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Biomedical subjects

B Nicolas

Publications and source records attributed to B Nicolas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Disabilities, access to medical care, and way of life of adults with cerebral palsy. APIB study: initial results].

UNLABELLED: Cerebral palsy is defined as a nonprogressive brain lesion that occurs during prenatal or perinatal development. The Breizh IMC health network objective is to improve the knowledge about the way of life and the health status of adults with cerebral palsy. OBJECTIVE: To describe disabilities, way of life and access to medical care for older teens and adults with cerebral palsy. METHOD: We conducted a descriptive study using health insurance data to contact patients. A questionnaire was addressed to people with cerebral palsy who were older than 16 years. Data were then compared to data of a general population sample. RESULTS: In total, 562 persons responded: 56% male and 44% female, mean age 36. Motor disability was more important with age (50% at age 20 and 70% after 60). A total of 66% of the sample? had cognitive impairment or mental retardation, 60% needed help when going outside, and 40% required assistance with eating, bathing and dressing. The level of education was variable. Health problems were more frequent in patients with cerebral palsy than in the general population and were progressive. Of the sample, 75% experienced pain and half felt depressed or lonely. Medication use was higher in the sample than in the general population. CONCLUSION: More study is needed to improve the knowledge of the health status of patients with cerebral palsy. This study highlights health problems that may be considered a basis for the development of care programs.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Effects of pregnancy and childbirth on the incidence of urinary disorders in multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Women with multiple sclerosis frequently pose questions to physicians regarding the potential negative impact of pregnancy, especially on urinary disorders. About 50 to 80% of patients suffer from urinary disorders during the course of the disease. Trauma to the pelvic floor and the urethral sphincter during vaginal delivery may lead to the development of stress urinary incontinence. The purpose of this work was to study the consequences of pregnancy and childbirth on urinary problems. STUDY DESIGN: An inception cohort of 368 consecutive women suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS), according to the Poser criteria, were included in the study between June 1999 and June 2000. For each patient a full urological and obstetrical record was obtained. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy-three women (74%) had had at least one pregnancy. The parous women were older at the time of the study (mean age: 45.5 years vs 35.5 years), and were older at MS onset (mean age: 32.8 years vs 25.7 years). The nulliparous women were more rapidly disabled, with a shorter time to reach an EDSS score of 3 from MS onset (mean time of 5.9 years versus 8.2 years in parous women). In parous women, 259 (95%) had had at least one vaginal delivery and 14 (5%) had had a caesarean only. Delivery modalities had no influence on urinary disorder frequency or the type of problems. CONCLUSION: On the basis of these data, there is actually no clear argument for systematically performing caesarean section in MS women. Urinary disorders in these women were mostly linked to the duration and the severity of the disease but not to pregnancy or delivery modalities. From our point of view, caesarean section must be decided only on classic obstetrical criteria as for healthy women independently of multiple sclerosis. However our data were open and retrospective.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Multiple sclerosis and physical activities].

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease of the central nervous system that most often affects young people. It is characterized by various debilitating symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess physical activities in patients with MS and how these affect their quality of life. METHODS: Forty-five patients were questioned about their physical activities. The following were taken into account: the characteristics of MS within each patient, the level of disease severity (EDSS score) and the quality of life (on the SEP-59 questionnaire). RESULTS: Fifteen patients had to give up a physical activity because of their illness but more so due to ataxia, fatigue and muscular weakness. Fifteen patients take part in a physical activity, the principal motivation being for their personal well-being. The mean EDSS was 4.2. Answers on the SEP-59 revealed found that patients with MS who took part in a physical activity had significantly better well-being in general. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Physical activities seem to improve the quality of life of patients with MS who, in general, already have a poor quality of life in relation to the general population. Knowing that muscular function is improved through exercise in patients with an EDSS less than 6, it would seem advantageous for them to take part in a regular physical activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

[Home care and quality of life three years after stroke].

