Estimation of risk factors associated with difficult birth in ewes

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 1125 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Horton ◽  
R. Corkrey ◽  
G. N. Hinch

In eight closely recorded Australian Merino and crossbred sheep flocks, all lamb deaths were examined and the cause of deaths identified if possible. Dystocia was identified as one of the major causes of lamb death and this study examined factors that could be used to identify ewes at high risk of dystocia, either to avoid dystocia or to assist with early intervention where possible. Dystocia was least common in lambs of ~4.8 kg, but there was a higher risk at both lower and higher birthweights. Dystocia with both low and high birthweight was more common in older ewes, ranging from negligible low birthweight dystocia in ewes less than 3 years old at lambing, to 5% in older ewes. Low birthweight dystocia increased with increasing litter size, with 40% dystocia in ewes at least 4 years of age with triplets. In contrast, high birthweight dystocia was not affected by litter size. A previous record of low birthweight dystocia was a risk factor for future low birthweight dystocia, but the same relationship was not observed for high birthweight dystocia. A high lambing ease score (difficult birth) with high birthweight was a risk factor for future high birthweight dystocia, but this was not the case for low birthweight dystocia. These differences between the risk factors for low and high birthweight dystocia suggest that they have different causes. High ewe liveweight and condition score during pregnancy may be additional indicators of the risk of dystocia, particularly for ewes with high liveweight in the first 60 days of pregnancy. For most ewes dystocia was difficult to predict, but there was a small proportion of ewes with a very high risk of dystocia and if these could be identified in advance they could be monitored much more closely than the rest of the flock.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Chamat-Hedemand ◽  
Niels Eske Bruun ◽  
Lauge Østergaard ◽  
Magnus Arpi ◽  
Emil Fosbøl ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Infective endocarditis (IE) is diagnosed in 7–8% of streptococcal bloodstream infections (BSIs), yet it is unclear when to perform transthoracic (TTE) and transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) according to different streptococcal species. The aim of this sub-study was to propose a flowchart for the use of echocardiography in streptococcal BSIs. Methods In a population-based setup, we investigated all patients admitted with streptococcal BSIs and crosslinked data with nationwide registries to identify comorbidities and concomitant hospitalization with IE. Streptococcal species were divided in four groups based on the crude risk of being diagnosed with IE (low-risk < 3%, moderate-risk 3–10%, high-risk 10–30% and very high-risk > 30%). Based on number of positive blood culture (BC) bottles and IE risk factors (prosthetic valve, previous IE, native valve disease, and cardiac device), we further stratified cases according to probability of concomitant IE diagnosis to create a flowchart suggesting TTE plus TOE (IE > 10%), TTE (IE 3–10%), or “wait & see” (IE < 3%). Results We included 6393 cases with streptococcal BSIs (mean age 68.1 years [SD 16.2], 52.8% men). BSIs with low-risk streptococci (S. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes, S. intermedius) are not initially recommended echocardiography, unless they have ≥3 positive BC bottles and an IE risk factor. Moderate-risk streptococci (S. agalactiae, S. anginosus, S. constellatus, S. dysgalactiae, S. salivarius, S. thermophilus) are guided to “wait & see” strategy if they neither have a risk factor nor ≥3 positive BC bottles, while a TTE is recommended if they have either ≥3 positive BC bottles or a risk factor. Further, a TTE and TOE are recommended if they present with both. High-risk streptococci (S. mitis/oralis, S. parasanguinis, G. adiacens) are directed to a TTE if they neither have a risk factor nor ≥3 positive BC bottles, but to TTE and TOE if they have either ≥3 positive BC bottles or a risk factor. Very high-risk streptococci (S. gordonii, S. gallolyticus, S. mutans, S. sanguinis) are guided directly to TTE and TOE due to a high baseline IE prevalence. Conclusion In addition to the clinical picture, this flowchart based on streptococcal species, number of positive blood culture bottles, and risk factors, can help guide the use of echocardiography in streptococcal bloodstream infections. Since echocardiography results are not available the findings should be confirmed prospectively with the use of systematic echocardiography.


