The correlation of anti-heart antibodies levels with clinical manifestations and outcomes in patients with COVID-19

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the blood level of anti-heart antibodies (AHA) and its correlation with clinical outcomes in patients with severe and moderate COVID-19. Methods The study included 34 patients (11 females and 23 males, mean age 58.3±17.6 years, from 20 to 87 years) who underwent treatment for moderate and severe COVID-19 at the Sechenov University hospital in April-June 2020. The diagnosis was confirmed by 50% using nasopharyngeal smears. In other cases, the diagnosis of COVID-19 was based on the following criteria: contact with a serologically confirmed COVID-19 patient, persistent fever of at least 38 degrees Celsius, typical CT findings of viral pneumonia, typical changes in blood tests in the absence of evidence for other diseases. Besides standard medical examination the AHA blood levels by immunoassay were observed, including antinuclear antibodies (ANA), antiendothelial cell antibodies (AECA), anti-cardiomyocyte antibodies (AbC), anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA) and cardiac conducting tissue antibodies (CCTA). Median hospital length of stay was 14 [13; 18] days. Results AHA levels were increased in 25 (73.5%) patients. The patients were divided into the five groups: 1.Patients with previous chronic myocarditis who had already been receiving immunosuppressive therapy at the admission (n=4). Moderate titer increase was noted only in one patient. 2.Patients with severe COVID-19 and high inflammatory activity, in whom the degree of AHA increase matched the general disease activity. 3. Patients with severe COVID-19 and high inflammatory activity without AHA increase. 4. Patients with moderate COVID-19, in whom high AHA titers may reflect chronic latent myocarditis not associated with SARS-Cov2. 5. Patients with moderate COVID-19 and nearly normal / normal AHA titers. Significant correlation (p<0.05) of AHA levels with cardiovascular manifestations (r=0.459) was found. AbC levels correlated significantly with pneumonia severity (r=0.472), respiratory failure (r=0.387), need for invasive ventilation (r=0.469), chest pain (r=0.374), low QRS voltage (r=0.415) and high levels of CRP (r=0.360) and LDH (r=0.360). ASMA levels were found to correlate significantly with atrial fibrillation (r=0.414, p<0.05). ANA and AbC levels correlated significantly with pericardial effusion (r=0.721 and r=0.745 respectively, p<0.05). The lethality rate was 8.8%. AbC and ASMA levels correlated significantly with lethality (r=0.363, and r=0.426 respectively, p<0.05) and were prognostically important. Conclusion Elevated titres of AHA were found in 73.5% of patients. AHA correlated with lethality, in most cases reflecting the overall activity and severity of the disease and may be considered within the systemic immune and inflammatory response in COVID-19. At the same time, the correlation with signs of myocardial injury and pericardial effusion, confirms the direct role of AHA in the inflammatory heart disease (myopericarditis). FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

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A comparison of burn related injuries following the natural disaster Super Storm Hurricane Sandy to the National Burn Repository of the American Burn Association

Burns & Trauma ◽

10.1186/s41038-015-0025-5 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. 1-4 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Michael Kalina ◽

Grigoriy Malyutin ◽

Michael L. Cooper

Keyword(s):

