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Ugeskrift For Laeger Mar 2023The spasmolytic agent baclofen is regarded as having a low dependence potential. This is a case report of a 46-year-old woman with an escalating use of baclofen to four...
The spasmolytic agent baclofen is regarded as having a low dependence potential. This is a case report of a 46-year-old woman with an escalating use of baclofen to four times the highest recommended dose. She was initially admitted to hospital due to decreased consciousness. Later, during tapering, she was readmitted unresponsive with myoclonus. Baclofen was discontinued abruptly during sedation with propofol and remifentanil infusion as well as midazolam in refract doses. Eight days later she was discharged without sequelae.
Topics: Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Baclofen; Muscle Cramp; Propofol; Midazolam
PubMed: 36999288
DOI: No ID Found -
Trials Oct 2022Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is an established therapy that has been widely used for many decades to improve circulation in the legs. However, studies... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect of an 8-week treatment program using a novel foot neuromuscular electrical stimulator on physical function, leg pain, leg symptoms, and leg blood flow in community-dwelling older adults: a randomized sham-controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is an established therapy that has been widely used for many decades to improve circulation in the legs. However, studies using NMES devices in an elderly, ambulant, and otherwise apparently healthy population are lacking; this is despite the use of such devices being indicated for lower leg symptoms (such as aches, pain, and cramps) that are frequently seen in older individuals. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of non-invasive foot NMES (administered using Revitive Medic) on such symptoms compared to a sham in a 12-week period.
METHODS
This is a single-center, single (participant)-blind, parallel-group, randomized, placebo-controlled (sham group), interventional study. Participants will be randomized to 1 of 3 groups (1:1:1) with each study group receiving a different type of foot NMES: Revitive sham; Revitive Medic Program 1; or Revitive Program 2. Each participant will be instructed to self-administer the foot NMES device for 30 min twice daily for 8 weeks. During the study, all participants will continue with their normal life, activities, medications, and diet with no restrictions. Following the 8-week NMES treatment program participants will be assessed for Canadian Occupational Performance Measure performance (COPM-P) and satisfaction (COPM-S) scores, lower leg pain, lower leg symptoms (heaviness, tiredness, aching and cramps), and blood flow volume and intensity.
DISCUSSION
Revitive foot NMES has been proven to increase blood circulation in the legs during use, which may help to relieve symptoms such as pain, heaviness, cramps, and tiredness. When NMES is applied to the plantar surface of the feet it indirectly induces contraction of the calf muscle, activating the musculo-venous pump and thus improving circulation. This study aims to provide data informing on the applicability of foot NMES for the management of leg symptoms that are likely to be indicative of poor circulation in an elderly (> 65 years) community population.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ISRCTN10576209.
Topics: Aged; Canada; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Humans; Independent Living; Leg; Muscle Cramp; Pain
PubMed: 36242050
DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06828-2 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Aug 2023Muscle cramps are often observed in patients with liver diseases, especially advanced liver fibrosis. The exact prevalence of muscle cramps in outpatients with liver...
Muscle cramps are often observed in patients with liver diseases, especially advanced liver fibrosis. The exact prevalence of muscle cramps in outpatients with liver diseases in Japan is unknown. This study examined the prevalence of, and therapies for, muscle cramps in outpatients with liver diseases in Tokyo, Japan. A total of 238 outpatients with liver diseases were retrospectively examined. We investigated whether they had muscle cramps using a visual analog scale (VAS) (from 0, none, to 10, strongest), and also investigated their therapies. Muscle cramps were observed in 34 outpatients with liver diseases (14.3%); their mean VAS score was 5.53. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that older age (equal to or older than 66 years) was the only significant factor as-sociated with muscle cramps. The prevalence of muscle cramps among patients with liver diseases seemed not to be higher. The problem was that only 11 (32.4%) of 34 outpatients received therapy for their muscle cramps. Only age is related to muscle cramps, which is rather weak, and it is possible that this common symptom may not be limited to liver disease patients.
Topics: Humans; Muscle Cramp; Japan; Tokyo; Outpatients; Retrospective Studies; Liver Diseases
PubMed: 37763625
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59091506 -
Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Sep 2022Although autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation are used to treat hematologic diseases, they are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The...
