The Association of Psychiatric Comorbidities With Short-Term and Long-Term Outcomes Following Spinal Cord Stimulator Placement

BackgroundOutcomes after spinal cord stimulator (SCS) placement are affected by psychologic comorbidities. It is part of routine practice to do psychologic assessments prior to SCS trials to assess for the presence of maladaptive behavioral patterns. However, few studies have sought to quantify the effect of psychiatric comorbidities on complications, reoperation, and readmission rates. The purpose of this study was to assess the association of psychiatric comorbidities with postprocedural outcomes after SCS implantation.Materials and MethodsInclusion criteria included SCS placement between 2015 and 2020 (percutaneous approach or an open laminectomy-based approach) using Healthcare Corporation of America National Database. Data on psychiatric comorbidities present at the time of SCS implantation surgery were collected. Outcomes of interest included complication rates (defined as lead migration, fracture, malfunction, battery failure, postoperative pain, infection, dural puncture, or neurological injury), reoperation rates (defined as either revision or explant [ie, removal]), and readmission rates within 30-day and 1-year time after SCS implantation. We measured the association between psychiatric comorbidities and outcomes using multivariable regression and reported odds ratio (OR) and respective 95% confidence intervals.ResultsA total of 12,751 cases were included. The most common psychiatric comorbidities were major depressive disorder (16.1%) and anxiety disorder (13.4%). In unadjusted univariate analysis, patients with any psychiatric comorbidity had heightened rates of any complication (27.1% vs 19.4%), infection (5.9% vs 1.9%), lead displacement (2.2% vs 1.3%), surgical pain (2.1% vs 1.2%), explant (14.7% vs 8.8%), and readmission rates at one year (54.2% vs 33.8%) (all p < 0.001). In multivariable logistic regression, with each additional psychiatric comorbidity, a patient had increased odds of experiencing any complication (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.36–1.57, p < 0.001), requiring a reoperation (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.37–1.6, p < 0.001), and requiring readmission (OR = 1.7, 99% CI = 1.6–1.8, p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe presence of psychiatric comorbidities was found to be associated with postoperative complication rates, reoperation, and readmission rates after SCS placement. Furthermore, each consecutive increase in psychiatric comorbidity burden was associated with increased odds of complications, reoperation, and readmission. Future studies might consider examining the role of presurgical mental health screening (ie, patient selection, psychologic testing) and treatment in optimizing outcomes for patients with psychiatric comorbidities.     

Febrile convulsions increase risk of Tourette syndrome

PurposeFebrile convulsion (FC) and Tourette syndrome (TS) are both common neurological disorders in infants and children. Both disorders share clinical similarities, such as paroxysmal symptoms with normal neurodevelopment and expected remission over time. This population-based study investigated the association between FC with TS during childhood neurodevelopment.MethodWe used the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database to conduct a retrospective cohort analysis on 1586 FC patients. A reference cohort of 6344 non-FC patients, matched for age, sex, urbanization level, parental occupation, and index year, was used for comparison. The risk of the occurrence of TS in FC patients was assessed using a Cox proportional hazard regression model.ResultsThe overall incidence of TS was higher in the FC cohort than in the non-FC cohort (28.5 vs 13.9 per 10,000 person-years; adjusted hazard ratio = 1.91, 95% confidence interval = 1.32–2.75). The associated risk factors for FC patients to develop TS were boys, children living in rural areas, and children whose parents held blue-collar positions. Moreover, the risk of TS in FC patients rose from 0.89 to 16.0 (trend test P < 0.0001) when the frequency of FC-related medical visits increased from 1 to 2 times to more than 4 times. The adjusted hazard ratio for TS in related to FC-related medical visits was 1.02 (95% CI = 1.02–1.03) per one frequency increment.ConclusionFC may increase the risk of subsequent TS occurrence in children. Children who had frequent medical visits for FC were particularly vulnerable.     

