Efficacy of scheduled return visits for emergency department patients with non-specific abdominal pain

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 499-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annemieke E Boendermaker ◽  
Constant W Coolsma ◽  
Marloes Emous ◽  
Ewoud ter Avest
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Index Visit ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Relevant Change ◽  
Low Threshold ◽  
Evaluation Visit ◽  
Return Visits ◽  
Emergency Department Patients ◽  
Radiological Studies

IntroductionMany patients presenting with abdominal pain to emergency departments (EDs) are discharged without a definitive diagnosis. For these patients, often designated as having non-specific abdominal pain, re-evaluation is often advocated. We aimed to investigate how often re-evaluation changes the diagnosis and clinical management and discern factors that could help identify patients likely to benefit from re-evaluation.MethodsThis was a retrospective study conducted in the Netherlands between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2015 of patients asked to return to the ED after an initial presentation with acute non-traumatic abdominal pain. The primary outcome was a clinically relevant change in treatment (surgery, endoscopy during admission and/or hospitalisation) and diagnosis at ED re-evaluation within 30 hours.ResultsDuring the 2-year study period, 358 ED patients with non-specific abdominal pain were scheduled for re-evaluation. Of these, 14% (11%–18%)) did not present for re-evaluation. Re-evaluation resulted in a clinically relevant change in diagnosis and treatment in, respectively, 21.3% (17%–29%)) and 22.3% (18%–27%)) of the subjects. Of the clinical, biochemical and radiological factors available at the index visit, C reactive protein (CRP) at the index visit predicted a change in treatment (CRP >27 mg/L likelihood ratio (LR)+ 1.69 (1.21–2.36)), while an increase in CRP of >25 mg/L between index and re-evaluation visit (LR+ 2.85 (1.88–4.32)) and the conduct of radiological studies at the re-evaluation visit were associated with changes in treatment (LR+ 3.05 (2.41–3.86)).ConclusionRe-evaluation within 30 hours for ED patients discharged with non-specific abdominal pain resulted in a clinically relevant change in diagnosis and therapy in almost one-quarter of patients. Elevated CRP at the index visit might assist in correctly identifying patients with a greater likelihood of needing treatment in follow-up, and a low threshold for radiological studies should be considered during re-evaluation.

Benefit of follow-up CT in emergency department patients with persistent non-traumatic abdominal pain

2010 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashwin V. Asrani ◽  
Jamlik-Omari F. Johnson ◽  
Robert A. Novelline
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Emergency Department Patients

scholarly journals Primary mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of the pancreas

2010 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. e10-e12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianmin Bu ◽  
Xianwei Dai
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Exploratory Laparotomy ◽  
Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma ◽  
Histopathological Diagnosis ◽  
Hepatoduodenal Ligament ◽  
Hepatic Vessels ◽  
History Of ◽  
Radiological Studies

Extraskeletal chondrosarcomas are rare and there is only one reported case of primary pancreatic chondrosarcoma. We report the case of a 34-year-old woman with a 6-month history of abdominal pain and distention. Radiological studies indicated a mass in the pancreas, and exploratory laparotomy revealed a tumour of the pancreas extending to the hepatic vessels and hepatoduodenal ligament. The mass was completely excised, and the histopathological diagnosis was primary mesenchymal pancreatic chondrosarcoma. Tumour recurred at follow-up 52 months postoperatively.

scholarly journals Risk Factors for Emergency Department Unscheduled Return Visits

Medicina ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 457
Author(s):  
Soh ◽  
Lin ◽  
Pan ◽  
Ho ◽  
Mahadevan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Adjusted Odds Ratio ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Diagnostic Errors ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Return Visits

