less frequently admitted to the stroke unit (47 vs. 60%, P < .0001) and more frequently discharged home (95 vs. 62%, P < .0001), and had better outcomes (mRS scores 0-2; 76 vs. 54%, P <. 0001). Intravenous fibrinolysis was administered to 4.7% of these patients. Epileptic seizures were the most frequent cause of SM (26%). Conclusions: In our sample, 8.8% of all diagnoses of ischaemic stroke were SM. These events have different demographic, clinical, and prognostic characteristics; epilepsy is the most common aetiology. Despite receiving specialised emergency care, 19 patients with SM (4.7%) were treated with intravenous fibrinolysis

Description of stroke mimics after complete neurovascular assessment. / Estudio descriptivo de los stroke mimics después de un estudio neurovascular completo.

INTRODUCTION: A considerable percentage of events initially diagnosed as ischaemic stroke have non-cerebrovascular causes; these are called stroke mimics (SM). Currently available evidence about these events is heterogeneous and comes from studies with small samples. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study is to identify conditions that may present as SM, define their epidemiological and clinical characteristics, and determine the percentage of cases of SM treated with intravenous fibrinolysis. METHODS: Prospective study including all patients admitted to a tertiary university hospital between June 2005 and April 2015 with a diagnosis of acute stroke. We analysed demographic data, cardiovascular risk factors, time from code stroke activation to admission, stroke severity (NIHSS), final destination after discharge, degree of disability (mRS), and treatment. We compared SM and ischaemic strokes. We ruled out patients with intracranial haemorrhage, subarachnoid haemorrhage, or other causes of SM that may be detected on the baseline CT scan. RESULTS: Four hundred four of the 4,570 included patients (8.8%) were found to have SM. Patients with SM were younger (70.3 vs. 74, P<.0001), less likely to exhibit cardiovascular risk factors and atrial fibrillation (13 vs. 34%, P<.0001), scored lower on the NIHSS at baseline (2 vs. 4, P<.0001), and included fewer cases of aphasia (9.4 vs. 19.6%, P<.02) and dysphagia (1.2 vs. 17%, P<.0001) than patients with stroke. SM caused fewer code stroke activations (28 vs. 40%, P<.0001). Patients with SM required shorter hospital stays (4.9 vs. 7.8 days, P<.0001), were less frequently admitted to the stroke unit (47 vs. 60%, P<.0001) and more frequently discharged home (95 vs. 62%, P<.0001), and had better outcomes (mRS scores 0-2; 76 vs. 54%, P<.0001). Intravenous fibrinolysis was administered to 4.7% of these patients. Epileptic seizures were the most frequent cause of SM (26%). CONCLUSIONS: In our sample, 8.8% of all diagnoses of ischaemic stroke were SM. These events have different demographic, clinical, and prognostic characteristics; epilepsy is the most common aetiology. Despite receiving specialised emergency care, 19 patients with SM (4.7%) were treated with intravenous fibrinolysis.

¿Qué factores infl uyen en la predisposición terapéutica ante tratamientos de efi cacia demostrada pero discreta? El caso de la revascularización en la estenosis carotídea grave asintomática / Factors infl uencing the physician disposition to treat with a therapy with proven but low effi cacy: The case of endarterectomy for severe asymptomatic carotid stenosis

Objetivo. Considerar como “clínicamente relevante” una terapéutica de efi cacia demostradapero —cuantitativamente— discreta puede depender, en la práctica, de factores raramenteanalizados. Se evaluó la predisposición a tratar (PT) ante un escenario teórico y “ciego” basadoen los riesgos/benefi cios de la endarterectomía en estenosis carotídeas graves asintomáticas.Sujetos y métodos. Sujetos: 100 médicos escogidos aleatoriamente de un hospital universitario(edad media: 34,6 años, 48 % varones, 54 % staff, 63 % especialidades médicas). Mediciones:cuestionario multidisciplinar estructurado, evaluando (escala visual analógica [EVA]) la infl uenciade características propias del paciente, del tratamiento o del profesional sobre la PT.Resultados. Se observó una relación lineal entre PT y menor edad del paciente (p < 0,001), menoragresividad del tratamiento (p < 0,001) y mayor soporte empírico (p < 0,001), sin apreciarsediferencias signifi cativas entre especialistas médicos y quirúrgicos. El estatus de staff y el sexomasculino se correlacionaron con los niveles más altos de PT a cualquier edad del paciente(staff + varones, p = 0,05) o agresividad terapéutica (staff, p = 0,01; varones, p = 0,025). Asimismo,infl uyeron signifi cativamente sobre la PT: a) terapéuticas con interés docente en residentes(p = 0,04); b) experiencia previa del equipo en staff (p = 0,018); c) interés científi co-técnico deltratamiento en especialistas médicos (p = 0,041); y, marginalmente, el grado de comprensión delpaciente (p = 0,061) y su catalogación como VIP (p = 0,065)(AU)

Conclusiones. La discreta rentabilidad de determinados tratamientos, como la revascularizacióncarotídea en estenosis asintomáticas, tiende a favorecer que emerjan factores contingentes enla decisión que, probablemente, serían poco relevantes en terapéuticas con un benefi cio másmarcado. La identifi cación de subgrupos de pacientes con mayor benefi cio terapéutico limitaría,con toda seguridad, la infl uencia de estos imponderables(AU)

