Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy: the modified total neuropathy score in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common, potentially reversible side effect of some chemotherapeutic agents. CIPN is associated with decreased balance, function and quality of life (QoL). This association has to date been under-investigated. AIMS: To profile patients presenting with CIPN using the modified Total Neuropathy Score (mTNS) in this cross-sectional study and to examine the relationship between CIPN (measured by mTNS) and indices of balance, quality of life (QoL) and function. METHODS: Patients receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy regimens were identified using hospital databases. Those who did not have a pre-existing neuropathy were invited to complete mTNS, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), timed up and go (TUG), and FACT-G QoL questionnaire. mTNS scores were profiled and also correlated with BBS, TUG and FACT-G using Spearmans correlation coefficient. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients undergoing neurotoxic chemotherapy regimens were tested. The patients mTNS scores ranged between 1 and 12 (median = 5), indicating that all patients had clinical evidence of neuropathy on mTNS. No significant correlations were found between mTNS and BERG (r = -0.29), TUG (r = 0.14), or FACT-G (r = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study found a high prevalence of CIPN in patients treated with neurotoxic chemotherapy regimens. The mTNS provided a clinically applicable, sensitive screening tool for CIPN which could prove useful in clinical practice. mTNS did not correlate with BBS, TUG or FACT-G in this sample, possibly due to relatively mild levels of CIPN and consequent subtle impairments which were not adequately captured by gross functional assessments.

Recruitment to clinical trials of exercise: challenges in the peripheral arterial disease population.

OBJECTIVES: To describe recruitment to a randomised controlled trial of a 12-week (twice-weekly) supervised exercise programme for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD is a chronic, progressive disease with a significant cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk burden, and exercise is an effective primary management approach. METHOD: Potential patients were identified from the Non-Invasive Vascular Laboratory records and invited to participate in the study. On successful completion of an incremental treadmill exercise test, patients were allocated at random to a control (usual care) or an exercise group. RESULTS: Between November 2006 and June 2009, 548 patients were identified. Of the 156 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 40 (26%) declined to participate. Of the 71 patients who underwent exercise testing, 23 (32%) did not complete the test. The final enrolment number was 44 (44/156; 28%). Eleven patients (11/28; 39%) subsequently withdrew from the exercise programme. CONCLUSION: Recruitment to clinical trials of exercise presents significant challenges in the PAD population due to the presence of co-existing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, a reluctance to exercise due to leg pain, and an acceptance of reduced mobility as part of ageing. Early identification in primary care before the onset of significant comorbidity may ameliorate some of these issues.

[Duodenal complications of rheumatoid purpura. Endoscopic aspects]. / Complications duodénales du purpura rhumatoïde. Aspects endoscopiques.

The aim of this work was to describe the endoscopic features and clinical outcome of the duodenal complications in anaphylactoid purpura. Over a 3-year period, 20 patients were hospitalized in our unit because of purpura rheumatica. Duodenal complications occurred in 5 cases warranting endoscopic assessment. All patients had bilious vomiting and epigastric pain, constantly associated with low-grade purpuric rash. Plasma factor XIII concentrations were always decreased. The duodenal complication was suspected radiologically in 2 cases when "thumbprint" impressions were seen. Petechiae, oedema and intramural hematoma with superficial erosions were present endoscopically in 3 cases. The lesions were severe and extensive, involving the entire duodenum in 3 cases and the jejunum in one case. In one patient, there was a stricture of the upper part of the second duodenum. Treatment consisted of parenteral nutrition (using a central catheter: 3 cases, or a peripheral vein: 2 cases) and cimetidine (30 mg/kg.bw). The clinical outcome was favorable in 4 patients; the symptoms vanished and the endoscopic lesions were reversible (including the stricture) with restitutio ad integrum after 10 days. The last patient died the 8th day of treatment, 3 days after digestive improvement; the cause of death was probably iatrogenic and related to accidental migration of the central catheter. These results suggest that endoscopic examination should be performed in all patients with anaphylactoid purpura presenting with bilious vomiting. Endoscopy seems to be of great value in deciding if parenteral nutrition is indicated--or not--and perhaps in order to contraindicate the use of steroid therapy in the case of ulcerated hematomas.

Cluster of acute infantile spinal muscular atrophy (Werdnig-Hoffmann disease) in a limited area of Reunion Island.

A retrospective study of Werdnig-Hoffmann disease (spinal muscular atrophy type I) was undertaken on Reunion Island. Nineteen WH cases born between 1969 and 1980 were recorded belonging to thirteen sibships of the European population of the island. Genealogical analysis, going back to the XVIIth century (1642), showed a relationship among the 13 families, which were derived from a common ancestral pair. A founder effect is the most probable explanation for the concentration of Werdnig-Hoffmann disease in the area.