[ad_1]
Depression, headaches and insomnia are just some of the often debilitating symptoms that Ebola survivors experience, according to a clinical study of post-Ebola syndrome published today. In Emerging Infectious Diseases . 19659002] The case series involved 35 Ebola survivors from the 2014-2016 epidemic in West Africa. All survivors were seen in Sierra Leone, and obtained an Ebola Survivor Exit Certificate from the Ebola Survivors Clinic at the Military Hospital (34MH) in Freetown. During the epidemic, Sierra Leone confirmed 3,956 deaths and 10,168 survivors.
Patients were referred to a neuropsychiatric clinic in 2016 where they underwent a complete neurological examination, psychiatric screening and specialized examinations, including brain imaging. exposed more than one major neurological or psychological symptom. None of the participants reported any neurological or psychiatric illnesses prior to their Ebola infection.
The headache was the most common symptom of PES, reported by 30 study participants (75.0%). Of those with headaches, 14 (46.6%) had undifferentiated headaches, 13 (43.3%) migraines, and 3 (10.0%) had tension headaches. Headaches were described as flapping and beating, and associated with sensitivity to light and sound.
Two survivors suffered from cerebrovascular accident (confirmed by CT scan) and two each reported peripheral sensory neuropathy and peripheral nerve damage. also common
Of the 35 survivors, 21 (52.5%) described a new insomnia; 12 (30.0%) described depressive symptoms and 11 (27.5%) symptoms of anxiety.
Other symptoms were eye pain (12 patients, or 30%) and 8 patients described vision loss. Nine of the patients assessed were described as having a severe disability.
"I think the most surprising thing is that we found a small group of survivors with significant symptoms and an associated disability," says Patrick Howlett, MD. the study and a researcher at King's College London. Howlett told CIDRAP News that most subjects reported improvement during follow-up.
The outbreak in West Africa has given by far the most information about Ebola survivors compared to previous epidemics. Previous studies have shown viral invasion of the central nervous system following exposure to the Ebola virus, and this study has confirmed the presence of central and peripheral nervous system disorders associated with a wide range of disabilities [19659002] "I think the message [Democratic Republic of the Congo, whose outbreak is now winding down] we need to make sure that health systems are able to respond to epidemics and provide high quality care to survivors, and for that we need to support investment in training health professionals, "said Howlett. See also:
July 11 Emerg Infect Dis Study
August 21, 2017, CIDRAP News story" A study reveals a high rate of disability among Ebola survivors "
25 Feb 2016, CIDRAP News story" Studies on Ebola Survivors Show a Wide Range of Complications "
Jan 22 2016, CIDR AP News story "WHO publishes recommendations on Ebola survivors while cases show persistence of the virus"
Source link
