Polyneuropathy relates to impairment in daily activities, worse gait, and fall-related injuries

"PNP slows down" - linearly-reduced whole body joint velocities and altered gait patterns in polyneuropathy

Introduction

Gait disturbances are a common consequence of polyneuropathy (PNP) and a major factor in patients' reduced quality of life. Less is known about the underlying mechanisms of PNP-related altered motor behavior and its distribution across the body. We aimed to capture whole body movements in PNP during a clinically relevant mobility test, i.e., the Timed Up and Go (TUG). We hypothesize that joint velocity profiles across the entire body would enable a deeper understanding of PNP-related movement alterations. This may yield insights into motor control mechanisms responsible for altered gait in PNP.

Methods

20 PNP patients (61 ± 14 years) and a matched healthy control group (CG, 60 ± 15 years) performed TUG at (i) preferred and (ii) fast movement speed, and (iii) while counting backward (dual-task). We recorded TUG duration (s) and extracted gait-related parameters [step time (s), step length (cm), and width (cm)] during the walking sequences of TUG and calculated center of mass (COM) velocity [represents gait speed (cm/s)] and joint velocities (cm/s) (ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, wrists) with respect to body coordinates during walking; we then derived mean joint velocities and ratios between groups.

Results

Across all TUG conditions, PNP patients moved significantly slower (TUG time, gait speed) with prolonged step time and shorter steps compared to CG. Velocity profiles depend significantly on group designation, TUG condition, and joint. Correlation analysis revealed that joint velocities and gait speed are closely interrelated in individual subjects, with a 0.87 mean velocity ratio between groups.

Discussion

We confirmed a PNP-related slowed gait pattern. Interestingly, joint velocities in the rest of the body measured in body coordinates were in a linear relationship to each other and to COM velocity in space coordinates, despite PNP. Across the whole body, PNP patients reduce, on average, their joint velocities with a factor of 0.87 compared to CG and thus maintain movement patterns in terms of velocity distributions across joints similarly to healthy individuals. This down-scaling of mean absolute joint velocities may be the main source for the altered motor behavior of PNP patients during gait and is due to the poorer quality of their somatosensory information.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://drks.de/search/de, identifier DRKS00016999.

Use of overactive bladder anticholinergic medications associated with falls leading to emergency department visits: results from the ADRED study

PURPOSE

Drug intake might be a modifiable factor for the individual fall-risk of older adults, and anticholinergic properties of drugs need to be considered. This study is aimed at analyzing the association of older adults' individual anticholinergic load with particular focus on use of overactive bladder anticholinergic medications with falls in multi-medicated patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cases of the prospective, observational, multi-center study on adverse drug reactions leading to emergency departments (ADRED study) between 2015 and 2018 in Germany were analyzed comparing the exposure of overactive bladder anticholinergic medications on the chance to present with a fall with patients without exposure. Logistic regression analysis was used adjusting for pre-existing conditions, drug exposure, and the individual anticholinergic burden by drug use. To this end, a combination of seven expert-based anticholinergic rating scales was used.

RESULTS

The anticholinergic burden was higher in patients with overactive bladder anticholinergic medications (median 2 [1; 3]) compared to not taking drugs of interest. Presenting with a fall was associated with overactive bladder anticholinergic medications (odds ratio (OR) 2.34 [95% confidence interval 1.14-4.82]). The use of fall-risk increasing drugs was likewise associated (OR 2.30 [1.32-4.00]). The anticholinergic burden itself seemed not to be associated with falls (OR 1.01 [0.90-1.12]).

CONCLUSIONS

Although falls occur multifactorial in older adults and confounding by indication cannot be ruled out, the indication for a drug treatment should be decided with caution when other, non-pharmacological treatment options have been tried.

GERMAN CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTER

DRKS-ID: DRKS00008979, registration date 01/11/2017.

