Clinical characteristics of dysphagic inclusion body myositis

This study aimed to characterize dysphagic patients with inclusion body myositis (IBM) with cricopharyngeal bar (CPB) (n = 17; IBM-CPB(+)) by comparing their swallowing function and muscle magnetic resonance imaging data with IBM patients without CPB (n = 28; IBM-CPB(-)). IBM-CPB(+) patients were older at diagnosis and had more frequent obstruction-related dysphagia and stronger knee extension than IBM-CPB(-) patients. IBM-CPB(+) patients also had less intramuscular fatty infiltration than IBM-CPB(-) patients on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images of the rectus femoris (2.6% versus 10.3%, p < 0.05), vastus lateralis (27.8% versus 57.1%, p < 0.01), vastus intermedius (17.6% versus 43.5%, p < 0.01), vastus medialis (14.1% versus 39.1%, p < 0.01), deltoid (5.5% versus 18.7%, p < 0.05), biceps (6.6% versus 21.1%, p < 0.001), and triceps (12.9% versus 33.0%, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that IBM-CPB(+) patients were older, frequently exhibited obstruction-related dysphagia, had stronger knee extension, and had less fatty infiltration of the limb muscles compared to IBM-CPB(-) patients, and provide valuable information on the clinical subset of IBM-CBP(+) patients in order to expand the knowledge of the clinical heterogeneity in IBM.     

Clinical and pathologic features of focal myositis

To clarify the nosology of focal myositis (FM), we report the clinical and pathologic features of eight patients presenting with focal enlargement of one muscle. Most patients improved without immunosuppressive therapy, and none developed polymyositis. Pathologic features were those of an inflammatory myopathy, with muscle fiber hypertrophy and moderate to severe inflammation. In most cases, a clustering of tightly packed muscle fibers, enveloped by a thick bundle of fibrosis, was associated with the diagnosis of FM. Immunohistochemistry showed T cell predominance within the interstitial infiltrates in all cases. No evidence of vasculitis was present. Our findings suggest that FM is a benign condition that has certain clinical features separating it from other inflammatory myopathies. Pathologic changes, such as large clusters of nesting muscle fibers surrounded by thick fibrosis, are more characteristic of FM than polymyositis.     

Genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of Dutch patients with early onset Parkinson's disease

Early onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD) has been associated with mutations in the Parkin, DJ‐1, PINK1, LRRK2, and SNCA genes. The aim of this study is to assess the contribution of these genes in a Dutch EOPD cohort and the phenotypic characteristics of the mutation carriers. A total of 187 unrelated Dutch EOPD patients (age at onset ≤ 50 years) were phenotyped and screened for mutations in all exons of Parkin, DJ‐1, and PINK1 by direct sequencing and gene dosage analysis. Additionally, analysis of the A30P mutation and exon dosage of SNCA and sequencing of exons 19,31,35,38,41, and 48 of LRRK2 was performed. Pathogenic variations could explain disease in 4% (7 of 187) of the patients including five patients carrying homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in Parkin, one with a novel homozygous deletion in DJ‐1 (P158Del) and one with a heterozygous mutation in LRRK2 (T2356I). We found seven novel mutations. The phenotypic characteristics of mutation carriers varied widely, comparable to the variability seen in sporadic EOPD. Parkin is the most frequently mutated gene in this EOPD cohort, followed by DJ‐1, PINK1 and LRRK2. The low overall mutation frequency indicates that the extrapolation of mutation frequencies from other populations should be applied with caution. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society     

Differential and quantitative neuroimaging characteristics of inclusion body myositis

In clinical settings, it is often difficult to distinguish inclusion body myositis (IBM) from other neuromuscular diseases. In order to clarify clinically useful characteristics for making the differential diagnosis of IBM, we performed clinical, epidemiological, and neuroimaging analyses in patients with various types of neuromuscular disorders. We enrolled 333 patients with myopathy and 12 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who had been hospitalized in our department from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 2018. Among them, 18 patients with IBM, 16 patients with polymyositis (PM), and 12 patients with ALS who showed equivalent severity of muscle weakness in their lower limbs underwent the quantitative neuroimaging analysis using lower limb CT and clinical assessment. Patients with IBM exhibited significantly greater muscular degeneration in the rectus femoris, vastus, sartorius, adductor, anterior calf, and medial gastrocnemius muscles than those with PM or ALS. The ratio of the remaining muscle area of the quadriceps relative to that of the hamstrings and the duration from onset to CT imaging were negatively correlated in patients with IBM, indicating that the anterior thigh muscles were preferentially affected over the posterior muscles. Characteristic muscular degeneration in the lower limbs on CT imaging may aid for making the diagnosis of IBM.     

