Parkinson's disease and anxiety

There has been a recent surge of interest in the subject of anxiety in patients with Parkinson's disease. Up to 40% of patients with Parkinson's disease experience clinically significant anxiety. This anxiety may be a psychological reaction to the stress of the illness or may be related to the neurochemical changes of the disease itself. Antiparkinsonian drugs may have a role in the pathogenesis of the anxiety. The anxiety disorders in Parkinson's disease patients appear to be clustered in the panic disorder, phobic disorder, and generalised anxiety disorder areas. The degree of comorbidity between anxiety and depression in patients with Parkinson's disease is in excess of that found in patients without the disease and anxiety in combination with depression may represent a specific depressive subtype in Parkinson's disease. As yet, there is no trial evidence as to the treatment of anxiety in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Future directions in the management of pain by intraspinal drug delivery

Management of pain by intraspinal delivery of drugs enables physicians to target specific sites of action. While this novel approach is gaining increasing use, well-designed studies are needed. A major limitation is the lack of published information on existing drugs used for intrathecal delivery. (The strengths and weaknesses of this information are reviewed in the accompanying literature review article.) Promising agents such as bupivacaine, hydromorphone, and morphine/clonidine combinations warrant further research in large prospective (ideally randomized and double-blind) clinical safety and efficacy studies. These studies may provide data for pain management guidelines, such as those included in the preceding paper. Research must also address issues of formulation, chemical stability/compatibility, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology during clinical development and drug approval. Finally, more basic studies and early phase trials of other potential agents for intrathecal pain management (e.g., gabapentin) are needed.

Evidence-based review of the literature on intrathecal delivery of pain medication

Evidence-based medicine depends on the existence of controlled clinical trials that establish the safety and efficacy of specific therapeutic techniques. Many interventions in clinical practice have achieved widespread acceptance despite little evidence to support them in the scientific literature; the critical appraisal of these interventions based on accumulating experience is a goal of medicine. To clarify the current state of knowledge concerning the use of various drugs for intraspinal infusion in pain management, an expert panel conducted a thorough review of the published literature. The exhaustive review included 5 different groups of compounds, with morphine and bupivacaine yielding the most citations in the literature. The need for additional large published controlled studies was highlighted by this review, especially for promising agents that have been shown to be safe and efficacious in recent clinical studies.

Clinical guidelines for intraspinal infusion: report of an expert panel. PolyAnalgesic Consensus Conference 2000

Consensus guidelines developed by an expert panel are helpful to clinicians when there is variation in practice and lack of a firm evidence base for an intervention, such as intraspinal therapy for pain. An internet-based survey of practitioners revealed remarkable variation in practice patterns surrounding intraspinal therapy. This prompted an interdisciplinary panel with extensive clinical experience in intraspinal infusion therapy to evaluate the results of the survey, the systematic reviews of the literature pertaining to this approach, and their own clinical experience with long-term spinal infusions. The panel proposed a scheme for the selection of drugs and doses for intraspinal therapy, and suggested guidelines for administration that would increase the likelihood of a successful outcome. These expert panel guidelines were designed to provide an initial structure for clinical decision making that is based on the best available evidence and the perspectives of experienced clinicians.

A quality control program for crossmatching procedures for solid organ transplantation. The participating laboratories of the Australasian and South Asian Tissue Typing Association

The National Kidney Matching Scheme (NKMS) allows matching and allocation of donor organs throughout Australia. Sera from potential recipients are distributed to each interstate tissue typing laboratory on a monthly basis for crossmatching in the event of a cadaver donor. Therefore, it is essential there is consensus for results between these laboratories in order for donated organs to be allocated appropriately. A quality control program conducted under the auspices of ASEATTA was undertaken for (1) panel reactive antibody characterization; (2) routine T lymphocyte crossmatching; and (3) characterization of antibody isotype by DTT treatment. These aims were achieved by distribution of (1) six sera for the determination of PRA activity; (2) 20 scrambled trays including replicate dilutions of a strongly positive lymphocytotoxic serum, high titer monoclonal antibody and negative sera and; (3) 20 trays containing sera with IgG and/or IgM antibodies. These were then evaluated by each laboratory on a panel of T cells. There was concordance between laboratories for PRA levels and antibody characterization. However, there was considerable variation in crossmatch sensitivity and reproducibility, several laboratories had carryover and others could not detect weak IgM antibodies. These results demonstrate the utility and need for ongoing crossmatch exchange programs, particularly for laboratories participating in organ exchange programs.

Apoptotic index from fine needle aspiration cytology as a criterion to predict histologic grade of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether the assessment of apoptotic index (AI) from fine needle aspiration (FNA) smears of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) is reliable and has potential utility as a criterion to predict histologic grade.

