Guía oficial de la Sociedad Española de Neurología de práctica clínica en epilepsia / The Spanish Neurological Society official clinical practice guidelines in epilepsy

Las anteriores Guías oficiales de práctica clínica en epilepsia elaboradas por el Grupo de Estudio de Epilepsia de la Sociedad Española de Neurología (GE-SEN) estaban basadas en la opinión de expertos. La actual Guía de práctica clínica (GPC) en epilepsia se basa en el método científico que extrae recomendaciones a partir de evidencias científicas constatadas. Su principal función es disminuir la variabilidad de la práctica clínica a través de la homogeneización de la práctica médica. Alcance y objetivos: Esta GPC se centra en la atención integral de personas afectadas por una epilepsia, como síntoma principal y predominante, independiente de la edad de inicio y ámbito asistencial. Metodología: 1) Constitución del grupo de trabajo integrado por neurólogos del GE-SEN, con la colaboración de neuropediatras, neurofisiólogos y neurorradiólogos; 2) determinación de los aspectos clínicos a cubrir: diagnóstico, pronóstico y tratamiento; 3) búsqueda y selección de la evidencia científica relevante; 4) formulación de recomendaciones basadas en la clasificación de las evidencias científicas disponibles. Resultados: Contienen 192 recomendaciones. El 57% son de consenso entre autores y editores, como consecuencia del desconocimiento en muchos campos de esta patología. Conclusiones: Esta GPC, en epilepsia, con una metodología formal y rigurosa en la búsqueda de evidencias explícitas donde ha sido posible, formula recomendaciones extraídas de las mismas. En este artículo incluimos el capítulo de la GPC dedicado a situaciones de urgencia en crisis epilépticas y epilepsia, que pueden presentarse como una primera crisis epiléptica, una evolución desfavorable en un paciente con una epilepsia conocida o en su forma más grave como un estado epiléptico

Previous Official Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) in Epilepsy were based on expert opinions and developed by the Epilepsy Study Group of the Spanish Neurological Society (GE-SEN). The current CPG in epilepsy is based on the scientific method, which extracts recommendations from published scientific evidence. A reduction in the variability in clinical practice through standardization of medical practice has become its main function. Scope and objectives: This CPG is focused on comprehensive care for individuals affected by epilepsy as a primary and predominant symptom, regardless of the age of onset and medical policy. Methodology: 1. Creation of GE-SEN neurologists working group, in collaboration with Neuropediatricians, Neurophysiologists and Neuroradiologists. 2. Identification of clinical areas to be covered: diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. 3. Search and selection of the relevant scientific evidence. 4. Formulation of recommendations based on the classification of the available scientific evidence. Results: It contains 161 recommendations of which 57% are consensus between authors and publishers, due to an important lack of awareness in many fields of this pathology. Conclusions: This Epilepsy CPG formulates recommendations based on explicit scientific evidence as a result of a formal and rigorous methodology, according to the current knowledge in the pre-selected areas. This paper includes the CPG chapter dedicated to emergency situations in seizures and epilepsy, which may present as a first seizure, an unfavorable outcome in a patient with known epilepsy, or status epilepticus as the most severe manifestation

The Spanish Neurological Society official clinical practice guidelines in epilepsy.

Previous Official Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) in Epilepsy were based on expert opinions and developed by the Epilepsy Study Group of the Spanish Neurological Society (GE-SEN). The current CPG in epilepsy is based on the scientific method, which extracts recommendations from published scientific evidence. A reduction in the variability in clinical practice through standardization of medical practice has become its main function. SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES: This CPG is focused on comprehensive care for individuals affected by epilepsy as a primary and predominant symptom, regardless of the age of onset and medical policy. METHODOLOGY: 1. Creation of GE-SEN neurologists working group, in collaboration with Neuropediatricians, Neurophysiologists and Neuroradiologists. 2. Identification of clinical areas to be covered: diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. 3. Search and selection of the relevant scientific evidence. 4. Formulation of recommendations based on the classification of the available scientific evidence. RESULTS: It contains 161 recommendations of which 57% are consensus between authors and publishers, due to an important lack of awareness in many fields of this pathology. CONCLUSIONS: This Epilepsy CPG formulates recommendations based on explicit scientific evidence as a result of a formal and rigorous methodology, according to the current knowledge in the pre-selected areas. This paper includes the CPG chapter dedicated to emergency situations in seizures and epilepsy, which may present as a first seizure, an unfavorable outcome in a patient with known epilepsy, or status epilepticus as the most severe manifestation.

