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The purpose of this study is to investigate predictors of crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD), and the effects of CCD on functional outcomes including motor function, activities of daily living, cognitive function, and ambulation 6 months after onset in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).
A total of 74 patients experiencing their first ICH were recruited. If the asymmetric index was more than 10% using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), a diagnosis of CCD was confirmed. Clinical factors were retrospectively assessed by reviewing medical records. Radiologic factors encompassed the concomitance of intraventricular hemorrhage, side and location of the lesion, and hemorrhage volume. Functional outcomes were evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index, and measurement of the Functional Ambulatory Category at the time of SPECT measurement and 6 months post-ICH.
Lesion location, especially in the basal ganglia (odds ratio [OR]=6.138, p=0.011), and hemorrhagic volume (OR=1.055, p=0.046) were independent predictors for CCD according to multivariate logistic regression analysis. In addition, the presence of CCD was significantly related to the improvement in Fugl-Meyer Assessment score after 6 months (adjusted R2=0.152, p=0.036).
Lesion location and hemorrhagic volume were the predisposing factors for CCD, and the CCD was associated with poor motor recovery over 6 months in patients with hemorrhagic stroke.
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To determine the incidence and risk factors for medical complications in Korean patients suffering from stroke and the impact of such complications on post-stroke functional outcomes.
We assessed patients enrolled in a prospective cohort study. All recruited patients had suffered a first acute stroke episode and been admitted to nine university hospitals in Korea between August 2012 and June 2015. We analyzed patient and stroke characteristics, comorbidities, prevalence of post-stroke medical complications, and functional outcomes at time of discharge and 3, 6, and 12 months after stroke onset.
Of 10,625 patients with acute stroke, 2,210 (20.8%) presented with medical complications including bladder dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, sleep disturbance, pneumonia, and urinary tract infection. In particular, complications occurred more frequently in older patients and in patients with hemorrhagic strokes, more co-morbidities, severe initial motor impairment, or poor swallowing function. In-hospital medical complications were significantly correlated with poor functional outcomes at all time points.
Post-stroke medical complications affect functional recovery. The majority of complications are preventable and treatable; therefore, the functional outcomes of patients with stroke can be improved by providing timely, appropriate care. Special care should be provided to elderly patients with comorbid risk factors.
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To evaluate the accuracy of a smartphone application measuring heart rates (HRs), during an exercise and discussed clinical potential of the smartphone application for cardiac rehabilitation exercise programs.
Patients with heart disease (14 with myocardial infarction, 2 with angina pectoris) were recruited. Exercise protocol was comprised of a resting stage, Bruce stage II, Bruce stage III, and a recovery stage. To measure HR, subjects held smartphone in their hands and put the tip of their index finger on the built-in camera for 1 minute at each exercise stage such as resting stage, Bruce stage II, Bruce stage III, and recovery stage. The smartphones recorded photoplethysmography signal and HR was calculated every heart beat. HR data obtained from the smartphone during the exercise protocol was compared with the HR data obtained from a Holter electrocardiography monitor (control).
In each exercise protocol stage (resting stage, Bruce stage II, Bruce stage III, and the recovery stage), the HR averages obtained from a Holter monitor were 76.40±12.73, 113.09±14.52, 115.64±15.15, and 81.53±13.08 bpm, respectively. The simultaneously measured HR averages obtained from a smartphone were 76.41±12.82, 112.38±15.06, 115.83±15.36, and 81.53±13 bpm, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficient (95% confidence interval) was 1.00 (1.00–1.00), 0.99 (0.98–0.99), 0.94 (0.83–0.98), and 1.00 (0.99–1.00) in resting stage, Bruce stage II, Bruce stage III, and recovery stage, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the HRs measured by either device at each stage (p>0.05).
The accuracy of measured HR from a smartphone was almost overlapped with the measurement from the Holter monitor in resting stage and recovery stage. However, we observed that the measurement error increased as the exercise intensity increased.
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To investigate the characteristics and risk factors of dysphagia with the Videofluoroscopic Dysphagia Scale (VDS) using a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) in patients with ruptured aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).
Data of 64 patients presenting with first-ever ruptured aSAH were analyzed. Characteristics of dysphagia were evaluated using VFSS and all subjects were divided into a high (>47) and low risk group (≤47) by the VDS score. Clinical and functional parameters were assessed by medical records including demographics, hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM), the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), the Hunt and Hess scale, endotracheal intubation, acute management modalities, as well as Korean version of the Mini-Mental Status Examination (K-MMSE) and Korean version of Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI). Radiologic factors identified the amount of hemorrhage, ventricular rupture, and aneurysmal location.
About a half of the subjects showed oral phase abnormalities and the oral transit time was delayed in 46.8% of the patients. The pharyngeal transit time was also prolonged in 39.0% of the subjects and the proportion of penetration and aspiration observed was 46.8%. The parameters-GCS score (p=0.048), hemorrhagic volume (p=0.028), presence of intraventricular hemorrhage (p=0.038), and K-MMSE (p=0.007)-were predisposing factors for dysphagia in patients with aSAH.
