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Genge A, Cedarbaum JM, Shefner J, Chio A, Al-Chalabi A, Van Damme P, McDermott C, Glass J, Berry J, van Eijk RPA, Fournier C, Grosskreutz J, Andrews J, Bertone V, Bunte TM, Couillard M, Cummings C, Kittle G, Polzer J, Salmon K, Straub C, van den Berg LH. The ALSFRS-R Summit: a global call to action on the use of the ALSFRS-R in ALS clinical trials. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024; 25:382-387. [PMID: 38396337 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2024.2320880] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS) was developed more than 25 years ago as an instrument to monitor functional change over time in patients with ALS. It has since been revised and extended to meet the needs of high data quality in ALS trials (ALSFRS-R), however a full re-validation of the scale was not completed. Despite this, the scale has remained a primary outcome measure in clinical trials. We convened a group of clinical trialists to discuss and explore opportunities to improve the scale and propose alternative measures. In this meeting report, we present a call to action on the use of the ALSFRS-Revised scale in clinical trials, focusing on the need for (1) harmonization of the ALSFRS-R administration globally, (2) alignment on a set of recommendations for clinical trial design and statistical analysis plans (SAPs), and (3) use of additional outcome measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Genge
- Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, ALS Center of Excellence, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jesse M Cedarbaum
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Movement Disorders, Coeruleus Clinical Sciences LLC, Woodbridge, CT, USA
| | | | - Adriano Chio
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Chris McDermott
- Department of Neurology, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Jonathan Glass
- Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - James Berry
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Neurology, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology and Biostatistics, UMC Utrecht Hersencentrum Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Julian Grosskreutz
- Precision Neurology of Neuromuscular and Motoneuron Diseases, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jinsy Andrews
- Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, Neurology, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vanessa Bertone
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tommy M Bunte
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Hersencentrum Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Mathias Couillard
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Cathy Cummings
- International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations, Northampton, Northamptonshire, UK, and
| | - Gale Kittle
- Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
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van Unnik JWJ, Meyjes M, Janse van Mantgem MR, van den Berg LH, van Eijk RPA. Remote monitoring of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using wearable sensors detects differences in disease progression and survival: a prospective cohort study. EBioMedicine 2024; 103:105104. [PMID: 38582030 PMCID: PMC11004066 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105104] [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] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is an urgent need for objective and sensitive measures to quantify clinical disease progression and gauge the response to treatment in clinical trials for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here, we evaluate the ability of an accelerometer-derived outcome to detect differential clinical disease progression and assess its longitudinal associations with overall survival in patients with ALS. METHODS Patients with ALS wore an accelerometer on the hip for 3-7 days, every 2-3 months during a multi-year observation period. An accelerometer-derived outcome, the Vertical Movement Index (VMI), was calculated, together with predicted disease progression rates, and jointly analysed with overall survival. The clinical utility of VMI was evaluated using comparisons to patient-reported functionality, while the impact of various monitoring schemes on empirical power was explored through simulations. FINDINGS In total, 97 patients (70.1% male) wore the accelerometer for 1995 days, for a total of 27,701 h. The VMI was highly discriminatory for predicted disease progression rates, revealing faster rates of decline in patients with a worse predicted prognosis compared to those with a better predicted prognosis (p < 0.0001). The VMI was strongly associated with the hazard for death (HR 0.20, 95% CI: 0.09-0.44, p < 0.0001), where a decrease of 0.19-0.41 unit was associated with reduced ambulatory status. Recommendations for future studies using accelerometery are provided. INTERPRETATION The results serve as motivation to incorporate accelerometer-derived outcomes in clinical trials, which is essential for further validation of these markers to meaningful endpoints. FUNDING Stichting ALS Nederland (TRICALS-Reactive-II).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi W J van Unnik
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Myrte Meyjes
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Mark R Janse van Mantgem
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Bos JW, Groen EJN, Otten HG, Budding K, van Eijk RPA, Curial C, Kardol-Hoefnagel T, Goedee HS, van den Berg LH, van der Pol WL. A 21-bp deletion in the complement regulator CD55 promotor region is associated with multifocal motor neuropathy and its disease course. J Peripher Nerv Syst 2024. [PMID: 38528725 DOI: 10.1111/jns.12620] [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] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS To further substantiate the role of antibody-mediated complement activation in multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) immunopathology, we investigated the distribution of promotor polymorphisms of genes encoding the membrane-bound complement regulators CD46, CD55, and CD59 in patients with MMN and controls, and evaluated their association with disease course. METHODS We used Sanger sequencing to genotype five common polymorphisms in the promotor regions of CD46, CD55, and CD59 in 133 patients with MMN and 380 controls. We correlated each polymorphism to clinical parameters. RESULTS The genotype frequencies of rs28371582, a 21-bp deletion in the CD55 promotor region, were altered in patients with MMN as compared to controls (p .009; Del/Del genotype 16.8% vs. 7.7%, p .005, odds ratio: 2.43 [1.27-4.58]), and patients carrying this deletion had a more favorable disease course (mean difference 0.26 Medical Research Council [MRC] points/year; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.040-0.490, p .019). The presence of CD59 rs141385724 was associated with less severe pre-diagnostic disease course (mean difference 0.940 MRC point/year; 95% CI: 0.083-1.80, p .032). INTERPRETATION MMN susceptibility is associated with a 21-bp deletion in the CD55 promotor region (rs2871582), which is associated with lower CD55 expression. Patients carrying this deletion may have a more favorable long-term disease outcome. Taken together, these results point out the relevance of the pre-C5 level of the complement cascade in the inflammatory processes underlying MMN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen W Bos
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ewout J N Groen
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Henny G Otten
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kevin Budding
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Chantall Curial
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tineke Kardol-Hoefnagel
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - H Stephan Goedee
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - W Ludo van der Pol
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Kamphuis MJ, van der Kamp LT, van Eijk RPA, Rinkel GJE, Visser-Meily JMA, van der Schaaf IC, Vergouwen MDI. Scanxiety and quality of life around follow-up imaging in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms: a prospective cohort study. Eur Radiol 2024:10.1007/s00330-024-10602-0. [PMID: 38311702 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-024-10602-0] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Patients with an unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) may experience scanxiety around follow-up imaging. We studied the prevalence and temporal pattern of scanxiety, and compared quality of life (QoL) outcomes in patients with and without scanxiety. METHODS We performed a prospective cohort study in a tertiary referral center in the Netherlands between October 2021 and November 2022. We sent questionnaires to patients ≥ 18 years old undergoing UIA follow-up imaging 4 weeks before (T1), immediately after (T2), and 6 weeks after the scan (T3) to assess health-related QoL (HRQoL) and emotional functioning. At T3, we also assessed scanxiety with a purpose-designed questionnaire. We compared differences in QoL outcomes between respondents with and without scanxiety using mixed models. RESULTS Of 158 eligible patients, 106 (67%) participated (mean age 61 years ± 11 [standard deviation], 84 women). Sixty of the 91 respondents (66%) who completed the purpose-designed questionnaire experienced scanxiety. Of the 49 respondents who experienced scanxiety after the scan, it resolved in 22 (45%) within a day after receiving the radiology report. HRQoL did not differ between respondents with or without scanxiety. Emotional functioning was worse for respondents with scanxiety (mean Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale sum score difference at T1, 3.6 [95% CI, 0.9-6.3]; T2, 4.1 [95% CI, 1.5-6.8]; and T3, 4.0 [95% CI, 1.5-6.5]). CONCLUSIONS Two-thirds of the respondents experienced scanxiety around follow-up imaging, which often resolved within a day after receiving results. Patients with scanxiety had similar HRQoL but worse emotional functioning compared to patients without scanxiety. The time between the scan and receiving the results should be minimized to decrease the duration of scanxiety. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT We showed that scanxiety is common in UIA patients, and negatively associated with emotional functioning. Since scanxiety often disappears immediately after receiving the radiology report, it should be communicated to the patient as early as possible to alleviate patients' distress. KEY POINTS • Many patients with an unruptured intracranial aneurysm experience emotional distress around follow-up imaging, termed "scanxiety." • Patients with scanxiety had worse emotional functioning compared to patients without scanxiety. • Scanxiety often resolved within a day after receiving the radiology report.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten J Kamphuis
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Laura T van der Kamp
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gabriel J E Rinkel
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna M A Visser-Meily
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Irene C van der Schaaf
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mervyn D I Vergouwen
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Welten JJE, Cox VCM, van Eijk RPA, van Heugten CM, Visser-Meily JMA, Schepers VPM. The Effects of a Blended Care Intervention in Partners of Patients With Acquired Brain Injury - Results of the CARE4Carer Randomized Controlled Trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2024; 105:352-358. [PMID: 37690740 DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2023.08.024] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess effects of the CARE4Carer blended care intervention on caregiver mastery and psychosocial functioning compared with usual care in partners of patients with acquired brain injury (ABI). DESIGN Multicenter randomized controlled trial. SETTING Nine sites for rehabilitation medicine. PARTICIPANTS 120 partners of outpatients with ABI were randomly allocated to blended care (N=59) or usual care (N=61). INTERVENTION The blended care intervention (20 weeks) was aimed at improving caregiving skills and consisted of 9 online sessions, combined with 2 face-to-face consultations with a social worker. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Mastery was assessed with the Caregiver Mastery Scale, secondary outcome measures were caregiver strain (Caregiver Strain Index), family functioning (Family Assessment Device), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), burden (self-rated), and quality of life (CarerQol). Assessments were performed at baseline, 24, and 40 weeks. RESULTS The adjusted mean difference in caregiver mastery between intervention and control group at week 24 was 1.31 (SD3.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.12 to 2.74, P=.072) and at week 40 was 1.31 (SD3.69, 95% CI -0.26 to 2.88, P=.100). In the per protocol analysis, the adjusted mean difference in caregiver mastery at week 24 was 1.53 (SD3.38, 95% CI 0.10 to 2.96, P=.036) and at week 40 was 1.57 (SD3.63, 95% CI 0.01 to 3.14, P=.049). Regarding secondary outcomes, caregiver strain was lower in the intervention group in the per protocol analysis at week 40. Family functioning was higher in the intervention group in week 24, whereas anxiety was lower at both timepoints. CONCLUSIONS In the subset of participants who were able to complete the intervention, caregiver mastery and psychosocial functioning improved. Future work should focus on improving adherence as this will optimize beneficial effects of blended care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer J E Welten
- Center of Excellence in Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Vincent C M Cox
- Center of Excellence in Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Caroline M van Heugten
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Limburg Brain Injury Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna M A Visser-Meily
- Center of Excellence in Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Vera P M Schepers
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Weemering DN, Midei M, Milner P, Gopalakrishnan V, Kumar A, Dannenberg AJ, Bunte TM, Foucher J, Ingre C, Ķēniņa V, Rallmann K, van den Berg LH, van Eijk RPA. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 study to assess safety, tolerability, and efficacy of RT001 in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:3722-3731. [PMID: 37550954 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16020] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE RT001 is a deuterated synthetic homologue of linoleic acid, which makes membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids resistant to lipid peroxidation, a process involved in motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS We conducted a randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Patients with ALS were randomly allocated to receive either RT001 or placebo for 24 weeks. After the double-blind period, all patients received RT001 during an open-label phase for 24 weeks. The primary outcome measures were safety and tolerability. Key efficacy outcomes included the ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R), percent predicted slow vital capacity, and plasma neurofilament light chain concentration. RESULTS In total, 43 patients (RT001 = 21; placebo = 22) were randomized. RT001 was well tolerated; one patient required dose reduction due to adverse events (AEs). Numerically, there were more AEs in the RT001 group compared to the placebo group (71% versus 55%, p = 0.35), with gastrointestinal symptoms being the most common (43% in RT001, 27% in placebo, p = 0.35). Two patients in the RT001 group experienced a serious AE, though unrelated to treatment. The least-squares mean difference in ALSFRS-R total score at week 24 of treatment was 1.90 (95% confidence interval = -1.39 to 5.19) in favor of RT001 (p = 0.25). The directions of other efficacy outcomes favored RT001 compared to placebo, although no inferential statistics were performed. CONCLUSIONS Initial data indicate that RT001 is safe and well tolerated. Given the exploratory nature of the study, a larger clinical trial is required to evaluate its efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne N Weemering
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Mark Midei
- BioJiva, LLC, Los Altos, California, USA
| | | | | | - Anil Kumar
- BioJiva, LLC, Los Altos, California, USA
| | | | - Tommy M Bunte
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Juliette Foucher
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, ME Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Caroline Ingre
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, ME Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Viktorija Ķēniņa
- Rare Neurological Disease Centre, Riga Stradinš Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia
- Department of Biology and Microbiology, Riga Stradinš University, Riga, Latvia
| | - Karin Rallmann
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Habets LE, Bartels B, Jeneson JAL, Asselman FL, Stam M, Wijngaarde CA, Wadman RI, van Eijk RPA, Stegeman DF, Ludo van der Pol W. Enhanced low-threshold motor unit capacity during endurance tasks in patients with spinal muscular atrophy using pyridostigmine. Clin Neurophysiol 2023; 154:100-106. [PMID: 37595479 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2023.06.024] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the electrophysiological basis of pyridostigmine enhancement of endurance performance documented earlier in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). METHODS We recorded surface electromyography (sEMG) in four upper extremity muscles of 31 patients with SMA types 2 and 3 performing endurance shuttle tests (EST) and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) measurements during a randomized, double blind, cross-over, phase II trial. Linear mixed effect models (LMM) were used to assess the effect of pyridostigmine on (i) time courses of median frequencies and of root mean square (RMS) amplitudes of sEMG signals and (ii) maximal RMS amplitudes during MVC measurements. These sEMG changes over time indicate levels of peripheral muscle fatigue and recruitment of new motor units, respectively. RESULTS In comparison to a placebo, patients with SMA using pyridostigmine had fourfold smaller decreases in frequency and twofold smaller increases in amplitudes of sEMG signals in some muscles, recorded during ESTs (p < 0.05). We found no effect of pyridostigmine on MVC RMS amplitudes. CONCLUSIONS sEMG parameters indicate enhanced low-threshold (LT) motor unit (MU) function in upper-extremity muscles of patients with SMA treated with pyridostigmine. This may underlie their improved endurance. SIGNIFICANCE Our results suggest that enhancing LT MU function may constitute a therapeutic strategy to reduce fatigability in patients with SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Habets
- Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Bartels
- Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Jeroen A L Jeneson
- Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fay-Lynn Asselman
- UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marloes Stam
- UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Camiel A Wijngaarde
- UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Renske I Wadman
- UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands; Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85500 Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Dick F Stegeman
- Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van der, Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - W Ludo van der Pol
- UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
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van Eijk RPA, van den Berg LH, Roes KCB, Tian L, Lai TL, Nelson LM, Li C, Scowcroft A, Garcia-Segovia J, Lu Y. Hybrid Controlled Clinical Trials Using Concurrent Registries in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Feasibility Study. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2023; 114:883-892. [PMID: 37422655 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.2994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Hybrid designs with both randomized arms and an external control cohort preserve key features of randomization and utilize external information to augment clinical trials. In this study, we propose to leverage high-quality, patient-level concurrent registries to enhance clinical trials and illustrate the impact on trial design for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The proposed methodology was evaluated in a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. We used patient-level information from a well-defined, population-based registry, that was running parallel to the randomized clinical trial, to identify concurrently nonparticipating, eligible patients who could be matched with trial participants, and integrate them into the statistical analysis. We assessed the impact of the addition of the external controls on the treatment effect estimate, precision, and time to reach a conclusion. During the runtime of the trial, a total of 1,141 registry patients were alive; 473 (41.5%) of them fulfilled the eligibility criteria and 133 (11.7%) were enrolled in the study. A matched control population could be identified among the nonparticipating patients. Augmenting the randomized controls with matched external controls could have avoided unnecessary randomization of 17 patients (-12.8%) as well as reducing the study duration from 30.1 months to 22.6 months (-25.0%). Matching eligible external controls from a different calendar period led to bias in the treatment effect estimate. Hybrid trial designs utilizing a concurrent registry with rigorous matching can minimize bias due to a mismatch in calendar time and differences in standard of care, and may accelerate the development of new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Biomedical Data Science and Centre for Innovative Study Design, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kit C B Roes
