Sporadic leucodystrophy with neuroaxonal spheroids: persistence of DWI changes and neurocognitive profiles: a case study

Leucodystrophy with neuroaxonal spheroids (LNS) is rare. There have been fewer than 10 sporadic cases reported, all occurring in the fourth to sixth decades of life. Previously unreported diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) changes on brain imaging in LNS are described as well as the first neurocognitive profile of this disorder in a 24-year-old woman. Neuropsychological testing demonstrated a global cognitive decline, with deficits most representative of a frontal-subcortical dementia. Bright DWI and corresponding dark apparent diffusion coefficient changes were initially mistaken for acute cerebral infarction but then persisted for 19 weeks. Biopsy of a bright DWI lesion showed no evidence of vascular disease and confirmed this rare diagnosis. Given the number of patients with the diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease, supported by DWI findings, we propose other milder cases of LNS may be overlooked.

Chronic arsenic exposure and risk of carotid artery disease: The Strong Heart Study

BACKGROUND

Inorganic arsenic exposure from naturally contaminated groundwater is related to vascular disease. No prospective studies have evaluated the association between arsenic and carotid atherosclerosis at low-moderate levels. We examined the association of long-term, low-moderate inorganic arsenic exposure with carotid arterial disease.

METHODS

American Indians, 45-74 years old, in Arizona, Oklahoma, and North and South Dakota had arsenic concentrations (sum of inorganic and methylated species, μg/g urine creatinine) measured from baseline urine samples (1989-1991). Carotid artery ultrasound was performed in 1998-1999. Vascular disease was assessed by the carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), the presence of atherosclerotic plaque in the carotid, and by the number of segments containing plaque (plaque score).

RESULTS

2402 participants (mean age 55.3 years, 63.1% female, mean body mass index 31.0kg/m², diabetes 45.7%, hypertension 34.2%) had a median (interquintile range) urine arsenic concentration of 9.2 (5.00, 17.06) µg/g creatinine. The mean CIMT was 0.75mm. 64.7% had carotid artery plaque (3% with >50% stenosis). In fully adjusted models comparing participants in the 80th vs. 20th percentile in arsenic concentrations, the mean difference in CIMT was 0.01 (95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.00, 0.02) mm, the relative risk of plaque presence was 1.04 (95%CI: 0.99, 1.09), and the geometric mean ratio of plaque score was 1.05 (95%CI: 1.01, 1.09).

CONCLUSIONS

Urine arsenic was positively associated with CIMT and increased plaque score later in life although the association was small. The relationship between urinary arsenic and the presence of plaque was not statistically significant when adjusted for other risk factors. Arsenic exposure may play a role in increasing the severity of carotid vascular disease.

Long-term predictive value of the Framingham Risk Score for Stroke in HIV-positive vs HIV-negative men

OBJECTIVE

To test the predictive accuracy of the Framingham Risk Score for Stroke (FRS-S) in HIV-infected (HIV+) vs HIV-uninfected (HIV-) men.

METHODS

The Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) is an ongoing prospective study of HIV+ and HIV- men who have sex with men (MSM) enrolled in 4 US cities. We ascertained all reported stroke events during a recent 15-year timeframe (July 1, 1996 to June 30, 2011) among 3,945 participants (1,776 HIV+ and 2,169 HIV-). For those with strokes, FRS-S were calculated 10 years before the stroke event and assessed according to HIV status.

RESULTS

A total of 114 stroke events occurred, including 57 HIV+ and 37 HIV- participants with first-ever strokes and 19 fatal strokes. The incidence of first-ever stroke was 1.7/1,000 person-years among HIV- and 3.3/1,000 person-years among HIV+ participants. Among those with strokes, HIV+ participants were younger than HIV- participants (median age 51.3 vs 61.8 years, p < 0.0001). For these men with stroke, the average 10-year risk of stroke was higher for HIV- MSM (6.6% [range 3%-26%] vs 4.9% for HIV+ MSM [range 0%-15%], p < 0.04). Traditional risk factors for stroke were similar among the Framingham cohort and the MACS HIV+ and HIV- participants.

