Symonds on fear and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Prominent English neurologist Sir Charles Symonds, during World War II service with the Royal Air Force, published a series of articles emphasizing the role of fear initiating psychological breakdown in combat airmen (termed Lack of Moral Fibre). Having served in a medical capacity in the previous war, Symonds re-presented the phylogenetic conceptualizations formed by his colleagues addressing 'shell shock'. In 2013, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) re-classified Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), removing the diagnosis from the category of Anxiety Disorders. This was the view introduced a century ago by the trench doctors of World War I and affirmed by Symonds' clinical experience and studies in World War II.

Untangling chronic pain and post-concussion symptoms: the significance of depression.

OBJECTIVES: Post-concussion-like symptoms (PCS) are common in patients without a history of brain injury, such as those with chronic pain (CP). This exploratory study examined neuro-cognitive and psychological functioning in patients with PCS following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or CP, to assess unique and overlapping phenomenology. METHODS: In this case-control study, participants (n = 102) with chronic symptoms after mTBI (n = 45) were matched with mTBI recovered (n = 31) and CP groups (n = 26), on age, gender, ethnicity and education. Psychological status, cognitive functioning, health symptoms, beliefs and behaviours were examined. RESULTS: Participants who had not recovered from an mTBI and participants with CP did not differ in terms of PCS symptoms, quality of life, distress or illness behaviours, however, the CP group endorsed fewer subjective cognitive problems, more negative expectations about recovery and more distress (p < 0.05). On cognitive testing participants who had not recovered from an mTBI demonstrated greater difficulties with attention (p < 0.01) although differences disappeared when depression was controlled in the analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Unique patterns associated with each condition were evident though caution is required in attributing PCS and cognitive symptoms to a brain injury in people with mTBI presenting with chronic pain and/or depression. Psychological constructs such as illness and recovery beliefs appear to be important to consider in the development of treatment interventions.

Motor complications in an incident Parkinson's disease cohort.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Levodopa treatment in Parkinson's disease (PD) causes motor fluctuations and dyskinesias, but few data describe their development or severity in unselected incident cohorts. METHODS: Demographic, clinical, treatment, smoking, caffeine and alcohol data from 183 people with PD were gathered from the Parkinsonism Incidence in Northeast Scotland (PINE) study, a community-based, incident cohort. With Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression modelling the development, and severity, of dyskinesias and motor fluctuations and which factors independently influenced their onset were assessed. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 59 months, 39 patients (21.3%) developed motor fluctuations and 52 (28.4%) developed dyskinesias. Kaplan-Meier estimates of the probability of motor fluctuations and dyskinesias after 5 years of dopaminergic treatment were 29.2% [95% confidence interval (CI) 21.5%-38.8%] and 37.0% (95% CI 28.5%-47.1%) respectively. 19.8% developed motor fluctuations requiring treatment changes but only 4.0% (95% CI 1.5%-10.4%) developed dyskinesias requiring treatment changes by 5 years. Cumulative levodopa dose [hazard ratio (HR) 1.38 (95% CI 1.19-1.60)], female sex [HR 2.41 (1.19-4.89)] and younger age at diagnosis [HR 1.08 (1.04-1.11)] were independently associated with development of motor fluctuations. Cumulative levodopa dose [HR 1.23 (1.08-1.40)] and female sex [HR 2.51 (1.40-4.51)] were independently associated with dyskinesias. In exploratory analyses, moderate caffeine exposure was associated with fewer motor fluctuations, longer symptom duration with more dyskinesias, and tremor at diagnosis with higher rates of both complications. CONCLUSIONS: In this community-based incident PD cohort, severe dyskinesias were rare. Cumulative levodopa dose was the strongest predictor of both dyskinesias and motor fluctuations.

Early constipation predicts faster dementia onset in Parkinson's disease.

Constipation is a common but not a universal feature in early PD, suggesting that gut involvement is heterogeneous and may be part of a distinct PD subtype with prognostic implications. We analysed data from the Parkinson's Incidence Cohorts Collaboration, composed of incident community-based cohorts of PD patients assessed longitudinally over 8 years. Constipation was assessed with the MDS-UPDRS constipation item or a comparable categorical scale. Primary PD outcomes of interest were dementia, postural instability and death. PD patients were stratified according to constipation severity at diagnosis: none (n = 313, 67.3%), minor (n = 97, 20.9%) and major (n = 55, 11.8%). Clinical progression to all three outcomes was more rapid in those with more severe constipation at baseline (Kaplan-Meier survival analysis). Cox regression analysis, adjusting for relevant confounders, confirmed a significant relationship between constipation severity and progression to dementia, but not postural instability or death. Early constipation may predict an accelerated progression of neurodegenerative pathology.

