Goal-Setting in Multiple Sclerosis-Related Spasticity Treated with Botulinum Toxin: The GASEPTOX Study.

Spasticity is one of the most disabling symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS). Botulinum toxin injection (BTI) is a first-line treatment for focal spasticity. There is a lack of evidence of a functional improvement following BTI in MS-related spasticity. To describe goal-setting for BTI in MS, and evaluate the degree of attainment, using goal attainment scaling (GAS) 4-to-6 weeks after injection session, a one-year multi-center retrospective observational study assessing goal-setting and achievement during BTI session in spastic patients with MS was set up. Following the GAS method, patients and their physicians set up to three goals and scored their achievement 4 to 6 weeks thereafter. Commonly used goals from three centers were combined into a standardized list and 125 single BTI sessions were analyzed. The most frequent goals regarded lower limb (LL) impairments (equinovarus foot, toe claw) or locomotion (stability, walking distance, clinging) and accounted for 89.1%, versus 10.9% for upper limb (UL), mostly for mild-to-moderate MS. Overall, goals were frequently achieved (85.77%) mainly when related to gait and mobility rather than hygiene and ease of care. This study gives an overview on the most frequent, relevant, and achievable goals to be set in real-life practice of BTI for spasticity management in MS.

Nutritional status in patients with advanced-stage multiple sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: Motor and swallowing dysfunctions in multiple sclerosis (MS) unbalance calorie intake and energy expenditure, modifying nutritional status. Only one study has described nutritional status in MS patients at early disease stages (median Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] = 3), but this has never been assessed in the most severe cases. The goal of the present study was to describe nutritional status in advanced-stage MS. METHODS: The study was a non-interventional retrospective analysis of a prospective registry. We reviewed medical files of consecutive MS patients admitted for annual follow-up in a physical and rehabilitation medicine unit between May 2016 and October 2018. Malnutrition for frail people, according to the French Health Authority (Haute Autorité de Santé [HAS]) definition, was our composite primary outcome criterion: body mass index (BMI) <21 kg/m2 and/or albumin<35 g/L. First, we performed a descriptive analysis of the nutritional status. Second, we studied the association between malnutrition and MS characteristics in univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: A total of 163 patients with median EDSS = 8 [7; 8.5] were included. Ninety-three patients (57%) met HAS malnutrition criteria (36% with albumin <35 g/L, 31% with BMI <21 kg/m2 and 10% with both). Malnutrition was associated in univariate analysis with MS severity (EDSS ≥8.5, p = 0.0003), primary progressive type of MS (p = 0.01) and swallowing disorders (p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that low disability status (EDSS <7) was the only independent (protective) factor associated with malnutrition (OR = 0.2, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition is frequent in advanced stages of MS and is probably a key point for therapeutics, which has never been demonstrated previously. A standardized evaluation should be developed to improve nutritional therapeutic strategies in this population.

Part of pain labelled neuropathic in rheumatic disease might be rather nociplastic.

Pain in rheumatic diseases is primarily due to mechanical or inflammatory mechanism, but neuropathic pain (NP) component is also occurring in many conditions and is probably underdiagnosed. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of prevalence, pathophysiological and currently available treatment of NP in rheumatic diseases. When associated with clinical evaluation assessing neurological clinical signs and neuroanatomical distribution, Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions, painDETECT, Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs and Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire can detect NP component. Inflammatory or connective diseases, osteoarthritis, back pain or persistent pain after surgery are aetiologies that all may have a neuropathic component. Unlike nociceptive pain, NP does not respond to usual analgesics such as paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Entrapment neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy or small-fibre neuropathy are different aetiologies that can lead to NP. A part of the pain labelled neuropathic is rather nociplastic, secondary to a central sensitisation mechanism. Identifying the right component of pain (nociceptive vs neuropathic or nociplastic) could help to better manage pain in rheumatic diseases with pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments.

Impact of medical care, including use of anti-infective agents, on prognosis of COVID-19 hospitalized patients over time.

