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BACKGROUND: Major intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) trials have largely been unable to demonstrate therapeutic benefit in improving functional outcomes. This may be partly due to the heterogeneity of ICH outcomes based on their location, where a small strategic ICH could be debilitating, thus confounding therapeutic effects. We aimed to determine the ideal hematoma volume cutoff for different ICH locations in predicting ICH outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive ICH patients enrolled in the University of Hong Kong prospective stroke registry from January 2011 to December 2018. Patients with premorbid modified Rankin Scale score >2 or who underwent neurosurgical intervention were excluded. ICH volume cutoff, sensitivity, and specificity in predicting respective 6-month neurological outcomes (good [modified Rankin Scale score 0-2], poor [modified Rankin Scale score 4-6], and mortality) for specific ICH locations were determined using receiver operating characteristic curves. Separate multivariate logistic regression models were also conducted for each location-specific volume cutoff to determine whether these cutoffs were independently associated with respective outcomes. RESULTS: Among 533 ICHs, the volume cutoff for good outcome according to ICH location was 40.5 mL for lobar, 32.5 mL for putamen/external capsule, 5.5 mL for internal capsule/globus pallidus, 6.5 mL for thalamus, 17 mL for cerebellum, and 3 mL for brainstem. ICH smaller than the cutoff for all supratentorial sites had higher odds of good outcomes (all P<0.05). Volumes exceeding 48 mL for lobar, 41 mL for putamen/external capsule, 6 mL for internal capsule/globus pallidus, 9.5 mL for thalamus, 22 mL for cerebellum, and 7.5 mL for brainstem were at greater risk of poor outcomes (all P<0.05). Mortality risks were significantly higher for volumes that exceeded 89.5 mL for lobar, 42 mL for putamen/external capsule, and 21 mL for internal capsule/globus pallidus (all P<0.001). All receiver operating characteristic models for location-specific cutoffs had good discriminant values (area under the curve >0.8), except in predicting good outcome for cerebellum. CONCLUSIONS: ICH outcomes differed with location-specific hematoma size. Location-specific volume cutoff should be considered in patient selection for ICH trials.
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Hemorragia Cerebral , Acidente Vascular Cerebral , Humanos , Estudos Retrospectivos , Hemorragia Cerebral/diagnóstico por imagem , Hemorragia Cerebral/cirurgia , Globo Pálido , Hematoma/diagnóstico por imagem , Hematoma/cirurgiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) survivors are at high risk for recurrent stroke and cardiovascular events. Blood pressure (BP) control represents the most potent intervention to lower these risks, but optimal treatment targets in this patient population remain unknown. We sought to determine whether survivors of ICH achieving more intensive BP control than current guideline recommendations (systolic BP <130 mmHg and diastolic BP <80 mmHg) were at lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events and mortality. METHODS: We analyzed data for 1828 survivors of spontaneous ICH from 2 cohort studies. Follow-up BP measurements were recorded 3 and 6 months after ICH, and every 6 months thereafter. Outcomes of interest were major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (recurrent ICH, incident ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction), vascular mortality (defined as mortality attributed to recurrent ICH, ischemic stroke, or myocardial infarction), and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 46.2 months, we observed 166 recurrent ICH, 68 ischemic strokes, 69 myocardial infarction, and 429 deaths. Compared with survivors of ICH with systolic BP 120 to 129 mmHg, participants who achieved systolic BP <120 mmHg displayed reduced risk of recurrent ICH (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 0.74 [95% CI, 0.59-0.94]) and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (AHR, 0.69 [95% CI, 0.53-0.92]). All-cause mortality (AHR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.57-1.03]) and vascular mortality (AHR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.45-1.01]) did not differ significantly. Among participants aged >75 years or with modified Rankin Scale score 4 to 5, systolic BP <120 mmHg was associated with increased all-cause mortality (AHR, 1.38 [95% CI, 1.02-1.85] and AHR, 1.36 [95% CI, 1.03-1.78], respectively), but not vascular mortality. We found no differences in outcome rates between survivors of ICH with diastolic BP <70 versus 70 to 79 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: Targeting systolic BP <120 mmHg in select groups of survivors of ICH could result in decreased major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events risk without increasing mortality. Our findings warrant investigation in dedicated randomized controlled trials.
