Stroke-Related Sarcopenia: Pathophysiology and Diagnostic Tools.

Sarcopenia is characterized by the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength and can be categorized as either primary or secondary. Patients who have experienced a stroke may develop sarcopenia, which can adversely impact their functional recovery. The pathophysiology of sarcopenia related to stroke involves nutritional deficiency, disuse atrophy, denervation, and metabolic disturbance.

Compensatory strategies of dysphagia after anterior cervical spinal surgery: A case report.

Rationale: Dysphagia after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a common postoperative complication. However, information regarding rehabilitation strategies for postoperative dysphagia is limited. Herein, we report a compensatory strategy for treating dysphagia after ACDF.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Selective Nerve Block on Chronic Cervical Radiculopathy.

: Cervical radiculopathy (CR) manifests as pain and sensorimotor disturbances in the upper extremities, often resulting from nerve root compression due to intervertebral disc herniation, degenerative changes, or trauma. While conservative treatments are initially preferred, persistent or severe cases may require surgical intervention. Ultrasound-guided selective nerve root block (SNRB) has emerged as a promising intervention for alleviating symptoms and potentially obviating the need for surgery.

The Association of Free Testosterone with Sarcopenic Obesity in Community-Dwelling Older Men: A Cross-Sectional Study.

: Sarcopenic obesity, a clinical condition coexisting with obesity and sarcopenia, is associated with a high risk of functional impairment, reduced quality of life, and increased mortality. A decline in age-related free testosterone (FT) levels has been reported to be associated with decreased muscle mass and muscle strength and increased fat mass. However, the association between low FT levels and risk of sarcopenic obesity has not been well studied.

Obesity, Physical Performance, Balance Confidence, and Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Results from the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study.

Obesity affects physical functions in numerous ways. We aimed to evaluate the association between obesity and falls, physical performance, and balance confidence in community-dwelling older adults. Using first-year baseline data from the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study, 979 older adults were included.

The Impact of the Physical Activity Level on Sarcopenic Obesity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Previous studies have reported that low levels of physical activity result in sarcopenic obesity (SO). However, the effects of specific intensities of physical activity on SO and the optimal amount of physical activity for lowering the prevalence of SO have not been well studied. This study aimed to identify the effects of physical activity levels and intensity on SO and the optimal amount of physical activity related to a lower prevalence of SO.

Association between Vitamin D and Short-Term Functional Outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Vitamin D (Vit D) affects musculoskeletal performance and central nervous system neuroprotection. We aimed to investigate the association between serum Vit D levels and short-term functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke. This study involved patients with acute ischemic stroke confirmed on brain MRI.

Acute cricopharyngeal achalasia after general anesthesia in myotonic dystrophy: A case report.

Rationale: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM-1) is a progressive multisystem genetic disorder that causes myotonia and both distal limb and facial/neck muscle weakness by expanding the CTG repeats of the DMPK gene in chromosome 19q13.3. General anesthesia is indicated in DM-1 patients owing to their sensitivity to anesthetic drugs such as opioids, hypnotics, and neuromuscular blocking agents.

Acute cervical radiculopathy after anterior scalene muscle massage: A case report.

Rationale: Deep tissue massage (DTM) is a form of therapeutic massage therapy for muscles and is often used to treat musculoskeletal pain. This was an uncommon case of acute cervical radiculopathy that occurred after DTM.

Patient Concerns: A 47-year-old Asian woman with low weight visited our clinic due to complaints of sudden unilateral paralysis, radiating pain in the left shoulder, and wrist weakness after undergoing a 3-minute DTM of the anterior scalene muscle.

Impact of Vitamin B12 Insufficiency on the Incidence of Sarcopenia in Korean Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Two-Year Longitudinal Study.

The longitudinal effect of B12 insufficiency on sarcopenia has not yet been investigated in older adults. We aimed to study the impact of B12 levels on alterations in muscle mass, function and strength over two years. Non-sarcopenic older adults ( = 926) aged 70-84 were included.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Predictor of Short-Term Functional Outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients.

Background: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a systemic inflammatory biomarker, has been associated with poorer outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients. The present study was designed to expand these findings by investigating the association between NLR and short-term functional outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated patients within 7 days after the onset of acute ischemic stroke.

Association of high body mass index, waist circumference, and body fat percentage with sarcopenia in older women.

Background: Age-related obesity and body composition changes include loss of muscle mass and increased body fat. This study aimed to investigate sex differences in the impact of sarcopenia, defined by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS), on obesity in Korean older adults.

Methods: In this 2-year longitudinal study, 3014 participants were excluded based on AWGS sarcopenia parameters (if any one of the sarcopenic parameter criteria was satisfied), including low handgrip strength (HGS), low appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), and low short physical performance battery (SPPB).

Central obesity is associated with lower prevalence of sarcopenia in older women, but not in men: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Obesity is a chronic disease that causes various medical health problems, increases morbidity, and reduces the quality of life. Obesity (especially central obesity) in older adults is expected to act with the development of sarcopenia. However, the relationship between obesity, central obesity, and sarcopenia remains controversial.

