A Sex Disparity Among Earthquake Victims

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Ardagh ◽  
Sarah Standring ◽  
Joanne M. Deely ◽  
David Johnston ◽  
Viki Robinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Central Business District ◽  
Working Population ◽  
Risk Of Injury ◽  
Severity Scores ◽  
Business District ◽  
Sex Disparity

AbstractObjectiveUnderstanding who is most vulnerable during an earthquake will help health care responders prepare for future disasters. We analyzed the demography of casualties from the Christchurch earthquake in New Zealand.MethodsThe demography of the total deceased, injured, and hospitalized casualties of the Christchurch earthquake was compared with that of the greater Christchurch population, the Christchurch central business district working population, and patients who presented to the single acute emergency department on the same month and day over the prior 10 years. Sex data were compared to scene of injury, context of injury, clinical characteristics of injury, and injury severity scores.ResultsSignificantly more females than males were injured or killed in the entire population of casualties (P<0.001). Most of the deceased and hospitalized casualties were injured in the central business district (171/182 deceased [94%]; 33/91 hospitalized [36.2%]). Approximately half of both sexes were injured at home (1002/2032 males [49%]; 2390/4627 females [52%]) and >20% were injured at commercial or service localities (444/2032 males [22%]; 1105/4627 females [24%]). Adults aged between 20 and 69 years (1639/2032 males [81%]; 3717/4627 females [80%]) were most frequently injured.ConclusionWhere people were and what they were doing at the time of the earthquake influenced their risk of injury. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:67-73)

scholarly journals U.S. Combat-related Invasive Fungal Wound Infection (IFI) Epidemiology and Wound Microbiology: Afghanistan Theater 2009–2014

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S5-S6
Author(s):  
Anuradha Ganesan ◽  
Faraz Shaikh ◽  
Philip Peterson ◽  
William P Bradley ◽  
Dana M Blyth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Infection ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Fungal Contamination ◽  
Clinical Criteria ◽  
Severity Scores ◽  
Failure Assessment ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Combat Casualties

Abstract Background Culturing combat-related wounds often yields both fungi and bacteria. It is difficult to differentiate fungal contamination from infection, and objective criteria that identify patients at risk for IFI are needed. This study was designed to characterize IFI among US combat casualties in the Afghanistan Theater. Methods This retrospective study includes subjects with any labortory evidence of fungi (either histopathology or cultures). Wounds with ongoing necrosis and labortory evidence of infection were classified as IFI). Wounds with labortory evidence of fungal infection, but without ongoing necrosis were classified as either highly suspicious wounds based on objective clinical criteria (i.e., presence of systemic and local signs of infection and use of antifungals for ≥10 days) or non-IFI wounds if they failed to meet clinical criteria. Results Of 1932 subjects, 246 (12.7%) had labortory evidence of fungal infection. There were a total of 143 IFI wounds (n = 94), 157 non-IFI wounds (n = 96), and 113 high suspicion wounds (n = 56). IFI subjects had significantly higher injury severity scores (ISS median: 39.5 vs. 33), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores (7 vs. 2) and were more likely to require mechanical ventilation (66 vs. 28%). IFI patients also had higher ISS (93 vs. 84% with ISS &gt;25) and SOFA scores (7 vs. 4) compared with the subjects with high suspicion wounds. IFI wounds often grew molds belonging to the order Mucorales compared with high suspicion (19 vs. 10%, P = 0.04) and non-IFI wounds (19 vs. 7%, P = 0.02). About half of the IF wounds grew fungi of the order Mucorales either isolated alone or in conjunction with other fungi, in comparison, 25% of the high suspicion wounds and 11% of the non-IFI wounds grew fungi of the order Mucorales. Three groups of fungi belonging to the order Mucorales, genus Aspergillus and Fusarium accounted for 83% of the IFI wounds and 74% of the high suspicion wounds. Conclusion Labortory evidence of fungal infection is common among combat casualties. Clinical characteristics and wound microbiology allows us to group subjects into groups at low and high risk of IFI. Fungi of the order Mucorales, genus Aspergillus and Fusarium should not be considered contaminants. The presence of these fungi should obligate close clinical follow-up and debridement as needed. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Socio-demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Patient with Thyroid Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-58
Author(s):  
AKM Farhad Hossain ◽  
Md Mahmudur Rahman Siddiqui ◽  
Sayada Fatema Khatun
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Follicular Carcinoma ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: Thyroid cancer is the most common malignant disease in endocrine system. It is an emerging public health issue associated with burden on the family, community and the nation. The aim of this study is to determine the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of patient with thyroid cancer attending in tertiary hospital. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted among 246 thyroid cancer patients in two tertiary hospitals of Dhaka city from 01 July 2018 to 30 June 2019. The subjects were selected purposively following specific selection criteria and maintaining ethical issues. Data were collected by face to face interview using a semi-structured questionnaire and checklist. Data were analyzed by the statistical package for the social science (SPSS) version 23. Results: This study revealed that majority (74.4%) of respondents was female, married (72%), housewife (61.4%), rural respondent (41.1%) and had primary education (69%). Mean (± SD) age of the respondent was 37.85(±12.20) years (Range 14-70 years) and mean (± SD) monthly family income was Tk. 17681(±10602). Out of 246 cases, 204 (82.9%) was papillary and 42 (17.1%) was follicular carcinoma. Various clinical presentations included visible neck swelling in 225 (91.5%), swollen lymph node in 103 (41.9%), pain 90 (36.6%), Difficulties in swallowing 87 (35.4%), Hoarseness of voice in 141 (57.3%), cough along with swelling 47(19.1%), Difficulties in breathing due to swelling in 13(5.3%) of the patients. Conclusion: Incidence of thyroid cancer has increased worldwide specially in female patients in 3rd and 4th decades of life. As thyroid cancer is a growing public health problem in Bangladesh, proper screening and early diagnostic facilities at all level should be available to measure its actual burden in the country. Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 11, No. 1: Jan 2020, P 54-58

