ABSTRACT
Epileptiform EEG discharges (EED) are a frequent finding in people with epilepsy, and may occur in other clinical conditions. Formal testing during EEG recording may demonstrate transitory cognitive impairment (TCI). Thirty patients (27 with epilepsy) with generalized or diffuse EED on a previous examination were studied. The interaction between EED and cognitive tasks was evaluated on subsequent EEG. The numbers of correct or incorrect answers were compared with the occurrence or absence of EED. Results were analyzed by non parametric tests. TCI was characterized in 43.3% of the patients. In 23.3% the EED were rare and it was not possible to evaluate the occurrence of TCI. The findings confirm that otherwise subclinical EED may be accompanied by TCI. There is a need of research to evaluate the relevance of TCI and to determine when EED should be treated.
Atividade epileptiforme (AE) no eletrencefalograma (EEG) é achado comum entre as crises epilépticas e, menos freqüentemente, em outras condições clínicas. AE "subclínica" pode estar acompanhada de distúrbio cognitivo transitório (DCT). Foram estudados 30 pacientes (27 com epilepsia) com AE generalizada ou difusa, freqüente, em EEG inicial. Em EEG subseqüente, foi avaliado o desempenho em testes de classificação visual de animais e objetos, discriminação de cores, memória verbal e auditiva, reconhecimento de padrões e estimação de tempo. Foi comparado, estatisticamente, o número de respostas corretas ou incorretas durante a AE e fora dela. DCT foi caracterizado em 43,3% dos casos. Em 23,3% a AE foi rara, não permitindo avaliação de DCT. Assim, pôde ser caracterizado comprometimento transitório de atividades cognitivas durante AE até então considerada "subclínica". Há necessidade de pesquisar a importância desse fator em pacientes com comprometimento cognitivo e de caracterizar as situações de eventuais benefícios na medicação dirigida à AE.
Subject(s)
Adult , Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Male , Electroencephalography , Epilepsy/complications , Cognition Disorders/etiology , Chi-Square Distribution , Epilepsy/physiopathology , Memory, Short-Term/physiology , Neuropsychological Tests , Evoked Potentials/physiology , Cognition Disorders/physiopathologyABSTRACT
The present study is an exploratory survey attempting to get the point of view of the faculty of subjects considered responsible by teaching physical examination in the nursing undergraduate schools of São Paulo city that were selected for this study. The goals were: to detect the situation of teaching of propaedeutics basis; to identify factors that make them difficult; and to identify the recommendations of the faculty for the improvement of teaching and its implementation. The population studied was formed by 39 faculty of the subjects considered responsible by teaching physical examination. Results show us there is not a specific subject to teach physical examination, although it is taught mainly in Fundamental Nursing; faculty are not entirely prepared to teach physical examination. To improve teaching of physical examination, the faculty suggest enhancing their knowledge and skills as well as to create a specific subject to teach physical examination with sufficient hours according to the content.