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Biomedical subjects

E M Hagen

Publications and source records attributed to E M Hagen.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

The clinical significance of spinal cord injuries in patients older than 60 years of age.

OBJECTIVES: To study the causes and the rehabilitation outcome of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in patients older than 60 years at the time of injury. MATERIAL: Forty-four patients were included. METHODS: The American Spinal Injury Association Motor Impairment Scale on admission and at discharge and the Functional Independence Measure Motor subscale at discharge were calculated retrospectively according to the patient records. The causes of injury and treatment were obtained. The MRI-scans in patients with cervical injuries during the last 5 years were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (77%) were injured after falling from a height, 24 with cervical lesions. Thirty-five patients (80%) had incomplete lesions and they had the best outcome with regard to functional level. MR images of 15 patients with cervical lesions revealed preexisting cervical stenosis in 80%. CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of the patients had a cervical spinal stenosis and incomplete SCI; most of them regained good function.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

[Patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries at the department of neurology, Haukeland Hospital 1952-99].

BACKGROUND: We wanted to study the cause and the segmental level of traumatic spinal cord injuries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All 238 patients (208 men) with traumatic spinal cord injuries admitted to the Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, Norway, from 1952 to 1999 were included. Data were obtained from medical files and studied retrospectively. RESULTS: The initial clinical level of injury was the cervical spine in 50% of the patients, the thoracic spine in 33%, and the lumbar spine in 18%. Falling (45%) and road accidents (35%) were the main causes. The mean annual number of patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries increased from three in 1952-60 to eight in 1991-99; there was an increase in high cervical injuries among those older than 60. The proportion of work-related traumatic spinal cord injuries was 42% in 1952-74 and 26% in 1975-99. INTERPRETATION: Although there has been a reduction of work-related spinal cord injuries, there is still a potential for further prevention, especially among persons of more than 60 years of age.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2001

[Acute dystonia caused by metoclopramide (Afipran) therapy].

BACKGROUND: Metoclopramide is an antiemetic drug used frequently both in general practice and hospitals. The drug has few side effects, mainly drowsiness, and can be used both in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Acute dystonia is a rare side effect mostly affecting children and young adults within 1-3 days after start of the medication. Women are more frequently affected than men. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present a clinical description of two patients admitted to our department with acute dystonia precipitated by metoclopramide. RESULTS: Both patients received treatment with biperiden; one received additional benzodiazepine. Both recovered rapidly and were discharged symptom free the next day. INTERPRETATION: Metoclopramide-induced dystonia is frightening both for the patient and the family. Because of concomitant anxiety and psychiatric symptoms, individuals are often regarded as hysterical. The attack can be abbreviated by parenteral administration of anticholinergic drugs. It is important that all doctors prescribing metoclopramide know of this side effect, especially when their patients are young females.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

Does early intervention with a light mobilization program reduce long-term sick leave for low back pain?

STUDY DESIGN: A controlled randomized clinical trial was performed. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a light mobilization program on the duration of sick leave for patients with subacute low back pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Early intervention with information, diagnostics, and light mobilization may be a cost-effective method for returning patients quickly to normal activity. In this experiment, patients were referred to a low back pain clinic and given this simple and systematic program as an outpatient treatment. METHODS: In this study, 457 patients sick-listed 8 to 12 weeks for low back pain, as recorded by the National Insurance Offices, were randomized into two groups: an intervention group (n = 237) and a control group (n = 220). The intervention group was examined at a spine clinic and given information and advice to stay active. The control group was not examined at the clinic, but was treated with conventional primary health care. RESULTS: At 12-month follow-up assessment, 68.4% in the intervention group had returned to full-duty work, as compared with 56.4% in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Early intervention with examination, information, and recommendations to stay active showed significant effects in reducing sick leave for patients with low back pain.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Neurological diseases associated with celiac disease].

During the period from May 1997 to October 1998, eight patients with coeliac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis and neurological disorders were admitted to the Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Bergen. The most frequent conditions were polyneuropathy (seven patients) and spinocerebellar ataxia (three patients). Other conditions were lower motor neuron disease, myelopathy, epilepsy and encephalopathy. The patients used various degrees of gluten-free diet at the time of admission. It remains unclear whether there is a shared common pathogenetic mechanism or the neurological disorder is a complication to the coeliac disease. Both vitamin depletion and immunological mechanisms may cause neurological disorder. Neurological manifestations may occur before the gastrointestinal symptoms. With reference to our patients and available literature we discuss prevalence, clinical picture, pathogenesis, treatment and prognosis. Neurologists, gastroenterologists and general practitioners should be aware that coeliac disease can cause neurological diseases, especially polyneuropathy, cerebellar ataxia and encephalopathy.

Adult↗