Impaired eye movements in post-concussion syndrome indicate suboptimal brain function beyond the influence of depression, malingering or intellectual ability.

Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) can affect up to 20%-30% of patients with mild closed head injury (mCHI), comprising incomplete recovery and debilitating persistence of post-concussional symptoms. Eye movements relate closely to the functional integrity of the injured brain and eye movement function is impaired post-acutely in mCHI. Here, we examined whether PCS patients continue to show disparities in eye movement function at 3-5 months following mCHI compared with patients with good recovery. We hypothesized that eye movements might provide sensitive and objective functional markers of ongoing cerebral impairment in PCS. We compared 36 PCS participants (adapted World Health Organization guidelines) and 36 individually matched controls (i.e. mCHI patients of similar injury severity but good recovery) on reflexive, anti- and self-paced saccades, memory-guided sequences and smooth pursuit. All completed neuropsychological testing and health status questionnaires. Mean time post-injury was 140 days in the PCS group and 163 days in the control group. The PCS group performed worse on anti-saccades, self-paced saccades, memory-guided sequences and smooth pursuit, suggesting problems in response inhibition, short-term spatial memory, motor-sequence programming, visuospatial processing and visual attention. This poorer oculomotor performance included several measures beyond conscious control, indicating that subcortical functionality in the PCS group was poorer than expected after mCHI. The PCS group had poorer neuropsychological function (memory, complex attention and executive function). Analysis of covariance showed oculomotor differences to be practically unaffected by group disparities in depression and estimated intellectual ability. Compared with neuropsychological tests, eye movements were more likely to be markedly impaired in PCS cases with high symptom load. Poorer eye movement function, and particularly poorer subcortical oculomotor function, correlated more with post-concussive symptom load and problems on activities of daily living whilst poorer neuropsychological function exhibited slightly better correlations with measures of mental health. Our findings that eye movement function in PCS does not follow the normal recovery path of eye movements after mCHI are indicative of ongoing cerebral impairment. Whilst oculomotor and neuropsychological tests partially overlapped in identifying impairment, eye movements showed additional dysfunction in motor/visuospatial areas, response inhibition, visual attention and subcortical function. Poorer subconscious oculomotor function in the PCS group supports the notion that PCS is not merely a psychological entity, but also has a biological substrate. Measurement of oculomotor function may be of value in PCS cases with a high symptom load but an otherwise unremarkable assessment profile. Routine oculomotor testing should be feasible in centres with existing access to this technology.

Lightening up before death.

A lightening, or clearing, of the mental state in the hours or days before death, particularly in those delirious, is occasionally noted by those caring for the dying. Similar phenomena have been described in the natural world and in classical literature. This brief period of lucidity is generally followed by a rapid terminal decline. The author reports on his experience with six cases illustrating this phenomenon. The increasing use of palliative sedation may diminish the possibility of lightening up before death occurring. The theoretical concepts of Hughlings Jackson may provide an explanation for this phenomenon.

Demoralisation--a useful conceptualisation of non-specific psychological distress among refugees attending mental health services.

BACKGROUND: While it is recognised that many refugee and migrant clients present at mental health services with non-specific psychological distress little is known about successful intervention strategies. AIMS: The aim of this study was to systematically review clinical files to determine the degree of 'demoralisation' symptoms among a sample of refugee and migrant clients attending a community-based mental health service. METHOD: Sixty-four closed cases were reviewed using a specifically designed case review sheet as a checklist which included diagnostic criteria for a Demoralisation Syndrome. RESULTS: The findings indicated that while many of the refugee and migrant clients had attracted a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, in the main they did not benefit from a normal course of treatment. Further analysis suggested that demoralisation may be a preferable concept for many of these clients rather than affective disorder. This finding suggests that demoralisation may be a different construct than low mood or depression. CONCLUSIONS: The findings add support to the concept that demoralisation could be a distinct diagnostic entity in its own right that may be useful to clinicians attending refugee and migrant clients.

Medium-term prognosis of an incident cohort of parkinsonian patients compared to controls.