Effects of Motor Rehabilitation on Balance and Functional Activities in Elderly Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy and Recurrent Falls

To date, little is known about the effects of motor rehabilitation in peripheral neuropathy (PN) patients with a history of recurrent falls (RFH). This study aimed to assess balance and the activities of daily living (ADLs) in elderly lower limb PN patients with and without RFH and to verify the effects of motor rehabilitation on balance and ADLs in these patients. We collected data from 64 lower limb PN patients, who underwent a conventional motor rehabilitation program: 35 patients had a history of recurrent falls, and 29 did not. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and motor FIM, before and after rehabilitation, were the outcome measures. After rehabilitation, lower limb PN patients with RFH had significantly higher scores in BBS and motor FIM (p < 0.001, for both) than at entry. The final BBS score and effectiveness in the BBS score of lower limb PN patients with RFH were lower than those of patients without RFH (p < 0.05 and p = 0.009, respectively). The study shows that conventional motor rehabilitation improves both balance and ADLs in patients, but balance improvement is lower in those with RFH. Thus, motor rehabilitation can be a therapeutic option for the management of these patients.

Prevalence and Risk Factor Profiles for Chronic Axonal Polyneuropathy in the General Population

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Chronic axonal polyneuropathy is a common disease with increasing prevalence with age. It majorly affects quality of life and leads to difficulties with various activities. Persons with polyneuropathy often not seek medical care and thus the societal burden of disease is likely underreported. Given the aging populations, contemporary data on the prevalence and risk factor profiles of polyneuropathy in the general population are required. Therefore, we estimated the current and expected prevalence and investigated the (co-)occurrence of risk factors in participants with chronic axonal polyneuropathy.

METHODS

Between June 2013 and January 2020, participants of the population-based Rotterdam Study underwent extensive in-person examination to diagnose polyneuropathy. Age-standardized prevalence's were calculated for populations age 40 years or older of the Netherlands, Europe, the United States, and the world population. Putative risk factors were identified using laboratory findings, interviews, questionnaire data, and a review of medical records.

RESULTS

In total, 4,114 participants were included (mean age 64.3 years, 55.2% females), of whom 167 had chronic axonal polyneuropathy. More than half (54.5%) had yet not received the diagnosis through regular care. Age-standardized prevalence's were 3.3% (95% CI 2.8-4.0) for the European, 3.0% (95% CI 2.5-3.5) for the United States, and 2.3% (95% CI 1.9-2.8) for the world population. Based on the expected age distributions, the prevalence of chronic axonal polyneuropathy will increase with ±25% in the next 20 years. Known risk factors were present in 62.9% (N = 105) of the cases with polyneuropathy and most often included diabetes (34.1%) and vitamin deficiencies (15.1%). Importantly, combinations of various risk factors were found in 20.4% (N = 34) of cases with polyneuropathy.

DISCUSSION

Prevalence of chronic axonal polyneuropathy increases with age and is expected to further rise over time. Combinations of multiple known risk factors are often present, indicating the need for a full diagnostic workup, even when a single risk factor for polyneuropathy is known. These findings suggest that cumulative effects of multiple risk factors are important in the development and course of disease.

Extended effects of a wearable sensory prosthesis on gait, balance function and falls after 26 weeks of use in persons with peripheral neuropathy and high fall risk—The walk2Wellness trial

Background

We recently reported that individuals with impaired plantar sensation and high fall risk due to sensory peripheral neuropathy (PN) improved gait and balance function following 10 weeks of use of Walkasins^®, a wearable lower limb sensory prosthesis that provides directional specific mechanical tactile stimuli related to plantar pressure measurements during standing and walking (RxFunction Inc., Eden Prairie, MN, United States). Here, we report 26-week outcomes and compare pre- and in-study fall rates. We expected improvements in outcomes and reduced fall rates reported after 10 weeks of use to be sustained.

Materials and methods

Participants had clinically diagnosed PN with impaired plantar sensation, high fall risk (Functional Gait Assessment, FGA score < 23) and ability to sense tactile stimuli above the ankle at the location of the device. Additional outcomes included 10 m Gait Speed, Timed Up and Go (TUG), Four-Stage Balance Test, and self-reported outcomes, including Activities-Specific Balance Confidence scale and Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living Scale. Participants tracked falls using a calendar.