- Section Biostatistics, Department of Health Evidence, Radboud Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lu Tian
- Department of Biomedical Data Science and Centre for Innovative Study Design, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Tze L Lai
- Department of Biomedical Data Science and Centre for Innovative Study Design, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Lorene M Nelson
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Chenyu Li
- Department of Biomedical Data Science and Centre for Innovative Study Design, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | | | | | - Ying Lu
- Department of Biomedical Data Science and Centre for Innovative Study Design, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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de Jongh AD, van Eijk RPA, Bakker LA, Bunte TM, Beelen A, van der Meijden C, van Es MA, Visser-Meily JMA, Kruitwagen ET, Veldink JH, van den Berg LH. Development of a Rasch-Built Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Impairment Multidomain Scale to Measure Disease Progression in ALS. Neurology 2023; 101:e602-e612. [PMID: 37311649 PMCID: PMC10424842 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000207483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Current scales used in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) attempt to summarize different functional domains or "dimensions" into 1 overall score, which may not accurately characterize the individual patient's disease severity or prognosis. The use of composite score risks declaring treatments ineffective if not all dimensions of ALS disease progression are affected equally. We aimed to develop the ALS Impairment Multidomain Scale (AIMS) to comprehensively characterize disease progression and increase the likelihood of identifying effective treatments. METHODS The Revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) and a preliminary questionnaire, based on literature review and patient input, were completed online by patients from the Netherlands ALS registry at bimonthly intervals over a period of 12 months. A 2-week test-retest, factor analysis, Rasch analysis, and a signal-to-noise optimization strategy were performed to create a multidomain scale. Reliability, longitudinal decline, and associations with survival were evaluated. The sample size required to detect a 35% reduction in progression rate over 6 or 12 months was assessed for a clinical trial that defines the ALSFRS-R or AIMS subscales as a primary endpoint family. RESULTS The preliminary questionnaire, consisting of 110 questions, was completed by 367 patients. Three unidimensional subscales were identified, and a multidomain scale was constructed with 7 bulbar, 11 motor, and 5 respiratory questions. Subscales fulfilled Rasch model requirements, with excellent test-retest reliability of 0.91-0.94 and a strong relationship with survival (p < 0.001). Compared with the ALSFRS-R, signal-to-noise ratios were higher as patients declined more uniformly per subscale. Consequently, the estimated sample size reductions achieved with the AIMS compared with those achieved with the ALSFRS-R were 16.3% and 25.9% for 6-month and 12-month clinical trials, respectively. DISCUSSION We developed the AIMS, consisting of unidimensional bulbar, motor, and respiratory subscales, which may characterize disease severity better than a total score. AIMS subscales have high test-retest reliability, are optimized to measure disease progression, and are strongly related to survival time. The AIMS can be easily administered and may increase the likelihood of identifying effective treatments in ALS clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriaan D de Jongh
- From the Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J., R.P.A.v.E., L.A.B., T.M.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., L.H.v.d.B.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J.), Tergooi Hospital, Blaricum; Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports (L.A.B., A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine (A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation; and ALS Patients Connected (C.v.d.M.), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- From the Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J., R.P.A.v.E., L.A.B., T.M.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., L.H.v.d.B.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J.), Tergooi Hospital, Blaricum; Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports (L.A.B., A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine (A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation; and ALS Patients Connected (C.v.d.M.), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Leonhard A Bakker
- From the Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J., R.P.A.v.E., L.A.B., T.M.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., L.H.v.d.B.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J.), Tergooi Hospital, Blaricum; Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports (L.A.B., A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine (A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation; and ALS Patients Connected (C.v.d.M.), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Tommy M Bunte
- From the Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J., R.P.A.v.E., L.A.B., T.M.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., L.H.v.d.B.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J.), Tergooi Hospital, Blaricum; Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports (L.A.B., A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine (A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation; and ALS Patients Connected (C.v.d.M.), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Anita Beelen
- From the Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J., R.P.A.v.E., L.A.B., T.M.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., L.H.v.d.B.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J.), Tergooi Hospital, Blaricum; Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports (L.A.B., A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine (A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation; and ALS Patients Connected (C.v.d.M.), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Conny van der Meijden
- From the Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J., R.P.A.v.E., L.A.B., T.M.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., L.H.v.d.B.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J.), Tergooi Hospital, Blaricum; Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports (L.A.B., A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine (A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation; and ALS Patients Connected (C.v.d.M.), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Michael A van Es
- From the Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J., R.P.A.v.E., L.A.B., T.M.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., L.H.v.d.B.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J.), Tergooi Hospital, Blaricum; Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports (L.A.B., A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine (A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation; and ALS Patients Connected (C.v.d.M.), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Johanna M A Visser-Meily
- From the Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J., R.P.A.v.E., L.A.B., T.M.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., L.H.v.d.B.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J.), Tergooi Hospital, Blaricum; Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports (L.A.B., A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine (A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation; and ALS Patients Connected (C.v.d.M.), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Esther T Kruitwagen
- From the Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J., R.P.A.v.E., L.A.B., T.M.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., L.H.v.d.B.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J.), Tergooi Hospital, Blaricum; Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports (L.A.B., A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine (A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation; and ALS Patients Connected (C.v.d.M.), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Jan H Veldink
- From the Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J., R.P.A.v.E., L.A.B., T.M.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., L.H.v.d.B.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J.), Tergooi Hospital, Blaricum; Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports (L.A.B., A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine (A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation; and ALS Patients Connected (C.v.d.M.), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- From the Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J., R.P.A.v.E., L.A.B., T.M.B., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., L.H.v.d.B.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht; Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J.), Tergooi Hospital, Blaricum; Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports (L.A.B., A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine (A.B., J.M.A.V.-M., E.T.K.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation; and ALS Patients Connected (C.v.d.M.), Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
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Willemse SW, Harley P, van Eijk RPA, Demaegd KC, Zelina P, Pasterkamp RJ, van Damme P, Ingre C, van Rheenen W, Veldink JH, Kiernan MC, Al-Chalabi A, van den Berg LH, Fratta P, van Es MA. UNC13A in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: from genetic association to therapeutic target. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2023; 94:649-656. [PMID: 36737245 PMCID: PMC10359588 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-330504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with limited treatment options and an incompletely understood pathophysiology. Although genomewide association studies (GWAS) have advanced our understanding of the disease, the precise manner in which risk polymorphisms contribute to disease pathogenesis remains unclear. Of relevance, GWAS have shown that a polymorphism (rs12608932) in the UNC13A gene is associated with risk for both ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Homozygosity for the C-allele at rs12608932 modifies the ALS phenotype, as these patients are more likely to have bulbar-onset disease, cognitive impairment and FTD at baseline as well as shorter survival. UNC13A is expressed in neuronal tissue and is involved in maintaining synaptic active zones, by enabling the priming and docking of synaptic vesicles. In the absence of functional TDP-43, risk variants in UNC13A lead to the inclusion of a cryptic exon in UNC13A messenger RNA, subsequently leading to nonsense mediated decay, with loss of functional protein. Depletion of UNC13A leads to impaired neurotransmission. Recent discoveries have identified UNC13A as a potential target for therapy development in ALS, with a confirmatory trial with lithium carbonate in UNC13A cases now underway and future approaches with antisense oligonucleotides currently under consideration. Considering UNC13A is a potent phenotypic modifier, it may also impact clinical trial outcomes. This present review describes the path from the initial discovery of UNC13A as a risk gene in ALS to the current therapeutic options being explored and how knowledge of its distinct phenotype needs to be taken into account in future trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean W Willemse
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Harley
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Koen C Demaegd
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pavol Zelina
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - R Jeroen Pasterkamp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Philip van Damme
- Department of Neurology, KU Leuven Hospital, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Caroline Ingre
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Wouter van Rheenen
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan H Veldink
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Bushell Chair of Neurology, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pietro Fratta
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Michael A van Es
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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11
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van Eenennaam RM, Kruithof W, Beelen A, Bakker LA, van Eijk RPA, Maessen M, Baardman JF, Visser-Meily JMA, Veldink JH, van den Berg LH. Frequency of euthanasia, factors associated with end-of-life practices, and quality of end-of-life care in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the Netherlands: a population-based cohort study. Lancet Neurol 2023; 22:591-601. [PMID: 37353279 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(23)00155-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive and lethal neurodegenerative disease that is at the forefront of debates on regulation of assisted dying. Since 2002, when euthanasia was legally regulated in the Netherlands, the frequency of this end-of-life practice has increased substantially from 1·7% of all deaths in 1990 and 2005 to 4·5% in 2015. We aimed to investigate whether the frequency of euthanasia in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis had similarly increased since 2002, and to assess the factors associated with end-of-life practices and the quality of end-of-life care in patients with this disease. METHODS Using data from the Netherlands ALS registry, we did a population-based cohort study of clinicians and informal caregivers of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis to assess factors associated with end-of-life decision making and the quality of end-of-life care. We included individuals who were diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis according to the revised El-Escorial criteria, and who died between Jan 1, 2014, and Dec 31, 2016. We calculated the frequency of euthanasia in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis from reports made to euthanasia review committees (ERCs) between 2012 and 2020. Results were compared with clinic-based survey studies conducted in 1994-2005. End-of-life practices were end-of-life decisions by a clinician when hastening of death was considered as the potential, probable, or definite effect comprising euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, ending of life without explicit request, forgoing life-prolonging treatment, and intensified alleviation of symptoms. FINDINGS Between Jan 1, 2012, and Dec 31, 2020, 4130 reports of death from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis were made to ERCs, of which 1014 were from euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide (mean frequency 25% [SD 3] per year). Sex and gender data were unavailable from the ERC registry. Of 884 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis who died between Jan 1, 2014, and Dec 31, 2016, their treating clinician was identified for 731 and a caregiver was identified for 741, of whom 356 (49%) and 450 (61%), respectively, agreed to participate in the population-based survey study. According to clinicians, end-of-life practices were chosen by 280 (79%) of 356 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis who died. The frequency of euthanasia in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2014-16 (141 [40%] of 356 deaths in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) was higher than in 1994-98 (35 [17%] of 203) and 2000-05 (33 [16%] of 209). Median survival of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis from diagnosis was 15·9 months (95% CI 12·6-17·6) for those who chose euthanasia and 16·1 months (13·4-19·1) for those who did not choose euthanasia (hazard ratio 1·07, 95% CI 0·85-1·34; p=0·58). According to caregivers, compared with other end-of-life practices, patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis choosing euthanasia commonly reported reasons to hasten death as no chance of improvement (53 [56%] of 94 patients who chose euthanasia vs 28 [39%] of 72 patients who chose other end-of-life practices), loss of dignity (47 [50%] vs 15 [21%]), dependency (34 [36%] vs five [7%]), and fatigue or extreme weakness (41 [44%] vs 14 [20%]). According to caregivers, people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-whether they chose euthanasia or did not-were satisfied with the general quality (83 [93%] of 89 patients who chose euthanasia vs 73 [86%] of 85 patients who did not) and availability (85 [97%] of 88 vs 81 [91%] of 90) of end-of-life care. INTERPRETATION The proportion of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis who chose euthanasia in the Netherlands has increased since 2002. The choice of euthanasia was not associated with disease or patient characteristics, depression or hopelessness, or the availability or quality of end-of-life care. The choice of euthanasia had no effect on overall survival. Future studies could focus on the effect of discussing end-of-life options on quality of life as part of multidisciplinary care throughout the course of the disease, to reduce feelings of loss of autonomy and dignity in patients living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. FUNDING Netherlands ALS Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remko M van Eenennaam
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Willeke Kruithof
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Anita Beelen
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Leonhard A Bakker
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Maud Maessen
- University Center for Palliative Care, Inselspital University Hospital Bern, and Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Joost F Baardman
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Johanna M A Visser-Meily
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jan H Veldink
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
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12
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Vink JJT, van Lieshout ECC, Otte WM, van Eijk RPA, Kouwenhoven M, Neggers SFW, van der Worp HB, Visser-Meily JMA, Dijkhuizen RM. Continuous Theta-Burst Stimulation of the Contralesional Primary Motor Cortex for Promotion of Upper Limb Recovery After Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Stroke 2023. [PMID: 37345546 PMCID: PMC10358447 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.123.042924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite improvements in acute stroke therapies and rehabilitation strategies, many stroke patients are left with long-term upper limb motor impairment. We assessed whether an inhibitory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment paradigm started within 3 weeks after stroke onset promotes upper limb motor recovery. METHODS We performed a single-center randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial. Patients with ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage and unilateral upper limb motor impairment were randomized to 10 daily sessions of active or sham continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) of the contralesional primary motor cortex combined with standard upper limb therapy, started within 3 weeks after stroke onset. The primary outcome was the change in the Action Research Arm Test score from baseline (pretreatment) at 3 months after stroke. Secondary outcomes included the score on the modified Rankin Scale at 3 months and the length of stay at the rehabilitation center. Statistical analyses were performed using mixed models for repeated measures. RESULTS We enrolled 60 patients between April 2017 and February 2021, of whom 29 were randomized to active cTBS and 31 to sham cTBS. One patient randomized to active cTBS withdrew consent before the intervention and was excluded from the analyses. The mean difference in the change in Action Research Arm Test score from baseline at 3 months poststroke was 9.6 points ([95% CI, 1.2-17.9]; P=0.0244) in favor of active cTBS. Active cTBS was associated with better scores on the modified Rankin Scale at 3 months (OR, 0.2 [95% CI, 0.1-0.8]; P=0.0225) and with an 18 days shorter length of stay at the rehabilitation center than sham cTBS ([95% CI, 0.0-36.4]; P=0.0494). There were no serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS Ten daily sessions of cTBS of the contralesional primary motor cortex combined with upper limb training, started within 3 weeks after stroke onset, promote recovery of the upper limb, reduce disability and dependence and leads to earlier discharge from the rehabilitation center. REGISTRATION URL: https://trialsearch.who.int/; Unique identifier: NTR6133.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jord J T Vink
- Biomedical MR Imaging and Spectroscopy Group, Center for Image Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht and Utrecht University, the Netherlands (J.J.T.V., E.C.C.v.L., W.M.O., S.F.W.N., R.M.D.)
- Center of Excellence in Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, the Netherlands (J.J.T.V., E.C.C.v.L., M.K., J.M.A.V.-M.)
- Brain Science Tools B.V., De Bilt, the Netherlands (J.J.T.V., S.F.W.N.)
| | - Eline C C van Lieshout
- Biomedical MR Imaging and Spectroscopy Group, Center for Image Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht and Utrecht University, the Netherlands (J.J.T.V., E.C.C.v.L., W.M.O., S.F.W.N., R.M.D.)
- Center of Excellence in Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, the Netherlands (J.J.T.V., E.C.C.v.L., M.K., J.M.A.V.-M.)
| | - Willem M Otte
- Biomedical MR Imaging and Spectroscopy Group, Center for Image Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht and Utrecht University, the Netherlands (J.J.T.V., E.C.C.v.L., W.M.O., S.F.W.N., R.M.D.)
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht and Utrecht University, the Netherlands (W.M.O.)
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Biostatistics and Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht and Utrecht University, the Netherlands (R.P.A.v.E.)