BACKGROUND: The best data on prognosis comes from population-based incident cohorts but few such cohorts exist for Parkinson's disease and atypical parkinsonism. METHODS: The PINE study is a prospective follow-up study of an incident cohort of people with degenerative or vascular parkinsonism and age-sex matched controls. Participants have annual follow-up from diagnosis until death with review of primary/secondary care records and linkage to the UK death register. Data are collected on survival, disability (dependency on others for activities of daily living) and institutionalization. Research criteria are used to guide the clinical diagnosis, which is updated annually. We compared all-cause mortality, disability and institutionalization in patients (subdivided by diagnosis) and controls, adjusted for important confounders. RESULTS: 323 incident parkinsonian patients (199 Parkinson's disease, 124 atypical parkinsonism, mean age at diagnosis 75yrs) and 262 controls (mean age 75yrs) had 1349 and 1334 person-years follow-up respectively (maximum follow-up 10 years). All outcomes were worse in parkinsonian patients than controls, especially in atypical parkinsonism (adjusted mortality hazards ratios Parkinson's disease 2.49, 95%CI 1.72-3.58, atypical parkinsonism, 6.85, 95%CI 4.78-9.81). Median survival times for Parkinson's disease and atypical parkinsonism were 7.8 and 2.7 years respectively but were very age-dependent. At three years the rates of death or dependency were controls 21%, Parkinson's disease 46%, atypical parkinsonism 96% whilst overall institutionalization rates were 5%, 15% and 55% respectively. CONCLUSION: The prognosis of Parkinson's disease and atypical parkinsonism in this unselected incident cohort was significantly worse than previously reported. This has important implications for patient management.

Monoamine oxidase B inhibitors for early Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: It has been postulated that monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors alter disease progression in Parkinson's disease (PD). Clinical trials have produced conflicting results. OBJECTIVES: To assess the evidence from randomized controlled trials for the effectiveness and safety of long-term use of MAO-B inhibitors in early PD. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the following electronic databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2004), MEDLINE (last searched 18th August 2004) and EMBASE (last searched 18th August 2004). We also handsearched neurology and movement disorders conference proceedings, checked reference lists of relevant studies and contacted other researchers. SELECTION CRITERIA: We sought to include all unconfounded randomized controlled trials that compared a MAO-B inhibitor with control, in the presence or absence of levodopa or dopamine agonists, in patients with early PD and where treatment and follow up lasted at least one year. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently selected trials for inclusion, assessed the methodological quality, and extracted the data. A small amount of additional data was provided by the original authors. Random-effects models were used to analyse results, where appropriate. MAIN RESULTS: Ten trials were included (a total of 2422 patients), nine using selegiline, one using lazabemide. The methodological quality was reasonable although concealment of allocation was definitely adequate in only four trials. The mean follow up was for 5.8 years. MAO-B inhibitors were not associated with a significant increase in deaths (odds ratio (OR) 1.15; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92 to 1.44). They provided small benefits over control in impairment (weighted mean difference (WMD) for change in motor UPDRS score was 3.81 points less with MAO-B inhibitors; 95% CI 2.27 to 5.36) and disability (WMD for change in UPDRS ADL score was 1.50 less; 95% CI 0.48 to 2.53) at one year which, although statistically significant, were not clinically significant. There was a marked levodopa-sparing effect with MAO-B inhibitors which was associated with a significant reduction in motor fluctuations (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.59 to 0.94) but not dyskinesia (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.76 to 1.25). The reduction in motor fluctuations was, however, not robust in sensitivity analyses. Although adverse events were generally mild and infrequent, withdrawals due to side-effects were higher (OR 2.36; 95% CI 1.32 to 4.20) with MAO-B inhibitors. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: MAO-B inhibitors do not appear to delay disease progression but may have a beneficial effect on motor fluctuations. There was no statistically significant effect on deaths although the confidence interval does not exclude a small increase with MAO-B inhibitors. At present we do not feel these drugs can be recommended for routine use in the treatment of early Parkinson's disease but further randomized controlled trials should be carried out to clarify, in particular, their effect on deaths and motor complications.

Methylphenidate in terminal depression.

Major depressive disorder in 26 hospice inpatients was managed with a trial of methylphenidate (mean daily dosage, 17.7 mg). A therapeutic response was achieved in 46% of the sample. However, a significant response was obtained in only 7% of those patients who subsequently died of their terminal illness within 6 weeks. Higher dosage psychostimulants may be indicated in the last weeks of life of the terminally ill. Alternatively "vital exhaustion" may account for the poor response rate in the treatment of depression in patients with advanced malignancy.

Ondansetron in multiple sclerosis.

Two young women with chronic nausea and vertigo caused by multiple sclerosis responded to the introduction and maintenance of the 5HT3 receptor antagonist, ondansetron. Palliative care is a neglected aspect of management of degenerative neurological diseases and these cases highlight the approaches that may be used to manage difficult symptoms in the population with multiple sclerosis.

