NeurologiaPub Date : 2024-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2022.04.007
L. Simón-Vicente , S. Rodríguez-Cano , V. Delgado-Benito , V. Ausín-Villaverde , E. Cubo Delgado
{"title":"Cybersickness. A systematic literature review of adverse effects related to virtual reality","authors":"L. Simón-Vicente , S. Rodríguez-Cano , V. Delgado-Benito , V. Ausín-Villaverde , E. Cubo Delgado","doi":"10.1016/j.nrleng.2022.04.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nrleng.2022.04.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Virtual Reality (VR) uses computer technology to create a simulated environment. VR is a growing technology with promising extensive applications in different areas such as Medicine, entertainment, sports, gaming, and simulation. However, information about VR side effects is still limited. We aimed to identify the most frequent physical side effects caused by VR therapeutic applications.</div></div><div><h3>Methodology</h3><div>All available full-text articles evaluating VR as a therapeutic intervention and side effects using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) between 2016 and 2021 were consulted across 4 electronic (Entrez Pubmed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Wiley databases). The methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Ten out of 55 reviewed articles (18%) met inclusion/exclusion criteria, including a sample of 416 patients, mean age of 24.54 (15–52.6)<!--> <!-->years old. According to the PEDro scale, two articles (20%) were considered good or excellent. Side effects were reported more frequently with head-mounted displays compared to desktop systems, especially disorientation, followed by nausea and oculomotor disturbances.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Although VR might have positive effects as a therapeutic tool, VR can also cause side events. As in any other therapeutic intervention, it is important to understand the effectiveness and safety before planning a VR intervention using a well-designed scientific methodology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94155,"journal":{"name":"Neurologia","volume":"39 8","pages":"Pages 701-709"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142425829","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NeurologiaPub Date : 2024-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2022.03.007
{"title":"Analysis of the prognostic value of emergency blood tests in ischaemic stroke","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.nrleng.2022.03.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nrleng.2022.03.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aims to evaluate the prognostic value of emergency blood test results in patients with acute ischaemic stroke.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We evaluated 592 prospectively patients with neuroimaging-confirmed ischaemic stroke admitted to our stroke unit between 2015 and 2018. We gathered emergency blood test results and calculated the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and the neutrophil-to-platelet ratio (neutrophils × 1.000/platelets). The association between blood test results and functional prognosis (as measured with the modified Rankin Scale) and such complications as haemorrhagic transformation was evaluated by logistic regression analysis. The additional predictive value of blood test parameters was assessed with receiver operating characteristic curves and the net reclassification index.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>An neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥ 3 at admission was associated with a two-fold increase in the risk of functional dependence at 3 months (OR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.35-3.71) and haemorrhagic transformation (OR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.09-4.05), while an neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥ 3.86 resulted in an increase of 2.4 times in the risk of mortality at 3 months (OR: 2.41; 95% CI: 1.37-4.26) after adjusting for the traditional predictors of poor outcomes. Patients with neutrophil-to-platelet ratio ≥ 32 presented 3 times more risk of haemorrhagic transformation (OR: 3.17; 95% CI: 1.70-5.92) and mortality at 3 months (OR: 3.07; 95% CI: 1.69-5.57). Adding these laboratory parameters to standard clinical-radiological models significantly improved discrimination and prognostic accuracy.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Basic blood test parameters provide important prognostic information for stroke patients and should therefore be analysed in combination with standard clinical and radiological parameters to optimise ischaemic stroke management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94155,"journal":{"name":"Neurologia","volume":"39 8","pages":"Pages 617-628"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40696646","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NeurologiaPub Date : 2024-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2022.04.008
V. Puertas M , I. de Noriega Echevarria , I. Errasti V , M.A. Perez M , R.M. Alba
{"title":"Intrathecal baclofen therapy as treatment for spasticity and dystonia: Review of cases in a pediatric palliative care unit","authors":"V. Puertas M , I. de Noriega Echevarria , I. Errasti V , M.A. Perez M , R.M. Alba","doi":"10.1016/j.nrleng.2022.04.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nrleng.2022.04.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Patients managed in the Pediatric Palliative Care Integral Unit (PPCIU) have serious neurological conditions that involve significant damage at central nervous system level. The movement disorder is a very common clinical problem and for the patients where an adequate control of muscle tone is not achieved with usual techniques or drugs, intrathecal baclofen therapy (IBT) should be considered.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>Descriptive retrospective study based on the review of clinical records of patients who received IBT being followed by the PPCIU of Madrid Autonomous Region in the timeframe between September 2012 and February 2021.