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht and Utrecht University, the Netherlands (R.P.A.v.E., H.B.v.d.W.)
| | - Mirjam Kouwenhoven
- Center of Excellence in Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, the Netherlands (J.J.T.V., E.C.C.v.L., M.K., J.M.A.V.-M.)
| | - Sebastiaan F W Neggers
- Biomedical MR Imaging and Spectroscopy Group, Center for Image Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht and Utrecht University, the Netherlands (J.J.T.V., E.C.C.v.L., W.M.O., S.F.W.N., R.M.D.)
- Brain Science Tools B.V., De Bilt, the Netherlands (J.J.T.V., S.F.W.N.)
| | - H Bart van der Worp
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht and Utrecht University, the Netherlands (R.P.A.v.E., H.B.v.d.W.)
| | - Johanna M A Visser-Meily
- Center of Excellence in Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, the Netherlands (J.J.T.V., E.C.C.v.L., M.K., J.M.A.V.-M.)
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht and Utrecht University, the Netherlands (J.M.A.V.-M.)
| | - Rick M Dijkhuizen
- Biomedical MR Imaging and Spectroscopy Group, Center for Image Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht and Utrecht University, the Netherlands (J.J.T.V., E.C.C.v.L., W.M.O., S.F.W.N., R.M.D.)
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Ros LAA, Goedee HS, Franssen H, Asselman FL, Bartels B, Cuppen I, van Eijk RPA, Sleutjes BTHM, van der Pol WL, Wadman RI. Longitudinal prospective cohort study to assess peripheral motor function with extensive electrophysiological techniques in patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA): the SMA Motor Map protocol. BMC Neurol 2023; 23:164. [PMID: 37095427 PMCID: PMC10124000 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-023-03207-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hereditary spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a motor neuron disorder with a wide range in severity in children and adults. Two therapies that alter splicing of the Survival Motor Neuron 2 (SMN2) gene, i.e. nusinersen and risdiplam, improve motor function in SMA, but treatment effects vary. Experimental studies indicate that motor unit dysfunction encompasses multiple features, including abnormal function of the motor neuron, axon, neuromuscular junction and muscle fibres. The relative contributions of dysfunction of different parts of the motor unit to the clinical phenotype are unknown. Predictive biomarkers for clinical efficacy are currently lacking. The goals of this project are to study the association of electrophysiological abnormalities of the peripheral motor system in relation to 1) SMA clinical phenotypes and 2) treatment response in patients treated with SMN2-splicing modifiers (nusinersen or risdiplam). METHODS We designed an investigator-initiated, monocentre, longitudinal cohort study using electrophysiological techniques ('the SMA Motor Map') in Dutch children (≥ 12 years) and adults with SMA types 1-4. The protocol includes the compound muscle action potential scan, nerve excitability testing and repetitive nerve stimulation test, executed unilaterally at the median nerve. Part one cross-sectionally assesses the association of electrophysiological abnormalities in relation to SMA clinical phenotypes in treatment-naïve patients. Part two investigates the predictive value of electrophysiological changes at two-months treatment for a positive clinical motor response after one-year treatment with SMN2-splicing modifiers. We will include 100 patients in each part of the study. DISCUSSION This study will provide important information on the pathophysiology of the peripheral motor system of treatment-naïve patients with SMA through electrophysiological techniques. More importantly, the longitudinal analysis in patients on SMN2-splicing modifying therapies (i.e. nusinersen and risdiplam) intents to develop non-invasive electrophysiological biomarkers for treatment response in order to improve (individualized) treatment decisions. TRIAL REGISTRATION NL72562.041.20 (registered at https://www.toetsingonline.nl . 26-03-2020).
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandra A A Ros
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - H Stephan Goedee
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hessel Franssen
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fay-Lynn Asselman
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Bartels
- Child Development and Exercise Centre, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Inge Cuppen
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Biostatistics and Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Boudewijn T H M Sleutjes
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - W Ludo van der Pol
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Renske I Wadman
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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14
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van Unnik JWJ, Nikolakopoulos S, Eijkemans MJC, Gonzalez-Bermejo J, Bruneteau G, Morelot-Panzini C, van den Berg LH, Cudkowicz ME, McDermott CJ, Similowski T, van Eijk RPA. Development and Evaluation of a Simulation-Based Algorithm to Optimize the Planning of Interim Analyses for Clinical Trials in ALS. Neurology 2023:WNL.0000000000207306. [PMID: 37085329 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000207306] [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] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Late-phase clinical trials for neurodegenerative diseases have a low probability of success. Here we introduce an algorithm that optimizes the planning of interim analyses for clinical trials in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) to better use the time and resources available, and minimize the exposure of patients to ineffective or harmful drugs. METHODS A simulation-based algorithm was developed to determine the optimal interim analysis scheme by integrating prior knowledge about the success rate of ALS clinical trials with drug-specific information obtained in early phase studies. Interim analysis schemes were optimized by varying the number and timing of interim analyses, together with their decision rules about when to stop a trial. The algorithm was applied retrospectively to three clinical trials that investigated the efficacy of diaphragm pacing or ceftriaxone on survival in patients with ALS. Outcomes were additionally compared to conventional interim designs. RESULTS We evaluated 183 to 1351 unique interim analysis schemes for each trial. Application of the optimal designs correctly established lack of efficacy, would have concluded all studies 1.2 to 19.4 months earlier (reduction of 4.6 to 57.7% in trial duration) and could have reduced the number of randomized patients by 1.7 to 58.1%. By means of simulation, we illustrate the efficiency for other treatment scenarios. The optimized interim analysis schemes outperformed conventional interim designs in most scenarios. CONCLUSIONS Our algorithm uses prior knowledge to determine the uncertainty of the expected treatment effect in ALS clinical trials and optimizes the planning of interim analyses. Improving futility monitoring in ALS could minimize the exposure of patients to ineffective or harmful treatments, and result in significant ethical and efficiency gains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi W J van Unnik
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Stavros Nikolakopoulos
- Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marinus J C Eijkemans
- Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jésus Gonzalez-Bermejo
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, UMRS1158 Neurophysiologie Respiratoire Expérimentale et Clinique; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Universitaire APHP-Sorbonne Université, site Pitié-Salpêtrière, Département R3S, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Gaelle Bruneteau
- APHP, Groupe hospitalier Paris 6, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Département de Neurologie, Centre référent SLA, Paris, France
| | - Capucine Morelot-Panzini
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, UMRS1158 Neurophysiologie Respiratoire Expérimentale et Clinique; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Universitaire APHP-Sorbonne Université, site Pitié-Salpêtrière, Département R3S, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Merit E Cudkowicz
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Christopher J McDermott
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Similowski
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, UMRS1158 Neurophysiologie Respiratoire Expérimentale et Clinique; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Universitaire APHP-Sorbonne Université, site Pitié-Salpêtrière, Département R3S, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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15
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Kant-Smits K, Bartels B, Asselman FL, Veldhoen ES, van Eijk RPA, van der Pol WL, Hulzebos EHJ. The RESISTANT study (Respiratory Muscle Training in Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC Neurol 2023; 23:118. [PMID: 36959618 PMCID: PMC10035150 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-023-03136-3] [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] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is characterized by progressive and predominantly proximal and axial muscle atrophy and weakness. Respiratory muscle weakness results in impaired cough with recurrent respiratory tract infections, nocturnal hypoventilation, and may ultimately lead to fatal respiratory failure in the most severely affected patients. Treatment strategies to either slow down the decline or improve respiratory muscle function are wanting. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and efficacy of respiratory muscle training (RMT) in patients with SMA and respiratory muscle weakness. METHODS The effect of RMT in patients with SMA, aged ≥ 8 years with respiratory muscle weakness (maximum inspiratory mouth pressure [PImax] ≤ 80 Centimeters of Water Column [cmH2O]), will be investigated with a single blinded randomized sham-controlled trial consisting of a 4-month training period followed by an 8-month open label extension phase. INTERVENTION The RMT program will consist of a home-based, individualized training program involving 30-breathing cycles through an inspiratory and expiratory muscle training device. Patients will be instructed to perform 10 training sessions over 5-7 days per week. In the active training group, the inspiratory and expiratory threshold will be adjusted to perceived exertion (measured on a Borg scale). The sham-control group will initially receive RMT at the same frequency but against a constant, non-therapeutic resistance. After four months the sham-control group will undergo the same intervention as the active training group (i.e., delayed intervention). Individual adherence to the RMT protocol will be reviewed every two weeks by telephone/video call with a physiotherapist. MAIN STUDY PARAMETERS/ENDPOINTS We hypothesize that the RMT program will be feasible (good adherence and good acceptability) and improve inspiratory muscle strength (primary outcome measure) and expiratory muscle strength (key secondary outcome measure) as well as lung function, patient reported breathing difficulties, respiratory infections, and health related quality of life (additional secondary outcome measures, respectively) in patients with SMA. DISCUSSION RMT is expected to have positive effects on respiratory muscle strength in patients with SMA. Integrating RMT with recently introduced genetic therapies for SMA may improve respiratory muscle strength in this patient population. TRIAL REGISTRATION Retrospectively registered at clinicaltrial.gov: NCT05632666.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Kant-Smits
- Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Lundlaan 6, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Bartels
- Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Lundlaan 6, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fay-Lynn Asselman
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Esther S Veldhoen
- Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - W Ludo van der Pol
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Erik H J Hulzebos
- Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Lundlaan 6, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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16
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Janse van Mantgem MR, van Rheenen W, Hackeng AV, van Es MA, Veldink JH, van den Berg LH, van Eijk RPA. Association Between Serum Lipids and Survival in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Meta-analysis and Population-Based Study. Neurology 2023; 100:e1062-e1071. [PMID: 36460467 PMCID: PMC9990853 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000201657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To explore the association between lipids, polygenic profile scores (PPS) for biomarkers of lipid metabolism, markers of disease severity, and survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS We meta-analyzed the current literature on the prognostic value of lipids in patients with ALS. Subsequently, we evaluated the relationship between lipid levels at diagnosis, clinical disease stage, and survival in all consecutive patients diagnosed in the Netherlands. We determined the hazard ratio (HR) of each lipid for overall survival, defined as death from any cause. A subset of patients was matched to a previous genome-wide association study; data were used to calculate PPS for biomarkers of lipid metabolism and to determine the association between observed lipid levels at diagnosis and survival. RESULTS Meta-analysis of 4 studies indicated that none of the biomarkers of the lipid metabolism were statistically significantly associated with overall survival; there was, however, considerable heterogeneity between study results. Using individual patient data (N = 1,324), we found that increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was associated with poorer survival (HR of 1.33 (95% CI 1.14-1.55, p < 0.001)). The correlation between BMI and HDL cholesterol (Pearson r -0.26, 95% CI -0.32 to -0.20) was negative and between BMI and triglycerides (TG) positive (Pearson r 0.18, 95% CI 0.12-0.24). Serum concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were lower in more advanced clinical stages (both p < 0.001). PPS for biomarkers of lipid metabolism explained 1.2%-13.1% of their variance at diagnosis. None of the PPS was significantly associated with survival (all p > 0.50). DISCUSSION Lipids may contain valuable information about disease severity and prognosis, but their main value may be driven as a consequence of disease progression. Our results underscore that gaining further insight into lipid metabolism and longitudinal data on serum concentrations of the lipid profile could improve the monitoring of patients and potentially further disentangle ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Janse van Mantgem
- From the Department of Neurology (M.R.J.M., W.R., A.V.H., M.A.E., J.H.V., L.H.B., R.P.A.E.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter van Rheenen
- From the Department of Neurology (M.R.J.M., W.R., A.V.H., M.A.E., J.H.V., L.H.B., R.P.A.E.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anemone V Hackeng
- From the Department of Neurology (M.R.J.M., W.R., A.V.H., M.A.E., J.H.V., L.H.B., R.P.A.E.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Michael A van Es
- From the Department of Neurology (M.R.J.M., W.R., A.V.H., M.A.E., J.H.V., L.H.B., R.P.A.E.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan H Veldink
- From the Department of Neurology (M.R.J.M., W.R., A.V.H., M.A.E., J.H.V., L.H.B., R.P.A.E.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- From the Department of Neurology (M.R.J.M., W.R., A.V.H., M.A.E., J.H.V., L.H.B., R.P.A.E.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- From the Department of Neurology (M.R.J.M., W.R., A.V.H., M.A.E., J.H.V., L.H.B., R.P.A.E.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
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17
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Veldhoen ES, Wijngaarde CA, van Eijk RPA, Asselman FL, Seddiqi N, Otto LAM, Stam M, Cuppen I, Wadman RI, van Asperen RMW, Hulzebos EHJ, van den Oudenrijn LPV, Bartels B, Boezer J, Gaytant M, van der Ent CK, van der Pol WL. Lung function decline preceding chronic respiratory failure in spinal muscular atrophy: a national prospective cohort study. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2023; 18:40. [PMID: 36823666 PMCID: PMC9951433 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-023-02634-4] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Progressive lung function decline, resulting in respiratory failure, is an important complication of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The ability to predict the need for mechanical ventilation is important. We assessed longitudinal patterns of lung function prior to chronic respiratory failure in a national cohort of treatment-naïve children and adults with SMA, hypothesizing an accelerated decline prior to chronic respiratory failure. METHODS We included treatment-naïve SMA patients participating in a prospective national cohort study if they required mechanical ventilation because of chronic respiratory failure and if lung function test results were available from the years prior to initiation of ventilation. We analyzed Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s (FEV1), Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) and Maximum Expiratory Pressure (PEmax). We studied the longitudinal course using linear mixed-effects models. We compared patients who electively started mechanical ventilation compared to patients who could not be weaned after acute respiratory failure. RESULTS We analyzed 385 lung function tests from 38 patients with SMA types 1c-3a. At initiation of ventilation median age was 18.8 years (IQR: 13.2-30.1) and median standardized FVC, FEV1 and PEF were 28.8% (95% CI: 23.5; 34.2), 28.8% (95% CI: 24.0; 33.7) and 30.0% (95% CI: 23.4; 36.7), with an average annual decline of 1.75% (95% CI: 0.86; 2.66), 1.72% (95% CI: 1.04; 2.40) and 1.65% (95% CI: 0.71; 2.59), respectively. Our data did not support the hypothesis of an accelerated decline prior to initiation of mechanical ventilation. Median PEmax was 35.3 cmH2O (95% CI: 29.4; 41.2) at initiation of mechanical ventilation and relatively stable in the years preceding ventilation. Median FVC, FEV1, PEF and PEmax were lower in patients who electively started mechanical ventilation (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Patterns of lung function decline cannot predict impending respiratory failure: SMA is characterized by a gradual decline of lung function. We found no evidence for an accelerated deterioration. In addition, PEmax remains low and stable in the years preceding initiation of ventilation. Patients who electively started mechanical ventilation had more restrictive lung function at initiation of ventilation, compared to patients who could not be weaned after surgery or a respiratory tract infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther S. Veldhoen
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Camiel A. Wijngaarde
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P. A. van Eijk
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.5477.10000000120346234Biostatistics and Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fay-Lynn Asselman
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Negina Seddiqi
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Louise A. M. Otto
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marloes Stam
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Inge Cuppen
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Renske I. Wadman
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roelie M. Wösten van Asperen
