Trends in hospitalisation for ischaemic stroke in young adults in the region of Murcia (Spain) between 2006 and 2014.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies conducted in Europe and the United States suggest upward trends in both incidence and hospitalisation rates for ischaemic stroke in young adults; however, data for Spain are scarce. This study analyses the trend in hospitalisation due to ischaemic stroke in adults aged under 50 years in the region of Murcia between 2006 and 2014. METHOD: We performed a retrospective study of patients discharged after hospitalisation due to cerebrovascular disease (CVD); data were obtained from the regional registry of the Minimum Basic Data Set. Standardised rates were calculated, disaggregated by age and CVD subtype. Time trends were analysed using joinpoint regression to obtain the annual calculated standardised rate and the annual percentage of change (APC). RESULTS: A total of 27 064 patients with CVD were discharged during the 9-year study period. Ischaemic stroke was the most frequent subtype (61.0%). In patients aged 18 to 49 years, the annual number of admissions due to ischaemic stroke increased by 26%, and rates by 29.2%; however, the joinpoint regression analysis showed no significant changes in the trend (APC = 2.74%, P ≥ .05). By contrast, a downward trend was identified in individuals older than 49 (APC = -1.24%, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: No significant changes were observed in the rate of hospitalisation due to ischaemic stroke among young adults, despite the decline observed in older adults. Identifying the causes of these disparate trends may be beneficial to the development of specific measures targeting younger adults.

Neurophysiology training in the Neurology Specialist Education Program in Spain.

INTRODUCTION: The training period in neurophysiology is a substantial part of the Neurology Specialist Program in Spain. The National Neurology Committee (La Comisión Nacional de Neurología (CNN), which is the body reporting to the Ministries of Health and Education, must ensure compliance to the Program. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the first trimester of 2008, the CNN sent a questionnaire, in which there was a question asking about this training period, to each of the managers of the 69 teaching units accredited for neurology training in Spain, for them to answer. RESULTS: Of the 69 questionnaires issued, 49 were received completed, which was a response rate of 71%. The neurophysiology training period of the neurology specialist program in Spain was carried out in the same hospital in 44 teaching unit (90%): the remaining 5 sent their neurology trainees to 4 different hospitals. The Unit that carried out the neurophysiology training period was incorporated into the Neurology Department in 27 (55%) cases, and the formula was mixed in 3 (6%). A total of 69% of tutors were satisfied with the training, but was 90% in the hospitals where the unit was integrated into Neurology, and was 65% where this relationship did not exist. The neurologists in training were informed about EEG in 49% of education units, performed EMG/ENG 57%, and informed about evoked potentials in 35% after their training period. CONCLUSIONS: Although the level of satisfaction is high, the level of responsibility assumed by the neurologists in training during their rotation into neurophysiology does not appear to comply to the demands laid out in the training program, particularly in these units not integrated into Neurology Departments.

Trends in hospitalisation for ischaemic stroke in young adults in the region of Murcia (Spain) between 2006 and 2014. / Tendencia de la hospitalización por ictus isquémico en adultos jóvenes de la Región de Murcia durante el periodo 2006-2014.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies conducted in Europe and the United States suggest upward trends in both incidence and hospitalisation rates for ischaemic stroke in young adults; however, data for Spain are scarce. This study analyses the trend in hospitalisation due to ischaemic stroke in adults aged under 50 years in the region of Murcia between 2006 and 2014. METHOD: We performed a retrospective study of patients discharged after hospitalisation due to cerebrovascular disease (CVD); data were obtained from the regional registry of the Minimum Basic Data Set. Standardised rates were calculated, disaggregated by age and CVD subtype. Time trends were analysed using joinpoint regression to obtain the annual calculated standardised rate and the annual percentage of change (APC). RESULTS: A total of 27 064 patients with CVD were discharged during the 9-year study period. Ischaemic stroke was the most frequent subtype (61.0%). In patients aged 18 to 49 years, the annual number of admissions due to ischaemic stroke increased by 26%, and rates by 29.2%; however, the joinpoint regression analysis showed no significant changes in the trend (APC=2.74%, P≥.05). By contrast, a downward trend was identified in individuals older than 49 (APC=-1.24%, P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: No significant changes were observed in the rate of hospitalisation due to ischaemic stroke among young adults, despite the decline observed in older adults. Identifying the causes of these disparate trends may be beneficial to the development of specific measures targeting younger adults.

