Ana Alonso

Publications (5)16.14 Total impact

• Article: Re: Correlation of size and type of modic types 1 and 2 lesions with clinical symptoms: a descriptive study in a subgroup of patients with chronic low back pain on the basis of a university hospital patient sample.

  Francisco M Kovacs, Víctor Abraira, Estanislao Arana, Ana Royuela, Ana Estremera, Beatriz Asenjo, Helena Sarasíbar, Guillremo Amengual, Isabel Galrraga, Ana Alonso, Carlos Casillas, Alfonso Muriel, Julia Montoya, Cristina Ordóñez, Carmen Martínez, Javier Zamora, Carlos Campillo
  Spine 06/2012; 37(13):1184. · 2.08 Impact Factor
• Article: Mismatch Between Methods and Conclusions on the Relationship Between the Type of Modic Change and the Severity of Clinical Symptoms.

  Francisco M Kovacs, Víctor Abraira, Estanislao Arana, Ana Royuela, Ana Estremera, Beatriz Asenjo, Helena Sarasíbar, Guillremo Amengual, Isabel Galrraga, Ana Alonso, Carlos Casillas, Alfonso Muriel, Julia Montoya, Cristina Ordóñez, Carmen Martínez, Javier Zamora, Carlos Campillo
  Spine 04/2012; · 2.08 Impact Factor
• Article: Uncertainties in the measurement of lumbar spinal stenosis at MR imaging: are they clinically relevant?

  Francisco M Kovacs, Carmen Martínez, Estanislao Arana, Ana Royuela, Ana Estremera, Guillermo Amengual, Beatriz Asenjo, Helena Sarasíbar, Isabel Galarraga, Ana Alonso, Carlos Casillas, Alfonso Muriel, Víctor Abraira
  Radiology 04/2012; 263(1):310-1. · 5.73 Impact Factor
• Article: Outcome of mild cognitive impairment comparing early memory profiles.

  Estrella Gómez-Tortosa, Ignacio Mahillo-Fernández, Rosa Guerrero, Julia Montoya, Ana Alonso, M José Sainz
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  ABSTRACT: : Finding variables that predict decline or stability in persons with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is an important step in identifying subjects in prodromal stages of dementia. This study tests a clinical observation suggesting that aMCI cases with better-preserved recognition skills, despite similar delayed recall deficits, are more likely to remain functionally stable. : A cohort of 210 cases with aMCI, diagnosed with standardized criteria that had been followed up for 48 ± 12 months (range: 36-100), were divided into two groups according to their initial recognition memory discrimination index (DI) on the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (DI ≥ or <8). We compared the two groups according to demographic and neuropsychological variables, cerebral small vessel disease, and outcome (progression to dementia versus stability as aMCI). : Thirty-seven percent progressed to dementia. In the group with the higher DI scores (n = 107), only 21.5% of the cases converted, compared with 52.4% of lower scorers (n = 103; Fisher's test: p < 0.0001). Progression to dementia occurred significantly later in cases with higher DI (50 ± 17 versus 26 ± 11 months in cases with impaired DI, Mann-Whitney test, U statistic = 1092.5, p < 0.0001). The group with lower DI showed a threefold-increased rate of progression to dementia. A multivariate regression model revealed DI, delayed recall, age, and family history of dementia as the strongest predictors of dementia, in this order. : The aMCI patients with better-preserved recognition at baseline have a more benign prognosis. Detection of these cases may aid in isolating other aMCI cases that are already in prodromal stages of AD and in selecting more homogeneous groups for clinical trials.
  The American journal of geriatric psychiatry: official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry 09/2011; 20(10):827-35. · 3.35 Impact Factor
• Article: Modic changes and associated features in Southern European chronic low back pain patients.

  Estanislao Arana, Francisco M Kovacs, Ana Royuela, Ana Estremera, Beatriz Asenjo, Helena Sarasíbar, Guillermo Amengual, Isabel Galarraga, Ana Alonso, Carlos Casillas, Alfonso Muriel, Julia Montoya, Cristina Ordóñez, Carmen Martínez, Javier Zamora, Carlos Campillo, Víctor Abraira
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  ABSTRACT: Conflicting reports exist regarding the prevalence of Modic changes among low back pain (LBP) patients and factors associated with their existence. To assess the prevalence of Modic changes and other findings on lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) among Spanish adult chronic LBP patients and the patient characteristics and radiological findings associated with Modic changes. A cross-sectional imaging study among chronic LBP patients. Four hundred eighty-seven patients (263 women and 224 men) undergoing lumbar spine MRI examination for chronic LBP. Gender, age, body mass index (BMI), lifetime smoking exposure, degree of physical activity, and image features (disc degeneration, type and extension of Modic changes, disc contour, annular tears, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis). Ten radiologists from six hospitals across six cities in Spain consecutively recruited adult patients in whom lumbar MRI had been prescribed for LBP lasting ≥3 months. Patients' characteristics and imaging findings were assessed through previously validated instruments. A multivariate logistic regression model was developed to assess the features associated with Modic changes. Modic changes were found in 81% of the patients. The most common was Type II (51.3%), affecting only the end plate. Variables associated with Type I changes were disc contour abnormalities, spondylolisthesis, and disc degeneration. The same variables were associated with a higher risk of Type II or any type of Modic changes, as well as being male, and having a higher BMI. Modic changes are found in 81% (95% confidence interval, 77-85) of adult Spanish patients in whom an MRI is prescribed for chronic LBP. Modic changes are more likely to be found in males with a high BMI, who also show disc contour abnormalities, spondylolisthesis, or disc degeneration.
  The spine journal: official journal of the North American Spine Society 05/2011; 11(5):402-11. · 2.90 Impact Factor