Manju Dhandapani

Pressure ulcer in patients with severe traumatic brain injury: significant factors and association with neurological outcome.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To assess the factors associated with development of pressure ulcer in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and study its prognostic significance with respect to neurological outcome at three months. BACKGROUND Patients with severe TBI are prone to develop pressure ulcer due to various factors, which have never been studied in detail. DESIGN Prospective longitudinal study. METHODS Eighty-nine patients of TBI in age group 20-60 years admitted with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 4-8 without serious systemic disorder were enrolled for the study. Patient characteristics, haemoglobin, serum albumin levels at admission and their weekly changes till 21 days were noted along with daily assessment for presence of pressure ulcer. Mortality was assessed at 21 days and neurological outcome at three months through telephonic interview. RESULTS Of 89 patients studied, pressure ulcer was observed in 6 (7%) and 14 (16%) at the end of two and three weeks, respectively. Pressure ulcer in univariate analysis was significantly associated with poorer GCS (p = 0·05), delayed enteral feeding (p = 0·005) and fall in haemoglobin at two weeks (p = 0·005). Only the latter two were found significant in multivariate analysis. Age, gender, surgical intervention, tracheostomy, prolonged fever and change in albumin had no significant association with pressure ulcer development. Presence of pressure ulcer was significantly associated with mortality at 21 days (p = 0·006) and unfavourable neurological outcome at three months (p = 0·01). CONCLUSIONS The significant factors influencing pressure ulcer development in patients with TBI were delayed enteral feeding and fall in haemoglobin. Pressure ulcer had significant association with mortality at 21 days and recovery status at three months. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Early nutritional supplementation and monitoring of haemoglobin should be an important part of nursing care interventions for patients at increased risk of developing pressure ulcer.

The prognostic significance of the timing of total enteral feeding in traumatic brain injury

Background: To study the effect of timing of total enteral feeding on various nutritional parameters and neurological outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: One hundred and fourteen patients, in the age group of 20–60 years, admitted within 24 h of TBI with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 4–8 were enrolled for the study. Nineteen patients who had expired before the attainment of total enteral feeding were excluded from the analysis. Total enteral feeding was attained before 3 days, 4–7 days, and after 7 days in 12, 52, and 31 patients, respectively, depending on gastric tolerance. They were prospectively assessed for various markers of nutrition and outcome was assessed at 3 and 6 months. Results: Prospective assessment of 67 hospitalized patients at 3 weeks revealed significant differences in anthropometric measurements, total protein, albumin levels, clinical features of malnutrition, and mortality among the three groups. 80% of those fed before 3 days had favorable outcome at 3 months compared to 43% among those fed later. The odds ratio (OR) was 5.29 (95% CI 1.03–27.03) and P value was 0.04. The difference between those fed before 3 days and 4–7 days was not significant at 6 months even though patients fed before 7 days had still significantly higher favorable outcome compared to those fed after 7 days (OR 7.69, P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis for unfavorable outcome showed significance of P = 0.03 for feeding after 3 days and P = 0.01 for feeding after 7 days. Conclusions: In severe TBI, unfavorable outcome was significantly associated with attainment of total enteral feeding after 3 days and more so after 7 days following injury.

Serum lipid profile spectrum and delayed cerebral ischemia following subarachnoid hemorrhage: Is there a relation?

Background: Serum lipid abnormalities are known to be important risk factors for vascular disorders. However, their role in delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), the major cause of morbidity after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) remains unclear. This study was an attempt to evaluate the spectrum of lipid profile changes in SAH compared to matched controls, and their relation with the occurrence of DCI. Methods: Admission serum lipid profile levels were measured in patients of SAH and prospectively studied in relation to various factors and clinical development of DCI. Results: Serum triglyceride (TG) levels were significantly lower among SAH patients compared to matched controls (mean [±standard deviation (SD)] mg/dL: 117.3 [±50.4] vs. 172.8 [±89.1], P = 0.002), probably because of energy consumption due to hypermetabolic response. Patients who developed DCI had significantly higher TG levels compared to those who did not develop DCI (mean [±SD] mg/dL: 142.1 [±56] vs. 111.9 [±54], P = 0.05). DCI was noted in 62% of patients with TG >150 mg/dL, compared to 22% among the rest (P = 0.01). Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein (a) neither showed a significant difference between SAH and controls and nor any significant association with DCI. Multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression adjusting for the effects of age, sex, systemic disease, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade, Fisher grade, and clipping/coiling, revealed higher TG levels to have significant independent association with DCI (P = 0.01). Conclusions: Higher serum TG levels appear to be significantly associated with DCI while other lipid parameters did not show any significant association. This may be due to their association with remnant cholesterol or free fatty acid-induced lipid peroxidation.

