Caracterización del perfil clínico y funcional de pacientes con lesión medular en rehabilitación intrahospitalaria / Characterization of the clinical profile and function of patients with spinal cord injury in in-hospital rehabilitation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a pathology that generates great personal, family, economic and social impact. There are two main etiologies that are traumatic (T-SCI) and non-traumatic (NTSCI). These patients receive their rehabilitation in specialized hospital services in the acute and sub-acute phase. A retrospective, descriptive, observational study was designed, reviewing the clinical records of patients diagnosed with SCI at discharge, hospitalized in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service of the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile. The general profile of admission of patients with SCI was a young men with NT- SCI, with higher education, paid work and incomplete injury (ASIA B, C, D). An improvement was observed for all patients for the severity of the injury, neurological level, motor level, sensory level and functionality. This is the first study conducted nationwide that provides epidemiological data and functional evolution of patients with SCI and are comparable to those found in the international literature. (AU)

Síndrome de túnel carpiano en el embarazo: revisión de literatura y presentación de un caso clínico / Carpal tunnel syndrome in the pregnancy: literature review and presentation of a clinical case

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral neuropathy in the general population. In pregnant women the prevalence increases to 31-62 percent probably by edema secondary to the hormonal changes of pregnancy. The definitive treatment is surgical decompression, but in pregnant reserves only in exceptional cases where other treatments have failed. This population receives mainly conservative therapy consisting of splints, physical therapy and infiltration. Objective: To review the management of CTS in pregnant about a case. Methods: The clinical case of a pregnant patient with CTS managed conservatively was revised, based on this existing literature was reviewed. Results: 32 years old woman, studying 18 weeks pregnancy, consultation by paresthesia and loss of strength of both hands since1.5 months, more than right. Physical examination was consistent with bilateral CTS. Use of night splint is indicated. The electrodiagnostic evaluation reporting neuropathic sensitive-motor commitment severe intensity, subacute bilateral median nerve, with moderate denervation. Patient with symptoms persist, it is decided to perform infiltration of carpal tunnel steroid with good clinical and electrophysiological response. Conclusions: This case exemplifies the conservative treatment of CTS in pregnancy delivered good results. The literature supports the use of splints and steroid injections in this population...

Evolución neurológica y funcional en pacientes con polineuropatía de paciente crítico: revisión de literatura y reporte de casos / Neurological and functional evolution in critical illness polyneuropathy: literature review and report of cases

Patients with prolonged ICU stay may have a critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) which corresponds to an acute sensory-motor axonal neuropathy that occurs in severely ill patients between 60 to 100 percent of cases. While most patients have good recovery, reports suggest that between 30 and 40 percent of patients with critical illness polyneuropathy have long-term sequelae, which generate motor limitations that could impact its functionality. The functional outcome of neurological pathology depends on clinical factors, familiy-social factors and access to rehabilitation. Knowing the functional prognosis of the disease is key to organizing the rehabilitation plans. The current literature only reports of neurological recovery as a factor associated with better function in patients with critical illness polyneuropathy. This article reviews clinical and pathogenic aspects of the CIP, neurological and functional changes described in the literature and presents 6 cases of patients admitted to rehabilitation last year.

Efecto de la actividad física en la calidad de vida de una población adulto mayor de Santiago / Effect of physical activity on quality of life of an elderly population of Santiago

Introduction: Aging involves the loss of functional reserve with alteration of multiple systems. This influences the deterioration of various aspects of health and quality of life. To improve these aspects there are different types of interventions in which physical activity has a prominent role. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of one type of physical activity in improving the quality of life of an elderly population of the community. Subjects and methods: We recruited 71 subjects aged 60 years attending a club of elderly. Were randomized into 2 groups (intervention and control) by a blinded observer. The intervention was aerobic physical activity for 30 minutes and calisthenics exercises for heating and cooling, for 10 weeks and 3 times a week. We evaluated 8 dimensions of quality of life at the beginning and end of the intervention by the SF-36. Results: Both groups had similar values at baseline. The intervention group improved clinically (5 to 25 points) and statistically significant (p <0.05) in the 8 dimensions of quality of life. The control group showed a modest improvement in 3 items exploring psychosocial aspects of quality of life. Conclusion: The physical activity in the community is a therapeutic alternative economic, easy to implement, safe to apply and produces a great impact on improving the quality of life of the population over 60 years.