Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0026838 (spasticity)
 6,471 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Baclofen is a centrally acting muscle relaxant used for treatment of spasticity. Some patients, to experience adequate symptomatic relief, require dosages of baclofen that significantly exceed the conventional 80 mg daily maximum advocated by the 1992 Physicians' Desk Reference. In this pilot study of baclofen kinetics and dynamics in eleven patients, the safety and efficacy of high dose baclofen was confirmed. The data suggest that the pharmacokinetics of high dose baclofen may vary from those described previously. Time-to-peak plasma levels and plasma half-lives were noted to be substantially longer than prior reports indicate. Baclofen blood levels were observed to rise gradually over time in some patients on a stable dosing regimen, probably a result of impaired renal clearance. These findings may indicate that a change in pattern of prescription is warranted and that a reliable and practical measurement of systemic baclofen levels has a useful role in clinical practice, particularly for the patient with neurogenic bladder and potential renal insufficiency.
J Am Paraplegia Soc 1992 Oct
PMID:Clinical and pharmacokinetic aspects of high dose oral baclofen therapy. 143 67

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a frequent complication in patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI), although the aetiology is unknown. A study was undertaken of 654 SCI patients with traumatic aetiology, admitted for the first time to the Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos, Toledo, during 1988 and 1989. Of the total number of patients, 85 (13%) were diagnosed HO and 569 without HO. The diagnosis was mainly achieved by x-ray studies and clinical signs. From the 569 patients with traumatic aetiology without HO, 44 were selected at random, as were 44 of the 85 patients with HO. The mean time lapse between the occurrence of the accident and admission for patients with HO was 40.79 days (typical deviation (TD) = 45.2), and for patients without HO was 32.84 (TD = 38) days, resulting in a value of F = 0.796 through analysis of variance, which is not a statistically significant variation between the 2 groups. In both groups we have taken account of the following variables: age at time of lesion, lesion level, type of lesion (complete or incomplete), spasticity, urinary tract complications, deep vein thrombosis, important associated injuries occurring at the moment of lesion, time elapsed before admission and the existence of pressure sores. In those SCI patients with HO the number of ossifications and their localisations were also verified. By use of the chi square test (X2) over all 9 variables which were studied, we found that 3 variables (complete spinal lesion, presence of pressure sores and spasticity) were significantly related to HO formation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Paraplegia 1992 Oct
PMID:Incidence and risk factors in the appearance of heterotopic ossification in spinal cord injury. 144 3

In this study an attempt was made to treat spinal cord injured patients with severe spasticity by peripheral nerve blocks. Thirty-six patients (5 female, 31 male) ranging in age from 20 to 71 years (mean: 29 +/- 8.2) were treated by phenol injections. A specially designed electrostimulation needle was used for the injections. The results showed that peripheral nerve blocks with phenol solution could be a remedy on a temporary basis, but are not as effective as has been described previously.
Paraplegia 1992 Nov
PMID:Peripheral nerve block with phenol to treat spasticity in spinal cord injured patients. 148 35

In a series of 65 tetraplegic hands with severe disabling spasticity and/or flexion contracture, selective flexor tendon elongation procedures were employed to improve their static and kinetic postures. A kinetic approach was adopted, utilizing local anesthesia in a wide-awake patient. This was employed to allow for the patient's cooperation in determining at surgery the desired length of digital extension at the time of wrist tenodesis action. Elongation of the extensor digitorum communis (EDC), extensor indicis proprius (EIP), and extensor digiti quinti (ED V) were added to correct an 'extrinsic-plus' posture observed in 16 patients following flexor tendon lengthening. With the resultant improvement in the static posture of the digits, tendon transfers could then be employed to provide a more functional tenodesis action. These measures provided both improved palmar contact and prehension.
Paraplegia 1992 Jul
PMID:The hyperflexed seemingly useless tetraplegic hand: a method of surgical amelioration. 150 59

A report on pregnancy in a quadriplegic patient treated with a high dose of 1000 mcg/24 h continuous intrathecal baclofen infusion using an implanted drug delivery system (Synchromed, Medtronic, USA). Spasticity could be managed up to the 35th week of gestation. However, uterine contractions evoke enormous spastic symptoms which we, even with maximum values of the spasticity scales, could not classify. The recurrence of spasticity was associated with autonomic dysregulation. With continuous epidurally infused bupivacaine (11.25 mg/h) adequate relaxation could be reached and gestation was terminated by a primary caesarean section. A healthy girl was born (2040 g, Apgar 9 and 10).
Paraplegia 1992 Jul
PMID:Pregnancy in a quadriplegic patient treated with continuous intrathecal baclofen infusion to manage her severe spasticity. Case report. 150 70

