Nitin K.Sethi, Assistant Professor of Neurology, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical Center, 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY 100sethinitinmd@hotmail.com
Submitted December 03, 2012
Das et al. examine the epidemic of neurologic disability in India. [1] As the authors note, it is not just hidden but also ignored. In big metropolitan areas such as New Delhi and Mumbai, excellent health care facilities currently exist for the treatment of acute stroke, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) as well as neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia. Patients from neighboring cities and villages flock to these centers to receive care. It is what happens to these disabled patients after discharge that is largely ignored by the government and medical community. In the absence of comprehensive TBI and stroke rehabilitation centers, patients are discharged home and the burden of their care falls on immediate family members and close friends. With few patients receiving comprehensive speech, physical and occupational therapy, neurological outcomes are poor, which adds to disease burden. In countries like India where resources are limited and demands high, neurologic disability from TBI and stroke can only be reduced if the emphasis is on prevention by modification of respective risk factors. This should be reflected in the national health policies of these countries with adequate allocation of resources towards primary prevention of TBI and stroke as well as establishment of nursing homes and other subacute facilities to take care of these patients after discharge.
1. Das A, Botticello AL, Wylie GR, Radhakrishnan K. Neurologic
disability: A hidden epidemic for India. Neurology 2012;79: 2146-2147.
For disclosures, please contact the editorial office at journal@neurology.org.
Das et al. examine the epidemic of neurologic disability in India. [1] As the authors note, it is not just hidden but also ignored. In big metropolitan areas such as New Delhi and Mumbai, excellent health care facilities currently exist for the treatment of acute stroke, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) as well as neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia. Patients from neighboring cities and villages flock to these centers to receive care. It is what happens to these disabled patients after discharge that is largely ignored by the government and medical community. In the absence of comprehensive TBI and stroke rehabilitation centers, patients are discharged home and the burden of their care falls on immediate family members and close friends. With few patients receiving comprehensive speech, physical and occupational therapy, neurological outcomes are poor, which adds to disease burden. In countries like India where resources are limited and demands high, neurologic disability from TBI and stroke can only be reduced if the emphasis is on prevention by modification of respective risk factors. This should be reflected in the national health policies of these countries with adequate allocation of resources towards primary prevention of TBI and stroke as well as establishment of nursing homes and other subacute facilities to take care of these patients after discharge.
1. Das A, Botticello AL, Wylie GR, Radhakrishnan K. Neurologic disability: A hidden epidemic for India. Neurology 2012;79: 2146-2147.
For disclosures, please contact the editorial office at journal@neurology.org.