Results

We assessed falls and self-reported outcomes from 44 individuals after 26 weeks of device use; 30 of them conducted in-person testing of clinical outcomes. Overall, improvements in clinical outcomes seen at 10 weeks of use remained sustained at 26 weeks with statistically significant increases compared to baseline seen in FGA scores (from 15.0 to 19.2), self-selected gait speed (from 0.89 to 0.97 m/s), and 4-Stage Balance Test (from 25.6 to 28.4 s), indicating a decrease in fall risk. Non-significant improvements were observed in TUG and fast gait speed. Overall, 39 falls were reported; 31 of them did not require medical treatment and four caused severe injury. Participants who reported falls over 6 months prior to the study had a 43% decrease in fall rate during the study as compared to self-report 6-month pre-study (11.8 vs. 6.7 falls/1000 patient days, respectively, p < 0.004), similar to the 46% decrease reported after 10 weeks of use.

Conclusion

A wearable sensory prosthesis can improve outcomes of gait and balance function and substantially decreases incidence of falls during long-term use. The sustained long-term benefits in clinical outcomes reported here lessen the likelihood that improvements are placebo effects.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier #NCT03538756.

Supervised home-based resistance training for managing idiopathic peripheral polyneuropathy - A case report

PURPOSE

This case report aimed to investigate the effects of supervised home-based resistance training (RT) on functional capacity and mental health on a man with idiopathic peripheral polyneuropathy (PP).

METHOD

A 50-year-old man diagnosed with PP with no previous experience in RT performed 24 session of home-based RT for 12 weeks. Resistance training consisted of 3 exercises performed with 3 sets and lasted approximately 30 min per session. Exercises were performed with minimal implements (e.g., elastic tubes and light dumbbells). The Patient was evaluated for muscle performance, functionality, anxiety levels, and depressive symptoms before and after intervention period. Muscle performance was evaluated though 30-s push up test (PU30), functional capacity was evaluated through functional tests [sit to stand test (SST), arm curl (AC), and 2-min step test (2-MST)] and anxiety levels and depressive symptoms were evaluated through the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Beck's depression inventory (BDI), respectively.

RESULTS

After 12 weeks, the performance on PU30 increased 40% (from 8 to 11 repetitions), while the performance on SST, AC and 2-MST increased 100% (from 4 to 8 repetitions), 44% (from 16 to 23 repetitions) and 157% (from 47 to 121 repetitions), respectively. Anxiety state and trait levels have been reduced 24% (from 42 to 32 scores) and 4% (from 47 to 45 scores), respectively. There was no change for BDI.

CONCLUSION

Supervised home-based RT using low cost and affordable equipment was a feasible strategy to provide functional capacity and mental health benefits in a patient with PP.

A Retrospective Analysis of Pain Etiology in Middle-Aged Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy

Background and Objectives: Correct assessment and a multidisciplinary approach appear to be extremely important in preventing peripheral neuropathy and its complications. The purpose of this study was to find the correlations and dissimilarities between different types of peripheral neuropathy, the occurrence of pain, and laboratory results. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study assessed 124 patients who were hospitalized in our neurology department due to various types of sensory or motor disturbances. The patients were eventually diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, based on the electrophysiological study, anamnesis, physical examination, and laboratory results. The whole group was subjected to statistical analysis. Results: The mean age of patients was over 56 years, with a slight woman predominance. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) relationship between the place of residence and gender was seen, where more men than women live in the rural area, while more women than men live in the urban area. Most often we observed symmetric, sensorimotor, demyelinating, inflammatory, and chronic neuropathy. More than 40% of patients reported pain. A statistically significant correlation between the evolution/severity and the occurrence of pain was seen in subacute type (p < 0.05) and small fibre neuropathy (p < 0.01). Conclusions: A higher incidence of peripheral neuropathy in middle-aged people will become essential in the aging society with lifestyle and chronic disorders. Peripheral neuropathy is slightly more common in women than men and its occurrence may be influenced by work performed or internal and external factors. In the study group, more than 40% of patients reported pain, therefore the pain measurement for each patient should be implemented and repeated at every visit. An assessment of sodium level and, in women, markers of neuroinflammation level in the various types of peripheral neuropathy may be an interesting direction for the future.

