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Hakeem H, Alsfouk BAA, Kwan P, Brodie MJ, Chen Z. Should substitution monotherapy or combination therapy be used after failure of the first antiseizure medication? Observations from a 30-year cohort study. Epilepsia 2023; 64:1248-1258. [PMID: 36869855 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the temporal trends in the use of second antiseizure (ASM) regimens and compare the efficacy of substitution monotherapy and combination therapy after failure of initial monotherapy in people with epilepsy. METHODS This was a longitudinal observational cohort study conducted at the Epilepsy Unit of the Western Infirmary in Glasgow, Scotland. We included patients who were newly treated for epilepsy with ASMs between July 1982, and October 2012. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 years. Seizure freedom was defined as no seizure for at least 1 year on unchanged medication at the last follow up. RESULTS During the study period, 498 patients were treated with a second ASM regimen after failure of the initial ASM monotherapy, of whom 346 (69%) were prescribed combination therapy and 152 (31%) were given substitution monotherapy. The proportion of patients receiving second regimen as combination therapy increased during the study period from 46% in first epoch (1985-1994) to 78% in the last (2005-2015) (RR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.17-2.36, corrected-p = .010). Overall, 21% (104/498) of the patients achieved seizure freedom on the second ASM regimen, which was less than half of the seizure-free rate on the initial ASM monotherapy (45%, p < .001). Patients who received substitution monotherapy had similar seizure-free rate compared with those who received combination therapy (RR = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.81-1.69, p = .41). Individual ASMs used, either alone or in combination, had similar efficacy. However, the subgroup analysis was limited by small sample sizes. SIGNIFICANCE The choice of second regimen used based on clinical judgment was not associated with treatment outcome in patients whose initial monotherapy failed due to poor seizure control. Alternative approaches such as machine learning should be explored to aid individualized selection of the second ASM regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haris Hakeem
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bshra Ali A Alsfouk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Patrick Kwan
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Zhibin Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Clinical Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Janmohamed M, Hakeem H, Ooi S, Hakami S, Vu L, Perucca P, O'Brien TJ, Antonic-Baker A, Chen Z, Kwan P. Treatment Outcomes of Newly Diagnosed Epilepsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. CNS Drugs 2023; 37:13-30. [PMID: 36542274 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-022-00979-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Understanding the multi-faceted treatment outcomes of newly diagnosed epilepsy is critical for developing rational therapeutic strategies. A meta-analysis was conducted to derive pooled estimates of a range of seizure outcomes in children and adults with newly diagnosed epilepsy commenced on antiseizure medication treatment, and to identify factors associated with different outcomes. METHODS PubMed/EMBASE were screened for eligible articles between 1 January, 1995 and 1 May, 2021 to include unselected cohort studies with a ≥ 12-month follow-up of seizure outcomes. Proportions of patients seizure free at different follow-up timepoints and their characteristics at the study population level were extracted. The patients were group-wise aggregated using a random-effects model. Primary outcomes were proportions of patients with cumulative 1-year seizure freedom (C1YSF), and 1-year and 5-year terminal seizure freedom (T1YSF and T5YSF). Secondary outcomes included the proportions of patients with early sustained seizure freedom, drug-resistant epilepsy and seizure-free off antiseizure medication at the last follow-up (off antiseizure medications). A separate random-effects meta-analysis was performed for nine predictors of importance. RESULTS In total, 39 cohorts (total n = 21,139) met eligibility criteria. They included 15 predominantly adult cohorts (n = 12,024), 19 children (n = 6569), and 5 of mixed-age groups (n = 2546). The pooled C1YSF was 79% (95% confidence interval [CI] 74-83). T1YSF was 68% (95% CI 63-72) and T5YSF was 69% (95% CI 62-75). Children had higher C1YSF (85% vs 68%, p < 0.001) and T1YSF than adult cohorts (74% vs 61%, p = 0.007). For secondary outcomes, 33% (95% CI 27-39) of patients achieved early sustained seizure freedom, 17% (95% CI 13-21) developed drug resistance, and 39% (95% CI 30-50) were off antiseizure medications at the last follow-up. Studies with a longer follow-up duration correlated with higher C1YSF (p < 0.001) and being off antiseizure medications (p = 0.045). Outcomes were not associated with study design (prospective vs retrospective), cohort size, publication year, or the earliest date of recruitment. Predictors of importance in newly diagnosed epilepsy include etiology, epilepsy type, abnormal diagnostics (neuroimaging, examination, and electroencephalogram findings), number of seizure types, and pre-treatment seizure burden. CONCLUSIONS Seizure freedom is achieved with currently available antiseizure medications in most patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy, yet this is often not immediate, may not be sustainable, and has not improved over recent decades. Symptomatic etiology, abnormal neuro-diagnostics, and increased pre-treatment seizure burden and seizure types are important predictors for unfavorable outcomes in newly diagnosed epilepsy. The study findings may be used as a quantitative benchmark on the efficacy of future antiseizure medication therapy for this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mubeen Janmohamed
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Level 6, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia. .,Department of Neurology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Haris Hakeem
