Neurological manifestations of dengue in Central Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The incidence of dengue has increased throughout the 2000s with a consequent global increase in atypical clinical forms. METHODS: This study reports a series of cases of neurological dengue out of 498 confirmed cases of laboratory dengue in Goiânia, Brazil. Cases were confirmed based on viral RNA detection via polymerase chain reaction or IgM antibody capture. RESULTS: Neurological symptoms occurred in 5.6% of cases, including paresthesia (3.8%), encephalitis (2%), encephalopathy (1%), seizure (0.8%), meningoencephalitis (0.4%), and paresis (0.4%). DENV-3 was the predominant circulating serotype (93%). CONCLUSIONS: We reported dengue cases with neurological manifestations in endemic area.

Actividades de prevención del pie diabético en pacientes de consulta externa de primer nivel / Primary-care prevention activities in outpatients suffering from diabetic foot care

Objetivo Determinar la frecuencia de actividades de prevención del pie diabético recomendadas por el médico y efectuadas por pacientes de consulta externa en medicina general, para autocuidado de los pies y describir los hábitos alimentarios. Metodología Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, realizado en dos instituciones de salud de Bogotá, marzo-octubre 2008; muestra ponderada, por conveniencia, 307 pacientes diabéticos mayores de 18 años. Resultados Antecedente de úlceras en pies 13 por ciento, amputaciones en miembros inferiores 1,6 por ciento. Refirieron: disestesias 65,5 por ciento y claudicación intermitente 33,6 por ciento; no habían recibido educación sobre el cuidado del pie por parte del médico 78,2 por ciento. Su médico no le había examinado los pies en el último año al 76,2 por ciento; a pesar de presentar disestesias y claudicación intermitente no se indagó sobre estos síntomas al 89 por ciento y 93 por ciento de pacientes respectivamente. Actividades de pacientes: no revisaban diariamente los pies 63,1 por ciento, no realizaban automonitoreo 93,4 por ciento, consumían más de dos fuentes de carbohidratos en comidas principales 38,1 por ciento; adicionaban a las preparaciones azúcar, panela, miel de abejas 38,8 por ciento. Conclusiones La prevalencia de actividades de prevención del pie diabético recomendadas por médicos y efectuadas por pacientes fue deficiente. Es necesario crear y fortalecer programas interdisciplinarios para la prevención de la diabetes mellitus y del pie diabético a nivel primario de atención, además de formación del equipo de profesionales en salud.

Objective Determining the prevalence of prevention activities regarding diabetic foot recommended by doctors and carried out by out-patients attending general medicine self-care foot control and describing food habits. Methods This was a descriptive and cross-sectional studywhich was carried out in two health-care institutions in Bogotá, from March to October 2008, by weightedconveniencesampling of 307 diabetic patients, aged over 18 years. Results Some patients had a background of foot ulcers (13.0 percent) and amputations of the lower limbs(1.6 percent). Some patients referredto dysesthesia(65.5 percent) and intermittent claudication (33.6 percent)whilst many stated that they had received no education about foot care from their doctors(78.2 percent). Many stated that the doctor had not checked their feet during the last year (76.2 percent)and others that, despite presenting dysesthesia and intermittent claudication(89.0 percent and 93.0 percent, respectively), the patients had not been asked about these symptoms. Regarding patient activities,some did not checktheir feet each day (63.1 percent), did not perform self-monitoring (93.4 percent), consumed more than two sources of carbohydrateduring the main meals (38. percent)and/or added sugar, "panela" or honey to preparations (38.8 percent). Conclusions The prevalence of diabetic foot prevention practices recommended by doctors and carried out by patients was poor. Interdisciplinary programmes must thus be created and strengthenedfor preventing diabetes mellitus and diabetic foot, at primary- attention out-patient level, besides providing pertinent trainingfor health teams.

Continuous spinal anesthesia versus combined spinal epidural block for major orthopedic surgery: prospective randomized study / Raquianestesia continua versus bloqueio combinado raqui-peridural para cirurgias ortopédicas de grande porte: estudo prospectivo e aleatório