Although autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation are used to treat hematologic diseases, they are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The goal of this cross-sectional study was to describe the incidence, characteristics, severity and clinical correlates of neuropathy and muscle cramps, as self-reported by hematopoietic cell transplantation survivors. We included all respondents to a survey conducted July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021. Surveys were completed online or on-paper according to participants' preferences; they received one reminder if no survey was received 1 month after distribution. Statistics are primarily descriptive comparing subgroups of patients. Of 4641 potentially eligible patients, 1745 responded and are included in the analysis. Participants (615 [35%] autologous, 1130 [65%] allogeneic) were a median age of 64.1 years (interquartile range [IQR] 55.2-70.8) and surveyed at a median of 11 years (IQR 4-21) after their most recent transplantation. Neuropathy symptoms were reported by 65% of autologous recipients, 66% of allogeneic transplant recipients with current chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD), and 45% of allogeneic recipients who never developed chronic GVHD. Muscle cramps were reported by 56% of autologous recipients, and 52% of allogeneic recipients and were rated as "very painful" by nearly half of patients who experienced them. These results suggest that neuropathy symptoms and muscle cramps are much more prevalent among survivors after hematopoietic cell transplantation than previously recognized. Better approaches for prevention and treatment of these bothersome complications are needed.
Topics: Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Graft vs Host Disease; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Middle Aged; Muscle Cramp; Survivors; Transplantation, Homologous
PubMed: 35718343
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2022.06.009 -
JHEP Reports : Innovation in Hepatology Apr 2023Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver injury (AILI) is a leading cause of acute liver failure (ALF). -acetylcysteine (NAC) is only effective within 24 h after APAP...
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver injury (AILI) is a leading cause of acute liver failure (ALF). -acetylcysteine (NAC) is only effective within 24 h after APAP intoxication, raising an urgent need for alternative approaches to treat this disease. This study aimed to test whether cathelicidin (), which is a protective factor in chronic liver diseases, protects mice against APAP-induced liver injury and ALF.
METHODS
A clinically relevant AILI model and an APAP-induced ALF model were generated in mice. Genetic and pharmacological approaches were used to interfere with the levels of cathelicidin .
RESULTS
An increase in hepatic pro-CRAMP/CRAMP (the precursor and mature forms of mouse cathelicidin) was observed in APAP-intoxicated mice. Upregulated cathelicidin was derived from liver-infiltrating neutrophils. Compared with wild-type littermates, knockout had no effect on hepatic injury but dampened hepatic repair in AILI and reduced survival in APAP-induced ALF. CRAMP administration reversed impaired liver recovery observed in APAP-challenged knockout mice. Delayed CRAMP, CRAMP(1-39) (the extended form of CRAMP), or LL-37 (the mature form of human cathelicidin) treatment exhibited a therapeutic benefit for AILI. Co-treatment of cathelicidin and NAC in AILI displayed a stronger hepatoprotective effect than NAC alone. A similar additive effect of CRAMP(1-39)/LL-37 and NAC was observed in APAP-induced ALF. The pro-reparative role of cathelicidin in the APAP-damaged liver was attributed to an accelerated resolution of inflammation at the onset of liver repair, possibly through enhanced neutrophil phagocytosis of necrotic cell debris in an autocrine manner.
CONCLUSIONS
Cathelicidin reduces APAP-induced liver injury and ALF in mice by promoting liver recovery via facilitating inflammation resolution, suggesting a therapeutic potential for late-presenting patients with AILI with or without ALF.
IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS
Acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury is a leading cause of acute liver failure. The efficacy of -acetylcysteine, the only clinically approved drug against acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury, is significantly reduced for late-presenting patients. We found that cathelicidin exhibits a great therapeutic potential in mice with acetaminophen-induced liver injury or acute liver failure, which makes up for the limitation of -acetylcysteine therapy by specifically promoting liver repair after acetaminophen intoxication. The pro-reparative role of cathelicidin, as a key effector molecule of neutrophils, in the APAP-injured liver is attributed to an accelerated resolution of inflammation at the onset of liver repair, possibly through enhanced phagocytic function of neutrophils in an autocrine manner.