Prevalence and characteristics of patients in a vegetative state in Dutch nursing homes

OBJECTIVES: To establish the prevalence of vegetative state in Dutch nursing homes, describe the patient characteristics, and highlight the possible influence of medical decisions at the end of life. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. The vegetative state was defined according to the Multi Society Task Force on PVS. All Dutch nursing homes were approached to provide data on patients in a vegetative state. In cases of doubt, the researcher discussed the diagnosis with the patient's physician and, if necessary, examined the patient. Information on patients in a vegetative state in care between 2000 and September 2003 and end of life decisions for them were also recorded. RESULTS: All nursing homes and physicians participated. After assessment of 12 doubtful patients, 32 met the criteria of vegetative state lasting longer than one month, a prevalence of 2/1,000,000. Of these, 30 patients' data were analysed: age 9-90 years; 73% female; duration of vegetative state 2 months-20 years (26 surviving >1 year, 13 >5 years). Stroke was the commonest cause. Between 2000 and September 2003, there were 76 patients in a vegetative state in care of whom 34 died of complications and nine after withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of vegetative state in Dutch nursing homes has been established for the first time. The figures are lower than suggested in the literature. The study included a heterogeneous group of patients, of which a substantial number survived for many years. The results cannot be explained by a policy of systematically withdrawing artificial nutrition and hydration.     

Inclusion body myositis: Clinical and pathological boundaries

Inclusion body myositis, polymyositis, and dermatomyositis are three distinct categories of inflammatory myopathy. Some authorities commented on the selective early weakness of the volar forearm muscles, quadriceps, and ankle dorsiflexors in inclusion body myositis. The most important feature distinguishing inclusion body myositis from the other two inflammatory myopathies is the lack of responsiveness to immunosuppressive treatment. Although most patients with inclusion body myosities have characteristic muscle biopsy findings, some cannot be distinguished histologically early from polymyositis. Presdicting responsiveness to mmunosuppressive medications, independent of muscle histology, would be valuable to clinicians. We retrospectively reviewed the pattern of weakness and other clinical features of 46 patients newly diagnosed with either inclusion body myositis, polymyositis, or dermatomyosities. Asymmetrical muscle weakness with prominent wrist flexor, finger flexor, and knee extensor involvement was specific for inclusion body myositis and unresponsive polymyositis. Male sex, lower creatine kinase levels, slower rate of progression, and peripheral neuropathy were also more common in inclusion body myositis and unresponsive polymyositis than in responsive polymyositis and dermatomyositis patients. Repeat muscle biopsy in 2 patients in teh unresponsive polymyositis group demonstrated histological features of inclusion body myositis. We suspect that patients with clinical features of inclusion body myositis but lacking histological confirmation may nonetheless have inclusion body myositis. Our study supports the recently proposed criteria for defintie and possible inclusion body myositis.     

散发性包涵体肌炎临床病理分析

目的探讨散发性包涵体肌炎(sIBM)患者的临床及病理特点。方法收集2例于2008年至2010年就诊并明确诊断为s1BM的患者临床、病理资料。两例患者均有股四头肌无力和萎缩,1例出现肢体远端无力和上肢无力。2例患者均进行了肌肉活体组织检查标本的组织学、酶组织化学染色和免疫组织化学染色。结果 2例患者肌酶均轻度升高。肌电图检查示1例呈肌源性损害,1例呈神经源性损害。2例患者的骨骼肌主要病理改变都是肌内衣炎细胞浸润、肌纤维萎缩,肌纤维内嗜碱性镶边空泡。免疫组织化学染色提示CD8+淋巴细胞浸润为主,1例患者镶边空泡肌纤维内Ubiquitin染色阳性。结论本文2例sIBM以股四头肌损害明显,病情缓慢进展,依靠肌肉活检确定诊断。     

The prevalence and characteristics of patients with classic locked-in syndrome in Dutch nursing homes

To establish the point prevalence and characteristics of patients with locked-in syndrome (LIS), particularly of the classic type, residing in Dutch nursing homes, a cross-sectional survey of Dutch nursing homes was conducted. The classic form of LIS was defined according to the criteria of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (1995). All Dutch long-term care organisations (n = 187) were asked if they had any patients with classic LIS as of December 5, 2011. The treating Elderly Care Physicians were then contacted to provide patient characteristics. Of all organisations, 91.4 % responded, and 11 organisations reported a total of 12 patients. After analysing the questionnaires, it was determined that ten patients had LIS, and two patients were characterised with vegetative state. Only two patients met the criteria for classic LIS, while six patients showed partial LIS. One of these patients was admitted to the nursing home after December 5, 2011, and was therefore, excluded. LIS without accompanying pontine lesion was observed in the remaining two patients. For the first time, the prevalence of classic LIS has been established at 0.7/10,000 somatic nursing home beds in all Dutch long-term care organisations. Possible explanations for this low prevalence could be the Dutch provision of home care or the influence of end-of-life decisions, such as euthanasia and withholding or withdrawing all medical treatment, including artificial nutrition and hydration. These alternate outcomes should be explored in further studies.     