CONCLUSIONS

FRS-S prediction was systematically different in HIV+ vs HIV- men with stroke events. The FRS-S underestimates the long-term risk of stroke in HIV+ men.

Impact of COVID-19 on U.S. and Canadian neurologists' therapeutic approach to multiple sclerosis: a survey of knowledge, attitudes, and practices

Objective

To report the understanding and decision-making of neuroimmunologists and their treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) during the early stages of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) outbreak.

Methods

A survey instrument was designed and distributed online to neurologists in April 2020.

Results

There were 250 respondents (response rate 21.8%). 243 saw >  = 10 MS patients in the prior 6 months (average 197 patients) and were analyzed further (92% USA, 8% Canada; average practice duration 16 years; 5% rural, 17% small city, 38% large city, 40% highly urbanized). Patient volume dropped an average of 79% (53–11 per month). 23% were aware of patients self-discontinuing a DMT due to fear of COVID-19 with 43% estimated to be doing so against medical advice. 65% of respondents reported deferring >  = 1 doses of a DMT (49%), changing the dosing interval (34%), changing to home infusions (20%), switching a DMT (9%), and discontinuing DMTs altogether (8%) as a result of COVID-19. Changes in DMTs were most common with the high-efficacy therapies alemtuzumab, cladribine, ocrelizumab, rituximab, and natalizumab. 35% made no changes to DMT prescribing. 98% expressed worry about their patients contracting COVID-19 and 78% expressed the same degree of worry about themselves.  > 50% believed high-efficacy DMTs prolong viral shedding of SARS-CoV-2 and that B-cell therapies might prevent protective vaccine effects. Accelerated pace of telemedicine and practice model changes were identified as major shifts in practice.

Conclusions

Reported prescribing changes and practice disruptions due to COVID-19 may be temporary but could have a lasting influence on MS care.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00415-020-10045-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Medical conditions among Iraqi refugees in Jordan: data from the United Nations Refugee Assistance Information System

OBJECTIVE

To determine the range and burden of health services utilization among Iraqi refugees receiving health assistance in Jordan, a country of first asylum.

METHODS

Medical conditions, diagnosed in accordance with the tenth revision of the International classification of diseases, were actively monitored from 1 January to 31 December 2010 using a pilot centralized database in Jordan called the Refugee Assistance Information System.

FINDINGS

There were 27 166 medical visits by 7642 Iraqi refugees (mean age: 37.4 years; 49% male; 70% from Baghdad; 6% disabled; 3% with a history of torture). Chronic diseases were common, including essential hypertension (22% of refugees), visual disturbances (12%), joint disorders (11%) and type II diabetes mellitus (11%). The most common reasons for seeking acute care were upper respiratory tract infection (11%), supervision of normal pregnancy (4%) and urinary disorders (3%). The conditions requiring the highest number of visits per refugee were cerebrovascular disease (1.46 visits), senile cataract (1.46) and glaucoma (1.44). Sponsored care included 31 747 referrals or consultations to a specialty service, 18 432 drug dispensations, 2307 laboratory studies and 1090 X-rays. The specialties most commonly required were ophthalmology, dentistry, gynaecology and orthopaedic surgery.

CONCLUSION

Iraqi refugees in countries of first asylum and resettlement require targeted health services, health education and sustainable prevention and control strategies for predominantly chronic diseases.