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AVC Isquêmico , Infarto do Miocárdio , Acidente Vascular Cerebral , Humanos , Pressão Sanguínea/fisiologia , Hemorragia Cerebral/epidemiologia , Infarto do Miocárdio/complicações , Estudos de Coortes , AVC Isquêmico/complicações , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/complicaçõesRESUMO
STUDY AIM: To estimate the prevalence of high caregiving burden and depressive symptoms among caregivers (CG) of patients with epilepsy (PWEs) in Hong Kong and identify risk and protective factors for both outcomes after the Model of Stress and Carer Burden (MSCB). METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited participants from local epilepsy clinics to complete a 15-minute survey on a tablet. Caregiving burden (CB) was assessed using the 4-item Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire. Family functioning was assessed using the Short-Form Family Assessment Device General Functioning Subscale. Sociodemographic data of the caregivers and clinical data of the PWE they cared for were described. Hierarchical logistic regression models were used to analyze the factors associated with the outcomes. RESULTS: A hundred and fifty-one CGs of PWEs were recruited for this study. The prevalence of high caregiving burden (ZBI-4 > 7) for CGs of PWEs was 58.9% (n = 89), whereas the prevalence of high depressive symptoms (PHQ2 > 2) was 23.8% (n = 36). Hierarchical logistic regression analysis revealed that entering patient characteristics and care situations did not enhance the model's predictability. In the full model, a high perceived CB was a risk factor for elevated depressive symptoms. Good physical health protects against depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Among caregivers of PWE in Hong Kong, a high perceived caregiving burden was a risk factor for elevated depressive symptoms; however, the clinical characteristics of the PWEs were not. Self-reported physical health is a protective factor against increased depressive symptoms.
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This is a territory-wide study to investigate the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) attendances and acute ward admissions for seizures. Adult patients who presented to the A&E with seizures from January 23, 2020 to March 24, 2020 (study period) were included and compared with parallel intervals from 2015 to 2019 (control periods). Preexisting time trend in control periods and potential changes during COVID-19 were analyzed by Poisson, negative and logistic regression models. Accident and Emergency Department attendances and ward admissions for seizures decreased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 319 and 230 recorded ward admissions and A&E attendances for seizures were identified during the study period in 2020, compared with 494 and 343 per annum, respectively in the control periods. The ratio of acute ward admission per A&E attendance for seizures did not change significantly. Intensive care utility and mortality rates remained stable. For some patients, delaying medical attention due to fear of nosocomial COVID-19 cross-infection may lead to severe or even life-threatening consequences. This change in medical help-seeking behavior calls for new medical care models to meet the service gap. Education to patients with epilepsy and their caregivers is of utmost importance during this pandemic.
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COVID-19/epidemiologia , Serviço Hospitalar de Emergência/tendências , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde , Admissão do Paciente/tendências , Convulsões/epidemiologia , Convulsões/terapia , Adulto , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Feminino , Hong Kong/epidemiologia , Hospitalização/tendências , Humanos , Masculino , Pandemias/prevenção & controleRESUMO
BACKGROUND: People with epilepsy (PWE) face difficulties in employment. Hong Kong depends heavily on tertiary industry and enjoys a low unemployment rate. However, there have been rare reports on employment of PWE in Hong Kong. We aimed at (1) investigating the employment status among PWE; (2) correlating demographic and clinical factors with employment status of PWE; and (3) describing the self-perceived impact of epilepsy on employment and their correlations with employment status. METHOD: This was a single center cross-sectional study conducted in 2019. Adult with epilepsy but without intellectual disability of year age 16-65 were recruited. Homemakers and retired persons were excluded. A questionnaire with two parts was given to each patient. The first part focused on objective data about employment. The second part focused on self-perception on the impact of epilepsy on employment. Responders expressed their opinions in 5-point Likert scale. Clinical data were retrieved from the computerized medical record system for interpretation. RESULTS: A total of 138 PWE were recruited. Unemployment rate among the PWE was 33%, which was much higher than the general population. Low education levels, drug-resistant epilepsy, psychiatric comorbidities, and high Charlson Comorbidity Index were correlated to unemployment in PWE. Unemployed respondents significantly more tend to regard that lack of education, stigma of epilepsy, and seizure frequency were main hurdles in employment. CONCLUSIONS: Unemployment is a severe social problem among PWE in Hong Kong. Various objective clinical and demographic factors correlated with unemployment. Work beliefs of a patient may also correlate with the employment status.