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Level 6, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Suyi Ooi
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Suhailah Hakami
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Level 6, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Lily Vu
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Piero Perucca
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Level 6, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Neurology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Bladin-Berkovic Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Terence J O'Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Level 6, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Neurology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ana Antonic-Baker
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Level 6, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Zhibin Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Level 6, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Patrick Kwan
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Level 6, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Neurology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Hakeem H, Feng W, Chen Z, Choong J, Brodie MJ, Fong SL, Lim KS, Wu J, Wang X, Lawn N, Ni G, Gao X, Luo M, Chen Z, Ge Z, Kwan P. Development and Validation of a Deep Learning Model for Predicting Treatment Response in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Epilepsy. JAMA Neurol 2022; 79:986-996. [PMID: 36036923 PMCID: PMC9425285 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.2514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Importance Selection of antiseizure medications (ASMs) for epilepsy remains largely a trial-and-error approach. Under this approach, many patients have to endure sequential trials of ineffective treatments until the "right drugs" are prescribed. Objective To develop and validate a deep learning model using readily available clinical information to predict treatment success with the first ASM for individual patients. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study developed and validated a prognostic model. Patients were treated between 1982 and 2020. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 1 year or until failure of the first ASM. A total of 2404 adults with epilepsy newly treated at specialist clinics in Scotland, Malaysia, Australia, and China between 1982 and 2020 were considered for inclusion, of whom 606 (25.2%) were excluded from the final cohort because of missing information in 1 or more variables. Exposures One of 7 antiseizure medications. Main Outcomes and Measures With the use of the transformer model architecture on 16 clinical factors and ASM information, this cohort study first pooled all cohorts for model training and testing. The model was trained again using the largest cohort and externally validated on the other 4 cohorts. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), weighted balanced accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the model were all assessed for predicting treatment success based on the optimal probability cutoff. Treatment success was defined as complete seizure freedom for the first year of treatment while taking the first ASM. Performance of the transformer model was compared with other machine learning models. Results The final pooled cohort included 1798 adults (54.5% female; median age, 34 years [IQR, 24-50 years]). The transformer model that was trained using the pooled cohort had an AUROC of 0.65 (95% CI, 0.63-0.67) and a weighted balanced accuracy of 0.62 (95% CI, 0.60-0.64) on the test set. The model that was trained using the largest cohort only had AUROCs ranging from 0.52 to 0.60 and a weighted balanced accuracy ranging from 0.51 to 0.62 in the external validation cohorts. Number of pretreatment seizures, presence of psychiatric disorders, electroencephalography, and brain imaging findings were the most important clinical variables for predicted outcomes in both models. The transformer model that was developed using the pooled cohort outperformed 2 of the 5 other models tested in terms of AUROC. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study, a deep learning model showed the feasibility of personalized prediction of response to ASMs based on clinical information. With improvement of performance, such as by incorporating genetic and imaging data, this model may potentially assist clinicians in selecting the right drug at the first trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haris Hakeem
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Wei Feng
- Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Monash-Airdoc Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zhibin Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jiun Choong
- Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Martin J. Brodie
- Department of Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Si-Lei Fong
- Neurology Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kheng-Seang Lim
- Neurology Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Junhong Wu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuefeng Wang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, Chongqing, China
| | - Nicholas Lawn
- WA Adult Epilepsy Service, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Guanzhong Ni
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mijuan Luo
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziyi Chen
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zongyuan Ge
- Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Monash-Airdoc Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Monash eResearch Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Patrick Kwan
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, Chongqing, China
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Alsfouk BAA, Hakeem H, Chen Z, Walters M, Brodie MJ, Kwan P. Characteristics and treatment outcomes of newly diagnosed epilepsy in older people: A 30‐year longitudinal cohort study. Epilepsia 2020; 61:2720-2728. [DOI: 10.1111/epi.16721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bshra Ali A. Alsfouk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University Riyadh Saudi Arabia