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES: In major orthopedic surgery of the lower limbs, continuous spinal anesthesia (CSA) and combined spinal epidural anesthesia (CSE) are safe and reliable anesthesia methods. In this prospective randomized clinical study, the blockading properties and side effects of CSA were compared with single interspace CSE, among patients scheduled for major hip or knee surgery. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective clinical study conducted at the Institute for Regional Anesthesia, Hospital de Base, São José do Rio Preto. METHODS: 240 patients scheduled for hip arthroplasty, knee arthroplasty or femoral fracture treatment were randomly assigned to receive either CSA or CSE. Blockades were performed in the lateral position at the L3-L4 interspace. Puncture success, technical difficulties, paresthesia, highest level of sensory and motor blockade, need for complementary doses of local anesthetic, degree of technical difficulties, cardiocirculatory changes and postdural puncture headache (PDPH) were recorded. At the end of the surgery, the catheter was removed and cerebrospinal fluid leakage was evaluated. RESULTS: Seven patients were excluded (three CSA and four CSE). There was significantly lower incidence of paresthesia in the CSE group. The resultant sensory blockade level was significantly higher with CSE. Complete motor blockade occurred in 110 CSA patients and in 109 CSE patients. Arterial hypotension was observed significantly more often in the CSE group. PDPH was observed in two patients of each group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that both CSA and CSE provided good surgical conditions with low incidence of complications. The sensory blockade level and hemodynamic changes were lower with CSA.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVOS: Em cirurgias ortopédicas de grande porte, a raquianestesia contínua e o bloqueio combinado raqui-peridural são métodos seguros e confiáveis. Neste estudo prospectivo foram comparadas as propriedades e efeitos colaterais da raquianestesia contínua com o bloqueio combinado raqui-peridural de punção única em pacientes programados para cirurgia ortopédica de quadril, joelho e fraturas de fêmur. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo prospectivo, conduzido no Instituto de Anestesia Regional do Hospital de Base de São José do Rio Preto. MÉTODOS: 240 pacientes com cirurgias de quadril, artroplastia de joelho ou correção de fratura de fêmur programadas foram aleatoriamente arrolados para receberem raquianestesia contínua ou bloqueio combinado raqui-peridural (CSE). Os bloqueios foram realizados com o paciente na posição lateral no interespaço L3-L4. O sucesso das punções, dificuldades técnicas, parestesia, nível do bloqueio sensitivo e bloqueio motor, necessidade de doses complementares de anestésico local, grau de dificuldade técnica, alteração cardiociruculatória e cefaléia pós-punção foram registradas. Ao final da cirurgia, o cateter foi retirado e foi avaliado se havia refluxo de líquor. RESULTADOS: Sete pacientes foram excluídos (3 CSA e 4 CSE). Houve uma menor incidência significativa de parestesia no grupo CSA. O nível do bloqueio sensitivo foi significantemente mais alto no grupo CSE. Bloqueio motor completo ocorreu em 110 pacientes do grupo CSA e em 109 do grupo CSE. Hipotensão arterial foi observada significantemente mais freqüente no grupo CSE. Cefaléia pós-punção da dura-máter ocorreu em dois pacientes de cada grupo. CONCLUSÃO: Nossos resultados sugerem que ambas as técnicas provêm boa anestesia cirúrgica com baixa incidência de complicação. O nível do bloqueio sensitivo e as alterações hemodinâmicas foram menores com a raquianestesia contínua (CSA).

Primary neuritic leprosy: a reappraisal at a tertiary care hospital.

AIM: To study the clinico-epidemiological profile of primary neuritic leprosy. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the leprosy records of clinically diagnosed patients of PNL who attended the Leprosy Clinic from 2000 to 2004 was carried out for details of presenting complaints, age and sex distribution, duration, number of nerves involved and pattern of nerve enlargement, BI (skin), nerve abscess, and deformities. RESULTS: There were 32 (4.6%) patients of PNL out of a total of 686. Majority (56.2%) had complaints for less than a year. There were 29 (90.6%) males, and 3 (9.4%) females, with 15-30 years as the commonest age-group (65.6%) involved. Paraesthesia and numbness were the presenting complaints in 20 (62.5%), and motor deficit (paresis) in 11 (34.4%); deformities (claw hand, foot drop, trophic changes) were seen in 16 (50%) cases. Polyneuritic pattern was noted in 21 (63.56%) patients and mononeuritic in 11 (16.5%) with ulnar nerve as the most commonly enlarged nerve (63.6%). Nerve abscess was noted in 4 (12.5%) cases. Slit-skin smear was positive in 2 (6.2%) cases only. DISCUSSION: PNL continues to be common in India. Sensory complaints are early and more common. The disease is more common in males. Polyneuritic pattern was predominant, and the ulnar nerve was the most commonly involved nerve. Majority of the cases belong to the tuberculoid spectrum. Early diagnosis depends on complete neurological examination in order to reduce the sequelae of the disease.