Natural Disasters ◽

Natural Disaster ◽

Burn Injury ◽

Total Body Surface Area ◽

Retrospective Chart Review ◽

Hospital Length ◽

Outcome Data ◽

Hurricane Sandy ◽

University Hospital ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay

Abstract Background Burn related injuries from natural disasters are not well described and natural disasters are not identified as an etiology of burn injury in the National Burn Repository (NBR) of the American Burn Association. The natural disaster Super Storm Hurricane Sandy had devastating effects. Our goal was to detail the burn related injuries following this natural disaster and to compare the data to the NBR. Methods This was a retrospective chart review of thirty four patients who sustained burn related injuries following Super Storm Hurricane Sandy (SSHS) and were managed at Staten Island University Hospital Burn Center. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. Data variables included age, gender, race, past medical history (PMHx), burn type, percentage total body surface area (%TBSA), hospital length of stay (HLOS), and mortality. We compared data from SSHS to the 2003-2013 NBR. Categorical data were summarized using frequency counts, percentages and Clopper-Pearson 95 % confidence interval for proportion. Continuous outcome data were summarized by descriptive statistics. Data analyses performed with SAS® System Version 9.3 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) and p < 0.05 was significant. Results In the SSHS group, average age was 36 + 24 years, range 1-80 years, and 44.1 % were males (15/34, 95 % CI: 27.2 - 62.1). Caucasians comprised 58.8 %, (20/34, 95 % CI: 40.7, 75.4) and 73.5 % had no PMHx (25/34, 95 % CI: 55.6, 87.1). The most common burn type was scald, 55.9 %, (19/34, 95 % CI: 37.9, 72.8) and %TBSA ranged 1 %–47 %, average of 7 % + 12 %. The average HLOS was 13 + 26 days, range of 1–113 days. Mortality was 2.9 % (1/34, 95 % CI: 0.07–15). In comparison, the NBR reported an average age of 32 years and 69 % were males. Caucasians comprised 59.1 %. The most common burn type was flame, 43.2 % and the %TBSA ranged 1 %–9.9 %. HLOS ranged 8.4–10.2 days and mortality was 3.4 %. Conclusion We conclude that burn related injuries following a natural disaster differ as compared to those most commonly reported in the NBR.

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Nutrition delivery after emergency laparotomy in surgical ward: a retrospective cohort study

European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery ◽

10.1007/s00068-021-01659-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Juho Nurkkala ◽

Sanna Lahtinen ◽

Aura Ylimartimo ◽

Timo Kaakinen ◽

Merja Vakkala ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Demand ◽

Caloric Intake ◽

Hospital Length ◽

University Hospital ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

Emergency Laparotomy ◽

Oral Nutrition ◽

Adequate Nutrition ◽

Surgical Ward ◽

Loss Of Appetite

Abstract Purpose Adequate nutrition after major abdominal surgery is associated with less postoperative complications and shorter hospital length of stay (LOS) after elective procedures, but there is a lack of studies focusing on the adequacy of nutrition after emergency laparotomies (EL). The aim of the present study was to investigate nutrition adequacy after EL in surgical ward. Methods The data from 405 adult patients who had undergone emergency laparotomy in Oulu University Hospital (OUH) between years 2015 and 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Nutrition delivery and complications during first 10 days after the operation were evaluated. Results There was a total of 218 (53.8%) patients who were able to reach cumulative 80% nutrition adequacy during the first 10 postoperative days. Patients with adequate nutrition (> 80% of calculated calories) met the nutritional goals by the second postoperative day, whereas patients with low nutrition delivery (< 80% of calculated calories) increased their caloric intake during the first 5 postoperative days without reaching the 80% level. In multivariate analysis, postoperative ileus [4.31 (2.15–8.62), P < 0.001], loss of appetite [3.59 (2.18–5.93), P < 0.001] and higher individual energy demand [1.004 (1.003–1.006), P = 0.001] were associated with not reaching the 80% nutrition adequacy. Conclusions Inadequate nutrition delivery is common during the immediate postoperative period after EL. Oral nutrition is the most efficient way to commence nutrition in this patient group in surgical ward. Nutritional support should be closely monitored for those patients unable to eat. Trial registration number Not applicable.

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201. Healthcare utilization outcomes of patients prescribed fluoroquinolones on discharge from the hospital to nursing homes

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.245 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S105-S105

Author(s):

