Efficacy and safety of adjunctive treatment with perampanel in epilepsy patients

INTRODUCTION

Epilepsy is a neurological disease with high global prevalence. Almost one-third of epilepsy patients continue having seizures despite adequate treatment. Perampanel has been widely used in the Western countries as an adjunctive therapy for both generalized and focal seizures. Owing to its high cost, the use of perampanel is limited in our country.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a descriptive, retrospective study among epilepsy patients treated with perampanel. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of perampanel as an adjunctive in our hospital.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

From our cohort of 25 patients, most of the patients were either on one or three anti-seizure medications (ASMs) prior to initiation of perampanel. Perampanel was added in 88% of them due to persistent seizures. Twenty-two (88%) patients experienced reduction in seizure frequency. 12% experienced mild side effects, which were leg cramps, hyponatremia and drowsiness. Only 1 patient stopped perampanel due to its side effects.

CONCLUSION

Perampanel is a well-tolerated ASM that should be widely used as an adjunctive. More studies with regards to its efficacy and safety involving more centres are encouraged in Malaysia.

Intravenous thrombolysis for multi-ethnic Asians with acute ischaemia stroke in Malaysian public primary stroke centres versus acute stroke ready hospitals: Comparison of real-world clinical outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator is beneficial in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). We aim to compare the realworld clinical outcomes and service efficiency of IVT in Malaysian primary stroke centres (PSCs) versus acute stroke ready hospitals (ASRHs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a multi-centre cohort study involving 5 PSCs and 7 ASRHs in Malaysia. Through review of medical records of AIS patients who received IVT from 01 January 2014 to 30 June 2021, real-world data was extracted for analysis. Univariate and multivariate regression models were employed to evaluate the role of PSCs versus ASRHs in post-IVT outcomes and complications. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 313 multi-ethnic Asians, namely 231 from PSCs and 82 from ASRHs, were included. Both groups were comparable in baseline demographic, clinical, and stroke characteristics. The efficiency of IVT delivery (door-toneedle time), functional outcomes (mRS at 3 months post- IVT), and rates of adverse events (intracranial haemorrhages and mortality) following IVT were comparable between the 2 groups. Notably, 46.8% and 48.8% of patients in PSCs and ASRHs group respectively (p=0.752) achieved favourable functional outcome (mRS≤1 at 3 months post-IVT). Regression analyses demonstrated that post-IVT functional outcomes and adverse events were independent of the role of PSCs or ASRHs.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides real-world evidence which suggests that IVT can be equally safe, effective, and efficiently delivered in ASRHs. This may encourage the establishment of more ASRHs to extend the benefits of IVT to a greater proportion of stroke populations and enhance the regional stroke care.

Management of status epilepticus in Malaysia: A national survey of current practice and treatment gap

INTRODUCTION

Early and effective treatment is fundamental in status epilepticus (SE) management. At the initiative of the Epilepsy Council of Malaysia, this study aimed to determine the treatment gap in SE across different healthcare settings in Malaysia.

METHODS

A web-based survey was sent to clinicians involved in the management of SE, across all states and at all levels of healthcare services.

RESULTS

A total of 158 responses were received from 104 health facilities, including 23 tertiary government hospitals (95.8% of all government tertiary hospitals in Malaysia), 4 (80.0%) universities, 14 (6.7%) private, 15 (11.5%) district hospitals and 21 clinics. Intravenous (IV) diazepam was available in 14 (93.3%) district and 33 (80.5%) tertiary hospitals for prehospital management. Non-IV benzodiazepine (rectal diazepam and intramuscular midazolam) was not widely available in prehospital services (75.8% and 51.5%). Intramuscular midazolam was underutilised (60.0% in district and 65.9% in tertiary hospitals). IV sodium valproate and levetiracetam were only available in 66.7% and 53.3% of the district hospitals, respectively. Electroencephalogram (EEG) services were available in only 26.7% of the district hospitals. Non-pharmacological therapies such as ketogenic diet, electroconvulsive therapy, and therapeutic hypothermia were not available in most district and tertiary hospitals for refractory and super-refractory SE.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified several gaps in the current practice of SE management, including limited availability and underutilization of non-IV midazolam in prehospital services, underutilization of non-IV midazolam and other second-line ASMs, and lack of EEG monitoring in district hospitals and limited treatment options for refractory and super-refractory SE in tertiary hospitals.

Characteristics of electroencephalogram changes and correlation with seizures in hospitalised patients

INTRODUCTION

Electroencephalogram (EEG) is an important investigational tool that is widely used in the hospital settings for numerous indications. The aim was to determine factors associated with abnormal EEG and its clinical correlations in hospitalised patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with at least one EEG recording were recruited. The EEG and clinical data were collated.

