[Alexia without agraphia; not being able to read what you have just written].

Background: Alexia without agraphia is a neurological syndrome that is caused by a specific lesion in the left (or the dominant) cerebral hemisphere. It is characterised by a severe reading disorder with writing ability intact.

Case Description: We describe a patient who, after a fall from a staircase, could no longer read, even that which he had written shortly before.

Psychosocial dysfunction in the first year after Guillain-Barré syndrome.

In this investigation we study the impact of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) on psychological distress, depressive symptoms, and health status of patients during the first year after GBS. At 3, 6, and 12 months, patients were given the General Health Questionnaire, the Sickness Impact Profile, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Eighty-five patients participated.

The effects of Guillain-Barré syndrome on the close relatives of patients during the first year.

Objective: To study the impact of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) on the psychosocial functioning of the closest relative and on family functioning during the first year after GBS.

Method: At 1 (=T1), 3 (=T3), 6 (=T6), and 12 months (=T12) after the onset of GBS, relatives of patients received the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ28) and the Family Assessment Device (FAD). Sixty-three relatives returned the GHQ28 at all four designated intervals.

How Guillain-Barre patients experience their functioning after 1 year.

Objective: To analyze how the patient himself perceives his physical and social situation 1 year after Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS).

Material And Method: The Dutch patients who participated in an international multicenter trial were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire containing questions on their physical status at homecoming and at 12 months, as well as questions dealing with various aspects of their social condition.

Results: Ninety patients participated.

Perception of prognostic risk in patients with multiple sclerosis: the relationship with anxiety, depression, and disease-related distress.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of perception of prognostic risk on anxiety, depression, and disease-related distress in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Study Design And Setting: Perceived risk and perceived seriousness of the 2-year, 10-year, and lifetime prognosis of wheelchair dependence, disability status, anxiety, depression, and disease-related distress were assessed in 101 patients. Distress was measured as the intrusion and avoidance of MS-related thoughts and feelings.

Comparison between impairment and disability scales in immune-mediated polyneuropathies.

The ability of a scale to detect clinical relevant changes over time, i.e., its "responsiveness," may help clinicians to choose among valid and reliable measures.

Long-term impact on work and private life after Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Objective: To determine the long-term impact of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) on work and private life of patients and their partners.

Methods: Three to six years after the onset of GBS 150 patients who participated in the Dutch Guillain-Barré trial received a questionnaire specifically drafted for this study to survey their present psychosocial status. Furthermore, their present physical status was established.

Psychometric evaluation of a new handicap scale in immune-mediated polyneuropathies.

A new handicap measure, the Rotterdam nine-item handicap scale, was developed and its validity, reliability, and responsiveness evaluated in patients with immune-mediated polyneuropathies. We evaluated 113 stable patients, of whom 83 had Guillain--Barré syndrome (GBS), 22 had chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), and 8 had a gammopathy-related polyneuropathy. We also studied 20 patients with recently diagnosed GBS (n = 7) or CIDP (n = 13) and changing clinical conditions (longitudinal group).