RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The primary objective of the core data set is to reduce heterogeneity and promote harmonization among data sources in EM, thereby reducing the time needed to execute real life data collection efforts. Recently, a group led by the Multiple Sclerosis Data Alliance has developed a core data set for collecting real-world data on multiple sclerosis (MS) globally. Our objective was to adapt this global data set to the needs of Latin America, so that it can be implemented by the registries already developed and in the process of development in the region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A working group was formed regionally, the core data set created globally was adapted (translation process into Spanish, incorporation of regional variables and consensus on variables to be used). Consensus was obtained through the remote Delphi methodology of a round of questionnaires and remote discussion of the core data set variables. RESULTS: A total of 25 professionals from Latin America carried out the adaptation process between November 2022 and July 2023. Agreement was established on a core data set of nine categories and 45 variables, version 2023 to suggest its implementation in developed or developing registries, and MS cohorts in the region. CONCLUSION: The core data set seeks to harmonize the variables collected by registries and cohorts in MS in Latin America in order to facilitate said collection and allow collaboration between sources. Its implementation will facilitate real life data collection and collaboration in the region.
TITLE: Core data set para la generación de datos de la vida real en esclerosis múltiple: adaptación de una iniciativa global para América Latina.Introducción. Los objetivos primarios del core data set son reducir la heterogeneidad y promover la armonización entre las fuentes de datos en la esclerosis múltiple (EM), reduciendo así el tiempo necesario para ejecutar esfuerzos en la recolección de datos de vida real. Recientemente, un grupo liderado por la Multiple Sclerosis Data Alliance ha desarrollado un core data set para la recolección de datos del mundo real en EM a nivel global. Nuestro objetivo ha sido adaptar y consensuar este conjunto de datos globales a las necesidades de América Latina para que pueda ser implementado por los registros ya desarrollados y en proceso de desarrollo en la región. Material y métodos. Se conformó un grupo de trabajo regionalmente y se adaptó el core data set creado globalmente (proceso de traducción al español, incorporación de variables regionales y consenso sobre variables que se iban a utilizar). El consenso se obtuvo a través de la metodología Delphi remoto de ronda de cuestionarios y discusión a distancia de las variables del core data set. Resultados. Veinticinco profesionales de América Latina llevaron adelante el proceso de adaptación entre noviembre de 2022 y julio de 2023. Se estableció un acuerdo sobre un core data set de nueve categorías y 45 variables, versión 2023, con la sugerencia de implementarlo en registros desarrollados o en vías de desarrollo y cohortes de EM en la región. Conclusión. El core data set busca armonizar las variables recolectadas por los registros y las cohortes de EM en América Latina con el fin de facilitar dicha recolección y permitir una colaboración entre fuentes. Su implementación facilitará la recolección de datos de vida real y la colaboración en la región.
Assuntos
Esclerose Múltipla , Humanos , América Latina/epidemiologia , Esclerose Múltipla/epidemiologia , Comitês Consultivos , Consenso , Sistema de RegistrosRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To report the results from the Brazilian database on multiple sclerosis (MS) and pregnancy. METHODS: Retrospective data from MS patients who became pregnant at any time of their disease were sent to a Brazilian database, using a specific file for this purpose. RESULTS: Data on 128 women (142 pregnancies) from 30 neurologists working in 21 cities in Brazil were collected. Patients' average age at pregnancy was 29.8 years (range 16-42). EDSS at start of pregnancy was 1.5±1.4; and the relapse rate in the year preceding pregnancy was 1.2±1.5. Exposure to medication at any time during pregnancy was high (69.7%): 48.6% to interferon beta; 14.1% to glatiramer acetate; and 7% to other immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive drugs. There was a significant decrease in relapse rate during pregnancy. The prevalence of complications was relatively low, with 4.9% of obstetric and 1.4% neonatal unfavorable outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our patients had low degrees of disability, short histories of disease, high drug exposure, and relatively high relapse rate in the year previous to pregnancy. Obstetric and neonatal outcomes were successful in over 90% of our patients.