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>IBT was implanted in 8 patients affected by infantile cerebral palsy (ICP) with a Gross Motor Function Scale (GMFCS) IV–V, 3 patients was a Pantothenate kinase deficit-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), 2 had Acquired Brain Damage, and the remaining 3 had, respectively, 2 glutaric aciduria type I (GA-1), and poly-malformative syndrome. In all patients we observed a period of clinical stability after IBT, we call this period “honeymoon”. Two patients died while in the honeymoon period, at 24.9 and 19.6 months from implantation of the pump; the median of duration of the honeymoon period in the remaining 14 was 14.4 months (IQ: 8.3–25.8).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>IBT was not only used in patients with non-progressive diseases, but also in the group of patients with neurodegenerative or progressive diseases. In all of them, after implantation of the device, we have objectified a period of clinical stability and a better control of muscle tone disorders.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94155,"journal":{"name":"Neurologia","volume":"39 8","pages":"Pages 675-682"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142425827","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NeurologiaPub Date : 2024-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2022.02.004
{"title":"Incidence and prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Spain: a systematic review","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.nrleng.2022.02.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nrleng.2022.02.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Greater understanding of the prevalence and incidence of multiple sclerosis in Spain and their temporal trends is necessary to improve the allocation of healthcare resources and to study aetiological factors.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We performed a systematic search of the MedLine database and reviewed the reference lists of the articles gathered. We collected studies reporting prevalence or incidence rates of multiple sclerosis in any geographical location in Spain, with no time limits. In 70% of cases, data were extracted by 2 researchers (FGL and EAC); any discrepancies were resolved by consensus.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We identified 51 prevalence and 33 incidence studies published between 1968 and 2018. In the adjusted analysis, the number of prevalent cases per 100 000 population increased by 26.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 21.5–31.8) every 10 years. After adjusting for year and latitude, the number of incident cases per 100 000 population increased by 1.34 (95% CI, 0.98–1.69) every 10 years. We observed a trend toward higher prevalence and incidence rates at higher latitudes.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Spain has increased in recent decades, although case ascertainment appears to be incomplete in many studies. Incidence rates have also increased, but this may be due to recent improvements in the detection of new cases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94155,"journal":{"name":"Neurologia","volume":"39 8","pages":"Pages 639-650"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10726866","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NeurologiaPub Date : 2024-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2022.03.004
{"title":"Functional outcomes of patients with NORSE and FIRES treated with immunotherapy: A systematic review","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.nrleng.2022.03.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nrleng.2022.03.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To determine the frequency of good functional outcomes in patients with NORSE and FIRES treated with immunotherapy.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We performed a systematic search of the MedLine and EMBASE databases to gather studies including at least 5 patients with NORSE or FIRES and at least one patient treated with immunotherapy, and reporting functional outcomes. Good functional outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤ 2 (or an equivalent measure) at the last available follow-up assessment. Only patients with known functional outcomes were included in the analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We analyzed 16 studies including a total of 161 patients with NORSE. Six studies were carried out only with FIRES patients (n = 64). Of the 161 patients with NORSE, 141 (87.5%) received immunotherapy. Outcome data were available for 135, 56 of whom (41.4%) achieved good functional outcomes. Twenty-four of the 58 patients with FIRES treated with immunotherapy and for whom outcome data were available achieved good functional outcomes (41.3%). Mortality rates in patients with NORSE and FIRES treated with immunotherapy were 20/121 (16.5%) and 6/58 (10.3%), respectively. By type of immunotherapy, good functional outcomes were achieved in 36/89 patients receiving glucocorticoids (40.4%), 27/71 patients receiving IV immunoglobulins (38%), 11/37 patients treated with plasma exchange (29.7%), 5/17 patients receiving rituximab (29.4%), and 2/13 patients receiving cyclophosphamide (15.3%).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Despite the lack of randomised clinical trials, immunotherapy is frequently prescribed to patients with NORSE and FIRES. However, rates of functional dependence and mortality remain high in these patients. Second-line therapies achieved lower rates of good outcomes, probably because they were administered to patients with more severe, refractory disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94155,"journal":{"name":"Neurologia","volume":"39 8","pages":"Pages 629-638"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33482198","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NeurologiaPub Date : 2024-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2024.09.001
M. Ahmed , S. Roy , M.A. Iktidar , S. Chowdhury , S. Akter , A.M.K. Islam , M.D.H. Hawlader
