scholarly journals Auras and the risk of seizures with impaired consciousness following epilepsy surgery: implications for driving

2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. 599-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Fairclough ◽  
Aidan G O’Keeffe ◽  
Jane de Tisi ◽  
John S Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Epilepsy Surgery ◽  
Focal Epilepsy ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Surgery Outcome ◽  
History Of ◽  
Impaired Awareness ◽  
The Uk ◽  
International League

ObjectiveTo calculate the chance of a seizure in the next year (COSY) for seizures with impaired awareness in those experiencing auras only, those with no seizures and those with continuing seizures. Epilepsy surgery is an effective treatment for refractory focal epilepsy. Driving is an important factor affecting quality of life. In the UK, driving is not permitted if focal seizures with no impairment of awareness (auras, simple partial seizures) continue, if there is a prior history of seizures with impaired awareness, as will invariably be the case in those having epilepsy surgery. Current UK driving regulations allow driving if COSY is less than 20%.MethodWe calculated COSY in 819 epilepsy surgery patients with up to 25 years follow-up. Each patient year was graded on the The International League against Epilepsy surgery outcome scale.ResultsPatients who were entirely seizure-free for 1, 2 and 3 years had COSY of 4.9%, 3.5% and 2.4% respectively. Patients with only auras within the last 1, 2 or 3 years had a COSY of 11.3%, 9.2% and 7.8% respectively.ConclusionsIndividuals with auras only after epilepsy surgery had a higher COSY than those who were seizure-free. If a COSY of below 20% is regarded as an acceptable risk, it may be suggested that those with auras only in a given year be allowed to drive. The relative risk of these patients causing accidents is lower than population groups such as those aged <25 or >75 years, who are permitted to drive.

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy in an epilepsy surgery cohort

Neurology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 90 (6) ◽  
pp. e474-e478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy L. Jones ◽  
Jeffrey W. Britton ◽  
Melissa M. Blessing ◽  
Joseph E. Parisi ◽  
Gregory D. Cascino
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
Epilepsy Surgery ◽  
Focal Epilepsy ◽  
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy ◽  
Neuropsychological Testing ◽  
Adult Patients ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Seizure Disorders ◽  
History Of

ObjectiveTo determine the occurrence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in young adult patients undergoing epilepsy surgery.MethodsTen patients who underwent epilepsy surgery were randomly selected for this retrospective study. The patients were 18–45 years of age, had preoperative neuropsychological evaluation, and had 1 year postoperative follow-up. Microscopic sections from resections were evaluated for the presence of CTE with standard stains and antibodies to tau (clone AT8).ResultsThe median age at resection was 32.5 years (range 23–43) and the median duration of seizures was 23.5 years (range 3–28). Eight had a history of head injury. Preoperative neuropsychological testing showed mild to moderate cognitive impairment in 8 patients (80%). Pathologic examination in one patient showed focal sparse tau-immunoreactive lesions along descending rami and cortical gyral depths of the resected frontal lobe. Nine patients had no evidence of CTE. All focal cortical resections showed variable subpial and subcortical gliosis commonly identified in patients with chronic seizure disorders.ConclusionsThe present small retrospective observational study suggests that CTE may occur, but appears uncommon, in young adult patients undergoing surgical treatment for drug-resistant focal epilepsy. The significance of these findings requires further investigation to define the relative importance of tau accumulation in younger adult patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy and cognitive decline.