Assuntos
Esclerose Múltipla/epidemiologia , Complicações na Gravidez/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Peso ao Nascer/efeitos dos fármacos , Brasil/epidemiologia , Interpretação Estatística de Dados , Bases de Dados Factuais , Feminino , Acetato de Glatiramer , Humanos , Imunossupressores/efeitos adversos , Imunossupressores/uso terapêutico , Recém-Nascido , Doenças do Recém-Nascido/epidemiologia , Interferon Tipo I/efeitos adversos , Interferon Tipo I/uso terapêutico , Esclerose Múltipla/tratamento farmacológico , Peptídeos/efeitos adversos , Peptídeos/uso terapêutico , Gravidez , Resultado da Gravidez , Proteínas Recombinantes , Recidiva , Estudos Retrospectivos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
This paper analyzes the profile of the Brazilian output in the field of multiple sclerosis from 1981 to 2004. The search was conducted through the MEDLINE and LILACS databases, selecting papers in which the term "multiple sclerosis" was defined as the main topic and "Brazil" or "Brasil" as others. The data were analyzed regarding the themes, the state in Brazil and institution where the papers were produced, the journals where the papers were published, journal's impact factor, and language. The search disclosed 141 documents (91 from MEDLINE and LILACS, and 50 from LILACS only) published in 44 different journals (23 of them MEDLINE-indexed). A total of 111 documents were produced by 17 public universities, 29 by 3 private medical schools and 1 by a non-governmental organization. There were 65 original contributions, 37 case reports, 20 reviews, 6 PhD dissertations, 5 guidelines, 2 validation studies, 2 clinical trials, 2 chapters in textbooks, 1 Master of Science thesis, and 1 patient education handout. The journal impact factor ranged from 0.0217 to 6.039 (median 3.03). Of 91 papers from MEDLINE, 65 were published by Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria. More than 90% of the papers were written in Portuguese. São Paulo was the most productive state in the country, followed by Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Paraná. Eighty-two percent of the Brazilian output came from the Southeastern region.
Assuntos
Bibliometria , Esclerose Múltipla , Editoração/estatística & dados numéricos , Brasil , Humanos , Publicações Periódicas como Assunto/estatística & dados numéricos , Pesquisa/estatística & dados numéricosRESUMO
This paper analyzes the profile of the Brazilian output in the field of multiple sclerosis from 1981 to 2004. The search was conducted through the MEDLINE and LILACS databases, selecting papers in which the term "multiple sclerosis" was defined as the main topic and "Brazil" or "Brasil" as others. The data were analyzed regarding the themes, the state in Brazil and institution where the papers were produced, the journals where the papers were published, journal's impact factor, and language. The search disclosed 141 documents (91 from MEDLINE and LILACS, and 50 from LILACS only) published in 44 different journals (23 of them MEDLINE-indexed). A total of 111 documents were produced by 17 public universities, 29 by 3 private medical schools and 1 by a non-governmental organization. There were 65 original contributions, 37 case reports, 20 reviews, 6 PhD dissertations, 5 guidelines, 2 validation studies, 2 clinical trials, 2 chapters in textbooks, 1 Master of Science thesis, and 1 patient education handout. The journal impact factor ranged from 0.0217 to 6.039 (median 3.03). Of 91 papers from MEDLINE, 65 were published by Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria. More than 90 percent of the papers were written in Portuguese. São Paulo was the most productive state in the country, followed by Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Paraná. Eighty-two percent of the Brazilian output came from the Southeastern region.
