Pain is a subjective experience that is influenced by genetics, gender, social, cultural and personal parameters. Opposed to chronic pain, which by definition has to last for at least 3 months, acute ...pain is mostly because of trauma, acute medical conditions or treatment. The link between mood disorders and acute pain has proven to be increasingly significant since the link is bi-directional, and both act as risk factors for each other. Depression and anxiety are associated with increased perception of pain severity, whereas prolonged duration of acute pain leads to increased mood dysregulation. Although both depression and anxiety have a proven association with acute pain, the link between depression and acute pain is more thoroughly studied. Pain can be the presenting or sole complaint in depressed patients who present to primary care practices and is often overlooked by clinicians. However, reports on the perception of experimentally-induced pain in depressed patients are mixed, showing both an increased and decreased pain threshold and pain tolerance across various studies. Although less data is published about anxiety and pain, the relationship is consistent across studies as increased anxiety leads to increased severity of pain perceived and decreased pain tolerance. Anxiety as well as fear, stress, and catastrophizing are also shown to be mediators in the causal pathway between pain and disability.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) may affect in excess of 90% of individuals with Down syndrome (DS) after age 60, due to duplication of the APP gene in trisomy of chromosome 21, with neuropathology that is ...comparable to Sporadic AD and Familial AD (FAD). Previous literature suggested some unique features in clinical presentation of dementia in DS (DSd), which might be due to diagnostic difficulties, or represent a real difference compared to SAD or FAD. We review current knowledge on clinical diagnosis and presentation of dementia in DS in comparison with FAD due to APP mutations and APP duplication. We suggest that the clinical presentation in DS (prominent memory decline and behavioral symptoms, and early development of myoclonus and seizures) are similar to the clinical features associated with APP mutations that is known to have an increased Aβ42/ Aβ40 ratio, and highlight the relative lack of vascular complications associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy in DS in comparison with those rare individuals with FAD due to duplication APP. We consider the biomarker evidence associated with DS and DSd with reference to Aβ peptide levels and oxidative stress, and suggest future directions for research to explore the potential mechanisms associated with the clinical presentation of DSd.
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•Alzheimer's disease in Down syndrome often presents with cognitive decline, behavioral symptoms, myoclonus/seizures.•In comparison with Familial AD due to duplication APP, stroke is rare.•Biomarker studies are needed to explore biological effects of APP mutations, duplication APP, and DS.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody-positive clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) is frequently associated with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease ...(RP-ILD) and high mortality rates. There is a lack of data on management of this often fatal condition. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate current evidence that assesses the available management options and discuss the associated management challenges.
This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Online databases were searched from inception to April of 2021 using the search terms: “dermatomyositis” OR “amyopathic dermatomyositis” OR “clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis” AND “MDA-5″ OR “melanoma differentiation-associated gene-5″ OR “CADM-140″ AND “management” OR “treatment” OR “therapy” OR “therapeutics”. Articles assessing the use of pharmacologic agents on 10 or more patients with MDA5-antibody positive CADM associated with ILD were included. Narrative or systematic reviews and meta-analyses were not eligible for inclusion.
A total of 15 eligible studies and 399 unique patients were selected. We identified only one open-label randomized controlled trial (RCT) that examined the management of anti-MDA5 antibody CADM/DM-ILD. Further, 3 cohort studies with prospective arms matched against historical controls, 10 retrospective cohort studies, and 1 retrospective case series were included. A combined therapeutic regimen of high-dose systemic glucocorticoids and other immunosuppressive agents such as calcineurin inhibitors and/or cyclophosphamide, administered early, appears to give the highest rates of survival in those with RP-ILD, while additional therapies such as plasma exchange can be added for refractory disease. Further, tofacitinib and rituximab might have a place in the therapeutic armamentarium of this challenging to treat condition. Early detection and treatment are of extreme importance, given the risk for rapid decline and high mortality in this subset of patients.
There are limited RCTs evaluating the treatment of ILD associated with MDA5-antibody positive CADM. Initiating a combined immunosuppressive therapeutic regimen early in the disease course improves overall morbidity and mortality. RCTs and larger prospective studies are needed to provide high-quality evidence to inform future treatment guidelines.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Coeliac disease (CD) is increasingly prevalent and is associated with both gastrointestinal (GI) and extra-intestinal manifestations. Psychiatric disorders are amongst extra-intestinal manifestations ...proposed. The relationship between CD and such psychiatric disorders is not well recognised or understood.
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to provide a greater understanding of the existing evidence and theories surrounding psychiatric manifestations of CD.
An online literature search using PubMed was conducted, the prevalence data for both CD and psychiatric disorders was extracted from eligible articles. Meta analyses on odds ratios were also performed.
A total of 37 articles were included in this review. A significant increase in risk was detected for autistic spectrum disorder (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.24-1.88,
< 0.0001), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.18-1.63,
< 0.0001), depression (OR 2.17, 95% CI 2.17-11.15,
< 0.0001), anxiety (OR 6.03, 95% CI 2.22-16.35,
< 0.0001), and eating disorders (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.37-1.91,
< 0.00001) amongst the CD population compared to healthy controls. No significant differences were found for bipolar disorder (OR 2.35, 95% CI 2.29-19.21,
= 0.43) or schizophrenia (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.02-10.18,
= 0.62).