INTRODUCTION: The effect of anti-infective agents in COVID-19 is unclear. The impact of changes in practice on prognosis over time has not been evaluated. METHODS: Single center, retrospective study in adults hospitalized in a medicine ward for COVID-19 from March 5th to April 25th 2020. Patient characteristics were compared between two periods (before/after March 19th) considering French guidelines. The aim of the study was to evaluate how medical care impacted unfavorable outcome, namely admission to intensive care unit (ICU) and/or death. RESULTS: A total of 132 patients were admitted: mean age 59.0±16.3 years; mean C-reactive protein (CRP) level 84.0±71.1 mg/L; 46% had a lymphocyte count <1000/mm3. Prescribed anti-infective agents were lopinavir-ritonavir (n=12), azithromycin (AZI) (n=28) and AZI combined with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) (n=52). There was a significant decrease in ICU admission, from 43% to 12%, between the two periods (P<0.0001). Delays until transfer to ICU were similar between periods (P=0.86). Pulmonary computerized tomography (CT)-scans were performed significantly more often with time (from 50% to 90%, P<0.0001), and oxygen-dependency (53% vs 80%, P=0.001) and prescription of AZI±HCQ (from 25% to 76%, P<0.0001) were also greater over time. Multivariate analyses showed a reduction of unfavorable outcome in patients receiving AZI±HCQ (hazard ratio [HR]=0.45, 95% confidence interval [CI: 0.21-0.97], P=0.04), particularly among an identified category of individuals (lymphocyte ≥1000/mm3 or CRP ≥100 mg/L). CONCLUSION: The present study showed a significant decrease in admission to ICU over time, which was probably related to multiple factors, including a better indication of pulmonary CT-scan, oxygen therapy, and a suitable prescription of anti-infective agents.

Spastic Cerebral Palsy Pain Improvement With Propofol: A Case Report.

Propofol is a sedative and a hypnotic agent used in the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia. Propofol also relaxes skeletal muscles. It has been used successfully to treat local or diffuse muscular rigidity from various etiologies. Propofol also provides modulation of pain processing and perception. Our case report describes a 25-year-old patient with painful spastic cerebral palsy, who experienced prolonged improvement of his symptoms after treatment with propofol. The patient has received 13 administrations of propofol with similar efficacy each time.

[Drug management of cancer-related peripheral neuropathic pain: A systematic review of the literature]. / Prise en charge médicamenteuse des douleurs neuropathiques périphériques liées au cancer : une revue systématique de la littérature.

The objective of the present systematic literature review was to provide an update on medical treatment of neuropathic pain in cancer patients. The number of cancer patients is steadily increasing. Pain is frequent in cancer patients. Few studies have focused on medical treatment of pain, and especially of neuropathic pain, in current or former cancer patients. The present systematic review of all studies published between December 2012 and August 2018 was intended to estimate the scale of this lack. In all, 27 articles were identified on a systematic PubMed search and from the authors' personal knowledge, confirming that scant data have been published. The heterogeneity of cancer patients, of cancer, and of pain go some way toward explaining this scarcity. Guidelines, founded mainly on results from non-cancer patients, recommend tricyclic antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs; local treatments have the advantage of good systemic tolerance. Larger-scale studies taking account of the etiology of neuropathic pain, its characteristics (strictly neuropathic or mixed) and patient characteristics (awaiting treatment, under treatment, recent or non-recent survivor, or in terminal phase) along the care pathway are needed to improve knowledge. The results of the present literature analysis can help future research.

Does botulinum toxin treatment improve upper limb active function?

BACKGROUND: Spasticity following lesions of the central nervous system such as stroke is a major cause of impairment and disability, especially when it affects the upper limb, and can be focally relieved by intramuscular injections of botulinum toxin (BT). Functional improvements of the affected upper limb after a BT focal treatment remain controversial. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the functional effects of BT treatment on upper-limb spasticity in the literature, identify flaws and deficiencies in proving these effects and propose leads for future trials. METHODS: We searched the MEDLINE and Cochrane databases for trials, reviews and meta-analyses assessing the effect of BT injection in upper-limb spasticity. This was a non-systematic narrative review, and the selection of articles was based on the authors' expertise. The review focused on stroke-related spasticity and disability. RESULTS: Patients' therapeutic targets involved use of the disability assessment scale (DAS) or goal attainment scale (GAS). Impairments and passive function goals prevailed for active function and participation and were more frequently achieved for the former than the latter. Meta-analyses showed no to mild effect sizes for improvement in upper-limb function but failed to show higher and/or better use of the paretic upper limb in activities of daily living after BT injection. CONCLUSION: BT injections for impairment and passive function are related to improved kinematic parameters; however, the relation between relief of spasticity and improved upper-limb activity has not been established. Possible explanations for the lack of functional effect in studies are first, disability is mainly due to muscle weakness rather than spasticity, so patients with the best underlying motricity may benefit the most from BT injections; second, assessment methods may not be adapted to screen eligible patients; third, most studies' endpoints were at 4 to 12 weeks after a single injection, but repeated treatment sessions might be needed to observe functional outcome on the upper limbs; and finally, the association of rehabilitation programs or non-pharmacological treatments may enhance the functional effects of BT injections.