Psychiatric and psychosocial morbidity 1 year after epilepsy surgery

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
S. Patel ◽  
M. Clancy ◽  
H. Barry ◽  
N. Quigley ◽  
M. Clarke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Epilepsy Surgery ◽  
Refractory Epilepsy ◽  
Post Surgery ◽  
Axis I ◽  
Patients With Epilepsy ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives: There is a high rate of psychiatric comorbidity in patients with epilepsy. However, the impact of surgical treatment of refractory epilepsy on psychopathology remains under investigation. We aimed to examine the impact of epilepsy surgery on psychopathology and quality of life at 1-year post-surgery in a population of patients with epilepsy refractory to medication. Methods: This study initially assessed 48 patients with refractory epilepsy using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory 89 (QOLIE-89) on admission to an Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) as part of their pre-surgical assessment. These patients were again assessed using the SCID-I, QOLIE-89 and HADS at 1-year follow-up post-surgery. Results: There was a significant reduction in psychopathology, particularly psychosis, following surgery at 1-year follow-up (p < 0.021). There were no new cases of de novo psychosis and surgery was also associated with a significant improvement in the quality of life scores (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study demonstrates the impact of epilepsy surgery on psychopathology and quality of life in a patient population with refractory surgery. The presence of a psychiatric illness should not be a barrier to access surgical treatment.

scholarly journals Surgically resected skull base meningiomas demonstrate a divergent postoperative recurrence pattern compared with non–skull base meningiomas

2016 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Mansouri ◽  
George Klironomos ◽  
Shervin Taslimi ◽  
Alex Kilian ◽  
Fred Gentili ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Recurrence Rate ◽  
Postoperative Recurrence ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Skull Base Tumors ◽  
Who Grade ◽  
Predictors Of Recurrence ◽  
History Of ◽  
Skull Base Meningiomas

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to identify the natural history and clinical predictors of postoperative recurrence of skull base and non–skull base meningiomas. METHODS The authors performed a retrospective hospital-based study of all patients with meningioma referred to their institution from September 1993 to January 2014. The cohort constituted both patients with a first-time presentation and those with evidence of recurrence. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed for analysis of recurrence and differences were assessed using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to identify potential predictors of recurrence. RESULTS Overall, 398 intracranial meningiomas were reviewed, including 269 (68%) non–skull base and 129 (32%) skull base meningiomas (median follow-up 30.2 months, interquartile range [IQR] 8.5–76 months). The 10-year recurrence-free survival rates for patients with gross-total resection (GTR) and subtotal resection (STR) were 90% and 43%, respectively. Skull base tumors were associated with a lower proliferation index (0.041 vs 0.062, p = 0.001), higher likelihood of WHO Grade I (85.3% vs 69.1%, p = 0.003), and younger patient age (55.2 vs 58.3 years, p = 0.01). Meningiomas in all locations demonstrated an average recurrence rate of 30% at 100 months of follow-up. Subsequently, the recurrence of skull base meningiomas plateaued whereas non–skull base lesions had an 80% recurrence rate at 230 months follow-up (p = 0.02). On univariate analysis, a prior history of recurrence (p < 0.001), initial WHO grade following resection (p < 0.001), and the inability to obtain GTR (p < 0.001) were predictors of future recurrence. On multivariate analysis a prior history of recurrence (p = 0.02) and an STR (p < 0.01) were independent predictors of a recurrence. Assessing only patients with primary presentations, STR and WHO Grades II and III were independent predictors of recurrence (p < 0.001 for both). CONCLUSIONS Patients with skull base meningiomas present at a younger age and have less aggressive lesions overall. Extent of resection is a key predictor of recurrence and long-term follow-up of meningiomas is necessary, especially for non–skull base tumors. In skull base meningiomas, recurrence risk plateaus approximately 100 months after surgery, suggesting that for this specific cohort, follow-up after 100 months can be less frequent.

Abstract P011: Heart Failure and the Obesity Paradox Among Participants in the in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study

Circulation ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 127 (suppl_12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raegan W Durant ◽  
Todd M Brown ◽  
Emily B Levitan ◽  
Joshua S Richman ◽  
Nicole Redmond ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Central Adiposity ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
History Of ◽  
Regards Study

