Mood assessments of family caregivers of patients with severe brain injury in China

OBJECTIVES

Long-term care of severe brain injury patients places a significant mental burden on family caregivers, yet few studies have reported the situation in China. We aimed to describe the mood states of family caregivers of patients with severe brain injury and examine the influencing factors that affect caregivers' moods.

METHODS

Cross-sectional survey was used to assess the mood profiles of Chinese family caregivers between February 2019 and February 2020. Demographic data of caregivers and patients, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) were used to assess the level of depressive and anxiety symptoms. The quality of life score was also assessed by a visual analog scale, and the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised was used to assess the patient's consciousness.

RESULT

One hundred and one patients with severe brain injury (57 unresponsive wakefulness syndrome, UWS) between the age of 14 and 70 and their main family caregivers were enrolled in the study. Most caregivers displayed depressive (n = 62) and anxiety symptoms (n = 65), with 17 and 20 of these family caregivers reporting (moderately) severe depressive symptom and severe anxiety symptom, respectively. The caregiver's depressive symptom level significantly decreased as the patient's injury lasted longer (r =  - 0.208, P = 0.037). Moreover, the age of the patient negatively related to the levels of depressive (r =  - 0.310, P = 0.002) and anxiety symptoms (r =  - 0.289, P = 0.003) in caregivers. There was a significant positive correlation between anxiety and depressive symptoms scores in family caregivers (r = 0.838, P < 0.001). The higher the level of anxiety (r =  - 0.273, P = 0.006) and depressive symptoms (r =  - 0.265, P = 0.007), the worse the quality of life.

CONCLUSION

Many family caregivers of patients with severe brain injury experience various levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms in China. Tailor-made psychological help seems imperative. Researchers and doctors can provide information about patient's conditions to assist family members in discussing rehabilitation options for patients in different states of consciousness will help to ease anxiety of family caregivers.

Early tracheostomy versus late tracheostomy in severe traumatic brain injury or stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

We aim to ascertain whether the benefit of early tracheostomy can be found in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke and if the benefit will remain considering distinct pathologies.

DATA SOURCES

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol, a search through Lilacs, PubMed, and Cochrane databases was conducted.

REVIEW METHODS

Included studies were those written in English, French, Spanish, or Portuguese, with a formulated question, which compared outcomes between early and late trach (minimum of two outcomes), such as intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), hospital LOS, mortality rates, or ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Likewise, patients presented exclusively with head injury or stroke had minimum hospital stay follow-up, and as for severe TBI patients, they presented Glasgow Coma Scale ≤8 at admission. Evaluated outcomes were the risk ratio (RR) of VAP, risk difference (RD) of mortality, and mean difference (MD) of the duration of MV, ICU LOS, and hospital LOS.

RESULTS

The early and late tracheostomy cohorts were composed of 6211 and 8140 patients, respectively. The meta-analysis demonstrated that the early tracheostomy cohort had a lower risk for VAP (RR: 0.73 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.66, 0.81] p < 0.00001), shorter duration of MV (MD: -4.40 days [95% CI, -8.28, -0.53] p = 0.03), and shorter ICU (MD: -6.93 days [95% CI, -8.75, -5.11] p < 0.00001) and hospital LOS (MD: -7.05 days [95% CI, -8.27, -5.84] p < 0.00001). The mortality rate did not demonstrate a statistical difference.

CONCLUSION

Early tracheostomy could optimise patient outcomes by patients' risk for VAP and decreasing MV durationand ICU and hospital LOS.

Post-Acute Level Of Consciousness scale revised (PALOC-sr): adaptation of a scale for classifying the level of consciousness in patients with a prolonged disorder of consciousness

OBJECTIVE

To present an updated version of the 'Post-acute Level Of Consciousness scale' (PALOC-s), in accordance with the latest scientific insights.