Validation of a smartphone-based EEG among people with epilepsy: A prospective study

Our objective was to assess the ability of a smartphone-based electroencephalography (EEG) application, the Smartphone Brain Scanner-2 (SBS2), to detect epileptiform abnormalities compared to standard clinical EEG. The SBS2 system consists of an Android tablet wirelessly connected to a 14-electrode EasyCap headset (cost ~ 300 USD). SBS2 and standard EEG were performed in people with suspected epilepsy in Bhutan (2014-2015), and recordings were interpreted by neurologists. Among 205 participants (54% female, median age 24 years), epileptiform discharges were detected on 14% of SBS2 and 25% of standard EEGs. The SBS2 had 39.2% sensitivity (95% confidence interval (CI) 25.8%, 53.9%) and 94.8% specificity (95% CI 90.0%, 97.7%) for epileptiform discharges with positive and negative predictive values of 0.71 (95% CI 0.51, 0.87) and 0.82 (95% CI 0.76, 0.89) respectively. 31% of focal and 82% of generalized abnormalities were identified on SBS2 recordings. Cohen's kappa (κ) for the SBS2 EEG and standard EEG for the epileptiform versus non-epileptiform outcome was κ = 0.40 (95% CI 0.25, 0.55). No safety or tolerability concerns were reported. Despite limitations in sensitivity, the SBS2 may become a viable supportive test for the capture of epileptiform abnormalities, and extend EEG access to new, especially resource-limited, populations at a reduced cost.

Painful legs and moving toes syndrome: a 76-patient case series

OBJECTIVE

To better characterize the clinical features, electrophysiologic features, and treatment outcomes of painful legs and moving toes (PLMT) syndrome.

DESIGN

Large case series.

SETTING

Neurology outpatient clinic at a tertiary referral center, 1983-2011.

PATIENTS

All cases of PLMT seen at our institution during an 18-year period were identified using our medical record linkage system.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Key demographic, clinical, imaging, and electrophysiologic features of PLMT. Treatment outcomes and long-term follow-up are also reported.

RESULTS

Of 76 cases identified (including 50 women [66%]), the mean age at onset was 58 years (range, 24-86 years) and at neurologic evaluation was 63 years (range, 26-88 years). Pure lower limb involvement was most common (69 patients [91%]), and 44 cases (58%) were bilateral. The most frequently diagnosed causes were peripheral neuropathy (21 cases [28%]), previous trauma (8 [11%]), and radiculopathy (7 [9%]); 32 cases (42%) were cryptogenic. Electromyography consistently showed irregular 50-millisecond to 1-second bursts of normal motor unit potential firing at 2 to 200 Hz accompanying the movements. Pain occurred first in nearly all cases and was more distressing to patients than the movements. Both components were difficult to treat, with no consistent benefit from a variety of drugs and therapeutic modalities. The syndrome persisted in most patients (83%) during the mean follow-up of 4.6 years, suggesting low likelihood of spontaneous resolution.

CONCLUSIONS

Painful legs and moving toes syndrome is a debilitating clinical syndrome, not because of the movements but rather because of the pain, which often is refractory to treatment. Segmental lower limb involvement is most common, and neurophysiologic findings support a pathophysiologic process localizing to a central generator at the spinal cord or brainstem level.

Headache Disorders in Developing Countries: Research Over The Past Decade

The majority of people with primary headache disorders live in the developing world. The contribution of low and middle income (LAMI) countries to headache research has not been previously characterized. A search was performed for clinical research publications between the years 1997 and 2006, using the search terms ‘headache’ OR ‘headache disorders’ AND ‘primary’ OR ‘migraine’ AND ‘each of the LAMI countries’ in 67 databases. Articles in English or with abstracts in English translation were included. These publications were scrutinized for study characteristics. Two hundred and twenty-seven publications from 32 LAMI countries were found. Half (50.2±) of these were from three middle-income countries (Brazil, Turkey and Iran), whereas 24 (10.6±) came from low-income countries. Most of the research focused on migraine. Only 29.5± of the articles involved treatment of headache. The understanding of headache disorders in LAMI countries is derived from a limited number of publications from relatively few countries. Identifying gaps in headache research in the developing world is strategic for targeting research policy.

