Calidad de vida en la enfermedad de Alzheimer / Quality of life in Alzheimer´s disease

Introducción. La calidad de vida es un concepto de creciente interés cuya evaluación complementa la valoración clínica tradicional, de interés fundamentalmente en ámbitos de organización de la asistencia. Presentamos un estudio de calidad de vida en la enfermedad de Alzheimer y su relación con medidas cognitivas y funcionales. Pacientes y métodos. Se evalúa la calidad de vida mediante la escala EQ-5D en una muestra de casos de enfermedad de Alzheimer diagnosticados con criterios del National Institute of Neurologic, Communicative Disorders and Stroke-Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association que han donado muestra de sangre para el Banco Nacional de ADN, en los que se ha determinado también el estadio de la escala de deterioro global, y se ha efectuado un test de fluencia verbal y el test minimental de Folstein. Se realizó un análisis clásico, contraste de variables mediante chi al cuadrado para las proporciones y t de Student para las medias,y estimación de r para los modelos de regresión en las variables cuantitativas. Se determinó la tarifa social mediante el programa SPSS v. 11. Resultados. Se analizan 141 casos, con una relación de 2 a 1 entre mujer y varón, y una edad media de 76,2 años. Los aspectos de cuidado personal, actividad y, en menor medida, motilidad se ven afectados en la enfermedad de Alzheimer, pero no parecen hacerlo los aspectos de dolor y ansiedad. Existe relación entre calidad de vida, escalas funcionales y escalas cognitivas. Los aspectos funcionales se correlacionan mejor que los cognitivos con la calidad de vida. Conclusiones. La calidad de vida se evalúa en la enfermedad de Alzheimer mediante escalas generales, como EQ-5D. Los aspectos cognitivos no parecen aportar información relevante en relación con la calidad de vida que no se aporte ya por los aspectos funcionales (AU)

Introduction. Quality of life is a concept that is receiving increasing amounts of attention; its assessment complements the traditional clinical evaluation, which is of special interest in areas related with healthcare organisation. Here, we present a study on quality of life in Alzheimer’s disease and its relationship with cognitive and functional measures. Patients and methods. Quality of life was evaluated by means of the EQ-5D scale in a sample of cases of Alzheimer’s disease (diagnosed according to criteria established by the National Institute of Neurologic, Communicative Disorders and Stroke-Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association) that donated blood samples for the National DNA Bank. The status of the global deterioration scale was determined and a verbal fluency test and the Folstein minimental test were also carried out. A classic analysis, variable contrast by means of chi-square for proportions and Student’s t test for measurements were conducted, as well as estimation of r for the regression models in the quantitative variables. The social rate was determined using the software application SPSS v. 11. Results. Altogether 141 cases were analysed, with a male to female ratio of 2:1, and a mean age of 76.2 years. Aspects such as personal hygiene, activity and, to a lesser extent, motility are affected in Alzheimer’s disease, but pain and anxiety aspects do not seem to be affected. There is a relationship between quality of life, functional scales and cognitive scales. Functional aspects correlate with quality of life better than cognitive ones. Conclusions. Quality of life is evaluated in Alzheimer’s disease using general scales, such as EQ-5D. Cognitive aspects do not appear to provide relevant information about quality of life that is not already provided by the functional aspects (AU)

[Quality of life in Alzheimer's disease]. / Calidad de vida en la enfermedad de Alzheimer.

INTRODUCTION: Quality of life is a concept that is receiving increasing amounts of attention; its assessment complements the traditional clinical evaluation, which is of special interest in areas related with healthcare organisation. Here, we present a study on quality of life in Alzheimer's disease and its relationship with cognitive and functional measures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quality of life was evaluated by means of the EQ-5D scale in a sample of cases of Alzheimer's disease (diagnosed according to criteria established by the National Institute of Neurologic, Communicative Disorders and Stroke-Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association) that donated blood samples for the National DNA Bank. The status of the global deterioration scale was determined and a verbal fluency test and the Folstein minimental test were also carried out. A classic analysis, variable contrast by means of chi-square for proportions and Student's t test for measurements were conducted, as well as estimation of r for the regression models in the quantitative variables. The social rate was determined using the software application SPSS v. 11. RESULTS: Altogether 141 cases were analysed, with a male to female ratio of 2:1, and a mean age of 76.2 years. Aspects such as personal hygiene, activity and, to a lesser extent, motility are affected in Alzheimer's disease, but pain and anxiety aspects do not seem to be affected. There is a relationship between quality of life, functional scales and cognitive scales. Functional aspects correlate with quality of life better than cognitive ones. CONCLUSIONS: Quality of life is evaluated in Alzheimer's disease using general scales, such as EQ-5D. Cognitive aspects do not appear to provide relevant information about quality of life that is not already provided by the functional aspects.