Study of trends in anthropometric nutritional indices and the impact of adiposity among patients of subarachnoid hemorrhage

BACKGROUND Nutritional status and adiposity have not been studied to a significant extent in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The aim of this study was to determine the trends in anthropometric indices and assess their impact on patients with SAH. METHODS We prospectively studied in 56 patients with SAH, the triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), mid-arm circumference (MAC), mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC), and other factors, and their relationship to clinical vasospasm and mortality. RESULTS The median MAC decreased significantly from 29.3 cm (interquartile range [IQR] 28-31 cm) at admission to 27 cm (IQR 26-29 cm) at 1-week (P < 0.001). The median TSF decreased significantly from 34 mm (IQR 30-40 mm) at admission to 30 mm (IQR 25-35 mm) at 1-week (P < 0.001). MAMC values did not show a significant change over a week. The patients who developed clinical vasospasm had significantly higher median admission TSF of 40 mm (IQR 35-45 mm), compared to the median admission TSF of 35 mm (IQR 30-40 mm) among those who did not develop vasospasm (P = 0.03). MAMC values did not differ significantly in relation to vasospasm. Patients who expired by 3 months had significantly greater fall in median MAMC values at 1-week (7.7% [IQR 5.2-11.5%]), compared to the fall in median MAMC values at 1-week among those who were alive at 3 months (2.6% [IQR 2.1-6.6%]) [P = 0.03]. However, the fall in TSF values did not differ significantly in relation to mortality. In multivariate analysis, only the admission TSF, Hunt and Hess and Fisher grades had a significant association with vasospasm. This association was independent of other prognostic factors and of each other. CONCLUSION Excessive adiposity of patients, measured as an increased TSF value, is significantly associated with clinical vasospasm independent of other prognostic factors, while fall in MAMC, indicating somatic protein catabolism, has some impact on mortality.

Study of factors determining caregiver burden among primary caregivers of patients with intracranial tumors.

Background: Caregivers of patients with intracranial tumors handle physical, cognitive, and behavioral impairments of patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the magnitude of burden experienced by primary caregivers of patients operated for intracranial tumors and evaluate factors influencing it. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional design was used to assess home-care burden experienced by primary caregivers of patients operated for intracranial tumors. Using purposive sampling, 70 patient-caregiver pairs were enrolled. Modified caregiver strain index (MCSI) was used to assess the caregiver burden. Mini mental status examination (MMSE), Katz index of independence in activities of daily living (ADL), and neuropsychiatric inventory questionnaire (NPI-Q) were used to assess the status of patients. Results: Of 70 caregivers, 45 had mild, and 22 had moderate MCSI burden. A number of behavioral changes in NPI-Q had a significant correlation with MCSI burden (P < 0.001), whereas MMSE and Katz-ADL of patients did not show significant relation with caregiver burden. In NPI-Q, irritability, agitation, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances had a significant impact on MCSI. Among caregiver factors, unemployment, low per capita income, time spent, inability to meet household needs, quitting the job, and health problems had a significant impact on MCSI. In separate multivariate analyses, irritability component (P = 0.004) among behavioral changes of patients and caregivers’ inability to meet household needs (P < 0.001) had a significant association with caregiver burden independent of other factors. Conclusions: Behavioral changes in patients (especially irritability) and financial constraints had a significant independent impact on the burden experienced by primary caregivers of patients operated for intracranial tumors. Identifying and managing, these are essential for reducing caregiver burden.

Serum albumin level in spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage: More than a mere nutritional marker!

Abstract Background: The role of nutritional markers on outcome following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has been scarcely described. Methods: This is a prospective study of 273 patients with SAH, in which haemoglobin, serum protein and albumin were measured within 24 hours and again at one week following ictus, and analysed with respect to other variables. New neurologic deficits (NND), infarct, mortality and Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) at 3 months were assessed. Results: The values of haemoglobin, total protein and albumin showed significant (p < .001) decline over the first week of SAH. Patients who developed NND had significantly lower serum albumin levels at admission compared to others (median 3.6 vs 3.9 g/dL, p < .001). Patients having lower albumin (≤3.5 gm/dL) levels at admission had significantly higher rates of NND (52% vs 20%), infarct (35% vs 23%), mortality (28% vs 16%) and unfavourable GOS (38% vs 25%). Hunt & Hess (H&H) grade and Fisher grade also affected all the outcome parameters significantly. Percentage decrease in albumin levels at one week following ictus significantly affected mortality and unfavourable GOS. On multivariate analyses, Fisher grade and lower admission albumin levels had significant impact on NND, while percentage decrease in albumin levels had significant impact on mortality and unfavourable GOS, independent of other nutritional markers and known prognostic variables. Conclusions: Serum albumin levels following SAH can be useful to predict development of NND, while its further weekly decrease correlates independently with unfavourable outcome at 3 months. Albumin assessment being readily available may serve as more than a mere nutritional parameter in SAH.