Patients who survive 5 years or more with ALS in Olmsted County, 1925-2004

BACKGROUND

A small proportion of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) survive more than 5 years. The frequency of 5-year or longer survival with ALS in a USA population is unknown but may provide a baseline for studies that employ survival as a primary endpoint of analysis.

METHODS

All persons diagnosed as having ALS in Olmsted County between 1925 and 2004 were studied for demographic and clinical features. Longer-term survivors were defined as patients who lived 5 years or longer, tracheostomy-free, following symptomatic onset.

RESULTS

94 patients (mean survival from symptomatic onset 2.95 years (95% CI 2.54 to 3.35), mean survival from diagnosis 1.89 years (95% CI 1.54 to 2.24)) were diagnosed as having ALS. Five-year or longer survivors accounted for 14% of the population of patients (95% CI 7.9% to 22.8%). The frequency of 5 year or longer survivors did not change over time. The mean survival of these individuals was 7.04 years (95% CI 6.14 to 7.94 years; range 5.11-9.35 years). They had a significantly longer mean time to diagnosis (1.77 years, 95% CI 0.95 to 2.58 years) as compared with survivors of less than 5 years (0.94 years, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.13 years) (p=0.02) but could not be reliably identified at the time of diagnosis by age, sex, clinical presentation or El Escorial category.

CONCLUSION

Patients surviving more than 5 years following the symptomatic onset of ALS account for 14% of the total ALS population. This frequency has not changed over time. Patients with a survival of 5 years or longer are clinically similar to the total population ALS population in terms of age, gender, presentation and site of onset but have a longer time from symptomatic onset to diagnosis. GRANT NUMBER: NIH AR30582.

COVID-19 Vaccination Reactogenicity in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

There are limited data on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine reactogenicity in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and how reactogenicity is affected by disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). The objective of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to generate real-world multiple sclerosis-specific vaccine safety information, particularly in the context of specific DMTs, and provide information to mitigate specific concerns in vaccine hesitant PwMS.

METHODS

Between 3/2021 and 6/2021, participants in iConquerMS, an online people-powered research network, reported SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, experiences of local (itch, pain, redness, swelling, or warmth at injection site) and systemic (fever, chills, fatigue, headache, joint pain, malaise, muscle ache, nausea, allergic, and other) reactions within 24 hours (none, mild, moderate, and severe), DMT use, and other attributes. Multivariable models characterized associations between clinical factors and reactogenicity.

RESULTS

In 719 PwMS, 64% reported experiencing a reaction after their first vaccination shot, and 17% reported a severe reaction. The most common reactions were pain at injection site (54%), fatigue (34%), headache (28%), and malaise (21%). Younger age, being female, prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, and receiving the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (Oxford-AstraZeneca) vs BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine were associated with experiencing a reaction after the first vaccine dose. Similar relationships were observed for a severe reaction, including higher odds of reactions among PwMS with more physical impairment and lower odds of reactions for PwMS on an alpha4-integrin blocker or sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator. In 442 PwMS who received their second vaccination shot, 74% reported experiencing a reaction, whereas 22% reported a severe reaction. Reaction profiles after the second shot were similar to those reported after the first shot. Younger PwMS and those who received the mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vs BNT162b2 vaccine reported higher reactogenicity after the second shot, whereas those on a sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator or fumarate were significantly less likely to report a reaction.

DISCUSSION

SARS-CoV-2 vaccine reactogenicity profiles and the associated factors in this convenience sample of PwMS appear similar to those reported in the general population. PwMS on specific DMTs were less likely to report vaccine reactions. Overall, the short-term vaccine reactions experienced in the study population were mostly self-limiting, including pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, and fever.

