Upsala journal of medical sciences
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Neurological and psychiatric manifestations related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are widely recognised. Standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigations are normal in 40-80% of symptomatic patients, eventually delaying appropriate treatment when MRI is unrevealing any structural changes. The aim of this study is to investigate white matter abnormalities during an early stage of post-COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) encephalitis while conventional MRI was normal. ⋯ We confirm a limitation in the sensitivity of conventional MRI at the acute setting of post-COVID-19 autoimmune encephalitis. A complementary DTI investigation could be a valuable diagnostic tool in early therapeutic decisions concerning COVID-19-related neurological symptoms.
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Better knowledge of long-term symptoms following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the so-called post-COVID-19, in non-hospitalized patients is needed. The aim of this study was to study persisent symptoms up to 12 months after COVID-19 in non-hospitalized patients and their impact on work ability. We also investigated predictors of persistent symptoms. ⋯ This study indicated that many people who had mild COVID-19 might have a variety of long-term symptoms. It highlights the importance of considering work ability after mild COVID-19.
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Wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis is a systemic disease with predominantly cardiac symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess the short-term prognosis of these patients through contractile reserve measured by stress echocardiography, given the usefulness that this parameter has demonstrated in other populations. We considered major events as death from any cause and hospitalization for heart failure. ⋯ Contractile reserve assessed by right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain is a predictor of major events in patients with wild-type transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis.
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Although neuropathic pain is a significant problem in polyneuropathy, the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. The endogenous bioactive lipids 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol (2-AG), oleoylethanolamide (OEA), palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), and stearoylethanolamide (SEA) are known to influence pain and inflammation in the peripheral nervous system. The aim of this study was to explore the plasma levels of endocannabinoids and related lipids and health-related quality of life in patients with polyneuropathy with and without pain. ⋯ Alterations of 2-AG levels between polyneuropathy patients with and without neurogenic pain indicate that it could play an essential role. Further studies are warranted.
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Increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and pseudoexfoliation (PEX) are major risk factors for open-angle glaucoma (OAG), an age-related neurodegenerative disease of significant importance for public health. There are few studies on the distribution of IOP in populations where PEX is a common finding. ⋯ In this study of subjects 65-74-years-old in Sweden, the distribution of IOP was close to that of other European-derived populations. Although the difference was small, the pressure in the first measured eye was higher than in the second eye. Increased IOP was strongly related to untreated OAG and PEX.