scholarly journals 207. Travel Related Risk Behaviors and Antibiotic Use among Older Travelers

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S107-S107
Author(s):  
Varea H Costello ◽  
David Tribble ◽  
Christa Eickhoff ◽  
Drake H Tilley ◽  
Gregory Utz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Lower Incidence ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Loose Stool ◽  
Street Vendor ◽  
South Central

Abstract Background Older travelers (≥ 60 years) are a unique risk population for travel related infections and adverse events from antibiotics. We evaluated the differences in travel characteristics, exposures, illnesses and antibiotic use among older travelers and those between 18 – 59 y using a prospective, observational cohort of US Department of Defense (DoD) beneficiaries traveling outside the US for ≤ 6.5 months (TravMil). Methods Adult DoD beneficiaries were enrolled pre-travel. Itineraries limited to Western/Northern Europe, Canada, or New Zealand and active duty personnel on military travel were excluded. Demographics, itineraries and prescriptions were abstracted. A post-travel survey collected information on exposures and illnesses (travelers’ diarrhea (TD), influenza-like illness (ILI) or febrile illness). Categorical variables were analyzed using chi-square or Fishers exact test and the Mann-U Whitney test was used for continuous variables. Results Of the 1468 travelers, 755 were ≥ 60y and 719 were < 60y. Asia (35%) and South/Central America (28%) were the most common travel regions. Older travelers were more likely to be Caucasian (80% vs. 67%), male (52% vs. 39%) and travel for tourism (84% vs. 51%) (p< 0.05). Younger travelers were more likely engage in risk behaviors (e.g. consume poorly cooked meat or seafood (16% vs 9%) or street vendor food (26% vs 8.6%), wade in fresh water (24% vs. 18%), and non-compliance with malaria prophylaxis (22% vs 12%) (p< 0.05). Older travelers had a lower incidence of TD (18% vs 24%), and a higher proportion of cases with loose stool or mild TD that did not interfere with daily activities (63% vs. 51%) (p< 0.05). Inappropriate antibiotic use for loose stool or mild TD were similar among the two age groups (67% vs 59%). Non-significant trends of lower incidence and mild infections were observed for ILI and febrile illness in older travelers. Conclusion Older travelers were less likely to engage in risk behaviors, had a lower TD incidence and reported mild diarrheal symptoms. Inappropriate antibiotic use for loose stool or mild TD was common in both age groups. Enhancing antibiotic stewardship is important for older travelers to prevent potential side effects, drug interactions and antibiotic resistance. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Travel Related Risk Behaviors and Antibiotic Use among Older Travelers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Varea H Costello ◽  
David Tribble ◽  
Christa Eickhoff ◽  
D Hamilton Tilley ◽  
Gregory Utz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
United States Department ◽  
High Risk Behaviors ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Active Duty Personnel

Abstract Background Antibiotic stewardship in the pre-travel care of older adults is important to effectively treat infections while minimizing harm from side effects and unnecessary antibiotic use. The objective of this study was to compare the characteristics, risk behaviors, infectious diseases and antibiotic use between older (≥ 60 years) and younger (18-59 years) travelers. Methods TravMil is a prospective, observational cohort of United States Department of Defense beneficiaries traveling outside the continental US for ≤ 6.5 months. For this analysis, we included adults enrolled pre-travel between January 2010–August 2018 and excluded active duty personnel on deployment. Pre- and post-travel surveys captured trip characteristics, exposures, illnesses, and antibiotic use. Results 1742 travelers were analyzed: 747 (42.9%) were ≥ 60 years and 995 (57.1%) were 18-59 years. Older travelers were less likely to engage in high-risk dietary behaviors and experience travelers’ diarrhea than younger travelers (18.2% vs 22.9%; p<0.05). Influenza-like illnesses (12.5%) and febrile illness (3.4%) occurred less frequently in the older cohort. Antibiotic use for self treatment was common in both age groups (25.7% vs. 26.7%) and often inappropriate e.g. for treatment of occasional loose stool or mild travelers’ diarrhea (older adults 67.0% [67/100] vs. younger adults 57.6% [83/144]; p <0.05), and influenza-like illnesses (63.4% [64/101] vs. 58.6% [68/116]; p<0.05). Conclusions Older travelers were less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors and experience travelers’ diarrhea, and both age groups experienced mild, self-limited infections. Inappropriate use of antibiotics was common, suggesting that antimicrobial stewardship should be emphasized at pre-travel counseling with international travelers.