METHODS

Within the context of a research project, 20 years ago, the PALOC-s was developed for the purpose of following the development of the level of consciousness of young unconscious patients participating in a rehabilitation program. Meanwhile, the understanding of the behavior related to different levels of consciousness has developed and terminology has changed, resulting in the need to revise the PALOC-s. With the preservation of the original description of the eight hierarchical levels of PALOC-s, adaptations are made in the terminology and grouping of these levels.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

This manuscript presents the revised version of PALOC-sr, which is suitable for use in clinical practice. The validation of this scale is recommended for its optimal use in future (international) research projects.

Links Between Swallowing and Consciousness: A Narrative Review

This literature review explores a wide range of themes addressing the links between swallowing and consciousness. Signs of consciousness are historically based on the principle of differentiating reflexive from volitional behaviors. We show that the sequencing of the components of swallowing falls on a continuum of voluntary to reflex behaviors and we describe several types of volitional and non-volitional swallowing tasks. The frequency, speed of initiation of the swallowing reflex, efficacy of the pharyngeal phase of swallowing and coordination between respiration and swallowing are influenced by the level of consciousness during non-pathological modifications of consciousness such as sleep and general anesthesia. In patients with severe brain injury, the level of consciousness is associated with several components related to swallowing, such as the possibility of extubation, risk of pneumonia, type of feeding or components directly related to swallowing such as oral or pharyngeal abnormalities. Based on our theoretical and empirical analysis, the efficacy of the oral phase and the ability to receive exclusive oral feeding seem to be the most robust signs of consciousness related to swallowing in patients with disorders of consciousness. Components of the pharyngeal phase (in terms of abilities of saliva management) and evoked cough may be influenced by consciousness, but further studies are necessary to determine if they constitute signs of consciousness as such or only cortically mediated behaviors. This review also highlights the critical lack of tools and techniques to assess and treat dysphagia in patients with disorders of consciousness.

The effect of positive end-expiratory pressure on intracranial pressure in obese and non-obese severe brain injury patients: a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

The effect of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on intracranial pressure (ICP) had never been studied in obese patients with severe brain injury (SBI). The main aim was to evaluate the effect of PEEP on ICP in SBI patients with mechanical ventilation according to obesity status.

METHODS

SBI patients admitted to the ICU with mechanical ventilation between 2014 and 2015 were included. Demographic, hemodynamic, arterial blood gas, and ventilator data at the time of the paired PEEP and ICP observations were recorded and compared between obese (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m²) and non-obese SBI patients. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) model was used to assess the relationship between PEEP and ICP in obese and non-obese SBI patients, respectively.

RESULTS

Six hundred twenty-seven SBI patients were included, 407 (65%) non-obese and 220 (35%) obese patients. A total of 30,415 paired PEEP and ICP observations were recorded in these patients, 19,566 (64.3%) for non-obese and 10,849 (35.7%) for obese. In the multivariable analysis, a statistically significant relationship between PEEP and ICP was found in obese SBI patients, but not in non-obese ones. For every cmH₂O increase in PEEP, there was a 0.19 mmHg increase in ICP (95% CI [0.05, 0.33], P = 0.007) and a 0.15 mmHg decrease in CPP (95% CI [-0.29, -0.01], P = 0.036) in obese SBI patients after adjusting for confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested that, contrary to non-obese SBI patients, the application of PEEP may produce an increase in ICP in obese SBI patients. However, the effect was modest and may be clinically inconsequential.

The Association between Evidence-Based Healthcare Practices and Outcomes among Preterm Births in China

INTRODUCTION

Very preterm infants are at high risk of early death or severe brain injury, with potential for impaired long-term neurodevelopmental function and physical health. There are evidence-based healthcare practices that can reduce the incidence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Infants born at 24-316 weeks gestational age and admitted within 24 h to NICUs participating in the Chinese Neonatal Network in 2019 were included. We examined the association between 4 evidence-based practices: inborn (born in a tertiary hospital in the Chinese Neonatal Network), ACS (any antenatal corticosteroid), MgSO4 (prenatal magnesium sulfate), and NT (normothermic temperature [36.0-37.5°C] at admission) and early death and/or severe brain injury in the study population.