Author(s):  
P Bachkangi ◽  
AH Taylor ◽  
JC Konje

Preterm birth (PTB) affects 9.6% of pregnancies worldwide and is associated with a very high perinatal mortality that depends on the gestational age at delivery. As a result, PTB has a significant health and financial impact on health systems, families and societies. Its aetiology is not fully understood, but in most cases it is multifactorial, with several maternal, paternal, and epidemiological factors associated with increased risk. Other factors include parental ethnicity, maternal age and body mass index, socioeconomic status, and where the families live. This review examines the influence of ethnicity as an individual risk factor for PTB. It also explores its influence on the epidemiology of PTB and demonstrates that data on certain ethnicities are lacking, despite the fact that these ethnic clusters are within the very ‘high-risk groups’ that are adequately represented in some Western societies. This review examines the influence of ethnicity as an individual risk factor for PTB and also explores its influence on the different epidemiological aspects. A thorough revisit of the ethnic epidemiology unveiled other unnoticed risk factors that if addressed appropriately prematurity can be prevented. Moreover, certain ethnicities were not within the attention of researchers, despite the facts that they are very ‘high-risk groups’ and are also adequately represented in some Western societies.


Author(s):  
Anh Binh Ho

Đặt vấn đề: Tổn thương thận cấp do thuốc cản quang là một trong những biến chứng quan trọng mà nếu dự đoán sớm các YTNC chúng ta có biện pháp phòng ngừa. Gần đây các nhà nghiên cứu còn đề xuất ra nhiều bảng điểm để xác định nguy cơ xuất hiện tổn thương thận cấp do thuốc cản quang như: điểm nguy cơ Mehran tỉ số giữa lượng thuốc cản quang và mức lọc cầu thận ước đoán. Chúng tôi nghiên cứu đề tài với mục tiêu: Đánh giá mối liên quan giữa các yếu tố nguy cơ tim mạch, điểm Mehran với tổn thương thận cấp do thuốc cản quang Đối tượng: 221 BN bệnh động mạch vành có chỉ định chụp, can thiệp động mạch vành. Phương pháp nghiên cứu: Mô tả cắt ngang, tiến cứu. Kết quả: Hạ huyết áp quanh thủ thuật là YTNC độc lập của tổn thương thận cấp do thuốc cản quang với OR = 5,299, khoảng tin cậy 95% 1,177-23,854 và P = 0,030. Nồng độ NT-proBNP là YTNC độc lập của tổn thương thận cấp do thuốc cản quang với OR = 1,000, khoảng tin cậy 95% 1,000-1,000 và P = 0,018. Điểm nguy cơ Mehran ở nhóm nguy cơ cao (11-15 điểm) là YTNC độc lập của tổn thương thận cấp do thuốc cản quang với OR = 7,983, khoảng tin cậy 95% 1,080-58,990 và P = 0,042. Điểm nguy cơ Mehran ở nhóm nguy cơ rất cao (≥ 16 điểm) là YTNC độc lập của tổn thương thận cấp do thuốc cản quang với OR = 53,821, khoảng tin cậy 95% 3,046-951,033 và P = 0,007. Kết luận: Hạ huyết áp quanh thủ thuật, nồng độ NT-proBNP, điểm Mehran ở nhóm nguy cơ cao và rất cao là YTNC độc lập của tổn thương thận cấp do thuốc cản quang. Từ khóa: Điểm nguy cơ Mehran, tổn thương thận cấp, thuốc cản quang, động mạch vành. ABSTRACT STUDY OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS, MEHRAN SCORE AND CONTRAST - ASSOCIATED ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY Background: Contrast - associated acute kidney injury which is one of the major complications of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can be prevented if it is predicted through risk factors. In recent years, researchers suggest many risk scores to determine the risk of contrast - induced acute kidney injury such as: Mehran risk score, the ratio between the amount of contrast, and estimated GFR. So we implement the study to find out the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and contrast - associated acute kidney injury Objects: 221 patients who were diagnosed with coronary disease and treated by PCI. Methods: Prospective observational study. Results: Hypotension during the procedure is a independent risk factor of contrast-associated acute kidney injury with OR = 5,299, 95%CI 1,177-23,854 (p = 0,030). NT-proBNP is is a independent risk factor of contrast-associated acute kidney injury with OR = 1,000, 95%CI 1,000-1,000 (p = 0,018). Mehran score for the high risk patients (11-15 points) is an independent risk factor of contrast-associated acute kidney injury with OR = 7,983, 95%CI 1,080-58,990 (P = 0,042). Mehran score for the very high risk patients (≥ 16 points) is an independent risk factor of contrast-associated acute kidney injury with OR = 53,821, 95%CI 3,046-951,033 (P = 0,007). Conclusion: Intraoperative hypotension, NT-proBNP, Mehran score in high and very high risk groups are independent risk factors of contrast-associated acute kidney injury.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Basilio Pintaudi ◽  