Background: Overweight and obese adults living with heart failure (HF) have lower mortality compared to those of normal weight. However, the specific relationships of overall weight status and central adiposity with mortality among those with HF are less well-defined. We examined the relationships among body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and mortality among patients hospitalized for HF in the REGARDS Study. Methods: REGARDS is a national cohort of US community-dwelling adults aged >45 recruited from 2003 to 2007. We measured all-cause mortality rates among 565 participants hospitalized with HF who were normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m 2 ), overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m 2 ), or obese (BMI > 30.0 kg/m 2 ) at baseline. Underweight participants (BMI < 18.5 kg/m 2 ) were excluded. Baseline WC, weight, and height were measured during an in-home exam. Index HF hospitalizations during follow-up were adjudicated by a panel of experts. Vital status was determined using the Social Security Death Index or the National Death Index. Cox proportional models estimated hazard ratios for all-cause mortality following the index HF hospitalization. Models were sequentially adjusted for WC, sociodemographics, HF severity (EF and BNP during HF hospitalization, prior history of HF, prior history of diastolic dysfunction), comorbidities, and health behaviors. Results: Among 565 participants hospitalized for HF, 116 (21%) were normal weight, 209 (37%) overweight, and 240 (42%) obese at baseline. Over a mean follow-up of 2.5 years, 253 deaths occurred. In multivariable analyses, overweight was associated with lower all-cause mortality in all models (Table). Each 1-cm increase in WC was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality, but the relationship was not statistically significant after health behaviors were added in the final model. . Conclusions: Among adults hospitalized for HF, overweight as assessed by BMI may be associated with lower risk for mortality. However, central adiposity may confer higher risk of mortality.

Selection of children with drug resistant epilepsy who are candidates for epilepsy surgery: pre and post-operative evaluation

QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Osama Salah Mohamed El Sharkawy ◽  
Zeinab Anwar El kabbany ◽  
Neveen Tawakol Younis ◽  
Khaled Aboulfotouh Ahmad ◽  
Ahmed Darwish Mahmoud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epilepsy Surgery ◽  
Preoperative Evaluation ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Surgery Outcome ◽  
Class 1 ◽  
Operative Evaluation ◽  
Drug Resistant Epilepsy ◽  
Stage 1 ◽  
International League ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract Objective To select patients with drug resistant epilepsy following up in Pediatrics Neurology Outpatient Clinic of Children's Hospital, Ain Shams University who are candidates for epilepsy surgery and to detect outcome of epilepsy surgery in such children as regards seizures control. Methods This prospective study was conducted over a period of 36 months and comprises of 3 stages. Stage 1 includes selection of candidates for epilepsy surgery and preoperative evaluation. Evaluation included clinical assessment, video EEG, MRI epilepsy protocol. Stage 2 include surgery phase where decision of surgery was made by a multidisciplinary team. Stage 3 includes post-operative evaluation as regards Seizures frequency, Seizures Severity using Chalfont score, Engel Epilepsy Surgery Outcome Scale and the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) outcome classification. Data was tabulated and analyzed with SSPS package for windows. Results 17 patients underwent epilepsy surgery. Results revealed significant decrease in seizures frequency and severity at 6 and 12 months after surgery. As regards Engel Epilepsy Surgery Outcome Scale 11 (64.7%) patients were class I at 12 months. As regards the ILAE outcome classification 10 (58.8%) patients are class 1 at 12 months. Conclusions epilepsy surgery can be a hope for patients with drug resistant epilepsy who are well selected and evaluated preoperatively. New studies on larger number and for longer duration are recommended.

Real world treatment patterns in chronic myeloid leukemia patients newly initiated on tyrosine kinase inhibitors in an U.S. integrated healthcare system

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 253-263
Author(s):  
Nazia Rashid ◽  
Han A Koh ◽  
Kathy J Lin ◽  
Brian Stwalley ◽  
Eugene Felber
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia ◽  
Index Date ◽  
Stem Cell Transplant ◽  
Study Time ◽  
Myelogenous Leukemia ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Cell Transplant ◽  
Time Period ◽  
History Of