[Thymectomy in thymomatous and non-thymomatous myasthenia gravis: analysis of a cohort of 46 patients]. / Timectomía en miastenia grave timomatosa y no timomatosa: análisis de una cohorte de 46 pacientes.

INTRODUCTION: Factors predicting remission after thymectomy for myasthenia gravis are not well known. AIM: To analyze the clinical evolution of the patients after this intervention and discuss about predictors of response. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all clinical data of thymectomies in myasthenia gravis patients performed at our hospital between 2006 from 2016. Using the MGFA-PIS classification, «complete stable remission¼, «pharmacologic remission¼, «minimal manifestations¼ and «improved¼ were defined as «good clinical outcome¼, and «unchanged¼, «worse¼, «exacerbation¼ or «died¼, as «poor clinical outcome¼. RESULTS: In 46 consecutive thymectomies for myasthenia gravis, women comprised 71.7%. Median age was 37 years and 10.9% had concomitant autoimmune disorders associated. Thymoma (23.96%) was more frequent in older patients (53 ± 20 vs 33 ± 24 years) and men (54.5% vs 18.8%). A year after thymectomy, 28.2% of patients were in poor clinical outcome group and 54.3% had good clinical outcome. On univariate analysis, thymomatous myasthenia was associated with poor clinical outcome a year after surgical intervention. After ten years of follow-up, 9.8% reached complete stable remission, a total of 32 patients (78%) had a favourable outcome and thymoma was not correlated. CONCLUSION: Thymectomy is considered an effective treatment for myasthenia gravis but the benefit is not immediate. The presence of thymoma may determine a worse initial clinical response following thymectomy in patients with myasthenia gravis.

TITLE: Timectomía en miastenia grave timomatosa y no timomatosa: análisis de una cohorte de 46 pacientes.Introducción. En la actualidad, los factores predictores de remisión de la enfermedad en la miastenia grave tras una timectomía no están claramente establecidos. Objetivo. Analizar la evolución clínica de los pacientes tras esta intervención y abordar los posibles determinantes pronósticos. Pacientes y métodos. Se analizaron retrospectivamente los registros de pacientes con miastenia grave timectomizados en nuestro centro entre 2006 y 2016. Se utilizó la escala Miasthenya Gravis Foundation of America-Post Intervention Status agrupando las categorías «remisión completa estable¼, «remisión farmacológica¼, «manifestaciones mínimas¼ y «mejoría¼ como «buen resultado clínico¼, y las categorías «sin cambios¼, «empeoramiento¼, «exacerbación¼ y «muerte¼, como «mal resultado clínico¼. Resultados. Se analizaron 46 timectomías de pacientes con miastenia grave, un 71,7% mujeres. La mediana de edad era de 37 años y el 10,9% asociaba enfermedades autoinmunes. El timoma (23,9%) fue más frecuentes en los varones (54,5% frente a 18,8%) y a mayor edad (53 ± 20 frente a 33 ± 24 años). Un año después de la timectomía, el 28,2% se encontraba en el grupo de mal resultado clínico, y un 54,3%, en el de buen resultado clínico. En el análisis univariante, el timoma se asoció a peor resultado clínico al año de la intervención. Tras diez años de seguimiento, 32 pacientes (78%) alcanzaron un buen resultado clínico, un 9,8% en remisión completa estable, y el timoma no se correlacionó como factor de mal pronóstico. Conclusión. La timectomía se considera un tratamiento efectivo, pero sin beneficio inmediato. La presencia de timoma podría determinar una respuesta clínica inicial peor tras la realización de una timectomía en pacientes con miastenia grave.