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Erik H. J. Hulzebos
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Laura P. Verweij van den Oudenrijn
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Bartels
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jasmijn Boezer
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - M. Gaytant
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Center of Home Mechanical Ventilation, Department of Pulmonology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis K. van der Ent
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - W. Ludo van der Pol
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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18
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Holdom CJ, van Unnik JWJ, van Eijk RPA, van den Berg LH, Henderson RD, Ngo ST, Steyn FJ. Use of hip- versus wrist-based actigraphy for assessing functional decline and disease progression in patients with motor neuron disease. J Neurol 2023; 270:2597-2605. [PMID: 36740646 PMCID: PMC10129939 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11584-7] [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] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Actigraphy has been proposed as a measure for tracking functional decline and disease progression in patients with Motor Neuron Disease (MND). There is, however, little evidence to show that wrist-based actigraphy measures correlate with functional decline, and no consensus on how best to implement actigraphy. We report on the use of wrist actigraphy to show decreased activity in patients compared to controls, and compared the utility of wrist- and hip-based actigraphy for assessing functional decline in patients with MND. METHODS In this multi-cohort, multi-centre, natural history study, wrist- and hip-based actigraphy were assessed in 139 patients with MND (wrist, n = 97; hip, n = 42) and 56 non-neurological control participants (wrist, n = 56). For patients with MND, longitudinal measures were contrasted with clinical outcomes commonly used to define functional decline. RESULTS Patients with MND have reduced wrist-based actigraphy scores when compared to controls (median differences: prop. active = - 0.053 [- 0.075, - 0.026], variation axis 1 = - 0.073 [- 0.112, - 0.021]). When comparing wrist- and hip-based measures, hip-based accelerometery had stronger correlations with disease progression (prop. active: τ = 0.20 vs 0.12; variation axis 1: τ = 0.33 vs 0.23), whereas baseline wrist-based accelerometery was better related with future decline in fine-motor function (τ = 0.14-0.23 vs 0.06-0.16). CONCLUSIONS Actigraphy outcomes measured from the wrist are more variable than from the hip and present differing sensitivity to specific functional outcomes. Outcomes and analysis should be carefully constructed to maximise benefit, should wrist-worn devices be used for at-home monitoring of disease progression in patients with MND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory J Holdom
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jordi W J van Unnik
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Biostatistics and Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Robert D Henderson
- Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Australia.,Wesley Medical Research, The Wesley Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Shyuan T Ngo
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Australia.,Wesley Medical Research, The Wesley Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Frederik J Steyn
- Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Australia. .,Wesley Medical Research, The Wesley Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. .,School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
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19
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Stam M, Wijngaarde CA, Bartels B, Asselman FL, Otto LAM, Habets LE, van Eijk RPA, Middelkoop BM, Goedee HS, de Groot JF, Roes KCB, Schoenmakers MAGC, Nieuwenhuis EES, Cuppen I, van den Berg LH, Wadman RI, van der Pol WL. Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial with pyridostigmine in spinal muscular atrophy types 2-4. Brain Commun 2022; 5:fcac324. [PMID: 36632180 PMCID: PMC9825780 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac324] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hereditary proximal spinal muscular atrophy causes weakness and increased fatigability of repetitive motor functions. The neuromuscular junction is anatomically and functionally abnormal in patients with spinal muscular atrophy. Pharmacological improvement of neuromuscular transmission may therefore represent a promising additional treatment strategy. We conducted a Phase II, monocentre, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor pyridostigmine in treatment-naïve patients with spinal muscular atrophy types 2-4. We investigated the safety and efficacy of pyridostigmine on fatigability and motor function. Each participant received pyridostigmine and a placebo for 8 weeks, in random order. Primary outcomes were the repeated nine-hole peg test for fatigability and motor function measure. Secondary outcomes were patient-reported effects, endurance shuttle test combined scores and adverse events. We included 35 patients. For the repeated nine-hole peg test, the mean difference was 0.17 s/trial (95% confidence interval: -1.17-1.49; P = 0.8), favouring placebo, and for the motor function measure, 0.74% (95% confidence interval: 0.00-1.49; P = 0.05), favouring pyridostigmine. Around 74% of patients reported medium-to-large beneficial effects of pyridostigmine on fatigability, compared with 29.7% in the placebo arm. This was paralleled by a reduced dropout risk of 70% on the endurance shuttle test combined scores (hazard ratio: 0.30; 95% confidence interval: 0.15-0.58) under pyridostigmine. Adverse events, mostly mild and self-limiting, occurred more frequently under pyridostigmine. No serious adverse events related to the study medication were observed. Patients with spinal muscular atrophy tolerated pyridostigmine well. There were no significant differences in primary outcomes, but the self-reported reduction of fatigability and improved endurance shuttle test combined score performance suggest that pyridostigmine may be useful as an additional therapy to survival motor neuron-augmenting drugs. Trial registration number: EudraCT: 2011-004369-34, NCT02941328.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Fay-Lynn Asselman
- UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Louise A M Otto
- UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Laura E Habets
- Child Development and Exercise Centre, Wilhelmina’s Children Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 EA Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands,Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Bas M Middelkoop
- UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - H Stephan Goedee
- UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Janke F de Groot
- Child Development and Exercise Centre, Wilhelmina’s Children Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 EA Utrecht, the Netherlands,Knowledge Institute for Medical Specialists, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Kit C B Roes
- Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands,Department of Health Evidence, Section Biostatistics, Radboud University Medical Centre, Radboud University, 6525 EZ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Marja A G C Schoenmakers
- Child Development and Exercise Centre, Wilhelmina’s Children Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 EA Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Edward E S Nieuwenhuis
- Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Wilhelmina’s Children Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 EA Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Inge Cuppen
- UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, Department of Neurology and Child Neurology, Wilhelmina’s Children Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 EA Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - W Ludo van der Pol
- Correspondence to: W. Ludo van der Pol, MD, PhD Department of Neurology F02.230, UMC Utrecht Brain Center University Medical Centre Utrecht Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA Utrecht, the Netherlands E-mail:
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20
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Willemse SW, Roes KCB, Van Damme P, Hardiman O, Ingre C, Povedano M, Wray NR, Gijzen M, de Pagter MS, Demaegd KC, Janse AFC, Vink RG, Sleutjes BTHM, Chiò A, Corcia P, Reviers E, Al-Chalabi A, Kiernan MC, van den Berg LH, van Es MA, van Eijk RPA. Lithium carbonate in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients homozygous for the C-allele at SNP rs12608932 in UNC13A: protocol for a confirmatory, randomized, group-sequential, event-driven, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Trials 2022; 23:978. [PMID: 36471413 PMCID: PMC9721045 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06906-5] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given the large genetic heterogeneity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), it seems likely that genetic subgroups may benefit differently from treatment. An exploratory meta-analysis identified that patients homozygous for the C-allele at SNP rs12608932, a single nucleotide polymorphism in the gene UNC13A, had a statistically significant survival benefit when treated with lithium carbonate. We aim to confirm the efficacy of lithium carbonate on the time to death or respiratory insufficiency in patients with ALS homozygous for the C-allele at SNP rs12608932 in UNC13A. METHODS A randomized, group-sequential, event-driven, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will be conducted in 15 sites across Europe and Australia. Patients will be genotyped for UNC13A; those homozygous for the C-allele at SNP rs12608932 will be eligible. Patients must have a diagnosis of ALS according to the revised El Escorial criteria, and a TRICALS risk-profile score between -6.0 and -2.0. An expected number of 1200 patients will be screened in order to enroll a target sample size of 171 patients. Patients will be randomly allocated in a 2:1 ratio to lithium carbonate or matching placebo, and treated for a maximum duration of 24 months. The primary endpoint is the time to death or respiratory insufficiency, whichever occurs first. Key secondary endpoints include functional decline, respiratory function, quality of life, tolerability, and safety. An interim analysis for futility and efficacy will be conducted after the occurrence of 41 events. DISCUSSION Lithium carbonate has been proven to be safe and well-tolerated in patients with ALS. Given the favorable safety profile, the potential benefits are considered to outweigh the burden and risks associated with study participation. This study may provide conclusive evidence about the life-prolonging potential of lithium carbonate in a genetic ALS subgroup. TRIAL REGISTRATION EudraCT number 2020-000579-19 . Registered on 29 March 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean W Willemse
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kit C B Roes
- Department of Health Evidence, Radboud UMC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- FutureNeuro SFI Research Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Caroline Ingre
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Monica Povedano
- Functional Unit of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (UFELA), Service of Neurology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Naomi R Wray
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Marleen Gijzen
- Department of Genetics, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Koen C Demaegd
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Adriano Chiò
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Neurology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Philippe Corcia
- Centre Constitutif SLA, CHRU de Tours - Fédération des centres SLA Tours-Limoges, LitORALS, Tours, France
| | - Evy Reviers
- European Organization for Professionals and Patients with ALS (EUpALS) & ALS Liga Belgium, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, UK
- Department of Neurology, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | | | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Biostatistics and Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
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21
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Kant-Smits K, Hulzebos EHJ, Habets LE, Asselman FL, Veldhoen ES, van Eijk RPA, de Groot JF, van der Pol WL, Bartels B. Respiratory muscle fatigability in patients with spinal muscular atrophy. Pediatr Pulmonol 2022; 57:3050-3059. [PMID: 36039838 PMCID: PMC9826393 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.26133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Respiratory failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Lack of endurance, or "fatigability," is an important symptom of SMA. In addition to respiratory muscle weakness, respiratory function in SMA may be affected by Respiratory Muscle Fatigability (RMF). AIM The purpose of this study was to explore RMF in patients with SMA. METHODS We assessed a Respiratory Endurance Test (RET) in 19 children (median age [years]: 11) and 36 adults (median age [years]: 34) with SMA types 2 and 3. Participants were instructed to breath against an inspiratory threshold load at either 20%, 35%, 45%, 55%, or 70% of their individual maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (PImax). RMF was defined as the inability to complete 60 consecutive breaths. Respiratory fatigability response was determined by change in maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (ΔPImax) and perceived fatigue (∆perceived fatigue). RESULTS The probability of RMF during the RET increased by 59%-69% over 60 breaths with every 10% increase in inspiratory threshold load (%PImax). Fatigability response was characterized by a large variability in ΔPImax (-21% to +16%) and a small increase in perceived fatigue (p = 0.041, range 0 to +3). CONCLUSION AND KEY FINDINGS Patients with SMA demonstrate a dose-dependent increase in RMF without severe increase in exercise-induced muscle weakness or perceived fatigue. Inspiratory muscle loading in patients with SMA seems feasible and its potential to stabilize or improve respiratory function in patients with SMA needs to be determined in further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Kant-Smits
- Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Erik H J Hulzebos
- Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Laura E Habets
- Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fay-Lynn Asselman
- UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Esther S Veldhoen
- Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands and University Medical Center Utrecht, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Janke F de Groot
- Research Group Lifestyle and Health, HU University of Applied Health Sciences Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - W Ludo van der Pol
- UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Bartels
- Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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22
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Boyce D, Robinson M, Cedarbaum JM, Shank LM, McDermott CJ, van Eijk RPA. A qualitative evaluation of the revised amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale (ALSFRS-R) by the patient community: a web-based cross-sectional survey. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2022; 24:272-280. [PMID: 36330850 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2022.2140592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) is the most commonly used outcome measure in ALS studies. The aim of this study was to identify potential limitations of the ALSFRS-R from the perspective of people living with ALS and their caregivers. METHODS A web-based survey was developed by investigators, people living with ALS, and their caregivers, and shared across social media. For each item, participants were asked, "Can you think of a situation where you might not be able to answer this item accurately or that your answer might not reflect your abilities?" Responses were divided into two categories: criticisms that could be addressed in a manual or issues with the items/responses that would require measure modification. RESULTS 57 participants (72% participants with ALS, 28% caregivers) responded to at least one item question, of which 71.9% expressed concern about at least one item. The most frequently identified items were speech, walking, and cutting food. Common criticisms were: language used is of a medical literacy level too high; item is situational; difficult to distinguish the difference between response choices; and the structure and/or underlying assumptions of the item makes it difficult to answer. CONCLUSIONS Several items of the ALSFRS-R were considered to inaccurately reflect the abilities of patients with ALS. The ALSFRS-R may need a revision to address these issues, preferably in co-development with people living with ALS and their caregivers, and/or alternate outcome measures should be considered for patients with ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Boyce
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Jesse M. Cedarbaum
- Coeruleus Clinical Sciences, Woodbridge, CT, USA
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | | | - Ruben P. A. van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC, Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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23
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Scheijmans FEV, Cuppen I, van Eijk RPA, Wijngaarde CA, Schoenmakers MAGC, van der Woude DR, Bartels B, Veldhoen ES, Oude Lansink ILB, Groen EJN, Asselman FL, Wadman RI, van der Pol WL. Population-based assessment of nusinersen efficacy in children with spinal muscular atrophy: a 3-year follow-up study. Brain Commun 2022; 4:fcac269. [PMID: 36382221 PMCID: PMC9651026 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nusinersen (Spinraza®) improves survival of infants with hereditary proximal spinal muscular atrophy and motor function in children up to 12 years. Population-based assessments of treatment efficacy are limited and confined to select cohorts of patients. We performed a nationwide, population-based, single-centre cohort study in children with spinal muscular atrophy younger than 9.5 years at start of treatment in line with reimbursement criteria in the Netherlands. We assessed age-relevant motor function scores, the need for tube feeding, hours of ventilatory support and documented adverse events. We used linear mixed modelling to assess treatment effects. We compared motor function during treatment with natural history data and to individual trajectories of muscle strength and motor function before the start of treatment. We included 71 out of 72 Dutch children who were treated (median age 54 months; range 0–117) and followed them for a median of 38 months (range 5–52). We observed improvement of motor function in 72% and stabilization in another 18% of the symptomatic children, which differed from the natural disease course in a matched cohort of which we had previously collected natural history data. Longitudinal analysis showed that motor function improved up to a median of 24 months (range 12–30) of treatment after which it stabilized. Shorter disease duration at start of treatment resulted in better treatment efficacy (P < 0.01). Sixteen children (23%) achieved new motor milestones. Bulbar and respiratory function did not improve significantly during treatment. In 15 patients from whom treatment-naïve data were available, the pre-treatment trajectory of motor function decline changed to stabilization or improvement after the start of treatment. We documented 82 adverse events after 934 injections (9%) in 45 patients. None of the adverse events led to treatment discontinuation. Intrathecal nusinersen treatment is safe and improves or stabilizes motor function in 90% of young children with spinal muscular atrophy types 1c–3a. We did not observe improvement of respiratory and bulbar functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Féline E V Scheijmans