Purpose To evaluate treatment patterns in patients diagnosed with incident chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) newly initiating therapy with imatinib, dasatinib, or nilotinib. Patients were followed to determine switching and discontinuation rates. Factors associated with switching or discontinuation from index TKI therapy, reasons for discontinuation based on electronic chart notes, and frequency of laboratory monitoring were assessed during the follow-up period. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted in chronic myelogenous leukemia patients aged ≥ 18 years who were identified from the Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC) Cancer Registry database during the study time period of 1 January 2007 to 12 December 2013. The index date was defined as the date of the first TKI prescription (imatinib, dasatinib, or nilotinib) identified during the study time period with no prior history of TKI use within 12 months. Patients had to have continuous membership with drug benefit eligibility and no prior history of stem cell transplant (SCT) or other cancers during the 12 months prior to the index date. Baseline characteristics were identified during 12 months prior to the index date and outcomes were identified during the follow-up period after the index date. All patients were followed from index TKI therapy until end of study time period (12 December 2014), death, stem cell transplant, or disenrollment from the health plan unless one of the following occurred first: a patient switched their index therapy, or a patient discontinued their index therapy. Forward stepwise selection multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate factors associated with patients who continued therapy compared to those who switched or discontinued therapy with the index TKI. Chart notes were reviewed 30 days prior and 30 days post index TKI discontinuation to evaluate reasons for discontinuation. Molecular and cytogenetic testing frequency was also assessed during the follow-up period among the different patient groups. Results Two hundred sixteen patients were identified with incident chronic myelogenous leukemia and use of TKI therapy: 189 (87.5%) received imatinib, 19 (8.8%) received dasatinib, and 8 (3.7%) received nilotinib. The mean age on index date was 53 years and 63% were male; 103 patients (48%) continued on their index therapy, while 62 patients (28%) switched, and 51 patients (24%) discontinued.

scholarly journals Dietary intake and age at natural menopause: results from the UK Women’s Cohort Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 72 (8) ◽  
pp. 733-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yashvee Dunneram ◽  
Darren Charles Greenwood ◽  
Victoria J Burley ◽  
Janet E Cade
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Natural Menopause ◽  
Age At Menopause ◽  
Oily Fish ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Study Participants

BackgroundAge at natural menopause is a matter of concern for women of reproductive age as both an early or late menopause may have implications for health outcomes.MethodsStudy participants were women aged 40–65 years who had experienced a natural menopause from the UK Women’s Cohort Study between baseline and first follow-up. Natural menopause was defined as the permanent cessation of menstrual periods for at least 12 consecutive months. A food frequency questionnaire was used to estimate diet at baseline. Reproductive history of participants was also recorded. Regression modelling, adjusting for confounders, was used to assess associations between diet and age at natural menopause.ResultsDuring the 4-year follow-up period, 914 women experienced a natural menopause. A high intake of oily fish and fresh legumes were associated with delayed onset of natural menopause by 3.3 years per portion/day (99% CI 0.8 to 5.8) and 0.9 years per portion/day (99% CI 0.0 to 1.8), respectively. Refined pasta and rice was associated with earlier menopause (per portion/day: −1.5 years, 99% CI −2.8 to −0.2). A higher intake of vitamin B6 (per mg/day: 0.6 years, 99% CI 0.1 to 1.2) and zinc (per mg/day: 0.3 years, 99% CI −0.0 to 0.6) was also associated with later age at menopause. Stratification by age at baseline led to attenuated results.ConclusionOur results suggest that some food groups (oily fish, fresh legumes, refined pasta and rice) and specific nutrients are individually predictive of age at natural menopause.

Abstract 13274: Predictors of Mortality in Critically Ill Covid-19 Patients - A Multicenter Prospective Analysis of 159 Patients

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Randy Ip ◽  
Zulfiqar Qutrio Baloch ◽  
manel boumegouas ◽  
Abdullah Al abcha ◽  
Steven Do ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Elevated Troponin ◽  
Ischemic Disease ◽  
Patient Status ◽  
History Of