Psychiatric comorbidity in refractory focal epilepsy: A study of 490 patients

We studied the prevalence and associated factors of psychiatric comorbidities in 490 patients with refractory focal epilepsy. Of these, 198 (40.4%) patients had psychiatric comorbidity. An Axis I diagnosis was made in 154 patients (31.4%) and an Axis II diagnosis (personality disorder) in another 44 (8.97%) patients. After logistic regression, positive family history of psychiatric comorbidities (O.R. = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.10–3.58; p = 0.023), the presence of Axis II psychiatric comorbidities (O.R. = 3.25; 95% CI = 1.70–6.22; p < 0.0001), and the epileptogenic zone located in mesial temporal lobe structures (O.R. = 1.94; 95% CI = 1.25–3.03; p = 0.003) remained associated with Axis I psychiatric comorbidities. We concluded that a combination of clinical variables and selected structural abnormalities of the central nervous system contributes to the development of psychiatric comorbidities in patients with focal epilepsy.     

Relapse insomnia increases greater risk of anxiety and depression: evidence from a population-based 4-year cohort study

ObjectiveWe investigated the longitudinal impacts of insomnia on the subsequent developments of anxiety and depression during a four-year follow-up. We further categorized individuals with insomnia into different insomnia subgroups to examine whether the risk of anxiety and depression varies by subtype.MethodsParticipants were identified from National Health Insurance enrollees in Taiwan during 2002–2009. The study included 19,273 subjects with insomnia and 38,546 matched subjects without insomnia. All subjects did not have previous diagnosis of insomnia, sleep apnea, anxiety, or depression.ResultsCompared with non-insomniacs, insomniacs had a higher risk of developing anxiety only [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 8.83, 95% CI = 7.59–10.27], depression only (adjusted HR = 8.48, 95% CI = 6.92–10.39), and both anxiety and depression (adjusted HR = 17.98, 95% CI = 12.65–25.56). When breaking down the insomnia subgroups, individuals with a relapse of insomnia (adjusted HR = 10.42–26.80) had the highest risk of anxiety only, depression only, and both anxiety and depression, followed by persistent insomnia (adjusted HR = 9.82–18.98), then remitted insomnia (adjusted HR = 4.50–8.27). All three insomnia subgroups had a greater four-year cumulative incidence rate than the non-insomnia group for anxiety only, depression only, and both anxiety and depression (p < 0.0001).ConclusionOur findings reinforce the clinical predictor role of insomnia in the future onset of anxiety or/and depression. Awareness of insomnia and treatment of insomnia should be recommended at clinics, and patterns of insomnia should be monitored to help treatment and control of subsequent psychiatric disorders. Future research with comprehensive data collection is needed to identify factors that contribute to different insomnia subtypes.     

Predictors and patterns of insomnia symptoms in OSA before and after PAP therapy

ObjectiveIdentify factors that predict improvement versus persistence of insomnia symptoms following treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy.MethodsArchival data from 68 PAP-treated sleep apnea patients aged 25–83 were analyzed using nonparametric tests and stepwise regression to assess the relationships between insomnia symptoms, multiple OSA variables, and PAP use over time.ResultsPretreatment insomnia symptom severity (ISS; b = −0.72, p < 0.001), PAP average use (b = −0.01, p = 0.01) and respiratory disturbance index (RDI; b = −0.02, p = 0.03) predict change in insomnia following PAP therapy. Forty-five percent (24/53) of the subjects with moderate to severe insomnia at pretreatment reported no/mild symptoms after PAP therapy and were considered improved. Improved subjects had lower pretreatment ISS (p < 0.001), higher RDI (p = 0.01), and higher average PAP use (p < 0.035) than subjects with persistent insomnia. Number of medications and comorbidities were similar between improved and persistent groups. New onset of insomnia symptoms occurred in 13% (2/15) of the patients with no/mild pretreatment insomnia.ConclusionsAlthough ISS declines following PAP treatment, 55% of OSA patients have persistent moderate to severe symptoms despite treatment. More severe OSA is linked to higher likelihood of insomnia improvement and the effect of PAP therapy on insomnia may be mediated by OSA severity. Persistent insomnia is unrelated to medication use or comorbidities and may represent an independent, self-sustaining disorder requiring targeted intervention.     