Alessia Scatena ◽  
Gabriella Piscitelli ◽  
Vera Frison ◽  
Salvatore Corrao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) recently defined cardiovascular risk classes for subjects with diabetes. Aim of this study was to explore the distribution of subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D) by cardiovascular risk groups according to the ESC classification and to describe the quality indicators of care, with particular regard to cardiovascular risk factors. Methods The study is based on data extracted from electronic medical records of patients treated at the 258 Italian diabetes centers participating in the AMD Annals initiative. Patients with T2D were stratified by cardiovascular risk. General descriptive indicators, measures of intermediate outcomes, intensity/appropriateness of pharmacological treatment for diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors, presence of other complications and overall quality of care were evaluated. Results Overall, 473,740 subjects with type 2 diabetes (78.5% at very high cardiovascular risk, 20.9% at high risk and 0.6% at moderate risk) were evaluated. Among people with T2D at very high risk: 26.4% had retinopathy, 39.5% had albuminuria, 18.7% had a previous major cardiovascular event, 39.0% had organ damage, 89.1% had three or more risk factors. The use of DPP4-i markedly increased as cardiovascular risk increased. The prescription of secretagogues also increased and that of GLP1-RAs tended to increase. The use of SGLT2-i was still limited, and only slightly higher in subjects with very high cardiovascular risk. The overall quality of care, as summarized by the Q score, tended to be lower as the level of cardiovascular risk increased. Conclusions A large proportion of subjects with T2D is at high or very high risk. Glucose-lowering drug therapies seem not to be adequately used with respect to their potential advantages in terms of cardiovascular risk reduction. Several actions are necessary to improve the quality of care.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda J. Weigel ◽  
Elizabeth Lyden ◽  
James R. Anderson ◽  
William H. Meyer ◽  
David M. Parham ◽  
...  

Purpose Patients with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), except those younger than 10 years with embryonal RMS, have an estimated long-term event-free survival (EFS) of less than 20%. The main goal of this study was to improve outcome of patients with metastatic RMS by dose intensification with interval compression, use of the most active agents determined in phase II window studies, and use of irinotecan as a radiation sensitizer. Patients and Methods Patients with metastatic RMS received 54 weeks of therapy: blocks of therapy with vincristine/irinotecan (weeks 1 to 6, 20 to 25, and 47 to 52), interval compression with vincristine/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide alternating with etoposide/ifosfamide (weeks 7 to 19 and 26 to 34), and vincristine/dactinomycin/cyclophosphamide (weeks 38 to 46). Radiation therapy occurred at weeks 20 to 25 (primary) but was also permitted at weeks 1 to 6 (for intracranial or paraspinal extension) and weeks 47 to 52 (for extensive metastatic sites). Results One hundred nine eligible patients were enrolled, with a median follow-up of surviving patients of 3.8 years (3-year EFS for all patients, 38% [95% CI, 29% to 48%]; survival, 56% [95% CI, 46% to 66%]). Patients with one or no Oberlin risk factor (age > 10 years or < 1 year, unfavorable primary site of disease, ≥ three metastatic sites, and bone or bone marrow involvement) had a 3-year EFS of 69% (95% CI, 52% to 82%); high-risk patients with two or more risk factors had a 3-year EFS of 20% (95% CI, 11% to 30%). Toxicity was similar to that on prior RMS studies. Conclusion Patients with metastatic RMS with one or no Oberlin risk factor had an improved 3-year EFS of 69% on ARST0431 compared with an historical cohort from pooled European and US studies; those with two or more risk factors have a dismal prognosis, and new approaches are needed for this very-high-risk group.


Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Norrina B Allen ◽  
Lihui Zhao ◽  
Lei Liu ◽  
Martha Daviglus ◽  
Kiang Liu ◽  
...  

Introduction: We sought to determine the association of CV health at younger ages with the proportion of life lived free of morbidity, the cumulative burden of morbidity, and average healthcare costs at older ages. Methods: The Chicago Heart Association (CHA) study is a longitudinal cohort of employed men and women aged 18-59 years at baseline exam in 1967-1973. Baseline risk factor levels included blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, BMI and smoking. Individuals were classified into one of four strata: favorable levels of all factors, 0 factors high but 1+ elevated, 1 high, and ≥2 high risk factors. Linked CMS/NDI data from 1984-2010 were used to determine morbidity in older age providing up to 40 years of follow-up. We included participants who were age 65+ between 1984 and 2010 and enrolled in Medicare FFS. All-cause morbidity was defined using the Gagne score. A CV morbidity score was defined as the sum of 4 CVDs including CHD (includes MI), PVD, cerebrovascular disease and CHF. Results: We included 25,390 participants (43% female, 90% White, mean age 44 at baseline); 6% had favorable levels, 19% had 1+ risk factors at elevated levels, 40% had 1 high risk factor and 35% had 2+ high risk factors. As compared to those with 2+ high risk factors, favorable CV health had lower levels of all-cause and CV morbidity from age 65-90 years, and a lower cumulative morbidity burden (p<0.001) translating to lower average annual healthcare costs ($15,905 vs $20,791 per year, p<0.001). Favorable CV health postponed the onset of all-cause morbidity by 4.5 years, the onset of CV morbidity by almost 7 years and extended life by almost 4 years resulting in a compression of morbidity on both the absolute and relative scale (see figure). Conclusion: Individuals in favorable CV health live a longer, healthier life and a greater proportion of life free of morbidity. These findings provide support for prevention efforts aimed at preserving cardiovascular health and reducing the burden of disease in older ages.


2009 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 164-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Virkkunen ◽  
M. Venermo ◽  
J. Saarinen ◽  
J. Salenius

Background and Aims: The ability to predict post-operative mortality reliably will be of assistance in making decisions concerning the treatment of an individual patient. The aim of this study was to test the GAS score as a predictor of post-operative mortality in vascular surgical patients. Material and Methods: A total of 157 consecutive patients who underwent an elective vascular surgical procedure were included in the study. The Cox proportional hazards model was used in analyzing the importance of various preoperative risk factors for the postoperative outcome. ASA and GAS were tested in predicting the short and long-term outcome. On the basis of the GAS cut-off value 77, patients were selected into low-risk (GAS low: GAS < 77) and high-risk (GAS high: GAS > = 77) groups, and the examined risk factors were analyzed to determine which of them had predictive value for the prognosis. Results: None of the patients in the GAS low group died, and mortality in the GAS high group was 4.8% (p = 0.03) at 30 days' follow-up. The 12-month survival rates were 98.6% and 78.6% (p = 0.0001), respectively, with the respective 5-year survival rates of 76.7% and 44.0% (p = 0.0001). The only independent risk factor for 30-day mortality was the renal risk factor (OR 20.2). The combination of all three GAS variables(chronic renal failure, cardiac disease and cerebrovascular disease), excluding age, was associated with a 100% two-year mortality. Conclusions: Mortality is low for patients with GAS<77. For the high-risk patients (GAS> = 77), due to its low predictive value for death, GAS yields limited value in clinical practice. In cases of patients with all three risk factors (renal, cardiac and cerebrovascular), vascular surgery should be considered very carefully.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (35) ◽  
pp. 149-159
Author(s):  
Aline Okipney ◽  
Jéssica Romanelli Amorim de Souza ◽  
Antonio Carlos Ligocki Campos ◽  
Leticia Fuganti Campos ◽  
Paula Rodrigues Anjo ◽  
...  