scholarly journals Nonoperative management of splenic injury in closely monitored patients with reduced consciousness is safe and feasible

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Teuben ◽  
Roy Spijkerman ◽  
Taco Blokhuis ◽  
Roman Pfeifer ◽  
Henrik Teuber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Status ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Splenic Injury ◽  
Nonoperative Management ◽  
Splenic Trauma ◽  
Blunt Splenic Injury ◽  
Icu Stay ◽  
Severity Scores ◽  
Gcs Score ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Treatment of blunt splenic injury has changed over the past decades. Nonoperative management (NOM) is the treatment of choice. Adequate patient selection is a prerequisite for successful NOM. Impaired mental status is considered as a relative contra indication for NOM. However, the impact of altered consciousness in well-equipped trauma institutes is unclear. We hypothesized that impaired mental status does not affect outcome in patients with splenic trauma. Methods Our prospectively composed trauma database was used and adult patients with blunt splenic injury were included during a 14-year time period. Treatment guidelines remained unaltered over time. Patients were grouped based on the presence (Group GCS: < 14) or absence (Group GCS: 14–15) of impaired mental status. Outcome was compared. Results A total of 161 patients were included, of whom 82 were selected for NOM. 36% of patients had a GCS-score < 14 (N = 20). The median GCS-score in patients with reduced consciousness was 9 (range 6–12). Groups were comparable except for significantly higher injury severity scores in the impaired mental status group (19 vs. 17, p = 0.007). Length of stay (28 vs. 9 days, p < 0.001) and ICU-stay (8 vs. 0 days, p = 0.005) were longer in patients with decreased GCS-scores. Failure of NOM, total splenectomy rates, complications and mortality did not differ between both study groups. Conclusion This study shows that NOM for blunt splenic trauma is a viable treatment modality in well-equipped institutions, regardless of the patients mental status. However, the presence of neurologic impairment is associated with prolonged ICU-stay and hospitalization. We recommend, in institutions with adequate monitoring facilities, to attempt nonoperative management for blunt splenic injury, in all hemodynamically stable patients without hollow organ injuries, also in the case of reduced consciousness.

Acute Colonic Diverticulitis: Diagnostic Evidence, Demographic and Clinical Features in ree Practice Settings

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajan Iyer ◽  
George F. Longstreth ◽  
Li-Hao Chu ◽  
Wansu Chen ◽  
Linnette Yen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Past History ◽  
Colonic Diverticulitis ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Objective Evidence ◽  
Multiple Variables ◽  
Acute Colonic Diverticulitis

Background & Aims: Diverticulitis is often diagnosed in outpatients, yet little evidence exists on diagnostic evidence and demographic/clinical features in various practice settings. We assessed variation in clinical characteristics and diagnostic evidence in inpatients, outpatients, and emergency department cases and effects of demographic and clinical variables on presentation features.Methods: In a retrospective cohort study of 1749 patients in an integrated health care system, we compared presenting features and computed tomography findings by practice setting and assessed independent effects of demographic and clinical factors on presenting features.Results: Inpatients were older and more often underweight/normal weight and lacked a diverticulitis past history and had more comorbidities than other patients. Outpatients were most often Hispanic/Latino. The classical triad (abdominal pain, fever, leukocytosis) occurred in 78 (38.6%) inpatients, 29 (5.2%) outpatients and 34 (10.7%) emergency department cases. Computed tomography was performed on 196 (94.4%) inpatients, 110 (9.2%) outpatients and 296 (87.6%) emergency department cases and was diagnostic in 153 (78.6%) inpatients, 62 (56.4%) outpatients and 243 (82.1%) emergency department cases. Multiple variables affected presenting features. Notably, female sex had lower odds for the presence of the triad features (odds ratio [95% CI], 0.65 [0.45-0.94], P<0.05) and increased odds of vomiting (1.78 [1.26-2.53], P<0.01). Patients in age group 56 to 65 and 66 or older had decreased odds of fever (0.67 [0.46-0.98], P<0.05) and 0.46 [0.26-0.81], P<0.01), respectively, while ≥1 co-morbidity increased the odds of observing the triad (1.88 [1.26-2.81], P<0.01).Conclusion: There was little objective evidence for physician-diagnosed diverticulitis in most outpatients. Demographic and clinical characteristics vary among settings and independently affect presenting features.Abbreviations: AD: acute colonic diverticulitis; BMI: body mass index; CT: computed tomography; ED: emergency department; IBS: irritable bowel syndrome; ICD-9-CM: International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification; IP: inpatient; KPSC: Kaiser Permanente Southern California; OP: outpatient.

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