[Total brain T2-hyperintense lesion-volume and the axonal damage in the normal-appearing white matter of brainstem in early lapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis]. / Relación entre el volumen lesional cerebral total en resonancia magnética secuencia T2 y el daño neuroaxonal en la sustancia blanca aparentemente normal del tronco del encéfalo en la esclerosis múltiple remitente-recurrente.

AIM: To evaluate the relationship between the total brain T2-hyperintense lesion volume (TBT2LV) and the axonal damage in the normal-appearing white matter of brainstem measured by 1H-MRS in a group of early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 40 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients and ten sex- and age-matched healthy subjects were prospectively studied for two years. T2-weighted MR and 1H-MRS imaging were acquired at time of recruitment and at year two. The TBT2LV was calculated with a semiautomatic program; N-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr) and choline (Cho) resonances areas were integrated with jMRUI program and the ratios were calculated for four volume elements that represented the brainstem. RESULTS: At basal study we obtained an axonal loss (as a decrement of NAA/ Cho ratio) in the group of patients compared with controls (p = 0.017); this axonal loss increased at the second year of the follow-up for patients (NAA/Cho decrease, p = 0.004, and NAA/Cr decrease, p = 0.002) meanwhile control subjects had no significant metabolic changes. Higher lesion load was correlated with a poor clinical outcome, being the correlation between the basal TBT2LV and the Expanded Disability Status Scale at second year (r = 0.299; p = 0.05). Besides, axonal loss was not homogeneous for all multiple sclerosis patients, being stronger in the subgroup of patients with high basal TBT2LV (p = 0.043; ANOVA). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that axonal damage is early in multiple sclerosis and higher in patients high basal TBT2LV, suggesting a possible relationship between these two phenomena.

Relación entre el volumen lesional cerebral total en resonancia magnética secuencia T2 y el daño neuroaxonal en la sustancia blanca aparentemente normal del tronco del encéfalo en la esclerosis múltiple remitente-recurrente

Analizar mediante espectroscopia de protón el daño neuroaxonal en la sustancia blanca aparentementenormal del tronco del encéfalo y su relación con el volumen lesional cerebral total en T2 (VLCT2) medido por resonancia magnética, en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple remitente-recurrente. Sujetos y métodos. Estudio longitudinal prospectivo comparativo a dos años de las variaciones en la concentración de N-acetilaspartato (NAA), creatina (Cr) y colina (Co), medidas por espectroscopia de protón, en 40 pacientes afectos de esclerosis múltiple remitente-recurrente y 10 personas sanas ajustadas por sexo y edad. Los metabolitos se calcularon mediante el programa jMRUI en cuatro volúmenes de interés representadosen el troncoencéfalo, y el VLCT2, con un programa semiautomático. Resultados. El estudio basal mostró daño neuroaxonal (expresado como un menor cociente NAA/Co, p = 0,017) en el grupo de pacientes frente a los controles. El daño axonal se incrementó significativamente a los dos años sólo en el grupo de pacientes (descenso del cociente NAA/Co, p =0,004, y NAA/Cr, p = 0,002). Un mayor volumen lesional basal se correlacionó con una peor evolución clínica, representada por la Expanded Disability Status Scale a los 2 años (r = 0,299; p = 0,05). La intensidad del daño neuroaxonal no fue homogénea en todos los pacientes, siendo mayor en el subgrupo de pacientes con VLCT2 basal superior (p = 0,043; ANOVA). Conclusión.Los resultados sugieren que el daño neuroaxonal aparece precozmente en la esclerosis múltiple, que es progresivo y que se relaciona al menos parcialmente con el volumen lesional cerebral

To evaluate the relationship between the total brain T2-hyperintense lesion volume (TBT2LV) and the axonaldamage in the normal-appearing white matter of brainstem measured by 1H-MRS in a group of early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients. Subjects and methods. 40 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients and ten sex- and agematchedhealthy subjects were prospectively studied for two years. T2-weighted MR and 1H-MRS imaging were acquired attime of recruitment and at year two. The TBT2LV was calculated with a semiautomatic program; N-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr) and choline (Cho) resonances areas were integrated with jMRUI program and the ratios were calculated for four volume elements that represented the brainstem. Results. At basal study we obtained an axonal loss (as a decrement of NAA/Cho ratio) in the group of patients compared with controls (p = 0.017); this axonal loss increased at the second year of the follow-up for patients (NAA/Cho decrease, p = 0.004, and NAA/Cr decrease, p = 0.002) meanwhile control subjects had no significant metabolic changes. Higher lesion load was correlated with a poor clinical outcome, being the correlation betweenthe basal TBT2LV and the Expanded Disability Status Scale at second year (r = 0.299; p = 0.05). Besides, axonal loss was not homogeneous for all multiple sclerosis patients, being stronger in the subgroup of patients with high basal TBT2LV (p = 0.043; ANOVA). Conclusion. Our data suggest that axonal damage is early in multiple sclerosis and higher in patients highbasal TBT2LV, suggesting a possible relationship between these two phenomena

