American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM)

Dr. Sandra Hearn interviews Dr. James Richardson on his article, Complex and simple clinical reaction times are associated with gait, balance, and major fall injury in older subjects with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. In the diabetic peripheral neuropathy subjects, the ratio of complex RTclin accuracy to simple RTclin latency was strongly associated with longer UST, and decreased step width variability and range on an uneven surface. Additionally, the 2 DPN subjects sustaining major injuries had lower complex RTclin accuracy:simple RTclin latency than those without.The ratio of complex RTclin accuracy:simple RTclin latency is a potent predictor of UST and frontal plane gaitvariability in response to perturbations and may predict major fall injury in older subjects with DPN. These short latency neurocognitive measures may compensate for lower limb neuromuscular impairments and provide a more comprehensive understanding of balance and fall risk. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2017 Jan;96(1):8-16.

Dr. Willer interviews Dr. Johanna Hamel and Dr. Eric Logigian about their article Acute Nutritional Axonal Neuropathy. This study describes clinical, laboratory, and electrodiagnostic features of a severe acute axonal polyneuropathy common to patients with acute nutritional deficiency in the setting of alcoholism, bariatric surgery (BS), or anorexia. Thirteen patients were identified with a severe, painful, sensory or sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy that developed over 2-12 weeks with sensory ataxia, areflexia, variable muscle weakness, poor nutritional status, and weight loss, often with prolonged vomiting and normal cerebrospinal fluid protein. Vitamin B6 was low in half and thiamine was low in all patients when obtained before supplementation. Patients improved with weight gain and vitamin supplementation, with motor greater than sensory recovery. The authors suggest that acute or subacute axonal neuropathy in patients with weight loss or vomiting associated with alcohol abuse, BS, or dietary deficiency is one syndrome, caused by micronutrient deficiencies. Muscle Nerve 57: 33-39, 2018.

Dr. Scott Speelziek interviews Dr. Pushpa Narayanaswami and Dr. Lyell K Jones about the article, The Value Transformation of Heath Care: Impact on Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine. Beginning in 2017, most physicians who participate in Medicare are subject to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), the milestone legislation that signals the US health care system's transition from volume-based to value-based care. Here we review emerging trends in development of value-based healthcare systems in the US. MACRA and the resulting Quality Payment Program create 2 participation pathways, the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and the Advanced Alternative Payment Model (AAPM) pathway. Although there are several program incentives for AAPM participation, to date there have been few AAPM options for specialists. MIPS and its widening bonus and penalty window will likely be the primary participation pathway in the early years of the program. Value-based payment has the potential to reshape health care delivery in the United States, with implications for neuromuscular and electrodiagnostic (EDX) specialists. Meaningful quality measures are required for neuromuscular and EDX specialists. Muscle Nerve 56: 679-683, 2017.

Dr. Ted Burns interviews Dr. Elie Naddaf and Dr. Margherita Milone about the article Hereditary Myopathies With Early Respiratory Insufficiency in Adults. Hereditary myopathies with early respiratory insufficiency as a predominant feature of the clinical phenotype are uncommon and underestimated in adults. The authors highlighted the most common hereditary myopathies associated with early respiratory insufficiency as the predominant clinical feature, and underscored the importance of a timely diagnosis for patient care. Muscle Nerve 56: 881-886, 2017.