Grounding of using treatment-and-rehabilitation complex for patients with occupational lumbosacral radiculopathy

Aim. To ground and estimate the efficiency of using nonmedicamentous methods of treatment in patients with occupational radiculopathy of lumbosacral level. Materials and methods. Sixty seven patients, diagnosed occupational lumbosacral radiculopathy, were examined; patients’ neurological status, manifestation of pain syndrome by 10-score visual analog scale and neuromuscular state by stimulation electroneuromyography data prior to and after treatment were assessed. Results. Treatment-and-rehabilitation complex included magnetic-laser therapy, acupuncture, combined with curative gymnastics. By the completion of treatment, positive dynamics regarding nearly all neurological states, including reduced manifestation of painful sensations, increased volume of active movements in the lumbar spine, decreased hyperesthesia rate and hypoesthesia intensity in the zone of injured roots, decreased occurrence of Lasegue test was observed. Dynamics of electroneuromyographic parameters was expressed by improved conduction of nerve impulses through the peripheral low extremity nerves and roots L4, L5, S1 of cerebrospinal nerves. Conclusions. Application of the offered complex provided positive effect by the end of treatment in 82.3 % of cases.

Body mass index and severity of parkinsonism in multiple system atrophy

Patients with neurodegenerative disorders lose body weight as their diseases progress. In Parkinson’s disease (PD), however, autonomic dysfunction is associated with increased body mass index (BMI). We investigated the correlation between BMI, clinical features, and autonomic dysfunction in patients with multiple system atrophy with predominant parkinsonism (MSAP). BMI, clinical features, cardiac 123Imetaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy (MIBG), Hoehn and Yahr (H-Y) stage, and the coefficient of variation of the R-R interval (CVRR) were analyzed in 50 patients with MSA-P. BMI showed no significant correlation with MIBG parameters or CVRR. On the other hand, the H-Y stage was significantly negatively correlated with BMI. Higher H-Y stage indicates a more severe neuromuscular state in MSA-P and is considered to be related to higher energy expenditure and decrease of BMI. Patients with MSA-P lose weight as the disease progresses. This is the first report indicating a significant correlation between disease severity and BMI decrease in MSA.