RESULTS

Two hundred and fifty patients underwent EEG and 154 (61.6%) were found to have abnormal EEG. The abnormal changes consist of theta activity (79,31.6%), delta activity (20, 8%), focal discharges (41,16.4%) and generalised discharges (14, 5.6%). Older patients had 3.481 higher risk for EEG abnormalities, p=0.001. Patients who had focal seizures had 2.240 higher risk of having EEG abnormalities, p<0.001. Low protein level was a risk for EEG abnormalities, p=0.003.

CONCLUSION

This study emphasised that an abnormal EEG remains a useful tool in determining the likelihood for seizures in a hospital setting. The risk factors for EEG abnormality in hospitalised patients were age, focal seizures and low protein level. The EEG may have an important role as part of the workup in hospitalised patients to aid the clinician to tailor their management in a holistic manner.

Factors related to prehospital delay and decision delay among acute stroke patients in a district hospital, Malaysia

INTRODUCTION

Time is the greatest challenge in stroke management. This study aimed to examine factors contributing to prehospital delay and decision delay among stroke patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study involving acute stroke patients admitted to Seri Manjung Hospital was conducted between August 2019 and October 2020 via faceto- face interview. Prehospital delay was defined as more than 120 minutes taken from recognition of stroke symptoms till arrival in hospital, while decision delay was defined as more than 60 minutes taken from recognition of stroke symptoms till decision was made to seek treatment.

RESULTS

The median prehospital delay of 102 enrolled patients was 364 minutes (IQR 151.5, 1134.3) while the median for decision delay was 120 minutes (IQR 30.0, 675.0). No history of stroke (adj. OR 4.15; 95% CI 1.21, 14.25; p=0.024) and unaware of thrombolysis service (adj. OR 17.12; 95% CI 1.28, 229.17; p=0.032) were associated with higher odds of prehospital delay, while Indian ethnicity (adj. OR 0.09; 95% CI 0.02, 0.52; p=0.007) was associated with lower odds of prehospital delay as compared to Malay ethnicity. On the other hand, higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (adj. OR 0.86; 95% CI 0.78, 0.95; p=0.002) was associated with lower odds of decision delay.

CONCLUSION

Public awareness is crucial to shorten prehosital delay and decision delay for better patients' outcomes in stroke. Various public health campaigns are needed to improve the awareness for stroke.

Seizure remission rates remain low in a resource-limited country, a multicentre comparison study in Malaysia

Seizure remission rates of 60% with antiseizure medications were reported in developed countries, but might be lower in resource-limited countries. The challenges in epilepsy care in resource-limited regions were highlighted 10 years ago, and still remain an ongoing issue. This study aimed to determine the seizure freedom rates in level-2 epilepsy care centres (centres with general neurologists) compared to level-3/4 centres (centres with epileptologists providing epilepsy surgery evaluation) in Malaysia. This is a retrospective study of 1,347 adult epilepsy patients from two level-2 (n = 290) and two level-3/4 epilepsy care centres (n = 1,057). The seizure remission rates were significantly lower in level-2 centres (42.5%) compared to the level 3/4 centres (61.9%, p < 0.05). Level-2 centres had significantly more patients with undetermined seizure types compared to level-3/4 centres (6.6% vs 3.1%, p < 0.05). Level-3/4 centres had significantly more patients with epilepsy of structural and genetic origins, whereas more patients in level-2 centres had unknown aetiology (46.2% vs. 34.0% in level-3/4, p < 0.05). Level-2 centres had a lower neurologist-to-patient ratio (1:97 vs. 1:50 in level-3/4 centres, p < 0.05). Level-2 centres also had fewer patients, who underwent investigations such as EEG (74.1% vs. 89.6%) and brain MRI (54.1% vs. 72.4%, p < 0.05) in comparison with level-3/4 centres. Our study emphasized the existing challenges in epilepsy care in a resource-limited country to achieve the ideal 60% seizure remission rate.

Prevalence and Factors Influencing Visual Memory Dysfunction among Epilepsy Patients-A Single-Center Study

Background

Epilepsy is associated with cognitive impairment due to the disease itself or side-effects of antiepileptic drugs.

Objective

We aimed to study the prevalence of visual memory dysfunction among epilepsy patients and identify the predictors that could contribute to the impairment.