PubMed: 36923240
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100687 -
Journal of Clinical and Experimental... 2022Muscle cramps are witnessed in 22-88% of patients with cirrhosis of liver and frequently lead to sleep disturbance with an appalling impact on quality of life. Despite... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Muscle cramps are witnessed in 22-88% of patients with cirrhosis of liver and frequently lead to sleep disturbance with an appalling impact on quality of life. Despite such a high prevalence, there is lack of evidence-based management protocol due to scarcity of trials on treatment options in the literature. This study aimed to review systematically the available therapeutic options for muscle cramps in patients with cirrhosis of liver.
METHODS
A systematic review of the relevant databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science) to identify treatments for muscle cramps in patients with hepatic cirrhosis was performed. Studies meeting the selection criteria were reviewed and assessed for risk of bias and analyzed.
RESULTS
Twenty-four publications were identified as eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. Seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 17 prospective studies were included. Taurine, methocarbamol, baclofen, and orphenadrine are relatively safer and effective treatment option for muscle cramps in cirrhosis on the basis of recently conducted RCTs. Moreover, l-carnitine, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), pregabalin, zinc, and vitamin D are also safe and showed beneficial effects on muscle cramps. However, studies on vitamin E revealed contradictory results.
CONCLUSION
Taurine, BCAAs, orphenadrine, and baclofen are safe and well-tolerated treatment options for muscle cramps in cirrhosis. However, well-designed randomized controlled clinical trials are the need of the hour to determine the most suitable treatment options for skeletal muscle cramps in patients with cirrhosis of liver.
PubMed: 35677500
DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2021.10.147 -
Journal of Women's Health (2002) Aug 2022The menstrual cycle may influence vulvodynia through hormonal pathways or vulvar irritation due to menstruation or menstrual hygiene. We assessed menstrual cycle...
The menstrual cycle may influence vulvodynia through hormonal pathways or vulvar irritation due to menstruation or menstrual hygiene. We assessed menstrual cycle characteristics in those with and without clinically confirmed vulvodynia. Participants were recruited from the administrative database of a health care network serving ∼27% of Minneapolis-Saint Paul residents. For 220 clinically confirmed cases and 224 controls, menstrual cycle characteristics were retrospectively assessed at three time points: before age 18, the year before onset of vulvar pain, and 3 months before study participation. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between menstrual characteristics at all three time points and vulvodynia. Models adjusted for prespecified confounders were evaluated against crude effect estimates. Women with heavier menstrual flows had higher odds of vulvodynia compared with women with lighter menstrual flows during their adolescent years (OR 1.62, 95% CI 0.91-2.86), the year before onset of vulvar pain (OR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.10-4.02), and during the 3 months before study participation (OR = 1.67, 95% CI 0.91-3.06). Women with more severe cramps also had higher odds of vulvodynia compared with women with no or mild cramps during their adolescent years (OR = 2.45, 95% CI 1.45-4.15), the year before onset of vulvar pain (OR = 3.30, 95% CI 1.67-6.51), and during the 3 months before study participation (OR = 4.96, 95% CI 1.99-12.36). Women with specific premenstrual symptoms also reported higher odds of vulvodynia. Among those with vulvodynia, half reported a change in vulvar pain across the menstrual cycle, with 60% of these reporting greater pain just before and during menstruation. Furthermore, we observe a trend of decreased tampon use and increased use of sanitary pads as women with vulvodynia moved closer to their date of diagnosis. Menstrual cycle characteristics were associated with vulvodynia, and associations were consistent across different phases of the reproductive life cycle.
Topics: Adolescent; Female; Humans; Hygiene; Menstrual Cycle; Menstruation; Muscle Cramp; Pain; Retrospective Studies; Vulvodynia
PubMed: 35041490
DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2020.9011 -
BMJ Case Reports Apr 2022A 45-year-old woman was evaluated for right-sided hemicorporal scar-like skin lesions on her arm and thoracic and inguinal areas that appeared shortly after reduction...