Abnormalities in the oral phase were more prominent in patients with aSAH than in those with other types of stroke. The risk factors associated with dysphagia persisting over 6 months after stroke onset were the initial GCS, hemorrhage volume, presence of intraventricular hemorrhage, and cognitive status as measured by the K-MMSE.
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To investigate the effects of hippotherapy on psychosocial and emotional parameters in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and their caregivers.
Eight children with CP were recruited (three males and five females; mean age, 7.3 years; Gross Motor Function Classification System levels 1–3). Hippotherapy sessions were conducted for 30 minutes once weekly for 10 consecutive weeks in an indoor riding arena. The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), and the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index were evaluated. All children were evaluated by the Children's Depression Inventory, Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, State Anxiety Inventory for Children, Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, and the Korean-Satisfaction with Life Scale (K-SWLS). Their caregivers were evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the K-SWLS. We assessed children and their caregivers with the same parameters immediately after hippotherapy.
Significant improvements on the GMFM, dimension E in the GMFM, and the PBS were observed after hippotherapy compared with the baseline assessment (p<0.05). However, no improvements were detected in the psychosocial or emotional parameters in children with CP or their caregivers. None of the participants showed any adverse effects or accidents during the 10 weeks hippotherapy program.
Hippotherapy was safe and effectively improved gross motor and balance domains in children with CP. However, no improvements were observed in psychosocial or emotional parameters.
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To investigate the long-term outcomes of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on exercise capacity in diabetic (DM) and non-diabetic (non-DM) patients with myocardial infarction (MI).
Of the MI patients who received hospital-based CR from February 2012 to January 2014, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the patients who continued follow-up through the outpatient clinic and community-based self-exercise after CR. A total of 37 patients (12 with DM and 25 without DM) were included in this study. Exercise capacity was measured by symptom-limited exercise tests before and after hospital-based CR and 1 year after the onset of MI.
Before the CR, the DM group had significantly lower exercise capacity in exercise times, peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), and metabolic equivalent tasks (METs) than did the non-DM group. After the CR, both groups showed significantly improved exercise capacity, but the DM group had significantly lower exercise capacity in exercise times, submaximal rate pressure products (RPPsubmax), VO2peak, and METs. One year after the onset of the MI, the DM group had significantly lower exercise capacity in exercise times, RPPsubmax, and VO2peak than did the non-DM group, and neither group showed a significant difference in exercise capacity between before and after the CR.
As a result of continued follow-up through an outpatient clinic and community-based self-exercise after hospital-based CR in patients with MI, the DM group still had lower exercise capacity than did the non-DM group 1 year after the onset of MI, but both groups maintained their improved exercise capacity following hospital-based CR.
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To evaluate the diagnostic value of plain abdominal radiography in stroke patients with bowel dysfunction.
A total of 59 stroke patients were recruited and assigned into constipation or non-constipation group. Patients were interviewed to obtain clinical information, constipation score, and Bristol stool form scale. The total and segmental colon transit time (CTT) was measured using radio-opaque markers (Kolomark). The degree of stool retention was evaluated by plain abdominal radiography and scored by two different methods (Starreveld score and Leech score). The relationship between the clinical aspects, CTT, and stool retention score using plain abdominal radiography was determined.
Average constipation score was 4.59±2.16. Average Bristol stool form scale was 3.86±1.13. The total and segmental CTTs showed significant differences between the constipation and non-constipation groups. There was statistically significant (p<0.05) correlation between the total CTT and constipation score or between Starreveld score and Leech score. Each segmental CTT showed significant correlation (p<0.05) between segmental stool retention scores.
The stool retention score showed significant correlation with constipation score as well as total and segmental CTT. Thus, plain abdominal radiography is a simple and convenient method for the evaluation of bowel dysfunction in stroke patients.
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To investigate the effects of early tamsulosin treatment on changes in bladder characteristics after a spinal cord injury.
We divided 45 rats into three groups: the control (CON) group, the spinal cord injury (SCI) group, and the SCI+tamsulosin treatment (SCI+TAM) group. Spinal cord transection was performed in the SCI and SCI+TAM groups. Tamsulosin was injected for 7 days in the SCI+TAM group. Intravesical and intra-abdominal catheters were implanted before cord injury. Basal pressure (BP), maximal vesical pressure (MVP), micturition volume (MV), and voiding interval time (VIT) were measured at 7 days after SCI. The bladder was then removed and used for an
In cystometry, MVP, BP, MV, and VIT showed changes in the SCI and SCI+TAM groups versus the CON group (p<0.05). In the organ bath study, acetylcholine-induced contractility in the three groups differed significantly (p<0.05). Additionally, acetylcholine-induced contractility with 4-DAMP pretreatment was reduced significantly in the SCI+TAM group versus the SCI group. In Western blotting, pERK1/2 expression was stronger (p<0.05) and rho-kinase expression was weaker in the SCI+TAM group than the SCI group (p<0.05).
These results suggest that the bladder contraction due to acetylcholine after SCI can be decreased by tamsulosin in the acute stage and this involves changes in pERK1/2 and rho-kinase.