Materials and Methods

This was a cross-sectional study. We analyzed 250 patients with epilepsy from neurology clinic at our tertiary center. Assessment of visual memory was done using Wechsler Memory Scale-IV (WMS-IV) with scores from subsets of visual reproduction I, II and designs I, II contributing to visual memory index (VMI) score. The correlation between continuous variables was analyzed using Pearson correlation; whereas the VMI scores of different factors were analyzed via a 1-way ANOVA test. The statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results

The prevalence of visual memory dysfunction in our epilepsy population was 37.2%. Analysis of individual predictors showed that older patients, lower educational level, combined generalized and focal types of epilepsy, longer duration of epilepsy, greater number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) used, and abnormal neuroimaging contributed to poor visual memory. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that educational level, types of epilepsy, and the number of AEDs used were significant predictors for visual memory impairment.

Conclusion

Visual memory dysfunction in patients with epilepsy was due to manifold confounding factors. Our findings enabled us to identify patients with visual memory dysfunction and modifiable factors that contribute to it. WMS-IV is a suitable assessment tool to determine visual memory function, which can help clinicians to optimize the patients' treatment.

Silent microaspirations: The forerunner to the diagnosis of bulbar onset myasthenia gravis in a young woman

Recurrent pneumonia warrants a diligent work-up to identify the underlying cause that perpetuates the disease process. Insidious bulbar dysfunction is arguably the most devastating as it would be diagnosed late after significant pulmonary complications due to chronic micro-aspiration. Bulbar disorder should be considered as the potential aetiology of recurrent pulmonary infections in the young population after excluding immunodeficiency disorder and respiratory anatomical anomaly. This report illustrates a rare case of bulbar onset myasthenia gravis which manifested as focal bronchiolectasis due to recurrent undiagnosed aspiration pneumonia three years earlier. Absence of hallmark features of Myasthenia Gravis (MG) such as ptosis, opthalmoplegia and proximal muscle weakness contributed to the diagnostic delay and challenges in this case. The diagnosis was established with the collaboration of multidisciplinary teams. Subsequent correct therapeutic interventions resulted in remarkable recovery in functional status and prevented her from further aspiration in the long run.

Internal carotid artery injury during endonasal sinus surgery: our experience and review of the literature

Iatrogenic internal carotid artery injury is a catastrophic but uncommon complication of endonasal sinus surgery. We present our experience in managing this emergency situation. A 52-year-old man underwent revision endoscopic repair of recurrent cerebrospinal fluid leak that was complicated with profuse haemorrhage during removal of the anterior wall of sphenoid sinus using a Hajek sphenoid punch forceps. Immediate packing of the sphenoid sinus controlled the haemorrhage. Urgent angiography revealed injury at the paraclival segment of the left internal carotid artery. An endovascular stent was initially placed but thrombosed; it was subsequently converted to coil embolisation. The patient had watershed cerebral infarct with hemiparesis post procedure but made full recovery within 6 weeks. Immediate nasal packing followed by urgent angiography and endovascular stent placement is the least invasive definitive treatment. If stenting is unsuccessful, endovascular balloon occlusion or coil embolisation is the next preferred treatment, if there is adequate cross-cerebral circulation. The success of treatment relies on its immediate management by a multidisciplinary team.

Use of patient ethnography to support quality improvement in benign prostatic hyperplasia

BACKGROUND

Patient-centeredness is a primary aim of quality improvement (QI) but optimal strategies to achieve that goal remain elusive. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the commonest urologic diagnoses and significantly affects quality of life. Patient ethnography is an emerging qualitative method of observation and dynamic interviews to understand the context through which the patient experiences care. We implemented patient ethnography to support our QI infrastructure and improve patient-centeredness in BPH.

PROBLEM

Little is known about how to measure whether processes of care are patient-centered. We did not know whether the care processes our patients experienced provided value from their perspective.

GOALS

We sought to discover previously unrecognized components of care that patients perceived to be of low value. Our primary goal was to develop QI initiatives that targeted low-value themes identified in the ethnography. Our secondary goal was a rapid rollout of three targeted initiatives.

STRATEGY

We used a 4-step patient ethnography: (1) created detailed process maps to define phases of care, (2) interviewed patients, (3) synthesized transcript data in focus groups using the Crawford Slip method, and (4) targeted undesirable components of care for QI. Semi-structured interviews with seven representative patients identified low-value themes. Focus groups, comprised of primary care physicians, case coordinators, nurses, and urologists, evaluated the interview transcripts and generated improvement opportunities prioritized based on feasibility, patient value, scalability, and innovation. We used affinity mapping and priority matrix techniques to prioritize QI opportunities.

RESULTS

We identified five low-value themes from the patient interviews and developed corresponding QI opportunities. These included issues surrounding the referral and consultation process as well as postoperative care, especially home urinary catheter maintenance. Six months after completing the ethnography three of five targeted improvement opportunities had been implemented.