Validación en castellano de un cuestionario breve útil para cribado epidemiológico de epilepsia en España: Cuestionario EPIBERIA / Validation of a short useful questionnaire in Spanish for the epidemiological screening of epilepsy in Spain. EPIBERIA Questionnaire

Introducción: Existe una importante laguna de conocimiento sobre la epidemiología de la epilepsia en los países de la cuenca mediterránea. El grupo EPIBERIA nace con el objetivo de promocionar la realización de estudios epidemiológicos en este ámbito, capaces de paliar esta situación. El presente trabajo aborda la validación de un cuestionario breve de cribado de pacientes con epilepsia en población general. Métodos: Se seleccionó un cuestionario de origen anglosajón validado en inglés por el grupo de Ottman. Fue traducido, modificado para adaptarlo a las características de la población española y administrado a una muestra de 200 pacientes (93 epilépticos y 107 controles no epilépticos), extraídos de manera consecutiva de 5 unidades de epilepsia dispersas por España. Ambos grupos fueron homogéneos en variables demográficas y el grupo de control fue representativo de la población general. Se realizó una estimación de la sensibilidad (S), la especificidad (E), los valores predictivos positivos (VPP) y los valores predictivos negativos (VPN) para cuatro diferentes criterios de corrección del cuestionario. Resultados: Se obtuvieron una sensibilidad del 100% y una especificidad del 74,77% para el criterio menos riguroso y una sensibilidad del 94,62% y una especificidad del 99,07% para el criterio más estricto de corrección del cuestionario. Los VPP variaron entre el 7,48% en el primer supuesto y el 69,49% en el segundo, asumiendo una prevalencia pretest para la epilepsia del 2%. Conclusiones: El cuestionario EPIBERIA es un instrumento válido como cuestionario de cribado de epilepsia en la población general en castellano en España(AU)

Introduction: There is a major gap in knowledge about the epidemiology of epilepsy in Mediterranean countries. The EPIBERIA group was formed with the aim of promoting the conducting of epidemiological studies in this area in order to improve this situation. This paper deals with the validation of a brief questionnaire for screening of patients with epilepsy in general population. Methods: We selected an English language questionnaire previously validated by the Ottman group. It was translated, modified to suit the characteristics of the Spanish population, and administered to a sample of 200 patients (93 epileptics and 107 non-epileptic patient controls) sampled consecutively from 5 Epilepsy Units scattered throughout Spain. Both groups were homogeneous in demographic variables, and the control group was representative of the general population. Results: We obtained a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 74.77% for the less rigorous correction criteria of the questionnaire, with a sensitivity of 94.62% and a specificity of 99.07% for the most stringent ones. The positive predictive values (PPVs) ranged from 7.48% for the first case to 69.49% in the second, assuming a prevalence for epilepsy of 2%. Conclusions: The questionnaire EPIBERIA is a valid Spanish tool for epilepsy screening of epilepsy in the general population in Spain(AU)

Validation of a short useful questionnaire in Spanish for the epidemiological screening of epilepsy in Spain. EPIBERIA Questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION: There is a major gap in knowledge about the epidemiology of epilepsy in Mediterranean countries. The EPIBERIA group was formed with the aim of promoting the conducting of epidemiological studies in this region in order to improve this situation. This paper deals with the validation of a brief questionnaire for screening patients with epilepsy in the general population. METHODS: We selected an English-language questionnaire previously validated by the Ottman group. It was translated, modified to suit the characteristics of the Spanish population, and administered to a sample of 200 patients (93 epileptics and 107 non-epileptic patient controls) sampled consecutively from 5 epilepsy units in different cities in Spain. Both groups were homogeneous in demographic variables and the control group was representative of the general population. RESULTS: We obtained a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 74.77% for the least rigorous correction model for the questionnaire, with a sensitivity of 94.62% and a specificity of 99.07% for the most stringent correction model. The PPV ranged from 7.48% for the first case to 69.49% in the second, assuming an epilepsy prevalence of 2%. CONCLUSIONS: The questionnaire EPIBERIA is a valid Spanish tool for epilepsy screening in the general population in Spain.