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A territory-wide retrospective observational study was conducted in Hong Kong between January 23 to April 22, 2020 to demonstrate changes in pediatric seizure-related accident and emergency department (A&E) visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parallel periods from 2015 to 2019 were used as control. All-cause A&E attendances in all paediatric age groups decreased significantly during the study period. Seizure-related attendances decreased across all pediatric age-groups in 2020 (RR 0.379, 95% CI 0.245-0.588), with a disproportionately large decrease in the 0-6 years age group (RR 0.303, 95% CI 0.174-0.526) compared with the 7-18 years age group (RR 0.534, 95% CI 0.393-0.719). Decrease in RTI-related A&E attendances was also more drastic in the 0-6 age group. The two time trends are congruent in the 0-6 years but not the 7-18 years age group. Such a trend is suggestive of the usefulness of infection control measures in seizure prevention, especially amongst young children.
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COVID-19 , Pandemias , Adolescente , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Serviço Hospitalar de Emergência , Humanos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , SARS-CoV-2 , Convulsões/epidemiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic represents a global public health crisis, disrupting emergency healthcare services. We determined whether COVID-19 has resulted in delays in stroke presentation and affected the delivery of acute stroke services in a comprehensive stroke center in Hong Kong. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients with transient ischemic attack and stroke admitted via the acute stroke pathway of Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, during the first 60 days since the first diagnosed COVID-19 case in Hong Kong (COVID-19: January 23, 2020-March 24, 2020). We compared the stroke onset to hospital arrival (onset-to-door) time and timings of inpatient stroke pathways with patients admitted during the same period in 2019 (pre-COVID-19: January 23, 2019-March 24, 2019). RESULTS: Seventy-three patients in COVID-19 were compared with 89 patients in pre-COVID-19. There were no significant differences in age, sex, vascular risk factors, nor stroke severity between the 2 groups (P>0.05). The median stroke onset-to-door time was ≈1-hour longer in COVID-19 compared with pre-COVID-19 (154 versus 95 minutes, P=0.12), and the proportion of individuals with onset-to-door time within 4.5 hours was significantly lower (55% versus 72%, P=0.024). Significantly fewer cases of transient ischemic attack presented to the hospital during COVID-19 (4% versus 16%, P=0.016), despite no increase in referrals to the transient ischemic attack clinic. Inpatient stroke pathways and treatment time metrics nevertheless did not differ between the 2 groups (P>0.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: During the early containment phase of COVID-19, we noted a prolongation in stroke onset to hospital arrival time and a significant reduction in individuals arriving at the hospital within 4.5 hours and presenting with transient ischemic attack. Public education about stroke should continue to be reinforced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Betacoronavirus , Infecções por Coronavirus , Ataque Isquêmico Transitório/epidemiologia , Pandemias , Pneumonia Viral , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/epidemiologia , Tempo para o Tratamento/estatística & dados numéricos , Doença Aguda , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , COVID-19 , Atenção à Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Serviços Médicos de Emergência , Serviço Hospitalar de Emergência/estatística & dados numéricos , Feminino , Hong Kong/epidemiologia , Hospitais Especializados/estatística & dados numéricos , Hospitais Urbanos/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Ataque Isquêmico Transitório/terapia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Proteínas Recombinantes/uso terapêutico , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , SARS-CoV-2 , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/prevenção & controle , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/terapia , Trombectomia/estatística & dados numéricos , Terapia Trombolítica/estatística & dados numéricos , Ativador de Plasminogênio Tecidual/uso terapêuticoAssuntos
Cuidadores , Epilepsia , Humanos , Hong Kong , Epilepsia/tratamento farmacológico , ConvulsõesRESUMO
Colorectal cancer is one of the top three cancers in the world in terms of incidence. Colonoscopy, which many regard as the gold standard in diagnosis of colonic polyps and neoplasm, is costly, invasive and labour-intensive, and deemed an unsuitable population-wide index screening tool. Alternative modalities, including guaiac and immunohistochemical faecal occult blood tests, computed tomographic colonography, colon capsule endoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and double-contrast barium enema are available. The procedures, test characteristics, and their implications are reviewed. Immunohistochemical faecal occult blood testing appears to be the most suitable population-wide screening test for an average-risk population, with flexible sigmoidoscopy as an alternative. More evidence is needed to determine the role of computed tomographic colonography and colon capsule endoscopy in colorectal cancer screening.