Assuntos
Humanos , Bibliometria , Esclerose Múltipla , Publicação Periódica/estatística & dados numéricos , Editoração/estatística & dados numéricos , Pesquisa/estatística & dados numéricos , BrasilRESUMO
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the human central nervous system. Although its etiology is unknown, the accumulation and activation of mononuclear cells in the central nervous system are crucial to its pathogenesis. Chemokines have been proposed to play a major role in the recruitment and activation of leukocytes in inflammatory sites. They are divided into subfamilies on the basis of the location of conserved cysteine residues. We determined the levels of some CC and CXC chemokines in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 23 relapsing-remitting MS patients under interferon-ss-1a therapy and 16 control subjects using ELISA. MS patients were categorized as having active or stable disease. CXCL10 was significantly increased in the CSF of active MS patients (mean +/- SEM, 369.5 +/- 69.3 pg/mL) when compared with controls (178.5 +/- 29.1 pg/mL, P < 0.05). CSF levels of CCL2 were significantly lower in active MS (144.7 +/- 14.4 pg/mL) than in controls (237.1 +/- 16.4 pg/mL, P < 0.01). There was no difference in the concentration of CCL2 and CXCL10 between patients with stable MS and controls. CCL5 was not detectable in the CSF of most patients or controls. The qualitative and quantitative differences of chemokines in CSF during relapses of MS suggest that they may be useful as a marker of disease activity and of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Assuntos
Quimiocinas CC/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Quimiocinas CXC/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Esclerose Múltipla Recidivante-Remitente/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Adjuvantes Imunológicos/uso terapêutico , Adulto , Biomarcadores/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Feminino , Humanos , Interferon beta-1a , Interferon beta/uso terapêutico , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Esclerose Múltipla Recidivante-Remitente/tratamento farmacológicoRESUMO
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the human central nervous system. Although its etiology is unknown, the accumulation and activation of mononuclear cells in the central nervous system are crucial to its pathogenesis. Chemokines have been proposed to play a major role in the recruitment and activation of leukocytes in inflammatory sites. They are divided into subfamilies on the basis of the location of conserved cysteine residues. We determined the levels of some CC and CXC chemokines in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 23 relapsing-remitting MS patients under interferon-ß-1a therapy and 16 control subjects using ELISA. MS patients were categorized as having active or stable disease. CXCL10 was significantly increased in the CSF of active MS patients (mean ± SEM, 369.5 ± 69.3 pg/mL) when compared with controls (178.5 ± 29.1 pg/mL, P < 0.05). CSF levels of CCL2 were significantly lower in active MS (144.7 ± 14.4 pg/mL) than in controls (237.1 ± 16.4 pg/mL, P < 0.01). There was no difference in the concentration of CCL2 and CXCL10 between patients with stable MS and controls. CCL5 was not detectable in the CSF of most patients or controls. The qualitative and quantitative differences of chemokines in CSF during relapses of MS suggest that they may be useful as a marker of disease activity and of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Assuntos
Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Quimiocinas CC/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Quimiocinas CXC/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Esclerose Múltipla Recidivante-Remitente/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Adjuvantes Imunológicos/uso terapêutico , Biomarcadores/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Interferon beta/uso terapêutico , Esclerose Múltipla Recidivante-Remitente/tratamento farmacológicoRESUMO
Movement disorders occurring in association with multiple sclerosis (MS) are rare. Among them paroxysmal dystonia is the most common, although chorea, ballism, palatal myoclonia, spasmodic torticollis, writer's cramp and generalized dystonia have been reported. We describe a 34-year old woman with MS who developed simple phonic tic characterized by throat-clearing sounds. Magnetic resonance imaging showed demyelinating lesions involving the thalamus and basal ganglia. This is the first report of tic disorder occurring as a manifestation of MS.
Assuntos
Esclerose Múltipla/complicações , Tiques/etiologia , Adulto , Gânglios da Base/patologia , Tronco Encefálico/patologia , Feminino , Humanos , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Esclerose Múltipla/patologia , Tálamo/patologia , Tiques/patologiaRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) in young adults. MS is the most common disorder of the central nervous system in young people living in temperate climate regions. Although a few references to possible cases of the disease come from the xiii century, its scientific observation and systematic study only started in the late xix century. DEVELOPMENT: Robert Carswell e Jean Cruveilhier were the first investigators to document the pathological lesions while the clinical picture was first studied by Charcot. In spite of a huge number of infectious agents has been proposed for the etiology of MS and a genetic susceptibility trait recently defined, the ultimate cause of the disease remains to be determined. The development of diagnostic criteria sets, clinical disability scales and image methods in the latter half of the last century has provided investigators with useful research tools allowing unprecedented advances. In the last 30 years ACTH and corticosteroids have been employed as treatment for MS relapses. Starting in 1993 a new class of drugs called disease modifying agents, such as interferon beta and more recently glatiramer acetate, was introduced with encouraging results. CONCLUSIONS: MS is postulated to be a cell mediated autoimmune disease directed against CNS myelin components and characterized by inflammation and chronic demyelination. This paper is a review of the principal most significant events in the search for knowledge of the disease in the world.