Introduction: The intestinal microbiota has a symbiotic relationship with the human being. Its alteration, known as dysbiosis, can result in several diseases. Some risk factors may predict the occurrence of this condition. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the National Dysbiosis Survey (INDIS) in the risk stratification of hospitalized adult patients that presented with intestinal dysbiosis. Methods: 100 patients hospitalized at the Hospital das Clínicas da UFPR were interviewed through INDIS. In this questionnaire, risk factors for dysbiosis of each patient were established and the dysbiosis degree was stratified in low, medium, high, and very high risk. Results: Most patients were classified as medium (43%) and high risk (39%) of dysbiosis. The univariate analysis revealed an association between the degree of dysbiosis and elderly patients (p=0.034), number of comorbidities (p<0.001), presence of diarrhea or constipation (p<0.001) and medication in use [antibiotic and/or proton pump inhibitor (PII); p<0.001]. In the multivariate analysis, the most important influence in classification was the presence of diarrhea or constipation (OR=3.00, 95% CI [1.73, 5.21] p<0.001) and medication in use (Score 3: OR = 53.4, 95% CI [2.73, 1045.5], p=0.009 and Score 4-8: OR = 1709.1, 95% CI [50.27, 58103.5] p<0.001), both independent predictors of high and very high risk of dysbiosis. Conclusion: The risk degree of intestinal dysbiosis is greater in the presence of diarrhea or constipation, the use of antibiotics and/or PII, and in elderly patients. Once the risks of dysbiosis have been defined, INDIS proved to be an effective and rapid tool for risk stratification of dysbiosis in the study population, future studies should determine the relevance of therapeutic interventions with the purpose of normalizing the intestinal flora.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Pintaudi, B.

AIM OF THE STUDY To explore the distribution by cardiovascular risk groups according to the classification promoted by the ESC (European Society of Cardiology) of subjects with type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D) diabetes cared for by Italian diabetologists and to describe the quality indicators of care, with particular regard to cardiovascular risk factors. DESIGN AND METHODS The study is based on data extracted from electronic medical records of patients treated at the 258 diabetes centers participating in the Annals AMD initiative and active in the year 2018. Patients with T1D or T2D were stratified by cardiovascular risk, in accordance with the recent ESC guidelines. General descriptive indicators and measures of intermediate outcomes, intensity/appropriateness of pharmacological treatment for diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors, presence of other complications and overall quality of care were evaluated. RESULTS Overall, 29,368 adults with T1D and 473,740 subjects with T2D were evaluated. Among subjects with T1D: 64.7% were at very high cardiovascular risk, 28.5% at high risk and the remaining 6.8% at moderate risk. Among subjects with T1D at very high-risk: 54.7% had retinopathy, 29.0% had albuminuria, 7.3% had a history of major cardiovascular event, 47.3% had organ damage, 48.9% had three or more risk factors, and 70.6% had a diabetes duration of over 20 years. Among subjects with T2D: 78.5% were at very high cardiovascular risk, 20.9% at high risk and the remaining 0.6% at moderate risk. Among those with T2D at very high risk: 39.0% had organ damage, 89.1% had three or more risk factors, 18.7% had a previous major cardiovascular event, 26,4% had retinopathy, 39.5% had albuminuria. With regard to the glucose-lowering drugs: the use of DPPIV-i increased markedly as cardiovascular risk increased; the use of secretagogues also increased and, although within low percentages, also the use of GLP1-RA tended to increase. The use of SGLT2-i is also still limited, and only slightly higher in subjects with very high cardiovascular risk. In both types of diabetes, the overall quality of care, as summarized by the Q score values, tended to be lower as the level of cardiovascular riskincreased. CONCLUSIONS The analysis of a large population such as that of the AMD Annals database allowed to highlight the characteristics and quality indicators of care of subjects with T1D and T2D in relation to cardiovascular risk classes. A large proportion of subjects appear to be at high or very high risk. Glucose-lowering drug therapies seem not to be adequately used with respect to the potential advantages in terms of reduction of cardiovascular risk of some drug categories (GLP1-RA and SGLT2-i) and, conversely, with respect to the potential risks related to the use of other pharmacological classes (sulfonylureas). Several actions are necessary to optimize care and improve the quality of care for both subjects with T1D and T2D. KEY WORDS type 1 diabetes; type 2 diabetes; cardiovascular risk; quality indicators of care.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David M Kern ◽  
Sanjeev Balu ◽  
Ozgur Tunceli ◽  
Swetha Raparla ◽  
Deborah Anzalone

