To analyze seizure control and treatment in pregnant women with epilepsy.
Seizure control and treatment were recorded prospectively in 1,956 pregnancies of 1,882 women with epilepsy participating in ...EURAP, an international antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and pregnancy registry.
Of all cases, 58.3% were seizure-free throughout pregnancy. Occurrence of any seizures was associated with localization-related epilepsy (OR: 2.5; 1.7 to 3.9) and polytherapy (OR: 9.0; 5.6 to 14.8) and for tonic-clonic seizures, with oxcarbazepine monotherapy (OR: 5.4; 1.6 to 17.1). Using first trimester as reference, seizure control remained unchanged throughout pregnancy in 63.6%, 92.7% of whom were seizure-free during the entire pregnancy. For those with a change in seizure frequency, 17.3% had an increase and 15.9% a decrease. Seizures occurred during delivery in 60 pregnancies (3.5%), more commonly in women with seizures during pregnancy (OR: 4.8; 2.3 to 10.0). There were 36 cases of status epilepticus (12 convulsive), which resulted in stillbirth in one case but no cases of miscarriage or maternal mortality. AED treatment remained unchanged in 62.7% of the pregnancies. The number or dosage of AEDs were more often increased in pregnancies with seizures (OR: 3.6; 2.8 to 4.7) and with monotherapy with lamotrigine (OR: 3.8; 2.1 to 6.9) or oxcarbazepine (OR: 3.7; 1.1 to 12.9).
The majority of patients with epilepsy maintain seizure control during pregnancy. The apparently higher risk of seizures among women treated with oxcarbazepine and the more frequent increases in drug load in the oxcarbazepine and lamotrigine cohorts prompts further studies on relationships with pharmacokinetic changes. Risks associated with status epilepticus appear to be lower than previously reported.
Objective To examine the association of baseline and lifetime ethanol intake with cancer of the pancreas in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). Methods Included ...in this analysis were 478,400 subjects, of whom detailed information on the intake of alcoholic beverages at baseline and over lifetime was collected between 1992 and 2000. During a median follow-up time of 8.9 years, 555 non-endocrine pancreatic cancer cases were observed. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the association of ethanol intake at recruitment and average lifetime ethanol intake and pancreatic cancer adjusting for smoking, height, weight, and history of diabetes. Results Overall, neither ethanol intake at recruitment (relative risk (RR) = 0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69-1.27 comparing 30+ g/d vs. 0.1-4.9 g/d) nor average lifetime ethanol intake (RR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.65-1.39) was associated with pancreatic cancer risk. High lifetime ethanol intake from spirits/liquor at recruitment tended to be associated with a higher risk (RR = 1.40, 95% CI 0.93-2.10 comparing 10+ g/d vs. 0.1-4.9 g/d), but no associations were observed for wine and beer consumption. Conclusion These results suggest no association of alcohol consumption with the risk of pancreatic cancer.
Seizure development after stroke MISIRLI, H.; ÖZGE, A.; SOMAY, G. ...
International journal of clinical practice,
December 2006, Letnik:
60, Številka:
12
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Summary
Although there have been many studies on seizures following stroke, there is still much we do not know about them. In this study, we evaluated the characteristics of seizures in stroke ...patients. There were 2267 patients with a first‐ever stroke, and after excluding 387 patients, 1880 were available for analysis. Of these 1880 patients, we evaluated 200 patients with seizures and 400 patients without seizures. We investigated the seizures according to age, gender, stroke type, the aetiology of ischaemic stroke and the localisation of the lesion. The seizures were classified as early onset and late onset and the seizure type as partial, generalised or secondarily generalised. Seizures occurred in 200 (10.6%) of 1880 strokes. The number of patients with seizures were 138 (10.6%) in ischaemic stroke group and 62 (10.7%) in haemorrhagic stroke group. Patients with ischaemic strokes had 41 embolic (29.7%) and 97 thrombotic (70.3%) origin, and these were not statistically significant in comparison with controls. Cortical involvement for the development of seizures was the most important risk factor (odds ratios = 4.25, p < 0.01). It was concluded that embolic strokes, being younger than 65 years old, and cortical localisation of stroke were important risks for developing seizures.