Role of high resolution ultrasound in ulnar nerve neuropathy

AIM

This study was conducted to measure the cross sectional area (CSA) of the ulnar nerve (UN) in the cubital tunnel and to evaluate the role of high-resolution ultrasonography in the diagnosis of ulnar nerve neuropathy (UNN).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross sectional study with 64 arms from 32 patients (34 neuropathic, 30 nonneuropathic). Diagnosis was confirmed by nerve conduction study and electromyography. The ulnar nerves were evaluated with 15MHz small footprint linear array transducer. The ulnar nerve CSA was measured at three levels with arm extended: at medial epicondyle (ME), 5cm proximal and 5cm distal to ME. Results from the neuropathic and nonneuropathic arms were compared. Independent T-tests and Pearson correlation tests were used. P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Mean CSA values for the UN at levels 5cm proximal to ME, ME and 5cm distal to ME were 0.055, 0.109, 0.045 cm(2) respectively in the neuropathic group and 0.049, 0.075, 0.042 cm2 respectively in the non-neuropathic group. The CSA of the UN at the ME level was significantly larger in the neuropathic group, with p value of 0.005. However, there was no statistical difference between the groups at 5cm proximal and distal to the ME, with p values of 0.10 and 0.35 respectively.

CONCLUSION

There is significant difference in CSA values of the UN at ME between the neuropathic and non-neuropathic groups with mean CSA value above the predetermined 0.10cm(2) cut-off point. High-resolution ultrasonography is therefore useful to diagnose and follow up cases of elbow UNN.

Risk factors and predictors of levodopa-induced dyskinesia among multiethnic Malaysians with Parkinson's disease

Chronic pulsatile levodopa therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD) leads to the development of motor fluctuations and dyskinesia. We studied the prevalence and predictors of levodopa-induced dyskinesia among multiethnic Malaysian patients with PD.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study involving 95 patients with PD on uninterrupted levodopa therapy for at least 6 months. The instrument used was the UPDRS questionnaires. The predictors of dyskinesia were determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The mean age was 65.6 ± 8.5 years. The mean onset age was 58.5 ± 9.8 years. The median disease duration was 6 (7) years. Dyskinesia was present in 44% (n = 42) with median levodopa therapy of 3 years. There were 64.3% Chinese, 31% Malays, and 3.7% Indians and other ethnic groups. Eighty-one percent of patients with dyskinesia had clinical fluctuations. Patients with dyskinesia had lower onset age ( p < 0.001), longer duration of levodopa therapy ( p < 0.001), longer disease duration ( p < 0.001), higher total daily levodopa dose ( p < 0.001), and higher total UPDRS scores ( p = 0.005) than patients without dyskinesia. The three significant predictors of dyskinesia were duration of levodopa therapy, onset age, and total daily levodopa dose.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of levodopa-induced dyskinesia in our patients was 44%. The most significant predictors were duration of levodopa therapy, total daily levodopa dose, and onset age.

Prevalence of depression in stroke patients with vascular dementia in universiti kebangsaan malaysia medical center

OBJECTIVE

Depression among patients with vascular dementia is frequently overlooked and potentially causes significant morbidity. There is limited data in Malaysia on the subject and this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of depression in vascular dementia (VaD) in UKMMC.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study involving diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM IV) criteria and who had a mini mental state examination (MMSE) score of less than 26. All patients were interviewed, examined clinically and their previous brain computer tomography (CT) were reviewed. The prevalence of depression was determined using the Cornell scale of depression.

RESULTS

A total of 76 patients were recruited with a mean age of 70.5 ± 9.5 years. The median duration of illness was 2.0 (1.0-4.8) years. The prevalence of depression in the study population was 31.6%. The patients with depression had a significant older mean age (74.5±8.7 years old) compared to those without depression (68.6±9.4 years old). Patients with large artery stroke of less than 3 years had significant higher frequency of depression (53.6%) compared to patients with small artery stroke (23.8%) and patients with right sided large artery stroke had significantly higher frequency of depression compared to left (70% vs. 44.4%). Median MMSE score (17.0) for depressed patients was significantly lower compared with median MMSE score (22.5) for non depressed patients. Median Barthel Index (30.0) for depressed patients was significantly lower compared with median Barthel score for non depressed patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Depression was prevalent among post stroke patients with VaD in UKMMC particularly for patients with older age, large artery stroke, right sided large artery stroke, low MMSE score and low Barthel Index. Early recognition of high risk patients is important in the holistic management of patients to prevent significant morbidity arising from depression.