Assuntos
Esclerose Múltipla/história , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Avaliação da Deficiência , História do Século XV , História do Século XVI , História do Século XVII , História do Século XVIII , História do Século XIX , História do Século XX , Humanos , Esclerose Múltipla/diagnóstico , Esclerose Múltipla/tratamento farmacológico , Esclerose Múltipla/etiologia , Neurologia/históriaRESUMO
Schistosoma mansoni infection is likely to be responsible for a significant proportion of cases of myelopathy occurring in areas where schistosomiasis is endemic. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical, laboratory and therapeutic data of 23 patients with schistosomal myeloradiculopathy. The medical records of 23 patients with schistosomal myelopathy admitted to two general hospitals of Belo Horizonte (MG), in Brazil, from 1995 to 1999, were reviewed retrospectively. Seventeen patients were male (74%). The mean age for the whole group was 27 years. Lower limb weakness and associated lumbar and/or lower limb pain were reported by 20 patients (87%), and 16 (70%) were unable to walk. All individuals presented urinary retention and 19 (83%) complained of intestinal dysfunction. The treatment was based on the association of antischistosomal drugs and corticosteroids. Five patients (22%) presented a full response to treatment, 13 (57%) partial response without functional limitations and 4 (17%) partial improvement with limitations or no response. Three out of the 4 patients who stopped steroids before 45 days of treatment developed recurrence of the symptoms and signs of myelopathy. Our cases demonstrate the severe presentation of the disease and the data disclosed here suggest that treatment with steroids should be kept for months after clinical improvement.
Assuntos
Neuroesquistossomose/parasitologia , Esquistossomose mansoni/complicações , Doenças da Medula Espinal/parasitologia , Adolescente , Corticosteroides/uso terapêutico , Adulto , Animais , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neuroesquistossomose/diagnóstico , Neuroesquistossomose/tratamento farmacológico , Estudos Retrospectivos , Esquistossomose mansoni/diagnóstico , Esquistossomose mansoni/tratamento farmacológico , Esquistossomicidas/uso terapêutico , Doenças da Medula Espinal/diagnóstico , Doenças da Medula Espinal/tratamento farmacológico , Esteroides/uso terapêutico , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Schistosoma mansoni infection is likely to be responsible for a significant proportion of cases of myelopathy occurring in areas where schistosomiasis is endemic. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical, laboratory and therapeutic data of 23 patients with schistosomal myeloradiculopathy. The medical records of 23 patients with schistosomal myelopathy admitted to two general hospitals of Belo Horizonte (MG), in Brazil, from 1995 to 1999, were reviewed retrospectively. Seventeen patients were male (74 percent). The mean age for the whole group was 27 years. Lower limb weakness and associated lumbar and/or lower limb pain were reported by 20 patients (87 percent), and 16 (70 percent) were unable to walk. All individuals presented urinary retention and 19 (83 percent) complained of intestinal dysfunction. The treatment was based on the association of antischistosomal drugs and corticosteroids. Five patients (22 percent) presented a full response to treatment, 13 (57 percent) partial response without functional limitations and 4 (17 percent) partial improvement with limitations or no response. Three out of the 4 patients who stopped steroids before 45 days of treatment developed recurrence of the symptoms and signs of myelopathy. Our cases demonstrate the severe presentation of the disease and the data disclosed here suggest that treatment with steroids should be kept for months after clinical improvement
Assuntos
Humanos , Animais , Masculino , Feminino , Pré-Escolar , Criança , Adolescente , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neuroesquistossomose/parasitologia , Radiculopatia/parasitologia , Schistosoma mansoni/isolamento & purificação , Corticosteroides/uso terapêutico , Neuroesquistossomose/diagnóstico , Neuroesquistossomose/tratamento farmacológico , Radiculopatia/diagnóstico , Radiculopatia/tratamento farmacológico , Estudos Retrospectivos , Esquistossomicidas/uso terapêutico , Esteroides/uso terapêutico , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
PURPOSE: To report the clinical features and outcome of a series of children with optic neuritis. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of patients up to 16 years old with optic neuritis. Group 1 comprised children seen up to two weeks after the onset of visual loss; Group 2 comprised patients already harboring optic atrophy. RESULTS: There were 15 boys and 12 girls. The mean age was 10.9 years. Bilateral optic neuritis occurred in 10. Optic disc pallor was found in 35%, edema in 46%, and 19% had normal fundus. During follow-up visual acuity improved in all but one eye in Group 1, and in six of seven eyes in children in Group 2. Just one child converted to multiple sclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the clinical features of childhood optic neuritis differ from those observed in adults. In children it has a better visual outcome and a lower conversion rate to multiple sclerosis than in adults.