Epilepsia resistente a fármacos antiepilépticos: recomendaciones de actuación diagnóstica y terapéutica en España / Drug-resistant epilepsy: current recommendations for diagnosis and treatment in Spain

Introducción: La epilepsia resistente a fármacos antiepilépticos (ERF) constituye un problemasocio-sanitario de primer nivel, que debe ser individualizado precozmente por sus dramáticas repercusiones individuales y colectivas.Desarrollo: Recientemente, la Liga Internacional Contra la Epilepsia ha definido la ERF como aquella en la que no se controlen las crisis tras haber tomado de forma adecuada dos fármacos antiepilépticos apropiados y bien tolerados, entendiendo como falta de control la aparición de crisis en un año o en un tiempo inferior a tres veces el intervalo entre crisis que mostraba antesde iniciar el tratamiento. Esta sociedad internacional recomienda en todo paciente con ERF una evaluación rápida y detallada en una unidad de epilepsia. Se entiende como Unidad Clínica de Epilepsia (UCE) el conjunto de profesionales que actuando en colaboración tienen como objetivo primario el diagnóstico y tratamiento del paciente con epilepsia. Las UCE en España pueden ser estratificadas en distintos niveles, dependiendo de la actividad que se desarrolle en cada una de ellas. La consulta específica de epilepsia se considera como el germen de toda UCE, siendo necesaria la figura del experto en epilepsia. En las UCE médicas se realiza la monitorización vídeo-EEG prolongada. En las UCE médico-quirúrgicas además se realiza cirugía de epilepsia de dificultad diversa. Conclusiones: Todas las UCE deben cooperar con protocolos consensuados, debiendo existir un flujo bidireccional entre ellas. La estratificación de las UCE permite una alta eficacia y eficiencia, debiendo existir el suficiente número que garantice el fácil acceso de todos los pacientes con epilepsia (AU)

Introduction: Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) is a top-priority social health problem which requires early individual treatment due to its dramatic repercussions for the patient and society. Development: The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) has recently defined DRE as that in which the seizures are not controlled after having correctly taken two appropriate and well tolerated anti-epileptic drugs, with lack of control being understood as the appearance of seizures within one year or in a period less than three times the inter-seizure interval before starting treatment. This International Society recommends a rapid and detailed assessment of all patients in an Epilepsy Unit. A Clinical Epilepsy Unit (CEU) is understood as a group of professionals who, acting in collaboration, have the diagnosis and treatment of the patient with epilepsy as their primary objective. CEUs in Spain may be stratified into different levels depending on the activity carried out in each of them. The specific epilepsy clinic is considered the fundamental type of CEU and includes the necessary figure of an expert in epilepsy. Prolonged video-monitoring is performed in medical CEUs. In medical-surgical CEUs epilepsy surgery with varying degrees of difficulty is also performed. Conclusions: All CEUs must cooperate with consensus protocols, and there must be a two-way flow between them. Stratification of CEUs increases efficacy and efficiency, due to there being a sufficient number of them to ensure easy access by all patients with epilepsy (AU)

Consenso de las Recomendaciones de Actuación diagnóstica y Terapéutica sobre Epilepsia resistente a fármacos antiepilépticos en España (Consenso RATE-España) / Consensus-recommended diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for drug-resistant epilepsy in Spain (Consenso RATE-España)

Objetivo: Conocer la opinión de un colectivo de expertos en epilepsia y elaborar un consenso sobre la definición de epilepsia resistente a fármacos (ERF) según la Liga Internacional Contra la Epilepsia (ILAE) y los distintos niveles asistenciales al paciente con ERF en España. Material y métodos: El estudio fue realizado utilizando el método Delphi, mediante dos rondas sucesivas de cuestionarios. Un comité científico confeccionó un documento preliminar y catorce preguntas relacionadas y fueron remitidos por correo electrónico al panel de expertos. Se incluían ítems relacionados con el concepto de ERF, niveles asistenciales e itinerario entre dichos niveles de los pacientes con ERF. Resultados:Contestaron el cuestionario 41 expertos. Se alcanzó acuerdo sobre la necesidad y aplicabilidad de la definición de ERF según la ILAE, necesidad de la existencia del experto en epilepsia, consulta específica de epilepsia y unidades clínicas de epilepsia con diversa estratificación, según la graduación de actividades que se realicen. Existió moderado consenso con la dotación y actividad de las unidades clínicas de referencia y no hubo consenso sobre la remisión de pacientes que han presentado una crisis epiléptica a una consulta de epilepsia. Conclusiones: El panel de expertos estuvo de acuerdo con la definición de ERF según la ILAE y en remitir a todo paciente con ERF a un estudio pormenorizado a una consulta de epilepsia o unidad clínica de epilepsia. Se resalta la necesidad de la monitorización vídeo-EEG en el estudio del paciente con ERF y el proponer otras formas terapéuticas en pacientes seleccionados (AU)

