Prevalence of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in Colombia: Analysis of the official Ministry of Health administrative registry.

BACKGROUND: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare entity with severe inflammatory demyelinating events of the central nervous system with debilitating sequelae. Its global prevalence ranges between 0.5 and 4/100,000 individuals, with variations by region and ethnicity. Latin America lacks epidemiological data on the disease, and Colombian prevalence is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Prevalence of NMOSD in Colombia was estimated between 2017 and 2021 using the official Ministry of Health administrative database (SISPRO). METHODS: This is an observational, cross-sectional retrospective study, using data between January 2017 and December 2021 in the SISPRO database using the International Classification of Disease code for NMOSD G36.0. Prevalence by gender, age and geographic distribution was estimated using official government statistics for 2019. World Health Organization (WHO) standard population was used to adjust using the direct method. RESULTS: 2,650 patients were diagnosed with NMOSD; the average age was 44.9 years with an overall unadjusted prevalence of 5.3/100,000 individuals, higher for females (7.8) than for males (2.8). No significant changes (from 5.3 to 5.4) were seen after adjusting to the WHO standard. CONCLUSION: According to this study Colombia has one of the highest prevalence rates of NMOSD in Latin America, further studies are needed to elucidate the contributing factors.

Effectiveness of treatments in Neuromyelitis optica to modify the course of disease in adult patients. Systematic review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Neuromyelitis Optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an inflammatory disease, which manifests mostly as recurrent episodes of optic neuritis or myelitis that cause important disability. Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of immunosuppressive therapy are crucial in reducing relapses, disability, and mortality. Even though, there are few prospective randomized controlled trials, several drugs have proved to be both effective and safe. Azathioprine and Rituximab represent the standard of care and are used as first-line treatment agents worldwide. However, recent studies have unveiled new therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies. To make treatment recommendations and management guidelines, it is imperative to define an appropriate standard of care. METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS databases using the following terms: "(NMO OR Devic OR Neuromyelitis Optica) AND (Azathioprine OR Prednisone OR Rituximab OR Tocilizumab OR Bortezomib OR Inebilizumab OR Eculizumab OR Satralizumab)" including both, randomized clinical trials and observational studies published between January 2006 and January 2021. The inclusion criteria comprised patients aged 18 or older, NMOSD diagnosis following the Wingerchuck criteria, two or more therapies been compared, and the evaluation of both efficacy and safety outcomes. All studies comparing treatment only with placebo were excluded. Quality was assessed according with the design of the study, and results were synthesized through comparative tables for each outcome evaluated, differentiating the results of randomized and non-randomized studies. RESULTS: Thirteen studies with 1447 patients were included. Twelve studies evaluated the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) before and after treatment; in five of seven evaluating rituximab, it outperformed its comparators in improving the disability degree. Eleven studies assessed the annual relapse rate (ARR). Again, in six of seven evaluating rituximab, it was superior to other therapies. Time to relapse (TTR) was reported in five studies. The three studies that included Rituximab revealed a longer time to relapse in this arm of treatment. Finding were consistent in randomized and non-randomized studies. The new molecules Satralizumab, Eculizumab and Tocilizumab were evaluated in one study each, proving to be highly effective and safe. The safety profile analysis showed a higher number of adverse events for Azathioprine. DISCUSSION: This systematic review demonstrates a superiority tendency of Rituximab upon the other treatments strengthening the available evidence about NMOSD management. Superiority in EDSS outcomes, annual relapse rate, time to first relapse and relapses during treatment time was evidenced in the Rituximab group compared to other medications, with lower rates of adverse events. New molecules Tocilizumab, Eculizumab and Satralizumab also showed superiority in the evaluated results, especially in the relapses during treatment time outcome, although with subtle differences in EDSS and ARR outcomes. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that monoclonal antibodies are highly effective and safe for the treatment of NMOSD; Rituximab showed better performance on multiple outcomes and has more evidence available. New molecules: Eculizumab, Tocilizumab, Satralizumab are good options for treatment. Drugs like Azathioprine and Mycophenolate are effective, but with a worse risk-benefit ratio, therefore, they are useful alternatives in places that do not have access to monoclonal antibodies.