A 45-year-old woman was evaluated for right-sided hemicorporal scar-like skin lesions on her arm and thoracic and inguinal areas that appeared shortly after reduction mammoplasty. Five years later, she developed spontaneous cramps and involuntary abnormal, painful, twitching movements in the same areas. With time, the cramps worsened and disabled the patient. The use of her right arm triggered contractures of muscles and abnormal movements. A diagnosis of neuromyotonia (NMT) was established on the basis of clinical findings and on electromyographic findings of a burst of high-frequency motor unit potentials recorded in the right triceps in the area of skin lesions. The results of medullary, encephalic MRI as well as a comprehensive metabolic panel were normal. She was positive for antinuclear antibodies without specificity. Neither antineural antibodies nor antivoltage-gated potassium channel complex antibodies (specifically, leucine-rich glioma inactivated protein 1 and contactin-associated protein-like-2) were detected. Her skin lesions were diagnosed as morphea. Two combined strategies of treatment were initiated: antiepileptic drugs for NMT and corticosteroids and methotrexate for morphea. NMT is a rare, debilitating neurological complication of morphea.
Topics: Antibodies; Female; Humans; Isaacs Syndrome; Leucine; Middle Aged; Muscle Cramp; Scleroderma, Localized
PubMed: 35410943
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-237959 -
Toxins Dec 2021Task-specific focal dystonia is characterized by muscle contraction(s) during a specific task, resulting in abnormal postures or movements. Specifically, writer's cramp... (Review)
Review
Task-specific focal dystonia is characterized by muscle contraction(s) during a specific task, resulting in abnormal postures or movements. Specifically, writer's cramp involves the upper extremity during the act of writing. Musician's dystonia has a highly variable presentation, and thus makes therapeutic options more limited. Treatments include oral pharmacologic agents, neuromodulation, surgery and, most often, botulinum toxin (BoNT) injection. Selection of target muscles for toxin injection continues to be an area of active research for these task-specific movements. We present a review of the literature selected from a predefined search of the and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. We include six controlled studies of botulinum toxin for the management of writer's cramp and focal task-specific dystonia (FTSD), including musician's dystonia. Overall, 139 patients were included across all studies, with 99 individuals injected for writer's cramp and the remaining 40 individuals with FTSD. The age range of all patients was 18-80 years old. We included studies that utilized only the BoNT-A serotype. These studies utilized various severity scales to quantify response to toxin injection, with ratings of instrument or pen control included as subjective ratings. Of the included 139 patients in this review, pooled data for toxin response show that 73% of patients who received the drug demonstrated improvement. Specific techniques for muscle localization and targeting were difficult to study as variable methods were employed. This remains an area of ongoing exploration.
Topics: Botulinum Toxins; Dystonic Disorders; Humans
PubMed: 34941736
DOI: 10.3390/toxins13120899 -
Muscle & Nerve Jul 2022Neuronal hyperexcitability (manifested by cramps) plays a pathological role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and drugs affecting it may help symptomatic...
INTRODUCTION/AIMS
Neuronal hyperexcitability (manifested by cramps) plays a pathological role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and drugs affecting it may help symptomatic management and slow disease progression. We aimed to determine safety and tolerability of two doses of ranolazine in patients with ALS and evaluate for preliminary evidence of drug-target engagement by assessing muscle cramp characteristics.
METHODS
We performed an open-label dose-ascending study of ranolazine in 14 individuals with ALS in two sequential cohorts: 500 mg (cohort 1) and 1000 mg (cohort 2) orally twice daily. Each had a 2-week run-in period, 4-week drug administration, and 6-week safety follow-up. Primary outcome was safety and tolerability. Exploratory measures included cramp frequency and severity, fasciculation frequency, cramp potential duration, ALS Functional Rating Scale---Revised score, and forced vital capacity.
RESULTS
Six and eight participants were enrolled in cohorts 1 and 2, respectively. There were no serious adverse events. Two subjects in cohort 2 discontinued the drug due to constipation. The most frequent drug-related adverse event was gastrointestinal (40%). Cramp frequency decreased by 54.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 39%-70.8%) and severity decreased by 46.3% (95% CI, 29.5-63.3%), which appeared to be dose-dependent, with decreased awakening due to cramps. Other outcomes showed no change.
DISCUSSION
Ranolazine was well tolerated in ALS up to 2000 mg/day, with gastrointestinal side effects being the most frequent. Ranolazine reduced cramp frequency and severity, supporting its investigation for muscle cramps in a future placebo-controlled trial.
Topics: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Humans; Muscle Cramp; Pilot Projects; Ranolazine
PubMed: 35466411
DOI: 10.1002/mus.27560