Objective: To ascertain the opinions of an Epilepsy Expert Group and prepare a consensus document on the definition of drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) according to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and the different healthcare levels for the patient with epilepsy in Spain. Material y methods: The study was conducted using the Delphi method, by means of successive rounds of questionnaires. A scientific committee prepared a preliminary document and fourteen associated questions, which were sent by e-mail to the panel of experts. They included items related to the concept of DRE, health care levels and the route between these levels for patients with DRE. Results: A total of 41 experts answered the questionnaire. They agreed regarding the necessity and applicability of the DRE definition according to the ILAE, the need for an expert panel on epilepsy, specialist epilepsy clinics, and clinical epilepsy units stratified depending on the level of activities they carried out. There was moderate consensus on the resources and activity of the clinical units of reference and there was no consensus on the referral of patients who have suffered an epileptic seizure to an epilepsy clinic. Conclusions: The expert panel agreed with the definition of DRE according to the ILAE and on referring patients with DRE for a detailed study in an epilepsy clinic or epilepsy clinical unit. They highlighted the need for video-EEG monitoring in the study of patients with DRE and the need to propose other forms of treatment in selected patients (AU)

Drug-resistant epilepsy: current recommendations for diagnosis and treatment in Spain.

INTRODUCTION: Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) is a top-priority social health problem which requires early individual treatment due to its dramatic repercussions for the patient and society. DEVELOPMENT: The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) has recently defined DRE as that in which the seizures are not controlled after having correctly taken two appropriate and well tolerated anti-epileptic drugs, with lack of control being understood as the appearance of seizures within one year or in a period less than three times the inter-seizure interval before starting treatment. This International Society recommends a rapid and detailed assessment of all patients in an Epilepsy Unit. A Clinical Epilepsy Unit (CEU) is understood as a group of professionals who, acting in collaboration, have the diagnosis and treatment of the patient with epilepsy as their primary objective. CEUs in Spain may be stratified into different levels depending on the activity carried out in each of them. The specific epilepsy clinic is considered the fundamental type of CEU and includes the necessary figure of an expert in epilepsy. Prolonged video-monitoring is performed in medical CEUs. In medical-surgical CEUs epilepsy surgery with varying degrees of difficulty is also performed. CONCLUSIONS: All CEUs must cooperate with consensus protocols, and there must be a two-way flow between them. Stratification of CEUs increases efficacy and efficiency, due to there being a sufficient number of them to ensure easy access by all patients with epilepsy.

Consensus-recommended diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for drug-resistant epilepsy in Spain (Consenso RATE-España).

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the opinions of an Epilepsy Expert Group and prepare a consensus document on the definition of drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) according to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and the different healthcare levels for the patient with epilepsy in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted using the Delphi method, by means of successive rounds of questionnaires. A scientific committee prepared a preliminary document and fourteen associated questions, which were sent by e-mail to the panel of experts. They included items related to the concept of DRE, health care levels and the route between these levels for patients with DRE. RESULTS: A total of 41 experts answered the questionnaire. They agreed regarding the necessity and applicability of the DRE definition according to the ILAE, the need for an expert panel on epilepsy, specialist epilepsy clinics, and clinical epilepsy units stratified depending on the level of activities they carried out. There was moderate consensus on the resources and activity of the clinical units of reference and there was no consensus on the referral of patients who have suffered an epileptic seizure to an epilepsy clinic. CONCLUSIONS: The expert panel agreed with the definition of DRE according to the ILAE and on referring patients with DRE for a detailed study in an epilepsy clinic or epilepsy clinical unit. They highlighted the need for video-EEG monitoring in the study of patients with DRE and the need to propose other forms of treatment in selected patients.