Genetic Heterogeneity Shapes Brain Connectivity in Psychiatry

BackgroundPolygenicity and genetic heterogeneity pose great challenges for studying psychiatric conditions. Genetically informed approaches have been implemented in neuroimaging studies to address this issue. However, the effects on functional connectivity of rare and common genetic risks for psychiatric disorders are largely unknown. Our objectives were to estimate and compare the effect sizes on brain connectivity of psychiatric genomic risk factors with various levels of complexity: oligogenic copy number variants (CNVs), multigenic CNVs, and polygenic risk scores (PRSs) as well as idiopathic psychiatric conditions and traits.MethodsResting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were processed using the same pipeline across 9 datasets. Twenty-nine connectome-wide association studies were performed to characterize the effects of 15 CNVs (1003 carriers), 7 PRSs, 4 idiopathic psychiatric conditions (1022 individuals with autism, schizophrenia, bipolar conditions, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), and 2 traits (31,424 unaffected control subjects).ResultsEffect sizes on connectivity were largest for psychiatric CNVs (estimates: 0.2–0.65 z score), followed by psychiatric conditions (0.15–0.42), neuroticism and fluid intelligence (0.02–0.03), and PRSs (0.01–0.02). Effect sizes of CNVs on connectivity were correlated to their effects on cognition and risk for disease (r = 0.9, p = 5.93 × 10^?6). However, effect sizes of CNVs adjusted for the number of genes significantly decreased from small oligogenic to large multigenic CNVs (r = ?0.88, p = 8.78 × 10^?6). PRSs had disproportionately low effect sizes on connectivity compared with CNVs conferring similar risk for disease.ConclusionsHeterogeneity and polygenicity affect our ability to detect brain connectivity alterations underlying psychiatric manifestations.     

Colonic diverticular disease: A new risk factor for Parkinson's disease?

BackgroundColonic diverticular disease is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder. Previous studies have suggested that chronic gastrointestinal tract is involved in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease.ObjectThis study investigated the potential link between colonic diverticular disease and risk of Parkinson's disease.MethodsData in this nationwide population-based cohort study were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database. Patients with colonic diverticular disease were identified from among 23.22 million insured Taiwanese residents who had been diagnosed between 2000 and 2005 and were aged ≥20 years (n = 23367). The comparison cohort included patients without colonic diverticular disease, matched by sex, age, and all comorbidities with the colonic diverticular disease patients cohort (n = 23367). Using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models, we estimated the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for PD with a 95% confidence interval (CI) after adjusting for age, sex, and all of comorbidities.ResultsThe risk of Parkinson's disease was higher in the CDD cohort than in the comparison cohort (HR = 1.27, 95%CI = 1.10–1.47). Compared with patients aged ≥65 years without CDD, the CDD patients in the equal age group had a 1.25-fold increased risk of PD (95% CI = 1.07–1.46).ConclusionColonic diverticular disease may be associated with an increased risk of Parkinson's disease. Thus, the risk of this neurodegenerative disease should be considered in patients with colonic diverticular disease.     

Tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) gene polymorphisms and psychiatric comorbidities in temporal lobe epilepsy

Psychiatric comorbidities are frequent in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). It is plausible that variance in serotonin-related genes is involved in the susceptibility of these associations. We report here the results on the association of tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) gene polymorphisms with psychiatric comorbidities in TLE. A cohort study was conducted on 163 patients with TLE. We assessed the influence of the rs4570625 and rs17110747 polymorphisms in the TPH2 gene on psychiatric comorbidities in TLE. In patients with TLE, the presence of the T allele in the rs4570625 polymorphism was associated with psychotic disorders (OR = 6.28; 95% CI = 1.27–17.54; p = 0.02), while the presence of the A allele in the rs17110747 polymorphism was associated with alcohol abuse (OR = 20.33; 95% CI = 1.60–258.46; p = 0.02). Moreover, we identified male gender (OR = 11.24; 95% CI = 1.68–76.92; p = 0.01) and family history of psychiatric disorder (OR = 15.87; 95% CI = 2.46–100; p = 0.004) as factors also associated with alcohol abuse in TLE. Conversely, a family history of epilepsy was inversely associated with alcohol abuse (OR = 0.03; 95% CI = 0.001–0.60; p = 0.02). Tryptophan hydroxylase 2 gene allele variants might be risk factors for psychiatric conditions in TLE. More specifically, we observed that the T allele in the rs4570625 polymorphism was associated with psychotic disorders, and the A allele in the rs17110747 TPH2 polymorphism was associated with alcohol abuse in patients with TLE. We believe that this study may open new research venues on the influence of the serotonergic system associated with psychiatric comorbidities in epilepsy.     

