Evaluation of excessive daytime sleepiness in the elderly.
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A family with coincidence of a restless leg syndrome (RLS) in the mother and a Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) in the son who also shows increased vulnerability to neuroleptic induced akathisia (NIA) is presented. Since these diseases show parallels from a genetic, pathogenetic and clinical point of view, the familiar coincidence is discussed under these aspects with respect to suggested disturbances of the dopamine and the opiate systems in RLS, GTS, and NIA.
A patient with incapacitating restless-leg syndrome had suffered from repetitive confusional states exclusively after use of short-acting benzodiazepines. Complete removal of symptoms was achieved using levodopa. An association between many reported adverse reactions to triazolam and the common syndrome of restless legs or nocturnal myoclonus is suggested.
Increasing numbers of patients with chronic kidney disease Stage 5 (GFR <15ml/minute) are being managed without dialysis, either through their own preference or because dialysis is unlikely to benefit them. This growing group of patients has extensive health care needs. Their overall symptom burden is high, and symptom prevalence matches or exceeds that in other end of life populations, both with cancer and other non-cancer diagnoses. These symptoms may often go unrecognised and under-treated. Regular symptom assessment is necessary, together with pro-active management of identified symptoms. Pain can be managed using the principles of the World Health Organisation analgesic ladder. Not all opioid medications are recommended for these patients. Paracetamol, tramadol, and fentanyl are the most appropriate medications for steps 1, 2 and 3 respectively. There is limited evidence on the use of buprenorphine, oxycodone and hydromorphone. Methadone is safe but should only be prescribed by a clinician experienced in its use. Morphine and diamorphine are not recommended because of metabolite accumulation. Pruritus is also challenging to manage. The evidence for pharmacological interventions to alleviate pruritus is summarized, and a pragmatic approach to management suggested. Emollients, capsaisin cream, antihistamines, thalidomide and ondansetron may be helpful, according to the extent and pattern of pruritus. Symptoms may frequently be due to co-morbid conditions, not renal disease itself, and managing them is difficult because of the constraints on the use of medication which kidney failure imposes. Collaboration between renal and palliative specialists can help identify ways to achieve best care for these patients.
One hundred and seventy four patients suffering from the restless legs syndrome were examined in a double blind, between patient, placebo controlled study in general practice for five weeks to investigate the effects of carbamazepine and placebo on the syndrome. The syndrome was more common among middle aged women with relatively low systolic blood pressure. The median haemoglobin concentration was about average for the population, but the severity of the symptoms seemed to increase with decreasing concentrations of haemoglobin. Both placebo and carbamazepine showed a significant therapeutic effect (p less than 0.01). Carbamazepine was significantly more effective than placebo (p less than or equal to 0.03). The significant therapeutic effect of placebo in restless legs showed that only double blind controlled trials can confirm the efficacy of suggested treatments.
86 cases of narrowly defined postpartum psychosis were investigated with regard to onset and course of symptomatology. The most frequent initial symptoms were restlessness, paranoid symptoms, catatonic excitement, anxiety, sleep disturbances and depressed mood. 16 patients had died at the time of follow-up. Concerning the further course of the disease 64% of the 61 women who were followed up (average 26 years from onset), had recurrences of illness. The most frequent longitudinal diagnosis, in 49% of the 61 cases, was 'schizoaffective disorder'; only 28% of patients were diagnosed as having schizophrenic disorders at follow-up.
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Three patients with restless legs syndrome, two of whom also had nocturnal myoclonus, responded well to treatment with low doses of opioids. The pathophysiology of the syndrome and the mechanism of opioids' therapeutic action are discussed.
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This study investigates the relationship between abnormal neurologic findings and periodic limb movements (PLMs). Neurologic abnormalities were found to be statistically related to the occurrence of PLMs on polysomnographic study. The neurologic abnormalities may represent a risk factor for PLMs independent of age.
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This study investigated symptoms of anxiety in two samples of clinic outpatients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Clinician and caregiver reports were obtained using standardized measures to characterize a broad array of anxiety symptoms. Anxiety symptoms were reported for a substantial proportion of subjects, regardless of whether clinician or caregiver ratings were used. Anxious or worried appearance was most common (68% to 71%), followed by fearfulness, tension, restlessness, and fidgeting (37% to 57%). Sleep disturbance and various somatic symptoms were less common (8% to 34%). Although anxiety symptoms were prevalent, only 5% to 6% of subjects met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria for the diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder. In both samples, anxiety symptoms were associated with depression, behavioral disturbances, and increased cognitive impairment. Study findings support a high occurrence of anxiety in patients with dementia, and treatments for anxiety might therefore be helpful in reducing the psychiatric burden of AD.
PURPOSE AND METHODS: This study assessed the relationship between survival, tumor size, and quality of life (QoL; Rotterdam Symptom Checklist [RSC], Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HAD], and Sickness Impact Profile [SIP]) in 50 patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM). RESULTS: Physical symptom score (RSC) was a stronger survival predictor than tumor size measured on computed tomographic (CT) scan. The best model for predicting survival included QoL questions about diarrhea, eating, restlessness, and ability to work and sleep. The only clinically measured variable included in this best survival prediction model was serum alkaline phosphatase level. This is the first study to show that QoL indices predict survival in CLM. The findings suggest that differences in tumor products and not just in tumor size could influence patient fitness and survival in CLM. Such differences are more accurately estimated by QoL assessment than measurement of tumor size. CONCLUSION: QoL provides a better survival estimate than measurement of tumor size and could be used as a surrogate end point for survival in treatment trials.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurologic disorder whose prevalence has been estimated at 4 to 10% of the general population. Although its pathophysiology remains unknown, dopaminergic mechanisms are believed to play a central role. Furthermore, dopaminergic drugs have shown therapeutic efficacy in various large-scale therapeutic trials, and dopamine agonists now represent the first line of treatment. Several studies performed over the past years have suggested an association between RLS and Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the evidence is still limited and large controlled studies are needed to show the prevalence rates of PD in RLS patients versus controls. Furthermore, in contrast to PD, some brain imaging studies have revealed a mild striatal dysfunction in RLS. Preliminary neuropathologic evidence also suggests that the dopaminergic dysfunction does not involve neuronal degeneration at that level. Therefore, neuronal degeneration in other dopaminergic pathways than the nigrostriatal might be relevant in the pathogenesis of RLS in PD.
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Somnambulism is an arousal parasomnia consisting of a series of complex behaviours that result in large movements in bed or walking during sleep. It occurs in 2-14% of children and 1.6-2.4% of adults. Occasional benign episodes are managed conservatively. However, recurrent sleepwalking with a risk of injury to self or others mandates immediate treatment with pharmacotherapy while awaiting work-up. The most commonly used medications are benzodiazepines, particularly clonazepam, with tricyclic antidepressants and serotonin selective re-uptake inhibitors also administered. Treatment of underlying causes such as obstructive sleep apnoea, upper airway resistance syndrome, restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movements, is currently the best approach and usually eliminates somnambulism in children and adults.