[Drug regimens in patients with medication-resistant epilepsy in neurology and epilepsy outpatient departments in Spain]. / Pautas terapéuticas en el paciente con epilepsia farmacorresistente en consultas ambulatorias de neurología y epilepsia en España.

INTRODUCTION: About 30% of epileptic patients suffer from drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Quality of life is worse and costs are higher than in controlled epilepsy. One of the aims of the LINCE study was to assess the prevalence of DRE in epilepsy-specialized and general neurology clinics in Spain and the clinical management of these patients in routine clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional, retrospective study to evaluate clinical prevalence and cost of DRE in Spain. Every participant neurologist assessed the percentage of DRE among the first 40 patients with diagnosed epilepsy seen. Patients of both sexes, older than 18 years were recruited. Their treatment before and after DRE diagnosis was analyzed. RESULTS: DRE prevalence in Spain is 22.7% (36% in epilepsy-specialized and 18.5% in neurology clinics; p < 0.0001), with no differences between genders. More than 50% of these patients have hardly achieved a secondary education and only 44% are employed. The most frequent drugs used after DRE diagnosis are lamotrigine (33.5%), levetiracetam (32.4%), carbamazepine (31.9%) and topiramate (25.8%) in various combinations, but the highest efficacy (equal or more than 50% seizures reduction) is obtained with pregabaline (53.1%), oxcarbazepine (50.6%) and levetiracetam (49.5%) and topiramate (48%). CONCLUSIONS: 22.7% of epileptic outpatients in Spain are diagnosed with DRE in clinics of neurology. These will require certain social interventions and greater use of health resources, including treatment with more appropriate AEDs. Pregabaline, oxcarbazepine, levetiracetam and topiramate are among the most effective AEDs in this type of patients.

[Methods for diagnosing seronegative myasthenia gravis]. / Métodos diagnósticos de la miastenia grave seronegativa.

INTRODUCTION: A peculiar feature of seronegative myasthenia gravis is that it presents negative acetylcholine-receptor antibodies; determination of muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibodies defines a subgroup of patients with generalised myasthenia gravis with certain clinical and neurophysiological peculiarities. DEVELOPMENT: Its diagnosis requires the presence of weakness with fatigability, determination of positive anti-MuSK antibodies and alterations in neurophysiological testing of the neuromuscular junction. It is usually more serious and has a poorer prognosis than the seropositive forms, develops in an acute or subacute manner, and the neurological deficit predominates in the facial, bulbar and respiratory muscles. CONCLUSIONS: Titration of the anti-MuSK antibodies and conducting neurophysiological tests, especially jitter assessment using single-fibre electromyography in clinically deficient muscles, are not only necessary for an early diagnosis of these clinical forms, but also so as to be able to carry out an objective evaluation of the clinical progression and response to treatment.

Métodos diagnósticos de la miastenia grave seronegativa / Methods for diagnosing seronegative myasthenia gravis

La miastenia grave generalizada seronegativa tiene la peculiaridad de presentar anticuerpos contrael receptor de la acetilcolina negativos; sin embargo, la determinación de anticuerpos contra el receptor de tirosincinasa muscular específica (MuSK) define un subgrupo de pacientes con miastenia grave generalizada con peculiaridades desde un punto de vista clínico y neurofisiológico. Desarrollo. Para su diagnóstico, es necesaria la presencia de debilidad con fatiga,determinación de anticuerpos anti-MuSK positivos y pruebas neurofisiológicas de placa neuromuscular alteradas. Suele ser clínicamente más grave y con peor pronóstico que las formas seropositivas, cursa de forma aguda o subaguda y el déficit neurológicopredomina en la musculatura facial, bulbar y respiratoria. Conclusión. La titulación de los anticuerpos anti-MuSK y la realización de pruebas neurofisiológicas, especialmente la valoración del jitter con electromiografía de fibra simple enmúsculos clínicamente deficitarios, no sólo son necesarias para el diagnóstico precoz de estas formas clínicas, sino también para valorar de forma objetiva la evolución clínica y la respuesta al tratamiento

