SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Multiple Sclerosis

To understand COVID-19 characteristics in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and identify high-risk individuals due to their immunocompromised state resulting from the use of disease-modifying treatments. Retrospective and multicenter registry in patients with MS with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and available disease course (mild = ambulatory; severe = hospitalization; and critical = intensive care unit/death). Cases were analyzed for associations between MS characteristics and COVID-19 course and for identifying risk factors for a fatal outcome. Of the 326 patients analyzed, 120 were cases confirmed by real-time PCR, 34 by a serologic test, and 205 were suspected. Sixty-nine patients (21.3%) developed severe infection, 10 (3%) critical, and 7 (2.1%) died. Ambulatory patients were higher in relapsing MS forms, treated with injectables and oral first-line agents, whereas more severe cases were observed in patients on pulsed immunosuppressors and critical cases among patients with no therapy. Severe and critical infections were more likely to affect older males with comorbidities, with progressive MS forms, a longer disease course, and higher disability. Fifteen of 33 patients treated with rituximab were hospitalized. Four deceased patients have progressive MS, 5 were not receiving MS therapy, and 2 were treated (natalizumab and rituximab). Multivariate analysis showed age (OR 1.09, 95% CI, 1.04-1.17) as the only independent risk factor for a fatal outcome. This study has not demonstrated the presumed critical role of MS therapy in the course of COVID-19 but evidenced that people with MS with advanced age and disease, in progressive course, and those who are more disabled have a higher probability of severe and even fatal diseas

Psicothema

Resumen tomado de la publicaciónLa esclerosis múltiple (EM) es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica del sistema nervioso central muy heterogénea en sus manifestaciones. A diferencia de los déficits sensitivos-motores, muy bien estudiados, los aspectos cognitivos están siendo analizados sólo en las últimas décadas. A 28 pacientes con EM recurrente-remitente (EMRR) (tiempo de evolución, mediana 7 años; EDSS, mediana 2) se les realizó una evaluación de atención, función ejecutiva y memoria mediante una batería neuropsicológica específica. Se evaluaron también el grado de depresión (BDI), ansiedad (STAI) y fatiga (EGF). Veinticinco fueron seleccionados para el estudio por presentar alteración en algún aspecto cognitivo. El 24 por ciento mostraba disminución en memoria y el 80 por ciento en atención y funciones ejecutivas relacionadas con regiones prefrontales. No se observaron dificultades globales de memoria, salvo en memoria inmediata visual de elementos complejos (Figura de Rey reproducción inmediata), sin afectarse la prueba de reproducción visual I de la WMS-R. En pacientes con EMRR con un tiempo medio de evolución y bajo nivel de incapacidad, las alteraciones cognitivas afectan fundamentalmente a funciones atribuidas a regiones prefrontales. Las dificultades en memoria inmediata visual de elementos complejos se explicarían también por un fallo de estas áreas al alterarse la organización y uso estratégico del material a codificar.AsturiasColegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Asturias; Calle Ildefonso Sánchez del Río, 4-1 B; 33001 Oviedo; Tel. +34985285778; Fax +34985281374;ES

Quality assurance in specialized headache units in Spain : an observational prospective study

To assess the quality of the therapeutic approach in Specialized Headache Units in Spain. An observational (prospective) study was conducted. Anonymized data of 313 consecutive patients during a defined period of time were analyzed and a comparison of performance in 13 consensual quality indicators between Specialized Headache Units and neurology consultations was calculated. Specialized Units and neurology consultations represented the type of provision that Spaniards receive in hospitals. The consensus benchmark standard was reached for 8/13 (61%) indicators. Specialized Headache Units performed better in the indicators, specifically in relation to accessibility, equity, safety, and patient satisfaction. Patients attended in Specialized Headache Units had more complex conditions. Although there is variability among Specialized Headache Units, the overall quality was generally better than in traditional neurology consultations in Spain

Estudio longitudinal de doentes com doença de Parkinson (ELEP): objectivos e metodologia

La enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) es crónica y progresiva. Desde la perspectiva sociosanitaria, representa una fuente de sufrimiento para el paciente y sus cuidadores, así como una importante carga para la sociedad. La información actual sobre la EP es limitada en cuanto al conocimiento del curso evolutivo relacionado con: 1) el desarrollo y la evolución de los aspectos no motores de la enfermedad; 2) el impacto de estas manifestaciones sobre la discapacidad y la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS); 3) los determinantes de la discapacidad y de la pérdida de CVRS; 4) los factores relacionados con la velocidad de progresión de la enfermedad; 5) las pautas de aplicación y la repercusión diferencial a largo plazo (sobre complicaciones, discapacidad, CVRS) de las medidas terapéuticas disponibles; y 6) el impacto de la EP sobre los cuidadores. Además, en la información existente se detecta heterogeneidad en la calidad de las propiedades métricas de los instrumentos de medida aplicados y de los sesgos de selección.Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive disorder. It produces a significant burden not only for patients, but also for their family and caregivers, with a major socio-economic impact on society. Current knowledge on PD is characterized by scarce information about the evolutionary course of: 1) the non-motor PD features; 2) impact of non-motor PD features on disability and health related quality of life (HRQL) impairment; 3) factors related to disability and HRQL determinants; 4) factors that speed or slow the progression of PD; 5) differential long-term effect of available PD therapeutic schedules and their relationships with disability, complications, and HRQL; and 6) impact of the disease on patients’ caregivers. In addition, heterogeneity in the metric quality of the applied measures and selection bias are frequently foundA doença de Parkinson (DP) é crónica e progresiva. De uma perspectiva socio-sanitária, representa uma fonte de sufrimento para o paciente e seus cuidadores, assim como uma carga importante para a sociedade. A informação actual sobre a DP é limitada em quanto ao conhecimento do curso evolutivo relacionado com: 1) o desenvolvimento e a evolução dos aspectos não motores da doença; 2) o impacto destas manifestações sobre a discapacidade e a qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde (QVRS); 3) os determinantes da discapacidade e da diminuição de QVRS; 4) os factores relacionados com a velocidade de progressão da doença; 5) as pautas de aplicação e a repercursão diferencial a longo prazo (sobre complicações, discapacidade, QVRS) das medidas terapêuticas disponíveis; e 6) o impacto da DP sobre os cuidadores. Além disso, na informação disponível há uma heterogeneidade na qualidade das propriedades métricas dos instrumentos de medida aplicados e dos enviesamentos de selecção

Criação e protocolo de seguimento longitudinal de uma coorte multipropósito de doentes com doença de Parkinson de diagnóstico recente: projecto VIP

La enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) es una enfermedad neurodegenerativa muy heterogénea desde el punto de vista etiológico, clínico y terapéutico, lo que dificulta la interpretación de resultados de estudios transversales. Son necesarios los registros de pacientes y los estudios longitudinales de cohortes bien caracterizadas desde el punto de vista clínico y terapéutico.Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a quite heterogeneous disorder, thus difficulting the interpretation of transversal studies. Patients’ registries and longitudinal studies can be considered as a priority in order to understand many still unknown aspects of the disease.A doença de Parkinson (DP) é uma doença neurodegenerativa muito heterogénea do ponto de vista etiológico, clínico e terapêutico, o que dificulta a interpretação de resultados de estudos transversais. São necessários os registos de doentes e os estudos longitudinais de coortes bem caracterizadas do ponto de vista clínico e terapêutico