Update on the management of multiple sclerosis during the COVID-19 pandemic and post pandemic: An international consensus statement

In this consensus statement, we provide updated recommendations on multiple sclerosis (MS) management during the COVID-19 crisis and the post-pandemic period applicable to neurology services around the world. Statements/recommendations were generated based on available literature and the experience of 13 MS expert panelists using a modified Delphi approach online. The statements/recommendations give advice regarding implementation of telemedicine; use of disease-modifying therapies and management of MS relapses; management of people with MS at highest risk from COVID-19; management of radiological monitoring; use of remote pharmacovigilance; impact on MS research; implications for lowest income settings, and other key issues.

Cognitive Function and Impairment in Older, Rural South African Adults: Evidence from "Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in Rural South Africa"

BACKGROUND/AIMS

We aimed to estimate the prevalence of cognitive impairment, and the sociodemographic and comorbid predictors of cognitive function among older, rural South African adults.

METHODS

Data were from a population-based study of 5,059 adults aged ≥40 years in rural South Africa in 2015. Cognitive impairment was defined as scoring ≤1.5 SDs below the mean composite time orientation and memory score, or requiring a proxy interview with "fair" or "poor" proxy-reported memory. Multiple linear regression estimated the sociodemographic and comorbid predictors of cognitive score, with multiplicative statistical interactions between each of age and sex with education.

RESULTS

Cognitive impairment increased with age, from 2% of those aged 40-44 (11/516) to 24% of those aged ≥75 years (214/899). The independent predictors of lower cognitive score were being older, female, unmarried, not working, having low education, low household wealth, and a history of cardiovascular conditions. Education modified the negative associations between female sex, older age, and cognitive function score.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of cognitive impairment increased with age and is comparable to rates of dementia reported in other sub-Saharan African countries. Age and sex differences in cognitive function scores were minimized as education increased, potentially reflecting the power of even poor-quality education to improve cognitive reserve.

Neurologic manifestations of the neglected tropical diseases

BACKGROUND

The World Health Organization has identified 17 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that disproportionately affect the world's poorest populations. The neurologic aspects of many of these NTDs have received relatively little attention.

METHODS

A review was performed in PubMed (MedLine) for each NTD by disease name, name of its causative organism, and neurology, neurosurgery, neurologist, brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, muscle, nervous system, encephalitis, meningitis, encephalopathy, stroke, neuropathy, and myopathy (1968-Sept. 2013). The Oxford Center for Evidence-based Medicine guidelines were used to determine the level of evidence of neurological involvement and treatment based on the reports identified.

RESULTS

Neurologic manifestations were reported for all NTDs except yaws. Neurologic involvement was described in systematic reviews for four NTDs (Chagas disease, echinococcosis, rabies, cysticercosis) (levels 2a-3a), retrospective cohort studies for six (dengue, human African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, leprosy, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis) (levels 2b-3b), case series for one (foodborne trematodiasis) (level 4), and case reports for five (Buruli ulcer, dracunculiasis, filariasis, soil-transmitted helminthes, and trachoma). Level 1 evidence for treatment of neurologic manifestations of NTDs was found for human African trypanosomiasis, leprosy, and cysticercosis and level 2 evidence exists for treatment of neurologic involvement in Chagas disease. For the remaining NTDs, treatment of neurologic complications is described in case series and case reports only.

CONCLUSIONS

Neurologic manifestations of NTDs cause significant morbidity and mortality, although limited evidence exists on how best to treat these neurologic complications. Increased awareness of neurologic manifestations of the NTDs can increase their early identification and treatment, contributing to ongoing elimination and eradication campaigns.

Neurology training in sub-Saharan Africa: A survey of people in training from 19 countries

OBJECTIVE

To provide a comprehensive understanding of neurology training from the sub-Saharan African perspective.

METHODS

A 40-question survey was distributed to attendees of the 7th annual sub-Saharan African neurology teaching course in Khartoum, Sudan (2015). Themes included the student body, faculty, curriculum, assessment and examinations, technology, and work hours and compensation.