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Colonoscopia/métodos , Neoplasias Colorretais/diagnóstico , Detecção Precoce de Câncer/métodos , Colonografia Tomográfica Computadorizada/métodos , Humanos , Imuno-Histoquímica , Sangue Oculto , Sigmoidoscopia/métodosRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Sleep disturbances including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and poor sleep quality are common after stroke, while its association with cognitive changes following transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mild stroke remains unclear. We aim to determine whether sleep duration, OSA parameters, or nocturnal hypoxemia is associated with a greater cognitive decline after stroke. METHODS: We prospectively followed-up patients with acute TIA/mild stroke [National Institute Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) < 7] who underwent baseline sleep questionnaire [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)], and serial cognitive assessments [Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) 5-min, Stroop Test] at baseline and one-year. We also evaluated apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and nocturnal hypoxemia by Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT) at one-year. Primary outcome was one-year change in MoCA 5-min score. RESULTS: One hundred and five patients with TIA/mild stroke (mean age 63 years, 65 % male) were included. Baseline short sleep (< 6 hour/night) and AHI ≥ 20/hour at one-year were independently associated with a decline in the MoCA 5-min total score after covariates adjustment [short sleep: ß = -2.36 95 % confidence interval (CI) (-4.13, -0.59), p = 0.009; AHI ≥ 20/hour: ß = -1.79 (-3.26, -0.32), p = 0.017; remained significant after multiple comparisons correction]. A lower mean MinSpO2 was associated with a decline in executive function [Stroop interference index: ß = 0.29 (0.04, 0.53), p = 0.021], but not with MoCA 5-min score at one-year. Moderation analysis indicated AHI ≥ 20/hour was associated with a pronounced decline in executive function only in men. CONCLUSIONS: Short sleep after stroke onset, AHI ≥ 20/hour and nocturnal hypoxemia at one-year contributed to an impaired cognitive trajectory at one-year following stroke in patients with TIA/mild stroke.
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Background: Although renal dysfunction is associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) following stroke, the impact of renal function variability is unclear. Aim: This study aimed to assess the association between renal function variability and various adverse clinical outcomes in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA)/ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: We conducted a population-based study and retrospectively identified patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of TIA/ischemic stroke and AF during 2016-2020 using the Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System of Hong Kong. Serial serum creatinine tested upon the onset of TIA/ischemic stroke and during their subsequent follow-up was collected. Renal function variability was calculated using the coefficient of variation of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Clinical endpoints that occurred during the study period were captured and included ischemic stroke/systemic embolism, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), total bleeding, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), cardiovascular, non-cardiovascular, and all-cause mortality. Competing risk regression and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to assess the associations of renal function variability with the outcomes of interest. Results: A total of 3,809 patients (mean age 80 ± 10 years, 43% men) who satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria were followed up for a mean of 2.5 ± 1.5 years (9,523 patient-years). The mean eGFR was 66 ± 22 mL/min/1.73 m2 at baseline, and the median number of renal function tests per patient during the follow-up period was 20 (interquartile range 11-35). After accounting for potential confounders, a greater eGFR variability was associated with increased risks of recurrent ischemic stroke/systemic embolism [fully adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.20], ICH (1.17, 1.01-1.36), total bleeding (1.13, 1.06-1.21), MACE (1.22, 1.15-1.30), cardiovascular (1.49, 1.32-1.69), non-cardiovascular (1.43, 1.35-1.52), and all-cause mortality (fully adjusted hazard ratio 1.44, 1.39-1.50). Conclusion: Visit-to-visit renal function variability is independently associated with adverse clinical outcomes in TIA/ischemic stroke patients with AF. Further large-scale studies are needed to validate our results.