Chronic axonal idiopathic polyneuropathy: is it really benign

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy (CIAP), a common neurological condition, is considered to be a benign neurological condition with a small risk of disability. However, many studies have shown a reduced quality of life and a nonnegligible affection of daily activities in patients with CIAP. Here we summarize recent data about CIAP.

RECENT FINDINGS

We discuss some of the latest articles regarding risk factors, comorbidities, and possible pathogenic factors regarding CIAP. Patients with chronic polyneuropathy have impaired walking capacity, disturbed balance, and an increased risk of falls. Idiopathic polyneuropathy has a negative impact on activities of daily living. Patients with CIAP may develop plantar ulcers and neuropathic arthropathy. Small fiber involvement may occur, and two recent studies indicate that neuropathic pain is present in about two thirds of the CIAP group. Furthermore, patients with CIAP with neuropathic pain have increased fatigue and poorer emotional well being.

SUMMARY

Despite the relatively mild motor impairment seen in most patients with CIAP, the condition causes limitations in life with decreased mobility, pain, and affection of basal daily activities. Because the pathogenesis of CIAP in unclear, there is no disease modifying treatment. Further studies regarding pathogenesis, and randomized controlled clinical trials regarding possible treatment options are needed.

Cardiovascular health and chronic axonal polyneuropathy: A population-based study

Background and purpose

Chronic axonal polyneuropathy is a common, usually multifactorial, disease for which there is no treatment yet available. We investigated the association between cardiovascular health, defined by the health score of the American Heart Association, and chronic axonal polyneuropathy.

Methods

Between June 2013 and January 2017, we investigated participants of the Rotterdam Study, a population‐based cohort study. Participants were screened for polyneuropathy and categorized as having no, possible, probable or definite polyneuropathy. The cardiovascular health score (range 0–14; higher score reflecting better health) consisted of four health behaviours (diet, physical activity, smoking and body mass index) and three health factors (blood pressure, serum cholesterol and fasting glucose level).

Results

We included 1919 participants, of whom 120 (6.3%) had definite polyneuropathy. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age was 69.0 (58.6–73.7) years and 53.4% were women. A higher cardiovascular health score was associated with a lower prevalence of definite polyneuropathy (per point increase: odds ratio [OR] 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84–0.96). Optimal cardiovascular health (score≥10) was strongly associated with a lower prevalence of definite polyneuropathy (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.32–0.90). An increase in health factors and health behaviour scores separately was associated with a lower prevalence of polyneuropathy (per point increase: OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.71–0.95 and OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.78–0.96, respectively). The association between a lower cardiovascular health score and lower sural nerve amplitude was not significant after correction for covariates (difference 0.07µV, 95% CI −0.02–0.17).

Conclusions

Better cardiovascular health, consisting of both modifiable health behaviours and health factors, is associated with a lower prevalence of chronic axonal polyneuropathy.

Accidental falls in middle-aged women

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of accidental falls in women and to identify possible associations of sociodemographic, clinical and lifestyle variables with falls, in 2007 and 2014.