Spinal cord compression following traditional confinement massage

We describe a case of tetraparesis in a 33-year-old woman following neck manipulation performed by a traditional confinement mid-wife. An MRI of the cervical spine revealed a fracture of the second cervical vertebra with atlanto-axial subluxation that resulted in cord compression.

Lack of association of ABCB1 and PXR polymorphisms with response to treatment in epilepsy

It is proposed that overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), encoded by the ABC subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1) gene, is involved in resistance to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in about 30% of patients with epilepsy. Genetic variation and haplotype patterns are population specific which may cause different phenotypes such as response to AEDs. Although several studies examined the link between the common polymorphisms in the ABCB1 gene with resistance to AEDs, the results have been conflicting. This controversy may be caused by the effect of some confounders such as ethnicity and polytherapy. Moreover, expression of the ABCB1 gene is under the control of pregnane X receptor (PXR). Evidence showed that PXR gene contribute to the response to treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the association of ABCB1 and PXR genetic polymorphisms with response to the carbamazepine (CBZ) or sodium valproate (VPA) monotherapy in epilepsy. Genotypes were assessed in 685 Chinese, Indian, and Malay epilepsy patients for ABCB1 (C1236T, G2677T, C3435T) and PXR (G7635A) polymorphisms. No association between these polymorphisms and their haplotypes, and interaction between them, with response to treatment was observed in the overall group or in the Chinese, Indian, and Malay subgroups. Our data showed that these polymorphisms may not contribute to the response to CBZ or VPA monotherapy treatment in epilepsy.

Controversy of proton pump inhibitor and clopidogrel interaction: a review

A proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is often co-prescribed with clopidogrel to reduce the gastrointestinal risk of bleeding ulcers in patients following acute coronary syndrome or a stent implant. However, the safety issue of such practice has been scrutinized after some studies reporting an increased incidence of cardiovascular events and mortality, although there have also been contrary research reports. This has lead to a warning statement from the US Food and Drug Administration cautioning the concomitant use of PPI and clopidogrel. This review examines the evidence of PPI as gastroprotective agent, histamine H(2) antagonists as an alternative therapy, the influence of PPI on the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel, and the controversies of various studies.

ABCB1 C3435T polymorphism and the risk of resistance to antiepileptic drugs in epilepsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The C3435T, a major allelic variant of the ABCB1 gene, is proposed to play a crucial role in drug-resistance in epilepsy. The C/C genotype carriers reportedly are at higher risk of pharmacoresistance to AEDs, but only in some studies. The hypothesis of the C-variant associated risk and resistance to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) has been hampered by conflicting results from inadequate power in case-control studies. To assess the role of C3435T polymorphism in drug-resistance in epilepsy, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted.

METHODS

Databases were obtained from the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, major American and European conference abstracts, and www.google.my for genetic association studies up to February 2010. All the case-control association studies evaluating the role of ABCB1 C3435T in pharmacoresistance to AEDs were identified. The new definition of treatment outcome from International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) was used for including studies for sub-analysis. To measure the strength of genetic association for the gene variant, the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using models of both fixed- and random-effects for comparisons of the alleles and genotypes with co-dominant (C/C vs. T/T, C/T vs. T/T), dominant (C/C+C/T vs. T/T), and recessive (C/C vs. C/T+T/T) models in overall and in ethnicity subgroups. The 19 studies were selected for the next sub-analysis based on the new definition of drug-responsiveness and drug-resistance from ILAE. The same analysis was also performed for treatment outcome and ethnicity subgroups.

RESULTS

A total of 22 association studies including 3231 (47.8%) drug-resistant patients and 3524 (52.2%) drug-responsive patients or healthy controls (genotyped for C3435T) were pooled in this meta-analysis. The allelic association of ABCB1 C3435T with risk of drug-resistance was not significant under fixed-effects model, 1.06 (95% CI 0.98-1.14, p=0.12) and random-effects model, 1.10 (0.93-1.30, p=0.28) in overall and in the subgroup analysis by ethnicity. Similar results were also obtained for all genetic models in the stratified analyses by new definition of drug-resistance by ILAE and ethnicity subgroups. There was no publication bias.

CONCLUSION

We failed to show an association between the ABCB1 C3435T polymorphism and the risk of drug-resistance suggesting a revision in contribution of this polymorphism in the multi-drug transporters hypothesis of pharmacoresistance to AEDs in epilepsy.

Demography and clinical course of ulcerative colitis in a multiracial Asian population: a nationwide study from Malaysia

OBJECTIVE

To establish the clinical course of ulcerative colitis (UC) in the Malaysian population, comparing the three major ethnic groups: Malay, Chinese and Indian.