Background and Objectives: This study aims to identify reasons for unscheduled return visits (URVs), and risk factors for diagnostic errors leading to URVs, with comparisons to data from a similar study conducted in the same institution 9 years ago. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included adult patients who attended the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary hospital in Singapore between January 2014 and June 2014, with re-attendance within 72 h for the same or similar complaint. The primary outcome was wrong or delayed diagnoses. Secondary outcomes include admission to the ED observation unit or ward on return visit. Findings were compared with the previous study performed in 2005 to identify trends. Results: Of 67,422 attendances, there were 1298 (1.93%) URVs from 1207 patients (median age 34, interquartile range 24 to 52 years; 59.7% male). The most common presenting complaint was abdominal pain (22.2%). One hundred ninety-one (15.8%) patients received an initial wrong or delayed diagnosis. Factors (adjusted odds ratio; 95% CI) associated with this were: presenting complaints of abdominal pain (2.99; 2.12–4.23), fever (1.60; 1.1–2.33), neurological deficit (4.26; 1.94–9.35), and discharge without follow-up (1.61; 1.1–2.26). Among re-attendances, 459 (38.0%) required admission. Factors (adjusted odds ratio; 95% CI) associated with admission were: male gender (1.88; 1.42 to 2.48); comorbidities of diabetes mellitus (2.07; 1.29–3.31), asthma (5.23; 1.59–17.26), and renal disease (7.48; 2.00–28.05); presenting complaints of abdominal pain (1.83; 1.32–2.55), fever (3.05; 2.10–4.44), and giddiness or vertigo (2.17; 1.26–3.73). There was a reduction in URV rate compared to the previous study in 2005 (1.93% versus 2.19%). Abdominal pain at the index visit remains a significant cause of URVs (22.2% versus 25.1%). Conclusions: Presenting complaints of neurological deficits, abdominal pain, fever, and discharge without follow-up were associated with wrong or delayed diagnoses among URVs.

Complementary Effects of Multivitamin and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Indices of Cardiovascular Health in Individuals with Elevated Homocysteine

2012 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Earnest ◽  
S. Kupper ◽  
M. Thompson ◽  
Guo ◽  
S. Church
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Fatty Acid Supplementation ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acid ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Daily Ingestion

Homocysteine (HCY), C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and triglycerides (TG) are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). While multivitamins (MVit) may reduce HCY and hsCRP, omega-3 fatty acids (N3) reduce TG; yet, they are seldom studied simultaneously. We randomly assigned 100 participants with baseline HCY (> 8.0 umol/L) to the daily ingestion of: (1) placebo, (2) MVit (VitC: 200 mg; VitE: 400 IU; VitB6: 25 mg; Folic Acid: 400 ug; VitB12: 400 ug) + placebo, (3) N3 (2 g N3, 760 mg EPA, 440 mg DHA)+placebo, or (4) MVit + N3 for 12 weeks. At follow-up, we observed significant reductions in HCY (umol/L) for the MVit (- 1.43, 95 %CI, - 2.39, - 0.47) and MVit + N3 groups (- 1.01, 95 %CI, - 1.98, - 0.04) groups, both being significant (p < 0.05) vs. placebo (- 0.57, 95 %CI, - 1.49, 0.35) and N3 (1.11, 95 % CI, 0.07, 2.17). hsCRP (nmol/L) was significantly reduced in the MVit (- 6.00, 95 %CI, - 1.04, - 0.15) and MVit + N3 (- 0.98, 95 %CI, - 1.51, - 0.46) groups, but not vs. placebo (- 0.15, 95 %CI, - 0.74, 0.43) or N3 (- 0.53, 95 %CI, - 1.18, 0.12). Lastly, we observed significant reductions in TG for the N3 (- 0.41, 95 %CI, - 0.69, - 0.13) and MVit + N3 (- 0.71, 95 %CI, - 0.93, - 0.46) groups, both significant vs. placebo (- 0.10, 95 %CI, - 0.36, 0.17) and MVit groups (0.15, 95 %CI, - 12, 0.42). The co-ingestion of MVit + N3 provides synergistic affects on HCY, hsCRP, and plasma TG.