STUDY DESIGN

AI was independently determined by four cytopathologists as a percentage from routine FNA smears in 96 NHLs and 15 lymphoid hyperplasias. Working formulation (WF) grades from corresponding surgical biopsies were modified to include mantle zone-derived NHLs as intermediate grade and to make diffuse large cell NHL a separate category called "high" grade, whereas WF high grade NHLs were called "very high" grade. Histologic grades were also derived from the Revised European American Lymphoma (REAL) classification. AI was compared with histologic grade using the unpaired, two-tailed Student t test. These data were used to determine potential thresholds for AI that separate lower from higher grade NHLs.

RESULTS

Measurements of AI strongly correlated between cytopathologists (median r = .93). Low and intermediate grade NHLs had indistinguishable AIs, whereas higher grade NHLs had significantly higher AIs. Appropriate potential AI thresholds between low or intermediate grade and higher grade NHLs were in the range of 1.5-2.5% (modified WF) and 1-2% (REAL).

CONCLUSION

There is excellent interobserver reliability in the measurement of AI from FNAs of NHLs. Higher AIs distinguish higher from lower grade NHLs. Diffuse large cell NHLs had AIs that were similar to WF high grade NHLs.

Elder abuse: do general practitioners know or care?

A pilot survey in Tower Hamlets, London, indicated that many general practitioners (GPs) might not be recognizing abuse of elderly patients through lack of training. The survey was replicated on a large scale in Birmingham, to allow further analysis. 561 Birmingham GPs were mailed questionnaires and responses from 291 were analysed, providing data from 95% of the practices. The findings were similar to those in Tower Hamlets: just under half had diagnosed elder abuse in the previous year. Regression analysis of the combined data-sets (n = 363) indicated that the strongest factor predicting GP diagnosis of abuse was knowledge of 5 or more risk situations (odds ratio 6.77, 95% confidence interval 4.19, 10.93). The findings of these surveys suggest that research-based education and training would help GPs to become better at identifying and managing elder abuse.

Norepinephrine and epinephrine responses during orthostatic intolerance in healthy elderly men

In young individuals, orthostatic intolerance is associated with marked increases in plasma epinephrine (EPI) concentrations and attenuated rises in plasma norepinephrine (NE) concentrations. This study investigated the cardiovascular, EPI and NE responses of healthy elderly males during orthostatic stress. Twelve men (68 +/- 1 yr) with a recent history of orthostatic hypotension and who exhibited orthostatic intolerance (HYPO) during 90 degrees head-up tilt (HUT) were compared with 12 men (69 +/- 1 yr) without a history of orthostatic hypotension and who remained normotensive (NORMO) throughout 90 degrees HUT. Beat-by-beat recordings of heart rate (HR), mean (MAP), systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and pulse (PP) pressures were made throughout 90 degrees HUT. Blood samples obtained during supine rest and 90 degrees HUT were analyzed for changes in EPI and NE concentrations, hematocrit, hemoglobin and plasma volume. Compared to supine rest, orthostatic intolerance was characterized by significant reductions (p < 0.0001) in MAP, SBP, DBP, and PP. The HR, MAP, SBP, DBP, and PP at the termination of 90 degrees HUT was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) for HYPO than NORMO. The 90 degrees HUT position resulted in significant increases (p < 0.01) in NE for both HYPO and NORMO, with the rise in NE significantly lower (p < 0.05) in HYPO. There were no differences between groups regarding EPI concentrations at the termination of 90 degrees HUT. These results suggest that the magnitude of arterial pressure (AP) reduction does not influence the EPI response during orthostasis in healthy elderly men. However, marked reductions in AP, leading to orthostatic intolerance, are associated with inadequate increases in NE in these individuals.

Mobility in old age

Immobility is common in older people and may impact on their dental care. Immobility in old age may have physical, psychological and environmental causes. Immobile elderly people often suffer from a number of diseases which worsen their mobility. Arthritis, osteoporosis, hip fracture, stroke and Parkinson's disease are among the most common causes of immobility in old age. Complications of immobility such as orthostatic hypotension may occur in the dental patient. Careful history-taking and a thorough physical examination by the physician are the most important parts of the assessment process. This assessment should lead to a list of active problems and treatment should then be aimed at these problems. Active management, carried out by the multidisciplinary team, will lead to improvements in mobility and lessen the frequency and severity of the complications of immobility. This broad description thus provides the basis for a wide understanding for the special problems that the immobile patient present to the practitioner and ways of overcoming the problems.

A study of aniseikonia and Knapp's law using a projection space eikonometer

PURPOSE

Knapp's Law, which states that anisometropias due to varying abnormal axial lengths between eyes would not result in inequality in relative retinal image size, provided the correcting spectacle lens was placed at the far point of the eye, has been shown to fall short in clinical practice in several studies using "direct comparison eikonometry". To test these findings using space eikonometry and to further elucidate this Law's clinical applicability, the following study was conducted.