Tyler L Lantz ◽

Brie N Noble ◽

Christopher J Crnich ◽

Jessina C McGregor ◽

Dominic Chan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nursing Homes ◽

Renal Disease ◽

Hospital Admission ◽

Hospital Length ◽

University Hospital ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

Electronic Health Record Data ◽

Adult Age ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Background Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are frequently prescribed in nursing homes (NHs) despite concerns regarding broad spectrum antibiotic selective pressure, increased risk of Clostridioides difficile infection, and other adverse events. NH antibiotics are also frequently initiated in hospitals prior to NH admission. We quantified the frequency and outcomes of patients prescribed FQs on discharge from the hospital to NHs. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of adult (age ≥ 18 years) inpatients prescribed a FQ on discharge from Oregon Health & Science University Hospital (OHSU) to a NH between 1/1/2016 and 12/31/2018. Study data were collected from a repository of electronic health record data. The outcome of interest was a composite of 30-day hospital readmission or emergency department (ED) visit to OHSU. Associations were quantified using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Among 9,546 patients discharged to a NH, 2,410 (25%) were prescribed at least one antibiotic and 423 (17.6%) were prescribed a FQ. Of these patients, 36.9% were age ≤ 65, 53% were male, 11.6% received a specialty infectious diseases consultation, 34.8% had a surgical diagnosis, and 49.7% had a hospital length of stay > 7 days. The most prevalent comorbidities were cancer (30.5%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (29.6%), and renal disease (26%). The most prevalent FQs prescribed were ciprofloxacin (56.7%), levofloxacin (40.2%), and moxifloxacin (3.1%). Duration of NH therapy > 7 days occurred in 37.6% of patients. The most common infectious diagnoses were bloodstream infection and endocarditis (39%), pneumonia (17%), and urinary tract infection (14.2%). Of patients prescribed a FQ, 276 (65.3%) had an ED visit or hospital admission to index facility within 30 days of discharge. Patients who were ≤ 65 years old (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4–3.5), male (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.5), had comorbid renal disease (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–2.9), or osteomyelitis as infectious diagnosis (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.0–5.7) were more likely to have a 30-day ED visit or hospital admission. Conclusion Patients prescribed FQs on discharge to NHs frequently returned to the hospital for an ED visit or inpatient admission within 30 days of discharge. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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Abstract P400: Racial Disparities in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Outcomes-A Single Center Experience

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.52.suppl_1.p400 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Jerome Deas ◽

Eyad Almallouhi ◽

Chirantan Banerjee

Keyword(s):

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽

Length Of Stay ◽

Hospital Length ◽

University Hospital ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

P Value ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Chi Square ◽

Single Center Experience ◽

Discharge Outcomes

Introduction: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has high morbidity and mortality, and prior studies have reported outcome disparities between African American (AA) and Caucasian patients. We compared demographics, risk factors, and discharge outcomes among different ethnicities treated at our comprehensive stroke center. Methods: We used data on all SAH patients admitted between July 2014 and March 2020 to our university hospital in the Southeast United States. Race was categorized into AA, Caucasian, and “other.” Pearson chi-square test and analysis of variance were used to compare these variables between the different groups. Results: A total of 578 SAH patients were identified (39% AA patients, 54% Caucasian, and 7% other). Admission Glascow Coma Score (GCS) and Hunt & Hess scores were comparable between the 3 groups. AA patients were significantly younger (51 vs 59 in Caucasian group vs 56 years in Other, p-value <0.001) and had higher BP at admission (systolic BP 152 vs 144 vs 145, p=0.002, diastolic BP 86 vs 80 vs 81, p<0.001). AA patients were more likely to have a history of hypertension (p<0.001) and had higher BMI (30 vs 28.1 vs 26, p=0.003) and Hemoglobin A1c (5.8 vs 5.6 vs 6.1, p=0.013). Modified Rankin scale (mRS) at discharge, in-hospital mortality, and discharge destination were similar between the groups, but AA patients had a longer mean hospital length of stay (19 vs 14 vs 17 days, p=0.035). Conclusion: In our cohort, AA SAH patients were significantly younger and had more comorbidities at admission. Although they had a higher length of stay, discharge outcomes were comparable to other races.

