Action-Monitoring Dysfunction in Obstructive Sleep Apnea - A Pilot Study

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with a broad range of frontal lobe dysfunctions. However, no study has investigated action monitoring, a crucial domain of frontal cognitive functions, in patients with OSA. By using the modified Flanker task, we tested the hypothesis that patients with OSA have an impaired action monitoring function. We recruited 25 untreated patients with moderate–severe OSA and 12 control participants who were matched for age, sex, apolipoprotein E4, and education level. Every enrolled participant underwent a standard overnight laboratory-based polysomnography and completed a modified Flanker task. Compared with the controls, the patients with OSA presented a significantly lower correct response rate in all trials (78.9% vs 95.9%, P = .008), congruent trials (84.7% vs 98.3%, P = .016), and incongruent trials (77.4% vs 94.7%, P = .009). The post-error correction rate was significantly lower in the patients with OSA than in the controls (74.9% vs 93.8%, P = .005). Furthermore, strong significant correlations were observed between the arousal index and correct rate in all trials (r = −0.390, P < .05) and in the incongruent trials (r = −0.429, P < .01), as well as between the arousal index and rate of post-error correction (r = −0.435, P < .01). We concluded that the action monitoring function was impaired in the patients with OSA. Sleep fragmentation was a major determinant of impaired action monitoring in these patients.

Quality of life and menopausal transition for middle-aged women on Kinmen island

Although it seems reasonable to suggest that most women experience significant changes in quality of life (QOL) during the menopausal period, few researchers have quantified these changes. A total of 1497 women, aged 40-54 years and living on the island of Kinmen, were recruited for this survey. However, 137 were eliminated leaving 1360 for analysis. Women who used hormonal therapy or who had undergone surgically induced menopause were excluded. The subjects with incomplete data or who exhibited mental retardation or severe psychiatric disease were also eliminated. Univariate analysis demonstrated that, in general, QOL scores were poorer for perimenopausal and postmenopausal status. Comparing pre- and postmenopausal women, significant statistical differences were demonstrated for role limitations due to physical and emotional problems, even after adjusting for age, education level, body mass index, menarche, and chronic illness. A strong association was demonstrated between menopausal symptoms and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Women with menopausal symptoms and PMS had significantly lower scores on all SF-36 dimensions. The results of this study suggest that poorer health status is experienced by peri- and postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women.

Chronic daily headache in Taipei, Taiwan: prevalence, follow-up and outcome predictors

We conducted a two-stage population-based headache survey among subjects aged > or = 15 in Taipei, Taiwan. Subjects with chronic daily headache (CDH) in the past year were identified, interviewed and followed-up. CDH was defined as a headache frequency > 15 days/month, with a duration > 4 h/day. Of the 3377 participants, 108 (3.2%) fulfilled the criteria for CDH, with a higher prevalence in women (4.3%) than men (1.9%). TM was the most common subtype (55%), followed by CTTH (44%). Thirty-four per cent of the CDH subjects overused analgesics. At the 2-year follow-up, 35% of the CDH subjects still had CDH. The significant predictors for persistent CDH at follow-up included: older age ( > or = 40 years) (RR = 2.4), CDH onset after 32 years (RR = 1.8), CDH duration > or = 6 years (RR = 2.0), medication overuse (RR = 1.8), and "daily" headache (RR = 2.1). We found that CDH is not uncommon in the community and its prevalence is similar among different populations. Older subjects and those with medication overuse may have a more protracted course of illness.

Persistent migrainous visual phenomena might be responsive to lamotrigine

Two patients with migraine reported having experienced persistent auralike visual phenomena for months to years. All laboratory investigations were normal except for occipital hypoperfusion on the brain single photon emission computed tomography. After lamotrigine treatment for 2 weeks, they both had a resolution of the visual symptoms. Persistent migrainous visual phenomena are potentially benign and probably a status of spontaneous aura.