Prevalence and Trends in the Neuropsychological Burden of Patients having Intracranial Tumors with Respect to Neurosurgical Intervention

Background: The burden of neuropsychological symptoms evidenced by behavioral changes among patients with intracranial tumors has not been studied in detail. Purpose: This study was conducted to prospectively assess the neuropsychological symptoms in patients with intracranial tumors undergoing treatment. Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted using purposive sampling to assess the neuropsychological symptoms in conscious and consenting patients with intracranial tumors who were availing treatment from a tertiary care center. Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q), which identifies 12 behavioral disturbances, was assessed at baseline, and later at 1 month and 6 months after treatment, and scored as symptom severity as well as symptom scores. Results: Among the 34 patients studied, all had experienced at least one neuropsychological symptom. The commonest neuropsychological symptoms at baseline were anxiety (82%), agitation (75%), irritability (74%), depression (74%), and sleep disturbances (70%). The neuropsychiatric symptom and severity scores were 5.84 (SD ±2.7) and 11.8 (±7.1) at baseline, which reduced significantly to 4.3 (±3.1) and 5.6 (±3.2) at 1 month, and further to 2.3 (±2.9) and 3.6 (±3.2) at 6 months, respectively. The neuropsychological symptoms persistent at 6 months were anxiety (33%), depression (33%), sleep disturbances (33%), agitation (25%), irritability (25%), and disinhibition (25%). Conclusion: There is substantial neuropsychological burden among patients with intracranial tumors. The severity score improved immediately after surgery, while the symptom score improved gradually. The variable spectrum of improvement in neuropsychological symptoms at 6 months after surgical treatment needs further consideration. Addressing these symptoms should be one of the long-term goals of the neuro-oncology teams.

Trends in cognitive dysfunction following surgery for intracranial tumors.

Background: This study was conducted to prospectively assess the cognitive function of patients with intracranial tumors. Methods: The cognitive status of patients with intracranial tumors were prospectively studied before surgery, and later at 1 and 6 months following surgery, on purposive sampling, using validated post graduate institute (PGI) battery for brain dysfunction (score 0–30) with a higher dysfunction rating score indicating poor cognitive status. Results: Out of 23 patients enrolled, 20 could complete the study. They had substantial cognitive dysfunction before surgery (score 17.1 ± 9.4). Though there was no significant improvement (16.9 ± 9.0) at 1 month, the score improved significantly (10.3 ± 9.2) at 6 months following surgery (P = 0.008). The improvement was relatively subdued in intra-axial, malignant, and radiated tumors. Overall, there was a significant improvement in mental balance (P = 0.048), verbal retention of dissimilar pairs (P = 0.01), and recognition (P = 0.01), while dysfunction persisted in the domains of memory, verbal retention to similar pairs, and visual retention. Conclusion: Patients with intracranial tumors have substantial cognitive dysfunction, which tend to show significant improvement beyond 6 months following surgery, especially among tumors, which were extra-axial, benign, and nonirradiated.

Pain perception following different neurosurgical procedures: a quantitative prospective study

Background: Pain following neurosurgery has never been given due attention. Objective: This was a prospective study to assess pain following various neurosurgical procedures. Methods: Patients underwent pain assessment on 11-point scale(0-10) for 24 hours following neurosurgery, and analyzed in relation to various factors. Results: Among total 159 patients, 88(55%), 58(37%) and 13(8%) had undergone cranial, spinal and peripheral nerve procedures respectively. The mean pain score within 12 hours was 3.51(SD ± 2.53), which increased significantly during 13-24 hours to 5.06(SD ± 2.6)(P<0.001). During 13-24 hours, the pain score among those who underwent infratentorial procedures (8.02 ± 2.77) was significantly higher than among those who underwent supratentorial procedures (3.48 ± 1.99)(P<0.001). The pain score of patients who underwent lumbar surgery (6.5 ± 1.93) was significantly higher than of those who underwent cervical surgery (4.04 ± 2.43)(P<0.001). Age and gender did not show any significant influence on pain. Conclusion: Pain is significantly greater during 13-24 hours after neurosurgery, especially after infratentorial and lumbar surgical procedures, compared to others.

Unusual presentation of hyperphagia after surgery for fourth ventricular ependymoma: Accessory satiety center or hypothalamic seedlings?

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