Características clínicas del espectro de la enfermedad asociada a los anticuerpos contra la glucoproteína del oligodendrocito asociada a la mielina / Clinical presentation of the spectrum of myelin oligodendocryte glycoprotein antibody disease

INTRODUCCIÓN: La enfermedad asociada a anticuerpos contra la glucoproteína del oligodendrocito asociado a la mielina (MOG) es una entidad infrecuente y prácticamente nueva en la medicina. En países en desarrollo, aún hay importantes limitaciones para la detección de los anticuerpos anti-MOG mediante ensayo basado en células, por lo que conocer las características clínicas de los diferentes fenotipos y sus diferencias con otras patologías desmielinizantes del sistema nervioso es fundamental, y con ello realizar un abordaje diagnóstico y terapéutico adecuado de los pacientes. OBJETIVO: Presentar una actualización en cuanto a las características clínicas del espectro de la enfermedad. Éste es el primer artículo en castellano que reúne los fenotipos más frecuentes y brinda una descripción clara de lo que se debe tener en cuenta en cada uno de ellos. DESARROLLO: Esta entidad se caracteriza por tener un curso monofásico o recurrente. La neuritis óptica es el fenotipo de presentación más frecuente en la población general, y la encefalomielitis aguda diseminada, la más frecuente en los niños. Otros fenotipos que se describen en la presente revisión son la mielitis transversa, la encefalitis cortical y los síndromes de tallo cerebral, así como los criterios propuestos para el diagnóstico de la enfermedad asociada a anticuerpos anti-MOG. CONCLUSIONES: En la actualidad no existen estudios que busquen caracterizar a la población hispanoparlante con esta enfermedad ni artículos de revisión en lengua castellana, por lo que es importante difundir conocimiento y desarrollar investigación en esta área

INTRODUCTION: Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody disease is a rare and practically new entity in medicine. In developing countries, there are still important limitations for the detection of anti-MOG antibodies by cell-based assay, so knowing the clinical characteristics of the different phenotypes and their differences with other demyelinating pathologies of the central nervous system is essential in order to make a proper diagnostic and therapeutic approach of the patients. AIM: To present an update regarding the clinical characteristics of the disease spectrum, being the first article in Spanish that gathers the most frequent phenotypes and provides a clear description of what should be considered to identify each of these phenotypes. DEVELOPMENT: This disease is characterized by having a monophasic or recurrent course, with optic neuritis being the most frequent presentation phenotype in general population and disseminated acute encephalomyelitis the most frequent in children. Other phenotypes described in this review are transverse myelitis, focal cortical encephalitis and cerebral stem syndromes, as well as the proposed criteria for the diagnosis of the disease associated with MOG antibody disease. CONCLUSION: Currently there are no studies that seek to characterize the Spanish-speaking population with this disease, or review articles in Spanish, so it is important to disseminate knowledge and develop research in this area

Highly active multiple sclerosis: An update.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most prevalent chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS), affecting more than 2 million people worldwide. It is characterized by brain and spinal cord involvement. There are the relapsing remitting MS (RRMS), primary progressive MS (PPMS), and secondary progressive MS (SPMS) phenotypes. There is a subgroup of RRMS patients who have a more aggressive disease course marked by a rapid accumulation of physical and cognitive deficit, despite treatment with 1 or more disease modifying drugs (DMTs). In the past, this disease phenotype was called "aggressive" MS (AMS); it is now called highly active MS (HAMS). It is generally agreed that the severe nature of this phenotype requires different treatment decisions. Unfortunately, there is no consensus on the definition of AMS or the treatment algorithm. In this article we review HAMS in relation to its definition and the treatments available.

Mielitis parcial excéntrica como primera manifestación de trastornos del espectro de neuromyelitis óptica: presentación de casos y revisión de la literatura / Eccentric partial myelitis as the first manifestation of optic neuromyelitis spectrum disorders

RESUMEN El entendimiento de las caracteristicas clínicas del espectro de trastornos de Neuromielitis óptica (NMOSD) con mielitis parcial y neuritis óptica típica ha ampliado el diagnóstico en casos atípicos. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 47 años que debuta con neuritis óptica atípica y mielitis parcial. Resonancia magnética cerebral y órbitas con realce de nervio óptico, quiasma óptico y tracto óptico derecho, de columna cervical y torácica contrastada con mielitis parcial a nivel C4 y T2. Fue tratada con bolos de metilprednisolona y plasmaferesis, con buena respuesta clínica. Se realizó anticuerpos aquaporina 4 sérico positivos.

SUMMARY The understanding of the clinical characteristics of the spectrum of optic neuromyelitis disorders (NMOSD) with partial myelitis and typical optic neuritis has extended the diagnosis in atypical cases. We present the case of a 47-year-old woman who debuts with atypical optic neuritis and partial myelitis. Magnetic resonance imaging and orbits with optic nerve enhancement, optical chiasm and right optic tract, cervical and thoracic spine contrasted with partial myelitis at level C4 and T2. I t was treated with boluses of Methylprednisolone and plasmapheresis, with good clinical response. Aquaporina 4 Serum positive antibodies were performed.