Introduction: Certain patient demographics and biomarkers have been shown to predict survival in patients infected with COVID-19. However, predictors of outcome in patients who are critically ill and require advanced respiratory support are unclear. Methods: We performed a multicenter analysis of 159 consecutive patients with confirmed COVID-19 who were admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) between March 01, 2020 and April 30, 2020. Patients were then followed until May 23, 2020. Demographic data (age, sex, race, BMI) and past medical history (hypertension, diabetes, COPD, CKD, history of cardiac ischemic disease, atrial fibrillation and heart failure) were recorded. Laboratory values (troponin, CPK, pro-BNP, ferritin, LDH and d-dimer) were analyzed. Patient status was classified as either alive or deceased at hospital discharge or the end of follow up period. Results: Mean patient age was 66+/-15 and 53% were male. Mean BMI was 31+/- 9. Mean hospital ICU stay was 11+/-8 days. Mortality rate of this ICU cohort at the end of follow-up was 63%. Fifty-five (34%) patients were discharged from the hospital. A multivariable logistic regression analysis identified four factors (age, prior history of diabetes, prior history of atrial fibrillation and elevated troponin) that had significant and independent contributions to the likelihood of survival. Each increase in decade of age above 40 (p = 0.010) was predicted to reduce survival by 30%, the presence of diabetes (p = 0.041) by 57%, a prior history of atrial fibrillation (p= 0.011) by 75%, and each increase of 0.1 ng/mL of troponin above 0.05 ng/ml (p = 0.001) by 55%. Conclusion: Mortality of critically ill COVID-19 patients is high. Early aggressive treatment of high-risk patients identified in this study (advanced age, history of diabetes and atrial fibrillation and elevated troponin) could improve clinical outcome. The highly predictive value of elevated troponin levels on survival may indicate cardiac involvement of COVID-19 infection as a determinant of mortality. Additionally, of available published literature at this time, this is the first study that suggests a relationship between atrial fibrillation and increased mortality from COVID-19. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.

The changing landscape of local authority commissioning

2020 ◽  
pp. 177-196
Author(s):  
Dave Ayre
Keyword(s):  
Academic Research ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

This chapter assesses the history of the relationship between public and private sectors and the extent to which the political and regulatory environment of governments and institutions such as the European Union (EU) can help or hinder the efforts of public bodies in seeking to deliver services that determine the health and quality of life for communities. The relationship of public and private sectors in the United Kingdom (UK) and the commissioning, procurement, and development of public–private partnerships is driven by the prevailing political and economic environment. However, rigorous academic research on the benefits of partnering to organisations, societies and between countries is limited. Evidence is needed to fill the policy vacuum. A bolder approach is necessary to work with public and private sectors to develop and implement successful partnering alternatives to the outsourcing of public services. The growing catalogue of outsourcing failures in construction, probation, rail franchising, health, and social care is creating an appetite for change, and the exit of the UK from the EU provides the opportunity.

scholarly journals Asystole in an older patient with recurrent falls. Case report

Case reports ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-83
Author(s):  
William Fernando Bautista-Vargas
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Implantable Devices ◽  
Loop Recorder ◽  
General Terms ◽  
Recurrent Falls ◽  
History Of ◽  
Rule Out

Introduction: Recurrent falls are a usual problema in older patients. It is therefore important to learn how to differentiate a pathological or syncopal episode from a simple stumbling fall, especially in patients who have limitations for communicating clearly and are poorly understood, in general terms, during the medical consultation. Implantable loop recorders (ILR) have been used as an investigation tool in selected cases of recurrent falls in older patients. Consequently, this case report aims to describe its usefulness in this type of patients.Case presentation: An 87-year-old female patient, hypertensive, with a history of recent stroke and frequent falls —referred to as stumbling—, received an implantable loop recorder due to atrial fibrillation. During one follow-up appointment, a 36-second pause related to a fall was documented, so a bicameral pacemaker was implanted.Conclusions: Evaluating repeated falls in older patients is complex; it must be done in detail to rule out syncopal episodes. Implantable devices to diagnose arrhythmic causes are useful and allow achieving accurate diagnoses and establish specific behaviors aimed at improving the quality of life of patients.

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