Rehabilitation of cognitive and motor functions in younger and older patients with vascular brain damage, rheumatologic illness and in post-surgery patients.

This study presents results of inpatient rehabilitation (as monitored by Functional Independence Measure (FIM)) of patients with vascular brain damage (n = 78), post surgery patients (n = 62) and of patients with rheumatologic illness (n = 45). These patients were divided into two age groups (cut off point 65 years). There were significant differences in the FIM scores in all three diagnosis groups between the younger and the older patients at discharge, the younger patients reaching a higher FIM score. However, there were no substantial differences between the two age groups in FIM gains the length of stay in any of the diagnosis groups. This study indicates that although younger patients reach higher FIM score at admission and at discharge the patients older than 65 improved in a comparable way during the same length of stay thus requiring comparable financial resources.

Time use of stroke patients in an intensive rehabilitation unit: a comparison between a Belgian and a Swiss setting.

PURPOSE: Functional improvement after stroke has been related to the intensity of treatment. The present study was set up to observe how stroke patients spend their time in a rehabilitation unit. METHOD: Behavioural mapping was performed throughout a full working day in a Belgian and Swiss stroke unit. RESULTS: Patients were most frequently involved in therapeutic activities, 28% of the day in Belgium and 45% in Switzerland. Physiotherapy accounted for the majority of the therapy time. The Belgian patients spent 27% of the day in their own room and Swiss patients 49% of the day. The most striking finding was that the Swiss patients spent nearly 1.5 hours per day more in therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Differences between the two settings could only partially be explained by more favourable patient-staff ratios in the Swiss setting. Autonomous practice, group therapy sessions and family involvement have to also be considered.

Predicting motor recovery of the upper limb after stroke rehabilitation: value of a clinical examination.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Only a few studies have been conducted to predict motor recovery of the arm after stroke. The aims of this study were to identify which clinical variables, assessed at different points in time, were predictive of motor recovery, and to construct useful regression equations. METHOD: One hundred consecutive stroke patients who had an obvious motor deficit of the upper limb were evaluated on entry to the study (two to five weeks post-stroke) and at two, six and 12 months after stroke. The Brunnström-Fugl-Meyer test was used as the outcome measure. Predictors included demographic data, overall disability, clinical neurological features, neuropsychological factors and secondary shoulder complications. RESULTS: In multiple regression analyses, motor performance was invariably retained as the predictive factor with the highest R-square. Other significant predictive variables were overall disability, muscle tone, proprioception and hemi-inattention. Between 53% and 89% of the total amount of variance was accounted for in all selected models. The accuracy of prediction from clinical measurement in the acute phase diminished as the time span of measurement of outcome increased. Similarly, assessment of the variables at two and six months, rather than in the acute stage, resulted in a considerable improvement in the percentage variance explained at 12 months. The highest accuracy was obtained when predictions were made step-by-step in time. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to predict motor recovery of the upper limb accurately through the use of a few clinical measures. Predictive equations are proposed, the use of which are practicable in both clinical practice and research.

Effect of a therapeutic intervention for the hemiplegic upper limb in the acute phase after stroke: a single-blind, randomized, controlled multicenter trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Arm function recovery is notoriously poor in stroke patients. The effect of treatment modalities, particularly those directed at improving upper limb function, has been studied primarily in chronic stroke patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a specific therapeutic intervention on arm function in the acute phase after stroke. METHODS: In a single-blind, randomized, controlled multicenter trial, 100 consecutive patients were allocated to either an experimental group that received an additional treatment of sensorimotor stimulation or to a control group. The intervention was applied for 6 weeks. Patients were evaluated for level of impairment (Brunnström-Fugl-Meyer test) and disability (Action Research Arm test, Barthel Index) before, midway, and after the intervention period and at follow-up 6 and 12 months after stroke. RESULTS: Patients in the experimental group performed better on the Brunnström-Fugl-Meyer test than those in the control group throughout the study period, but differences were significant only at follow-up. Results on the Action Research Arm test and Barthel Index revealed no effect at the level of disability. The effect of the therapy was attributed to the repetitive stimulation of muscle activity. The treatment was most effective in patients with a severe motor deficit and hemianopia or hemi-inattention. No adverse effects due to the intervention were found. CONCLUSIONS: Adding a specific intervention during the acute phase after stroke improved motor recovery, which was apparent 1 year later. These results emphasize the potential beneficial effect of therapeutic interventions for the arm.

[Is iodination of cooking salt still necessary? Current studies on iodine supply in Switzerland]. / Ist die Kochsalzjodierung noch nötig? Neuere Untersuchungen über die Jodversorgung in der Schweiz.