CD is associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, eating disorders as well as ASD and ADHD. More research is required to investigate specific biological explanations as well as any effect of gluten free diet.
Aging is an inevitable process and represents the accumulation of bodily alterations over time. Depression and chronic pain are highly prevalent in elderly populations. It is estimated that 13% of ...the elderly population will suffer simultaneously from the two conditions. Accumulating evidence suggests than neuroinflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of both depression and chronic pain. Apart from the common pathophysiological mechanisms, however, the two entities have several clinical links. Their management is challenging for the pain physician; however, both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches are available and can be used when the two conditions are comorbid in the elderly patients.
Objective. Neuropathic pain is a common presenting complaint of patients with peripheral neuropathy (PN) and is considered one of the most disabling neuropathic symptoms, with detrimental effects on ...patients’ quality of life (QoL). The aim of this review was to overview the current literature that focuses on QoL in painful PN of various aetiologies. We sought to clarify the direct effect of pain and its treatment on patients’ QoL. Methodology. A systematic computer-based literature search was conducted using the PubMed database to search for papers on QoL in painful PN. Information was extracted regarding prevalence, demographics, and response to treatment where relevant. Results. We identified 66 articles eligible for inclusion. The vast majority of studies (n=47) focused on patients with diabetic PN. Other aetiologies of painful PN where QoL has been studied to date include gluten, immune-mediated, HIV, chemotherapy-induced, and chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy. Pharmacological treatment is the mainstay in managing pain and has a direct positive and independent effect on the overall QoL. Other nonpharmacological approaches can also be of benefit, either alone or as adjuvant treatments, and are discussed. Conclusion. The findings demonstrate that QoL is impaired in painful PN and should not be neglected in clinical practice. Patients’ pain management and subsequent impact on QoL should routinely be assessed and monitored.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The interplay between nutrition and neurology has gained increasing recognition and various studies have emerged showing malnutrition and nutritional imbalances as a cause and result of certain ...neurological pathologies ...
The aim of this systematic review was to explore the relationship between coeliac disease (CD) and headache. The objectives were to establish the prevalence of each entity amongst the other, to ...explore the role of gluten free diet (GFD), and to describe the imaging findings in those affected by headaches associated with CD.
A systematic computer-based literature search was conducted on the PubMed database. Information regarding study type, population size, the age group included, prevalence of CD amongst those with headache and vice versa, imaging results, the nature of headache, and response to GFD.
In total, 40 articles published between 1987 and 2017 qualified for inclusion in this review. The mean pooled prevalence of headache amongst those with CD was 26% (95% CI 19.5⁻33.9%) in adult populations and 18.3% (95% CI 10.4⁻30.2%) in paediatric populations. The headaches are most often migraine-like. In children with idiopathic headache, the prevalence of CD is 2.4% (95% CI 1.5⁻3.7%), whereas data for adult populations is presently unavailable. Brain imaging can be normal, although, cerebral calcifications on CT, white matter abnormalities on MRI and deranged regional cerebral blood flow on SPECT can be present. GFD appears to be an effective management for headache in the context of CD, leading to total resolution of headaches in up to 75% of patients.
There is an increased prevalence of CD amongst idiopathic headache and vice versa. Therefore, patients with headache of unknown origin should be screened for CD, as such patients may symptomatically benefit from a GFD.
The Role of Oxidative Stress in Peripheral Neuropathy Mallet, Marie-Louise; Hadjivassiliou, Marios; Sarrigiannis, Ptolemaios Georgios ...
Journal of molecular neuroscience,
07/2020, Volume:
70, Issue:
7
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a common disease affecting about 5% of the general population after the age of 50. Causes of PN are numerous and include genetic, diabetes, alcohol, vitamin ...deficiencies, and gluten sensitivity among others. This systematic review aimed to study the association between oxidative stress and PN in an attempt to better understand PN pathogenesis. A computer-based, systematic search was conducted on the PubMed database, and ensuing data from included articles was analyzed and discussed in this review. Sixty-nine papers were eligible and were used for this review. Peripheral neuropathy is associated with an increase of reactive oxygen species and a decrease in endogenous antioxidants. Genetic predisposition to oxidative damage may be a factor. Antioxidant treatment is promising regarding treatment. Though further research is necessary to better understand the underlying mechanism, it is evident that oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of – or is at least systematically present in – PN.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Neuropathic pain describes a range of unpleasant sensations caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. The sensations caused by neuropathic pain are debilitating and improved ...treatment regimens are sought in order to improve the quality of life of patients. One proposed treatment for neuropathic pain is vitamin B12, which is thought to alleviate pain by a number of mechanisms including promoting myelination, increasing nerve regeneration and decreasing ectopic nerve firing. In this paper, the evidence for B12 as a drug treatment for neuropathic pain is reviewed. Twenty four published articles were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review in which a range of treatment regimens were evaluated including both B12 monotherapy and B12 in combination with other vitamins or conventional treatments, such as gabapentinoids. Overall, this systematic review demonstrates that there is currently some evidence for the therapeutic effect of B12 in the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia (level II evidence) and the treatment of painful peripheral neuropathy (level III evidence).
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