Assuntos
Neurite Óptica/fisiopatologia , Adolescente , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Masculino , Esclerose Múltipla/etiologia , Neurite Óptica/complicações , Estudos Retrospectivos , Acuidade Visual/fisiologiaRESUMO
After brief considerations about clinical course and diagnosis in multiple sclerosis, the members of the BCTRIMS present some recommendations for the use of the immunomodulatory drugs in the treatment of this disease.
Assuntos
Adjuvantes Imunológicos/uso terapêutico , Esclerose Múltipla/tratamento farmacológico , Acetato de Glatiramer , Humanos , Interferon beta-1a , Interferon beta-1b , Interferon beta/uso terapêutico , Esclerose Múltipla/diagnóstico , Peptídeos/uso terapêutico , Índice de Gravidade de DoençaRESUMO
Fifty-one patients with infectious optic neuritis (ION) with no associated choroidal or retinal involvement were studied in relation to the etiologic agents, and to the epidemiological and clinical features to look up features which could be used to distinct them from the demyelinating optic neuritis (DON) which have a well-known tendency to convert to multiple sclerosis. Bilateral involvement was found in 23 patients (45.1%), simultaneously in 18 cases. Sex distribution was 2M:1F. The ages ranged from 1 to 82 years (median 34.8); 1/3 of the patients were younger than 20 and 1/3 were 50 years of age or older. Syphilis was found in 19 patients being the single most common etiology, whereas viral infections were found in 41.2% of the cases. Visual acuity was severely damaged in most patients and was worse than 20/200 in 57.3% of the involved eyes. Color vision was affected in 91.8%. Visual field defects were found in 92.2%, with predominance of the central defects (40.7%). The optic disc was abnormal in 90.5% of the eyes. This study clearly demonstrates that ION and DON have distinct epidemiological and clinical features. The awareness of these differences may help clinicians to follow different paths for the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment and prognostic orientation of their patients.
Assuntos
Doenças Transmissíveis/complicações , Neurite Óptica/microbiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neurite Óptica/epidemiologia , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
A 62 year-old white female presented with a 10-year-history of slowly progressive spastic paraparesis, pain and dysesthesia in the lower limbs and sphincter disturbance. A few years after the onset of the neurologic symptoms she developped migratory arthritis with swelling of the knees and pain on palpation of knees and fingers, dry eyes, mouth and skin. Two months before admission she presented bilateral nongranulomatous anterior uveitis. Examination revealed spastic paraparesis with bilateral Babinski sign, a decreased sensation level below L3, decreased vibration sense in the lower extremities, and a postural tremor of the upper limbs. Laboratory work-up disclosed HTLV-I positive tests in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and a mild pleocytosis in the CSF with a normal protein content. Nerve conduction velocity studies were normal. The present case shows the association of uveitis, arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome in a patient with tropical spastic paraparesis/human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM), and illustrates the wide spectrum of clinical manifestations which may accompany this infection with this virus.