Salt with 3.75 mg iodide per kg was introduced in Switzerland stepwise in the individual cantons between 1922 and 1952. The iodide content was raised to 7.5 mg in 1962 and to 15 mg per kg in 1980. 92% of retail salt and 78% of all salt for human consumption (including salt used in industrial food processing) was iodized in 1989. Under this measure, prevalence of grade 1b or larger goiter dropped continuously to a present value of 1.3% in school-children and 0.3% in male army recruits. Endemic cretinism has disappeared completely. Urinary iodine has reached the desired range of 150 +/- 77 (SD) micrograms per g creatinine. The following facts prove that iodization of salt (and not other changes of food habits) have corrected the iodine deficiency in Switzerland: 1. Urinary iodine is highly correlated with urinary sodium. Backward extrapolation yields a theoretical urinary iodine of 30 micrograms per g creatinine in the absence of iodized salt, a value typical of severe deficiency. 2. Goiter prevalence declined later in those cantons which introduced iodized salt last. 3. Surrounding countries without iodized salt (France, Italy, Federal Republic of Germany, Spain) suffer from considerable iodine deficiency with areas of high goiter prevalence and even endemic cretinism. The new data underscore the absolute and continued need for iodized salt in Switzerland.

Iodine deficiency diseases in Switzerland one hundred years after Theodor Kocher's survey: a historical review with some new goitre prevalence data.

In certain regions of Switzerland, before prophylaxis, 0.5% of the inhabitants were cretins, almost 100% of schoolchildren had large goitres and up to 30% of young men were unfit for military service owing to a large goitre. Iodization of salt was introduced in 1922 at 3.75 mg I per kg and the iodine content was doubled twice, in 1962 and 1980, to the present 15 mg I per kg. In 1988, 92% of retail salt and 76% of all salt for human consumption (including food industry) was iodized, even though its use is voluntary. Urinary iodine excretion, previously between 18 and 64 micrograms per per day, has now risen to 150 micrograms per day. No new endemic cretins born after 1930 have been identified. Goitre disappeared rapidly in newborns and schoolchildren, more slowly in army recruits, and incompletely in elderly adults. In some Cantons (by constitution in charge of health matters and the salt monopoly) which allowed iodized salt only in 1952, disappearance of goitre lagged behind accordingly, proof that iodized salt was the cause of regression. The Swiss data provide evidence that isolated deafness, mental deficiency, and short stature, each without the other attributes of cretinism have also decreased. Adverse effects of iodized salt were minimal, possibly because the initial iodine content of salt was chosen very low. Iodization of salt has proved a highly cost-effective preventive measure in Switzerland.

[When should stable maturity-onset diabetics be switched to insulin?]. / Wann sollen stabile Altersdiabetiker auf Insulin umgestellt werden?

All 11 maturity-onset diabetics (age 55 to 79 years) switched from oral hypoglycemics to insulin during one year in our department, even though metabolically stable, have been followed up. The main reason for the change was a diminished sense of well-being combined with relatively ill-defined symptoms such as declining physical performance, fatigue, dizziness and pain in the legs. None of the patients was ketoacidotic and the 24-hour glucosuria was less than 15 g, although the average fasting blood sugar was markedly elevated to 296 mg/dl. After 6 months on insulin the 24-hour glucosuria had not changed but the fasting blood sugar had dropped to 183 mg/dl. This was accompanied by an improved sense of well-being (as measured by an analog scale) and by disappearance of the symptoms mentioned above. Even though 9 of the 11 patients were initially reluctant to change to insulin, all 11 were still on this drug after 6 months. The authors recommend broadening the indications for insulin therapy in stable adult-onset diabetics, particular attention being paid to vague symptoms such as fatigue and decreased physical performance.

[Experiences with an oral cocaine-morphine solution (Brompton mixture) in the treatment of severe pain in patients with neoplasms]. / Erfahrung mit einer oralen Cocain-Morphium-Lösung ("Brompton-Mixtur") in der Behandlung schwerer Schmerzzustände bei Krebspatienten.

One year's experience is reported in the treatment of terminally ill cancer patients with an oral solution of morphine and cocaine on a fixed schedule. 36 consecutive patients were treated for an average of 51 days. Excellent or good pain relief was achieved with 26 patients (72%). The initial mean daily dose of morphine was 35 mg. After 12 weeks, the dose had to be raised to an average of 52 mg per day. Some patients received up to 180 mg morphine per day. Side effects were not uncommon but were without clinical consequences in most patients. Side effects caused discontinuation of treatment in only 2 patients. Terminally ill cancer patients often derive great benefit from this treatment.

[Clinical features of Cryptococcus neoformans infections]. / Klinisches Bild der Cryptococcus-neoformans-Infektion

Two cases of infection with Cryptococcus neoformans are presented. The first showed primary localization in the CNS, while the second occurred in connection with lymphoproliferative malignancy and cytotoxic chemotherapy, with the typical sequence of initial lung infection and secondary meningo-encepha-litis. The important clinical features, development and therapy of the disease are discussed in the light of this personal experience.