Vestibular Function After the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquakes: A Retrospective Chart Review

This retrospective chart review aimed to examine both the vestibular function and causes of dizziness experienced by individuals following a series of major earthquakes and repetitive aftershocks. All patients with balance disorders who experienced the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes and their aftershocks completed questionnaires relevant to balance disorders and were enrolled in this study after providing informed consent. There were 2.8 times more patients with balance disorders post the earthquake. Anxiety (P = 0.02), orthostatic dysregulation (P = 0.005), and motion sickness scores (P = 0.03) were all significantly higher after the earthquakes. A subset of participants underwent clinical equilibrium testing, showing significant deteriorations in the equilibrium test results (stabilometry: P = 0.01), cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (P = 0.04), and head-up tilt (P = 0.03) after the earthquake. The findings of this study also suggest that earthquake-induced disequilibrium may be further influenced by physical stressors, including sensory disruptions induced by earthquake vibrations, changes in the living conditions, and autonomic stress. This study increases our understanding of human equilibrium in response to natural disasters. Moreover, these findings will facilitate the management of dizziness experienced during or after such disasters. Future studies should identify strategies for mitigating autonomic dysfunction to prevent post-earthquake dizziness.

The prevalence of orthostatic dysregulation among newly graduated female nurses after employment and its associations with autonomic nervous function, stress, and depressive symptoms

Objectives: We aimed to examine the prevalence of orthostatic dysregulation among newly graduated female nurses after employment and its associations with autonomic nervous function, stress, and depressive symptoms. Methods: This follow-up study included 48 newly graduated female nurses (aged 22 ± 3 years) employed in acute care hospitals. The orthostatic dysregulation symptoms were evaluated using a screening checklist. A sit-to-stand test was conducted to assess the autonomic nervous function. Subjective stress and depressive symptoms were determined using a self-administered questionnaire. The data were collected at baseline on the first month and on the seventh month of employment. Statistical differences within groups were analyzed using paired t-test and McNemar’s test. The independent associations of orthostatic dysregulation status with stress and depressive symptoms were analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model. Results: The percentage of individuals who were diagnosed with orthostatic dysregulation increased from 25.0% at baseline to 35.4% at follow-up. Logistic regression analyses revealed that stress and depressive symptoms were closely associated with orthostatic dysregulation status at follow-up, despite a weak association reported at baseline. The participants were categorized according to their orthostatic dysregulation status: among individuals without orthostatic dysregulation at baseline but with orthostatic dysregulation at follow-up, the increase in autonomic nervous activity, as assessed by the coefficient of variation of the R-R intervals, in response to the postural changes was significantly attenuated at follow-up. Furthermore, this group exhibited a significant increase in stress and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: At 7 months after employment, newly graduated nurses showed a higher prevalence of orthostatic dysregulation in combination with autonomic nervous system modulation, which was accompanied by an increase in stress and depressive symptoms. These observations suggest that the orthostatic dysregulation is associated with poor mental and physical health among newly graduated nurses in the early phase of employment.

A Case of Acute Kidney Injury in a Patient with Renal Hypouricemia without Intense Exercise

Exercise-induced acute kidney injury (EIAKI) frequently develops in patients with renal hypouricemia (RHUC). However, several cases of RHUC with acute kidney injury (AKI) but without intense exercise have been reported. We encountered a 15-year-old male with RHUC who experienced AKI. He reported no episodes of intense exercise and displayed no other representative risk factors of EIAKI, although a vasopressor had been administered for orthostatic dysregulation before AKI onset. His kidney dysfunction improved with discontinuation of the vasopressor and conservative treatment. Thus, AKI can develop in patients with RHUC in the absence of intense exercise, for which vasopressors may be a risk factor.

Novel insights into symptomatology of moyamoya disease in pediatric patients: survey of symptoms suggestive of orthostatic intolerance

OBJECTIVEA specific population of young patients with moyamoya disease (MMD) persistently experience physical symptoms not attributable to focal ischemia. These symptoms, highly suggestive of orthostatic intolerance (also termed “orthostatic dysregulation”), were investigated and reported as potential determinants of quality of life in young MMD patients.METHODSForty-six patients (6–30 years of age) were selected from a group of 122 patients who were diagnosed with MMD before 18 years of age. The authors administered a structured questionnaire consisting of 11 items based on screening checklists published in the Japanese clinical guidelines for juvenile orthostatic dysregulation in young patients. The results were tabulated, and correlations with clinical data were explored.RESULTSThirty-seven (80%) patients (mean age 15.9 years) responded to the questionnaire. Frequent headache, vertigo/dizziness on standing, fatigue, difficulty with getting out of bed, and motion sickness were the top 5 symptoms, resulting in 57% of patients being unable to attend school. Forty-three percent of the patients demonstrated multiple symptoms suggestive of orthostatic intolerance, even as long as 5 years after revascularization surgery. The number of symptoms was inversely associated with the number of years after surgery (p = 0.028). The number of symptoms was not associated with a history of surgery, clinical presentations, vascular involvement, cerebral perfusion, brain lesions, or history of transient ischemic attacks.CONCLUSIONSThe present study provided novel insight into the symptomatology of young patients with MMD. Failure to notice nonfocal physical symptoms can significantly impair quality of life in young patients with MMD even years after successful revascularization surgery. These symptoms may serve as independent clinical markers used to assess disease outcome, although the underlying mechanisms of this disease are, as of yet, unclear.