Isolated Central Nervous System Vasculitis as a Manifestation of Neurosarcoidosis.

A 62-year-old male presented to our clinic with recurrent fever, skin lesions (petechiae), scleral wounds, and hilar adenomegaly. A diagnosis of sarcoidosis was established, which resolved with corticosteroid treatment. After a few months, the patient developed confusion and behavioral changes, with few objective neurological deficits. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed slight focal meningeal enhancement (prepontine region). The level of angiotensin-converting enzymes was normal in the serum and increased in the cerebrospinal fluid. The patient was diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis, and corticosteroid treatment was prescribed, yielding good clinical response. Nine months later, the patient presented with multiple ischemic strokes, and arteriography demonstrated multiple distal irregularities in all arterial territories, suggesting cerebral vasculitis. Even with corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, and intravenous immunoglobulin, the patient died. Vasculitis is rarely seen in association with sarcoidosis, and in this case, no systemic manifestation was observed at the time that the patient developed vasculitis.

The effect of functional limitations and fatigue on the quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of functional limitations and fatigue on the quality of life (QoL) in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). A descriptive case series study at Lagoa Hospital - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was carried. The main outcome measurements were demographic variables, QoL (SF-36 v.1), disability (EDSS), motor function of the upper limb (Box & Blocks test), Tone (Modified Ashworth Scale), gait (Hauser ambulatory index) and fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale). Sixty one patients fulfilled the study criteria. The mean age of patients was 39 years and 74% of patients were female. The most of cases presented mild disability (EDSS<3.5). A decrease was found in all domains of QoL. It was found association between physical functioning and the variables of EDSS, fatigue, lower limb tone and gait. Gait, disability, hypertonia of the lower limbs and fatigue negatively affected QoL in people with MS.

The effect of functional limitations and fatigue on the quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis / O efeito das limitações funcionais e da fadiga na qualidade de vida de indivíduos com esclerose múltipla

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of functional limitations and fatigue on the quality of life (QoL) in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). A descriptive case series study at Lagoa Hospital - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was carried. The main outcome measurements were demographic variables, QoL (SF-36 v.1), disability (EDSS), motor function of the upper limb (Box & Blocks test), Tone (Modified Ashworth Scale), gait (Hauser ambulatory index) and fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale). Sixty one patients fulfilled the study criteria. The mean age of patients was 39 years and 74 percent of patients were female. The most of cases presented mild disability (EDSS<3.5). A decrease was found in all domains of QoL. It was found association between physical functioning and the variables of EDSS, fatigue, lower limb tone and gait. Gait, disability, hypertonia of the lower limbs and fatigue negatively affected QoL in people with MS.

O objetivo do estudo foi determinar o efeito das limitações funcionais e da fadiga na qualidade de vida (qv) de indivíduos com esclerose múltipla (em). foi conduzido um estudo descritivo de série de casos no Hospital da Lagoa - Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. As principais medidas utilizadas foram as variáveis demográficas, QV (SF-36 v.1), incapacidade (EDSS), função motora da extremidade superior (Teste da Caixa e Blocos), Tônus (Escala Modificada de Ashworth), marcha (Índice Ambulatorial de Hauser) e fadiga (Escala de Severidade de Fadiga). Sessenta e um pacientes preencheram os critérios do estudo. A média de idade foi de 39 anos e 74 por cento dos pacientes eram do gênero feminino. A maioria dos casos apresentou incapacidade leve (EDSS<3,5). Foi encontrada uma diminuição em todas dimensões da QV. Foi observada uma associação entre a função física e as variáveis EDSS, fadiga, tônus dos membros inferiores e marcha. Marcha, incapacidade, hipertonia dos membros inferiores e fadiga afetam negativamente a QV de indivíduos com EM.

Estudo comparativo entre duas escalas funcionais para pacientes com esclerose múltipla / A comparative study between two functional scales in multiple sclerosis patients

Introdução: A esclerose múltipla (EM) é uma doença neurológica progressiva que tipicamente resulta em limitação funcional. Objetivo: Comparar escalas funcionais em pacientes com EM. Materiais e métodos: Foi realizado um estudo observacional no Hospital da Lagoa, Rio de Janeiro, em 71 pacientes. Foram coletadas as variáveis demográficas, avaliação funcional (Índice de Barthel – IB e Escala do Estado de Incapacidade - EEI); qualidade de vida; incapacidade; marcha; fadiga. Resultados: A média de idade foi de 40 anos, com duração média de doença de 8 anos. Foi observada uma maior correlação entre o EEI e as outras variáveis. A magnitude das correlações do EEI foi superior às do IB. A EEI foi a única escala que apresentou correlação com fadiga e se correlacionou mais com a qualidade de vida. Conclusões: A EEI se mostrou superior ao IB por se correlacionar com os principais comprometimentos dos pacientes, sendo mais completa e conter itens específicos da EM.

Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurological disease that typically results in functional limitation. Objective: To compare functional scales on MS patients. Material and methods: An observational study was performed in Lagoa Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, on 71 patients. It was collected demographic variables, functional evaluation (Barthel Index Scale-BI and Incapacity Status Scale-ISS); quality of life; disability; gait and fatigue. Results: The mean age was 40 years, with average duration of illness of 8 years. It was observed greater correlation between the ISS and other variables. The magnitude of the ISS correlations was superior to the BI. The ISS was the only scale that shows correlation with fatigue and some dimensions of quality of life. Conclusions: The ISS was better than the BI because it is correlated with the main activities of patients, is more comprehensive and contains specific items to MS.