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Although Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations are generally recommended for persons with epilepsy (PwE), a significant vaccination gap remains due to patient concerns over the risk of post-vaccination seizure aggravation (PVSA). In this single-centre, retrospective cohort study, we aimed to determine the early (7-day) and delayed (30-day) risk of PVSA, and to identify clinical predictors of PVSA among PwE. Adult epilepsy patients aged ≥18 years without a history of COVID-19 infection were recruited from a specialty epilepsy clinic in early 2022. Demographic, epilepsy characteristics, and vaccination data were extracted from a centralized electronic patient record. Seizure frequency before and after vaccination, vaccination-related adverse effects, and reasons for or against vaccination were obtained by a structured questionnaire. A total of 786 PwEs were included, of which 27.0% were drug-resistant. At the time of recruitment, 74.6% had at least 1 dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Subjects with higher seizure frequency (p < 0.0005), on more anti-seizure medications (p = 0.004), or had drug-resistant epilepsy (p = 0.001) were less likely to be vaccinated. No significant increase in seizure frequency was observed in the early (7 days) and delayed phases (30 days) after vaccination in our cohort. On the contrary, there was an overall significant reduction in seizure frequency 30 days after vaccination (1.31 vs. 1.89, t = 3.436; p = 0.001). This difference was seen in both types of vaccine (BNT162b2 and CoronaVac) and drug-resistant epilepsy, but just missed significance for the second dose (1.13 vs. 1.87, t = 1.921; p = 0.055). Only 5.3% had PVSA after either dose of vaccine. Higher pre-vaccination seizure frequency of ≥1 per week (OR 3.01, 95% CI 1.05-8.62; p = 0.04) and drug-resistant status (OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.45-249 7.61; p = 0.005) were predictive of PVSA. Meanwhile, seizure freedom for 3 months before vaccination was independently associated with a lower risk of PVSA (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.04-0.28; p < 0.0005). This may guide epilepsy treatment strategies to achieve better seizure control for at least 3 months prior to vaccination. As COVID-19 shifts to an endemic phase, this study provides important data demonstrating the overall safety of COVID-19 vaccinations among PwE. Identification of high-risk patients with subsequent individualized approaches in treatment and monitoring strategies may alleviate vaccination hesitancy among PwE.
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Background Survivors of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) are at increased risk for major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), in the form of recurrent stroke and myocardial Infarction. We investigated whether long-term blood pressure (BP) variability represents a risk factor for MACCE after ICH, independent of average BP. Methods and Results We analyzed data from prospective ICH cohort studies at Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Hong Kong. We captured long-term (ie, visit-to-visit) BP variability, quantified as individual participants' variation coefficient. We explored determinants of systolic and diastolic BP variability and generated survival analyses models to explore their association with MACCE. Among 1828 survivors of ICH followed for a median of 46.2 months we identified 166 with recurrent ICH, 68 with ischemic strokes, and 69 with myocardial infarction. Black (coefficient +3.8, SE 1.3) and Asian (coefficient +2.2, SE 0.4) participants displayed higher BP variability. Long-term systolic BP variability was independently associated with recurrent ICH (subhazard ratio [SHR], 1.82; 95% CI, 1.19-2.79), ischemic stroke (SHR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.06-2.47), and myocardial infarction (SHR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.05-2.24). Average BP during follow-up did not modify the association between long-term systolic BP variability and MACCE. Conclusions Long-term BP variability is a potent risk factor for recurrent hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, and myocardial infarction after ICH, even among survivors with well-controlled hypertension. Our findings support the hypothesis that combined control of average BP and its variability after ICH is required to minimize incidence of MACCE.
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Hipertensão , AVC Isquêmico , Infarto do Miocárdio , Acidente Vascular Cerebral , Pressão Sanguínea/fisiologia , Hemorragia Cerebral/etiologia , Humanos , Hipertensão/complicações , Hipertensão/epidemiologia , Infarto do Miocárdio/complicações , Infarto do Miocárdio/epidemiologia , Estudos Prospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/diagnóstico , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/epidemiologia , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/etiologiaRESUMO
AIMS: To investigate any seasonality in the incidence of anti-GQ1b antibody syndrome (AGS). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study in all hospitalized patients in local public hospitals from January 2013 to December 2018. AGS was defined by hospitalized patients with positive serum anti-GQ1b IgG, presumably encompassing Miller-Fisher syndrome, Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) variants. GBS cases were retrieved from the computerized database by diagnostic label. Campylobacter jejuni infection (CJI) injection was identified by positive stool culture. Monthly incidence rates of AGS, GBS and CJI were calculated. Poisson and negative binomial regression models with long-term time trend were fitted to characterize the seasonal pattern. RESULTS: A total of 237, 572 and 2434 cases of AGS, GBS and CJI were identified, respectively, in a population of 7.3 million. The annual incidence rate of AGS was 0.54 per 100,000 person-years. AGS was demonstrated to have an annual peak in the spring season, from March to April, which was congruent with that of GBS and slightly lagged the annual peak of CJI from February to March (likelihood ratio tests all p < .001 for the seasonal terms). CONCLUSION: The incidence of AGS peaks in springtime, which is congruent with that of GBS and lags around one month after that of CJI. We demonstrated that AGS has a clear seasonality in occurrence.