Long-term follow-up of 62 patients with myositis

The aim of this work is to evaluate disease-related mortality and the course of the disease including functional outcome and quality of life. We did a follow-up study on a large prospective cohort of 62 patients with subacute-onset idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) (dermatomyositis (n = 24), nonspecific myositis (n = 34), necrotizing autoimmune myopathy (n = 4)) after treatment with corticosteroids only (randomized controlled trial comparing daily high-dosage prednisone with pulse therapy of dexamethasone). Development of connective tissue disease (CTD) or malignancy, disease course and mortality, functional outcome and quality of life were evaluated. After a mean follow-up of 3 years (SD 1.5), 22 % had developed a CTD and 17 % a malignancy. Disease-related mortality was 15 %. A monophasic disease course was found in 27 %. Most patients had a chronic (35 %) or polyphasic disease (35 %) course and experienced single or multiple relapses. Sixteen patients (33 %) were off medication after a mean of 1 year of treatment. Disability scores improved particularly in the first 18 months. At follow-up, 68 % still perceived disabilities. Quality of life scores as measured by the short-form (SF)-36 improved in the first 18 months. After 18 months, scores remained stable during the next years of follow-up and remained low compared to a normal population. (1) Two-thirds of the patients with an IIM have a polyphasic or chronic disease course and need maintenance treatment. (2) The impact on functional outcome and quality of life is considerable and does not improve further after 18 months.     

Clinical and serological studies in a series of 45 patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical files of 45 Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) patients admitted to our Department between 1979 and 1989. The age distribution was bimodal with a first peak in young adults (20-40 years), and a second one between 60 to 70 years. Seasonal distribution showed a late fall and a hivernal predominance. Three patients experienced a second attack of GBS 2-9 years after the first one. Thirty-one (69%) presented antecedent events, most often a respiratory tract infection (n = 20) or enteritis (n = 6). Serological studies were systematically performed, including antibody titers against herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), respiratory syncytial virus, human immunodeficiency virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Campylobacter jejuni/coli and cardiolipin. These studies showed the presence of antibodies indicative of a CMV primary infection in 22% cases and of a Campylobacter jejuni/coli infection in 13%. Co-infection was observed in 3 cases. Serology remained negative in 12 patients with a preceding respiratory infection. There was no correlation between serology and the severity of the disease. Absence of antecedent events and of positive anti-infectious serology was observed in only 10 patients.     

Clinical judgement on alternative care for longstay patients in Dutch mental hospitals

How many longstay patients could be equally served by less sheltered facilities, and what are the main reasons for staff members to judge patients suitable for such alternative care? These were two questions in a Dutch study (1984-1985) of five mental hospitals. The attending psychiatrists in these hospitals and members of the nursing staff, were asked to give an independent judgement for each of a random sample of 381 longstay patients. Thirty percent of the longstay patients were judged eligible for alternative care. They were generally younger, less frequently diagnosed as schizophrenic, better integrated both inside and outside the mental hospital, more likely to be resident of wards with high turnover rates, were less aggressive, had better social skills, and had shorter periods of inpatient stay. Compared with the rest of the patients no statistically significant differences were found with regard to suicidal behaviour, organic brain syndrome and formal admission status.     

Clinical forms of inclusion body myositis: 12 cases

Inclusion body myositis is now a well-known disease but its incidence is underestimated. We report 12 cases with clinical heterogeneity. Three groups of patients could be described. The first one corresponded to asymmetrical muscle involvement and distribution with a slow clinical course (4 cases). The second was characterized by a polymyositis-like syndrome (3 cas), but steroid therapy was ineffective. The last group mimicked a chronic spinal muscular atrophy (4 cases). One patient showed a scapuloperoneal syndrome. Both myopathic and neurogenic EMG patterns were present in 6 patients; a neurogenic pattern was found in 4 cases and a myopathic pattern in 2 cases. In all patients, muscle biopsies showed rimmed vacuoles with eosinophilic inclusions. In 9 cases ultrastructural studies displayed abnormal filaments of 15-18 nm in diameter in the vacuoles. Intranuclear filaments were rarely observed. The significance of the filaments is unknown and their specificity is doubtful because they are present in other myopathies with rimmed vacuoles (some distal myopathies and oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophies). Finally a rich inflammatory exudate was present in 8 patients only.     