RESULTS

Of 6,035 eligible infants, the incidence of early death and/or severe brain injury was 10.6%. Exposure to ACS only was associated with significant lower incidence of death and/or severe brain injury than none (aOR, 0.71; 95% CI: 0.57-0.88), but not MgSO4 only (aOR, 0.97; 95% CI: 0.81-1.17), NT only (aOR, 0.91; 95% CI: 0.76-1.08), or inborn only (aOR, 0.91; 95% CI: 0.72-1.15). The association between number of practices and incidence of early death and/or severe brain injury is as follows: none = 23% (31/138), any 1 = 14% (84/592), any 2 = 12% (185/1,538), any 3 = 9% (202/2,285), and all 4 = 9% (140/1,482).

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

More comprehensive use of evidence-based practices was associated with improved survival without severe brain injury among very preterm infants born at <32 weeks gestational age.

Chronic disorders of consciousness: a case report with longitudinal evaluation of disease progression using 7 T magnetic resonance imaging

BACKGROUND

Outcome prediction for patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) is essential yet challenging. Evidence showed that patients with DOC lasting 1 year or longer after a brain injury were less likely to recover. However, the reasons why outcomes of DOC patients differ greatly remain unclear. With a variety of analytical methods and through quantitative behavioral assessments, we aimed to track the progression of a patient with severe brain injury, in order to advance our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of DOC.

CASE PRESENTATION

We performed a longitudinal study for a 52-year-old male DOC patient who has remained in the state for 1.5 years with comprehensive rehabilitative therapies. The patient underwent 3 times of assessments of Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) and ultra-high-field 7 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Both topologic properties and brain microstructure were analyzed to track disease progression. We observed dynamic increases of fiber densities with measurements at three time points (t1:1.5 M, t2:7.5 M t3:17.5 M). Specifically, fiber densities of the superior longitudinal fasciculus and arcuate fasciculus nerve fiber bundles improved mostly in the visual, verbal, and auditory subscales, which was consistent with the CRS-R scores. Moreover, the graph-theory analyses demonstrated that network topologic properties showed an improvement although the disease duration exceeded 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

DOC patients with a course longer than 1 year remain possible to improve, and including evaluation methods such as WM connectome analysis and graph theory could be potentially valuable for a more precise assessment of patients with a longer course of DOC.

Decannulation and improvement of responsiveness in patients with disorders of consciousness

Decannulation is a rehabilitation milestone in patients with Disorders of Consciousness (DoC). investigate the relationship between decannulation and improvement of responsiveness (IR) in DoC. 236 tracheostomized patients with severe Acquired Brain Injury and DoC admitted in the Intensive Rehabilitation Unit were retrospectively included. They received personalized interdisciplinary rehabilitation. At discharge, IR was evaluated. The association between IR and demographic/clinical data was investigated using a logistic regression analysis, both in the Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome (UWS) and Minimal Consciousness State (MCS) group, divided according to their Coma Recovery Scale-Revised score at admission. In the UWS group (N = 107), only decannulation was associated with IR at discharge (OR: 5.94, CI: 2.08-16.91, p = .001). In the MCS group (N = 129) time post-injury (OR: 0.983, CI: 0.97-0.99, p = .012) and decannulation were associated with IR at discharge (OR: 17.9, CI: 6.39-50.13, p < .001). Decannulation and IR were found to be strongly related, independently from the initial clinical state. While the retrospective nature of the study could not exclude that decannulation may be a consequence of a spontaneous recovery, the obtained results may disclose its potential influence on the clinical history of patients with DoC.