- University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
| | - Haris Hakeem
- Department of Neuroscience Central Clinical School Monash University Alfred Hospital Melbourne Vic. Australia
| | - Zhibin Chen
- Department of Neuroscience Central Clinical School Monash University Alfred Hospital Melbourne Vic. Australia
- Department of Medicine – Royal Melbourne Hospital The University of Melbourne Melbourne Vic. Australia
- Clinical Epidemiology School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Monash University Melbourne Vic. Australia
| | | | | | - Patrick Kwan
- Department of Neuroscience Central Clinical School Monash University Alfred Hospital Melbourne Vic. Australia
- Department of Medicine – Royal Melbourne Hospital The University of Melbourne Melbourne Vic. Australia
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Hakeem H, Khurshid R, Siddiqui F, Bhatti DE. Approach to exaggerated startle reflex: a case of hyperekplexia minor. BMJ Case Rep 2020; 13:13/4/e232370. [PMID: 32332042 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2019-232370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
A broad set of conditions may present with an exaggerated startle reflex in clinics. This, combined with the overall rarity of these disorders, may pose diagnostic uncertainty in the mind of the treating physician. Herein, we report a case of a patient who presented to us with the complaint of exaggerated startle reflex and outline a simple approach towards characterisation of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haris Hakeem
- Neurology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Ramsha Khurshid
- Neurophysiology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Fowzia Siddiqui
- Neurology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Danish Ejaz Bhatti
- Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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Abstract
Tetanus remains a significant cause of mortality especially in the developing world. Early diagnosis and institution of treatment is critical to prevent fatal complications. The diagnosis is made on clinical grounds, which may sometimes be difficult, especially in case of localised tetanus. Being able to diagnose tetanus objectively is invaluable in such cases. In this regard, masseter inhibitory reflex (MIR) is a simple neurophysiological test that can be performed at the bedside. Herein, we report a case of craniocervical tetanus that was objectively diagnosed using MIR and adequately treated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hina Imtiaz
- Section of Neurology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Haris Hakeem
- Section of Neurology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Anusha Alam
- Section of Neurology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Dureshahwar Kanwar
- Section of Neurology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
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Hakeem H, Nasir M, Khan MF, Syed NM, Rajput HM, Ahmed A, Javed MA, Bhatti DE. Recognizing Movement Disorder Emergencies - A Practical Review For Non-Neurologist. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad 2019; 31:448-453. [PMID: 31535526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Neurology still remains one of the most underserved specialties of medicine in Pakistan with roughly one neurologist per million people. Movement disorders (MD) are neurological problems that interfere with patient's motor abilities and diagnosis is typically clinical. In this review, we describe a practical approach to common MD emergencies that may be encountered by a non-neurologist physician, emphasizing on formulating a working diagnosis and their immediate management. Movement disorder emergencies can be classified based on MD phenomenology and we will provide a brief overview of dystonia including acute dystonic reaction, PAID syndrome and dystonic storm; chorea, myoclonus including serotonin syndrome and startle disease; and rigidity including neuroleptic malignant syndrome and malignant hyperthermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haris Hakeem
- Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Memoona Nasir
- Department of Medicine and Allied Services, Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Farhan Khan
- Division of Neurology, Shifa International Hospital, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Nabeel Muzaffar Syed
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Haris Majid Rajput
- Department of Neurology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Arsalan Ahmed
- Division of Neurology, Shifa International Hospital, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Danish Ejaz Bhatti
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
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Hakeem H, Khan AZ, Aziz K, Abbasi A, Haider A, Moiz B, Wasay M. Evaluation of quality of warfarin therapy by assessing patient's time in therapeutic range at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. J PAK MED ASSOC 2018; 68:1339-1344. [PMID: 30317261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the time in therapeutic range in patients on warfarin anti-coagulation therapy. METHODS The retrospective chart review was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised data of patients having undergone anti-coagulation with warfarin from January 2013 to April 2015. To determine the mean time in therapeutic range, Rosendaal method was used. Association of time in therapeutic range with the composite outcome, bleeding and thromboembolic events was also assessed. Percentage of patients with time in therapeutic range <60% was calculated. RESULTS There were 92 patients whose median time in therapeutic range was 34.9% (interquartile range: 20.0- 55.7). Overall, 71(77.2%) patients had time in therapeutic range below 60% which had statistically significant correlation with the composite outcome (p<0.05). Number of comorbids was significant in predicting time in therapeutic range and patients with time in therapeutic range< 60% (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Subjects had poor anti-coagulation quality. It might be prudent to move towards novel oral anticoagulant drugsas the first choice for therapeutic anti-coagulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haris Hakeem
