title: Neurological manifestations in individuals with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis in the Amazon.
abstract: METHODS
  A cross-sectional observational study was conducted.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to analyze the clinical-functional profile of patients diagnosed with HTLV-1 (human T-lymphotropic virus type 1)-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) in the Amazon region.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reference center for HTLV in the city of Belém, state of Pará, Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  Muscle strength, muscle tone, balance and the need for gait assistance among patients with HAM/TSP were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 82 patients infected with HTLV-1, 27 (10 men and 17 women) were diagnosed with HAM/TSP. No statistically significant difference in muscle tone or strength was found between the lower limbs. Muscle weakness and spasticity were predominant in the proximal lower limbs. Patients with HAM/TSP are at a high risk of falls (P=0.03), and predominantly use either a cane or a crutch on one side as a gait-assistance device (P=0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with HAM/TSP exhibit a similar clinical pattern of muscle weakness and spasticity, with a high risk of falls, requiring gait-assistance devices.
authors.affiliation: Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil.
authors.forename: G A S
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil.
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
authors.affiliation: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Pará, Belém, Brazil.
authors.forename: R V L
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Koyama
authors.affiliation: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Pará, Belém, Brazil.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fujihara
authors.affiliation: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade da Amazônia, Belém, Brazil.
authors.forename: L C S
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Medeiros
authors.affiliation: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Pará, Belém, Brazil.
authors.forename: J A S
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Quaresma
authors.affiliation: Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil.
authors.forename: H T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Fuzii
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015493:Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D063189:Symptom Assessment