Awakening after a sleeping pill: Restoring functional brain networks after severe brain injury

Some patients with severe brain injury show short-term neurological improvements, such as recovery of consciousness, motor function, or speech after administering zolpidem, a GABA receptor agonist. The working mechanism of this paradoxical phenomenon remains unknown. In this study, we used electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography to investigate a spectacular zolpidem-induced awakening, including the recovery of functional communication and the ability to walk in a patient with severe hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. We show that cognitive deficits, speech loss, and motor impairments after severe brain injury are associated with stronger beta band connectivity throughout the brain and suggest that neurological recovery after zolpidem occurs with the restoration of beta band connectivity. This exploratory work proposes an essential role for beta rhythms in goal-directed behavior and cognition. It advocates further fundamental and clinical research on the role of increased beta band connectivity in the development of neurological deficits after severe brain injury.

Impact of outreach education program on outcomes of neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

Aim

To evaluate the impact of outreach education targeting neuroprotection on outcomes of outborn infants with moderate-to-severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of infants admitted with moderate-to-severe HIE was conducted following the implementation of outreach education in January 2016. Key interventions were early identification and referral of infants with encephalopathy utilizing telemedicine and a centralized communication system, hands-on simulation, and interactive case discussion and dissemination of clinical management guidelines and educational resources. The association between the intervention and a composite outcome of death and/or severe brain injury on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was tested controlling for the confounding factors.

Results

Of 165 neonates, 37 (22.4%) died and/or had a severe brain injury. This outcome decreased from 35% (27/77) to 11% (10/88) following the implementation of outreach education (P<0.001). Eligible infants not undergoing therapeutic hypothermia within 6 hours from birth decreased from 19.5% (15/77) to 4.5% (4/88). The use of inotropes decreased from 49.3% (38/77) to 19.6% (13/88). Any core temperature below 33°C was recorded for 20/53 (38%) before and 16/78 (21%) after, while those within the target range of 33°C to 34°C at admission to a tertiary care facility increased from (15/53) 28% to (51/88) 58%. Outreach education was independently associated with decreased composite outcome of death and/or severe brain injury on MRI (adjusted odds ratio 0.2; 95% confidence interval 0.07 to 0.52).

Conclusion

Outreach education targeting neuroprotection for infants with moderate-to-severe HIE was associated with a reduction in death and/or severe brain injury.

Mean Square Deviation of ICP in Prognosis of Severe TBI Outcomes in Children

OBJECTIVES

Prognostic value of intracranial pressure (ICP) is discussed in the recent literature. The aim of our study was to find the parameter that could be representative of ICP variations and might become a good predictor of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) outcomes in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 81 patients with severe TBI (2004-2014).

INCLUSION CRITERIA

GCS ≤ 8, age > 3 years old, admission time to our clinic <24 h from the time of injury. Mean daily values of ICP were used as a predictor, Glasgow outcome scale value was used as a grouping variable. Outcomes were assessed 6 months after injury.

RESULTS

Total mortality was 27%. We have entered the indicator "energy ICP" (E ²), which describes the dynamics of the process and energy. E ² value in the group of survivors was <500 mmHg²; the probability of accurate forecasting was 91%. Sensitivity, 0.9; specificity; 0.94.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed method is accessible and easy to perform. This method has high specificity in the prediction of severe traumatic brain injury outcome and can be a reliable tool for ICP control.

Prognosis of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Outcomes in Children

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine prognostic factors that can influence the outcome of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and sixty-nine patients with severe TBI were included. Consciousness was evaluated using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Severity of concomitant injuries was evaluated using the Injury Severity Score (ISS). Computer tomography (CT) scanning was used on admission and later. Intracranial injuries were classified using the Marshall CT scale. Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring took place in 80 cases. Serum samples of 65 patients were tested for S-100β protein and of 43 patients for neuron specific enolase (NSE). Outcomes were evaluated 6 months after trauma using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Statistical and mathematical analysis was conducted. The accuracy of our prognostic model was defined in another group of patients (n = 118).

