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Background and Objective: The impact and burden of disease of the rare diseases (RD) is not known, also the type of disability that entail. The objective of the work is to analyze the socio-sanitary impact of the RD in Spain., Patients and Method: This is a nationwide study. The dimensions used were mobility, personal care and daily activities of the EUROQoL-5D questionnaire to analyze the degree of dependency of the patient with RD., Results: 714 surveys were analyzed. 51.2% were men; 21.1% were children and 78.9% adults. The more frequent laboral status were: retired/pensioner, active and student (35.3%; 29.2%, and 17.1% respectively). In the last quarterly 8.4% of the patients were in situation of transitory labor incapacity: 5.7% men and 11.9% women (p < 0.005). The patients referred disability (slight or moderate degree) in the areas: physical (87.7%), emotional (83.6%), social (75.6%) and sensorial (53%). They presented severe mixed disability (sensorial and physic) in 6.4%. Patient organisations, physicians and Internet (80.1%; 48.2% and 47.3% respectively) were the used sources of information. The patients were more satisfied with doctor's care than social worker's (47% and 2.4% respectively), considering doctors more accessible than social workers (32.4% and 13.1% respectively)., Conclusions: RD present a high percentage of disability and dependency, being both more severe in children. The patient organisations are the main source of information. Patients are more satisfied and consider the doctor more accessible than the social worker. This work might serve to make decisions in the socio-sanitary assistance for RD.

Chiari disease (or malformation) is in general a congenital condition characterized by an anatomic defect of the base of the skull, in which the cerebellum and brain stem herniate through the foramen magnum into the cervical spinal canal. The onset of Chiari syndrome symptoms usually occurs in the second or third decade (age 25 to 45 years). Symptoms may vary between periods of exacerbation and remission. The diagnosis of Chiari type I malformation in patients with or without symptoms is established with neuroimaging techniques. The most effective therapy for patients with Chiari type I malformation/syringomyelia is surgical decompression of the foramen magnum, however there are non-surgical therapy to relieve neurophatic pain: either pharmacological and non-pharmacological. Pharmacological therapy use drugs that act on different components of pain. Non-pharmacological therapies are primarly based on spinal or peripheral electrical stimulation. It is important to determine the needs of the patients in terms of health-care, social, educational, occupational, and relationship issues, in addition to those derived from information aspects, particularly at onset of symptoms. Currently, there is no consensus among the specialists regarding the etiology of the disease or how to approach, monitor, follow-up, and treat the condition. It is necessary that the physicians involved in the care of people with this condition comprehensively approach the management and follow-up of the patients, and that they organize interdisciplinary teams including all the professionals that can help to increase the quality of life of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]