INTRODUCTION: Stroke is the most disabling chronic disease among adults. The assessment of quality of life is of great importance to improve the management of patients with stroke sequelae returning to the community. METHOD: A total of 93 patients and their referring clinicians were contacted. Quality of life of patients three years after stroke was assessed by use of the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: Thirteen patients died during this period. Fifty participated in the study. The average age was 66.8 years. The patients who died were older and had an initial greater impairment after stroke than survivors. In most of the cases, a life plan, built during the inpatient rehabilitation period, could be achieved. Just six patients had to change their way of life during the three years after stroke. A total of 44% of the patients needed human assistance for basic daily living activities. Patients with stroke had lower scores on the SF-36 than their healthy peers. All subscale scores differed for patients with stroke, as compared with health peers. Initial disability, the occurrence of falls, age and urinary incontinence at the time of the study indicated poor prognosis. DISCUSSION: Our results are close to those previously published: a great number of people who survive stroke live with sequelae that requires assistance in the home and have decreased quality of life. These results stress the importance of follow-up by a rehabilitation team to prevent altered quality of life, with a special care to urinary incontinence and falls, especially in old people with abundant sequelae of stroke.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

[Eccentric isokinetic strengthening in hamstrings of patients with multiple sclerosis].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the benefit of a program of rehabilitation involving eccentric isokinetic muscle strengthening for hamstrings of patient with multiple sclerosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 28 patients with multiple sclerosis and abnormalities when walking who underwent a program of rehabilitation involving eccentric isokinetic muscle strengthening associated with classical neurological rehabilitation. Assessment was by use of an isokinetic test, clinical examination and score on a visual analog scale (VAS) about quality of walking at the beginning and end of the rehabilitation program and three months later. The rehabilitation program involved eccentric isokinetic exercises during 12 sessions. RESULTS: Patients with multiple sclerosis and difficulty walking showed weak hamstrings on manual muscular testing. After 12 sessions of isokinetic eccentric rehabilitation, hamstring and quadriceps strength increased, VAS score increased, and recurvatum of the knee improved in 26 cases. Three months later, the score for quality of walking remained the same, but that for strength returned to a previous level. CONCLUSION: Hamstring strength in patients with multiple sclerosis can be improved without complication with use of eccentric isokinetic rehabilitation. This is an interesting way to improve the quality of walking in these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Placebo controlled, randomised, double blind study of the effects of botulinum A toxin on detrusor sphincter dyssynergia in multiple sclerosis patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of botulinum A toxin in the treatment of detrusor sphincter dyssynergia in multiple sclerosis patients. METHODS: This was a multicentre, placebo controlled, randomised, double blind study. Patients with chronic urinary retention were included if they had post-voiding residual urine volume between 100 and 500 ml. They received a single transperineal injection of either botulinum A toxin (100 U Allergan) or placebo in the sphincter and also 5 mg slow release alfuzosin bid over 4 months. Main endpoint was post-voiding residual urine volume assessed 1 month after injection. Follow up duration was 4 months. Statistical analysis was performed using a sequential method, the triangular test. RESULTS: The study was stopped after the fourth analysis (86 patients had been included: placebo: 41, botulinum A toxin: 45). At inclusion, there was no significant difference between groups whichever variable was considered. Mean (standard deviation) post-voiding residual urine volume was 217 (96) and 220 (99) ml in placebo and botulinum A toxin groups, respectively. One month later, post-voiding residual urine volume was 206 (145) and 186 (158) ml (p = 0.45) in placebo and botulinum A toxin groups, respectively. However, compared to placebo, botulinum A toxin significantly increased voiding volume (+54%, p = 0.02) and reduced pre-micturition (-29%, p = 0.02) and maximal (-21%, p = 0.02) detrusor pressures. Other secondary urodynamic endpoints and tolerance were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In multiple sclerosis patients with detrusor sphincter dyssynergia, a single injection of botulinum A toxin (100 U Allergan) does not decrease post-voiding residual urine volume.