Pulse immunosuppressive therapy for multiple sclerosis during the SARS-CoV-2 lockdown de-escalation plan: Safety algorithm. / Tratamiento inmunosupresor en pulsos en esclerosis múltiple durante el desescalado de la epidemia por SARS-CoV-2. Algoritmo de seguridad.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic is changing approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and care provision in multiple sclerosis (MS). During both the initial and peak phases of the epidemic, the administration of disease-modifying drugs, typically immunosuppressants administered in pulses, was suspended due to the uncertainty about their impact on SARS-CoV-2 infection, mainly in contagious asymptomatic/presymptomatic patients. The purpose of this study is to present a safety algorithm enabling patients to resume pulse immunosuppressive therapy (PIT) during the easing of lockdown measures. METHODS: We developed a safety algorithm based on our clinical experience with MS and the available published evidence; the algorithm assists in the detection of contagious asymptomatic/presymptomatic cases and of patients with mild symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection with a view to withdrawing PIT in these patients and preventing new infections at day hospitals. RESULTS: We developed a clinical/microbiological screening algorithm consisting of a symptom checklist, applied during a teleconsultation 48hours before the scheduled session of PIT, and PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal exudate 24hours before the procedure. CONCLUSION: The application of our safety algorithm presents a favourable risk-benefit ratio despite the fact that the actual proportion of asymptomatic and presymptomatic individuals is unknown. Systematic PCR testing, which provides the highest sensitivity for detecting presymptomatic cases, combined with early detection of symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection may reduce infections and improve detection of high-risk patients before they receive PIT.

[Use of extra-hospital emergency systems in the treatment of acute stroke in the region of Murcia. Possible repercussions on the urgent care of stroke patients]. / Utilización del sistema de emergencias extrahospitalario en el tratamiento del ictus agudo en la región de Murcia. Posible repercusión en la asistencia sanitaria urgente del ictus.

AIM: To examine the use of extra-hospital emergency systems in the urgent care of stroke patients in our region and their influence on the time required to reach hospital, the time needed to perform an urgent computerised axial tomography (CAT) scan and the delay in receiving attention from the specialist. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Samples were collected from 232 stroke patients out of the total number admitted to our hospitals. Data about the stroke were collected prospectively, and included the arrival time, the time required to perform the CAT scan and the time the specialist devoted to attending the patient. Data were also gathered about the different extra-hospital transport and emergency systems. A statistical analysis was performed to determine the effect of using the extra-hospital emergency procedures on the different variables. RESULTS: A total of 53.6% of patients arrived within the first three hours. 38.7% went straight to hospital, 25% visited extra-hospital Emergency Services first, and 18.5% made a prior visit to Primary Care. 51.5% found their own way to the hospital and 46.7% arrived by ambulance. Mean time taken to perform an urgent CAT scan: 190.4 minutes; mean time required for specialist attention: 25.65 hours. The only statistically significant relation was the use of extra-hospital emergency systems and health care transport according to the type of stroke: both were more likely to be used in cases of haemorrhagic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: In hospitals in the Murcia region, the use of the extra-hospital emergency system and the means of transport utilised do not affect the time stroke patients take to reach hospital or the time needed to perform an urgent CAT scan or the delay in receiving attention from a specialist; the aetiology of the stroke does, however, influence the use of such services.

[Why is reperfusion therapy delayed in stroke code patients? A qualitative analysis]. / ¿Por qué se retrasa el tratamiento de reperfusión en pacientes con código ictus? Un análisis cualitativo.