METHODS

Two cross-sectional studies were performed, in 2007 and 2014, within the Projeto de Saúde de Pindamonhangaba (PROSAPIN – Pindamonhangaba Health Project), with women aged between 35 to 75 years. Probabilistic samples were selected among women living in the municipality and participating in the Health Family Strategy. Data collection included: face-to-face interview, anthropometric examination and blood test. The outcome variable “have you fallen in the last six months?” was raised during the interview. The prevalence of falls in 2007 and 2014 were estimated by score with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Multiple logistic regression models were constructed to identify the association of independent variables with the occurrence of falls for each year based on the odds ratio (OR). We used the Stata 14.0 software for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of accidental falls were: 17.6% (95%CI 14.9–20.5) in 2007 and 17.2% (95%CI 14.8–19.8) in 2014. In 2007, factors associated with falls were: aged 50–64 years (OR = 1.81; 95%CI 1.17–2.80), high school (OR = 1.76; 95%CI 1.06–2.93), hyperuricemia (OR = 3.74; 95%CI 2.17–6.44), depression (OR = 2.07; 95%CI 1.31–3.27), poor sleep (OR = 1.78; 95%CI 1.12–2.82) and daytime sleepiness (OR = 1.86; 95%CI 1.16–2.99). In 2014, they were: aged 50–64 years (OR = 1.64; 95%CI 1.04–2.58), hyperuricemia (OR = 1.91; 95%CI 1.07–3.43) and depression (OR = 1.56; 95%CI 1.02–2.38), plus metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.60; 95%CI 1.03–2.47) and musculoskeletal pain (OR = 1.81; 95%CI 1.03–3.18).

CONCLUSIONS

Falls occur significantly in women aged 50 years or over, indicating that they are not restricted to older adults and that there is a need to initiate preventive measures earlier. Both studies showed similar magnitudes of occurrence of accidental falls and reinforced their multifactorial nature. In addition, hyperuricemia may be a potential new factor associated with falls.

Wearable Health Technology to Quantify the Functional Impact of Peripheral Neuropathy on Mobility in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review

The occurrence of peripheral neuropathy (PNP) is often observed in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with a prevalence up to 55%, leading to more prominent functional deficits. Motor assessment with mobile health technologies allows high sensitivity and accuracy and is widely adopted in PD, but scarcely used for PNP assessments. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the methodologies and the most relevant features to investigate PNP and PD motor deficits with wearables. Because of the lack of studies investigating motor impairments in this specific subset of PNP-PD patients, Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases were used to summarize the state of the art on PNP motor assessment with wearable technology and compare it with the existing evidence on PD. A total of 24 papers on PNP and 13 on PD were selected for data extraction: The main characteristics were described, highlighting major findings, clinical applications, and the most relevant features. The information from both groups (PNP and PD) was merged for defining future directions for the assessment of PNP-PD patients with wearable technology. We established suggestions on the assessment protocol aiming at accurate patient monitoring, targeting personalized treatments and strategies to prevent falls and to investigate PD and PNP motor characteristics.

The Effects of a Wearable Sensory Prosthesis on Gait and Balance Function After 10 Weeks of Use in Persons With Peripheral Neuropathy and High Fall Risk - The walk2Wellness Trial

BACKGROUND

Sensory peripheral neuropathy (PN) is associated with gait, balance problems and high fall risk. The walk2Wellness trial investigates effects of long-term, home-based daily use of a wearable sensory prosthesis on gait function, balance, quality of life and fall rates in PN patients. The device (Walkasins®, RxFunction Inc., MN, United States) partially substitutes lost nerve function related to plantar sensation providing directional tactile cues reflecting plantar pressure measurements during standing and walking. We tested the null hypothesis that the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) score would remain unchanged after 10 weeks of use.

METHODS

Participants had PN with lost plantar sensation, gait and balance problems, an FGA score < 23 (high fall risk), and ability to sense tactile stimuli above the ankle. Clinical outcomes included FGA, Gait Speed, Timed Up&Go (TUG) and 4-Stage Balance Test. Patient-reported outcomes included Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living Scale, PROMIS participation and satisfaction scores, pain rating, and falls. Evaluations were performed at baseline and after 2, 6, and 10 weeks. Subjects were not made aware of changes in outcomes. No additional balance interventions were allowed.