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht , The Netherlands
| | - Inge Cuppen
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht , The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht , The Netherlands
- Biostatistics and Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht , 3584 CX, Utrecht , The Netherlands
| | - Camiel A Wijngaarde
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht , The Netherlands
| | - Marja A G C Schoenmakers
- Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht , The Netherlands
| | - Danny R van der Woude
- Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht , The Netherlands
| | - Bart Bartels
- Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht , The Netherlands
| | - Esther S Veldhoen
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital , 3584 EA, Utrecht , The Netherlands
| | - Irene L B Oude Lansink
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht , 3584 CX, Utrecht , The Netherlands
| | - Ewout J N Groen
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht , The Netherlands
| | - Fay-Lynn Asselman
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht , The Netherlands
| | - Renske I Wadman
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht , The Netherlands
| | - W Ludo van der Pol
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht , The Netherlands
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24
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Kopsky DJ, van Eijk RPA, Warendorf JK, Keppel Hesselink JM, Notermans NC, Vrancken AFJE. Enriched enrollment randomized double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over trial with phenytoin cream in painful chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy (EPHENE): a study protocol. Trials 2022; 23:888. [PMID: 36273216 PMCID: PMC9587538 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06806-8] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy (CIAP) can have neuropathic pain that significantly impacts quality of life. Oral neuropathic pain medication often has insufficient pain relief and side effects. Topical phenytoin cream could circumvent these limitations. The primary objectives of this trial are to evaluate (1) efficacy in pain reduction and (2) safety of phenytoin cream in patients with painful CIAP. The main secondary objective is to explore the usefulness of a double-blind placebo-controlled response test (DOBRET) to identify responders to sustained pain relief with phenytoin cream. Methods This 6-week, enriched enrollment randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled triple cross-over trial compares phenytoin 20%, 10% and placebo cream in 48 participants with painful CIAP. Enriched enrollment is based on a positive DOBRET in 48 participants who experience within 30 minutes ≥2 points pain reduction on the 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS) in the phenytoin 10% cream applied area and ≥1 point difference in pain reduction on the NRS between phenytoin 10% and placebo cream applied area, in favour of the former. To explore whether DOBRET has predictive value for sustained pain relief, 24 DOBRET-negative participants will be included. An open-label extension phase is offered with phenytoin 20% cream for up to one year, to study long-term safety. The main inclusion criteria are a diagnosis of CIAP and symmetrical neuropathic pain with a mean weekly pain score of ≥4 and <10 on the NRS. The primary outcome is the mean difference between phenytoin 20% versus placebo cream in 7-day average pain intensity, as measured by the NRS, over week 2 in DOBRET positive participants. Key secondary outcomes include the mean difference in pain intensity between phenytoin 10% and phenytoin 20% cream, and between phenytoin 10% and placebo cream. Furthermore, differences between the 3 interventions will be evaluated on the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory, EuroQol EQ5-5D-5L, and evaluation of adverse events. Discussion This study will provide evidence on the efficacy and safety of phenytoin cream in patients with painful CIAP and will give insight into the usefulness of DOBRET as a way of personalized medicine to identify responders to sustained pain relief with phenytoin cream. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04647877. Registered on 1 December 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Kopsky
- Institute for Neuropathic Pain, Amsterdam / Soest / Bosch en Duin, The Netherlands. .,Department of Neurology, Brain Centre University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, Brain Centre University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Janna K Warendorf
- Department of Neurology, Brain Centre University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Nicolette C Notermans
- Department of Neurology, Brain Centre University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander F J E Vrancken
- Department of Neurology, Brain Centre University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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25
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de Jongh AD, Braun N, Weber M, van Es MA, Masrori P, Veldink JH, van Damme P, van den Berg LH, van Eijk RPA. Characterising ALS disease progression according to El Escorial and Gold Coast criteria. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2022; 93:865-870. [PMID: 35654584 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-328823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Gold Coast criteria (GCC) have been proposed as a means of selecting patients for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) clinical trials. We aimed to characterise disease progression according to the GCC. METHODS Data from population-based ALS registries from the Netherlands and Belgium were analysed. The GCC additionally define ALS as lower motor neuron (LMN) dysfunction in ≥2 body regions without upper motor neuron dysfunction. Therefore, the revised El Escorial criteria (rEEC) were supplemented with a 'Gold Coast ALS' category for patients with only LMN dysfunction in ≥2 body regions. We assessed survival time, ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) progression rates and between-patient variability per diagnostic category. RESULTS We included 5957 ALS patients, of whom 600 (10.1%) fulfilled the GCC but not the rEEC, and 95 (1.6%) fulfilled only the rEEC. ALSFRS-R progression rates were similar for the rEEC (0.84 points/month) and GCC (0.81 points/month) with similar variability (standard deviation of 0.59 vs. 0.60) and median survival time (17.8 vs.18.7 months). Survival time and average progression rates varied (p<0.001) between categories. Per category, however, there was considerable between-patient variability with progression rates ranging from: -2.10 to -0.14 (definite), -1.94 to -0.06 (probable), -2.10 to -0.02 (probable laboratory supported), -1.79 to -0.02 (possible) and -1.31 to 0.08 (Gold Coast). CONCLUSIONS The GCC broaden the definition of ALS, allowing more patients to participate in trials, while minimally impacting population heterogeneity. Given the large variability per diagnostic category, selecting only specific categories for trials may not result in a more homogeneous study population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriaan D de Jongh
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nathalie Braun
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit/ALS Clinic, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Markus Weber
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit/ALS Clinic, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Michael A van Es
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pegah Masrori
- Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory for Neurobiology, KU Leuven and Center for Brain & Disease Research, VIB, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan H Veldink
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Philip van Damme
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands .,Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Helleman J, Johnson B, Holdom C, Hobson E, Murray D, Steyn FJ, Ngo ST, Henders A, Lokeshappa MB, Visser-Meily JMA, van den Berg LH, Hardiman O, Beelen A, McDermott C, van Eijk RPA. Patient perspectives on digital healthcare technology in care and clinical trials for motor neuron disease: an international survey. J Neurol 2022; 269:6003-6013. [PMID: 35849154 PMCID: PMC9294855 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11273-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Introduction To capture the patient’s attitude toward remote monitoring of motor neuron disease (MND) in care and clinical trials, and their concerns and preferences regarding the use of digital technology. Methods We performed an international multi-centre survey study in three MND clinics in The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The survey was co-developed by investigators and patients with MND, and sent to patients by e-mail or postal-mail. The main topics included: patients’ attitude towards remote care, participating in decentralized clinical trials, and preferences for and concerns with digital technology use. Results In total, 332 patients with MND participated. A majority of patients indicated they would be happy to self-monitor their health from home (69%), be remotely monitored by a multidisciplinary care team (75%), and would be willing to participate in clinical trials from home (65%). Patients considered respiratory function and muscle strength most valuable for home-monitoring. The majority of patients considered the use of at least three devices/apps (75%) once a week (61%) to be acceptable for home-monitoring. Fifteen percent of patients indicated they would not wish to perform home-measurements; reporting concerns about the burden and distress of home-monitoring, privacy and data security. Conclusion Most patients with MND exhibited a positive attitude toward the use of digital technology in both care and clinical trial settings. A subgroup of patients reported concerns with home-monitoring, which should be addressed in order to improve widespread adoption of remote digital technology in clinical MND care. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00415-022-11273-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochem Helleman
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Barbara Johnson
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Cory Holdom
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Esther Hobson
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Deirdre Murray
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Physiotherapy Department, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Frederik J Steyn
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Australia.,Wesley Medical Research, The Wesley Hospital, Auchenflower, Australia.,Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Shyuan T Ngo
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Australia.,Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Anjali Henders
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Madhura B Lokeshappa
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Johanna M A Visser-Meily
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,FutureNeuro SFI Research Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anita Beelen
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Chris McDermott
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands. .,Biostatistics and Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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27
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van Eijk RPA, van den Berg LH, Lu Y. Composite endpoint for ALS clinical trials based on patient preference: Patient-Ranked Order of Function (PROOF). J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2022; 93:539-546. [PMID: 34921121 PMCID: PMC9016230 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2021-328194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) show considerable variation in symptoms. Treatments targeting an overall improvement in symptomatology may not address what the majority of patients consider to be most important. Here, we propose a composite endpoint for ALS clinical trials that weighs the improvement in symptoms compared with what the patient population actually wants. METHODS An online questionnaire was sent out to a population-based registry in The Netherlands. Patients with ALS were asked to score functional domains with a validated self-reported questionnaire, and rank the order of importance of each domain. This information was used to estimate variability in patient preferences and to develop the Patient-Ranked Order of Function (PROOF) endpoint. RESULTS There was extensive variability in patient preferences among the 433 responders. The majority of the patients (62.1%) preferred to prioritise certain symptoms over others when evaluating treatments. The PROOF endpoint was established by comparing each patient in the treatment arm to each patient in the placebo arm, based on their preferred order of functional domains. PROOF averages all pairwise comparisons, and reflects the probability that a patient receiving treatment has a better outcome on domains that are most important to them, compared with a patient receiving placebo. By means of simulation we illustrate how incorporating patient preference may upgrade or downgrade trial results. CONCLUSIONS The PROOF endpoint provides a balanced patient-focused analysis of the improvement in function and may help to refine the risk-benefit assessment of new treatments for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Biomedical Data Science and Centre for Innovative Study Design, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA .,Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - L H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ying Lu
- Department of Biomedical Data Science and Centre for Innovative Study Design, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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Veldhoen ES, de Vries A, Schlosser TPC, Kruyt MC, van Eijk RPA, Tersmette JM, Hulzebos EH, van der Pol LW, Wösten-van Asperen RM, van der Ent CK. Short-term effect and effect on rate of lung function decline after surgery for neuromuscular or syndromic scoliosis. Pediatr Pulmonol 2022; 57:1303-1309. [PMID: 35174667 PMCID: PMC9307003 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.25857] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Understanding the impact of scoliosis surgery on lung function is important for counseling patients about risks and benefits of surgery. We prospectively compared the trends in lung function test (LFT) results before and after scoliosis surgery in children with neuromuscular diseases or dysmorphic syndromes. We hypothesized a stabilization. METHODS We prospectively included children with neuromuscular or syndromic scoliosis able to perform LFTs. We studied (forced) vital capacity ([F]VC), ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 ) and FVC, and peak expiratory flow (PEF). Preoperative LFT results were compared with results 3-4 months after surgery. The mean monthly change in LFT results up to 2 years after surgery was compared with the preoperative natural history using linear mixed-effects models. RESULTS We included 43 patients. No significant change was observed in absolute values of (F)VC, FEV1 /FVC, and PEF before and after surgery. In 23 neuromuscular patients median standardized VC, FVC, and PEF decreased significantly after surgery from 43% to 33%, 42% to 31%, and 51% to 40%, respectively. In 20 syndromic patients, median FVC decreased from 68% to 65%. The monthly rate of change in FVC did not change significantly in both groups with a mean difference of 0.18% (95% CI: -0.27, -0.61) and -0.44% (95% CI: -1.05, 0.16). CONCLUSION No stabilization of lung function 3-4 months after scoliosis surgery was observed in children with neuromuscular and syndromic scoliosis with restrictive lung function disease. The effect on the rate of lung function decline remains inconclusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther S Veldhoen
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anneloes de Vries
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tom P C Schlosser
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Moyo C Kruyt
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, Brain Centre Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Joyce M Tersmette
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Erik H Hulzebos
- Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ludo W van der Pol
- Department of Neurology, Brain Centre Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roelie M Wösten-van Asperen
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis K van der Ent
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Veldhoen ES, Wijngaarde CA, Hulzebos EHJ, Wösten-van Asperen RM, Wadman RI, van Eijk RPA, Asselman FL, Stam M, Otto LAM, Cuppen I, Scheijmans FEV, den Oudenrijn LPVV, Bartels B, Gaytant MA, van der Ent CK, van der Pol WL. Natural history of respiratory muscle strength in spinal muscular atrophy: a prospective national cohort study. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2022; 17:70. [PMID: 35189949 PMCID: PMC8862532 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-022-02227-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Respiratory complications are the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Respiratory muscle weakness results in impaired cough, recurrent respiratory tract infections and eventually can cause respiratory failure. We assessed longitudinal patterns of respiratory muscle strength in a national cohort of treatment-naïve children and adults with SMA, hypothesizing a continued decline throughout life. Methods We measured maximal expiratory and inspiratory pressure (PEmax and PImax), Sniff Nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and peak cough flow (PCF) in treatment-naïve patients with SMA. We used mixed-models to analyze natural history patterns. Results We included 2172 measurements of respiratory muscle function from 80 treatment-naïve patients with SMA types 1c-3b. All outcomes were lower in the more severe phenotypes. Significant differences in PEF were present between SMA types from early ages onwards. PEF decline was linear (1–2%/year). PEF reached values below 80% during early childhood in types 1c-2, and during adolescence in type 3a. PEmax and PImax were severely lowered in most patients throughout life, with PEmax values abnormally low (i.e. < 80 cmH2O) in virtually all patients. The PEmax/PImax ratio was < 1 throughout life in all SMA types, indicating that expiratory muscles were most affected. All but SMA type 3b patients had a lowered PCF. Patients with types 2b and 3a had PCF levels between 160 and 270 L/min, those with type 2a around 160 L/min and patients with type 1c well below 160 L/min. Finally, SNIP was low in nearly all patients, most pronounced in more severely affected patients. Conclusions There are clear differences in respiratory muscle strength and its progressive decline between SMA types. We observed lower outcomes in more severe SMA types. Particularly PEF may be a suitable outcome measure for the follow-up of respiratory strength in patients with SMA. PEF declines in a rather linear pattern in all SMA types, with clear differences at baseline. These natural history data may serve as a reference for longer-term treatment efficacy assessments. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13023-022-02227-7.