RESULTS

Of 19 responding countries, 10 had no formal neurology training programs; Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, and Mozambique had an adult neurology program; Ethiopia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa had adult and pediatric neurology programs (training duration range = 3-6 years). There was a median of 2.5 full-time neurologists on the teaching faculty at the respondents' training institutions (neurologists on-faculty:in-country ratio = 0.48), with the lowest ratios in Sudan and Nigeria. Neurology was perceived to be a competitive specialty for entrance in 57% of countries, with 78% of respondents reporting a requisite entrance examination. Ninety-five percent had access to a personal smartphone, 62% used the Internet more than occasionally, and 60% had access to online neurology journals. The average number of weekly work hours was 51 (range = 40-75), and average monthly salary among those earning income was 1,191 USD (range = 285-3,560). Twenty percent of respondents reported paying for training. The most common barriers to neurology postgraduate education were few training programs and lack of training in neurodiagnostic tests. Among 17 reporting countries, there is an estimated average of 0.6 neurologists per million people.

INTERPRETATION

Neurology training programs in sub-Saharan Africa are relatively limited in number and have several unmet needs including a small cadre of faculty and an opportunity to standardize curricula and financing of programs. Ann Neurol 2016;79:871-881.

Opportunities for intervention: stroke treatments, disability and mortality in urban Tanzania

OBJECTIVE

Given the high post-stroke mortality and disability and paucity of data on the quality of stroke care in Sub-Saharan Africa, we sought to characterize the implementation of stroke-focused treatments and 90-day outcomes of neuroimaging-confirmed stroke patients at the largest referral hospital in Tanzania.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar es Salaam, July 2016-March 2017.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults with new-onset stroke (<14 days), confirmed by head CT, admitted to MNH.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES

Modified Rankin scale (mRS) and vital status.

RESULTS

Of 149 subjects (mean age 57; 48% female; median NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) 19; 46% ischemic stroke; 54% hemorrhagic), implementation of treatments included: dysphagia screening (80%), deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis (0%), aspirin (83%), antihypertensives (89%) and statins (95%). There was limited ability to detect atrial fibrillation and carotid artery disease and no acute thrombolysis or thrombectomy. Of ischemic subjects, 19% died and 56% had severe disability (mRS 4-5) at discharge; 49% died by 90 days. Of hemorrhagic subjects, 33% died and 49% had severe disability at discharge; 50% died by 90 days. In a multivariable model, higher NIHSS score but not dysphagia, unconsciousness, or patient age was predictive of death by 90 days.

CONCLUSIONS

The 90-day mortality of stroke presenting at MNH is 50%, much higher than in higher income settings. Although severe stroke presentations are a major factor, efforts to improve the quality of care and prevent complications of stroke are urgently needed. Acute stroke interventions with low number needed to treat represent challenging long-term goals.

Female hormonal exposures and neuromyelitis optica symptom onset in a multicenter study

Objective:

To study the association between hormonal exposures and disease onset in a cohort of women with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).

Methods:

Reproductive history and hormone use were assessed using a standardized reproductive survey administered to women with NMOSD (82% aquaporin-4 antibody positive) at 8 clinical centers. Using multivariable regression, we examined the association between reproductive exposures and age at first symptom onset (FS).

Results:

Among 217 respondents, the mean age at menarche was 12.8 years (SD 1.7). The mean number of pregnancies was 2.1 (SD 1.6), including 0.3 (SD 0.7) occurring after onset of NMOSD symptoms. In the 117 participants who were postmenopausal at the time of the questionnaire, 70% reported natural menopause (mean age: 48.9 years [SD 3.9]); fewer than 30% reported systemic hormone therapy (HT) use. Mean FS age was 40.1 years (SD 14.2). Ever-use of systemic hormonal contraceptives (HC) was marginally associated with earlier FS (39 vs 43 years, p = 0.05). Because HC use may decrease parity, when we included both variables in the model, the association between HC use and FS age became more significant (estimate = 2.7, p = 0.007). Among postmenopausal participants, 24% reported NMOSD onset within 2 years of (before or after) menopause. Among these participants, there was no association between age at menopause or HT use and age at NMOSD onset.