RESULTS

Forty-five participants of 52 enrolled across four sites completed in-clinic assessments. FGA scores improved from 15.0 to 19.1 (p < 0.0001), normal and fast gait speed from 0.86 m/s to 0.95 m/s (p < 0.0001) and 1.24 m/s to 1.33 m/s (p = 0.002), respectively, and TUG from 13.8 s to 12.5 s (p = 0.012). Four-Stage Balance Test did not improve. Several patient-reported outcomes were normal at baseline and remained largely unchanged. Interestingly, subjects with baseline ABC scores lower than 67% (high fall risk cut-off) increased their ABC scores (49.9% to 59.3%, p = 0.01), whereas subjects with ABC scores above 67% showed a decrease (76.6% to 71.8%, p = 0.019). Subjects who reported falls in the prior 6 months (n = 25) showed a decrease in the number of fall-risk factors (5.1 to 4.3, p = 0.023) and a decrease in fall rate (13.8 to 7.4 falls/1000 days, p = 0.014). Four pre-study non-fallers (n = 20) fell during the 10 weeks.

CONCLUSION

A wearable sensory prosthesis presents a new way to treat gait and balance problems and manage falls in high fall-risk patients with PN.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov (#NCT03538756).

[Clarification of dizziness in old age : Interdisciplinary diagnostic process]

The clinical symptom dizziness encompasses a broad range of complaints. The prevalence among older adults is high. Over the course of 1 year 50% of people over 80 years old, 30% of those between 70-80 years old and 20% between 60-70 years old contact a physician as a result of dizziness. The diagnostic process has to be well organized. The medical history and clinical examination are frequently underestimated but in many cases are crucial. Extensive investigations should only be carried out in cases of a firmly suspected diagnosis. A good interdisciplinary cooperation can positively influence the diagnostic process. The awareness of red flags also helps to detect emergency patients with dizziness. This article discusses the differential diagnosis of dizziness in older adults and provides appropriate recommendations for the diagnostic process.

Polyneuropathie im Alter

Das periphere Nervensystem ist im Laufe des Alternsprozesses Veränderungen unterworfen. So kommt es unter anderem zu einer Abschwächung von Muskeleigenreflexen und Propriozeption. Davon abzugrenzen sind Polyneuropathien als krankhafte Veränderungen des peripheren Nervensystems. Die jährliche Inzidenz von Polyneuropathien wird auf 118/100.000 geschätzt, die Prävalenz liegt bei etwa 1 %, für ältere Populationen werden 7 % angegeben. Die Ursachen sind vielfältig und ähnlich den Ursachen von Neuropathien des jüngeren Alters: Neben metabolischen, immunvermittelten, hereditären, toxischen und infektiösen Ätiologien können Polyneuropathien Ausdruck von Systemerkrankungen sein. Entsprechend der Altersverteilung der verschiedenen Ursachen sind Neuropathien im Zusammenhang mit Diabetes, monoklonalen Gammopathien und Malignomen im Alter häufiger. Allerdings nimmt der Anteil der kryptogenen Neuropathien, also ohne eindeutige Ursache, mit dem Alter zu. Bei alten Menschen führen Polyneuropathien zu einer zusätzlichen Beeinträchtigung der Mobilität und einem erhöhten Sturzrisiko, was auch die Abklärung funktioneller Fähigkeiten erforderlich macht.

Potassium control in chronic kidney disease: implications for neuromuscular function

In Australia, approximately 1.7 million adults have evidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This complex disease can result in a multitude of complications, including hyperkalaemia, which is common and well recognised. The advent of new therapeutics aimed at lowering serum potassium has raised the possibility of optimising potassium control to enable greater use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors in the management of CKD. Recent studies suggest that hyperkalaemia also has implications for peripheral neuropathy in CKD, a complication that substantially contributes to patient morbidity. This review examines evidence of the relationship between potassium and peripheral neuropathy, with a discussion of clinical implications. We searched PubMed for original and review articles using pre-specified key words, clinical guidelines and population data. The major findings were that contemporary CKD cohorts demonstrate a high prevalence of peripheral neuropathy, even in stage 3-4 CKD, including those without diabetes. The severity of the problem has been emphasised by an ominous rise in foot complications and amputation rates in dialysis patients, highlighting the need for increased awareness of the condition in earlier stages of CKD and targeted treatment strategies. It is likely that the pathophysiology of peripheral neuropathy in CKD is multifaceted, with potential influences from potassium, vascular abnormalities, diabetes, inflammation and unknown middle molecules. Despite these complexities, the relationship between potassium and nerve function in dialysis has been well established, and recent research in stage 3-4 CKD suggests that assertive potassium control may improve neuromuscular outcomes in CKD. These small studies should be confirmed in large, multicentre settings.