Fracture risk with use of liver enzyme inducing antiepileptic drugs in people with active epilepsy: Cohort study using the General Practice Research Database

PurposeLiver enzyme inducing antiepileptic drugs (LEI AEDs) have adverse effects on bone metabolism but it is unclear whether this translates into increased fracture risk. This population based cohort study aimed to evaluate whether treatment with LEI AEDs is associated with increased risk of fracture in people with active epilepsy.MethodsThe cohort included patients diagnosed with epilepsy and prescribed AEDs while registered at a GPRD general practice during 1993–2008. The hazard ratio with current use of LEI AEDs for fracture at any site and hip fracture was estimated using Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsThere were 7356 fractures (788 hip fractures) in 63 259 participants. In women, the adjusted hazard ratio with use of LEI AEDs was 1.22 for fracture (95% CI 1.12–1.34; p < 0.001) and 1.49 for hip fracture (1.15–1.94; p = 0.002). In men, the hazard ratio for fracture was 1.09 (0.98–1.20; p = 0.123) and for hip fracture 1.53 (1.10–2.12; p = 0.011). For every 10 000 women treated with LEI AEDs for one year, there could be 48 additional fractures, including 10 additional hip fractures. For every 10 000 men treated with LEI AEDs for one year, there could be 4 additional hip fractures.ConclusionsLEI AEDs may increase the risk of fracture in people with epilepsy. In patients at high risk of osteoporotic fracture alternative AED therapy may be appropriate. Further information is urgently needed on the safety of valproate and newer AEDs and on strategies to maintain bone health in people who need to be treated with LEI.     

Sleep disturbances at the time of a new diagnosis: a comparative study of human immunodeficiency virus patients,cancer patients,and general population controls

ObjectivesSleep disturbances are a prevalent and troubling symptom of patients with highly stressful illnesses, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and cancer. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and incidence of sleep disturbances among persons with HIV, those with cancer, and the general population of Taiwan.MethodsA matched cohort study design was used to compare the risk of sleep disturbances among three groups using reimbursement claims recorded in Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). A total of 14,531 HIV-infected persons were compared with 1493 cancer patients and 1373 general population controls matched by gender and age. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to test the hazard risk of sleep disturbances among the groups.ResultsThe mean durations between the date of the initial HIV/cancer diagnosis and onset of sleep disturbances of HIV-infected persons, cancer patients, and controls were 1.7, 2.3, and 1.8 years, respectively. The risk of developing sleep disturbances was significantly higher in HIV-infected persons (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 3.74, p < 0.001) and cancer patients (AHR = 2.72, p < 0.001) than in controls. HIV-infected persons had a 20% higher risk of sleep disturbances than cancer patients (AHR = 1.20, p < 0.001).ConclusionsHIV-infected persons exhibited a higher risk of developing sleep disturbances than cancer patients and general population controls. With efficacious treatments for sleep disturbances, we should focus on training and research programs for health care providers to intervene and treat earlier for the present and future health of cancer patients and HIV-infected persons.     

Recurrence of suicide attempt in adolescents lost to contact early by clinicians: The 10-year REPEATERS cohort of French adolescents

Losing contact with adult suicide attempters in the year after the suicide attempt (SA) increases the risk of recurrence. The situation with adolescents is unknown. We aimed to determine whether being lost to contact early (LCE) by clinicians is a risk factor of long-term SA recurrence among adolescents and the associated factors. Data were collected 10 years after an index SA and a Cox model was used for analysis. Among the 249 SA patients included, 59 (24%) were LCE, the most important risk factor of SA recurrence up to 10 years (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.8 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.4–5.5]; p = .016). Risk factors of being LCE were female sex (odds ratio [OR] = 2.9 [95% CI 1.1–8.2]; p = .009), a psychiatric comorbidity (OR = 2.2 [1.1–4.3]; p = .023) and no family history of suicide (OR = 2.1 [1.1–4.3]; p = .047). These results support the development of preventive actions early after an SA in an adolescent to maintain contact and care.     