{"title":"Post-COVID-19 memory complaints: Prevalence and associated factors","authors":"M. Ahmed , S. Roy , M.A. Iktidar , S. Chowdhury , S. Akter , A.M.K. Islam , M.D.H. Hawlader","doi":"10.1016/j.nrleng.2024.09.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nrleng.2024.09.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Memory complaints resulting from COVID-19 may have a significant impact on the survivors’ quality of life. Unfortunately, there is insufficient information available on memory loss and its relationship to COVID-19. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to determine the prevalence of memory complaints in post-COVID-19 patients and to find potential contributing factors.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 401 individuals who had previously been diagnosed with COVID-19 at four COVID testing centers situated across Bangladesh. The MAC-Q questionnaire was used to evaluate memory. A binary logistic regression model was fit to study the variables related to memory complaints, with a <em>p</em>-value of <0.05 deemed statistically significant.</div></div><div><h3>Result</h3><div>Memory complaints was prevalent in 19.2% of the post-COVID patients. Individual predictor analysis revealed that among the treatment modalities, steroids and antibiotics were associated with impaired memory. Multiple logistic regression showed that individuals who recovered from COVID-19 within six to twelve months were more likely to have memory deficits. Even though age, sex, oxygen demand, and hospitalization were not linked with memory complaints, rural residents exhibited more significant memory complaints than urban residents.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Nearly one-fifth of the COVID-19 patients suffer from various degrees of memory complaints within one year. However, no association was found between COVID-19 severity to memory complaints.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94155,"journal":{"name":"Neurologia","volume":"39 8","pages":"Pages 651-657"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142425828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NeurologiaPub Date : 2024-09-01DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2022.07.006
{"title":"Strength of association of classical vascular risk factors in young patients with ischaemic stroke: a case-control study","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.nrleng.2022.07.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nrleng.2022.07.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>Recent studies have reported an increasing incidence of ischaemic stroke among young adults. However, the strength of the association between traditional vascular risk factors has not been fully established.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>We compared 120 patients with a first ischaemic stroke before the age of 55 years admitted to the stroke unit of our centre with 600 healthy non-stroke controls from a population-based cohort study (HERMEX), matched for sex. Risk factors assessed included: hypertension, obesity, auricular fibrillation, current smoking, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and diabetes mellitus. We used logistic regression analysis and calculated population attributable risk. We performed an overall analysis, by sex and aetiological subgroup.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Using logistic regression analysis, we found that overall, the significant risk factors were: hypertension (OR: 1.58; 95%CI: 1.01-2.50), atrial fibrillation (OR: 4.77; 95%CI: 1.20-19.00), low eGFR (OR: 4.74; 95%CI: 1.3-21.94) and low HDL-C (OR: 5.20; 95%CI: 3.29-8.21), as well as smoking for males (OR: 1.86; 95%CI: 1.14-3.03). LDL-C showed an inverse association with stroke. The population attributable risk for HDL-C was 37.8% and for hypertension 21.1%. In terms of aetiological subgroups, only low HDL-C was associated with stroke of undetermined aetiology.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Hypertension, auricular fibrillation, low eGFR, and low HDL-C, plus tobacco use in men, are the main risk factors among patients under 55 years of age with a first ischaemic stroke. We believe that it would be of particular interest to further explore the management of low HDL-C levels as part of preventive strategies in young stroke patients.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94155,"journal":{"name":"Neurologia","volume":"39 7","pages":"Pages 604-613"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2173580822001420/pdfft?md5=4c95ffad50c9af71107613f15bfeeaa7&pid=1-s2.0-S2173580822001420-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40456578","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NeurologiaPub Date : 2024-09-01DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2021.09.012
{"title":"Botulinum toxin type A infiltration in spasticity and cervical dystonia. Muscle morphology: an overlooked factor","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.nrleng.2021.09.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nrleng.2021.09.012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>Botulinum toxin type A is used to treat spasticity and dystonia. However, its relationship with muscle morphology has not been studied. The action mechanism of botulinum toxin is based on the inhibition of acetylcholine release. Therefore, larger doses of toxin would be needed to treat larger muscles. This study aims to establish whether there is a discrepancy between muscle morphology and the botulinum toxin doses administered.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>We dissected, and subsequently measured and weighed, muscles from the upper and lower limbs and the head of a fresh cadaver. We consulted the summary of product characteristics for botulinum toxin type A to establish the recommended doses for each muscle and calculated the number of units infiltrated per gramme of muscle.