A peculiar feature of seronegative myasthenia gravis is that it presents negative acetylcholine-receptorantibodies; determination of muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibodies defines a subgroup of patients with generalised myasthenia gravis with certain clinical and neurophysiological peculiarities. Development. Its diagnosis requires the presence of weakness with fatigability, determination of positive anti-MuSK antibodies and alterations in neurophysiological testing of the neuromuscular junction. It is usually more serious and has a poorer prognosis than the seropositive forms, develops in an acute or subacute manner, and the neurological deficit predominates in the facial, bulbar and respiratory muscles. Conclusions. Titration of the anti-MuSK antibodies and conducting neurophysiological tests, especially jitter assessment using single-fibre electromyography in clinically deficient muscles, are not only necessary for an early diagnosis of these clinical forms, but also so as to be able to carry out an objective evaluation of the clinical progression and response to treatment

[Pregabalin. A new treatment for neuropathic pain]. / Pregabalina. Un nuevo tratamiento para el dolor neuropático.

Neuropathic pain is a condition affecting a significant proportion of the world's population. Many therapeutic drugs have been used. They achieve less than satisfactory results and are associated to common side effects that affect the daily life of patients. Pregabalin is a new drug that has been shown to be effective for treating partial epilepsy and peripheral neuropathic pain in clinical trials. It is a structural, but not functional, analogue of GABA. It acts as a ligand of the alpha2-delta subunit, a protein associated to the voltage-dependent calcium channels. Modulation of these channels decreases calcium entry into nerve endings, resulting in a decreased release of several excitatory neurotransmitters. Pregabalin had a linear pharmacokinetics with little variability between the different subjects. It does not bind to plasma proteins, has no liver metabolism, and is excreted trough the kidneys. Few interactions with other drugs may be expected based on these characteristics. In clinical trials, pregabalin has been shown to be effective in postherpetic neuralgia and painful diabetic neuropathy at doses ranging from 150-600 mg/day. The analgesic effects of pregabalin occur in the first few days of treatment and are sustained over time. Side effects are few; most are transient and well-tolerated by patients, and the treatment discontinuation rate is minimal.

Pregabalina. Un nuevo tratamiento para el dolor neuropático / Pregabalin. A new treatment for neuropathic pain

El dolor neuropático afecta a una proporción significativa de la población mundial. Se han usado diferentes agentes terapéuticos, alcanzando resultados poco satisfactorios y asociados a efectos secundarios frecuentes que afectan las actividades de la vida diaria de los pacientes. La pregabalina es un nuevo fármaco que se ha mostrado efectivo en ensayos clínicos en el tratamiento de la epilepsia parcial y el dolor neuropático periférico. Estructuralmente, aunque no funcional mente, es análogo al GABA. Actúa como un ligando de la subunidad alfa2-delta, una proteína asociada a los canales de calcio voltaje dependientes. La modulación de estos canales disminuye la entrada de calcio en las terminales nerviosas, dando como resultado una disminución de la liberación de varios neurotransmisores excitatorios. La pregabalina tiene una farmacocinética lineal con escasa variabilidad interindividual. No se une a las proteínas plasmáticas, no tiene metabolización hepática y se excreta a través del riñón. Estas características hacen que se esperen pocas interacciones con otros fármacos. La pregabalina se ha mostrado eficaz en ensayos clínicos frente a la neuralgia postherpética y la neuropatía diabética dolorosa a dosis que oscilan entre 150-600 mg/día. Los efectos analgésicos ocurren en los primeros días del tratamiento y se mantienen a largo plazo. Los efectos adversos son escasos, la mayoría transitorios y bien tolerados por los pacientes y las tasas de abandonos del tratamiento son mínimas

Neuropathic pain is a condition affecting a significant proportion of the world's population. Many therapeutic drugs have been used. They achieve less than satisfactory results and are associated to common side effects that affect the daily life of patients. Pregabalin is a new drug that has been shown to be effective for treating partial epilepsy and peripheral neuropathic pain in clinical trials. It is a structural, but not functional, analogue of GABA. It acts as a ligand of the alpha2delta subunit, a protein associated to the voltage-dependent calcium channels. Modulation of these channels decreases calcium entry into nerve endings, resulting in a decreased release of several excitatory neurotransmitters. Pregabalin had a linear pharmacokinetics with little variability between the different subjects. It does not bind to plasma proteins, has no liver metabolism, and is excreted trough the kidneys. Few interactions with other drugs may be expected based on these characteristics. In clinical trials, pregabalin has been shown to be effective in postherpetic neuralgia and painful diabetic neuropathy at doses ranging from 150-600 mg/day. The analgesic effects of pregabalin occur in the first few days of treatment and are sustained over time. Side effects are few; most are transient and well-tolerated by patients, and the treatment discontinuation rate is minimal