No relation between biomarkers at age 47–49 and aortic diameter after 14–19 years of follow-up – a population-based study

VASA ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 291-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soumia Taimour ◽  
Moncef Zarrouk ◽  
Jan Holst ◽  
Olle Melander ◽  
Gunar Engström ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Based ◽  
Aortic Diameter ◽  
Aortic Dilatation ◽  
Population Based Study ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Abdominal Aortic ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Old Men

Abstract. Background: Biomarkers reflecting diverse pathophysiological pathways may play an important role in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (aortic diameter ≥30 mm, AAA), levels of many biomarkers are elevated and correlated to aortic diameter among 65-year-old men undergoing ultrasound (US) screening for AAA. Probands and methods: To evaluate potential relationships between biomarkers and aortic dilatation after long-term follow-up, levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), proneurotensin (PNT), copeptin (CPT), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase 2 (Lp-PLA2), cystatin C (Cyst C), midregional proatrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP), and midregional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) were measured in 117 subjects (114 [97 %] men) aged 47–49 in a prospective population-based cohort study, and related to aortic diameter at US examination of the aorta after 14–19 years of follow-up. Results: Biomarker levels at baseline did not correlate with aortic diameter after 14–19 years of follow up (CRP [r = 0.153], PNT [r = 0.070], CPT [r = –.156], Lp-PLA2 [r = .024], Cyst C [r = –.015], MR-proANP [r = 0.014], MR-proADM [r = –.117]). Adjusting for age and smoking at baseline in a linear regression model did not reveal any significant correlations. Conclusions: Tested biomarker levels at age 47–49 were not associated with aortic diameter at ultrasound examination after 14–19 years of follow-up. If there are relationships between these biomarkers and aortic dilatation, they are not relevant until closer to AAA diagnosis.

C-reactive protein as a marker of progression of carotid atherosclerosis in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus

VASA ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleš Pleskovič ◽  
Marija Šantl Letonja ◽  
Andreja Cokan Vujkovac ◽  
Jovana Nikolajević Starčević ◽  
Katarina Gazdikova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Carotid Atherosclerosis ◽  
Inflammatory Marker ◽  
Progression Rate ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Hs Crp ◽  
Unstable Plaques

Abstract. Background: This prospective study was designed to evaluate the effect of inflammatory markers on the presence and progression of subclinical markers of carotid atherosclerosis in a 3.8-year follow-up period in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients and methods: A total of 595 subjects with T2DM were enrolled. Subclinical markers of carotid atherosclerosis (carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), plaque thickness, and plaques presence) were assessed with ultrasound at the time of recruitment and again after 3.8 years. Subjects with T2DM were divided into 2 groups according to the plasma high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels (subjects with hs-CRP ≥ 2 mg/L and subjects with hs-CRP below 2 mg/L). Results: Subjects with T2DM and hs-CRP levels ≥ 2 mg/L had higher CIMT in comparison with subjects with T2DM and hs-CRP levels below 2 mg/L, and higher incidence of plaques/unstable plaques in comparison with subjects with T2DM and hs-CRP levels below 2 mg/L. Multivariate logistic regression analysis found the association between the HDL cholesterol level and presence of plaques, whereas the inflammatory marker hs-CRP was not associated with subclinical markers of progression of carotid atherosclerosis. Multiple linear regression analysis found the association between the hs-CRP levels and either CIMT progression rate or a change in the number of sites with plaques in a 3.8-year follow-up. Conclusions: We demonstrated an association between the inflammatory marker hs-CRP and either CIMT or incidence of plaques/unstable plaques at the time of recruitment in Caucasians with T2DM. Moreover, we found the association between hs-CRP levels and either CIMT progression rate or a change in the number of sites with plaques in a 3.8-year follow-up in subjects with T2DM.

Delayed Pancreatic Metastasis of Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-80
Author(s):  
Zane Simtniece ◽  
Gatis Kirsakmens ◽  
Ilze Strumfa ◽  
Andrejs Vanags ◽  
Maris Pavars ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Clear Cell ◽  
Clear Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Primary Tumour ◽  
Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Pancreatic Metastasis ◽  
Distal Pancreatic Resection