The Kinmen women-health investigation (KIWI): a menopausal study of a population aged 40-54

OBJECTIVES

This paper aims to report the methodology of a study of a cohort of middle-aged women in Taiwan, their age at menopause, and related factors and prevalence of menopausal symptoms, and to examine the relationships between symptoms and sociodemographic variables.

METHODS

An epidemiological study of neuropsychological change during the menopausal transition among Chinese women aged 40-54 years old on the islet of Kinmen.

RESULTS

Of a targeted population of 2256 individuals, 1497 (66%) participated in the study. The mean age at menarche was 15.6 years and that at menopause was 48 years. The hormone use rate at the time of study was 23% in surgical menopausal women, and 9% were past users. After excluding surgical menopausal and premenopausal women, 6% reported a current use of estrogen replacement therapy and 6% were past users. The most frequently reported discomforts for those women aged >45 were troubled sleep, backaches, and joint pain. Four symptom clusters: musculoskeletal, non-specific somatic complaints, urogenital, and vasomotor, were identified. After adjustment for age, the urogenital and vasomotor symptoms were significantly associated with menopausal status.

CONCLUSIONS

The age at menopause did not differ much from Western studies, but the menopausal symptoms, especially the vasomotor symptoms, were much lower in our study population. Nevertheless, vasomotor symptoms were still significantly associated with menopausal status.

Psychometric evaluation of a Chinese (Taiwanese) version of the SF-36 health survey amongst middle-aged women from a rural community

To test the psychometric properties of the Chinese (Taiwanese) version of the short form 36 health survey (SF-36), 1,439 women, aged 40-54 years and living in Kinmen (a Taiwanese island reflecting a predominantly rural community) were recruited to participate in this survey. The rate of unavailable data points for the 36 tested items remained consistently low, and item-discriminate validity was high (95%) for all subscales. Cronbach's alpha coefficient remained above the 0.70 threshold criterion for all scales except for social functioning and bodily pain. Principal components analysis supported the two major dimensions of health, physical and mental, in the internal structure of the SF-36 scales, although the dimensions did not match the hypothesized association very well. Poorer health profiles were associated with physical and mental conditions. The mental health subscores in the SF-36 test correlated highly with the associated hospital anxiety and depression score (Spearman rank correlation coefficient = -0.62). In conclusion, the reliability and validity tests performed on the data collected support the cross-cultural application of the Chinese (Taiwanese) version of the SF-36 test.

Frequency and predictors of physician consultations for headache

We conducted a population-based headache questionnaire survey including questions on physician consultation for headache in Taipei, Taiwan from August 1997 to June 1998. The participants comprised 3377 subjects aged > or = 15 years, of whom 328 (9.7%) had a diagnosis of migraine and 1754 (52%) had a diagnosis of non-migraine headache. Migraineurs had a higher physician consultation rate (once or more in the past year) than the subjects with non-migraine headache (54% vs. 31%, P < 0.0001). When frequency > or = 10 times was taken as 10 times, the analysis showed that migraineurs consulted physicians more often than non-migraine headache subjects (2.36 vs. 0.96, P = 0.04). A small proportion of the subjects with either migraine (12%) or non-migraine headache (6%) accounted for 50% of total consultations within their groups. In addition to old age, low education levels, living in a rural area, migrainous features (nausea and photophobia), and work day loss, predictors of physician consultations also included 'having been troubled with headache' (odds ratio (OR) = 1.7) and co-morbidity with hypertension (OR = 1.8) or heart disease (OR = 2.2). Low copayment and unrestricted access to medical care, as well as cultural factors played an important role in the high consultation rates in our headache subjects. Moreover, this study found self-perception of headache impact and co-morbid illnesses were important factors affecting the decision to consult physicians about headache.