Botulinum Toxins, Type A↗
PubMed2004

[Interest of visual biofeedback training in rehabilitation of balance after stroke].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was the assessment of visual biofeedback in the management of balance disorders after stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a prospective randomised trial, which compares visual biofeedback training and traditional balance training. Twenty-seven patients took part in this study: 13 in the first group and 14 in the second group. The rehabilitation program in the first group consists in an association of visual biofeedback and traditional training during 3 weeks. For the second group traditional training was used alone. Clinical, functional and forceplate assessments were performed before and after the program of rehabilitation. RESULTS: All the patients had a clinical and functional improvement. However, patients who have benefited from biofeedback training had a significant improvement of the forceplate parameters with closed eyes. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Those results confirm the interest of rehabilitation in balance disorders after stroke. The use of biofeedback training incorporated into functional physiotherapy affords added benefits probably by a best integration of proprioceptive informations.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Influence of temperature changes on clinical symptoms in multiple sclerosis: an epidemiologic study].

UNLABELLED: The effects of the modifications of temperature are well known in patients affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). They are variable and can influence daily living. This sensibility can be used in the management of the disabilities. METHOD: An epidemiological study was realized on a cohort of 191 patients suffering from MS referred to the MS clinic of Rennes (France). All the patients were questioned about the influence of heat and cold on their clinical symptoms (fatigue spasticity, walking disorders, vision, em leader ). Correlations with the main clinical characteristics were studied. POPULATION: One hundred ninety-one patients, 129 women and 62 men with an average age of 47.6 +/- 10 years were interviewed. Average score EDSS was of 5.2 +/- 1.5. The mean duration of MS was 13.5 +/- 10 years. RESULTS: One hundred forty-seven patients (77%) reported a sensibility to the temperature. Heat deteriorated function in 104 cases and 82 patients improved with cold. Paradoxically 20 patients reported to be deteriorated with cold and 19 improved with heat. Fatigue and walking were the most sensitive to temperature fluctuations. No particular clinical profile could be established. Fifty percent of the patients used this sensibility with therapeutic aim in everyday life. DISCUSSION: The clear influence of temperature fluctuations on the clinical symptom was confirmed in this study. However, there is a great variability from one patient to another. Different hypotheses have been evoked to explain this phenomenon. The most likely is an influence on the nervous specific conductivity. In routine practice cold physiotherapy will be proposed on case by case basis and still has an interesting place in the rehabilitation management.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Hemiplegia and return to domicile].

OBJECTIVE: We have studied the outcome after a stroke on being discharged from a department of physical medicine and rehabilitation in patients with hemiplegia, and the factors influencing the choice of the orientation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This prospective study was based on 93 patients. The mode of discharged was patient's domicile, institution, the number of death was also noted. The potentially influential factors studied were age, the side with hemiplegia, the aetiology of the hemiplegia, co-morbidity, the delay in starting rehabilitation, the neurological damage evaluated by the Orgogozo score, the initial functional damage evaluated by Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and by the functional score carried out within the framework PMSI(1) (computerised programme of medical care), the existence of aphasia, the existence of a depressive syndrome, presence of hemineglect, presence of superficial or profound sensory disorders, incontinence at the start of rehabilitation and at one month after the stroke, the existence of cognitive or psychiatric disorders. The tests used were the non-parametric test of Mann and Whitney, the chi(2) test and the correlation test. The threshold of significance used was 0.05. RESULTS: Based on 93 patients (47 women and 46 men, average age 64.8) 81 have gone back to their previous domicile, 11 were oriented toward an institution. One patient died. The predictive factors or those linked to an absence of return to the previous domicile were the age, social situation, the delay in starting rehabilitation, presence of aphasia, the initial and final functional damage, the impossibility to walk, the presence of a depressive syndrome, urinary incontinence. CONCLUSION: The authors stress the importance of familial environment and of functional independence in establishing a prognosis for return to the domicile.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2001

[Fractures of ossified Achilles tendon in cerebral palsy. Apropos of a case].