Factors influencing the physician disposition to treat with a therapy with proven butlow effi cacy: The case of endarterectomy for severe asymptomatic carotid stenosisAbstractObjective. Considering as “clinically relevant” a therapy with proven albeit low —quantitatively—effi cacy may depend, in practice, on atypical factors. This study evaluated the predisposition totreat (PT) in a theoretical and “blind” scenario based on the benefi ts and risks associated withendarterectomy in severe asymptomatic carotid stenosis.Participants and measurements. Participants: 100 physicians randomly selected from a teachinghospital (mean age: 34.6 years, 48 % male, 54 % staff, 63 % non-surgical speciality). Measurements:structured multidisciplinary survey, based on the aforementioned scenario, evaluating (VisualAnalogic Scale) the infl uence of patient, treatment or professional characteristics on PT.Results. Linear relationships between PT and younger age of patient (p < 0.001), lower treatmentinvasiveness (p < 0.001) and higher empirical support (p < 0.001) were observed. No statisticallysignifi cant differences were observed between non-surgical and surgical specialists. Staff andmale physicians showed higher PT levels at any patient age (staff + male, p < 0.05) and treatmentinvasiveness (staff, p < 0.01; male, p < 0.025). PT levels were also infl uenced by: a) residentsfavouring treatments with higher teaching interest (p < 0.04); b) staff promoting treatmentsaccording to their personal experience (p < 0.018); c) non-surgical specialists favouringtreatments with scientifi c-technical interest (p < 0.041). The level of patient comprehension(p < 0.061) and VIPs (p < 0.065) marginally infl uenced PT(AU)

Conclusions. The proven but low effi cacy of some treatments, such as carotid endarterectomyfor severe asymptomatic stenosis, seems to be due to contingent factors infl uencing the fi naldecision to treat. The identifi cation of subgroups of patients with higher therapeutic benefi twould probably decrease the importance of those factors in clinical decision-making(AU)

[Cerebral haemorrhage in patients treated with oral anticoagulation]. / Hemorragia cerebral en pacientes en tratamiento con anticoagulantes orales.

INTRODUCTION: Intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) during dicumarinic treatment is a complication related to anticoagulation intensity with a high level of mortality. The aim of our study is to analize etiology, location and outcome of intracerebral haemorrhages related with anticoagulant therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over 401 spontaneous intracranial haemorrhages consecutively admitted in the neurological ward, we analyzed the acenocumarol ICH by location, anticoagulation range and factors that conditioned the outcome. RESULTS: We identified 26 patients, 6.5% of total ICH. Mean age was 75.2 +/- 7.9 years-old, over the rest of ICH. International Normalized Ratio (INR) was less than 2 in 10 patients, between 2 and 3 in six and greater than 3 in ten patients. 8 patients (31%) died, three of them had multiple ICH, but none of them had a INR greater than 2. Dicumarinic haemorrhages were of lobar location in 14 cases (three of them multiples) and deep in 12 cases. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, dicumarinic ICH are responsible of 6.5% total intracranial haemorrhages and they are not in clear relation with excessive anticoagulation. Mortality is slightly greater than the other ICH. Relatively benignity of these patients, the age and lobar location suggest that the etiology of these haemorrhages can be related to a subjacent amyloid angiopathy.

Hemorragia cerebral en pacientes en tratamiento con anticoagulantes orales / Cerebral haemorrhage in patients treated with oral anticoagulation

Introducción. Se considera que la hemorragia cerebral (HIC) en pacientes en tratamiento con dicumarínicos (acenocumarol) es una complicación relacionada con el grado de anticoagulación y que comporta una alta mortalidad. El objetivo del estudio es analizar la etiopatogenia, topografía y pronóstico de las HIC por anticoagulantes orales. Pacientes y métodos. Sobre 401 HIC espontáneas ingresadas consecutivamente en nuestra unidad se han analizado las HIC en pacientes en tratamiento con acenocumarol en cuanto a localización, intervalo de anticoagulación y factores que condicionan el pronóstico. Resultados. Se han identificado 26 pacientes, un 6,5% del total de HIC. La edad media fue de 75,2 ± 7,9 años, superior al resto de HIC. El INR (International Normalized Ratio) fue inferior a 2 en 10 pacientes, entre 2-3 en seis y mayor de 3 en 10. Ocho pacientes (31%) fallecieron, tres presentaban HIC múltiples, pero ninguno tenía un INR superior a 2. Las HIC por dicumarínicos fueron lobares en 14 casos (en tres múltiples) y profundas en 12 casos. Conclusiones. En nuestro estudio las HIC por acenocumarol fueron responsables del 6,5% del total de HIC y no se relacionaron claramente con una anticoagulación excesiva. La mortalidad de las HIC por anticoagulantes orales es levemente superior al del resto de las HIC. La relativa benignidad de estos pacientes, junto con la edad y la localización lobar, sugieren que la etiología de estas hemorragias pueda estar relacionada con una angiopatía amiloide cerebral subyacente

Introduction. Intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) during dicumarinic treatment is a complication related to anticoagulation intensity with a high level of mortality. The aim of our study is to analize etiology, location and outcome of intracerebral haemorrhages related with anticoagulant therapy. Patients and methods. Over 401 spontaneous intracranial haemorrhages consecutively admitted in the neurological ward, we analyzed the acenocumarol ICH by location, anticoagulation range and factors that conditioned the outcome. Results. We identified 26 patients, 6.5% of total ICH. Mean age was 75.2 ±7.9 years-old, over the rest of ICH. International Normalized Ratio (INR) was less than 2 in 10 patients, between 2 and 3 in six and greater than 3 in ten patients. 8 patients (31%) died, three of them had multiple ICH, but none of them had a INR greater than 2. Dicumarinic haemorrhages were of lobar location in 14 cases (three of them multiples) and deep in 12 cases. Conclusions. In our study, dicumarinic ICH are responsible of 6.5% total intracranial haemorrhages and they are not in clear relation with excessive anticoagulation. Mortality is slightly greater than the other ICH. Relatively benignity of these patients, the age and lobar location suggest that the etiology of these haemorrhages can be related to a subjacent amyloid angiopathy