scholarly journals Identifying patients at risk of post-discharge complications related to COVID-19 infection

Thorax ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. thoraxjnl-2020-215861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jocelin Hall ◽  
Katherine Myall ◽  
Jodie L Lam ◽  
Thomas Mason ◽  
Bhashkar Mukherjee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Complications ◽  
Slow Recovery ◽  
Post Discharge ◽  
Multisystem Disease ◽  
Assessment Protocol ◽  
Persistent Symptoms ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Hospital Inpatients ◽  
Parenchymal Abnormality

SARS-CoV-2 infection is a multisystem disease with post-discharge sequelae. We report early follow-up data from one UK hospital of the initial 200 hospital inpatients with slow recovery from the condition. At 4 weeks post-discharge, 321/957 survivors (34%) had persistent symptoms. A structured outpatient clinical assessment protocol was designed, and outcomes from the first 200 patients seen 4–6 weeks post-discharge are presented here. In 80/200 (40%), we identified at follow-up a cardiorespiratory cause of breathlessness, including persistent parenchymal abnormality (64 patients), pulmonary embolism (four patients) and cardiac complications (eight patients). These findings occurred both in patients who had intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and those who had been managed on the ward, although patients requiring ICU admissions were more likely to have a significant cardiorespiratory cause found for their breathlessness, risk ratio 2.8 (95% CI 1.5 to 5.1).

scholarly journals Prevalence and predictors of Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS) after hospital discharge: A cohort study with 4 months median follow-up

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0260568
Author(s):  
Imad M. Tleyjeh ◽  
Basema Saddik ◽  
Nourah AlSwaidan ◽  
Ahmed AlAnazi ◽  
Rakhee K. Ramakrishnan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Emergency Room ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Hospital Discharge ◽  
Post Discharge ◽  
Persistent Symptoms ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Baseline Health

Background Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) is an emerging healthcare burden. The risk factors associated with PACS remain largely unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of new or persistent symptoms in COVID-19 patients post hospital discharge and identify associated risk factors. Methods Our prospective cohort comprised of PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between May and July 2020. The patients were interviewed through phone calls by trained physicians from 6 weeks up to 6 months post hospital discharge. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression models were used to examine for predictors associated with persistence of symptoms and non-return to baseline health. Results 222 COVID-19 patients responded to follow-up phone interviews after a median of 122 days post discharge. The majority of patients were men (77%) with mean age of 52.47 (± 13.95) years. 56.3% of patients complained of persistent symptoms; 66 (29.7%) experiencing them for >21 days and 64 (28.8%) reporting not having returned to their baseline health. Furthermore, 39 patients (17.6%) reported visiting an emergency room post discharge for COVID-19-related symptoms while 16 (7.2%) had required re-hospitalization. Shortness of breath (40.1%), cough (27.5%) and fatigue (29.7%) were the most frequently reported symptoms at follow-up. After multivariable adjustments, female gender, pre-existing hypertension and length of hospital stay were associated with an increased risk of new or persistent symptoms. Age, pre-existing lung disease and emergency room visits increased the likelihood of not fully recovering from acute COVID-19. Patients who were treated with interferon β-1b based triple antiviral therapy during hospital stay were less likely to experience new or persistent symptoms and more likely to return to their baseline health. Conclusions COVID-19 survivors continued to suffer from dyspnea, cough and fatigue at 4 months post hospital discharge. Several risk factors could predict which patients are more likely to experience PACS and may benefit from individualized follow-up and rehabilitation programs.

scholarly journals Symptomatic, biochemical and radiographic recovery in patients with COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e000908
Author(s):  
Patrick Mallia ◽  
Jamilah Meghji ◽  
Brandon Wong ◽  
Kartik Kumar ◽  
Victoria Pilkington ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regression Models ◽  
Healthcare Utilisation ◽  
Chest Radiographs ◽  
Post Discharge ◽  
Persistent Symptoms ◽  
Abnormal Chest ◽  
Recovery Times ◽  
Index Hospital ◽  
Discharge From Hospital

BackgroundThe symptoms, radiography, biochemistry and healthcare utilisation of patients with COVID-19 following discharge from hospital have not been well described.MethodsRetrospective analysis of 401 adult patients attending a clinic following an index hospital admission or emergency department attendance with COVID-19. Regression models were used to assess the association between characteristics and persistent abnormal chest radiographs or breathlessness.Results75.1% of patients were symptomatic at a median of 53 days post discharge and 72 days after symptom onset and chest radiographs were abnormal in 47.4%. Symptoms and radiographic abnormalities were similar in PCR-positive and PCR-negative patients. Severity of COVID-19 was significantly associated with persistent radiographic abnormalities and breathlessness. 18.5% of patients had unscheduled healthcare visits in the 30 days post discharge.ConclusionsPatients with COVID-19 experience persistent symptoms and abnormal blood biomarkers with a gradual resolution of radiological abnormalities over time. These findings can inform patients and clinicians about expected recovery times and plan services for follow-up of patients with COVID-19.

