Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Randomized Controlled Behavioral Intervention Trial To Improve Medication Adherence In Adult Stroke Patients With Prescription Tailored Short Messaging Service (Sms)-Sms4stroke Study., Ayeesha Kamran Kamal, Quratulain Shaikh,, Omrana Pasha, Iqbal Azam Syed, Muhammad Islam,, Adeel Ali Memon, Hasan Rehman, Masood Ahmed Akram,, Muhammad Affan, Sumaira Nazir, Salman Aziz, Muhammad Jan, Anita Andani, Abdul Muqeet, Bilal Ahmed, Shariq Khoja

Department of Medicine

Background: The effectiveness of mobile technology to improve medication adherence via customized Short Messaging Service (SMS) reminders for stroke has not been tested in resource poor areas. We designed a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of SMS on improving medication adherence in stroke survivors in Pakistan.

Methods: This was a parallel group, assessor-blinded, randomized, controlled, superiority trial. Participants were centrally randomized in fixed block sizes. Adult participants on multiple medications with access to a cell phone and stroke at least 4 weeks from onset (Onset as defined by last seen normal) were eligible. The intervention group, in addition …

The Need And Roadmap For Stroke Rehabilitation Guidelines In Pakistan, Farooq Azam Rathore

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

No abstract provided.

Marburg Variant Of Multiple Sclerosis; A Diagnostic And Therapeutic Challenge, Sadia Imtiaz, Maimoona Siddiqui, Arsalan Ahmad Md

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Marburg variant of multiple sclerosis (MS) is a highly aggressive, fulminant demyelinating disease with very high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and aggressive management is vital to limit severe disability and improve the outcome. We present a case of 35 years old male who presented with rapidly progressive demyelinating illness, leading to bed bound status over the course of a month. He was treated aggressively with intravenous (IV) steroids, plasma exchange (PLEX) and Mitoxantrone (MTX), leading to a remarkable recovery.

Factors Affecting Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Survival In Adult Patients, Farid Khan, Abdul Rehman, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim, Muhammad Ehsan Bari

Section of Neurosurgery

Background: Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt insertion remains the mainstay of treatment for hydrocephalus despite a high rate of complications. The predictors of shunt malfunction have been studied mostly in pediatric patients. In this study, we report our 11-year experience with VP shunts in adult patients with hydrocephalus. We also assess the various factors affecting shunt survival in a developing country setting.
Methods: A retrospective chart analysis was conducted for all adult patients who had undergone shunt placement between the years 2001 and 2011. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to determine the duration from shunt placement to first malfunction and log-rank (Cox-Mantel) tests …

Epidural Steroid Injections Compared With Gabapentin For Lumbosacral Radicular Pain: Multicenter Randomized Double Blind Comparative Efficacy Study, Steven P. Cohen, Steven Hanling, Mark C. Bicket, Ronald L. White, Elias Velzi, Connie Kurihara, Zirong Zhao, Salim Hayek, Kevin B. Guthmiller, Scott R. Griffith, Vitaly Gordin, Mirinda Anderson White, Yakov Vorobeychik, Paul F. Pasquina

Neurology Faculty Publications

Objective To evaluate whether an epidural steroid injection or gabapentin is a better treatment for lumbosacral radiculopathy.

Design A multicenter randomized study conducted between 2011 and 2014. Computer generated randomization was stratified by site. Patients and evaluating physicians were blinded to treatment outcomes.

Settings Eight military, Veterans Administration, and civilian hospitals.

Participants 145 people with lumbosacral radicular pain secondary to herniated disc or spinal stenosis for less than four years in duration and in whom leg pain is as severe or more severe than back pain.

Interventions Participants received either epidural steroid injection plus placebo pills or sham injection plus …