Paquimeningitis hipertrófica. Manifestación inusual en las vasculitis anca-positivas / Hypertrophic Pachymeningitis. Unusual manifestation in vasculitis anca-positive

Introducción: La vasculitis ANCA-positiva es una patología que se caracteriza por daño en vasos de pequeño calibre secundario a auto-anticuerpos. El compromiso del sistema nervioso central es poco común, con complicaciones serias y de difícil diagnóstico. Por eso presenta-mos 3 casos de pacientes con paquimeningitis hipertrófica como manifestación neurológica de vasculitis ANCA-positiva, estudiados en el Hospital Universitario San Ignacio de Bogotá. Casos:Se tratan de dos hombres y una mujer. El hombre del primer caso presentó clínica progresiva de 1 año de evolución de dolor ocular, alteración de la agudeza visual, limitación para los movimientos oculares y disartria (Imagen 1).

[The cost-effectiveness of interferon beta treatment in patients with a clinically isolated syndrome in Colombia]. / Costo-efectividad del tratamiento con interferón beta en pacientes con síndrome clínico aislado de alto riesgo en Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 85% of patients with multiple sclerosis have an initial demyelinating event. Treatment with interferon beta delays the progression of multiple sclerosis for nearly two years in patients with a clinically isolated syndrome. In Colombia, interferon is very expensive when compared to other countries. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the cost-effectiveness of a two-year interferon beta treatment within Colombia in patients with a clinically isolated syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on patient and society perspectives, a cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using a decision tree. A variety of probabilities were defined after a systematic review of the available literature. The disease costs were calculated by reviewing medical charts at the Hospital San Ignacio University and surveys completed by multiple sclerosis patients. To control for uncertainty in these data, analysis of approximately one-thousand patients was performed using Monte Carlo methods. RESULTS: The two-year treatment cost per patient exceeds Col$ 95,000,000 (US$ 50,000). Approximately 80 % of this cost corresponds to medications (US$ 40,500). The price of relapse and indirect costs totals Col$ 41,632,149 (US$ 21,744) and Col$ 11,656,389 (US$ 6,088), respectively. Treatment represents an increase of 0.06 quality-adjusted life years (QALY). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio exceeds the threshold, regardless of the use of Monte Carlo methods for analysis. CONCLUSION: Administering interferon beta over the course of two years to high-risk patients with a clinically isolated syndrome is not cost-effective within Colombia.

Costo-efectividad del tratamiento con interferón beta en pacientes con síndrome clínico aislado de alto riesgo en Colombia / The cost-effectiveness of interferon beta treatment in patients with a clinically isolated syndrome in Colombia

Introducción. En 85 % de los pacientes con esclerosis múltiple se presenta como manifestación inicial un primer evento desmielinizante o síndrome clínico aislado. En estos casos, el tratamiento con interferón beta retrasa hasta dos años la progresión a esclerosis múltiple. Sin embargo, en Colombia este medicamento es costoso. Objetivo. Determinar si el tratamiento del síndrome clínico aislado con interferón beta es costo-efectivo al retrasar la esclerosis múltiple en dos años. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un análisis de costo-efectividad empleando un árbol de decisiones basado en la perspectiva del paciente y la sociedad. A partir de una revisión sistemática de la literatura y de conceptos de expertos se definieron las diversas probabilidades. Los costos de la enfermedad se calcularon por medio de la revisión de historias y la aplicación de encuestas a los pacientes atendidos en el Hospital Universitario San Ignacio. Para controlar la incertidumbre se realizó un análisis de sensibilidad mediante una simulación de Monte Carlo con mil pacientes. Resultados. El costo del tratamiento con interferón sobrepasa los Col$ 95´000.000 (US$ 50.000) por paciente durante los dos años. Aproximadamente, 80 % corresponde a los costos del medicamento. El costo de la recaída se acerca a Col$ 39´139.200 (US$ 21.744), y los costos indirectos corresponden a Col$ 10´958.400 (US$ 6.088). La tasa representativa del mercado fue de Col$ 1.800. Con el tratamiento se ganan sólo 0,06 años de vida ajustados por discapacidad (AVAD) adicionales. La razón de costo-efectividad ‘incremental´ (sic.) supera el umbral, incluso en el análisis de sensibilidad. Conclusión. La administración de interferón beta en pacientes con síndrome clínico aislado de alto riesgo en los primeros dos años no es costo-efectiva en Colombia.