PURPOSE: To describe a case of ossification of the Achilles tendon fracture in cerebral palsy. METHODS: From the detailed case report, review of the literature was performed. RESULTS: A 49 years old patient who have presented a bilaterally pain syndrome of the ankles. Clinical investigations showed a bilaterally ossification of the Achilles tendon, with a fracture on the left side. The evolution was marked by the occurrence of an other fracture on the right side. Both needed surgery. Just a few cases of such ossification have been reported in literature. This ossification are more often asymptomatic. Complications such fracture are rare, no more than 20 cases have been reported, and only one case in cerebral palsy. The etiologic factors are multiple, including partial or complete rupture or surgery, with a probably great importance of tissular hypoxemia. Men older than 40 years old are more often concerned. DISCUSSION: In the majority of case ossification of the Achilles tendon are painless, and fortuitously discovered. In case of ankle pain syndrome, a research of fracture must be done. Standard X-rays and RMI are the more instructive exams for diagnosis. The treatment of these fractures is more often the surgery. Orthopaedic treatments remain rarely used because of the duration of treatment and of a major risk of recurrence. CONCLUSION: In adult cerebral palsy a standard X-rays of the two Achilles tendon must be realised in case of the occurrence of an ankle pain syndrome especially if an antecedent of Achilles tendon lengthening is known.

Achilles Tendon↗
PubMed1998

Vesicourethral dysfunction and urodynamic findings in multiple sclerosis: a study of 149 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Vesicourethral dysfunction is common in people with multiple sclerosis and results in significant impairment. We studied the clinical and urodynamic findings in such patients to define risk factors for incontinence and upper urinary tract infections. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cohort study of 149 patients with multiple sclerosis and urinary symptoms seen in our urodynamic laboratory. INTERVENTION: A complete urodynamic study of each patient with urethrocystometry and continuous recording of the urethral sphincter electromyography and assessment of postvoid residual. RESULTS: Detrusor hyperreflexia and sphincter dyssynergia were the main dysfunctions. No significant relation between clinical features and urodynamic patterns was found. Women with low maximal urethral pressure were particularly prone to incontinence, which occurred in 69% of the patients. Pyelonephritis was associated with a postvoiding residual urine of > 30% of the functional detrusor capacity, and was found more often in the male population. CONCLUSION: Urodynamic assessment of bladder function is critical to direct therapy for urinary complaints in people with multiple sclerosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Treatment of detrusor sphincter dyssynergia by transperineal injection of botulinum toxin.

Detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia is an involuntary contraction of the external urethral sphincter during the detrusor contraction. It causes voiding dysfunction and can lead to urologic complications such as hydroureteronephrosis and renal failure. Patients with spinal cord injuries are particularly vulnerable. Botulinum toxin has been used via cystoscopy to decrease the activity of the external urethral sphincter. This report describes the treatment of 5 tetraplegic patients by single transperineal injections of botulinum toxin for detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia, proved by a urodynamic study with electromyography. A total of 15 injections was given, resulting in improved bladder function in all patients. Urodynamic assessment after treatment showed an increase of the functional detrusor capacity and a decrease of the maximal detrusor pressure during voiding. These results confirm the consideration of botulinum toxin as a treatment for detrusor sphincter dyssynergia. A single transperineal injection is a valuable, less invasive treatment using a cystoscopic technique.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Influence of urinary management on urologic complications in a cohort of spinal cord injury patients.