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Bakers JNE, de Jongh AD, Bunte TM, Kendall L, Han SS, Epstein N, Lavrov A, Beelen A, Visser-Meily JMA, van den Berg LH, van Eijk RPA. Using the ALSFRS-R in multicentre clinical trials for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: potential limitations in current standard operating procedures. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2021; 23:500-507. [PMID: 34949141 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2021.2016838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Uniform data collection is fundamental for multicentre clinical trials. We aim to determine the variability, between ALS trial centers, in the prevalence of unexpected or implausible improvements in the revised ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS-R) score, and its associations with individual patient and item characteristics.Methods: We used data from two multicentre studies to estimate the prevalence of an unexpected increase or implausible improvement in the ALSFRS-R score, defined as an increase of 5 points or more between two consecutive, monthly visits. For each patient with a 5-point or more increase, we evaluated the individual contribution of each ALSFRS-R item.Results: Longitudinal ALSFRS-R scores, originating from 114 trial centers enrolling a total of 1,240 patients, were analyzed. A 5-point or more increase in ALSFRS-R total score was found in 151 (12.2%) patients, with prevalence per study center ranging from 0% to 83%. Bulbar onset, faster disease progression at enrollment, and a lower ALSFRS-R score at baseline were associated with a sudden 5-point or more increase in the ALSFRS-R total score. ALSFRS-R items 2 (saliva), 9 (stairs), 10 (dyspnea), and 11 (orthopnea) were the primary drivers when a 5-point or more increase occurred.Conclusions: Sudden 5-point or more increases in ALSFRS-R total scores between two consecutive visits are relatively common. These sudden increases were not found to occur with equal frequency in trial centers; which underscores the need for amending existing standard operating procedures toward a universal version and monitoring of data quality during the study, in multicentre research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaap N E Bakers
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Adriaan D de Jongh
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Tommy M Bunte
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Steve S Han
- Neurosciences, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, USA
| | - Noam Epstein
- Discovery Medicine, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Upper Providence, USA
| | - Arseniy Lavrov
- Clinical Development, Novartis Gene Therapies, Cambridge, UK, and
| | - Anita Beelen
- Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Johanna M A Visser-Meily
- Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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31
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Sleutjes BTHM, Bystrup Jacobsen A, Tankisi H, Gorkem Sirin N, Emre Oge A, Henderson RD, van Doorn PA, van den Berg LH, van Eijk RPA. Advancing disease monitoring of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with the compound muscle action potential scan. Clin Neurophysiol 2021; 132:3152-3159. [PMID: 34749234 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2021.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine which compound muscle action potential (CMAP) scan-derived electrophysiological markers are most sensitive for monitoring disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and whether they hold value for clinical trials. METHODS We used four independent patient cohorts to assess longitudinal patterns of a comprehensive set of electrophysiological markers including their association with the ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS-R). Results were translated to trial sample size requirements. RESULTS In 65 patients, 225 thenar CMAP scan recordings were obtained. Electrophysiological markers showed extensive variation in their longitudinal trajectories. Expressed as standard deviations per month, motor unit number estimation (MUNE) values declined by 0.09 (CI 0.07-0.12), D50, a measure that quantifies CMAP scan discontinuities, declined by 0.09 (CI 0.06-0.13) and maximum CMAP by 0.05 (CI 0.03-0.08). ALSFRS-R declined fastest (0.12, CI 0.08 - 0.15), however the between-patient variability was larger compared to electrophysiological markers, resulting in larger sample sizes. MUNE reduced the sample size by 19.1% (n = 388 vs n = 314) for a 6-month study compared to the ALSFRS-R. CONCLUSIONS CMAP scan-derived markers show promise in monitoring disease progression in ALS patients, where MUNE may be its most suitable derivate. SIGNIFICANCE MUNE may increase clinical trial efficiency compared to clinical endpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boudewijn T H M Sleutjes
- Department of Neurology, Brain Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | | | - Hatice Tankisi
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - N Gorkem Sirin
- Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - A Emre Oge
- Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Robert D Henderson
- Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Pieter A van Doorn
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, Brain Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Biostatistics and Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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32
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Warendorf JK, van Doormaal PTC, Vrancken AFJE, Verhoeven-Duif NM, van Eijk RPA, van den Berg LH, Notermans NC. Clinical relevance of testing for metabolic vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with polyneuropathy. Nutr Neurosci 2021; 25:2536-2546. [PMID: 34693890 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2021.1985751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Determine vitamin B12 threshold levels below which additional testing of methylmalonic acid (MMA) and/or homocysteine (Hcy) is useful to diagnose metabolic vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with polyneuropathy, and how vitamin B12, MMA and Hcy levels relate to the effect of supplementation therapy. METHODS In a retrospective cohort study of 331 patients with polyneuropathy, vitamin B12, MMA and Hcy were measured. Linear regression models with vitamin B12 as dependent and Hcy or MMA as covariate were compared, to assess which was best related to vitamin B12. Threshold vitamin B12 levels for metabolic deficiency (defined as elevatede metabolites) were determined using logistic regression with elevated metabolites as dependent and vitamin B12 as covariate.. A structured interview was conducted in 42 patients to evaluate response to vitamin B12 supplementation. RESULTS MMA was best related to vitamin B12. Using elevated MMA for metabolic deficiency, we found 90% sensitivity at a vitamin B12 threshold level <264 pmol/L (358 pg/mL) and 95% sensitivity at <304 pmol/L (412 pg/mL). Improvement after supplementation was reported by 19% patients and stabilization by 24%. 88% of patients with improvement and 90% with stabilization either had absolute deficiency (Vitamin B12 < 148 pmol/L) or metabolic deficiency (elevated MMA and vitamin B12 ≥ 148 pmol/L). There were no additional patients with improvement or stabilization with isolated elevated Hcy. CONCLUSION Testing of MMA has additional value in identifying patients with clinically relevant metabolic deficiency when vitamin B12 is below 304 pmol/L (412 pg/mL). Supplementation can be effective in patients with absolute and metabolic deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janna K Warendorf
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Perry T C van Doormaal
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Tergooi Hospital, Hilversum, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander F J E Vrancken
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nanda M Verhoeven-Duif
- Metabolic Diagnostics, Division Biomedical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nicolette C Notermans
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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33
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van Eijk RPA, Beelen A, Kruitwagen ET, Murray D, Radakovic R, Hobson E, Knox L, Helleman J, Burke T, Rubio Pérez MÁ, Reviers E, Genge A, Steyn FJ, Ngo S, Eaglesham J, Roes KCB, van den Berg LH, Hardiman O, McDermott CJ. A Road Map for Remote Digital Health Technology for Motor Neuron Disease. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e28766. [PMID: 34550089 PMCID: PMC8495582 DOI: 10.2196/28766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite recent and potent technological advances, the real-world implementation of remote digital health technology in the care and monitoring of patients with motor neuron disease has not yet been realized. Digital health technology may increase the accessibility to and personalization of care, whereas remote biosensors could optimize the collection of vital clinical parameters, irrespective of patients’ ability to visit the clinic. To facilitate the wide-scale adoption of digital health care technology and to align current initiatives, we outline a road map that will identify clinically relevant digital parameters; mediate the development of benefit-to-burden criteria for innovative technology; and direct the validation, harmonization, and adoption of digital health care technology in real-world settings. We define two key end products of the road map: (1) a set of reliable digital parameters to capture data collected under free-living conditions that reflect patient-centric measures and facilitate clinical decision making and (2) an integrated, open-source system that provides personalized feedback to patients, health care providers, clinical researchers, and caregivers and is linked to a flexible and adaptable platform that integrates patient data in real time. Given the ever-changing care needs of patients and the relentless progression rate of motor neuron disease, the adoption of digital health care technology will significantly benefit the delivery of care and accelerate the development of effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben P A van Eijk
- UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Anita Beelen
- Department of Rehabilitation, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Centre Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Esther T Kruitwagen
- Department of Rehabilitation, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Centre Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Deirdre Murray
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Physiotherapy, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ratko Radakovic
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom.,Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, United Kingdom.,Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Esther Hobson
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscien, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Liam Knox
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscien, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Jochem Helleman
- Department of Rehabilitation, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Centre Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Tom Burke
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Psychology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Evy Reviers
- European Organization for Professionals and Patients with ALS (EUpALS), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Angela Genge
- Department of Neurology, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Frederik J Steyn
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Australia.,Wesley Medical Research, the Wesley Hospital, Auchenflower, Australia
| | - Shyuan Ngo
- The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Australia.,Wesley Medical Research, the Wesley Hospital, Auchenflower, Australia.,Centre for Clinical Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - John Eaglesham
- Advanced Digital Innovation (UK) Ltd, Salts Mill, United Kingdom
| | - Kit C B Roes
- Department of Health Evidence, Section Biostatistics, Radboud Medical Centre Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Orla Hardiman
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,FutureNeuro SFI Research Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Christopher J McDermott
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscien, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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van Eijk RPA, Nikolakopoulos S, Roes KCB, Kendall L, Han SS, Lavrov A, Epstein N, Kliest T, de Jongh AD, Westeneng HJ, Al-Chalabi A, Van Damme P, Hardiman O, Shaw PJ, McDermott CJ, Eijkemans MJC, van den Berg LH. Challenging the Established Order: Innovating Clinical Trials for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Neurology 2021; 97:528-536. [PMID: 34315786 PMCID: PMC8456357 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000012545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of effective treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been hampered by disease heterogeneity, a limited understanding of underlying pathophysiology, and methodologic design challenges. We have evaluated 2 major themes in the design of pivotal, phase 3 clinical trials for ALS—(1) patient selection and (2) analytical strategy—and discussed potential solutions with the European Medicines Agency. Several design considerations were assessed using data from 5 placebo-controlled clinical trials (n = 988), 4 population-based cohorts (n = 5,100), and 2,436 placebo-allocated patients from the Pooled Resource Open-Access ALS Clinical Trials (PRO-ACT) database. The validity of each proposed design modification was confirmed by means of simulation and illustrated for a hypothetical setting. Compared to classical trial design, the proposed design modifications reduce the sample size by 30.5% and placebo exposure time by 35.4%. By making use of prognostic survival models, one creates a potential to include a larger proportion of the population and maximize generalizability. We propose a flexible design framework that naturally adapts the trial duration when inaccurate assumptions are made at the design stage, such as enrollment or survival rate. In case of futility, the follow-up time is shortened and patient exposure to ineffective treatments or placebo is minimized. For diseases such as ALS, optimizing the use of resources, widening eligibility criteria, and minimizing exposure to futile treatments and placebo is critical to the development of effective treatments. Our proposed design modifications could circumvent important pitfalls and may serve as a blueprint for future clinical trials in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands. .,Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Stavros Nikolakopoulos
- Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Kit C B Roes
- Department of Health Evidence, Section Biostatistics, Radboud Medical Centre Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Steve S Han
- Neurosciences, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, USA.,Discovery Medicine, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Upper Providence, USA
| | - Arseniy Lavrov
- Clinical Development, Novartis Gene Therapies, London, UK.,Clinical Translational Medicine, Future Pipeline Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Middlesex, UK
| | - Noam Epstein
- Discovery Medicine, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Upper Providence, USA
| | - Tessa Kliest
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Adriaan D de Jongh
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Henk-Jan Westeneng
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- King's College London, London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute and United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute Centre, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, UK.,Department of Neurology, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory for Neurobiology, KU Leuven and Center for Brain & Disease Research, VIB, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,FutureNeuro SFI Research Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Pamela J Shaw
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Sheffield, UK
| | - Christopher J McDermott
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Sheffield, UK
| | - Marinus J C Eijkemans
- Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Holdom CJ, Janse van Mantgem MR, van Eijk RPA, Howe SL, van den Berg LH, McCombe PA, Henderson RD, Ngo ST, Steyn FJ. Venous creatinine as a biomarker for loss of fat-free mass and disease progression in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Eur J Neurol 2021; 28:3615-3625. [PMID: 34216521 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To establish the utility of venous creatinine as a biomarker to monitor loss of fat-free mass in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS In this multicenter natural history study, body composition and venous creatinine were assessed in 107 patients with ALS and 52 healthy controls. Longitudinal patterns of venous creatinine and its association with the risk of death during follow-up were determined in a cohort of patients with ALS from Australia (n = 69) and the Netherlands (n = 38). RESULTS The mean levels of venous creatinine were 75.78 ± 11.15 μmol/L for controls, 70.25 ± 12.81 μmol/L for Australian patients, and 59.95 ± 14.62 μmol/L for Dutch patients with ALS. The relationship between measures of venous creatinine and fat-free mass was similar between all groups (r = 0.36, p < 0.001). Within patients, fat-free mass declined by 0.31 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22-0.40) kg/month, and venous creatinine declined by 0.52 (95% CI: 0.38-0.66) μmol/L/month, with a longitudinal correlation of 0.57 (95% CI: 0.35-0.76, p < 0.001). Lower levels of venous creatinine were associated with increased risk for earlier death in patients with ALS (hazard ratio = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90-0.98, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS Venous creatinine is decreased in ALS and declines alongside a decline in fat-free mass over the course of the disease, and may serve as a practical marker to monitor the change of fat-free mass in patients with ALS. This could inform clinical care and provide an alternative endpoint for the evaluation of therapeutic interventions that focus on slowing the loss of fat-free mass and disease progression in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory J Holdom
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Mark R Janse van Mantgem
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Stephanie L Howe
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Pamela A McCombe
- Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Robert D Henderson
- Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Shyuan T Ngo
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Frederik J Steyn
- Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Telleman JA, Herraets IJT, Goedee HS, van Eijk RPA, Verhamme C, Eftimov F, Lieba-Samal D, Asseldonk JTV, van den Berg LH, van der Pol WL, Visser LH. Prognostic value of nerve ultrasonography: A prospective multicenter study on the natural history of chronic inflammatory neuropathies. Eur J Neurol 2021; 28:2327-2338. [PMID: 33909329 DOI: 10.1111/ene.14885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Nerve ultrasound is a promising new tool in chronic inflammatory neuropathies. The aim of this study was to determine its prognostic value in a prospective multicenter cohort study including incident and prevalent patients with CIDP and MMN. METHODS We enrolled 126 patients with CIDP, and 72 with MMN; 71 were treatment-naive. Patients with chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy (CIAP; n = 35) were considered as disease controls. Standardized neurological examination, questionnaires, and nerve ultrasonography were obtained at time of inclusion and 1-year follow-up. Nerve size development over time and correlation between nerve size and clinical outcome measures were determined using linear mixed effects models. RESULTS Nerve size development over time was heterogeneous. Only in MMN was there a correlation between C5 nerve root size and deterioration of grip strength (-1.3 kPa/mm2 (95% confidence interval [CI] -2.3 to -0.2). No other significant correlations between nerve size and clinical outcome measures were found. In MMN, presence of nerve enlargement at inclusion predicted deterioration of grip strength, and MMN patients with enlargement confined to the brachial plexus seemed to have more favorable outcomes. No other predictive effects of sonographic nerve size were found. CONCLUSIONS The present study indicates that the natural course of nerve size development in CIDP and MMN is heterogeneous, and that the prognostic value of sonographic nerve enlargement is limited. It had some predictive effect in patients with MMN. Further research in specific subgroups of chronic inflammatory neuropathy is necessary to determine the usefulness of nerve ultrasonography after the diagnostic phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan A Telleman
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ingrid J T Herraets
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hendrik Stephan Goedee
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Camiel Verhamme
- Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Filip Eftimov
- Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Doris Lieba-Samal
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jan Thies van Asseldonk
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Willem Ludo van der Pol
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Leo H Visser
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review the current developments in the design and conduct of clinical trials for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), illustrated by a critical appraisal of ClinicalTrials.gov. RECENT FINDINGS In total, 63 clinical trials were included in the analysis, of which 13 phase 1, 35 phase 2 and 15 phase 3. Virtually all phase 3 clinical trials can be classified as randomized, placebo controlled, whereas this is only true for 57% of the phase 2 clinical trials. There are promising developments in the routes of drug administration, eligibility criteria, efficacy endpoints and overall trial design. Some of these innovative approaches may, however, not fulfil clinical trial guidelines or regulatory requirements. This could delay the development of effective therapy or hamper our ability to determine whether a treatment is truly (in)effective. The initiation of trial consortia comprising patient organizations, academia, industry and funding bodies may significantly strengthen the future clinical trial landscape for ALS. SUMMARY The ALS clinical trial landscape is currently highly active with several promising innovative developments and therapeutic options. By further refinement of evidence-based guidelines, and alignment of our current endeavours, we may soon be able to positively impact the lives of people living with ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre.,Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tessa Kliest
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre
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van Eijk RPA, de Jongh AD, Nikolakopoulos S, McDermott CJ, Eijkemans MJC, Roes KCB, van den Berg LH. An old friend who has overstayed their welcome: the ALSFRS-R total score as primary endpoint for ALS clinical trials. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2021; 22:300-307. [PMID: 33527843 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2021.1879865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The ALSFRS-R is limited by multidimensionality, which originates from the summation of various subscales. This prevents a direct comparison between patients with identical total scores. We aim to evaluate how multidimensionality affects the performance of the ALSFRS-R in clinical trials. Methods: We simulated clinical trial data with different treatment effects for the ALSFRS-R total score and its subscales (i.e. bulbar, fine motor, gross motor and respiratory). We considered scenarios where treatment reduced the rate of ALSFRS-R subscale decline either uniformly (i.e. all subscales respond identically to treatment) or non-uniformly (i.e. subscales respond differently to treatment). Two main analytical strategies were compared: (1) analyzing only the total score or (2) utilizing a subscale-based test (i.e. alternative strategy). For each analytical strategy, we calculated the empirical power and required sample size. Results: Both strategies are valid when there is no treatment benefit and provide adequate control of type 1 error. If all subscales respond identically to treatment, using the total score is the most powerful approach. As the differences in treatment responses between subscales increase, the more the total score becomes affected. For example, to detect a 40% reduction in the bulbar rate of decline with 80% power, the total score requires 1380 patients, whereas this is 336 when using the alternative strategy. Conclusions: Ignoring the multidimensional structure of the ALSFRS-R total score could have negative consequences for ALS clinical trials. We propose determining treatment benefit on a subscale level, prior to stating whether a treatment is generally effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Adriaan D de Jongh