Introduction: Approximately 85% of patients with multiple sclerosis have an initial demyelinating event. Treatment with interferon beta delays the progression of multiple sclerosis for nearly two years in patients with a clinically isolated syndrome. In Colombia, interferon is very expensive when compared to other countries. Objective: We sought to determine the cost-effectiveness of a two-year interferon beta treatment within Colombia in patients with a clinically isolated syndrome. Materials and methods: Based on patient and society perspectives, a cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using a decision tree. A variety of probabilities were defined after a systematic review of the available literature. The disease costs were calculated by reviewing medical charts at the Hospital San Ignacio University and surveys completed by multiple sclerosis patients. To control for uncertainty in these data, analysis of approximately one-thousand patients was performed using Monte Carlo methods. Results: The two-year treatment cost per patient exceeds Col$ 95,000,000 (US$ 50,000). Approximately 80 % of this cost corresponds to medications (US$ 40,500). The price of relapse and indirect costs totals Col$ 41,632,149 (US$ 21,744) and Col$ 11,656,389 (US$ 6,088), respectively. Treatment represents an increase of 0.06 quality-adjusted life years (QALY). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio exceeds the threshold, regardless of the use of Monte Carlo methods for analysis. Conclusion: Administering interferon beta over the course of two years to high-risk patients with a clinically isolated syndrome is not cost-effective within Colombia.

Identificación de los factores de riesgo encontrados en pacientes mayores de sesenta años que desarrollaron delírium durante su hospitalización en el Hospital Universitario de San Ignacio, en Bogotá, Colombia / Identification of Risk Factors Found in Patients of More than 60 Years Old, Who Developed Delirium During their Hospitalization in the San Ignacio Hospital, at Bogotá, Colombia

Introducción: La presencia de factores precipitantes de delírium, sumados a los factores predisponentes, incrementa significativamente el riesgo de desarrollarlo durante una hospitalización. Objetivos: Conocer los factores predisponentes y precipitantes de delírium en un hospital de cuarto nivel de Bogotá. Metodología: Un estudio prospectivo de casos y controles en que se incluyeron pacientes mayores de sesenta años de edad, durante dos años (junio de 2005-junio de 2007), para identificar los factores de riesgo predisponentes y precipitantes de delírium más frecuentes. Se incluyeron 56 pacientes, de los cuales 28 desarrollaron delírium durante la hospitalización y en ellos se analizaron los factores de riesgo predisponentes y precipitantes. Se incluyeron 28 pacientes como controles que no tenían criterios de delírum y se compararon con los casos. Resultados: Dentro de los factores predisponentes más frecuentes está el uso de lentes, la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica de base, la insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva, el cáncer de base y los medicamentos; pero no se determinó que estos incrementaran de manera significativa el riesgo de delírium; mientras que dentro de los factores precipitantes fue significativa la presencia de infecciones, en particular las de vías urinarias, y neumonías, para incrementar el riesgo con un OR de 3,66 y una p = 0,028. Conclusiones: Las infecciones deben ser tenidasen cuenta como factor que incrementa el riesgode delírium...

Introduction: We thought that the presence of deliriumprecipitating factors, added to risk factors,may significantly increases the risk to develop deliriumduring hospitalization. Objetives: For thisreason the study was designed, in which patientswere included over a 2 years period in order toidentify the most frequent predisposing and precipitatingdelirium factors in our fourth categoryhospital. Methods: Over a two year period in theHospital San Ignacio in Bogota, an observational,analytical and prospective case-control studywas designed. Fifty-six (56) patients of ages morethan 60 years old were included. Twenty-eight(28) patients developed delirium during hospitalization.In order to analyze predisposing andprecipitating delirium factors in these patients,we compared this group with an equal numberof twenty-eight (28) control patients with no deliriumcriteria. Results and conclusions: It wasfound that among the most frequent predisposingfactors were the use of lenses, base Chronic ObstructivePulmonary Disease (COPD), CongestiveHeart Failure (CHF), base cancer and medicineuse, but it was not significantly determined thatthese factors increased the risk of delirium, whileamong the precipitating factors, the presence ofinfections, particularly urinary tract infection andpneumonias increased the risk significantly by anOR of 3.66 and a p = 0.028...

Tratamiento actual del ataque cerebrovascular isquémico (ACV) agudo / Current treatment of acute stroke

El tratamiento del ataque cerebrovascular isquémico (ACV) agudo cambió desde la publicación, en 1995, de los resultados del estudio NINDS (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Trial) con activador tisular del plasminógeno. En este artículo se hace una revisión de la fisiopatología del ACV isquémico agudo, la generación del edema, la evaluación clínica, las pruebas diagnósticas, los estudios clínicos, y los criterios de inclusión y de exclusión para la trombólisis intravenosa al cabo de tres horas del inicio de los síntomas.