Neurological disorders and violence: a systematic review and meta-analysis with a focus on epilepsy and traumatic brain injury

The objectives of this study were to systematically review and meta-analyze the research literature on the association of common neurological disorders and violence. Keywords relating to neurological disorders and violence were searched between 1966 and August 2008. Case–control and cohort studies were selected. Odds ratios of violence risk in particular disorders compared with controls were combined using fixed-effects meta-analysis with the data presented in forest plots. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to identify possible differences in risk estimates across surveys. Information on risk factors for violence was extracted if replicated in more than one study. Nine studies were identified that compared the risk of violence in epilepsy or traumatic brain injury compared with unaffected controls. For the epilepsy studies, the overall pooled odds ratio for violent outcomes was 0.67 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.46–0.96]. For traumatic brain injury, the odds ratio was 1.66 (95% CI 1.12–2.31). An additional 11 case–control studies investigated factors associated with violence in epilepsy and traumatic brain injury. It was not possible to meta-analyze these data. Comorbid psychopathology was associated with violence. Data on other neurological conditions was limited and unreplicated. In conclusion, although the evidence was limited and methodological quality varied, epilepsy and traumatic brain injury appeared to differ in their risk of violence compared with control populations. Longitudinal studies are required to replicate this review’s provisional findings that epilepsy is inversely associated with violence and that brain injury modestly increases the risk, and further research is needed to provide information on a broader range of risk factors.     

Loss of the nocturnal dip and increased variability of blood pressure in normotensive patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Summary. Eleven normotensive diabetics with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) (mean age 52.5 SD 8.2 years) and 11 controls (mean age 47.4 SD 8.9 years) had their ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate recorded non-invasively by the Oxford Medilog System in standard hospital conditions. The results were averaged as hourly means of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) for the 24-h period and similarly for the ‘awake’ period (14.16 h) and the ‘asleep’ period (8–10 h). Hourly means for diabetics and controls showed no differences in blood pressure and heart rate over the 24 h. During sleep, control subjects showed a significant drop in SBP (P < 0.001), DBP (P < 0.001), MAP (P < 0.001) and HR (P < 0.001). However, this nocturnal dip in blood pressure could not be demonstrated in the diabetic group. Blood pressure variability was significantly increased in diabetics compared to controls during waking hours (P < 0.01). These results indicate that in noninsulin-dependent diabetics during sleep there is loss of the nocturnal dip of BP seen in normal subjects, and they have increased BP variability. These may be contributing factors to the development of hypertension and the accelerated target organ damage (TOD) seen in diabetes.,     

Intraoperative assessment of acute hemodynamic changes after partial left ventriculectomy

Partial left ventriculectomy (PLV) has been introduced as an alternative surgical therapy for patients with end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy. The physiological benefits of PLV are relatively unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the acute effects of PLV by measuring cardiac function before and after PLV. Aortic and left ventricular pressures and aortic flow were measured in eight patients. Continuous, beat-to-beat data were recorded and compared pre-PLV and post-PLV with and without inferior vena cava (IVC) occlusions. PLV increased cardiac output (0.93+/-0.5, p = 0.01) as a result of increased stroke volume (5.12+/-4.24, p = 0.06) and heart rate (14.5+/-8.44, p = 0.02). Contractility (+/- dP/dt, 240.33+/-74.28, p = 0.001) and external work (650.8+/-320.4, p = 0.01) were also improved. Left ventricular end-diastolic elastance (0.15+/-0.14, p = 0.10) nearly doubled after PLV. Our results indicated an improved cardiac function as measured by increased cardiac output, stroke volume, ejection fraction (EF), and contractility.     

Reduction of gait data variability using curve registration

Timing in peak gait values shifts slightly between gait trials. When averaged, the standard deviation (S.D.) in gait data may increase due to this inter-trial variability unless normalization is carried out beforehand. The objective of this study was to determine how curve registration, an alignment technique, can reduce inter-subject variability in gait data without perturbing the curve characteristics. Twenty young, healthy men participated in this study each providing a single gait trial. Gait was assessed by means of a four-camera high-speed video system synchronized to a force plate. A rigid body three-segment model was used in an inverse dynamic approach to calculate three-dimensional muscle powers at the hip, knee and ankle. Curve registration was applied to each of the 20 gait trials to align the peak powers. The mean registered peak powers increased by an average of 0.10±0.13 W/kg with the highest increases in the sagittal plane at push-off. After performing curve registration, the RMS values decreased by 13.6% and the greatest reduction occurred at the hip and knee, both in the sagittal plane. No important discontinuities were reported in the first and second derivatives of the unregistered and registered curves. Curve registration did not have much effect on the harmonic content. This would be an appropriate technique for application prior to any statistical analysis using able-bodied gait patterns.     

Assessing quality of a worksite health promotion programme from participants’ views: findings from a qualitative study in Malaysia

Background An assessment of the process and outcomes of a health promotion programme is necessary for the continuous improvement of a programme. Objective To explore the participants’ perceptions of the quality and effectiveness of the ‘Love Your Heart Programme’. Design A qualitative study using semi‐structured interviews with a purposive sample of participants of the ‘Love Your Heart’ programme. Interviews were based on an interview guide that grouped questions into four main subgroups: structure, process, immediate outcomes and impact. The interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using the principles of grounded theory. Results A total of 17 interviews were conducted. The participants were satisfied with the structural aspects of the programme. Different opinions arose regarding the ideal frequency and duration of the programme. The content of the seminars was thought to be too general. There was also a lack of interest in the ‘Road to a Healthy Heart’ booklet. All of the respondents had positive opinions about the communication skills and attitude of the health educator. The potential advantages and disadvantages of participating in the programme were discussed. Finally, the respondents expressed their satisfaction with the programme and the impact it had on them. Discussion and conclusions In general, the participants who were interviewed held the programme, and the health educator conducted the programme in high regard. The suggestions that were received can be used to further improve the acceptability and feasibility of the programme.