OBJECTIVE: To study urologic complications in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) in relation to their bladder management. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cohort study of patients with SCI in a rehabilitation center. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred eighty-two patients were studied; demographic data, disease characteristics, and urologic history were obtained for each. INTERVENTION: Patients responding to a questionnaire were given a clinical exam. Their medical records were reviewed, with particular attention given to the following urologic complications: lithiasis, urinary infections, orchiepididymitis, urethral trauma, vesicorenal reflux, and renal failure. RESULTS: Results are reported for 123 patients. Time since SCI was 8 years. Intermittent catheterization was the main method of bladder management. Only 32 patients had changed their method of vesical voiding. Urinary complications had developed in 75% of patients. The most common complication was urinary infection. Vesicoureteral reflux occurred in 26% of patients using percussion. Trauma related to catheterization was the main problem with intermittent catheterization, responsible for a high rate of orchiepididymitis. CONCLUSION: Intermittent catheterization is the most-used method of bladder management, but with a nonnegligible rate of urethral trauma in men. Percussion and Credé maneuver appear to be acceptable techniques of bladder management if the patient is closely monitored.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Control of the proliferation of prostate cancer cells by an androgen and two antiandrogens. Cell specific sets of responses.

The responses, in terms of cell proliferation and c-myc messenger RNA content, of human prostate cancer cells to androgen-receptor ligands were investigated. Experiments were performed with three types of cells (LNCaP, R2 and MOP) and three compounds (the androgen R 1881 and two anti-androgens: cyproterone acetate, CYPA, and RU 56187). MOP cells were established in the laboratory and the effects of RU 56187 had not been studied in culture. In terms of proliferation, LNCaP was stimulated by the three compounds, R2 was inhibited by R 1881 and RU 56187 but was stimulated by CYPA while MOP was inhibited by the three compounds. In the three types of cells, c-myc messenger RNAs were down regulated by R 1881 and RU 56187 but not by CYPA. The conclusions are: (1) the sets of responses of cell proliferation to three androgen-receptor ligands are cell specific; (2) the control of c-myc messenger RNA by R 1881 and RU 56187 may be related to the inhibition of cell proliferation by these compounds but not to their stimulatory effect on cell proliferation; (3) if prostate tumor cells would respond in vivo to androgens and antiandrogens like in culture, patients with prostate cancer could take benefits of reversible medical castration and sequential prescription of various antiandrogens.

Androgen Antagonists↗
PubMed1997

Drug-induced autoimmunity: experience of the French pharmacovigilance system.

Spontaneous reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions to a pharmacovigilance structure is a reasonable tool to detect new associations between drugs and a given toxic effect. An analysis of the French national database of pharmacovigilance was undertaken to evaluate how such a system is relevant to survey and/or detect drug-associated autoimmune disorders. Only 0.2% of reports were coded with terms suggestive of systemic autoimmune diseases. Drugs most frequently found were cardiovascular drugs, antiepileptic drugs and slow-acting anti-inflammatory drugs. Most of reports involved drugs previously recognized as a possible cause of autoimmune disorders. Minocycline or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors were suggested to be involved in several reports and represented possible new cases of drug-associated autoimmune disorders. In conclusion, drugs are infrequently reported as a cause of systemic autoimmune disorders compared to other adverse drug reactions and may not represent a critical health problem for drug regulatory agencies to deal with.

Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems↗
PubMed1996

Clinical immunotoxicity of pesticides.

Because of the wide use of pesticides for domestic and industrial purposes, the evaluation of their immunotoxic effects is of major concern for public health. Despite the large amount of experimental data describing pesticide-induced immunosuppression, evidence that pesticides may severely impair immune functions in humans is lacking or scarce. Contact hypersensitivity is a well-identified immunotoxic effect of pesticides but remains a rare complaint in pesticide-exposed workers. By contrast, immunologically mediated systemic reactions have been described only as debatable case reports. The association between autoimmune diseases and pesticide exposure has more recently been suggested. Despite the lack of convincing human data, a potential risk for the immune system should not be excluded, especially during chronic exposure to pesticides or in otherwise (immuno) compromised patients (malnutrition, children, old patients). Epidemiological studies including markers of exposure and the assessment of immune competence in exposed individuals, or registries of sentinel diseases related to immunosuppression (e.g., non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, opportunistic infections) or autoimmunity (e.g. lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis), are warranted.

Autoimmune Diseases↗