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with different risk factors for CHD as defined by NCEP ATP III guidelines. Methods: Dyslipidemia patients (≥1 medical claim for dyslipidemia, ≥1 pharmacy claim for a statin, or ≥1 LDL-C value ≥100 mg/dL [index date]) aged ≥18 y were identified from the HealthCore Integrated Research Environment from 1/1/2007-7/31/2012. Patients were classified as low risk (0 or 1 risk factor): hypertension, age ≥45 y [men] or ≥55 y [women], or low HDL-C), moderate/moderately high risk (≥2 risk factors), high risk (having CHD or CHD risk equivalent), or very high risk (having ACS or other established cardiovascular disease plus diabetes or metabolic syndrome). Demographics, comorbidities, medication use and lipid levels during the 12 months prior, and statin use during the 6 months post-index date were compared across risk groups (very high vs each other risk group). Results: There were 1,524,351 low-risk (mean age: 47 y; 45% men), 242,357 moderate-risk (mean age: 58 y; 59% men), 188,222 high-risk (mean age: 57 y; 52% men), and 57,469 very-high-risk (mean age: 63 y; 61% men) patients identified. Mean Deyo-Charlson comorbidity score differed greatly across risk strata: 0.20, 0.33, 1.26, and 2.22 from low to very high risk (p<.0001 for each). Compared with high-risk patients, very-high-risk patients had a higher rate of ischemic stroke: 5.4% vs 4.1%; peripheral artery disease: 17.1% vs 11.6%; coronary artery disease: 8.5% vs 8.2%; and abdominal aortic aneurysm: 2.3% vs 2.0% (p<.05 for each). Less than 1% of the total population had a prior prescription for each non-statin lipid-lowering medication (bile acid sequestrants, fibrates, ezetimibe, niacin, and omega-3). Very-high-risk patients had lower total cholesterol (very-high-risk mean: 194 mg/dL vs 207, 205, and 198 mg/dL for low-, moderate-/moderately-high-, and high-risk patients, respectively) and LDL-C (very-high-risk mean: 110 mg/dL vs 126, 126, and 116 mg/dL for the other risk groups; p<.0001 for each); higher triglycerides (TG) (very-high-risk mean: 206 mg/dL vs 123, 177, and 167 mg/dL for the other groups; p<.0001 for each); and lower HDL-C (very-high-risk mean: 45 mg/dL vs 57 [p<.0001], 45 [p=.006], and 51 mg/dL [p<.0001]). Statin use was low overall (15%), but higher in the very-high-risk group (45%) vs the high- (29%), moderate-/moderately-high- (18%), and low- (12%) risk groups (p<.0001 for each). Conclusions: Despite a large proportion of patients having high lipid levels, statin use after a dyslipidemia diagnosis was low: ≥80% of all patients (and more than half at very high risk) failed to receive a statin, indicating a potentially large population of patients who could benefit from statin treatment. Prior use of non-statin lipid-lowering medications was also low considering the high TG and low HDL-C levels among high-risk patients.


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