Longitudinal data and clinical experience indicate that a greater proportion of spinal cord injuries result in incomplete or resolving neurological lesions. Although it has been reported that persons with incomplete injuries enjoy better functional outcomes, routine contacts with these individuals indicate that many experience problems and complications strikingly similar to those with complete spinal cord injuries. Thus, to document the issues and needs of these individuals, data from Colorado's population-based spinal cord injury surveillance program were analyzed. Of 330 persons registered since January 1, 1986, 121 (37%) were found to be minimally disabled (Frankel class D or E). Review of medical records and follow up documentation for these individuals indicated that although over 75% were ambulatory and virtually all were physically independent, more than 80% did report problems in one or more areas: 21% had orthopedic issues and 17% faced additional spinal surgery; 16% reported neurological deterioration or increased spasticity; 25% had pain problems; and 16% had bladder difficulties. Other issues included bowel problems, blood pressure abnormalities, skin breakdown, sexual difficulties, depression, and unemployability. Implications for rehabilitation are discussed in the light of these and other findings.
Paraplegia 1992 Apr
PMID:Health and psychosocial issues of individuals with incomplete and resolving spinal cord injuries. 162 99

In 1984, researchers analyzed data on 231 18-45 year old women with a spinal cord injury who underwent initial rehabilitation at Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colorado to examine sexual issues. More than 50% of the women reported that health workers did not provide them sufficient sexuality information during rehabilitation, but those who underwent rehabilitation after 1977 were more satisfied with it than those before 1977. They tended to be satisfied with the care they received from their physicians after the injury. Most women were comfortable talking about sexuality with family, friends, and/or other women with spinal cord injuries. Some women were concerned with increases in vaginal discharges (53%) and perspiration (27%) after the injury. Clinicians must realize that the needs of women with spinal cord injuries are different than those of men. Spasticity during sexual relations, pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period troubled some women, e.g., it interfered with sexual intercourse in 21% of the women. Yet 2 newborns were addicted to valium which is used to control spasticity. Other issues were self-confidence and lack of spontaneity. Nevertheless 69% of all women were satisfied with sexual experiences. 60% of the women had amenorrhea after their injury and the mean time for menses resumption was 5 months. The preinjury pregnancy rate was 1.3/person compared with only .34 after the injury. Women with incomplete paraplegia had a higher postinjury pregnancy rate than those with complete quadriplegia (.63 vs. .15; p.001). 50% of the 47 women who had full-term infants delivered vaginally. 49% did not use any anesthesia. Pregnancy complications and complications during labor and delivery were bladder and bowel problems, autonomic hyperreflexia, decubitus ulcers, urinary tract infections, edema, anemia, spotting, fatigue, cardiac irregularity, and preeclampsia.
Paraplegia 1992 Mar
PMID:Sexual issues of women with spinal cord injuries. 163 Aug 47

Continuous posterior epidural spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been an effective method for treating spasticity. The mechanisms of SCS include activation of inhibitory segmental neuronal systems and suprasegmental structures that produce inhibitory descending control. The neurochemical correlates of the mechanism of action have not been clearly defined. Microdialysis of the spinal cord extracellular space in an in vivo preparation during continuous epidural SCS was performed. The recovery of amino acid neurotransmitters, aspartate, glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and taurine from stimulated animals was compared to non-stimulated animals. Evoked potentials from the cortex and spinal cord of the stimulated animals were recorded to insure that there had been adequate epidural stimulation and normal segmental cord function. A significant increase in the concentration of glycine was seen after 90 minutes of continuous stimulation. The levels of the other amino acids were not significantly elevated. These results suggest that amelioration of spasticity with epidural SCS may involve enhanced glycine release, the major inhibitory neurotransmitter of the spinal cord.
J Am Paraplegia Soc 1991 Jan
PMID:Recovery of amino acid neurotransmitters from the spinal cord during posterior epidural stimulation: a preliminary study. 167 8

An 81-year-old man with cervical spondylotic myelopathy developed an acute frontal lobe like syndrome with prominent preservation and an abnormal electroencephalogram after being given seven doses (70 mg) of baclofen for spasticity. The clinical symptoms cleared up in 72 hours after the medication was discontinued.
Paraplegia 1991 Oct
PMID:Baclofen-induced frontal lobe syndrome: case report. 177 63

A 65-year-old house-wife developed dirty erythematous rash on her face in April, 1989. Almost simultaneously, she complained of muscle soreness and weakness on both lower extremities. Pathological findings of the skin biopsy at that time was consistent with those of sarcoidosis with moderate inflammatory cell infiltration. In December, 1989, when she was admitted to our hospital, her lower extremities were paretic with marked spasticity, and mild bladder dysfunction was noted. HTLV-I antibody titers in serum and cerebrospinal fluid were significantly elevated. Biopsied limb skeletal muscle revealed the findings of the sarcoid myopathy with small inflammatory cell infiltration in endomysium. HLA haplotypes showed A24, B7, BW61, CW7, CW8, DR1 and DR4 which show relatively common types of those in HAM. Corticosteroid treatments including the methylprednisolone pulse therapy healed the skin lesion, but did not improve her neurological signs. Paraplegia and urinary disturbance were progressive. It is concluded that the inflammatory sarcoid myopathy with HAM in this patient may be caused by a common abnormal immunological background.
 ...
PMID:[HTLV-I associated myelopathy (HAM) and sarcoid myopathy]. 178 60


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