RESULTS

GCS, pupil size and photoreaction, ISS, hypotension and hypoxia are significant predictors of outcome of severe TBI in children. CT results complement the forecast significantly. The accuracy of surviving prognosis came to 76% (0.76) in case of S-100β protein level ≤ 0.25 μg/l and NSE level < 19 μg/l. A mathematical model of outcome prognosis was based on discriminant function analysis. The model of prognosis was tested on the control group. The accuracy of prognosis was 86%.

CONCLUSIONS

A personalised prognostic model makes it possible to predict the outcome of severe TBI in children on the first day after trauma.

Serum levels of Selenium and C-reactive protein in comatose patients with severe traumatic brain injury during the first week of hospitalization: case-control study

Introduction

Mortality and morbidity related to traumatic brain injuries still remain high in patients. Many authors reported the importance of Selenium in maintaining the integrity of brain functions. This fact is supported by clinical evidence that therapy with selenium supplementation could help patients suffering from brain disorders like neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between Selenium concentration in serum and evolution of comatose patients with severe traumatic brain injury, in the first week of admission, and the correlation between selenium and C-reactive protein.

Methods

This case-control study was conducted with 64 comatose patients with TBI, in the Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, IbnSina University Hospital and Hospital of specialties in Rabat-Morocco, and healthy volunteers recruited in Blood transfusion center of Rabat. Blood sampling was collected from TBI patients, in the first week (3h after admission and each 48h during one week), and from healthy volunteers one time. Concentration of Se in serum was determined by electrochemical atomic absorption spectrometry. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical software (SPSS) and the cases and controls were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. A P-value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

Comparison selenium concentration in the first day (D0), third day (D2) and fifth day according to the death and survival statue in patients did not show statistical significance (p > 0.05). Selenium concentration of D0 in patients and Selenium concentration in control group also did not show statistical significance (p > 0.05). Similarly, we did not report a correlation between selenium and C-reactive protein.

Conclusion

According to our data selenium and CRP may not play a role in progression of coma state in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Improvement rate of patients with severe brain injury during post-acute intensive rehabilitation

Patients with severe acquired brain injury (SABI) may evolve towards different outcomes. The primary aim was to evaluate the clinical evolution of a large population of patients with SABI admitted to post-acute rehabilitation from 2001 to 2016, diagnosed with severe brain injury (GCS ≤ 8) in the acute phase and a coma duration of at least 24 h. The possible changes between the admission time to a post-acute rehabilitation hospital and the discharge time were measured by means of Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), Level of Cognitive Functioning (LCF), and Disability Rating Scale (DRS). We also correlated the improvement rate with some sociodemographic and clinical features of the individuals with SABI enrolled. Data of 890 patients were analyzed (54% TBI, length of stay = 162 ± 186 days, GCS = 7.46 ± 1.28); time interval from the SABI (OR = 0.246, CI 95% = 0.181 - 0.333), scores at admission of LCF (OR = 2.243, CI 95% = 1.492 - 3.73), GOS (OR = 0.138, CI 95% = 0.071 - 0.266), DRS (OR = 0.457, CI 95% = 0.330 - 0.632), and etiology (OR = 2.273, CI 95% = 1.676 - 3.084) played a significant role (p < 0.001, explained variance 69.9%) for improving GOS score. Time interval from the SABI to admission in our post-acute rehabilitation ward (OR = 0.300, CI 95% = 0.179 - 0.501, p < 0.001), length of rehabilitation stay (OR = 2.808, CI 95% = 1.694 - 4.653, p < 0.001), and etiology (OR = 1.769, CI 95% = 1.095 - 2.857, p = 0.020) led to a statistically significant improvement in DRS (explained variance 91%). The most significant predictive factors for the outcome of patients with SABI were etiology, time interval from SABI to admission in rehabilitation, and length of rehabilitation stay.