METHODS

Thirteen patients with suspected axial anisometropia of at least 4 Diopters were identified, selected and examined. Cycloplegic refraction, A-scan ultrasonic ocular biometry and Essilor Projection Space Eikonometry were performed.

RESULTS

Ten of the thirteen patients had their anisometropia due primarily to ocular axial length differences. Of these ten, seven (70%) had detectable levels of aniseikonia and 3 (30%) demonstrated no aniseikonia. The other three patients whose aniso-metropia was due to combined axial and refractive components, all had aniseikonia.

CONCLUSION

As a geometric optics theory, Knapp's Law stands on its own merits. However, in clinical practice, reduction in retinal element density in high myopia limits its applicability. Such patients often do have significant aniseikonia which can produce ocular referable complaints and/or interfere with binocular vision.

Aniseikonia in relation to strabismus, anisometropia and amblyopia

PURPOSE

To study the interrelationships among these four entities which are critical to binocular vision and its precision.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

102 selected patients (for their ability to have stereoscopic depth perception, a requisite for space eikonometry) were evaluated. Patient testing included stereoscopic testing, Essilor Projection Space Eikonometry, ultrasonic echographic axial length measurements and orthoptic evaluation. Aniseikonia was measured on the Essilor Projection Space Eikonometer.

RESULTS

1. Anisometropia alone was correlated with a marked increase in amblyopia, a moderate increase in aniseikonia and no noteworthy increase in strabismus. Statistical analysis (chi square ratio) showed that persons with elevated anisometropic values had a 4.4 fold increased risk of aniseikonia (p=.003). 2. Aniseikonia alone was not responsible for marked variations in strabismus. 3. Amblyopia was correlated with increases in anisometropia and aniseikonia. 4. Adding aniseikonia to anisometropia produced a possible increase in strabismus and a great increase in amblyopia (using Fisher's Exact Test, 2-tailed). 5. Spearman correlations of the "absolute values" (the mean of the mathematical difference between the two eyes of anisometropia and amblyopia) were as follows: anisometropia (abs) vs. aniseikonia r=.294, p=.006; anisometropia (abs) vs. amblyopia (abs) 4=.555, p=<.001; amblyopia (abs) vs. aniseikonia r=.234, p=.02.

CONCLUSIONS

Aniseikonia per se does not appear to have a major causal role in amblyopia or strabismus, but anisometropia does for amblyopia. This role is greatly augmented by aniseikonia and this combination may then produce strabismus.

Aniseikonia quantification: error rate of rule of thumb estimation

PURPOSE

To find the error rate in quantifying aniseikonia by using "Rule of Thumb" estimation in comparison with proven space eikonometry.

METHODS

Study 1: 24 adult pseudophakic individuals were measured for anisometropia, and astigmatic interocular difference. Rule of Thumb quantification for prescription was calculated and compared with aniseikonia measurement by the classical Essilor Projection Space Eikonometer. Study 2: parallel analysis was performed on 62 consecutive phakic patients from our strabismus clinic group.

RESULTS

Frequency of error: For Group 1 (24 cases): 5 ( or 21 %) were equal (i.e., 1% or less difference); 16 (or 67% ) were greater (more than 1% different); and 3 (13%) were less by Rule of Thumb calculation in comparison to aniseikonia determined on the Essilor eikonometer. For Group 2 (62 cases): 45 (or 73%) were equal (1% or less); 10 (or 16%) were greater; and 7 (or 11%) were lower in the Rule of Thumb calculations in comparison to Essilor eikonometry. Magnitude of error: In Group 1, in 10/24 (29%) aniseikonia by Rule of Thumb estimation was 100% or more greater than by space eikonometry, and in 6 of those ten by 200% or more. In Group 2, in 4/62 (6%) aniseikonia by Rule of Thumb estimation was 200% or more greater than by space eikonometry.

CONCLUSION

The frequency and magnitude of apparent clinical errors of Rule of Thumb estimation is disturbingly large. This problem is greatly magnified by the time and effort and cost of prescribing and executing an aniseikonic correction for a patient. The higher the refractive error, the greater the anisometropia, and the worse the errors in Rule of Thumb estimation of aniseikonia. Accurate eikonometric methods and devices should be employed in all cases where such measurements can be made. Rule of thumb estimations should be limited to cases where such subjective testing and measurement cannot be performed, as in infants after unilateral cataract surgery.

Extending prescribing: nurse prescribing and the Crown Review

This article discusses the implications of the Crown Review of the Prescribing, Supply and Administration of Medicines on the medical profession and its relationship with other health-care professions. To appreciate the far-reaching implications of the review, it is necessary to reflect on its origins. This article will summarize the history of nurse prescribing, and the current context in which health care is delivered.

Anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation in older people

There is controversy and apprehension regarding the routine use of oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation, especially in elderly people. Based on current evidence, however, patients with non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation who have no obvious contraindications to warfarin should receive prophylactic anticoagulant therapy for prevention of embolic stroke. Patients unable to tolerate warfarin would benefit from aspirin. It is poor clinical practice to await transient ischaemic attacks or a stroke before considering anticoagulation, and it should be remembered that cost–benefit values need to include the cost of rehabilitation and long-term care.

Effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on embryonic expression of sonic hedgehog

Cocaine use by pregnant women may adversely affect development and behavior in the exposed infants. Sonic hedgehog (shh) is a secreted protein that induces development of many structures in the embryo, including dopaminergic cells in the ventral midbrain, the limb buds, and eyes. Because prenatal cocaine exposure has been shown to adversely affect the morphogenesis of these and other systems, the present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that maternal cocaine treatment would alter shh mRNA expression. Cocaine HCl (60 mg/kg i.p.) was administered to pregnant mice on gestational days 6-8, the time that immediately precedes the appearance of shh. Control dams received i.p. saline. Embryos from gestational days 9-11 were examined by in situ hybridization. The temporal and spatial patterns of shh expression were indistinguishable between embryos from cocaine- and saline-treated dams. Examination of forebrain, midbrain, and midbody spinal cord coronal sections failed to reveal any differences in the dorsoventral and mediolateral localization of shh. The distribution of mRNA for patched (ptc), the membrane receptor for shh, was also indistinguishable between both groups. Chick embryos were next used to examine the direct application of cocaine into the developing brain. Shh distribution was similarly unaffected in these chick embryos. These data show that maternal cocaine treatment during early neural tube development does not significantly alter the expression patterns of shh or ptc mRNA. Thus, congenital defects and behavioral abnormalities associated with maternal cocaine use do not appear to result from altered expression of the shh-ptc pathway.

Leadership styles of elite Dixie youth baseball coaches

Chelladurai and Saleh's Leadership Scale for Sports was administered to 52 elite Dixie Youth baseball coaches. Analyses indicated that subjects scored high in positive feedback, training and instruction, and social support, moderate in democratic behavior, and low in autocratic behavior. These results seem to support the validity of using the scale to compare coaching behavior.

Orbital cysticercosis

BACKGROUND

We report on a case of orbital cysticercosis in a 27-year-old Burmese man who presented with an orbital swelling 7 months after arriving in Australia.

METHODS

The presenting history and findings are reviewed and treatment options are discussed. A brief review of the life cycle of the tapeworm Taenia solium is provided.

RESULTS

The orbital lesion was successfully treated by surgical excision.

CONCLUSION

Cysticercosis should not be forgotten as a possible cause of unusual orbital lesions.

Flow-cytometric algorithm on fine-needle aspirates for the clinical workup of patients with lymphadenopathy

To analyze the value and limitations of flow cytometry (FCM) in the investigation of patients with lymphadenopathy, a retrospective study of 196 patients, referred for fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology, was carried out in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, between 1992-1997. Complete cytological, flow-cytometric, and outcome (clinical and histological) data were available on all the cases. The FNA appearances were read in conjunction with FCM findings. The following cytological categories were recognized: benign, 78 cases (39.8%); indeterminate, 9 cases (4.6%); and malignant, 109 cases (55.6%). None of the 78 cytologically benign cases had malignant outcome. All 109 cytologically malignant cases had malignant histology, and 8/9 of the cytologically indeterminate FNAs had malignant histology. The cytologically malignant category contained 106 B-cell lymphomas and three T-cell lymphomas. All 65 B-cell lymphomas with K light chain predominance had K/L ratio greater than 3/1, and all 34 B-cell lymphomas with L light chain predominance had an L/K ratio greater than 2/1. Clonality was therefore established for K/L and L/K at 3/1 and 2/1, respectively. When K/L and L/K ratios were below these figures (7 cases), other parameters, including the proportion of CD20 and the dual expression of CD19/CD10 and CD20/CD5, were used to determine the nature of the aspirate. In the B-cell lymphomas without demonstrable light chain restriction, CD20 positivity in excess of 85%, CD19/CD10 positivity of more than 18%, or CD20/CD5 positivity greater than 35% were independently diagnostic of B-cell lymphoma. In the T-cell lymphomas, greater than 90% of the cells were T cells, and aberrant T-cell antigen expression with loss of at least one pan-T-cell antigen was detected. In conclusion, the sensitivity of diagnosis of malignancy, false-negative rate, and predictive value of malignant diagnosis with combined FNA cytology and FCM were 99%, 0%, and 100%, respectively.