BackgroundThe incidence of keratinocyte carcinomas is high and rapidly growing. Approximately 80% of keratinocyte carcinomas consist of basal cell carcinomas (BCC) with 50% of these being considered ...as low-risk tumors. Nevertheless, 83% of the low-risk BCC patients were found to receive more follow-up care than recommended according to the Dutch BCC guideline, which is one visit post-treatment for this group. More efficient management could reduce unnecessary follow-up care and related costs.ObjectivesTo study the efficacy, cost-utility, and budget impact of a personalized discharge letter for low-risk BCC patients compared with usual care (no personalized letter).MethodsIn a multi-center intervention study, a personalized discharge letter in addition to usual care was compared to usual care in first-time BCC patients. Model-based cost-utility and budget impact analyses were conducted, using individual patient data gathered via surveys. The outcome measures were number of follow-up visits, costs and quality adjusted life years (QALY) per patient.ResultsA total of 473 first-time BCC patients were recruited. The personalized discharge letter decreased the number of follow-up visits by 14.8% in the first year. The incremental costs after five years were -€24.45 per patient. The QALYs were 4.12 after five years and very similar in both groups. The national budget impact was -€2,7 million after five years.ConclusionsThe distribution of a personalized discharge letter decreases the number of unnecessary follow-up visits and implementing the intervention in a large eligible population would results in substantial cost savings, contributing to restraining the growing BCC costs.
This study assessed the sensitivity of various methods for the clinical diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. A total of 147 randomly selected patients with diabetes mellitus and 65 age- and ...sex-matched healthy controls were evaluated by various clinical (the neuropathy symptom score NSS, the neuropathy disability score NDS, vibration perception thresholds VPTs, Tinel's sign and Phalen's sign), laboratory (fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin levels) and electrophysiological (nerve conduction studies, H-reflex and F-wave measurements) methods. In the patient group, 8.2% had an abnormal NSS, 28.5% had a positive Phalen's sign, 32.6% had a positive Tinel's sign, 42.8% had an abnormal VPT and 57.1% had an abnormal NDS. Significant correlations were found between electrophysiologically confirmed neuropathy and the two provocation tests and abnormal VPTs. In conclusion, assessment with a complete neurological examination and standard electrophysiological tests is very important for the diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and the prevention of morbidity in patients with or without symptoms.
Chronic exposure to relatively high levels of n-hexane either by inhalation or skin contact can result in peripheral nerve lesions. We present the clinical and electrophysiological features of 5 ...patients who have been exposed to n-hexane at similar industrial occupations in the progressive phase.
All patients underwent routine laboratory tests, cerebrospinal fluid examination, and sural nerve biopsy. Conventional sensory and motor nerve conduction studies were applied at admission and at the end of the 12 month.
The average incubation period of the 5 cases was 10.2 months and the average period of the initial symptoms was 3.8 months. Numbness and weakness of the lower extremities were the initial symptoms that had ascended to the upper extremities in three of the patients. Deep tendon reflexes were either diminished or abolic. There was distal atrophy only in patient 5. All were treated with vitamin B complex and physical therapy and training. They were removed from further exposure to n-hexane after aetiological confirmation, but motor disturbance continued to worsen in the patient 5. The patients were visited every 3 months. Sensory functions were regained earlier than motor functions. All the patients, including one who was severe quadriparetic in the early stages, regained their full motor capabilities within 6 months to 21 months.
Occupational n-hexane causes subacute neuropathy and the duration of exposure is important for the neurological outcome. We suggest that the prognosis of n-hexane induced neuropathy is well if correct diagnosis is made and further exposure is ceased.