Therapeutic Effects of Functional Electrical Stimulation on Physical Performance and Muscle Strength in Post-stroke Older Adults: A Review.

Stroke-related disabilities cause poor physical performance, especially among older adults, and can lead to sarcopenia. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) has been used to improve physical performance in individuals with neurological disorders and increase muscle mass and strength to counteract muscle atrophy. This review covers the principles, underlying mechanisms, and therapeutic effects of FES on physical performance and skeletal muscle function in post-stroke older adults.

Association Between Clinical Symptoms, Electrodiagnostic Findings, Clinical Outcome, and Prodromal Symptoms in Patients With Bell's Palsy.

Objective: This study aimed to determine which prodromal symptoms frequently occur in patients with Bell's palsy and evaluate the association between these symptoms and clinical severity of paresis or the severity of facial nerve injury.

Materials And Methods: The study included 86 patients with Bell's palsy between August 2018 and April 2020. Severity levels of Bell's palsy and facial nerve damage were evaluated using the House-Brackmann (H-B) grading scale and electrodiagnostic study, respectively.

Does Unilateral Lumbosacral Radiculopathy Affect the Association between Lumbar Spinal Muscle Morphometry and Bone Mineral Density?

Age-related degenerative changes lead to a gradual decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) and muscle mass. We aimed to assess the effects of decreased BMD and lumbar denervation on lumbar spinal muscle morphometry and the relationship between BMD and lumbar spinal muscular morphometry, respectively. Eighty-one patients, aged 50-85 years, diagnosed with unilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy based on electrodiagnostic studies between January 2016 and April 2021 were enrolled.

Sex differences in impact of sarcopenia on falls in community-dwelling Korean older adults.

Background: Falls are one of the most serious health problems among older adults. Sarcopenia is characterized by a decrease in muscle mass, strength, and physical function. Due to potentially age-related conditions, both falls and sarcopenia have common risk factors.

Impact of Vitamin B12 Insufficiency on Sarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Older Korean Adults.

Vitamin B12 (B12) is involved as a cofactor in the synthesis of myelin. A lack of B12 impairs peripheral nerve production, which can contribute to sarcopenia. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between B12 insufficiency and sarcopenia in community-dwelling older Korean adults.

Association of Lumbar Paraspinal Muscle Morphometry with Degenerative Spondylolisthesis.

The objective of this study was to assess the cross-sectional areas (CSA) of lumbar paraspinal muscles and their fatty degeneration in adults with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) diagnosed with chronic radiculopathy, compare them with those of the same age- and sex-related groups with radiculopathy, and evaluate their correlations and the changes observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This retrospective study included 62 female patients aged 65-85 years, who were diagnosed with lumbar polyradiculopathy. The patients were divided into two groups: 30 patients with spondylolisthesis and 32 patients without spondylolisthesis.

Associations between body composition and cognitive function in an elderly Korean population: A cohort-based cross-sectional study.

The prevalence of obesity as well as cognitive impairment increases with age. Previous studies showed that obesity is associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. Body composition changes occur as part of the aging process; therefore, the assessment of obesity in elderly populations should include body composition as well as body weight.

Metronidazole-Induced Recurrent Paresthesia: A Case Report.

A 54-year-old woman presented with a 1-month history of pain and numbness in both feet. She had taken metronidazole for over 4 years previously to treat vaginitis. On nerve conduction studies (NCS), neither the sural nor right superficial peroneal nerve (SPN) was evoked, nor did the left SPN have small amplitude, suggesting axonal peripheral polyneuropathy with sensory fiber involvement.

Sex differences in association between body composition and frailty or physical performance in community-dwelling older adults.

Frailty is a common geriatric condition due to aging, defined as a decrease in the functional reserve to maintain the homeostasis. As part of the aging process, body composition changes occur. This study investigated the relationship between body composition and frailty in a community-dwelling elderly Korean population.

Association between frailty and vitamin B12 in the older Korean population.

Frailty is a common geriatric condition due to aging and defined as a decline in strength and a decrease in the physiologic ability to maintain the homeostasis. Vitamin B12 (B12), water-soluble vitamins, are a cofactor in DNA synthesis and involved in the metabolism of every cell in the human body, including the central nervous system. Demyelination neuromuscular symptoms observed in the peripheral nervous system, along with signs of significant damage to nerve fibers, often cause weakness, numbness in distal limbs, impaired balance, gait ataxia, and even physical frailty.

Association between Vitamin B12 levels and cognitive function in the elderly Korean population.

Vitamin B12 (B12), also known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin. It is a cofactor in DNA synthesis and is involved in the metabolism of every cell of the human body, including the central nervous system. Those with a deficiency of B12 can present with peripheral neuropathy, pernicious anemia, or a cognitive disorder.

Interactive Effects of Apolipoprotein E ε4 and Triiodothyronine on Memory Performance in Patients With Subjective Cognitive Decline.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between thyroid hormones, cognitive performance, and apolipoprotein E () genotype in euthyroid patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD). We recruited 197 euthyroid patients that fulfilled the criteria for SCD. All participants were classified into ε4 carriers and non-carriers based on the presence of the ε4 allele.