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Different muscles present considerable morphological variability, and the doses of botulinum toxin administered to each muscle are very similar. We observed great variability in the amount of botulinum toxin administered per gramme of muscle, ranging from 0.3 U/g in the biceps femoris to 14.6 U/g in the scalene muscles. The mean dose was 2.55 U/g. The doses administered for nearly all lower limb muscles were below this value.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>There are significant differences in morphology between the muscles of the lower limbs, upper limbs, and head, but similar doses of botulinum toxin are administered to each muscle. These differences result in great variability in the number of units of botulinum toxin administered per gramme of muscle.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94155,"journal":{"name":"Neurologia","volume":"39 7","pages":"Pages 523-529"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2173580823000287/pdfft?md5=ba59c6ad5a3cb0124100df065b292d4b&pid=1-s2.0-S2173580823000287-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9445188","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NeurologiaPub Date : 2024-09-01DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2024.07.002
L. Vásquez-Celaya , G. Marín , M.E. Hernández , P. Carrillo , C.A. Pérez , G.A. Coria-Avila , J. Manzo , M. Miquel , L.I. García
{"title":"Functional correlation between cerebellum and basal ganglia: A parkinsonism model","authors":"L. Vásquez-Celaya , G. Marín , M.E. Hernández , P. Carrillo , C.A. Pérez , G.A. Coria-Avila , J. Manzo , M. Miquel , L.I. García","doi":"10.1016/j.nrleng.2024.07.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nrleng.2024.07.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>The cerebellar response has been studied for years with different models of alteration of other brain structures to understand its complex functioning and its relationship with the rest of the body. Studies in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) showed that the cerebellar function is modified by deficit of the basal ganglia; which supports the hypothesis that both structures are related anatomically and functionally.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>In our study, the ventrolateral striatum (VLS) of the basal ganglia was altered by an electrolytic lesion, in order to produce a similar jaw frequency of jaw tremor movements presented in parkinsonism, thereafter we analyzed the effect of the lesion on the expression of multiunit activity (MUA) of the cerebellum.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>We found cerebellar activation during mandibular movements and increment during oral jaw tremor movements. In addition, the amplitude of baseline MUA registered in animals with alteration of the VLS decreased with respect to the intact group.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Accordingly, we conclude that cerebellar changes in MUA may be due to a decrease in the cerebellar inflectional or as a possible compensatory function between cerebellum and basal ganglia.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94155,"journal":{"name":"Neurologia","volume":"39 7","pages":"Pages 555-563"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2173580824000658/pdfft?md5=5a40fac51f62ce86fe2778197601442e&pid=1-s2.0-S2173580824000658-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142122410","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NeurologiaPub Date : 2024-09-01DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2024.07.003
J.J. Martínez-Payá , J. Ríos-Díaz , M.E. del Baño-Aledo , D. Hervás , J.I. Tembl-Ferrairó , T. Sevilla-Mantecón , J.F. Vázquez-Costa
{"title":"The cross-sectional area of the median nerve: An independent prognostic biomarker in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis","authors":"J.J. Martínez-Payá , J. Ríos-Díaz , M.E. del Baño-Aledo , D. Hervás , J.I. Tembl-Ferrairó , T. Sevilla-Mantecón , J.F. Vázquez-Costa","doi":"10.1016/j.nrleng.2024.07.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nrleng.2024.07.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>Ultrasound changes in the cross-sectional area of the median nerve (CSAmn) could be of interest as biomarkers in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Eighty-four ALS patients (51 men [60.7%]; mean 62.0 [SD 11.46] years old) and forty-six controls (27 men [58.7%]; mean 59.9 [SD 8.08] years old) of two different cohorts were recruited between September 2013 and February 2018. The CSAmn was measured bilaterally in each cohort, by two different examiners with two different ultrasound machines (one in each cohort). Its association with clinical variables (disease duration, muscle strength, disability, progression rate and tracheostomy-free survival) was assessed.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The CSAmn was smaller in patients than in controls, and the study cohort did not influence its values. A mild correlation between the strength of the wrist flexor and the CSAmn was found. In the multivariable analysis, the probability of this association being true was 90%. In the cox regression, both a faster progression rate and a larger CSAmn independently predicted poor survival (HR<!--> <!-->=<!--> <!-->4.29, [Cr.I95%: 2.71–6.80], <em>p</em> <!--><<!--> <!-->0.001; and HR<!--> <!-->=<!--> <!-->1.14, [Cr.I95%: 1.03–1.25], <em>p</em> <!-->=<!--> <!-->0.01), after adjusting by age, body mass index, bulbar onset, and diagnostic delay.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The CSAmn is an easy to assess biomarker that seems reliable and reproducible. Our data also suggest that it could act as a progression and prognostic biomarker in ALS patients. Longitudinal studies with repeated measures are warranted to confirm its usefulness in the clinical practice.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94155,"journal":{"name":"Neurologia","volume":"39 7","pages":"Pages 564-572"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S217358082400066X/pdfft?md5=538e3f37fafb0132b313683a428f23c9&pid=1-s2.0-S217358082400066X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142122411","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}