Ann Indian Acad Neur
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Ann Indian Acad Neur · Jul 2020
What is New in Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies: Mechanisms and Therapies.
Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders that cause muscle weakness and also have extramuscular manifestations involving various organ systems; namely the lung, skin, heart, and joints. Previously classified broadly as dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis now the spectrum of the disease has evolved into more clinical subtypes. There are now five clinicoserological subtypes recognized worldwide DM, antisynthetase syndrome (AS), overlap myositis (OM), immune mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), and inclusion body myositis. ⋯ With the evolving treatment options from the use of immunosuppressive medications to the use of targeted therapy with biologic agents, and further understanding of the pathogenesis of inflammatory myositis, we may have more effective treatment options. We discuss in this review, various myositis-associated antibodies associated with each clinicoserological subtype of IIM and their role. We also describe the evolving therapies and the evidence for the newer biologic therapies in the treatment of IIMs.
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Ann Indian Acad Neur · Jul 2020
Conduct of Virtual Neurology DM Final Examination during COVID-19 Pandemic.
Medical training programs are witnessing immense disruptions worldwide due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Keeping in mind the trainees' future prospects, it is important to provide continuity of teaching and timely certification assessments. Overcoming the obstacles to routine functioning presented by SARS-CoV-2 spread, we recently conducted the DM Neurology exit examination in a hybrid virtual format. ⋯ The external examiners assessed the candidates virtually through a video conferencing platform. The end results were well accepted by all key stake holders. The concerns, logistics and experience of conducting the DM Neurology exit exam in a virtual format are summarized here.
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Ann Indian Acad Neur · May 2020
Palliative Care Needs and Care Giver Burden in Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Cross Sectional Study.
Palliative care is an important area of intervention in neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this study is to understand the relationship between Palliative Care Needs and Caregiver Burden among persons diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases. ⋯ Irrespective of the differences in illness characteristics, the study found that palliative care needs are high among chronic neurological conditions which requires a noncategorical psychosocial approach in ensuring care.
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Ann Indian Acad Neur · Apr 2020
Consensus Statement - Suggested Recommendations for Acute Stroke Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Expert Group on Behalf of the Indian Stroke Association.
The ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 is a global public health emergency. This has led to challenges for healthcare facilities to optimally manage other important medical emergencies. ⋯ Timely treatment of acute stroke is critical to prevent disability. The current expert consensus statement on behalf of the Indian Stroke Association outlines the issues and suggestions related to the management of stroke during this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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COVID-19 pandemic is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. Migraine is one of the commonest and highly disabling chronic neurological diseases in the world. During the pandemic and lockdown, migraine patients are facing an enormous problem in getting optimum care because of difficulty in access, forced social isolation, and encountering a health system that is getting rapidly overwhelmed. ⋯ Paradoxically multiple triggers are in operation which is likely to increase their headache frequency. Hence physicians should be made aware of the new rules of the game in treating migraines during this time of the pandemic so that these patients get optimum treatment and care and don't feel left out. This review tries to answer a series of questions related to managing migraines in the times of COVID-19 pandemic.