Assuntos
Artrite Reumatoide/virologia , Infecções por HTLV-I/virologia , Paraparesia Espástica Tropical/virologia , Síndrome de Sjogren/virologia , Uveíte Anterior/virologia , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
As Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) may clinically mimic multiple sclerosis (MS) the presence of antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in serum of patients with a MS-like disease in non-endemic areas for Lyme disease may be troublesome. We report the case of a 45-year-old white female with the diagnosis of relapsing/remitting form of MS due to a 15-year history of optic neuritis and recurrent episodes of motor and sensation disturbance in the upper right limb and in both lower extremities associated with bladder dysfunction. A magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed multiple high intensity periventricular white matter lesions. The patient had been exposed to ticks but did not recall the presence of erythema migrans. ELISA for Lyme disease was positive in two different laboratories and the positive serology was confirmed by Western blotting. No convincing response followed treatment with ceftriaxone. Although it is clear that the patient had been infect by Borrelia burgdorferi the relationship of this spirochetal infection with the neurological disease could not be ascertained.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antibacterianos/sangue , Grupo Borrelia Burgdorferi/imunologia , Doença de Lyme/sangue , Esclerose Múltipla/sangue , Feminino , Humanos , Doença de Lyme/complicações , Doença de Lyme/diagnóstico , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Esclerose Múltipla/complicaçõesRESUMO
The clinical, laboratorial perimetric and fluorescein angiographic features of the arteritic type of the anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (A-AION) was studied in 25 patients (40 eyes) in order to characterize the profile of the disease and to allow the differential diagnosis with the non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION) and other disorders of the optic nerve. The A-AION occurred in patients 60 to 88 years old (mean 74 years) and was highly predominant in females (64 per cent). Fifteen patients had both eyes involved, either simultaneously or usually within few days or weeks after the initial involvement. Headache and eye pain were the most commonly observed prodromic complaints whereas systemic symptoms of giant cell arteritis (GCA) were seen in all patients. The laboratorial abnormalities most commonly found were high values of reactive C protein, plasmatic fibrinogen and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In the great majority of the patients visual acuity was severely affected. The optic disc was always abnormal, usually showing a pale edema. In addition to that retinal changes were commonly found. Goldmann perimetry disclosed a wide variety of visual fields abnormalities, the most common of them being inferior altitudinal defects. Fluorescein fundus angiography revealed delayed or absent disc fluorescence, or sectorial or diffuse hypofluorescence or hyperfluorescence of the optic disc. Choroidal filling delay was the most characteristic and frequent angiographic finding in the arteritc type of the disease.
Assuntos
Arterite de Células Gigantes/diagnóstico , Doenças do Nervo Óptico/diagnóstico , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Feminino , Arterite de Células Gigantes/patologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fatores SexuaisRESUMO
The training of neurologists for the practice in the coming years requires deep changes in the system of medical education. It is critical for the medical student and the resident the acquisition of a broad knowledge of scientific information. But physicians must also know how to use knowledge they have accumulated from a variety of sources. They express their knowledge through abilities in the wards or in ambulatory settings in order to get an accurate diagnosis and the proper management of a particular condition. In addition to that they are expected to develop ethical attitudes toward their patients, peers and the greater society. They must be committed to work, to independent learning and to rationality. To accomplish its scholarly goals medical education has to emphasize the development of adequate personal attributes, skills and habits of mind rather than the transmission of factual information. With today's technology all the scientific information necessary for the practice of medicine is at the fingertips through computers. Memorization is therefore an absolute nonsense in teaching. A better education involves reducing the working load and the number of lecture hours providing students and residents with sufficient unscheduled time to seek out information independently and to assess their own learning. Problem-solving methods of teaching providing the formulation of multiple concurrent hypotheses, the critical analysis and evaluation of data and the application of new acquired knowledge as well as previously learned concepts to the solution of problems should be widely employed. Faculty members are guides who assist students and residents to develop analytical and critical skills.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Assuntos
Educação Médica/tendências , Neurologia/educação , Previsões , Papel do MédicoRESUMO
The clinical picture of 67 consecutive patients with definite multiple sclerosis in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, was analysed. There were 20 patients with the predominant optic-spinal form of the disease and eight with Devic's disease. Visual loss occurred in 43% of the cases as the presenting symptom and in 84% in the course of the illness. Symptoms related to spinal cord and cerebellar involvement were observed in 64% and 52% respectively. The high prevalence of visual and spinal abnormalities at onset and during the course of the illness, the lesser common involvement of the cerebellum and the relative frequency of Devic's disease make multiple sclerosis in Brazil similar to that observed in Eastern countries in distinction to the clinical pattern seen in the United States and Europe.