Quality of life differs among headache diagnoses: analysis of SF-36 survey in 901 headache patients

This paper presents the results of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in 901 patients consecutively visiting a headache clinic of a national medical center in Taipei, Taiwan. HRQoL was evaluated with the Medical Outcome Study-Short Form (SF-36) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). According to the classification criteria for chronic daily headache (CDH) proposed by Silberstein et al. (Neurology 47 (1996) 871) five hundred and ninety-three (66%) patients had CDH, of whom transformed migraine (TM) was diagnosed in 310, and chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) in 231. One hundred and ninety-three patients had episodic migraine. All SF-36 scale scores significantly correlated with the HADS scores and the intensity and frequency of pain. Compared with the normative data, a pervasive multi-dimensional decline of the SF-36 scores was noted among the headache patients except for the physical functioning scale. The decline was most remarkable in the role limitations of physical and emotional dimensions and in the bodily pain. An increasing impairment of the SF-36 scores was noted from migraine to CTTH to TM. After controlling for the HADS, age, gender, education, and chronic illness by multiple linear regression analyses, the patients with TM had the worst SF-36 profile; whereas, the patients with CTTH and migraine had compatible results. This study is the first to demonstrate that the SF-36 scores differ among headache diagnoses. Psychological distress, as well as the percentages of the types of patients, greatly influenced the SF-36 scores in hospital-based headache samples. Our findings also suggest that improvement in the pain profile as well as psychological well-being can predict a generalized improvement in the SF-36 scales in headache patients.

Comorbidity of depressive and anxiety disorders in chronic daily headache and its subtypes

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the frequency of depressive and anxiety disorders in patients with chronic daily headache.

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of data in the literature on the extent of psychiatric comorbidity in patients with different subtypes of chronic daily headache.

METHODS

We recruited consecutive patients with chronic daily headache seen in a headache clinic from November 1998 to December 1999. The subtypes of chronic daily headache were classified according to the criteria proposed by Silberstein et al. A psychiatrist evaluated the patients according to the structured Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview to assess the comorbidity of depressive and anxiety disorders.

RESULTS

Two hundred sixty-one patients with chronic daily headache were recruited. The mean age was 46 years, and 80% were women. Transformed migraine was diagnosed in 152 patients (58%) and chronic tension-type headache in 92 patients (35%). Seventy-eight percent of patients with transformed migraine had psychiatric comorbidity, including major depression (57%), dysthymia (11%), panic disorder (30%), and generalized anxiety disorder (8%). Sixty-four percent of patients with chronic tension-type headache had psychiatric diagnoses, including major depression (51%), dysthymia (8%), panic disorder (22%), and generalized anxiety disorder (1%). The frequency of anxiety disorders was significantly higher in patients with transformed migraine after controlling for age and sex (P =.02). Both depressive and anxiety disorders were significantly more frequent in women.

CONCLUSION

Psychiatric comorbidity, especially major depression and panic disorders, was highly prevalent in patients with chronic daily headache seen in a headache clinic. These results demonstrate that women and patients with transformed migraine are at higher risk of psychiatric comorbidity.

Repetitive intravenous prochlorperazine treatment of patients with refractory chronic daily headache

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the efficacy and long-term outcome of intravenous prochlorperazine for the treatment of refractory chronic daily headache.

BACKGROUND

Unlike dihydroergotamine, the treatment results of intravenous neuroleptics as first-line agents for refractory chronic daily headache have rarely been reported.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the data of inpatients with refractory chronic daily headache who received intravenous repetitive prochlorperazine treatment from November 1996 to March 1999. A semistructured telephone follow-up interview was done in September 1999.