Conclusions:

Overall, age at NMOSD onset did not show a strong relationship with endogenous hormonal exposures. An earlier onset age did appear to be marginally associated with systemic HC exposure, an association that requires confirmation in future studies.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome in India: population-based validation of the Brighton criteria

OBJECTIVE

Case definitions of GBS were recently developed in response to the 2009 H1N1 vaccination programme but have undergone limited field testing. We validate the sensitivity of the Brighton Working Group case definitions for Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) using a population-based cohort in India.

METHODS

The National Polio Surveillance Unit of India actively collects all cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in children <15 years old, including cases of GBS. Cases of GBS with available cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) results, neurological examination, clinical history, and exclusion of related diagnoses were selected (2002-2003). Relevant data were abstracted and entered into a central database. Sensitivity of the Brighton GBS criteria for level 3 of diagnostic certainty which requires no clinical laboratory testing, level 2 which employs CSF or NCS, and level 1 which employs both, were calculated.

RESULTS

79 cases of GBS (mean age 6.5 years, range 4.0-14.5; 39% female) met the case definition. GBS cases were ascending (79%), symmetrical (85%), and bilateral (100%); involving lower extremity hypotonia (86%) and weakness (100%), upper extremity hypotonia (62%) and weakness (80%), areflexia/hyporeflexia (88%), respiratory muscles (22%), bulbar muscles (22%), and cranial nerves (13%). Four limbs were involved in 80% of cases. Mean time to maximal weakness was 5.2 days (range 0.5-30 days) with nadir GBS disability scores of 3 (7%), 4 (67%), 5 (15%), 6 (10%), or unclear (1%). CSF (mean time to lumbar puncture 29 days) was normal in 29% with cytoalbuminologic dissociation in 65% (mean protein 105 mg/dL, range 10-1000; mean cell count 11/μL, range 0-220, n=4 with >50 cells/μL). Significant improvement occurred in 73% whereas death (9%) occurred 6-29 days after sensorimotor symptom onset. The majority of cases (86%) fulfilled Brighton level 3, level 2 (84%), and level 1 (62%) of diagnostic certainty.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of GBS can be made using Brighton Working Group criteria in India with moderate to high sensitivity. Brighton Working Group case definitions are a plausible standard for capturing a majority of cases of GBS in field operations in low income settings during AFP surveillance.

Impairment in Activities of Daily Living, Care Receipt, and Unmet Needs in a Middle-Aged and Older Rural South African Population: Findings From the HAALSI Study

Objectives: The objective of this study is to analyze the degree to which care needs are met in an aging rural African population. Method: Using data from the Health and Aging in Africa: Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community (HAALSI) baseline survey, which interviewed 5,059 adults aged older than 40 years in rural South Africa, we assessed the levels of limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs) and in unmet care for these ADLs, and evaluated their association with sociodemographic and health characteristics. Results: ADL impairment was reported by 12.2% of respondents, with the proportion increasing with age. Among those with ADL impairment, 23.9% reported an unmet need and 51.4% more a partially met need. Relatives provided help most often; formal care provision was rare. Unmet needs were more frequent among younger people and women, and were associated with physical and cognitive deficits, but not income or household size. Discussion: Unmet care needs in rural South Africa are often found among individuals less expected to require care.

Smartphone EEG and remote online interpretation for children with epilepsy in the Republic of Guinea: Quality, characteristics, and practice implications

PURPOSE

Children with epilepsy in low-income countries often go undiagnosed and untreated. We examine a portable, low-cost smartphone-based EEG technology in a heterogeneous pediatric epilepsy cohort in the West African Republic of Guinea.