Large variation in effects during 10 years of enzyme therapy in adults with Pompe disease

Objective

To determine the effects of 10 years of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) in adult patients with Pompe disease, focusing on individual variability in treatment response.

Methods

In this prospective, multicenter cohort study, we studied 30 patients from the Netherlands and France who had started ERT during the only randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial with ERT in late-onset Pompe disease (NCT00158600) or its extension (NCT00455195) in 2005 to 2008. Main outcomes were walking ability (6-minute walk test [6MWT]), muscle strength (manual muscle testing using Medical Research Council [MRC] grading), and pulmonary function (forced vital capacity [FVC] in the upright and supine positions), assessed at 3- to 6-month intervals before and after the start of ERT. Data were analyzed with linear mixed-effects models for repeated measurements.

Results

Median follow-up duration on ERT was 9.8 years (interquartile range [IQR] 8.3–10.2 years). At the group level, baseline 6MWT was 49% of predicted (IQR 41%–60%) and had deteriorated by 22.2 percentage points (pp) at the 10-year treatment point (p < 0.001). Baseline FVC upright was 54% of predicted (IQR 47%–68%) and decreased by 11 pp over 10 years (p < 0.001). Effects of ERT on MRC sum score and FVC supine were similar. At the individual level, 93% of patients had initial benefit of ERT. Depending on the outcome measured, 35% to 63% of patients had a secondary decline after ≈3 to 5 years. Still, at 10 years of ERT, 52% had equal or better 6MWT and/or FVC upright compared to baseline.

Conclusions

The majority of patients with Pompe disease benefit from long-term ERT, but many patients experience some secondary decline after ≈3 to 5 years. Individual variation, however, is considerable.

Classification of evidence

This study provides Class IV evidence that for the majority of adults with Pompe disease, long-term ERT positively affects, or slows deterioration in, muscle strength, walking ability, and/or pulmonary function.

Dizziness

Dizziness is a common symptom encountered by all physicians. Dizziness and related symptoms are frequently linked to 1 or more of a list of contributors that includes benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, Ménière disease, migraine, acute peripheral vestibulopathy, cerebral ischemia, and anxiety disorders. Awareness of these common clinical patterns increases the likelihood of making a rapid, accurate diagnosis.

Protocol for evaluating the effects of a foot-ankle therapeutic exercise program on daily activity, foot-ankle functionality, and biomechanics in people with diabetic polyneuropathy: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) negatively affects foot and ankle function (strength and flexibility), which itself affects the daily physical activity and quality of life of patients. A physical therapy protocol aiming to strengthen the intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles and increase flexibility may be a promising approach to improve lower-extremity function, prevent further complications, and improve autonomy for daily living activities in these patients. Thus, the inclusion of a specific foot-related exercises focused on the main musculoskeletal impairments may have additional effects to the conventional interventions in the diabetic foot.

METHODS/DESIGN

A prospective, parallel-group, outcome-assessor blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted in 77 patients with DPN who will be randomly allocated to usual care (control arm) or usual care with supervised foot-ankle exercises aiming to increase strengh and flexibility twice a week for 12 weeks and remotely supervised foot-ankle exercises for a year through a web software. Patients will be evaluated 5 times in a 1 year period regarding daily physical activity level, self-selected and fast gait speeds (primary outcomes), foot ulcer incidence, ulcer risk classification, neuropathy testing, passive ankle range of motion, quality of life, foot health and functionality, foot muscle strength, plantar pressure, and foot-ankle kinematics and kinetics during gait.