[Bilateral peripheral facial paralysis secondary to Lyme disease]. / Parálisis facial periférica bilateral secundaria a enfermedad de Lyme.

Simultaneous bilateral facial paralisis (SBFP) occurs in 0.3-2% of all facial paralisis. We report a case of SBFP in association with Lyme disease. A review of literature about SBFP is made, studing specially the one caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. We present a diagnostic guideline of SBFP. Suspect diagnosis of Lyme disease is based on clinical and epidemiological criteria. Culture isolation of this bacteria is difficult, therefore serologic testing is required. Neuroborreliosis treatment is intravenous Ceftriaxone or Cefotaxime. Oral Doxycycline is useful in the treatment of neuritis without central nervous system involvement.

Parálisis facial periférica bilateral secundaria a enfermedad de Lyme

La parálisis facial periférica bilateral simultánea (PFBS) representa entre el 0,3 y el 2 por ciento de todas las parálisis faciales periféricas. Presentamos un caso de PFBS secundaria a enfermedad de Lyme. Se hace una revisión de la literatura en torno a las posibles causas de PFPS haciendo especial hincapié en el estudio de la provocada por la Borrelia burgdorferi. Se expone un protocolo diagnóstico de la PFBS. El diagnóstico de sospecha de enfermedad de Lyme se basa en criterios clínicos y epidemiológicos. El aislamiento del germen mediante cultivo es difícil, por lo que se recurre a la serología. El tratamiento de la neuroborreliosis es la Ceftriaxona o la Cefotaxima por vía parenteral. La Doxiciclina vía oral se ha mostrado eficaz en el tratamiento de neuritis sin afectación del sistema nervioso central (AU)

[Encephalitis caused by Rickettsia conorii without exanthema]. / Encefalitis por Rickettsia conorii sin exantema.

INTRODUCTION: Mediterranean boutonneuse fever, caused by Rickettsia conorii, is an endemic disease in the Mediterranean area. The serious forms of the disease, which include encephalitis, are infrequent but are associated with a high mortality rate. Diagnostic suspicion is backed up by the development of exanthema. We report the case of a patient who developed encephalitis caused by Rickettsia conorii without exanthema. Clinical case. A 27 year old woman who had nauseas, headache, fever, abdominal upset and generalised pain during the days before being admitted to hospital. On the day she was admitted, she noticed reduced strength in the left limbs, together with numbness and pins and needles in the left side of the body. In the casualty department she presented tonic seizures in the left extremities and later generalised tonic clonic seizures. Exploration showed facial paresis and 4/5 hemiparesis on the left side. Complementary tests carried out in casualty, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), did not reveal any significant findings. She was admitted after a loading dose of phenytoin. After 48 hours she presented fever and repeated complex partial seizures. A new CSF analysis was normal. She was treated with valproate, clonazepam, ceftriaxone, doxycycline and acyclovir. An electroencephalogram (EEG) showed theta activity in the left centroparietal areas and slow delta waves in the right temporal regions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed contrast enhancement in the meninges. 24 later, due to the frequency of the seizures, phenobarbital and methylprednisolone were added, which enabled the seizures to be controlled. The posterior brain MRI revealed a right parasylvian lesion. Serological Rickettsia conorii IgM +, IgG 1/256 was administered. After eight months, she has presented no seizures or neurological deficit. CONCLUSIONS: There are cases of encephalitis from Rickettsia conorii that can present without exanthema. This means that in endemic areas early treatment with doxycycline could be advisable when faced with encephalitis of unknown aetiology, bearing in mind the high mortality rate that occurs when no early treatment is administered and the good tolerance to doxycycline.

[Preventive and therapeutic attitude in post-traumatic epileptic seizures]. / Actitud preventiva y terapéutica en las crisis epilépticas postraumáticas.

INTRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT: Due to the vast number of different circumstances surrounding them, the frequency with which post traumatic epileptic seizures occur varies greatly from study to study. Immediate and early epileptic seizures, within a week of the traumatism having taken place, are usually of little importance as regards the risk of post traumatic seizures. The most important factors governing the presentation of post traumatic seizures have to do with the seriousness of the injury, the extension of the brain tissue that is affected and the penetrating nature of the brain traumatism. CONCLUSION: Although antiepileptic medication significantly reduces the risk of early seizures from occurring, a review of well designed clinical trials has found no evidence that these drugs reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with head injuries, or the appearance of late seizures.

[Characteristics and indications of gabapentin]. / Características e indicaciones de la gabapentina.

Gabapentin is a drug that shares a similar structure to that of GABA, although its mechanism of action cannot be explained solely by a direct gaba mimetic effect. It is well absorbed when administered orally and displays linear kinetics up to doses of 1,800 mg/day. It is been found to be effective both in added therapy and in mono therapy, and is particularly useful in special populations like the elderly and children, as well as patients suffering from liver diseases. Its safety profile and the absence of interactions make it a suitable drug for the treatment of recently diagnosed epilepsies, both in mono therapy and in bi therapy.

Encefalitis por Rickettsia conorii sin exantema / Encephalitis caused by Rickettsia conorii without exanthema

Introducción. La fiebre botonosa mediterránea, causada por Rickettsia conorii, es una enfermedad endémica en el área mediterránea. Las formas graves, entre las que se encuentra la encefalitis, son infrecuentes, pero se asocian a una elevada mortalidad. La sospecha diagnóstica se apoya en el desarrollo de exantema. Presentamos un paciente que desarrolló encefalitis por R. conorii sin exantema. Caso clínico. Mujer de 27 años que días antes del ingreso había presentado náuseas, cefalea, fiebre, malestar abdominal y dolor generalizado. El día del ingreso notó una disminución de la fuerza en las extremidades izquierdas, así como adormecimiento y hormigueos en el hemicuerpo izquierdo. En urgencias presentó crisis tónica en las extremidades izquierdas y posteriormente una crisis generalizada tonicoclónica. En la exploración mostró paresia facial y hemiparesia 4/5 izquierdas. Las pruebas complementarias que se realizaron en urgencias no mostraron hallazgos significativos, incluido el líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR).Se le ingresó tras dosis de carga de fenitoína. Después de 48 horas presentó fiebre y crisis parciales complejas repetidas. Un nuevo análisis del LCR fue normal. Se trató con valproato, clonacepam, ceftriaxona, doxiciclina y aciclovir. Se realizó un electroencefalograma (EEG) con actividad theta en las áreas centroparietales izquierdas y ondas lentas delta temporales derechas. La imagen por resonancia magnética (IRM) cerebral mostró captación de contraste en las meninges. 24 horas después, ante la frecuencia de las crisis, se añadió fenobarbital y metilprednisolona, con lo que se controlaron las crisis. En la IRM cerebral posterior se detectó una lesión parasilviana derecha. Se recibió serología R. conorii IgM +, IgG 1/256. Después de ocho meses, no ha presentado crisis ni déficit neurológico. Conclusiones. Existen casos de encefalitis por R. conorii que pueden presentarse sin exantema, por lo que en áreas endémicas podría estar indicado el tratamiento precoz con doxiciclina ante una encefalitis de etiología no filiada, dada la elevada mortalidad que representa no tratar de forma precoz y dada la buena tolerancia a la doxiciclina (AU)

Características e indicaciones de la gabapentina / characteristics and indications of gabapentin

La gabapentina es un fármaco estructuralmente semejante al GABA, aunque su mecanismo de acción no puede explicarse únicamente por una acción directa gabamimética. Se absorbe bien por vía oral y tiene una cinética lineal hasta dosis de 1.800 mg/día. Ha mostrado eficacia tanto en terapia añadida como monoterapia, y es de especial utilidad en poblaciones especiales, como los ancianos y los niños, y pacientes con hepatopatías. Su perfil de seguridad y la ausencia de interacciones hacen que sea un fármaco indicado en epilepsias de reciente diagnóstico, tanto en monoterapia como en biterapia. (AU)