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Stavros Nikolakopoulos
- Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Christopher J McDermott
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Sheffield, UK, and
| | - Marinus J C Eijkemans
- Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kit C B Roes
- Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Health Evidence, Radboud Medical Centre Utrecht, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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de Jongh AD, van den Berg LH, van Eijk RPA. Reconsidering the revised amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale for ALS clinical trials. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2021; 92:569-570. [PMID: 33229452 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2020-325253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adriaan D de Jongh
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands .,Biostatistics and Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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de Jongh AD, van Eijk RPA, Peters SM, van Es MA, Horemans AMC, van der Kooi AJ, Voermans NC, Vermeulen RCH, Veldink JH, van den Berg LH. Incidence, Prevalence, and Geographical Clustering of Motor Neuron Disease in the Netherlands. Neurology 2021; 96:e1227-e1236. [PMID: 33472922 PMCID: PMC8055340 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000011467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess time trends in motor neuron disease (MND) incidence, prevalence, and mortality and to investigate geographic clustering of MND cases in the Netherlands from 1998 to 2017, we analyzed data from the Netherlands Personal Records database, the Netherlands MND Center, and the Netherlands Patient Association of Neuromuscular Diseases. METHODS In this prospective cohort study, Poisson regression was used to assess time trends in MND risk. We calculated age- and sex-standardized, observed, and expected cases for 1,694 areas. Bayesian smoothed risk mapping was used to investigate geographic MND risk. RESULTS We identified 7,992 MND cases, reflecting an incidence of 2.64 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.62-2.67) per 100,000 person-years and a prevalence of 9.5 (95% CI 9.1-10.0) per 100,000 persons. Highest age-standardized prevalence and mortality rates occurred at a later age in men than in women (p < 0.001). Unadjusted mortality rates increased by 53.2% from 2.57 per 100,000 person-years in 1998 to 3.86 per 100,000 person-years in 2017. After adjustment for age and sex, an increase in MND mortality rate of 14.1% (95% CI 5.7%-23.2%, p < 0.001) remained. MND relative risk ranged from 0.78 to 1.43 between geographic areas; multiple urban and rural high-risk areas were identified. CONCLUSIONS We found a significant national increase in MND mortality from 1998 through 2017, explained only partly by an aging Dutch population, and a geographic variability in MND risk, suggesting a role for environmental or demographic risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriaan D de Jongh
- From the Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J., R.P.A.v.E., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., LH.v.d.B.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), and Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.C.H.V.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (S.M.P., R.C.H.V.), Utrecht University, the Netherlands; National Patient Organization for Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.C.H.), Baarn; Department of Neurology (A.J.v.d.K.), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience; and Department of Neurology (N.C.V.), Donders Center for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- From the Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J., R.P.A.v.E., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., LH.v.d.B.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), and Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.C.H.V.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (S.M.P., R.C.H.V.), Utrecht University, the Netherlands; National Patient Organization for Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.C.H.), Baarn; Department of Neurology (A.J.v.d.K.), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience; and Department of Neurology (N.C.V.), Donders Center for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Susan M Peters
- From the Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J., R.P.A.v.E., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., LH.v.d.B.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), and Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.C.H.V.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (S.M.P., R.C.H.V.), Utrecht University, the Netherlands; National Patient Organization for Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.C.H.), Baarn; Department of Neurology (A.J.v.d.K.), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience; and Department of Neurology (N.C.V.), Donders Center for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Michael A van Es
- From the Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J., R.P.A.v.E., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., LH.v.d.B.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), and Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.C.H.V.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (S.M.P., R.C.H.V.), Utrecht University, the Netherlands; National Patient Organization for Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.C.H.), Baarn; Department of Neurology (A.J.v.d.K.), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience; and Department of Neurology (N.C.V.), Donders Center for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Anja M C Horemans
- From the Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J., R.P.A.v.E., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., LH.v.d.B.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), and Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.C.H.V.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (S.M.P., R.C.H.V.), Utrecht University, the Netherlands; National Patient Organization for Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.C.H.), Baarn; Department of Neurology (A.J.v.d.K.), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience; and Department of Neurology (N.C.V.), Donders Center for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Anneke J van der Kooi
- From the Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J., R.P.A.v.E., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., LH.v.d.B.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), and Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.C.H.V.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (S.M.P., R.C.H.V.), Utrecht University, the Netherlands; National Patient Organization for Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.C.H.), Baarn; Department of Neurology (A.J.v.d.K.), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience; and Department of Neurology (N.C.V.), Donders Center for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Nicol C Voermans
- From the Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J., R.P.A.v.E., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., LH.v.d.B.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), and Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.C.H.V.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (S.M.P., R.C.H.V.), Utrecht University, the Netherlands; National Patient Organization for Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.C.H.), Baarn; Department of Neurology (A.J.v.d.K.), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience; and Department of Neurology (N.C.V.), Donders Center for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Roel C H Vermeulen
- From the Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J., R.P.A.v.E., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., LH.v.d.B.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), and Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.C.H.V.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (S.M.P., R.C.H.V.), Utrecht University, the Netherlands; National Patient Organization for Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.C.H.), Baarn; Department of Neurology (A.J.v.d.K.), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience; and Department of Neurology (N.C.V.), Donders Center for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jan H Veldink
- From the Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J., R.P.A.v.E., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., LH.v.d.B.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), and Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.C.H.V.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (S.M.P., R.C.H.V.), Utrecht University, the Netherlands; National Patient Organization for Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.C.H.), Baarn; Department of Neurology (A.J.v.d.K.), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience; and Department of Neurology (N.C.V.), Donders Center for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- From the Department of Neurology (A.D.d.J., R.P.A.v.E., M.A.v.E., J.H.V., LH.v.d.B.), Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), and Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.C.H.V.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (S.M.P., R.C.H.V.), Utrecht University, the Netherlands; National Patient Organization for Neuromuscular Diseases (A.M.C.H.), Baarn; Department of Neurology (A.J.v.d.K.), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience; and Department of Neurology (N.C.V.), Donders Center for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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de Rooij IJM, van de Port IGL, Punt M, Abbink-van Moorsel PJM, Kortsmit M, van Eijk RPA, Visser-Meily JMA, Meijer JWG. Effect of Virtual Reality Gait Training on Participation in Survivors of Subacute Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Phys Ther 2021; 101:6136818. [PMID: 33594443 PMCID: PMC8122468 DOI: 10.1093/ptj/pzab051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE After stroke, people experience difficulties with walking that lead to restrictions in participation in daily life. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of virtual reality gait training (VRT) compared to non-virtual reality gait training (non-VRT) on participation in community-living people after stroke. METHODS In this assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial with 2 parallel groups, people were included between 2 weeks and 6 months after stroke and randomly assigned to the VRT group or non-VRT group. Participants assigned to the VRT group received training on the Gait Real-time Analysis Interactive Lab (GRAIL), and participants assigned to the non-VRT group received treadmill training and functional gait exercises without virtual reality. Both training interventions consisted of 12 30-minute sessions during 6 weeks. The primary outcome was participation measured with the restrictions subscale of the Utrecht Scale for Evaluation of Rehabilitation-Participation (USER-P) 3 months postintervention. Secondary outcomes included subjective physical functioning, functional mobility, walking ability, dynamic balance, walking activity, fatigue, anxiety and depression, falls efficacy, and quality of life. RESULTS Twenty-eight participants were randomly assigned to the VRT group and 27 to the non-VRT group, of whom 25 and 22 attended 75% or more of the training sessions, respectively. No significant differences between the groups were found over time for the USER-P restrictions subscale (1.23; 95% CI = -0.76 to 3.23) or secondary outcome measures. Patients' experiences with VRT were positive, and no serious adverse events were related to the interventions. CONCLUSIONS The effect of VRT was not statistically different from non-VRT in improving participation in community-living people after stroke. IMPACT Although outcomes were not statistically different, treadmill-based VRT was a safe and well-tolerated intervention that was positively rated by people after stroke. VR training might, therefore, be a valuable addition to stroke rehabilitation. LAY SUMMARY VRT is feasible and was positively experienced by people after stroke. However, VRT was not more effective than non-VRT for improving walking ability and participation after stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilona J M de Rooij
- Revant Rehabilitation Centres, Breda, the Netherlands,Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Michiel Punt
- Research Group Lifestyle and Health, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands,Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Johanna M A Visser-Meily
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands,Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands,Address all correspondence to Dr Visser-Meily at:
| | - Jan-Willem G Meijer
- Revant Rehabilitation Centres, Breda, the Netherlands,Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands,De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Bakers JNE, van Eijk RPA, van den Berg LH, Visser-Meily JMA, Beelen A. Pattern of muscle strength improvement after intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in multifocal motor neuropathy. Muscle Nerve 2021; 63:678-682. [PMID: 33501670 PMCID: PMC8247955 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Introduction In multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN), knowledge about the pattern of treatment response in a wide spectrum of muscle groups, distal as well as proximal, after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) initiation is lacking. Methods Hand‐held dynamometry data of 11 upper and lower limb muscles, from 47 patients with MMN was reviewed. Linear mixed models were used to determine the treatment response after IVIg initiation and its relationship with initial muscle weakness. Results All muscle groups showed a positive treatment response after IVIg initiation. Changes in SD scores ranged from +0.1 to +0.95. A strong association between weakness at baseline and the magnitude of the treatment response was found. Discussion Improved muscle strength in response to IVIg appears not only in distal, but to a similar degree also in proximal muscle groups in MMN, with the largest response in muscle groups that show the greatest initial weakness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaap N E Bakers
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna M A Visser-Meily
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anita Beelen
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Bartels B, de Groot JF, Habets LE, Wadman RI, Asselman FL, Nieuwenhuis EES, van Eijk RPA, Goedee HS, van der Pol WL. Correlates of Fatigability in Patients With Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Neurology 2020; 96:e845-e852. [PMID: 33219141 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000011230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the associations between fatigability and muscle strength, motor function, neuromuscular junction (NMJ) function, and perceived fatigue in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), we assessed 61 patients with SMA. METHODS Fatigability was defined as the inability to continue a 20-minute submaximal repetitive task of either walking or proximal or distal arm function and expressed as drop-out on the Endurance Shuttle Test Combined Score (ESTCS). We assessed muscle strength with the Medical Research Council (MRC) sum score, motor function with the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE) and Motor Function Measure (MFM), NMJ function with repetitive nerve stimulation of the accessory and ulnar nerve, and perceived fatigue with the PROMIS Fatigue Short Form questionnaire in 61 children and adults with SMA types 2-4. We applied Cox regression analysis to explore the associations between fatigability and these factors. RESULTS The hazard of drop-out on the ESTCS decreased 0.8%, 2%, and 1.3% for each point increase in the MRC sum score, the HFMSE score, and the MFM percentual score, respectively. However, we observed prominent fatigability with preserved muscle function and vice versa in 13%-16% of patients. We did not find an association between NMJ dysfunction of the accessory (p = 0.37) and ulnar nerve (p = 0.063) and fatigability, which could be due to a large number of missing values. Perceived fatigue in SMA was comparable to reference values and was not associated with fatigability (p = 0.52). CONCLUSION Fatigability in SMA is associated with, yet not equivalent to, muscle strength and motor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Bartels
- From the Child Development and Exercise Center (B.B., L.E.H.) and Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology (E.E.S.N.), Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, and UMC Utrecht Brain Center (R.I.W., F.-L.A., R.P.A.v.E., H.S.G., W.L.v.d.P.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Knowledge Institute for Medical Specialists (J.F.d.G.), University of Applied Sciences; and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Janke F de Groot
- From the Child Development and Exercise Center (B.B., L.E.H.) and Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology (E.E.S.N.), Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, and UMC Utrecht Brain Center (R.I.W., F.-L.A., R.P.A.v.E., H.S.G., W.L.v.d.P.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Knowledge Institute for Medical Specialists (J.F.d.G.), University of Applied Sciences; and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Laura E Habets
- From the Child Development and Exercise Center (B.B., L.E.H.) and Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology (E.E.S.N.), Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, and UMC Utrecht Brain Center (R.I.W., F.-L.A., R.P.A.v.E., H.S.G., W.L.v.d.P.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Knowledge Institute for Medical Specialists (J.F.d.G.), University of Applied Sciences; and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Renske I Wadman
- From the Child Development and Exercise Center (B.B., L.E.H.) and Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology (E.E.S.N.), Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, and UMC Utrecht Brain Center (R.I.W., F.-L.A., R.P.A.v.E., H.S.G., W.L.v.d.P.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Knowledge Institute for Medical Specialists (J.F.d.G.), University of Applied Sciences; and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Fay-Lynn Asselman
- From the Child Development and Exercise Center (B.B., L.E.H.) and Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology (E.E.S.N.), Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, and UMC Utrecht Brain Center (R.I.W., F.-L.A., R.P.A.v.E., H.S.G., W.L.v.d.P.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Knowledge Institute for Medical Specialists (J.F.d.G.), University of Applied Sciences; and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Edward E S Nieuwenhuis
- From the Child Development and Exercise Center (B.B., L.E.H.) and Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology (E.E.S.N.), Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, and UMC Utrecht Brain Center (R.I.W., F.-L.A., R.P.A.v.E., H.S.G., W.L.v.d.P.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Knowledge Institute for Medical Specialists (J.F.d.G.), University of Applied Sciences; and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- From the Child Development and Exercise Center (B.B., L.E.H.) and Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology (E.E.S.N.), Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, and UMC Utrecht Brain Center (R.I.W., F.-L.A., R.P.A.v.E., H.S.G., W.L.v.d.P.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Knowledge Institute for Medical Specialists (J.F.d.G.), University of Applied Sciences; and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - H Stephan Goedee
- From the Child Development and Exercise Center (B.B., L.E.H.) and Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology (E.E.S.N.), Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, and UMC Utrecht Brain Center (R.I.W., F.-L.A., R.P.A.v.E., H.S.G., W.L.v.d.P.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Knowledge Institute for Medical Specialists (J.F.d.G.), University of Applied Sciences; and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - W Ludo van der Pol
- From the Child Development and Exercise Center (B.B., L.E.H.) and Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology (E.E.S.N.), Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, and UMC Utrecht Brain Center (R.I.W., F.-L.A., R.P.A.v.E., H.S.G., W.L.v.d.P.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Knowledge Institute for Medical Specialists (J.F.d.G.), University of Applied Sciences; and Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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van Rosmalen MHJ, Goedee HS, van der Gijp A, Witkamp TD, van Eijk RPA, Asselman FL, van den Berg LH, Mandija S, Froeling M, Hendrikse J, van der Pol WL. Quantitative assessment of brachial plexus MRI for the diagnosis of chronic inflammatory neuropathies. J Neurol 2020; 268:978-988. [PMID: 32965512 PMCID: PMC7914242 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-10232-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Objective This study aimed at developing a quantitative approach to assess abnormalities on MRI of the brachial plexus and the cervical roots in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) and to evaluate interrater reliability and its diagnostic value. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study in 50 patients with CIDP, 31 with MMN and 42 disease controls. We systematically measured cervical nerve root sizes on MRI bilaterally (C5, C6, C7) in the coronal [diameter (mm)] and sagittal planes [area (mm2)], next to the ganglion (G0) and 1 cm distal from the ganglion (G1). We determined their diagnostic value using a multivariate binary logistic model and ROC analysis. In addition, we evaluated intra- and interrater reliability. Results Nerve root size was larger in patients with CIDP and MMN compared to controls at all predetermined anatomical sites. We found that nerve root diameters in the coronal plane had optimal reliability (intrarater ICC 0.55–0.87; interrater ICC 0.65–0.90). AUC was 0.78 (95% CI 0.69–0.87) for measurements at G0 and 0.81 (95% CI 0.72–0.91) for measurements at G1. Importantly, our quantitative assessment of brachial plexus MRI identified an additional 10% of patients that showed response to treatment, but were missed by nerve conduction (NCS) and nerve ultrasound studies. Conclusion Our study showed that a quantitative assessment of brachial plexus MRI is reliable. MRI can serve as an important additional diagnostic tool to identify treatment-responsive patients, complementary to NCS and nerve ultrasound. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00415-020-10232-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke H J van Rosmalen
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - H Stephan Goedee
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Anouk van der Gijp
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Theo D Witkamp
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Biostatistics and Research Support, Julius Centre for Healthy Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fay-Lynn Asselman
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Stefano Mandija
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Computational Imaging Group for MR Diagnostic and Therapy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn Froeling
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Hendrikse
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - W Ludo van der Pol