Abstract Here, we report surgical treatment of a patient presenting with pancreatic metastasis (MTS) of renal clear cell carcinoma (RCC) 11 years after nephrectomy. RCC is one of few cancers that metastasise in pancreas. Jaundice, abdominal pain or gastrointestinal bleeding can develop; however, asymptomatic MTS can be discovered by follow-up after removal of the primary tumour. The patient, 67-year-old female was radiologically diagnosed with a clinically silent mass in the pancreatic body and underwent distal pancreatic resection. The postoperative period was smooth. Four months after the surgery, there were no signs of disease progression.

scholarly journals Early recognition of PIMS-TS: a single centre retrospective review

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e001011
Author(s):  
Roshni Mistry ◽  
Nicola Scanlon ◽  
James Hibberd ◽  
Fionnghuala Fuller
Keyword(s):  
Early Recognition ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Final Diagnosis ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Single Centre ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Review Reports ◽  
Specific Symptoms

IntroductionResearch into paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS) has focused on tertiary level management. This review reports on symptoms and investigations at presentation.MethodsSingle centre retrospective case note analysis of patients fulfilling PIMS-TS diagnostic criteria from March to May 2020 in a London district level university hospital.ResultsSix patients presented in the week prior to their final diagnosis with fever and non-specific symptoms. Raised C-reactive protein (CRP), lymphopenia and hyponatraemia were noted. Kawasaki-like symptoms were under-represented in all patients.InterpretationThe results suggest that a proportion of children with early PIMS-TS present with a non-specific febrile illness and abnormal blood results. Further research is needed to determine the most appropriate identification and follow-up of these children.

scholarly journals POS0826 SKIN LIMITED IGA VASCULITIS IN ADULTS

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 666.1-666
Author(s):  
A. Hočevar ◽  
J. Ostrovrsnik ◽  
K. Perdan-Pirkmajer ◽  
M. Tomsic ◽  
Z. Rotar
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Systemic Disease ◽  
Elevated Serum ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Current Smoker ◽  
P Value ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Iga Vasculitis ◽  
Reactive Protein

Background:IgA vasculitis (IgAV) could be limited to skin or evolve into a systemic disease, affecting characteristically joints, gastrointestinal tract and/or kidneys.Objectives:We aimed to look for differences between adult IgAV patients with disease limited to skin compared to systemic IgAV.Methods:Medical records of histologically proven adult IgAV cases, diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2020 at our secondary/tertiary rheumatology centre were analyzed.Results:During the 132-month observation period we identified 328 new IgAV cases (59.5% males, median (IQR) age 64.3 (45.1; 76.1) years). Ninety-four (40.2%) patients had skin limited disease, and the rest systemic IgAV.Clinical differences between skin limited and systemic adult IgAV are presented in table 1. Adults with IgAV limited to skin were significantly older, had less commonly skin lesions above the waistline and a lower level of C reactive protein compared to patients with a systemic disease. There were no differences in the frequency of skin necroses between the compared IgAV subgroups. The frequency of potential vasculitis triggers (prior infections, new medications, malignancy) was similar between the compared subgroups.Table 1.Clinical characteristics of IgA vasculitis patients with skin limited and systemic diseaseClinical characteristicsSkin limited IgAV (94)Systemic IgAV (234)P valueMale gender (%)54.361.50.263Age (years)*68.0 (55.0-80.5)61.5 (41.7-75.8)0.007Current smoker (%)13.821.80.123Antecedent infection (%)28.733.80.434New medication23.423.51.0History of cancer12.810.70.569Symptom duration (days)*7 (5-21)8 (5-14)0.756Purpura above waistline36.255.60.002Skin necroses (%)52.145.70.329ESR /mm/h) *32 (18-52)34 (17-53)0.873CRP (g/l) *13.5 (1-32)30 (11-68)<0.001Elevated serum IgA (%)50.649.10.892Legend: * median and IQR;Follow up data were available for 250 (76.2%) patients. During the follow up of median (IQR) 12.5 (6.8 – 22.4) months 35 patients relapsed (13/70 (18.6%) with skin limited IgAV and 22/180 (12.2%) with systemic IgAV, p= 0.224).Conclusion:Skin limited IgAV was associated with older age and less extensive skin puprura in adults. However, relapses of purpura were as common as in systemic IgAV.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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