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Encefalite , Síndrome de Guillain-Barré , Síndrome de Miller Fisher , Gangliosídeos , Humanos , Incidência , Síndrome de Miller Fisher/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Background Recent trials have shown that low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) <1.80 mmol/L (<70 mg/dL) is associated with a reduced risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in White patients with ischemic stroke with atherosclerosis. However, it remains uncertain whether the findings can be generalized to Asian patients, or that similar LDL-C targets should be adopted in patients with stroke without significant atherosclerosis. Methods and Results We performed a prospective cohort study and recruited consecutive Chinese patients with ischemic stroke with magnetic resonance angiography of the intra- and cervicocranial arteries performed at the University of Hong Kong between 2008 and 2014. Serial postevent LDL-C measurements were obtained. Risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with mean postevent LDL-C <1.80 versus ≥1.80 mmol/L, stratified by presence or absence of significant (≥50%) large-artery disease (LAD) and by ischemic stroke subtypes, were compared. Nine hundred four patients (mean age, 69±12 years; 60% men) were followed up for a mean 6.5±2.4 years (mean, 9±5 LDL-C readings per patient). Regardless of LAD status, patients with a mean postevent LDL-C <1.80 mmol/L were associated with a lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (with significant LAD: multivariable-adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.42-0.99; without significant LAD: subdistribution hazard ratio, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.32-0.88) (both P<0.05). Similar findings were noted in patients with ischemic stroke attributable to large-artery atherosclerosis (subdistribution hazard ratio, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.28-0.84) and in patients with other ischemic stroke subtypes (subdistribution hazard ratio, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.43-0.95) (both P<0.05). Conclusions A mean LDL-C <1.80 mmol/L was associated with a lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in Chinese patients with ischemic stroke with and without significant LAD. Further randomized trials to determine the optimal LDL-C cutoff in stroke patients without significant atherosclerosis are warranted.
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Aterosclerose/sangue , LDL-Colesterol/sangue , Dislipidemias/sangue , AVC Isquêmico/sangue , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Povo Asiático , Aterosclerose/diagnóstico por imagem , Aterosclerose/etnologia , Biomarcadores/sangue , Angiografia Cerebral , Dislipidemias/diagnóstico , Dislipidemias/etnologia , Feminino , Hong Kong/epidemiologia , Humanos , AVC Isquêmico/diagnóstico por imagem , AVC Isquêmico/etnologia , Angiografia por Ressonância Magnética , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Recidiva , Medição de Risco , Fatores de Risco , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
Background Survivors of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are at high risk for recurrent stroke, which is associated with blood pressure control. Because most recurrent stroke events occur within 12 to 18 months of the index ICH, rapid blood pressure control is likely to be crucial. We investigated the frequency and prognostic impact of uncontrolled short-term hypertension after ICH. Methods and Results We analyzed data from Massachusetts General Hospital (n=1305) and the University of Hong Kong (n=523). We classified hypertension as controlled, undertreated, or treatment resistant at 3 months after ICH and determined the following: (1) the risk factors for uncontrolled hypertension and (2) whether hypertension control at 3 months is associated with stroke recurrence and mortality. We followed 1828 survivors of ICH for a median of 46.2 months. Only 9 of 234 (4%) recurrent strokes occurred before 3 months after ICH. At 3 months, 713 participants (39%) had controlled hypertension, 755 (41%) had undertreated hypertension, and 360 (20%) had treatment-resistant hypertension. Black, Hispanic, and Asian race/ethnicity and higher blood pressure at time of ICH increased the risk of uncontrolled hypertension at 3 months (all P<0.05). Uncontrolled hypertension at 3 months was associated with recurrent stroke and mortality during long-term follow-up (all P<0.05). Conclusions Among survivors of ICH, >60% had uncontrolled hypertension at 3 months, with undertreatment accounting for the majority of cases. The 3-month blood pressure measurements were associated with higher recurrent stroke risk and mortality. Black, Hispanic, and Asian survivors of ICH and those presenting with severe acute hypertensive response were at highest risk for uncontrolled hypertension.