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Biostatistics and Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Janse van Mantgem MR, van Eijk RPA, van der Burgh HK, Tan HHG, Westeneng HJ, van Es MA, Veldink JH, van den Berg LH. Prognostic value of weight loss in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a population-based study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2020; 91:867-875. [PMID: 32576612 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2020-322909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [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] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence and prognostic value of weight loss (WL) prior to diagnosis in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS We enrolled patients diagnosed with ALS between 2010 and 2018 in a population-based setting. At diagnosis, detailed information was obtained regarding the patient's disease characteristics, anthropological changes, ALS-related genotypes and cognitive functioning. Complete survival data were obtained. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between WL and the risk of death during follow-up. RESULTS The data set comprised 2420 patients of whom 67.5% reported WL at diagnosis. WL occurred in 71.8% of the bulbar-onset and in 64.2% of the spinal-onset patients; the mean loss of body weight was 6.9% (95% CI 6.8 to 6.9) and 5.5% (95% CI 5.5 to 5.6), respectively (p<0.001). WL occurred in 35.1% of the patients without any symptom of dysphagia. WL is a strong independent predictor of survival, with a dose response relationship between the amount of WL and the risk of death: the risk of death during follow-up increased by 23% for every 10% increase in WL relative to body weight (HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.51, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS This population-based study shows that two-thirds of the patients with ALS have WL at diagnosis, which also occurs independent of dysphagia, and is related to survival. Our results suggest that WL is a multifactorial process that may differ from patient to patient. Gaining further insight in its underlying factors could prove essential for future therapeutic measures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Neurology, University Medical Centre Utrecht Brain Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Biostatistics and Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Harold H G Tan
- Neurology, University Medical Centre Utrecht Brain Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Henk-Jan Westeneng
- Neurology, University Medical Centre Utrecht Brain Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Michael A van Es
- Neurology, University Medical Centre Utrecht Brain Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan H Veldink
- Neurology, University Medical Centre Utrecht Brain Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Wijngaarde CA, Stam M, Otto LAM, Bartels B, Asselman FL, van Eijk RPA, van den Berg LH, Goedee HS, Wadman RI, van der Pol WL. Muscle strength and motor function in adolescents and adults with spinal muscular atrophy. Neurology 2020; 95:e1988-e1998. [PMID: 32732299 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000010540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess longitudinal patterns of muscle strength, motor function, and maximal compound muscle action potential amplitudes (CMAPMAX) in older patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), hypothesizing a continued decline of motor function parameters throughout life. METHODS We measured muscle strength (Medical Research Council), motor function (Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded [HFMSE] and Motor Function Measure), and CMAPMAX in treatment-naive patients. We used both longitudinal and cross-sectional data in mixed models to analyze natural history patterns. RESULTS We included 250 patients with SMA types 1c through 4. Median patient age at assessment was 26.8 years, the number of assessments per patient ranged from 1 to 6. Baseline muscle strength and motor function scores differed significantly between SMA types, but annual rates of decline were largely similar and mostly linear. HFMSE floor effects were present for all patients with SMA type 1c, and adolescents and adults with types 2 and 3a. CMAPMAX differed significantly between SMA types but did not decline significantly with increasing age. Muscle strength correlated very strongly with motor function (τ ≥ 0.8) but only moderately with CMAPMAX (τ ≈ 0.5-0.6). CONCLUSION Muscle strength and motor function decline in older patients with SMA are constant without periods of slower progression or a plateau phase. The floor effects of the HFMSE preclude its use for long-term follow-up of adult patients with SMA types 1c through 3a. Muscle strength sum scores represent an alternative, feasible outcome measure for adolescent and adult patients with SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camiel A Wijngaarde
- From the Department of Neurology (C.A.W., M.S., L.A.M.O., F.-L.A., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., H.S.G., R.I.W., W.L.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Child Development and Exercise Center (B.B.), and Department of Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Marloes Stam
- From the Department of Neurology (C.A.W., M.S., L.A.M.O., F.-L.A., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., H.S.G., R.I.W., W.L.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Child Development and Exercise Center (B.B.), and Department of Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Louise A M Otto
- From the Department of Neurology (C.A.W., M.S., L.A.M.O., F.-L.A., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., H.S.G., R.I.W., W.L.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Child Development and Exercise Center (B.B.), and Department of Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Bart Bartels
- From the Department of Neurology (C.A.W., M.S., L.A.M.O., F.-L.A., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., H.S.G., R.I.W., W.L.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Child Development and Exercise Center (B.B.), and Department of Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Fay-Lynn Asselman
- From the Department of Neurology (C.A.W., M.S., L.A.M.O., F.-L.A., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., H.S.G., R.I.W., W.L.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Child Development and Exercise Center (B.B.), and Department of Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- From the Department of Neurology (C.A.W., M.S., L.A.M.O., F.-L.A., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., H.S.G., R.I.W., W.L.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Child Development and Exercise Center (B.B.), and Department of Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- From the Department of Neurology (C.A.W., M.S., L.A.M.O., F.-L.A., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., H.S.G., R.I.W., W.L.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Child Development and Exercise Center (B.B.), and Department of Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - H Stephan Goedee
- From the Department of Neurology (C.A.W., M.S., L.A.M.O., F.-L.A., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., H.S.G., R.I.W., W.L.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Child Development and Exercise Center (B.B.), and Department of Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Renske I Wadman
- From the Department of Neurology (C.A.W., M.S., L.A.M.O., F.-L.A., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., H.S.G., R.I.W., W.L.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Child Development and Exercise Center (B.B.), and Department of Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - W Ludo van der Pol
- From the Department of Neurology (C.A.W., M.S., L.A.M.O., F.-L.A., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., H.S.G., R.I.W., W.L.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Child Development and Exercise Center (B.B.), and Department of Biostatistics & Research Support (R.P.A.v.E.), Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands.
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Tan HHG, Westeneng HJ, van der Burgh HK, van Es MA, Bakker LA, van Veenhuijzen K, van Eijk KR, van Eijk RPA, Veldink JH, van den Berg LH. The Distinct Traits of the UNC13A Polymorphism in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Ann Neurol 2020; 88:796-806. [PMID: 32627229 PMCID: PMC7540607 DOI: 10.1002/ana.25841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Objective The rs12608932 single nucleotide polymorphism in UNC13A is associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) susceptibility, and may underlie differences in treatment response. We aimed to characterize the clinical, cognitive, behavioral, and neuroimaging phenotype of UNC13A in patients with ALS. Methods We included 2,216 patients with ALS without a C9orf72 mutation to identify clinical characteristics associated with the UNC13A polymorphism. A subcohort of 428 patients with ALS was used to study cognitive and behavioral profiles, and 375 patients to study neuroimaging characteristics. Associations were analyzed under an additive genetic model. Results Genotyping rs12608932 resulted in 854 A/A, 988 A/C, and 374 C/C genotypes. The C allele was associated with a higher age at symptom onset (median years A/A 63.5, A/C 65.6, and C/C 65.5; p < 0.001), more frequent bulbar onset (A/A 29.6%, A/C 31.8%, and C/C 43.1%; p < 0.001), higher incidences of ALS‐FTD (A/A 4.3%, A/C 5.2%, and C/C 9.5%; p = 0.003), lower forced vital capacity at diagnosis (median percentage A/A 92.0, A/C 90.0, and C/C 86.5; p < 0.001), and a shorter survival (median in months A/A 33.3, A.C 30.7, and C/C 26.6; p < 0.001). UNC13A was associated with lower scores on ALS‐specific cognition tests (means A/A 79.5, A/C 78.1, and C/C 76.6; p = 0.037), and more frequent behavioral disturbances (A/A 16.7%, A/C 24.4%, and C/C 27.7%; p = 0.045). Thinner left inferior temporal and right fusiform cortex were associated with the UNC13A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; p = 0.045 and p = 0.036). Interpretation Phenotypical distinctions associated with UNC13A make it an important factor to take into account in clinical trial design, studies on cognition and behavior, and prognostic counseling. ANN NEUROL 2020;88:796–806
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold H G Tan
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Henk-Jan Westeneng
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hannelore K van der Burgh
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Michael A van Es
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Leonhard A Bakker
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kevin van Veenhuijzen
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kristel R van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Biostatistics and Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan H Veldink
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Herraets IJT, Goedee HS, Telleman JA, van Eijk RPA, Verhamme C, Saris CGJ, Eftimov F, van Alfen N, van Asseldonk JT, Visser LH, van den Berg LH, van der Pol LW. Nerve ultrasound for diagnosing chronic inflammatory neuropathy: A multicenter validation study. Neurology 2020; 95:e1745-e1753. [PMID: 32675082 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000010369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To validate the diagnostic accuracy of a previously described short sonographic protocol to identify chronic inflammatory neuropathy (CIN), including chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), Lewis Sumner syndrome, and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN), and to determine the added value of nerve ultrasound to detect treatment-responsive patients compared to nerve conduction studies (NCS) in a prospective multicenter study. METHODS We included 100 consecutive patients clinically suspected of CIN in 3 centers. The study protocol consisted of neurologic examination, laboratory tests, NCS, and nerve ultrasound. We validated a short sonographic protocol (median nerve at forearm, upper arm, and C5 nerve root) and determined its diagnostic accuracy using the European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society criteria of CIDP/MMN (reference standard). In addition, to determine the added value of nerve ultrasound in detecting treatment-responsive patients, we used previously published diagnostic criteria based on clinical, NCS, and sonographic findings and treatment response (alternative reference standard). RESULTS Sensitivity and specificity of the sonographic protocol for CIN according to the reference standard were 87.4% and 67.3%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of this protocol according to the alternative reference standard were 84.6% and 72.8%, respectively, and of NCS 76.1% and 93.4%. With addition of nerve ultrasound, 44 diagnoses of CIN were established compared to 33 diagnoses with NCS alone. CONCLUSIONS A short sonographic protocol shows high diagnostic accuracy for detecting CIN. Nerve ultrasound is able to detect up to 25% more patients who respond to treatment. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This multicenter study provides Class IV evidence that nerve ultrasound improves diagnosis of CIN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid J T Herraets
- From the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (I.J.T.H., H.S.G., J.A.T., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., L.W.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus; Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology (I.J.T.H., J.A.T., J.T.v.A., L.H.V.), Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital Tilburg; Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.P.A.v.E.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Amsterdam Neuroscience (C.V., F.E.), Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam; and Department of Neurology (C.G.J.S., N.v.A.), Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - H Stephan Goedee
- From the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (I.J.T.H., H.S.G., J.A.T., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., L.W.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus; Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology (I.J.T.H., J.A.T., J.T.v.A., L.H.V.), Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital Tilburg; Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.P.A.v.E.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Amsterdam Neuroscience (C.V., F.E.), Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam; and Department of Neurology (C.G.J.S., N.v.A.), Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Johan A Telleman
- From the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (I.J.T.H., H.S.G., J.A.T., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., L.W.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus; Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology (I.J.T.H., J.A.T., J.T.v.A., L.H.V.), Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital Tilburg; Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.P.A.v.E.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Amsterdam Neuroscience (C.V., F.E.), Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam; and Department of Neurology (C.G.J.S., N.v.A.), Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- From the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (I.J.T.H., H.S.G., J.A.T., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., L.W.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus; Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology (I.J.T.H., J.A.T., J.T.v.A., L.H.V.), Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital Tilburg; Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.P.A.v.E.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Amsterdam Neuroscience (C.V., F.E.), Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam; and Department of Neurology (C.G.J.S., N.v.A.), Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Camiel Verhamme
- From the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (I.J.T.H., H.S.G., J.A.T., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., L.W.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus; Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology (I.J.T.H., J.A.T., J.T.v.A., L.H.V.), Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital Tilburg; Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.P.A.v.E.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Amsterdam Neuroscience (C.V., F.E.), Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam; and Department of Neurology (C.G.J.S., N.v.A.), Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Christiaan G J Saris
- From the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (I.J.T.H., H.S.G., J.A.T., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., L.W.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus; Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology (I.J.T.H., J.A.T., J.T.v.A., L.H.V.), Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital Tilburg; Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.P.A.v.E.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Amsterdam Neuroscience (C.V., F.E.), Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam; and Department of Neurology (C.G.J.S., N.v.A.), Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Filip Eftimov
- From the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (I.J.T.H., H.S.G., J.A.T., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., L.W.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus; Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology (I.J.T.H., J.A.T., J.T.v.A., L.H.V.), Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital Tilburg; Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.P.A.v.E.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Amsterdam Neuroscience (C.V., F.E.), Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam; and Department of Neurology (C.G.J.S., N.v.A.), Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Nens van Alfen
- From the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (I.J.T.H., H.S.G., J.A.T., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., L.W.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus; Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology (I.J.T.H., J.A.T., J.T.v.A., L.H.V.), Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital Tilburg; Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.P.A.v.E.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Amsterdam Neuroscience (C.V., F.E.), Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam; and Department of Neurology (C.G.J.S., N.v.A.), Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - J Thies van Asseldonk
- From the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (I.J.T.H., H.S.G., J.A.T., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., L.W.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus; Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology (I.J.T.H., J.A.T., J.T.v.A., L.H.V.), Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital Tilburg; Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.P.A.v.E.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Amsterdam Neuroscience (C.V., F.E.), Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam; and Department of Neurology (C.G.J.S., N.v.A.), Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Leo H Visser
- From the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (I.J.T.H., H.S.G., J.A.T., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., L.W.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus; Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology (I.J.T.H., J.A.T., J.T.v.A., L.H.V.), Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital Tilburg; Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.P.A.v.E.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Amsterdam Neuroscience (C.V., F.E.), Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam; and Department of Neurology (C.G.J.S., N.v.A.), Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- From the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (I.J.T.H., H.S.G., J.A.T., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., L.W.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus; Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology (I.J.T.H., J.A.T., J.T.v.A., L.H.V.), Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital Tilburg; Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.P.A.v.E.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Amsterdam Neuroscience (C.V., F.E.), Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam; and Department of Neurology (C.G.J.S., N.v.A.), Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ludo W van der Pol
- From the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (I.J.T.H., H.S.G., J.A.T., R.P.A.v.E., L.H.v.d.B., L.W.v.d.P.), UMC Utrecht Brain Center Rudolf Magnus; Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology (I.J.T.H., J.A.T., J.T.v.A., L.H.V.), Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital Tilburg; Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (R.P.A.v.E.), University Medical Center Utrecht; Amsterdam Neuroscience (C.V., F.E.), Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam; and Department of Neurology (C.G.J.S., N.v.A.), Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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50
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Veldhoen ES, Wijngaarde CA, Verweij-van den Oudenrijn LP, Asselman FL, Wösten-van Asperen RM, Hulzebos EHJ, van der Ent K, Cuppen I, Gaytant MA, van Eijk RPA, van der Pol WL. Relative hyperventilation in non-ventilated patients with spinal muscular atrophy. Eur Respir J 2020; 56:13993003.00162-2020. [PMID: 32586880 PMCID: PMC7674775 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00162-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a relatively common autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder, characterised by progressive degeneration of spinal cord and bulbar motor neurons. It is caused by survival motor neuron (SMN) protein deficiency, due to homozygous loss of function of the SMN1 gene. Due to the effects of genetic modifiers, SMA displays a broad range in severity. The current clinical classification system distinguishes four types, based on age at onset and acquired motor milestones, i.e. infantile onset without achieving the ability to sit (type 1), childhood onset with the ability to sit but not to walk (type 2), childhood onset with the ability to walk for at least a short period of time (type 3) and adult onset with mild symptoms (type 4) [1, 2]. Disease course is progressive, irrespective of type [3] and patients with SMA type 1, 2 and 3 are at high or moderate risk of developing respiratory insufficiency, which may necessitate initiating mechanical ventilation [4, 5]. Lower ranges of carbon dioxide levels are normal in non-ventilated SMA patients. Physicians should be aware of pending respiratory insufficiency if carbon dioxide levels increase to normal levels in patients with pre-existing low carbon dioxide levelshttps://bit.ly/2Ag7jQ5
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther S Veldhoen
- Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and Centre of Home Mechanical Ventilation, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Camiel A Wijngaarde
- Dept of Neurology, Brain Centre Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Laura P Verweij-van den Oudenrijn
- Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and Centre of Home Mechanical Ventilation, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fay-Lynn Asselman
- Dept of Neurology, Brain Centre Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roelie M Wösten-van Asperen
- Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Erik H J Hulzebos
- Child Development and Exercise Centre, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kors van der Ent
- Dept of Paediatric Pulmonology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Inge Cuppen
- Dept of Neurology, Brain Centre Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Michael A Gaytant
- Centre of Home Mechanical Ventilation, Dept of Pulmonology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P A van Eijk
- Dept of Neurology, Brain Centre Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Biostatistics and Research Support, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - W Ludo van der Pol
- Dept of Neurology, Brain Centre Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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