RESULTS

A total of 135 patients (44 men, 91 women) were recruited, including 95 (70%) with analgesic overuse. After intravenous prochlorperazine treatment, 121 (90%) achieved a 50% or greater reduction of headache intensity, including 85 (63%) who became headache-free. The mean hospital stay was 6.2 +/- 2.7 days, and mean total prochlorperazine used was 98 +/- 48 mg. Acute extrapyramidal symptoms occurred in 21 patients (16%). One hundred twenty-four patients (92%) were successfully followed up, with a mean duration of 14.3 +/- 7.5 months. Compared with pretreatment status, 93 patients (75%) considered their headache intensity decreased, and 86 patients (69%) considered their headache frequency decreased, although 40 (32%) still had a daily headache. Of the 87 patients with analgesic overuse who could be followed, 61 (70%) no longer overused analgesics. Poor response to prochlorperazine treatment (relative risk, 1.8) and presence of major depression (relative risk, 1.8) were predictors of persistent chronic daily headache at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Prochlorperazine was effective and safe in the treatment of patients with refractory chronic daily headache with or without analgesic overuse. Compared with dihydroergotamine, prochlorperazine seemed less effective at achieving "freedom from headache" during hospitalization, but had a similar outcome at follow-up.

Prevalence of migraine in Taipei, Taiwan: a population-based survey

We conducted the first population-based migraine survey in Taipei, Taiwan, using a validated questionnaire administered by interviewers during the period from August 1997 to June 1998. Our target population comprised all individuals (age > or = 15 years) in 1400 randomly selected households. Migraine diagnoses were made according to the classification criteria of migraine without aura proposed by the International Headache Society, 1988, except that attacks with a duration of between 2 h and 4 h were also included. Of the 4434 eligible subjects in the 1211 respondent households, 3377 (76%) completed the questionnaire. After adjustment for age and sex distribution according to the population structure, the prevalence of migraine was 9.1% (F/M 14.4%/4.5%). Fifty-four percent of the subjects with migraine had consulted a physician about their headaches in the past year. However, only 18% of them reported that their migraine had been diagnosed by physicians. This study found that Taipei residents have the highest migraine prevalence of all Chinese populations studied, although it is still in the low range of prevalence compared with the results from Western countries.

Effects of estrogen on cognition, mood, and cerebral blood flow in AD: a controlled study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effects of estrogen therapy on cognition, mood, and cerebral blood flow in patients with AD.

BACKGROUND

Some studies have suggested estrogen may be effective in the treatment of AD. However, most of these studies were not controlled adequately.

METHODS

Fifty female AD patients were recruited in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 12-week trial. Each member of the estrogen-treated group received conjugated estrogen (Premarin) 1.25 mg/day. The primary outcome measures were the Cognitive Ability Screening Instrument (CASI), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), and Clinician Interview-Based Impression of Change (CIBIC-plus). The secondary outcome measures were Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease (BEHAVE-AD), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and 99mTc hexamethylpropylene amine oxime SPECT of the brain.

RESULTS

No meaningful differences were found between the outcome measures (CASI, CDR, CIBIC-plus, BEHAVE-AD, HARS, HDRS, and cerebral blood flow) taken from the estrogen-treated group and those from the control group.

CONCLUSION

A 1.25-mg/day dose of Premarin administered for 12 consecutive weeks does not produce a meaningful effect on cognitive performance, dementia severity, behavior, mood, and cerebral perfusion in female AD patients. Because estrogen therapy has been suspected of yielding adverse effects, and its therapeutic effectiveness is in doubt, additional evaluation of its role in AD treatment ought to be conducted.

Migraine prevalence in adolescents aged 13-15: a student population-based study in Taiwan

To estimate the lifetime migraine prevalence in school adolescents aged 13-15 in Taiwan, we conducted a self-administered questionnaire survey in four sampled public junior high schools. Migraine was diagnosed according to the diagnostic criteria of the International Headache Society. A total of 4064 students (1983 boys, 2081 girls) completed the questionnaire (response rate 91.6%). The lifetime prevalence of migraine was 6.8%. It was significantly higher in girls than boys (7.8% vs. 5.7%) and increased with age in both sexes. Students with migraine were more likely to be absent from school because of their headaches than those with non-migraine headaches (30% vs. 14%, odds ratio (OR) 2.7). They were also more likely to use painkillers for their headaches than their non-migraine headache peers (72% vs. 40%, OR 4.0). These results suggest that migraine is a common disorder of adolescents in Taiwan and its impact on the quality of life can not be ignored.