scholarly journals Non-Prescription Antibiotic Use For People Aged 15 Years Or Older For Cough In China: A Community-Based Survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Luo ◽  
Xuewen Tang ◽  
Lingling Ding ◽  
Zhujun Shao ◽  
Jianxing Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Main Driver ◽  
Antibiotics Use ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Use Behavior

Abstract Background Non-prescription antibiotic use at community is a main driver of antimicrobial resistance. Cough is a common condition and prevalent in all communities, including China. This study aims to investigate the non-prescription antibiotic use for cough in China and explore to which extent antibiotic use knowledge was correctly instructed in communities.Methods A probability-proportionate-to-size (PPS) sampling method was adopted to survey from all 14 communities in Yiwu city, China. All participants were investigated by face-to-face interview on Portable Android Devices (PADs). The continuous variables were presented by mean and standard deviation (SD) or medium and inter-quartile range (IQR). The categorical variables were presented using percentage or constituent ratio. Chi-square test for univariate analysis and logistic regression for multivariate analysis were conducted to assess the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), respectively.Results A total of 3034 respondents across the 14 communities and the 50 natural villages/streets completed all key items of the questionnaire. Of 2400 (79.10%) respondents stated that they experienced cough in the past 12 months with the medium age of 36.5 (IQR: 26-49) and 12.21% (293/2400) respondents had the non-prescription antibiotic use behavior. Among those 293 respondents, the proportion of non-prescription antibiotic use for cough peaked at around 16% among people aged 30-39 years old. The major sources of antibiotics were pharmacy (77.70%) and/or family storage (43.92%). As for antibiotic knowledge in 3034 participants, 61.8% participants had minimal knowledge on broad-spectrum antibiotic and 53.76% were not familiar about the effects of joint use.Conclusions Non-prescription antibiotics use for cough is prevalent in the community, especially among people in their thirties. Strengthened drug purchase regulation and well-trained professional pharmacists would be promising alternatives to ameliorate AMR. Moreover, penetrating antibiotics knowledge to common citizens and is an urgent task to alleviate antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, proactive policies and regulations should be made to improve current situations.

scholarly journals Age-stratified Analysis of Associations Between Participant’s Characteristics and NAFLD

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed H. Naqvi ◽  
Anthony P. Nunes
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Liver ◽  
Mexican Americans ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Excessive Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Prevalence Ratios

Abstract Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly prevalent and a leading cause of liver transplantation. In clinical settings, diagnosis is often inferred based on patient attributes and generalized algorithms that haven’t been tailored to patients’ age. This study aims to understand age-dependent associations between NAFLD and patient characteristics. Methods: Subjects were identified from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2016. NAFLD status was established through the U.S. Fatty Liver Index in the absence of excessive alcohol consumption and viral etiology. Descriptive patient attributes' distributions are reported relying on the mean and standard deviation for continuous variables and proportions for categorical variables. Prevalence estimates and prevalence ratios for NAFLD are provided in the following age stratifications: 18 and younger, 19-49, 50-64, 65-74, and 75+. Results: A total of 4,560 NHANES participants from 2007-2016 were included, with a mean age of 42.9. Prevalence ratios of NAFLD in the context of clinical/demographic characteristics varied between age groups. The NAFLD prevalence ratio for Mexican Americans compared to Non-Hispanic White was 3.44 in respondents 18 years old or younger (95%CI: 2.48-4.77) and 1.60 in respondents 75 or older (95%CI: 1.30-1.97). The magnitude of the association between albumin and NAFLD was negative. It ranged from a prevalence ratio of 0.32 (0.20 – 0.51) for respondents under 19 years of age to 1.15 (0.86-1.53) over the age of 74. Conclusion: The significant differences between participant characteristics and NAFLD within different age groups suggest that age plays an essential role in the magnitude of the association between risk factors and NAFLD. This study highlights that the accuracy of a NAFLD diagnosis in the absence of imaging and histological conformation may depend on the patients' age. Additional work should evaluate the need for diagnostic and management guidelines formally tailored to patients’ age.