METHODS

Patients who were diagnosed with UC from seven major medical referral centers in Malaysia were recruited. Their baseline characteristics, and the extent of the disease, its clinical course and complications were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 118 patients was included. The extent of disease was as follows: proctitis alone in 22 (18.6%), sigmoid colon in 23 (19.5%), descending colon in 16 (13.6%), transverse colon in 11 (9.3%), ascending colon and pancolitis 46 (39%). Most patients had chronic intermittent disease. Extra-intestinal complications were seen in 27 (22.9%) patients and fulminant colitis was seen in four (3.4%). None developed colorectal cancer. The overall cumulative colectomy rates at 1, 5 and 10 years were 3.4% (CI: 0.9-8.5), 5.9% (CI: 1.9-13.2) and 15.6% (CI: 6.5-29.4), respectively. There was a higher prevalence of extra-intestinal manifestations and a trend towards more extensive disease among Indian patients. However, no significant differences were seen in the age of onset, the severity of disease (fulminant colitis, refractory disease) and the colectomy rate.

CONCLUSION

As in developed countries, most of our patients have a remitting and relapsing pattern of disease but the clinical course appears to be milder, with lower rates of colectomies. There are differences in clinical presentation among the three major ethnic groups, with Indians having a higher prevalence of extra-intestinal manifestations and a trend towards more extensive disease.

Intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin for the treatment of wrist and finger spasticity after stroke

Botulinum toxin is effective in reducing spasticity post stroke. As there are limited data on post stroke spasticity in Asia, we undertake this study to determine the effectiveness and safety of intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin type-A (BTX-A), in the treatment of chronic focal post-stroke hand spasticity, and the impact of BTX-A on the activities of daily living and quality of life, in comparison to placebo, in Malaysian stroke patients. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy and safety of BTX-A in 27 subjects with wrist and finger spasticity after a stroke. The outcome measures were assessed with the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) to assess spasticity of the flexor muscles, Barthel Index (BI) for activities of daily living and EQ-5D and EQ VAS for quality of life. Assessments were performed at baseline and 1 and 3 months after injection. Compared to placebo, the BTX-A group had greater improvement in the flexor tone of the wrist and fingers (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively), at first month follow-up visit and sustained the improvement through to three months. Although there was an improvement in the measures of global function and quality of life in the BTX-A group, there was no significant improvement in between the two groups. No serious BTX-A related adverse effects were reported. The results of this study demonstrate that intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin A is safe and effective in the treatment of chronic focal post-stroke spasticity of the hand.

Randomised, open label, controlled trial of celecoxib in the treatment of acute migraine

INTRODUCTION

Migraine is a common disabling condition that results in considerable socioeconomic loss. The role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in acute migraine has been well-established. We compared the efficacy of the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor celecoxib with the NSAID, naproxen sodium, in the treatment of acute migraine.

METHODS

This was a randomised, open label, controlled trial. We selected patients with a diagnosis of migraine, based on the International Headache Society revised criteria. 60 patients were randomised to either celecoxib 400 mg (30 patients) or naproxen sodium 550 mg (30 patients). Patients took the study medicine for the first acute migraine episode that occurred during the study period and reported the headache reduction based on a visual analogue score (VAS). Patients were reviewed after a month to check on VAS at one and two hours, compared to the baseline. Any side effects of the medication were also recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 52 patients who completed the study, eight did not experience any headaches. The mean VAS in the celecoxib group improved significantly from baseline (6.48 +/- 1.53) to one hour (4.28 +/- 2.11) and two hours (2.24 +/- 2.57) (p-value is less than 0.0005). The mean VAS in the naproxen sodium group also improved significantly from baseline (7.30 +/- 1.66) to one hour (4.81 +/- 2.50) and two hours (2.63 +/- 2.65) (p-value is less than 0.0005). However, there was no significant difference between the magnitudes of improvement between the treatment groups. The incidence of gastric pain was significantly higher in the naproxen sodium group (p-value is equal to 0.029).

CONCLUSION

In comparison with naproxen sodium, celecoxib was equally effective in relieving pain in acute migraine and caused significantly less gastric pain.

Infective endocarditis in pregnancy complicated by septic embolization to the cerebellum

This report describes a pregnant lady in early trimester that was admitted with fever and left loin pain and was initially treated as presumed pyelonephritis. Subsequently she was found to have infective endocarditis with vegetation on the mitral valve. The course of her illness was complicated by acute pulmonary edema and septic embolization to the cerebellum. A decompressive craniectomy and resection of the lateral lobe of cerebellum was performed. Although the presenting features and risk factors are well described, the atypical presentations of infective endocarditis in pregnancy remain a diagnostic challenge for the treating physician. This report highlights the importance of rapid detection of endocarditis in pregnancy and the treatment of systemic complications.

