Matilde Leonardi1, Davide Sattin, Alberto Raggi. 1. Neurological Institute C. Besta IRCCS Foundation, Neurology, Public Health and Disability Unit, Milan, Italy. leonardi@istituto-besta.it
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describes socio-demographic and clinical features of adults and children in vegetative state (VS) and minimally conscious state (MCS). DESIGN: Observational cross-sectional study. METHODS: Demographic, aetiological and clinical data were collected, together with patients' management procedures. Mann-Whitney U-test was used for continuous variables and chi-squared test for categorical variables. RESULTS: Six hundred patients (69.7% in VS; 6% children) were enrolled. No difference regarding age at enrolment, age at acute event and disease duration was observed between VS and MCS. Disease duration was superior to 10 years for 3.3% of the whole sample and 64.3-77% of cases had a non-traumatic aetiology. Mean number of drugs per adult patient was four and decreased consistently with increased disease duration. DISCUSSION: Patients with VS and MCS were similar for age at acute event and at enrolment, both over 50 years, as well as for the frequency of non-traumatic aetiology. Disease duration was similar for both conditions and 2.6% of VS and 4.8% of MCS patients survived for more than 10 years. Finally care and treatment needs are similar and not related to diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE: To describes socio-demographic and clinical features of adults and children in vegetative state (VS) and minimally conscious state (MCS). DESIGN: Observational cross-sectional study. METHODS: Demographic, aetiological and clinical data were collected, together with patients' management procedures. Mann-Whitney U-test was used for continuous variables and chi-squared test for categorical variables. RESULTS: Six hundred patients (69.7% in VS; 6% children) were enrolled. No difference regarding age at enrolment, age at acute event and disease duration was observed between VS and MCS. Disease duration was superior to 10 years for 3.3% of the whole sample and 64.3-77% of cases had a non-traumatic aetiology. Mean number of drugs per adult patient was four and decreased consistently with increased disease duration. DISCUSSION: Patients with VS and MCS were similar for age at acute event and at enrolment, both over 50 years, as well as for the frequency of non-traumatic aetiology. Disease duration was similar for both conditions and 2.6% of VS and 4.8% of MCS patients survived for more than 10 years. Finally care and treatment needs are similar and not related to diagnosis.
Authors: D Sattin; L De Torres; G Dolce; Francesco Arcuri; Anna Estraneo; V Cardinale; R Piperno; E Zavatta; Rita Formisano; Mariagrazia D'Ippolito; C Vassallo; B Dessi; G Lamberti; E Antoniono; C Lanzillotti; J Navarro; P Bramanti; Silvia Marino; M Zampolini; F Scarponi; R Avesani; L Salvi; S Ferro; L Mazza; P Fogar; S Feller; F De Nigris; A Martinuzzi; M Buffoni; A Pessina; P Corsico; M Leonardi Journal: Funct Neurol Date: 2017 Jul/Sep
Authors: Michelle Willems; Davide Sattin; Ad J J M Vingerhoets; Matilde Leonardi Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2015-04-01 Impact factor: 3.390