BACKGROUND: Efficacy and safety of reperfusion therapy in acute ischaemic stroke is time-dependent and has a limited therapeutic window, which is, in fact, the main exclusion criterion. Initiatives to evaluate the quality of care are essential to design future interventions and ensure the shortest management times and application of such treatments. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to identify and classify potential causes of delay in the administration of reperfusion therapy in a tertiary hospital, a reference for the comprehensive treatment of acute ischaemic stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The project was developed in Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain. A total of 337 patients with acute ischaemic stroke treated with reperfusion therapies were evaluated. For qualitative analysis, 2 working groups were formed: an advocacy group that designed and directed the entire project, and a multidisciplinary one, which served as a source of information and a mechanism for active involvement of all professionals in the stroke-care chain. Information was collected in 3 meetings and then, both the flowcharts and the cause-effect diagram were prepared. RESULTS: Based on the above tools, potential causes of delay were identified and classified according to an operational criterion into unmodified structures, and modifiable ones with known evidence and hypothetical repercussions. Modifiable ones are noted for their importance in the design of future improvement interventions in stroke care. Some of them are: Variability in following established protocols, lack of procedures in some parts of the stroke-care chain, etc. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the current situation has just been the starting point, but it has been an essential requisite for the design and implementation of a quality improvement program to shorten in-hospital stroke code times.

[Fever of central origin during stroke]. / Fiebre de origen central en el ictus.

INTRODUCTION: Fever appears in a fourth of stroke, approximately. Its origins, (the most of them are infectious) are unknown in a minority of the cases. Some hypotheses indicate that central mechanisms like hypothalamic lesions or segregation of endogenous pyrogens may be implicated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of central fever during stroke and to notice if there are clinical differences between infectious and central origins of the fever. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 103 patients were evaluated prospectively, if someone had fever, an investigation about an infectious origin was made. We divided the fever patients into two groups: "infectious fever" and "fever without infection documented" and we analyzed the clinical differences between them. RESULTS: 23% of the patients had fever, 33% without infection documented. This last group had earlier fevers. They had more clinical severity and more mortality. The fever was higher and it didn't response to the antipyretic treatment also. The others parameters didn't show any difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The patients with fever without infection documented ( probably fever of central origin)had a defined model with its own characteristics, in a different way from infectious fever.

[Cerebrovascular disease in young women]. / Patología vascular cerebral en mujeres jóvenes.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebrovascular disease is an important cause of morbi-mortality. Although its incidence is maximal in older groups, its incidence in young people cannot be forgotten, even more if we consider the socioeconomic and personal consequences derived from it. There are several works on this subject but few of them analyze the specific problem of stroke in women. There is some degree of controversy in this subject, specially about the role of several factors which are more prevalent or either exclusive for women. OBJECTIVES: We wanted to analyze the risk factors and clinical characteristics in a group of women under 45 who suffered a stroke and also to compare these risk factors between women under 35 and those from 35 to 45. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have carried out a descriptive study, including 61 women under 45 admitted to our centre consecutively between January 1989 and October 1996. RESULTS: Among the most prevalent factors we have found hypertension (27.8%), tobacco consumption (24.5%) and the presence of cardiac abnormalities (22.9%), specially associated to valvular pathology, as well as a higher incidence of contraceptives consumption in women under 35 (80%). CONCLUSIONS: These factors are similar to those found in studies on the general population of young people. Our data indicate that the relevance of the main factors for stroke is common for both sexes and is also significant in young patients.

[Neurological manifestations of Paget's disease: presentation of one case and review of the literature]. / Manifestaciones neurológicas en la enfermedad de Paget: presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

INTRODUCTION: Paget's disease is a frequent metabolic disease. It is usually diagnosed as a accidental finding. Initial symptoms usually consist of generalized pain in bones. When it affects the Central Nervous System, symptoms usually appear in advanced cases and are due mainly to compression of the spinal cord. Neurological problems as the first manifestation of the disease are exceptionally found. CLINICAL CASE: We report the case of a woman affected by Paget's disease who presented as a triventricular obstructive hydrocephalus. The patient was 72 years old and consulted first to the emergency ward due to headache, gait disorders and cognitive abnormalities. COMMENTS: The most remarkable data about this patient are the indolent course of the disease which caused its debut as hydrocephalus associated to basilar impression, its favourable evolution after ventricular drainage and the almost absolute absence of previous similar cases reported in literature all over the last years.

[Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration as initial presentation of a pancreatic small-cell carcinoma]. / Degeneración cerebelosa paraneoplásica como inicio de un carcinoma indiferenciado de células pequeñas de páncreas.

INTRODUCTION: Oat (small) cell carcinoma is the type of tumour most frequently associated to neurologic paraneoplastic syndromes. It is usually located in the lungs although it has been described in some other locations. Cerebellar symptoms may appear alone, associated to anti Yo antibodies ( Breast and gynaecologic carcinomas), or as manifestation of a more generalized paraneoplastic encephalopathy, associated to signs and symptoms of some other neurologic systems affected. CASE REPORT: A 52 year old patient consulted due to a pancerebellar clinical picture, which started about two months before, and later associated to polineuropathy. Abdominal CT showed a 4 cm mass in the head of the pancreas. Pathologic evaluation demonstrated a poorly differentiated small cell pancreatic tumour. Anti Hu antibodies in high titres were found both in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. DISCUSSION: The association of anti Hu immunity and paraneoplastic encephalomyelitis has been observed in patients with neuroblastoma, seminomas, colorectal, breast and prostate carcinomas and some types of sarcoma. Only about 1% of pancreatic malignancies correspond to small cell type. We have not found any previous report about the association between a paraneoplastic syndrome and pancreatic poorly differentiated small cell carcinoma.

[Cerebral venous thrombosis in the region of Murcia]. / Trombosis venosa cerebral en la región de Murcia.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Massive usage of new neuroimaging techniques has produced an increase in the number of patients with cerebral venous thrombosis. Our aim has been to evaluate this shift in our county through the clinico-radiologic characteristics of the patients admitted to our unit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over the last 7 years a total of 12 patients suffering from cerebral venous thrombosis were attended in our department. We have analyzed retrospectively their clinical records. RESULTS: There were 11 women 1 man with a range of ages from 13 to 60 years old. The main associated factor was oral contraceptives intake. Most of them presented with symptoms of benign intracranial hypertension. Magnetic resonance imaging was the most sensitive diagnostic tool. Outcome was good in general. Most of them were treated with intravenous heparin during the acute phase and received oral anticoagulation for 6 months. More than half were diagnosed all over the last three years. CONCLUSIONS: Our data seem to confirm this tendency towards a larger number of cases with the application of new diagnostic tools. In these cases, clinical course is more benign than reported in classical series.

[Pontine hemorrhage as a cause of peripheral facial paralysis]. / Hemorragia protuberancial como causa de parálisis facial periférica.

Bell's palsy is the most frequent type of peripheral facial nerve paralysis. Nevertheless there are other less frequent causes of peripheral facial palsy, among which, we can find lesions in the brain stem affecting the seventh cranial nerve nucleus or its fibers. These lesions of the pons which paralyze the muscles of the face are often accompanied by lesions to other structures in the vicinity of the nucleus. We present the case of peripheral facial nerve palsy caused by hemorrhage in the pons, seen both on brain CT-scan and MRI, which affected the nucleus of the seventh cranial nerve and was not accompanied by any other clinical manifestations due to lesions of structures placed in the vicinity of this nucleus.

[Quality of records in OMI-AP of the patients with stroke followed in primary care]. / Calidad del registro en OMI-AP de los pacientes con ictus seguidos en atención primaria.