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Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Severe Acute Adult Poisoning Cases in Martinique: Implicated Toxic Exposures and Their Outcomes

Toxics ◽

10.3390/toxics8020028 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 28

Author(s):

Dabor Resiere ◽

Hatem Kallel ◽

Odile Oxybel ◽

Cyrille Chabartier ◽

Jonathan Florentin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

University Hospital ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

Therapeutic Drug ◽

Major Public Health Problem ◽

Toxic Agent ◽

Extracorporal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics

The epidemiology of severe acute poisonings in the French overseas departments of the Americas remains poorly reported. The main objective of this study was to determine the epidemiology and characteristics of severe acutely poisoned adult patients. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2010 in severely poisoned patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) of the University Hospital of Martinique, and the general public hospitals of Lamentin and Trinité. Results: During the study period, 291 patients were admitted for severe poisoning, giving an incidence rate of 7.7 severe cases/100,000 inhabitants. The mean age was 46 ± 19 years and 166 (57%) were male. Psychiatric disorders were recorded in 143 (49.8%) patients. Simplified Acute Psychological Score (SAPS II) at admission was 39 ± 23 points and Poisoning Severity Score (PSS) was 2.7 ± 0.8 points. Death was recorded in 30 (10.3%) patients and hospital length of stay was 6 ± 7 days. The mode of intoxication was intentional self-poisoning in 87% of cases and drug overdose was recorded in 13% of cases. The toxic agent involved was a therapeutic drug in 58% and a chemical product in 52% of cases. The predominant clinical manifestations were respiratory failure (59%), hemodynamic failure (27%), neurologic failure (45%), gastrointestinal manifestations (27%), and renal failure (11%). Polypnea, shock, ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia, and gastro-intestinal disorders were the main symptoms associated with death. The main biological abnormalities associated with death in our patients were metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia, hyperlactatemia, hypocalcemia, renal injury, rhabdomyolysis, increased aspartate aminotransferases, and thrombocytopenia. Extracorporal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was used in three patients and specific antidotes were used in 21% of patients. Conclusions: Acute poisonings remain a major public health problem in Martinique with different epidemiological characteristics to those in mainland France, with a high incidence of poisoning by rural and household toxins.

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Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Discharged Directly Home From a Medical Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Journal of Intensive Care Medicine ◽

10.1177/0885066620960637 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 088506662096063

Author(s):

Preeyal M. Patel ◽

Michele A. Fiorella ◽

Ann Zheng ◽

Lauren McDonnell ◽

Mina Yasuoka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Medical Intensive Care Unit ◽

Wait Time ◽

Hospital Length ◽

University Hospital ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

Urban University ◽

Medical Intensive Care ◽

Transfer Order

Objective: To evaluate the safety of directly discharging patients home from the medical intensive care unit (MICU). Materials and Methods: Single-center retrospective observational study of consecutive MICU direct discharges to home from an urban university hospital between June, 1, 2017, and June 30, 2019. Results: Of 1061 MICU discharges, 331 (31.2%) patients were eligible for analysis. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on duration of wait-time (< or ≥24 hours) between ward transfer order and ultimate hospital discharge. Most patients (68.2%) were discharged in <24 hours. Patients who waited for a floor bed for ≥24 hours prior to discharge had longer hospital length-of-stay (LOS, median 3.83 versus 2.00 days) and ICU LOS (median 3.51 versus 1.74 days). Overall, 44 (13.3%) direct MICU discharges were readmitted to the hospital within 30-days, but there was no difference in this outcome or in 30-day mortality when comparing the 2 wait-time groups. Conclusions: The practice of directly discharging MICU patients home does not negatively influence patient outcomes. Patients who overstay in the ICU after being deemed transfer-ready are unlikely to be benefiting from critical care, but impact hospital throughput and resource utilization. Prospective investigation into this practice may provide further confirmation of its feasibility and safety.