- Section of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi
| | | | - Kashif Aziz
- Resident Internal Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi
| | - Ayesha Abbasi
- Resident Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi
| | - Anam Haider
- Resident Internal Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi
| | - Bushra Moiz
- Hematology, Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi
| | - Mohammad Wasay
- Section of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi
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Abstract
Pituitary tumour apoplexy is a rare but potentially life threatening clinical syndrome that mostly results from haemorrhage in the pre-existent tumour. Pure ischaemic subtype of apoplexy is even rarer. The presentation can be hard to differentiate clinically from bacterial meningitis. Moreover, the presence of one does not necessarily exclude the other and early diagnosis of both conditions is imperative for timely management. We report a case of ischaemic pituitary tumour apoplexy that may have precipitated in the setting of bacterial meningitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haris Hakeem
- Department of Neurology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
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Babar MUZ, Hakeem H, Khan S. Pure motor axonal neuropathy triggered by antituberculous therapy in an undiagnosed case of acute intermittent porphyria. BMJ Case Rep 2017; 2017:bcr-2016-219105. [DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2016-219105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
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Syed AA, Aslam F, Hakeem H, Siddiqui F, Nasir N. Frequency of worsening liver function in severe dengue hepatitis patients receiving paracetamol: A retrospective analysis of hospital data. J PAK MED ASSOC 2017; 67:400-404. [PMID: 28303989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency of worsening liver function among hospital in-patients with severe dengue hepatitis receiving paracetamol. METHODS This retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised records of dengue patients with severe hepatitis who received paracetamol for control of fever between June 2007 and December 2014. Alanine aminotransferase at baseline and following paracetamol administration was noted, as well as dosage and duration of paracetamol, along with participants' demographic details. Frequency of patients who developed worsening or improvement of alanine aminotransferase was also noted. SPSS 19 was used for data analysis. RESULTS Of the 113 subjects, 73(64.6%) were male and 40(35.4%) were female. Overall improvement was observed in subsequent alanine aminotransferase levels (491 units per litre, IQR 356.5 TO 775 vs 151 units per litre, IQR 49.5 to 299.5). Most commonly prescribed dose of paracetamol was 2g (IQR 1 to 5 grams), which was taken for a median duration of 1 day (IQR 1 to 3 days). Moreover, 100(88.5 %) patients showed improvement in alanine aminotransferase. Only 13(11.5 %) patients developed worsening of alanine aminotransferase. Of those with worsening liver function, 8(61.5 %) were discharged home with no clinical deterioration and 5(38.5 %) deaths were observed. However, causes of deaths were unrelated to liver dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS The frequency of worsening liver function following paracetamol administration in patients with severe dengue hepatitis was relatively low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahsan Ali Syed
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Faisal Aslam
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Haris Hakeem
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Faraz Siddiqui
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Noreen Nasir
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) carries a grim prognosis. Various ALS mimics have been reported and should be excluded before confirming this diagnosis. METHODS We report the case of a 61-year-old man who presented with progressively worsening limb weakness and dysphagia. His examination showed mixed upper and lower motor neuron signs without sensory impairment. ALS was suspected, however, atypical diffuse pain prompted diagnostic work-up to exclude other causes. RESULTS Electrodiagnostic testing was suggestive of a sensorimotor polyneuropathy with superimposed diffuse active denervation suspicious for anterior horn cell degeneration. Brain MRI showed bilateral basal ganglia and thalamic calcifications. Laboratory studies confirmed the diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism. Treatment with calcium and vitamin D resulted in significant improvement at 6 months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Hypoparathyroidism, a treatable endocrinopathy, can rarely present clinically as ALS. In atypical cases, this should be ruled out before making a final diagnosis. Muscle Nerve, 2016 Muscle Nerve 55: 437-439, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haris Hakeem
- Department of Neurology, Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Masood Uz Zaman
- Department of Neurology, Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Sara Khan
- Department of Neurology, Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan
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Chittalae S, Shuaib O, Hakeem H, Kadavath S, Briggs M, Efthimiou P. AB0313 Correlation of the Novel Multi-Biomarker Disease Activity Assay (MBDA, VECTRA-DA) and its Components with the Traditional Serologic Markers of Inflammation ESR and CRP in a Real Life Clinical Setting: Table 1. Ann Rheum Dis 2015. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-eular.6254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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