The research project was started in 1980’s with the aim of developing fig production through selecting varieties suitable for fresh consumption. 272 edible fig cultigens were selected and evaluated ...in respect to maturation period, fruit quality, need for caprification and yield. As a result of a three-years evaluation, promising fresh varieties were selected. Quality was evaluated according to the weighted-rankit method, and 31 varieties were determined as promising due to their high scores. Among the evaluated fresh fig varieties, early season (Breba crop), early-mid season, mid season and late season varieties were recommended. Especially, few late ripening ones seem to be outstanding.
ORIGINAL PAPER MISIRLI, H; ÖZGE, A; Somay, G ...
International journal of clinical practice (Esher),
12/2006, Letnik:
60, Številka:
12
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Although there have been many studies on seizures following stroke, there is still much we do not know about them. In this study, we evaluated the characteristics of seizures in stroke patients. ...There were 2267 patients with a first-ever stroke, and after excluding 387 patients, 1880 were available for analysis. Of these 1880 patients, we evaluated 200 patients with seizures and 400 patients without seizures. We investigated the seizures according to age, gender, stroke type, the aetiology of ischaemic stroke and the localisation of the lesion. The seizures were classified as early onset and late onset and the seizure type as partial, generalised or secondarily generalised. Seizures occurred in 200 (10.6%) of 1880 strokes. The number of patients with seizures were 138 (10.6%) in ischaemic stroke group and 62 (10.7%) in haemorrhagic stroke group. Patients with ischaemic strokes had 41 embolic (29.7%) and 97 thrombotic (70.3%) origin, and these were not statistically significant in comparison with controls. Cortical involvement for the development of seizures was the most important risk factor (odds ratios = 4.25, p < 0.01). It was concluded that embolic strokes, being younger than 65 years old, and cortical localisation of stroke were important risks for developing seizures. PUBLICATION ABSTRACT
The relationship of lipids and Lp(a) to ischemic stroke hasn't been established yet. Our aim was to determine lipid profile and vascular risk factors in stroke patients and compare them with control ...subjects. Seventy-nine consecutive patients with ischemic stroke were analyzed by total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglyceride, Lp(a) and doppler ultrasonography and vascular risk factors were recorded. Thirty control subjects of same ages were compared with the patient group. Lp(a) and lipids were correlated with stroke subtype and carotid atherosclerosis. There was no statistical significance between patients and control subjects related to total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C and Lp(a) (P>0.05). Atherotrombotic and lacunar strokes didn't show any difference correlated with lipids and Lp(a). Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were important risk factors with (OR=4.50, 95% CI=1.25–16.22) and (OR=4.43, 95% CI=1.79–10.93) respectively. These results were statistically significant (P<0.05). Total cholesterol (308.67±85.82) and Lp(a) (32.10±17.30) values showed statistical significance (P<0.05) in patients with marked stenosis when compared with patients of normal doppler ultrasonography. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were found as independent risk factors for ischemic stroke. Lipids and Lp(a) were not independent for atherotrombotic and lacunar stroke. Lp(a) concentration and carotid atherosclerosis in ultrasonography were associated significantly.
Objective – We aimed to compare the effects of antiepileptic drugs and provide findings of peripheral nerve impairment using standard electrophysiological techniques.
Materials and methods – Young ...adult outpatients with epilepsy on monotherapy for no less than 6 months with carbamazepine (CBZ), valproic acid (VPA), oxcarbazepine (OXC) and topiramate (TPM) were examined. Patients who had any other disease that could effect nerve conduction studies and who had neuropathic symptoms were excluded.
Results – Each group contained 15 patients and 20 healthy subjects were examined as the control group. Prolonged latency of median sensory nerve (P = 0.004), ulnar sensory nerve (P = 0.01) and sural nerve (P = 0.003) with a diminished nerve conduction velocity was observed in the CBZ group (P = 0.014, P = 0.002, P = 0.025, respectively). No correlation was found between VPA, OXC and TPM and the nerve conduction studies (P > 0.05).
Conclusions – Valproic acid, oxcarbazepine and topiramate don’t have effects on nerve conduction studies. Mild electrophysiological changes contribute to carbamazepine therapy.
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