Neurogenic pulmonary edema in palliative care.

Neurogenic pulmonary edema may be a complication of the terminal phase of cerebral tumors. Clinically, it is likely to be considered the "death rattle" and is likewise very distressing to attending relatives. Positional change tends to aggravate neurogenic pulmonary edema but not the "death rattle." Its occurrence may be an indication for sedation for the intractable distress of the dying patient.

The use of opioid medications in patients with chronic non-malignant pain who have drug dependence.

The use of opioid medications in the management of painful medical conditions is currently being 'rediscovered'. However, although drug-dependent patients are likely to be over-represented in the chronic pain population and are also arguably less likely to respond to non-pharmacological interventions for chronic pain, opioid medications are considered to be relatively contraindicated for such a patient group. This paper explores, first, the background to this situation before proposing a set of interim guidelines for the use of opioid medications in the management of chronic pain in drug-dependent patients in order to protect access to this treatment strategy for this difficult patient group, while data from controlled studies are obtained for more definitive policy formation.

Posttraumatic stress disorder in World War Two veterans.

The clinical presentations of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder of 18 world war two veterans are detailed. This psychiatric sequelae of trauma may be chronic and persistent, as demonstrated by the presence and severity of symptoms 45-50 years after the onset. Early treatment interventions would appear desirable even if not yet conclusively proven to be effective.

Psychiatric casualties of World War II.

AIMS: To observe the natural history of traumatised war veterans. METHODS: A clinical audit of 147 World War II psychiatric war pensioners. RESULTS: Of these veterans only 37% have a clinically sustainable DSM diagnosis of chronic post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Trauma-related and somatic symptoms of severity attributable to active war service, were volunteered by 48%. These symptoms were insufficient to fulfil DSM diagnosis criteria for PTSD. CONCLUSIONS: PTSD is a robust clinical entity, yet many victims of trauma appear to suffer chronic sub-syndromal PTSD. The clinical spectrum of trauma response is more variable than is currently diagnostically acceptable by DSM criteria.

Hemodynamic and respiratory effects of transtracheal high-frequency jet ventilation during difficult intubation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hemodynamic and respiratory effects of percutaneous transtracheal high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) during difficult intubation using fiberoptic bronchoscopy under general anesthesia. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Surgical patients scheduled for general anesthesia at the Medical College of Virginia Hospital. PATIENTS: Eight patients with known difficult airways. Three patients had deformed facial structures. One patient had temporomandibular joint impairment. Four patients had tumors of the oral cavity with deformed upper airways. INTERVENTIONS: A 13-gauge cricothyroidotomy jet ventilation cannula was inserted percutaneously under local anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced with etomidate 0.2 to 0.3 mg/kg, alfentanil 15 to 20 micrograms/kg, and vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg. HFJV was started with 100% oxygen at 30 to 35 pounds per square inch of driving pressure, 100 cycles per minute, and an inspiratory/expiratory ratio of 25%. Thoracic electrical bioimpedance was used to measure cardiac index (CI) and ejection fraction (EF). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), CI, and EF were measured before induction of anesthesia; after 1 minute of HFJV, 5 minutes of HFJV, and 10 minutes of HFJV; and during positive pressure ventilation following fiberoptic intubation. Arterial blood gas samples were obtained before induction of anesthesia and after 10 minutes of HFJV. HR decreased significantly after 5 minutes of HFJV, after 10 minutes of HFJV, and after intubation (p less than 0.05). MAP decreased significantly after 10 minutes of HFJV compared with the preinduction value (mean, 97 to 71 mmHg; p less than 0.01). Although EF increased significantly following intubation, from 46% to 59%, there were no significant changes in CI. Arterial oxygen tension increased from 85 to 240 mmHg (p less than 0.05). Arterial carbon dioxide tension also increased, from 39 to 42 mmHg (p less than 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Transtracheal HFJV under general anesthesia with etomidate, alfentanil, and vecuronium provided satisfactory hemodynamic conditions and pulmonary gas exchange. Percutaneous transtracheal HFJV can be used safely to manage patients with a difficult airway under general anesthesia using fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

Euthanasia and physician-assisted death.

Medical practitioners do not have the knowledge and expertise to participate competently and reliably in selecting those fit to be offered euthanasia and assisted suicide. Issues relating to the clinically assessment of such requests by the terminally ill, diagnostic errors, prognosis, competency, and mental health status are, as yet, not adequately scientifically resolved.