Publications by authors named "Cristina Sarmiento"
Aim: To describe the complex roles of and crucial support provided by caregivers to young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) during the transition to adulthood.
Method: This was a qualitative study. We conducted 20 semi-structured interviews (13 caregiver; 7 patient/caregiver dyad) and analyzed data using a qualitative descriptive approach informed by phenomenological principles.
Despite cerebral palsy (CP) being the most common motor disability in childhood, there are more adults living with CP than children. The necessitates a systematic approach to the care of adults with CP. This perspective piece presents the complex nature of a lifespan approach to the care of a childhood-onset disability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: We aim to describe healthcare, vocational, and educational transitions in young adults with pediatric-onset disabilities and to examine the associations with social determinants of health and depressive symptoms.
Design: This cross-sectional study used multinomial and binary logistic regression to examine the associations of sociodemographic factors and depressive symptoms with healthcare, educational, and vocational transitions.
Setting: Participants were recruited from outpatient specialty clinics in a Rehabilitation Medicine department at a quaternary academic children's hospital.
New-onset hydrocephalus in an adult with cerebral palsy: A case report and review of the literature.
J Pediatr Rehabil Med
September 2024
Article Synopsis
- - Hydrocephalus is often found alongside brain injuries like cerebral palsy (CP) and can appear in early childhood; however, adult-onset hydrocephalus can also occur, as shown in a mid-20s patient with CP.
- - The patient experienced new leg spasms and tried various treatments with no success, leading to MRI imaging which revealed significant ventriculomegaly and elevated pressure through a lumbar puncture.
- - Following the placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, the patient's symptoms dramatically improved, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and research on the risk of hydrocephalus in adults with CP.
The formation of a patient-reported outcomes registry to provide information about functional changes and pain among adults with cerebral palsy (CP) was identified as a priority to address the gap in knowledge and practice about aging and CP. The Cerebral Palsy Research Network collaborated with consumers, clinicians, and researchers to create an interactive internet platform, MyCP, to host a Community Registry. MyCP also provides educational programming, access to webinars and community forums, and fitness opportunities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: People with childhood-onset disabilities are living into adulthood, and the prevalence of smoking and illicit drug use among adults with disabilities is high. We evaluated the relationship between disability status and age of disability onset, current cigarette smoking status, and heavy alcohol drinking.
Methods: We conducted a secondary data analysis of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a US survey on illness and disability.
Aim: To increase understanding regarding the experiences and values of young adults with cerebral palsy (CP), and their caregivers, regarding pediatric rehabilitation-related care, including perceived barriers and potential facilitators to transition to adult care.
Method: This was a qualitative descriptive study that used 20 semi-structured interviews (13 caregivers and seven patient-caregiver dyads).
Results: We identified four major themes: (1) the value and security of long-term relationships; (2) feeling 'rudderless' navigating the logistics of transition; (3) differences in pediatric versus adult models of care; and (4) perceived lack of provider expertise and comfort in adult care settings.
Background: Adults with cerebral palsy (CP) have unique healthcare needs and risks, including high risk of functional decline. Understanding functional decline is an area of priority for CP research.
Objective: Describe factors associated with patient-reported changes in function among adults with CP living in the community.
Background: Chronic pain is common among adults with cerebral palsy (CP) and an area of priority for research and treatment.
Objective: Describe the pain experience and its functional and quality of life impact among adults with CP with chronic pain in the community.
Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of adult patient-reported outcomes collected by the Cerebral Palsy Research Network Community Registry.
Background: This qualitative study aimed to understand how early adopting health care organizations (HCOs) implement the documentation of patients' disability status and accommodation needs in the electronic health record (EHR).
Methods: The authors conducted qualitative interviews with HCOs that had active or past initiatives to implement systematic collection of disability status in the EHR. The interviews elicited participants' current experiences, desired features of a standard EHR build, and challenges and successes.
Article Synopsis
- A systematic review was conducted to find measures for evaluating developmental outcomes after abusive head trauma (AHT) and to examine influencing factors and interventions.
- The review included 59 studies, utilizing 115 different assessment tools, with only 3 studies rated as low risk of bias.
- The findings highlighted significant variability in how developmental outcomes were measured, limiting the understanding of AHT's impact and the effectiveness of interventions, suggesting a need for more consistent approaches in research and clinical practice.
Problem: All physicians will care for individuals with disabilities; however, education about disabilities is lacking at most medical schools. Most of the schools that do include such education exclusively teach the medical model, in which disability is viewed as an impairment to be overcome. Disability advocates contest this approach because it overlooks the social and societal contexts of disability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe IgG anti-Toxoplasma western blot technique was used in 25 HIV-cases and 8 control sera from patients without HIV infection aimed at evaluating the humoral response in these patients. They were divided into 3 groups: 14 HIV positive cases with cerebral toxoplasmosis and IgG anti-Toxoplasma serological titers, 11 HIV positive cases without cerebral toxoplasmosis and with IgG anti-Toxoplasma titers, and 8 HIV negative patients with IgG anti-Toxoplasma titers. It was found that the higher the IgG anti-Toxoplasma serum titers are, the greater the number of bands in the western-blot is.
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