Subjective memory complaint in relation to cognitive performance and depression: a longitudinal study of a rural Chinese population

OBJECTIVES

To examine the associations of subjective memory complaint (SMC) in old age with (a) objective test performance, (b) past and subsequent cognitive decline, and (c) depression.

DESIGN

A group of community residents were examined twice during a 3-year period.

SETTING

Two townships on a rural Chinese islet.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 543 men and women aged 65 years and older.

MEASUREMENTS

During each examination, neurologists interviewed and examined all participants for dementia and asked the question, "Do you have trouble with your memory?" In addition, research assistants administered (a) the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI) to assess cognitive abilities, including long-term memory (LTM) and short-term memory (STM), and (b) the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Version (GDS-S) to assess symptoms of depression.

RESULTS

At each examination, almost half of the subjects acknowledged having trouble with their memory (the SMC+ group). At both examinations, the SMC+ group scored significantly lower on the CASI and significantly higher on the GDS-S than the SMC- group. However, the presence of SMC was not associated with faster cognitive decline over the past or subsequent 3 years. There were no consistent associations between SMC and the demographic variables of age, gender, and education at the two examinations. Logistic regression analysis showed that SMC was associated with poorer memory test scores after controlling for gender, age, education, and depression.

CONCLUSIONS

SMC was associated with poorer objective memory performance even after controlling the effect of depression and demographic data, but SMC did not predict faster cognitive decline or dementia over 3 years.

Chronic daily headache in Chinese elderly: prevalence, risk factors, and biannual follow-up

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and prognosis of chronic daily headache (CDH) in a population of elderly Chinese subjects.

METHODS

A community-based survey of registered residents > or =65 years old (n = 2,003) in two townships of Kinmen Island in 1993. A neurologist used a structured questionnaire and clinical interview to make the diagnosis of headache. Subjects who had headaches > or =15 days/month for > or =6 months in the previous year were considered to have CDH. CDH was further classified into chronic tension-type headache (CTTH), CDH with migrainous features (CDH/MF), and other CDH. Person-to-person biannual follow-up of the subjects with CDH was done in June 1995 and August 1997.

RESULTS

A total of 1,533 people (77%) participated in our prevalence study. Sixty subjects (3.9%) fulfilled the criteria for CDH, with a higher prevalence in women (F/M: 5.6%/1.8%, p < 0.001). Of these subjects, 42 (70%) had CTTH, 15 (25%) had CDH/MF, and 3 (5%) had other CDH. Only 23% of those with CDH had consulted physicians for their headaches in the previous year. Multivariate logistic regression revealed the significant risk factors for CDH to be analgesic overuse (OR = 79), a history of migraine (OR = 6.6), and a Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form score of > or =8 (OR = 2.6). The follow-up results in 1995 and 1997 showed that about two-thirds of the subjects still had CDH. Analgesic overuse (relative risk = 1.6) in 1993 was a significant predictor of persistent CDH at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

A total of 3.9% of this elderly population had CDH, with CTTH being the most common subtype. Almost two-thirds of those with CDH had persistent frequent headaches at follow-up. Analgesic overuse was a significant predictor of a poor outcome.

[An experimental study of treatment with superoxide dismutase for alkali burn in the anterior segment of the rabbit eye]

The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) increased and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased significantly in the aqueous humor 4, 24, and 72 hours after alkali burn in the anterior segment of the rabbit eye. The level of MDA decreased and the activity of SOD increased significantly after subconjunctival injection of exogenous SOD, and the two were negatively correlated. The results suggest that alkali burn causes disturbances in reaction to free radicals, which may be controlled by an early supply of exogenous SOD.