scholarly journals Causes and Characteristics of Children Unintentional Injuries in Emergency Department and Its Implications for Prevention

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hairong Gong ◽  
Guoping Lu ◽  
Jian Ma ◽  
Jicui Zheng ◽  
Fei Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Unintentional Injury ◽  
Sports Injury ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Unintentional Injuries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fall Injury

Background: Child unintentional injuries have become a hot topic worldwide, and substantial regional disparities existed in causes and characteristics. To date, limited data are available to investigate the causes and characteristics of child unintentional injuries from hospitals for children in China.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2017 and December 2018 in Shanghai, China. Patients aged <18 years with an unintentional injury presented to the emergency department were enrolled. Demographic information, Pediatric Risk for Mortality III score, and outcome variables were retrieved from electronic health records (EHRs). Frequencies and proportions of categorical variables and means and SDs of continuous variables are presented. Chi-square test and Student's t-test were used for the comparison between groups, as appropriate. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate potential risk factors for admission to the hospital.Results: A total of 29,597 cases with unintentional injuries were identified between January 2017 and December 2018, with boys vs. girls ratio of 1.75. Preschool children account for approximately two-thirds of unintentional injuries in the emergency department. A distinctive pattern of mechanisms of unintentional injuries between gender was documented, and sports injury was significantly higher in boys than in girls (10.2 vs. 7.8%). Compared with Canadian Emergency Department Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) Grade 3 patients, Grade 2 [odds ratio (OR) = 2.99, 95% CI = 1.93–4.63, P < 0.001] and Grade 1 (OR = 74.85, 95% CI = 12.93–433.14, P < 0.001) patients had higher risk of inhospital admission. For causes of injuries, compared with falling, foreign body and poison had a lower risk of inhospital admission, while transport injury (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.07–1.59, P = 0.008) and high fall injury (OR = 2.58. 95% CI =1.48–4.49, P < 0.001) had a significantly higher risk of admission.Conclusions: There was a significant relationship between age-groups and unintentional injuries between gender, with decreased injuries among girls growing up older. Preventive measures should be taken to reduce transport injury and high fall injury, which had a significantly higher risk of admission.

scholarly journals Non-prescriptionxx antibiotic use for people aged 15 years or older for cough in China: a community-based survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Luo ◽  
Xuewen Tang ◽  
Linling Ding ◽  
Zhujun Shao ◽  
Jianxing Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Main Driver ◽  
Antibiotics Use ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Use Behavior

Abstract Background Non-prescription antibiotic use at community is a main driver of antimicrobial resistance. Cough is a common condition and prevalent in all townships, including China. This study aims to investigate the non-prescription antibiotic use for cough in China and explore to which extent antibiotic use knowledge was correctly instructed in communities. Methods A probability-proportionate-to-size sampling method was adopted to survey from all 14 townships in Yiwu city, China. All participants were investigated by face-to-face interview on Portable Android Devices. The continuous variables were presented by mean and standard deviation or medium and inter-quartile range (IQR). The categorical variables were presented using percentage or constituent ratio. Chi-square test for univariate analysis and logistic regression for multivariate analysis were conducted to assess the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals, respectively. Results A total of 3034 respondents across all the 14 townships and the 50 natural villages/streets completed all key items of the questionnaire. Of 2400 (79.10%) respondents stated that they experienced cough in the past 12 months with the medium age of 36.5 (IQR: 26–49) and 12.21% (293/2400) respondents had the non-prescription antibiotic use behavior. Among those 293 respondents, the proportion of non-prescription antibiotic use for cough peaked at around 16% among people aged 30–39 years old. The major sources of antibiotics were pharmacy (77.70%) and/or family storage (43.92%). Conclusions Non-prescription antibiotics use for cough is prevalent in the community, especially among people in their thirties. Strengthened drug purchase regulation and well-trained professional pharmacists would be promising alternatives to ameliorate AMR. Moreover, penetrating antibiotics knowledge to common citizens and is an urgent task to alleviate antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, proactive policies and regulations should be made to improve current situations.