OBJECTIVES: 1) To determine the level of registration and control of cardiovascular risk factors in stroke patients treated in primary care in Murcia through electronic medical records. 2) To describe the registered drug treatment in patients with stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational descriptive, retrospective, evaluated through the records in OMI (electronic medical records) in all areas of Murcia Health Service. A sample of 407 patients with stroke was analyzed. The analyzed variables were type of stroke, time of evolution, registered cardiovascular risk factors, registered cardiovascular disease, medication and degree of control of modifiable risk factors. RESULTS: Cardiovascular risk factors recorded were hypertension (81.1%), dyslipemia (72.5%), diabetes (41.3%), abdominal obesity (22.9%) and tobacco (8.8%). Registered cardiovascular diseases were ischemic heart disease (22.1%), atrial fibrillation (13.8%), nephropathy (11.8%), myocardial infarction (5.7%) and left ventricular hypertrophy (3.4%). 2.5% (10) of patients met all criteria for good control. The LDL cholesterol was controlled (<100mg/dl) and recorded in 24.8% of patients and blood pressure in 41.3%. 78.1% of patients were being treated with antihypertensive drugs, 47.4% with lipid-lowering drugs, and 79.1% with antiplatelet or anticoagulant. CONCLUSIONS: According to data recorded at OMI-AP the patients who have suffered a stroke have poor control of cardiovascular risk factors.

[Specific neurology emergency training of medical residents in Spain]. / La guardia específica de Neurología en la formación del médico residente en España.

INTRODUCTION: Training in emergency neurological illness is very important for the neurologist today. The Neurology National Commission has decided to obtain information on the work duties of neurologist residents in the different neurology units of the hospitals of our country and the supervision of the training in urgent pathology. METHOD: A survey of adult neurology program directors to find out if their hospital fulfils the program criteria for the residents duty work. RESULTS: A response rate of 98.5% was obtained. In 47% of the neurology training units a neurologist supervised resident duty work 24 hours a day. In the rest of the neurology training units they did not fulfil all the training program criteria. We analysed the differences between the neurologist training units, and there are great differences between the hospitals and all regions and communities in our country. Only 65% of neurology residents do their education in neurology units who fulfill the national program criteria on training on urgent neurology pathology CONCLUSIONS: There is too much diversity in resident duty work in neurologist training units and not all the units meet the national training program requirements.

[Analysis of the neurology teaching unit in Spain and compliance of accreditation criteria]. / Análisis de las unidades docentes de neurología en España y cumplimiento de los criterios de acreditación.

INTRODUCTION: Faced with the promulgation of the Health Care Professionals Ordinance Law and the publication of the new program of the Neurology training, the National Committee of neurology has considered it necessary to know the current situation of the Teaching Units (TU) accredited for the neurology training in regards to the existing accreditation criteria (AC). The purpose of this study is to know said situation. METHODS: A cross-sectional study performed by a voluntarily filled-out survey (ad hoc questionnaire) sent by regular mail in the year 2005 to all the TU accredited at that time. It included specific questions regarding the structural, human and organizational requirements contemplated in those accreditation criteria. RESULTS: A total of 64 questionnaires were sent (response percentage: 76.6%). Eighty seven percent of the TU met the structural requirements for neurological care, although 21 % had fewer than 4 offices for visits and fewer than 15 neurology beds. A total of 25 % of the TU did not met the requirements in regards to full-time staff members. Although almost 100% met the quantitative care organizational requirements, only 69 % reported that there were neurology duties. However, the grade of the tutorial system could not be known due to the survey design. Almost 100% met the teaching and research requirements. CONCLUSIONS: Although the compliance grade of the current AC is high, there are important deficiencies, basically related to the number of full-time staff professionals and the availability of duly tutorized neurology duties.

[Kinesigenic paroxysmal choreoathetosis: contribution of SPECT]. / Coreoatetosis paroxística cinesigénica: aportación de la SPECT.

We report two unrelated patients affected of kinesigenic paroxysmal choreoathetosis (CPC), during a symptomatic period. Routine complementary exams were normal. The 99mTc-HMPAO cerebral SPECT showed hyperactivation in the basal ganglia opposite to the choreoathetosic symptoms and reduced untake in the near parietal and subcortical zones in one case. These observations suggest that abnormal hyperactivity of contralateral basal ganglia may cause choreathetotic movements in patients with CPC.