产后精神分裂症患者临床特征分析

背景 分娩可能使女性产生强烈的应激反应,并在一定程度上诱发精神心理问题,甚至导致女性精神分裂症患者疾病复发。目前国内关于产后精神分裂症临床特征及治疗的研究有限。目的 探讨产后精神分裂症患者的临床特征,为其临床治疗提供参考。方法 纳入2012年—2020年在广州医科大学附属脑科医院成人精神科女病区住院治疗的、符合《精神障碍诊断与统计手册(第4版)》(DSM-IV)精神分裂症诊断标准的24例产后精神分裂症患者(产后组),同期纳入住院治疗的48例非产后女性精神分裂症患者(对照组)。收集两组患者基本资料、阳性和阴性症状量表(PANSS)评定结果及出院带药情况。结果 产后组首次发病及精神疾病家族史阳性的比例均高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(χ²=9.321、5.240,P<0.05或0.01)。与对照组相比,产后组PANSS兴奋因子评分更高(t=-2.220,P<0.05),阴性症状因子评分更低(t=3.377,P<0.01)。出院带药方面,产后组抗精神病药物剂量高于对照组(t=-2.095,P<0.05),联合苯二氮?类药物和抗抑郁药物的比例均高...     

Inclusion body myositis: Clinical,biological and ultrastructural study

A 48-year-old patient presented for the past 4 years an amyotrophy of the quadriceps and moderate involvement of the truncal and pelvic girdle muscles. The CK level was elevated (10 times the normal rate) and the EMG revealed a fibrillation pattern on relaxation, myotonic bursts on needle insertion and reduced activity during contraction. The histological study of the muscle biopsy showed nuclear cytoplasmic inclusion bodies and pseudo-myelinic membranes. The case was classified in the inclusion body myositis group. Analysis of the other published cases underlines the variety of the clinical, biological and electromyographical aspects and abnormalities.     

副肿瘤性脊髓病的临床和影像特点

目的报道副肿瘤性脊髓病的临床表现、影像和血清学特征。方法检索宣武医院2010年1月至2019年6月期间的副肿瘤性脊髓病住院患者,系统分析其临床表现、血清学和影像学数据。结果10例患者中符合确定的副肿瘤综合征7例,可能的副肿瘤综合征3例。患者中亚急性起病3例,慢性起病7例,脊髓病起病后确诊时间平均为10.1个月。10例患者中7例表现为单纯副肿瘤性脊髓病,2例伴有周围神经病,1例伴有僵人综合征。10例患者中9例患者行腰穿检查脑脊液,其中8例有异常,5例淋巴细胞增多,5例蛋白升高,6例寡克隆区带阳性;7例患者神经肿瘤抗体阳性,分别为抗amphiphysin抗体1例、抗CRMP-5抗体1例、抗Hu抗体3例、抗Yo抗体1例、抗Ri抗体1例;7例患者病理证实为恶性肿瘤。10例患者中,脊髓磁共振异常5例,其中长脊髓病变4例(其中累及椎体节段14个1例,6个1例,3个2例),短脊髓病变1例,病灶均对称性累及传导束或者脊髓灰质。10例患者中9例接受治疗,其中单纯手术治疗3例,单纯糖皮质激素治疗1例,手术+糖皮质激素治疗1例,糖皮质激素+肿瘤化疗治疗2例,手术+糖皮质激素+肿瘤化疗治疗3例,患者临床症状均无明显改善。结论副肿瘤性脊髓病罕见,多表现为慢性进行性脊髓病且多先于肿瘤出现;多数患者脑脊液表现异常,影像学可表现为脊髓长节段病灶。该病治疗上以肿瘤治疗为主,免疫治疗为辅。     

Clinical and genetic characteristics of Mexican Huntington's disease patients

We report the characteristics of 691 Mexican patients with Huntington's disease (HD). These patients, representing 401 families, constitute the largest series of Mexican HD cases as yet described in the literature. We found the clinical characteristics of these patients to be similar to those of other populations, but we observed a higher frequency of infantile cases, a shorter disease duration and a lower suicide rate. In 626 cases, for which molecular analyses were available, CAG‐trinucleotide expansion size ranged from 37–106 repeats. The large number of CAG repeats (19.04 ± 3.02) in normal alleles and the presence of new mutations suggest that the overall prevalence of HD in the Mexican population could be expected to be within range of, or higher than, that reported for Europeans. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society