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Impact of classification systems (DSM-5, DSM-IV, CAM and DRS-R98) on outcomes of delirium

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.615 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. s496-s497

Author(s):

G. McCarthy ◽

D. Meagher ◽

D. Adamis

Keyword(s):

Length Of Stay ◽

Diagnostic Method ◽

Hospital Length ◽

Classification Systems ◽

University Hospital ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

Discharge Destination ◽

Dsm 5 ◽

Dsm Iv ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

IntroductionPrevious studies showed different classification systems lead to different case identification and rates of delirium. No one has previously investigated the influence of different classification systems on the outcomes of delirium.Aims and objectivesTo determine the influence of DSM-5 criteria vs. DSM-IV on delirium outcomes (mortality, length of stay, institutionalisation) including DSM-III and DSM-IIR criteria, using CAM and DRS-R98 as proxies.MethodologyProspective, longitudinal, observational study of elderly patients 70+ admitted to acute medical wards in Sligo University Hospital. Participants were assessed within 3 days of admission using DSM-5, and DSM-IV criteria, DRS-R98, and CAM scales.ResultsTwo hundred patients [mean age 81.1 ± 6.5; 50% female]. Rates (prevalence and incidence) of delirium for each diagnostic method were: 20.5% (n = 41) for DSM-5; 22.5% (n = 45) for DSM-IV; 18.5% (n = 37) for DRS-R98 and 22.5%, (n = 45) for CAM. The odds ratio (OR) for mortality (each diagnostic method respectively) were: 3.37, 3.11, 2.42, 2.96. Breslow-Day test on homogeneity of OR was not significant x2= 0.43, df: 3, P = 0.93. Those identified with delirium using the DSM-IV, DRS-R98 and CAM had significantly longer hospital length of stay(los) compared to those without delirium but not with those identified by DSM-5 criteria. Re-institutionalisation, those identified with delirium using DSM-5, DSM-IV and CAM did not have significant differences in discharge destination compared to those without delirium, those identified with delirium using DRS-R98 were more likely discharged to an institution (z = 2.12, P = 0.03)ConclusionAssuming a direct association between delirium and examined outcomes (mortality, los and discharge destination) different classification systems for delirium identify populations with different outcomes.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Factors Associated with Prolonged Hospital Length of Stay in Adults with Imported Falciparum Malaria—An Observational Study from a Tertiary Care University Hospital in Berlin, Germany

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9091941 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 1941

Author(s):

Bodo Hoffmeister

Keyword(s):

Length Of Stay ◽

Observational Study ◽

Falciparum Malaria ◽

Early Recognition ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Hospital Length ◽

University Hospital ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

Acute Pulmonary Oedema ◽

Factors Associated

Outcome of falciparum malaria is largely influenced by the standard of care provided, which in turn depends on the available medical resources. Worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the availability of these resources, even in resource-rich healthcare systems such as Germany’s. The present study aimed to determine the under-explored factors associated with hospital length of stay (LOS) in imported falciparum malaria to identify potential targets for improving management. This retrospective observational study used multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression with time to discharge as an endpoint for adults hospitalized between 2001 and 2015 with imported falciparum malaria in the Charité University Hospital, Berlin. The median LOS of the 535 cases enrolled was 3 days (inter-quartile range, IQR, 3–4 days). The likelihood of being discharged by day 3 strongly decreased with severe malaria (hazard ratio, HR, 0.274; 95% Confidence interval, 95%CI: 0.190–0.396) and by 40% with each additional presenting complication (HR, 0.595; 95%CI: 0.510–0.694). The 55 (10.3%) severe cases required a median LOS of 7 days (IQR, 5–12 days). In multivariate analysis, occurrence of shock (adjusted HR, aHR, 0.438; 95%CI 0.220–0.873), acute pulmonary oedema or acute respiratory distress syndrome (aHR, 0.450; 95%CI: 0.223–0.874), and the need for renal replacement therapy (aHR, 0.170; 95%CI: 0.063–0.461) were independently associated with LOS. All patients survived to discharge. This study illustrates that favourable outcomes can be achieved with high-standard care in imported falciparum malaria. Early recognition of disease severity together with targeted supportive care can lead to avoidance of manifest organ failure, thereby potentially decreasing LOS and alleviating pressure on bed capacities.