scholarly journals Characteristics of patients infected with SARS COVID-19 admitted at COVID health facilities in one of the aspirational district of India: a retrospective study

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 4435
Author(s):  
Ekta Sharma ◽  
Gurmeet Katoch ◽  
Rajesh Guleri ◽  
Jalam Bhardwaj
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Wide Range

Background: COVID-19 is the third corona virus that has emerged among the human population in the last two decades. The main aim of this study was to describe the epidemiologic features, clinical presentation of first 52 patients diagnosed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted at COVID health facilities.Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted over a period of three months from 1st April 2020 to 30th June 2020. We obtained demographic, epidemiological, clinical, laboratory data from the medical records of patients infected with SARS-Cov-2. The categorical variables were expressed in terms of frequency and percentages and the continuous variables were expressed as mean and standard deviation. In addition to descriptive analysis, Pearson’s chi- square test was applied to ascertain the associations between certain variables.Results: The mean age of participants was 29±11.67 years with a male preponderance. Forty three (83%) patients had travel history within India in the previous 30 days i.e. from Delhi (35%), Haryana (15%), Tamilnadu (11%), Himachal Pradesh (8%), Maharashtra (1.9%), Punjab (8%), and Uttar Pradesh (4%). Majority of the patients (90%) were asymptomatic. The age group of 21-30 years was the most affected group (44%) as comparison to the other age groups. No mortality was reported and 100% recovery rate was found.Conclusions: In conclusion, COVID-19 affects a wide-range of patients, from youth to the elderly.  In this study, all the COVID-19 infected patients were classified as mild as most were asymptomatic. Close monitoring and large-scale control strategies will be needed to prevent widespread transmission within the community.

scholarly journals 724. Gastrointestinal (GI) PCR vs Stool Cultures: Impact on Length of Hospital Stay (LOS) and Antibiotic Use

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S412-S412
Author(s):  
Vansha Singh ◽  
Philip Yune ◽  
Rehana Rasul ◽  
Rebecca Schwartz ◽  
Negin Niknam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Records ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Stool Cultures

Abstract Background GI PCR can detect 22 pathogens (bacteria, parasites and viruses) from a single stool sample. Stool cultures are labor intensive and only target the most common diarrheal pathogens (such as Campylobacter, E. coli and a few parasites). We hypothesized that implementation of GI PCR would result in decreased LOS and lower antibiotic use. Methods This retrospective study utilized data from review of electronic medical records and included patients aged > 18 years old who were admitted with diarrhea over a 3-year period from 2016 to 2019. LOS and antibiotic use data was collected for patients who had GI PCR from 2017–2019 (GIP arm) and compared with data from patients who had stool cultures from 2016–2017 (SC arm). Differences were assessed using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables and the Mann Whitney Rank Sum test for continuous variables. Results The analysis included a total of 338 patients, 225 (66.6%) in the GI PCR arm and 113 (33.4%) in the SC arm. A significantly higher proportion of patients in the GIP arm had a positive result compared with the SC arm (26.2% vs. 9.7%, P < .0001; Table 1). Table 2 shows the most frequently isolated organisms. Median LOS was 6 days (IQR: 4–13) for the GIP arm and 5 days (IQR: 3–7) for the SC arm (p=.060); 8 patients in the GIP arm had average LOS of 75 days due to comorbidities and disposition issues. However, within the GIP arm, median LOS was much shorter for patients detected with viruses by PCR vs. those with non-viral pathogens (3.5 days (IQR: 3-7) vs. 6 days (3-12)) There was no difference in antibiotic use between the GIP and SC arms (84.9% vs. 84.1%, P=.844). Patients in GIP arm were more commonly given Piperacillin-tazobactam and Carbapenems, whereas patients in the SC arm received metronidazole more often. Within the GIP arm, antibiotic use was lower among patients detected with viruses vs. those detected with non-viral pathogens (73.1% vs. 81.8%). Table 1 Table 2 Conclusion LOS was longer in patients in GIP arm vs SC arm, which may have been influenced by the presence of outliers in the GIP arm. No differences in antibiotic use was observed between the two groups. However, within the GIP arm, detection of viruses by GI PCR significantly shortened LOS and lowered antibiotic use. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Preoperative MRI findings and prediction of diagnostic utility of foramen ovale electrodes