Short QTc in epilepsy patients without cardiac symptoms

Epilepsy patients have a higher mortality rate than the general population. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a major cause of mortality for these patients. The possibility of cardiac involvement in the pathogenesis of SUDEP has been suggested by many previous studies. This study compared the QT interval in epilepsy patients and normal controls, and identified the factors that affected the QT interval. Standard 12-lead ECGs were recorded from 70 consecutive epilepsy patients from the neurology clinic of HUKM and 70 age, race and gender matched controls. The mean QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc) was calculated and compared. The mean QTc among the epilepsy patients was 0.401 +/- 0.027s. It was significantly shorter than the QTc (0.420 +/- 0.027s) in the control group (p<0.0005). Thirty five epilepsy patients (50%) and 17 matched controls (24.3%) had a mean QTc shorter than 0.40s (p=0.001). Among the epilepsy patients, the mean QTc did not significantly differ between patients in the duration (F=0.836, p=0.438) of the epilepsy, frequency (F=0.273, p=0.845) and types of seizures (p=0.633). There was no significant difference in the mean QTc between the epilepsy patients on different number of antiepileptic agents (F=0.444, p=0.643). Patients with cryptogenic epilepsy had a mean QTc of 0.392 +/- 0.029s, which was significantly shorter than patients with symptomatic epilepsy (QTc = 0.410 +/- 0.027s, p = 0.015). The mean QTc of the same subjects showed no significant interobserver difference (p=0.661). This study, for the first time, demonstrates that epilepsy patients have a significantly shorter QTc than controls, particularly in the subgroup of patients with cryptogenic epilepsy.

The coexistence of anxiety and depressive personality traits in migraine

INTRODUCTION

Migraine is associated with a variety of personality traits. The objective of this study was to reevaluate the personality traits using Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) in migraine patients diagnosed by applying the new International Classification of Headache Disorders-2 criteria.

METHODS

This was a case control study involving 70 migraine patients and 70 age- and gender-matched controls. The personality traits in the two groups were analysed using the MMPI. Data was analysed using the chi-square test.

RESULTS

The migraine patients showed a higher MMPI score on the following personality traits: depression (39 versus 15, p-value is less than 0.0005), and anxiety (24 versus 11, p-value equals 0.011). Both depressive and anxiety personality traits were significantly higher in migraine patients.

CONCLUSION

All migraine patients should probably be screened for their personality traits and psychopathology using the MMPI.

The electroencephalogram changes in migraineurs

Migraine is associated with a variety of electroencephalographic (EEG) changes. Previous studies using analogue EEG and old diagnostic criteria may under or over report the prevalence of EEG changes in migraine. The objective of this study was to reevaluate the EEG changes in migraine patients diagnosed by applying the new International Classification of Headache Disorder -2 criteria. This was a case control study involving 70 migraine patients and 70 age and gender matched control who were subjected to scalp EEG. The EEG changes during hyperventilation (HV), which were significantly more common in the migraine group were theta activity (34 vs 22, p = 0.038) and frontal intermittent rhythmic delta activity (FIRDA) (10 vs 3, p = 0.042). Applying the new ICHD -2 diagnostic criteria and digital EEG, this study yielded previously unrecognized features including FIRDA during HV on EEG.

Case of severe refractory myasthenia gravis in HUKM

A 20-year-old girl first notice bilateral ocular muscle weakness in 2001. Two months later, she developed acute muscle paralysis and respiratory failure which required ventilation. Serum anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies and repetitive nerve stimulation test was positive and consistent with myasthenia gravis (MG). CT scan thorax revealed thymic enlargement and she underwent a video assisted thymectomy (VATS). However, over the next three years, despite maximal doses of various immunosuppressive agents with plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin, she was admitted with recurrent myasthenic crisis without any obvious precipitant. She was then commenced on mycophenolate mofetil and together with regular plasmapheresis, cyclosporine and prednisolone, her symptoms have finally improved and brought under control.