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Acute renal infarction is a rare disease and it is often difficult to make a clinical diagnosis due to the non-specific clinical presentations and lack of the physicians' awarenesses. We experienced a case of a 72-year-old man who was diagnosed as multiorgan with renal infarction during the bridge therapy of cerebral infarction with atrial fibrillation. Computed tomogram (CT) with intravenous contrast of the abdomen and pelvis revealed left renal infarction with renal artery occlusion, multifocal splenic infarction, and ischemic colitis on rectum and sigmoid colon. The patient was treated with low molecular weight heparin for 10 days, his symptoms were improved and laboratory findings were normalized. Follow-up CT was performed on the 43th day, there were persisted left renal infarction with atrophic change shown and the splenic perfusion was improved.
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To evaluate the usefulness of plain abdominal radiography as an evaluation method for bowel dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).
Forty-four patients with SCI were recruited. Patients were interviewed about their clinical symptoms, and the constipation score and Bristol stool form scale were assessed. The colon transit time (CTT) was measured by using radio-opaque markers (Kolomark). The degree of stool retention and the presence of megacolon or megarectum were evaluated using plain abdominal radiographs. We examined the relationship between clinical aspects and CTT and plain abdominal radiography.
The constipation scores ranged from 1 to 13, and the average was 4.19±3.11, and the Bristol stool form scale ranged from 1 to 6, with an average of 4.13±1.45. CTTs were 19.3±16.17, 19.3±13.45, 15.32±13.15, and 52.42±19.14 in the right, left, rectosigmoid, and total colon. Starreveld scores were 3.4±0.7, 1.8±0.86, 2.83±0.82, 2.14±1, and 10.19±2.45 in the ascending, transverse, descending, rectosigmoid, and total colon. Leech scores were 3.28±0.7, 2.8±0.8, 2.35±0.85, and 8.45±1.83 in the right, left, rectosigmoid, and total colon. The number of patients with megacolon and megarectum was 14 (31.8%) and 11 (25%). There were statistically significant correlations between the total CTT and constipation score (p<0.05), and Starreveld and Leech scores (p<0.05). Significant correlations were observed between each segmental CTT and the segmental stool retention score (p<0.05).
Plain abdominal radiography is useful as a convenient and simple method of evaluation of bowel dysfunction in patients with SCI.
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To report the defecation patterns of brain-injured patients and evaluate the relationship between functional ability and colon transit time (CTT) in stroke patients.
A total of 55 brain-injured patients were recruited. Patient interviews and medical records review of pattern of brain injury, anatomical site of lesion, bowel habits, constipation score, and Bristol scale were conducted. We divided the patients into constipation (n=29) and non-constipation (n=26) groups according to Rome II criteria for constipation. The CTTs of total and segmental colon were assessed using radio-opaque markers Kolomark® and functional ability was evaluated using the functional independence measure (FIM).
Constipation scores in constipation and non-constipation groups were 7.32±3.63 and 5.04±2.46, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant. The CTTs of the total colon in both groups were 46.6±18.7 and 32.3±23.5 h, respectively. The CTTs of total, right, and left colon were significantly delayed in the constipation group (p<0.05). No significant correlation was found between anatomical location of brain injury and constipation score or total CTT. Only the CTT of the left colon was delayed in the patient group with pontine lesions (p<0.05).
The constipation group had significantly elevated constipation scores and lower Bristol stool form scale, with prolonged CTTs of total, right, and left colon. In classification by site of brain injury, we did not find significantly different constipation scores, Bristol stool form scale, or CTTs between the groups with pontine and suprapontine injury.
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To investigate changes in (1) the colonic response to acetylcholine (Ach), (2) the muscarinic (M) receptors in the colon, and (3) the levels of colonic contraction-related proteins after a spinal cord injury (SCI).
We divided 16 Sprague-Dawley rats into 2 groups: the control group and the SCI group. A spinal cord transection was performed surgically at the T10 vertebral level. After 1 week, the entire colon was divided into 2 segments, the proximal and distal colon. Each segment was mounted in a longitudinal or circular muscle direction in a 10-ml organ bath. We determined the intergroup differences as percentage changes in contractility after Ach treatment alone, Ach treatment with M2 receptor antagonist (AQ-RA741) pretreatment, and Ach treatment with M3 receptor antagonist (4-DAMP) pretreatment. Western blot analyses were performed to determine the expression level of RhoA, and heat shock protein 27 (HSP27).
Compared to the control rats, the SCI rats showed an increased response to Ach along both the directions in the proximal colon (p<0.05). Compared to the control group, in the SCI group, the Ach response was significantly different in the proximal segment under AQ-RA741 pretreatment (p<0.05) and in the distal segment under 4-DAMP pretreatment (p<0.05). Findings of the western blot analyses showed a significant decrease in the level of protein gene product 9.5 in the proximal and distal colon and a significant increase in the level of RhoA and HSP27 in the proximal colon of the SCI rats.
Our results suggest that changes in colonic contractility after SCI are partly attributable to changes in the M receptor subtypes.
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