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Outcome, demography and resource utilization in ICU Patients with delirium and malignancy

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-98200-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mattia Sieber ◽

Alain Rudiger ◽

Reto Schüpbach ◽

Bernard Krüger ◽

Maria Schubert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Hospital Length ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

University Hospital ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

Nursing Workload ◽

Icu Patients ◽

High Resource ◽

One Year

AbstractDelirium in the general intensive care unit (ICU) population is common, associated with adverse outcomes and well studied. However, knowledge on delirium in the increasing number of ICU patients with malignancy is scarce. The aim was to assess the frequency of delirium and its impact on resource utilizations and outcomes in ICU patients with malignancy. This retrospective, single-center longitudinal cohort study included all patients with malignancy admitted to ICUs of a University Hospital during one year. Delirium was diagnosed by an Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) score ≥ 4. Of 488 ICU patients with malignancy, 176/488 (36%) developed delirium. Delirious patients were older (66 [55–72] vs. 61 [51–69] years, p = 0.001), had higher SAPS II (41 [27–68] vs. 24 [17–32], p < 0.001) and more frequently sepsis (26/176 [15%] vs. 6/312 [1.9%], p < 0.001) and/or shock (30/176 [6.1%] vs. 6/312 [1.9%], p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, delirium was independently associated with lower discharge home (OR [95% CI] 0.37 [0.24–0.57], p < 0.001), longer ICU (HR [95% CI] 0.30 [0.23–0.37], p < 0.001) and hospital length of stay (HR [95% CI] 0.62 [0.50–0.77], p < 0.001), longer mechanical ventilation (HR [95% CI] 0.40 [0.28–0.57], p < 0.001), higher ICU nursing workload (B [95% CI] 1.92 [1.67–2.21], p < 0.001) and ICU (B [95% CI] 2.08 [1.81–2.38], p < 0.001) and total costs (B [95% CI] 1.44 [1.30–1.60], p < 0.001). However, delirium was not independently associated with in-hospital mortality (OR [95% CI] 2.26 [0.93–5.54], p = 0.074). In conclusion, delirium was a frequent complication in ICU patients with malignancy independently associated with high resource utilizations, however, it was not independently associated with in-hospital mortality.

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Exercise-induced hypoxia among emergency department patients admitted for suspected COVID-19

Emergency Medicine Journal ◽

10.1136/emermed-2021-211220 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. emermed-2021-211220

Author(s):

Peter Davies ◽

Timothy Jones ◽

Francisca Bartilotti-Matos ◽

Tim Crowe ◽

Andrew Russell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hospital Length ◽

University Hospital ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

Clinical Parameters ◽

Radiographic Findings ◽

Additional Tool ◽

Sit To Stand ◽

Emergency Department Patients ◽

Exercise Induced ◽

Radiographic Changes

BackgroundExercise-induced hypoxia (EIH) has been assessed at ED triage as part of an assessment of COVID-19; however, evidence supporting this practice is incomplete. We assessed the use of a 1-minute sit-to-stand exercise test among ED patients admitted for suspected COVID-19.MethodsA case note review of all ED patients assessed for suspected COVID-19 between March and May 2020 at Monklands University Hospital was conducted. Demographic characteristics, clinical parameters, baseline blood tests and radiographic findings, hospital length of stay, intensive care and maximum oxygen requirement were obtained for those admitted. Using logistic regression, the association between EIH at admission triage and COVID-19 diagnosis was explored adjusting for confounding clinical parameters.ResultsOf 127 ED patients admitted for possible COVID-19, 37 were ultimately diagnosed with COVID-19. 36.4% of patients with COVID-19 and EIH had a normal admission chest radiograph. In multivariate analysis, EIH was an independent predictor of COVID-19 (adjusted OR 3.73 (95% CI (1.25 to 11.15)), as were lymphocyte count, self-reported exertional dyspnoea, C-reactive peptide and radiographic changes.ConclusionsThis observational study demonstrates an association between EIH and a COVID-19 diagnosis. Over one-third of patients with COVID-19 and EIH exhibited no radiographic changes. EIH may represent an additional tool to help predict a COVID-19 diagnosis at initial presentation and may assist in triaging need for admission.

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