The effect of sleep apnea on all-cause mortality in nondialyzed chronic kidney disease patients

BackgroundThe prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is high. Studies on the effects of sleep apnea (SA) on treatment outcomes have been mostly focused on dialyzed CKD or renal transplant patients. Studies on the effects of SA on all-cause mortality in nondialyzed CKD patients are scarce.MethodsWe enrolled and followed up all adults who were referred for diagnostic testing for sleep apnea between March 2007 and July 2014, had undergone polysomnography, and whose records of serum creatinine levels were available. The outcomes were all-cause mortality and renal outcome.ResultsA total of 1454 participants were included in the study. Of these, 103 patients (7.08%) had CKD and 38 patients (2.61%) died. CKD was associated with central sleep apnea (CSA) (odds ratio [OR] = 5.158 [95% confidence interval {CI} = 1.992–13.355], p = 0.001) and severe SDB (OR = 1.737 [1.119–2.695], p = 0.014). CSA was a risk factor for all-cause mortality in nondialyzed subjects (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]= <4.250 [CI = 1.560–11.573], p = 0.005), whereas CSA was found to be a stronger risk factor for all-cause mortality in subjects with CKD (adjusted HR = 40.728 [CI = 4.765–348.117], p = 0.001). Mixed sleep apnea was related to rapid decline of renal function in nondialyzed subjects (adjusted HR = 1.932 [CI = 1.183–3.155], p = 0.009), whereas, OSA was (adjusted HR = 3.315 [CI = 1.188–9.248], p = 0.022) in CKD subjects.ConclusionIn nondialyzed patients, CKD was each associated with central sleep apnea (CSA) and severe SDB. CSA was an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality, and was a more evident mortality risk in CKD patients than in non-CKD participants. Rapid decline of renal function may play a role in the mortality of CKD patients associated with SA.     

Obstructive sleep apnea and influenza infection: a nationwide population-based cohort study

ObjectivesInfluenza infection could trigger acute myocardial infarction. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases risk for myocardial infarction. Evidence evaluating the risk of influenza in patients with OSA is limited. We aimed to investigate the association between OSA and influenza using a nationwide population-based data set.MethodsA total of 5483 individuals with OSA were enrolled from January, 2000, to December, 2012, and compared with a control group of 21,932 individuals who had never been diagnosed with OSA (at a 1:4 ratio propensity score matched by age, sex, index years, and comorbidities) in the context of subsequent influenza infection. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was conducted to analyze the association between OSA and influenza incidence. We conducted sensitivity analyses to examine our finding.ResultsDuring the 1.81 (±2.12) years of the follow-up period, the incidence rate of influenza infection was higher in the OSA group compared with the non-OSA group (36.40 and 30.09 per 100 person-years). After adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities, outpatients visits, the risk of influenza infection among patients with OSA was significantly higher (hazard ratio = 1.18; 95% confidence interval = 1.14–1.23; P < 0.001). Sensitivity analyses showed consistent positive association. Males with OSA had increased risk of influenza infection compared with males without OSA (adjusted HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.16–1.27; P value for interaction = 0.03).ConclusionsThis study found a significantly higher risk of influenza infection in patients with OSA, and sex acted as an effect modifier between OSA and risk of influenza infection.     

Increased risk of epilepsy in children with Tourette syndrome: A population-based case-control study

The association between epilepsy and Tourette syndrome has rarely been investigated. In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed a dataset of 1,000,000 randomly sampled individuals from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database to determine the risk of epilepsy in children with Tourette syndrome. The study cohort consisted of 1062 patients with Tourette syndrome aged ≤18 years, and the control group consisted of three times the number of age- and sex-matched patients without Tourette syndrome, who were insurants, from the same database during the same period. The Tourette syndrome group had an 18.38-fold increased risk of epilepsy than the control group [hazard ratio = 18.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 8.26–40.92; P < 0.001]. Even after adjusting for the comorbidities, the risk of epilepsy in the Tourette syndrome group with comorbidities remained high (hazard ratio = 16.27, 95% CI = 6.26–18.46; P < 0.001), indicating that the increased risk was not associated with comorbidities. This population-based retrospective cohort study provides the first and strong evidence that Tourette syndrome is associated with a higher risk of epilepsy. A close follow-up of children with Tourette syndrome for the development of epilepsy is warranted.     

