Affective symptoms and determinants of health-related quality of life in Mexican people with epilepsy.

Epilepsy is known to be associated with multiple psychiatric comorbidities, such as depression, sleep-disorders, and anxiety. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and impact of affective symptoms over health-related quality of life (QOL) in Mexican people with epilepsy (PWE). We performed a cross-sectional observational study on 73 consecutive PWE and corresponding age- and sex-matched controls. HrQOL was assessed using the QOLIE-10 (QOL in Epilepsy-10) instrument. Clinical and demographic characteristics were recorded, and instruments evaluating depressive/anxiety symptoms, sleep quality, and insomnia were completed. PWE had more depressive/anxiety symptoms when compared with controls. QOLIE-10 scores were significantly inversely correlated with poor sleep quality, insomnia symptoms, depressive/anxiety symptoms, and number of anti-epileptic drugs used, but not with seizure type or number of seizures per month. A poor QOL was independently associated only with anti-epileptic drug polytherapy. PWE are burdened with depressive/anxiety symptoms at alarming rates. The presence of depressive symptoms along with sleep disturbances and more significantly, anti-epileptic drug polytherapy, appears to negatively impact QOL, to a greater degree than short-term seizure control.

The varieties of psychosis in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review of cases.

OBJECTIVES: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is known to be associated with a wide range of psychiatric symptoms, particularly with affective disorders. However, a link to psychotic disorders has not been fully established. METHODS: A systematic review of the PubMed/MEDLINE database was performed to identify cases of MS presenting with psychotic symptoms. Variables analyzed included patient demographics, clinical presentation, imaging characteristics and treatment. RESULTS: Ninety-one cases were identified. The mean age was 34.4, and there was a female predominance. The majority of patients did not have a prior history of MS or psychiatric disease. The majority of cases could be classified as having either Psychotic Disorders or Mood Disorders with psychotic features. Most patients received some type of antipsychotic therapy, with variable success. At least 26 patients were treated with corticosteroids in the acute phase of their psychotic symptoms, and the majority responded favorably. Imaging data was available for 50 patients. Of these, 60% had predominantly fronto-temporal lesions, and most had contrast enhancing lesions. CONCLUSIONS: MS can present with a variety of psychotic symptoms. The presence of enhancing lesions and steroid-responsiveness suggests these could be characterized as flares.

Gastrointestinal complications after ischemic stroke.

Ischemic stroke is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, and currently the leading cause of adult disability in developed countries. Stroke is associated with various non-neurological medical complications, including infections and thrombosis. Gastrointestinal complications after stroke are also common, with over half of all stroke patients presenting with dysphagia, constipation, fecal incontinence or gastrointestinal bleeding. These complications are associated with increased hospital length of stay, the development of further complications and even increased mortality. In this article we review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, management and prevention of the most common gastrointestinal complications associated with ischemic stroke.