Rheumatoid pachymeningitis

Symptomatic rheumatoid pachymeningitis is a rare extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical symptoms are non-specific and diagnosis is frequently made by exclusion. We present a 61-year-old woman with a 9-year history of rheumatoid arthritis presenting with deafness and progressive disability over a two month duration. She was diagnosed as having rheumatoid pachymeningitis based on the cerebral magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Ultrasonography is not reliable in diagnosing liver cirrhosis in clinical practice

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of liver cirrhosis is important in the evaluation and management of patients. Liver biopsy is the gold standard but it is invasive. Ultrasonography is a non-invasive and useful modality in assessing the liver for certain conditions but its sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing cirrhosis is unknown locally.

AIM

To assess the accuracy of ultrasonography in diagnosing compensated liver cirrhosis in daily clinical practice outside the context of clinical trials.

METHODS

All the liver biopsies were identified from the Pathology Logbook retrospectively from January 1998 to March 2001. Only patients who had both liver biopsy and ultrasonography with no clinical evidence of cirrhosis were included. Patients with incomplete data, hepatoma or liver secondaries were excluded. Ultrasonographic diagnosis of cirrhosis was based on nodularity or irregularity of the liver surface, small liver size, coarse echotexture and increase attenuation by using the 3.5 to 5 MHz transducers.

RESULTS

A total of 151 liver biopsies were performed during this period. Eighty-eight patients who had both ultrasound and liver biopsy were analysed. Seventeen patients had ultrasonographic diagnosis of cirrhosis but only six cases were proven by a liver biopsy. On the other hand, 10/16 cases of biopsy-proven cirrhosis were "missed" by ultrasound. Thus, the sensitivity of ultrasonography in diagnosing cirrhosis was 37.5% and the specificity was 84.7%. The positive and negative predictive values were 35.3% and 85.9% respectively.

CONCLUSION

Low frequency ultrasonography is not a sensitive test for the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis in daily clinical practice.

An unusual rash and end-stage renal failure

A 55-year-old man was admitted to hospital with a 2-week history of increasing dyspnoea and peripheral oedema. He gave a 5-year history of intermittent purpuric rash on both legs, with recurrent ulceration at the right lateral malleolus, and arthralgia.

Disseminated histoplasmosis in AIDS: a report of three patients

Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum. Although uncommon, it should be considered among the list of important opportunistic infections in severely immunocompromised patients. Patients living with AIDS are at particular risk of disseminated histoplasmosis. Diagnosis requires a high level of clinical suspicion. The infection is best confirmed by demonstration of the organism in tissue specimens or by culture. Amphotericin B is the most effective drug for severe disseminated histoplasmosis. Response is good but life-long maintenance is required to prevent relapse.

Drug-induced oesophageal injury

Drug-induced oesophageal injury is probably more common than previously thought. It is a major cause of morbidity and in some cases mortality. This article reviews the studies over the years, looking at factors affecting the transit time of pills, injury caused and ways to prevent it, and highlights the salient points with a case study.

Electrophysiological properties of frog spinal dorsal horn neurons and their responses to serotonin: an intracellular study in the isolated hemisected spinal cord

Frog dorsal horn neurons and their responses to serotonin (5-HT) were studied in intracellular recordings from isolated hemisected spinal cords. Electrophysiological properties were comparable to those of mammals. Bath application of 5-HT (10-50 microM) increased the excitability and caused membrane depolarizations in 7/14 cells, reduced or abolished activity and caused hyperpolarizations in 4 neurons, exerted a biphasic effect in two cells, and produced no detectable change in one neuron. The multiple effects of 5-HT may be mediated through different 5-HT receptor subtypes.

Bulbospinal serotoninergic pathways in the frog Rana pipiens

We combined retrograde fluorescent tracing with rhodamine immunofluorescence to identify the origin of serotoninergic neurons with descending projections to the spinal cord of frogs. After injections of Fluoro-gold into the spinal cord, retrogradely labeled immunoreactive serotoninergic neurons were detected in the caudal part of the brainstem from the level of the obex through the level of the VIII nerve. These doubly labeled cells were distributed along the midline throughout the rostrocaudal extent of the dorsal portion of the raphe nuclear region. Doubly labeled neurons were more numerous in the rostral than in the caudal part of the raphe area. The fluorescent tracer 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3'3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) was then placed in and around the middle and rostral raphe nuclear region. Anterogradely labeled fibers could be traced bilaterally in the lateral portion of the dorsal funiculus and the lateral and ventral funiculi. These fibers were seen terminating in the dorsal and ventral horns, as well as in the intermediate grey matter. After placement of DiI in the caudal raphe area, labeled fibers were found only in the intermediate grey and ventral horn. These findings suggest that the organization of bulbospinal serotoninergic pathways in the frog is similar to that of mammals, and that an isolated amphibian spinal cord preparation could be a useful model for pharmacological and physiological studies of the action of serotonin (5HT) in the spinal cord.