DISCUSSION

This study aims to assess the effect of a foot-ankle strength and flexibility program on a wide range of musculoskeletal, activity-related, biomechanical, and clinical outcomes in DPN patients. We intend to demonstrate evidence that the year-long training program is effective in increasing gait speed and daily physical activity level and in improving quality of life; foot strength, functionality, and mobility; and biomechanics while walking. The results will be published as soon as they are available.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT02790931 (June 6, 2016) under the name "Effects of foot muscle strengthening in daily activity in diabetic neuropathic patients".

Electrodiagnosis in the Patient with Metabolic Syndrome: Adding Value to Patient Care

Patients with metabolic syndrome are at increased risk of peripheral neuropathy; entrapment neuropathies, such as carpal tunnel syndrome; and spine disease that can lead to radiculopathy or spinal stenosis. Electrodiagnostic studies are a valuable part of patient care in this population. They can confirm suspected diagnoses, uncover additional conditions, and lead to the diagnosis of other causes of neuropathy that require treatment. By assessing the severity of neuropathy, patients at high risk for falls, functional decline, and foot ulcers are identified to guide prevention, treatment, and patient education.

Microangiopathy-A Potential Contributing Factor to Idiopathic Polyneuropathy: A Mini Review

Chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy (CIAP) is a slowly progressive predominantly sensory axonal polyneuropathy. The prevalence of CIAP increases with age. The pathogenic cause of CIAP is unknown although there are several prevailing etiological hypotheses. In this mini review, we focus on the hypothesis of disturbed microcirculation in the vasa nervorum of peripheral nerves as a pathogenic cause of CIAP. There is an association between CIAP and metabolic risk factors. Furthermore, the phenotype of CIAP resembles diabetic neuropathy both clinically and electrophysiologically. In sural nerve biopsies from patients with diabetes mellitus, structural abnormalities indicating microangiopathy in the endoneurial microvessels are well documented. Similarly, sural microvessel abnormalities have been shown in patients with atherosclerotic non-diabetic peripheral vascular disease. However, the reported histopathological alterations of microvasculature in sural nerves of CIAP patients are inconsistent. Two studies report microangiopathic changes in CIAP sural nerves comparable with those found in patients with diabetic neuropathy. Conversely, another recent study showed no significant differences in the microangiopathic parameters in the endoneurial microvessels in the sural nerve biopsies from CIAP patients compared to controls without polyneuropathy. However, this CIAP patient group was younger compared to the patient groups in the other two studies. A general limitation with the published morphological studies are that different methods have been used in the assessment of microangiopathy, and there is also a risk of subjectivity in the results. Immunohistochemistry studies of sural nerves with verification of microangiopathy using specific biomarkers would be of great interest to develop.

Peripheral nerve disease

Polyneuropathies are common neurologic disorders affecting the peripheral nerves. There are a number of causes of damage to these structures, such as genetic and metabolic factors, autoimmune disorders, infection, drug or environmental toxicity, and malignancy. Motor and sensory impairments are commonly encountered in these conditions, leading to altered balance and gait with increased risk of falling. Diabetic neuropathy is the most common cause of peripheral nerve disease and extensive investigation of balance and walking function revealed greater postural instability and delayed activation of distal muscles during walking. Although classically thought to be due to sensory impairment, it is now recognized that a motor contribution to balance and gait impairment cannot be ruled out in diabetic neuropathy. Inflammatory and inherited neuropathies have had less investigation. Variations in static and dynamic balance and depend on the sensory afferents affected and the degree of motor impairment. Motor impairment is a major contributor to alterations in gait pattern. Exercise is an effective rehabilitation approach that can improve muscle strength and postural responses. The gains can carry over into improved functional balance and walking. Orthotic interventions are also promising in supporting joints where there is significant muscle weakness, but newer devices are being developed that provide sensory feedback, e.g., vibration, which may be effective where sensory impairment is a key contributor to postural instability.