Brain death and true patient care

The "brain death" standard as a criterion of death is closely associated with the need for transplantable organs from heart-beating donors. Are all of these potential donors really dead, or does the documented evidence of patients destined for organ harvesting who improve, or even recover to live normal lives, call into question the premise underlying "brain death"? The aim of this paper is to re-examine the notion of "brain death," especially its clinical test-criteria, in light of a broad framework, including medical knowledge in the field of neuro-intensive care and the traditional ethics of the medical profession. I will argue that both the empirical medical evidence and the ethics of the doctor-patient relationship point to an alternative approach toward the severely comatose patient (potential brain-dead donor). Lay Summary: Though legally accepted and widely practiced, the "brain death" standard for the determination of death has remained a controversial issue, especially in view of the occurrence of "chronic brain death" survivors. This paper critically re-evaluates the clinical test-criteria for "brain death," taking into account what is known about the neuro-critical care of severe brain injury. The medical evidence, together with the understanding of the moral role of the physician toward the patient present before him or her, indicate that an alternative approach should be offered to the deeply comatose patient.

Prehospital management of traumatic brain injury patients--a gender perspective

BACKGROUND

Studies show that there are differences between men and women when it comes to several aspects of health care. But the research on equal care in a prehospital setting for patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been sparsely investigated. The aim of this study is to describe prehospital care from a gender perspective.

METHOD

This is a retrospective study of (n = 651) patients (>15 years) with severe TBI requiring intensive care at a University Hospital in Sweden during the years 2000-2010. Outcome was measured by survival and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores at discharge.

RESULT

Our results show differences, though not significant, in the initial assessments and performed interventions between male and female TBI patients. Female patients received more assessments and performed interventions compared to men during prehospital care. Men received more interventions with I.V. fluid but significantly less airway interventions (endotracheal intubation) compared to female patients. More men were transported directly to neurosurgical specialist care as compared to females. No difference in outcome was found.

CONCLUSION

Our results show differences, however not significant in the assessments and performed interventions between gender, with female patients receiving more assessments and interventions compared to male patients during prehospital care. Future research should focus on gender differences in initial early signs of TBI to improve early identification.

Prevention and treatment of stress-induced gastrointestinal bleeding after severe brain injury

AIM: To analyze the prevention and treatment of stress-induced gastrointestinal bleeding after severe brain injury.

METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients with severe brain injury were randomly divided into three groups: A, B and C. Group A was treated by early enteral nutrition plus drug treatment, group B by late enteral nutrition plus drug treatment, and group C by early enteral nutrition. The incidence of stress-induced gastrointestinal bleeding, gastric juice pH and the healing time of oral ulcer were compared between the three groups. The relationship of gastric juice pH and blood glucose level with the incidence of stress-induced gastrointestinal bleeding was analyzed. The clinical effects were observed.

RESULTS: The incidence rate of stress-induced gastrointestinal bleeding (10.00%, 20.00% vs 37.50%, P < 0.05) and gastric juice pH (4.97 ± 0.73, 4.49 ± 0.35 vs 3.05 ± 1.21, P < 0.05 for both) were significantly higher in the group C than in groups A and B, but the average time of ulcer healing was significantly lower in group C (22.16 ± 3.07, 29.02 ± 2.24 vs 33.26 ± 3.61, P < 0.05 for both). The above parameters also differed significantly between groups A and B (P < 0.05 for all). The incidence rate of stress-induced gastrointestinal bleeding was significantly higher in patients with gastric juice pH ≤ 2.45 than in those with gastric juice pH > 2.45 (18.62% vs 15.69%, P < 0.05), but was significantly lower in patients with blood glucose level > 10 mmol/L than in those with blood glucose level > 15 mmol/L (16.38% vs 17.72%, P < 0.05). In total, 25 cases (92.59%) had been treated successfully, and there were 2 cases (7.41%) of failure, of whom 1 had been treated successfully by surgical treatment, and 1 (3.70%) died.

CONCLUSION: Hyperacidity, gastric mucosa damage and hyperglycemia are risk factor leading to stress-induced gastrointestinal bleeding after severe brain injury. Early enteral nutrition and drug treatment can prevent stress-induced gastrointestinal bleeding.