Autistic spectrum disorder,attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,and psychiatric comorbidities: A nationwide study

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are both frequently comorbid with other psychiatric disorders, but the comorbid effect of ASD and ADHD relative to the comorbid risk of other psychiatric disorders is still unknown. Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, 725 patients with ASD-alone, 5694 with ADHD-alone, 466 with ASD + ADHD, and 27,540 (1:4) age-/gender-matched controls were enrolled in our study. The risk of psychiatric comorbidities was investigated. The ADHD + ASD group had the greatest risk of developing schizophrenia (hazard ratio [HR]: 95.89; HR: 13.73; HR: 174.61), bipolar disorder (HR: 74.93; HR: 19.42; HR: 36.71), depressive disorder (HR: 17.66; HR: 12.29; HR: 9.05), anxiety disorder (HR: 49.49; HR: 50.92; HR: 14.12), disruptive behavior disorder (HR: 113.89; HR: 93.87; HR: 26.50), and tic disorder (HR: 8.95; HR: 7.46; HR: 4.87) compared to the ADHD-alone, ASD-alone, and control groups. Patients with ADHD + ASD were associated with the greatest risk of having comorbid bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, disruptive behavior disorder, and tic disorder. The diagnoses of ASD and ADHD preceded the diagnoses of other psychiatric comorbidities. A comprehensive interview scrutinizing the psychiatric comorbidities would be suggested when encountering and following patients with both ASD and ADHD in clinical practice.     

Les facteurs liés aux actes d’homicide chez les patients tunisiens atteints de schizophrénie

IntroductionEvaluation of variables correlated to homicide is a fundamental issue for developing preventive and therapeutic strategies to deal with such criminal behavior.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to assess the characteristics of homicide in Tunisian patients suffering from schizophrenia and to determine the correlated socio-demographic, clinical and therapeutic variables.MethodsThe study included two groups of male patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia who attended the “Razi” university psychiatric hospital of Tunis. The first group was composed of 36 patients hospitalized for homicide in the forensic unit between the first of January 2000 and the 30th of May 2012. The second group included 50 patients without any criminal record. Demographic, clinical and therapeutic variables were analyzed and compared between the two groups.ResultsNo differences were found between the two groups regarding the different socio-demographic variables. Significant differences were found with respect to a duration of untreated psychosis equal to or more than one year (p = 0.048), shorter duration of psychiatric care (p = 0.002), lower number of hospitalizations (p = 0.026), antecedent of forced hospitalization (p < 0.001), low degree of insight (p = 0.001), poor medication compliance (p < 0.001) and higher antipsychotic doses (p = 0.001).DiscussionDemographic variables as suggested by other studies are less valuable predictors of homicide in patients with schizophrenia.ConclusionInterventions for reducing such behavior should focus on clinical variables and integrate an early diagnosis of the disease and improvement of insight as well as medication compliance.     

Factors Contributing to Spinal Cord Stimulation Outcomes for Chronic Pain

ObjectiveSpinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been shown to be a safe and effective therapy for patients with chronic pain. However, some patients do not obtain or maintain adequate pain relief after SCS. The goal of this study was to identify factors that affect patient outcome with regard to SCS.Materials and MethodsA retrospective analysis of electronic medical records at a single site was performed. Records for 181 patients who received SCS implants from 2014 through 2016 were collected with follow-up data captured up to August 2019. Patient outcome was measured by device explantation and patient benefit from the SCS. Study parameters included demographic characteristics, history of pain, SCS implant characteristics, and postimplantation events.ResultsAn earlier diagnosis of radiculopathy was associated with an increased risk of poor benefit (relative risk [RR], 1.81; 95% CI, 1.19–2.74; p = 0.008). Postimplantation falls were associated with an increased risk of poor benefit (RR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.48–3.17; p = 0.009). Device manufacturer was associated with both patient benefit and explantation. Device 2 was associated with a reduced risk of poor benefit (RR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.32–0.85; p = 0.009). Device 4 was associated with an increased risk of poor benefit (RR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.14–2.55; p = 0.02) and increased risk of device explantation (RR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.2–6.02; p = 0.03).ConclusionsPatient outcome was associated with diagnosis, postimplantation falls, and device manufacturer. Further investigation is recommended to confirm associations through prospective studies that can more accurately quantify patient outcome over longer periods.     

