Progressive supranuclear palsy as differential diagnosis of Parkinson's disease in the elderly / Parálisis supranuclear progresiva como diagnóstico diferencial de la enfermedad de Parkinson en los ancianos

Introduction: Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a syndrome characterized by progressive parkinsonism with early falls due to postural instability, typically vertical gaze supranuclear ophthalmoplegia, pseudobulbar dysfunction, neck dystonia and upper trunk rigidity as well as mild cognitive dysfunction. Progressive supranuclear palsy must be differentiated from Parkinson's disease taking into account several so-called red flags. Materials and methods: We report a case series hallmarked by gait abnormalities, falls and bradykinesia in which Parkinson's disease was the initial diagnosis. Results: Due to a torpid clinical course, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed demonstrating midbrain atrophy, highly suggestive of progressive supranuclear palsy. Conclusion: The neuroradiological exams (magnetic resonance imaging, single photon emission computer tomography, and positron emission tomography) can be useful for diagnosis of PSP. Treatment with levodopa should be considered, especially in patients with a more parkinsonian phenotype

Introducción: La parálisis supranuclear progresiva (PSP) es un síndrome caracterizado por parkinsonismo progresivo con caídas tempranas secundarias a inestabilidad postural, oftalmoplejía supranuclear típicamente de mirada vertical, disfunción seudobulbar, distonía de cuello y tronco superior, rigidez y deterioro cognitivo moderado. La parálisis supranuclear progresiva debe ser diferenciada de la enfermedad de Parkinson tomando en cuenta las llamadas banderas rojas. Materiales y métodos: Reportamos una serie de casos distinguidos por anormalidad de la marcha, caídas y bradicinesia, en quienes el diagnóstico de inicio fue enfermedad de Parkinson. Resultados: Debido a un curso clínico tórpido se realizaron resonancias magnéticas que demostraron atrofia mesencefálica altamente sugestiva de parálisis supranuclear progresiva. Conclusión: El examen neurorradiológico (resonancia magnética, tomografía por emisión de positrones y tomografía simple) pueden ser útiles para el diagnóstico de PSP. El tratamiento con levodopa debe ser considerado especialmente en pacientes con fenotipo parkinsoniano

Progressive supranuclear palsy as differential diagnosis of Parkinson's disease in the elderly.

INTRODUCTION: Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a syndrome characterized by progressive parkinsonism with early falls due to postural instability, typically vertical gaze supranuclear ophthalmoplegia, pseudobulbar dysfunction, neck dystonia and upper trunk rigidity as well as mild cognitive dysfunction. Progressive supranuclear palsy must be differentiated from Parkinson's disease taking into account several so-called red flags. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report a case series hallmarked by gait abnormalities, falls and bradykinesia in which Parkinson's disease was the initial diagnosis. RESULTS: Due to a torpid clinical course, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed demonstrating midbrain atrophy, highly suggestive of progressive supranuclear palsy. CONCLUSION: The neuroradiological exams (magnetic resonance imaging, single photon emission computer tomography, and positron emission tomography) can be useful for diagnosis of PSP. Treatment with levodopa should be considered, especially in patients with a more parkinsonian phenotype.

Clinical impact of indirect markers of renal function in elderly patients with hip fracture.

INTRODUCTION: There are risk factors associated with mortality in patients older than 70 years with hip fracture, including kidney function. However, indirect formulas to calculate glomerular filtration rate are not validated in patients older than 70 years. We analyzed whether the formula hematocrit, urea, and gender (HUGE) can be used as a prognostic factor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 88 patients older than 70 years with a diagnosis of hip fracture. At admission, clinical and biochemical parameters were measured and glomerular filtration rate by Cockcroft-Gault, Modification Of Diet In Renal Disease (MDRD), Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI), and HUGE value. Accuracy to assess long-term mortality was analyzed with receiver-operating curve analysis. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify risk factor for mortality. RESULTS: Sample included 88 patients; overall mortality was 13.63%, 17.85%, 28.57%, and 75.85% at 6 months, 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. There was no significant difference in glomerular filtration rate by different formulas, contrary to HUGE, with higher values in the mortality group (1.83 ± 6.38 vs -2.61 ± 2.70, P = .0001). Survival was lower in patients with higher HUGE values (22.7 months, 95% confidence interval [CI] 16.1-29.5 vs 32.9 months, 95% CI 30.2-35.7; P ≤ .001). In the Cox regression analysis, a negative HUGE value is associated with lower mortality (hazards ratio = 0.238; 95% CI 0.568-0.099). CONCLUSION: The HUGE formula is an independent risk factor for mortality in elderly patients with hip fracture, but not the glomerular filtration rate determined by Cockcroft-Gault, MDRD, and CKD-EPI.