2020 ◽  
Vol 132 (3) ◽  
pp. 692-699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah K. Bick ◽  
Marjan S. Dolatshahi ◽  
Benjamin L. Grannan ◽  
Andrew J. Cole ◽  
Daniel B. Hoch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Treatment Decision ◽  
Temporal Lobectomy ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Foramen Ovale ◽  
Mri Findings ◽  
Noninvasive Methods ◽  
Diagnostic Modality ◽  
Diagnostic Investigations

OBJECTIVEForamen ovale electrodes (FOEs) are a minimally invasive method to localize mesial temporal seizures in cases in which noninvasive methods are inconclusive. The objective of this study was to identify factors predicting the ability of FOEs to yield a diagnosis in order to determine optimal candidates for this procedure.METHODSAll cases of diagnostic investigations performed with FOEs at the authors’ institution between 2005 and 2017 were reviewed. FOE investigation was defined as diagnostic if it led to a treatment decision. Demographic and clinical variables for diagnostic and nondiagnostic investigations were compared using a Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables and Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables.RESULTSNinety-three patients underwent investigations performed with FOEs during the study period and were included in the study. FOE investigation was diagnostic in 75.3% of cases. Of patients who underwent anterior temporal lobectomy following diagnostic FOE evaluation, 75.9% were Engel class I at last follow-up (average 40.1 months). When the diagnostic and nondiagnostic FOE groups were compared, patients who had diagnostic investigations were more likely to be male (57.1% male vs 26.1% in the nondiagnostic group, p = 0.015). They were also more likely to have temporal lesions on preoperative MRI (p = 0.018).CONCLUSIONSFOEs are a useful, minimally invasive diagnostic modality resulting in a treatment decision in 75% of cases. Male patients and patients with temporal lesions on MRI may be most likely to benefit from FOE investigation.

Small Choroidal Melanoma: Correlation of Growth Rate with Pathology

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Vishal Raval ◽  
Shiming Luo ◽  
Emily C. Zabor ◽  
Arun D. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Retinal Pigment ◽  
Choroidal Melanoma ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Subretinal Fluid ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Basal Diameter ◽  
Orange Pigment ◽  
Rpe Atrophy

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> The aim of the study was to evaluate equivalence of growth rate and pathologic confirmation in small choroidal melanoma (SCM). <b><i>Design:</i></b> This study is a case series. <b><i>Subjects, Participants, and Controls:</i></b> A total of 61 patients with a choroidal melanocytic tumor of size 5.0–16.0 mm in the largest basal diameter and 1.0–2.5 mm in thickness were classified into the pathology-confirmed group (<i>n</i> = 19), growth-confirmed group (<i>n</i> = 30), and with combined observations (<i>n</i> = 12). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Distribution of clinical variables (age, gender, laterality, tumor dimensions, tumor location, and presence of orange pigment, subretinal fluid, drusen, and retinal pigment epithelial [RPE] atrophy) between the groups was analyzed. Patient and disease characteristics were summarized as the median and interquartile range for continuous variables and the frequency and percentage for categorical variables. Comparisons were made using the Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables and either Fisher’s exact test or the χ<sup>2</sup> test for categorical variables with a <i>p</i> value threshold of 0.05 for statistical significance. Growth rate (change in basal dimension/12 months) diagnostic of SCM was quantified. <b><i>Main Outcome Measures:</i></b> The primary aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that “growth” was diagnostic of SCM with the secondary aim of quantifying the malignant “growth rate” (growth rate of SCM). <b><i>Results:</i></b> The clinical characteristics among all 3 groups were similar except more patients with symptoms (68 vs. 20 vs. 42%, <i>p</i> = 0.004) and juxtapapillary location (<i>p</i> = 0.03) were in the pathology group than in the growth-confirmed group. Those in the combined and growth-confirmed groups had more patients with drusen (11 vs. 60 vs. 50%, <i>p</i> = 0.003) and RPE atrophy (11 vs. 23 vs. 67%, <i>p</i> = 0.003), respectively, than in the pathology group. The median time to detect growth was 9 months (range 3–26 months). The mean growth rate in basal dimension was 1.8 mm/12 months (range, 0.0–7.4 mm; [95% CI: 1.32–2.28]). <b><i>Conclusions and Relevance:</i></b> Choroidal melanocytic lesions exhibiting a defined growth rate can be clinically diagnosed as SCM without a need for biopsy.