[Assessment of reliable quantification of the dynamics of cerebrospinal fluid by magnetic resonance imaging in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus]. / Valoración de la cuantificación fiable de la dinámica del líquido cefalorraquídeo en el acueducto de Silvio mediante resonancia magnética en la hidrocefalia normopresiva idiopática.

INTRODUCTION: A combination of good clinical selection with reliable quantification of diverse parameters that characterize the dynamics of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow from phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging may identify patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have carried out a quantitative analysis of 38 subjects (19 healthy subjects and 19 patients with suspected idiopathic NPH). The images were acquired using a 1.5 T MR unit with a phase-contrast sequence in an oblique-transversal plane perpendicular to the Sylvius aqueduct codified to 20 cm/s and with 27 observations per cardiac cycle by means of retrospective synchronization. The area was defined to half the height of the peak velocity, to maximize accuracy. Parameters quantified were mean flow, maximum systolic and diastolic flow, maximum systolic and diastolic velocity, mean velocity, CSF production and stroke volume. RESULTS: All the parameters measured showed a significant difference (ANOVA: p

Valoración de la cuantificación fiable de la dinámica del líquido cefalorraquídeo en el acueducto de Silvio mediante resonancia magnética en la hidrocefalia normopresiva idiopática / Assessment of reliable quantification of the dynamics of cerebrospinal fluid by magnetic resonance imaging in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus

Introducción. Para identificar a pacientes con hidrocefalia normopresiva (HNP) idiopática es necesario combinar una buena selección clínica con la cuantificación fiable de diversos parámetros que caracterizan la dinámica del líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) en las imágenes por resonancia magnética (RM) obtenidas en contraste de fase. Material y métodos. Se realizó un análisis cuantitativo a 38 sujetos (19 pacientes con sospecha de HNP idiopática y 19 controles). Las imágenes se adquirieron usando un equipo de RM de 1,5 T con una secuencia contraste de fase perpendicular al acueducto de Silvio, codificada a 20 cm/s y con 27 lecturas por ciclo cardíaco mediante sincronización retrospectiva. Se definió el área del acueducto a mitad de la altura del pico de velocidad para maximizar la precisión. Los parámetros cuantificados fueron el flujo promedio, flujo máximo sistólico y diastólico, velocidad máxima sistólica y diastólica, velocidad promedio, producción de LCR y volumen por ciclo.Resultados. Todos los parámetros medidos presentaron una diferencia significativa (ANOVA: p <= 0,05) entre controles y pacientes, excepto la velocidad máxima sistólica (p=0,17). En el análisis discriminante se observó que los dos grupos (controles y pacientes) fueron clasificados correctamente en un 92,1% con el uso del flujo máximo sistólico y la producción de LCR.Conclusiones. La cuantificación semiautomática de la dinámica del LCR mediante RM diferencia a los pacientes con estado hiperdinámico de los sujetos control, con diferencias significativas que pueden usarse para clasificar las HNP idiopáticas

Introduction. A combination of good clinical selection with reliable quantification of diverse parameters that characterize the dynamics of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow from phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging may identify patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). Material and methods. We have carried out a quantitative analysis of 38 subjects (19 healthy subjects and 19 patients with suspected idiopathic NPH). The images were acquired using a 1.5 T MR unit with a phase-contrast sequence in an oblique-transversal plane perpendicular to the Sylvius aqueduct codified to 20 cm/s and with 27 observations per cardiac cycle by means of retrospective synchronization. The area was defined to half the height of the peak velocity, to maximize accuracy. Parameters quantified were mean flow, maximum systolic and diastolic flow, maximum systolic and diastolic velocity, mean velocity, CSF production and stroke volume. Results. All the parameters measured showed a significant difference (ANOVA: p<=0,05) between controls and patient except for the maximum systolic velocity (p=0.17). It was observed in the discriminant analysis that the two groups (controls and patients) were classified correctly in 92.1% with the use of the maximum systolic flow and CSF production. Conclusions. Semiautomatic quantification of the dynamics of CSF by means of MRI differentiates patients with hyperdynamic state from the control subjects, with significant differences that can be used to classify idiopathic HNP