METHODS

Children with epilepsy were recruited at the Ignace Deen Hospital in Conakry, 2017. Participants underwent sequential EEG recordings with an app-based EEG, the Smartphone Brain Scanner-2 (SBS2) and a standard Xltek EEG. Raw EEG data were transmitted via Bluetooth^™ connection to an Android^™ tablet and uploaded for remote EEG specialist review and reporting via a new, secure web-based reading platform, crowdEEG. The results were compared to same-visit Xltek 10-20 EEG recordings for identification of epileptiform and non-epileptiform abnormalities.

RESULTS

97 children meeting the International League Against Epilepsy's definition of epilepsy (49 male; mean age 10.3 years, 29 untreated with an antiepileptic drug; 0 with a prior EEG) were enrolled. Epileptiform discharges were detected on 21 (25.3%) SBS2 and 31 (37.3%) standard EEG recordings. The SBS2 had a sensitivity of 51.6% (95%CI 32.4%, 70.8%) and a specificity of 90.4% (95%CI 81.4%, 94.4%) for all types of epileptiform discharges, with positive and negative predictive values of 76.2% and 75.8% respectively. For generalized discharges, the SBS2 had a sensitivity of 43.5% with a specificity of 96.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

The SBS2 has a moderate sensitivity and high specificity for the detection of epileptiform abnormalities in children with epilepsy in this low-income setting. Use of the SBS2+crowdEEG platform permits specialist input for patients with previously poor access to clinical neurophysiology expertise.

Neurocritical care in developing countries

Neurocritical illness heavily burdens the developing world. In spite of a lack of resources for population-based health in most developing countries, there is an increasing demand for resource-intense strategies for acute neurological care. Factors including rising individual incomes in emerging economies, need for neurointensive care in humanitarian emergencies, growth of private hospitals, the rising burden of noncommunicable disease, and the practice of neurocritical care by specialists outside of neurology are discussed. Possible steps to improve the global practice of neurocritical care include: (1) emphasis on prevention of neurocritical illness through traffic safety and adequate outpatient treatment; (2) standardization of training requirements and skill sets; (3) guidelines on cost-effective measures including medications, equipment, and devices; (4) strengthening of surveillance systems and registries for both noncommunicable and communicable neurological diseases; (5) expanded use of teleneurology; (6) educational exchanges of neurointensive health care workers; and (7) monitoring of neurological intensive care unit death rates due to nosocomial infections, neurological disease, and other causes. A summary of reported mortality rates among neurocritically ill patients in African countries in recent years is provided as an illustrative example.

Depressive Symptoms and Their Relation to Age and Chronic Diseases Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Rural South Africa

BACKGROUND

Understanding how depression is associated with chronic conditions and sociodemographic characteristics can inform the design and effective targeting of depression screening and care interventions. In this study, we present some of the first evidence from sub-Saharan Africa on the association between depressive symptoms and a range of chronic conditions (diabetes, HIV, hypertension, and obesity) as well as sociodemographic characteristics.

METHODS

A questionnaire was administered to a population-based simple random sample of 5,059 adults aged 40 years and older in Agincourt, South Africa. Depressive symptoms were measured using a modified version of the eight-item Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression screening tool. Diabetes was assessed using a capillary blood glucose measurement and HIV using a dried blood spot.

RESULTS

17.0% (95% confidence interval: 15.9%-18.1%) of participants had at least three depressive symptoms. None of the chronic conditions were significantly associated with depressive symptoms in multivariable regressions. Older age was the strongest correlate of depressive symptoms with those aged 80 years and older having on average 0.63 (95% confidence interval: 0.40-0.86; p < .001) more depressive symptoms than those aged 40-49 years. Household wealth quintile and education were not significant correlates.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides some evidence that the positive associations of depression with diabetes, HIV, hypertension, and obesity that are commonly reported in high-income settings might not exist in rural South Africa. Our finding that increasing age is strongly associated with depressive symptoms suggests that there is a particularly high need for depression screening and treatment among the elderly adults in rural South Africa.