scholarly journals A22 PREVALENCE OF IRON DEFICIENCY AND SUPPLEMENTATION PRACTICES FOR PATIENTS ON HOME PARENTERAL NUTRITION

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 289-291
Author(s):  
L Russell ◽  
R Mangat ◽  
J Plant ◽  
S Hansen ◽  
D Armstrong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Parenteral Nutrition ◽  
Serum Iron ◽  
Iron Supplementation ◽  
Deficiency Anemia ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Prescribing Practices ◽  
Sex Diagnosis ◽  
Funding Agencies

Abstract Background Iron deficiency (ID) is common in patients receiving parenteral nutrition (PN), likely due to a lack of iron in the PN formula. There is no clear consensus on how often serum iron should be tested or iron supplementation should be given, at which dose or route, in patients on long-term PN. Within the Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) home PN (HPN) program, the prevalence of ID or iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is unknown. This knowledge will contribute to better iron prescribing practices with ultimate benefit on patient’s health. Aims To assess the prevalence of ID and IDA in patients enrolled in the HHS HPN Program. The secondary aim was to assess supplementation practices for patients enrolled in the HPN program according to gastrointestinal(GI) diagnosis and duration on PN. Methods We conducted a retrospective study including consecutive adult patients enrolled in the HHS-HPN program from January 2015 to November 2020. We collected data on demographics (age, sex, and GI diagnosis), iron supplementation (dose, duration, and route), and information related to iron-deficiency (hemoglobin, serum iron, ferritin, TIBC, and folate) at pre-set intervals (enrollment, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 48, 60 months) and last measured. ID was defined as ferritin ≤45μg/L or serum iron ≤9μmol/L. IDA was defined as hemoglobin &lt;130g/L in men or &lt;120g/L in women in the context of ID. Data were expressed as median (IQR) for continuous variables and n/N(%) for categorical variables. Chi2 was performed to assess differences between groups and logistic regression to assess predictors of ID and IDA. The analysis was conducted using SPSS software(v26). Results The analysis included 125 HPN patients (50 males, median age of 55 (40–65) years). Patients received PN for a median of 195 (83–521) days. The most common diagnoses were malignancy (36.8%) and inflammatory bowel disease (23.2%); the most common indications for HPN was short bowel (29.6%) and bowel obstruction (27.2%). Iron profiles were measured in 77% of patients. At enrollment, 42.2% of patients had ID and 38.9% had IDA. Only 13% of patients with ID and 22.8% with IDA had iron supplementation (Figure 1). A total of 38 patients received iron either oral or IV (oral=44.7% vs IV=55.3%; p=0.66). There was no correlation between low levels of serum iron or ferritin with iron supplementation (p=0.23, 0.45 respectively). Age, sex, diagnosis, or reason for PN did not correlate with ID or IDA at any time point. Conclusions Iron-deficiency and IDA are common in patients enrolled in the HHS HPN program independently of age, sex, diagnosis and reason for PN. Prospective studies are needed to implement the most effective way to ensure proper monitoring and treatment of iron deficiency in this population. Funding Agencies None

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