Health comorbidities and cognition in 1948 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease

BackgroundHealth comorbidities, particularly cardiovascular factors, are well known to pose risks for cognitive decline in older adults. This study examined the prevalence and contribution of comorbidities on cognitive performance in a large cohort of Parkinson patients.MethodsData on 1948 PD patients were obtained from the National Parkinson Foundation Quality Improvement Initiative (NPF-QII) registry, a multi-site initiative from NPF Centers of Excellence. Available comorbidity data included six common conditions (heart/circulation problems, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, respiratory disease, and other neurologic disease) that were clinician-rated for presence and severity. Available cognitive measures included semantic fluency and a 5-word recall memory task. The unique effects of comorbidities on cognition were analyzed (multiple hierarchical regression) controlling for demographic, PD disease severity (duration, Hoehn-Yahr), and medication status.ResultsThe two most reported comorbidities were arthritis (46.6%) and heart/circulation problems (36.3%), with diabetes affecting 9% of the sample. Severity of heart/circulation problems independently contributed to worse delayed recall performance (p = 0.03). A trend emerged for more severe diabetes as contributing to worse semantic fluency scores (p = 0.06).ConclusionsThis study with a large cohort of PD patients provides evidence for a small detrimental influence of specific health comorbidities, particularly heart/circulatory and diabetes, on general measures of cognition. This effect is present, above and beyond the influences of basic demographic information (age), duration and staging of PD, and medication status. Future studies involving more refined cognitive indices and direct assessment of comorbidities are warranted.     

To what extent does depression influence quality of life of people with pharmacoresistant epilepsy in Argentina?

IntroductionDepression is the most frequent psychiatric co-morbidity in patients with epilepsy. Lifetime prevalence of depression is reported more frequently in temporal lobe epilepsy and is estimated at 35%. This co-morbidity appears to be related with various mechanisms. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of life (QoL) of patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy with and without co-morbid depression in an Argentinean population.MethodsPatients admitted to the video-EEG monitoring unit during the period 2010–2013 went through a standardized psychiatric assessment using SCID-I (Structured Clinical Interview for Axis I diagnoses of DSM-IV), BDI II (Beck Depression Inventory) GAF (Global assessment of functioning), and Q LES Q-SF (for quality of life). Patients were divided in two groups: with and without depression (according to DSM-IV). Sociodemographic data, BDI II scores, GAF, and quality of life (QoL) were compared between the two groups. Comparisons were made using Student's t-test and Mann–Whitney U test. Frequency distributions were compared by Chi-square test. Spearman correlation coefficients were determined.ResultsSeventy-seven patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy were eligible for this study, 41 patients were included in the group with depression (mean BDI II 15.93), and 36 in the group without depression (mean BDI II 3.36) (p = 0.001). The overall QoL was significantly lower in the group with depression compared to the group without depression (p < 0.01). The most affected areas were: physical health (p = 0.013), mood (p = 0.006), course activities (referring to school as well as to hobbies or classes outside of school) (p = 0.003), leisure time activities (p = 0.011), social activities (p = 0.047), general activities (p = 0.042), and medication (p = 0.022). Severity of depression according to BDI II had a negative correlation with overall QoL (r - 0.339, p < 0.01). No correlations were found between seizure frequency, QoL and BDI II.ConclusionPatients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy and co-morbid depression reported worst QoL. Depression disrupts daily functioning (leisure, social functioning) and is a negative influence for subjective perception of health and medication. Interdisciplinary treatment should be considered (neurology–psychiatry–psychotherapy).