scholarly journals Follow-Ups on Persistent Symptoms and Pulmonary Function Among Post-Acute COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiuyue Long ◽  
Jiwei Li ◽  
Xiaoyi Hu ◽  
Yangyuyan Bai ◽  
Yali Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Cohort Studies ◽  
Acute Phase ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Psychosocial Health ◽  
Post Discharge ◽  
Persistent Symptoms ◽  
Lung Functions

Objective: As the number of recovering COVID-19 patients increases worldwide, the persistence of symptoms and signs through the post-acute phase indicates an urgent need for prolonged follow-up care. To explore existing data about post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, this meta-analysis assesses the prevalence of persistent manifestations in multiple systems and abnormalities in lung function, as well as their related risks in patients with various severities.Methods: Articles about discharged COVID-19 patients (published from January 1, 2020 to February 23, 2021) were obtained by searching four databases. Cohort studies with follow-up periods >1 month post-discharge or >2 months post-admission were included.Results: A total of 4,478 COVID-19 patients from 16 cohort studies were included in this meta-analysis. Fatigue or weakness (47%) were the most prevalent physical effects of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, while psychosocial (28%) symptoms were the most common manifestations among several systems. Abnormalities in lung function of recovering patients, i.e., DLCO <80% (47%, 95% CI: 32–61%) persisted for long periods. Severe patients were more likely to present joint pain (OR 1.84, 95% CI: 1.11–3.04) and decreased lung functions compared with non-severe patients, with pooled ORs for abnormal TLC, FEV1, FVC, and DLCO of 3.05 (95% CI: 1.88–4.96), 2.72 (95% CI: 1.31–5.63), 2.52 (95% CI: 1.28–4.98), and 1.82 (95% CI: 1.32–2.50), respectively.Conclusions: Our research indicates that patients recovering from COVID-19 manifest long-term, multi-system symptoms, and the adverse effects on psychosocial health and lung functions were the most extensive and persistent. These findings together may facilitate much needed in-depth study of clinical treatments for long-term, post-acute phase symptoms that affect a great number of recovering COVID-19 patients.

Post Discharge Clinically Overt Venous Thromboembolism in Orthopaedic Surgery Patients with Negative Venography -an Overview Analysis

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (06) ◽  
pp. 0887-0892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serena Ricotta ◽  
Alfonso lorio ◽  
Pasquale Parise ◽  
Giuseppe G Nenci ◽  
Giancarlo Agnelli
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Orthopaedic Surgery ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Post Discharge ◽  
Pharmacological Prophylaxis ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Overview Analysis ◽  
Major Orthopaedic Surgery

SummaryA high incidence of post-discharge venous thromboembolism in orthopaedic surgery patients has been recently reported drawing further attention to the unresolved issue of the optimal duration of the pharmacological prophylaxis. We performed an overview analysis in order to evaluate the incidence of late occurring clinically overt venous thromboembolism in major orthopaedic surgery patients discharged from the hospital with a negative venography and without further pharmacological prophylaxis. We selected the studies published from January 1974 to December 1995 on the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism after major orthopaedic surgery fulfilling the following criteria: 1) adoption of pharmacological prophylaxis, 2) performing of a bilateral venography before discharge, 3) interruption of pharmacological prophylaxis at discharge in patients with negative venography, and 4) post-discharge follow-up of the patients for at least four weeks. Out of 31 identified studies, 13 fulfilled the overview criteria. The total number of evaluated patients was 4120. An adequate venography was obtained in 3469 patients (84.1%). In the 2361 patients with negative venography (68.1%), 30 episodes of symptomatic venous thromboembolism after hospital discharge were reported with a resulting cumulative incidence of 1.27% (95% C.I. 0.82-1.72) and a weighted mean incidence of 1.52% (95% C.I. 1.05-1.95). Six cases of pulmonary embolism were reported. Our overview showed a low incidence of clinically overt venous thromboembolism at follow-up in major orthopaedic surgery patients discharged with negative venography. Extending pharmacological prophylaxis in these patients does not appear to be justified. Venous thrombi leading to hospital re-admission are likely to be present but asymptomatic at the time of discharge. Future research should be directed toward improving the accuracy of non invasive diagnostic methods in order to replace venography in the screening of asymptomatic post-operative deep vein thrombosis.

scholarly journals Brain atrophy and clinical characteristics predicting SDMT performance in multiple sclerosis: A 10-year follow-up study

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 205521732199239
Author(s):  
Cecilie Jacobsen ◽  
Robert Zivadinov ◽  
Kjell-Morten Myhr ◽  
Turi O Dalaker ◽  
Ingvild Dalen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Data ◽  
Grey Matter Volume ◽  
Lesion Volume ◽  
Information Processing Speed ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
Specific Volumes

Objectives To identify Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), clinical and demographic biomarkers predictive of worsening information processing speed (IPS) as measured by Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Methods Demographic, clinical data and 1.5 T MRI scans were collected in 76 patients at time of inclusion, and after 5 and 10 years. Global and tissue-specific volumes were calculated at each time point. For the primary outcome of analysis, SDMT was used. Results Worsening SDMT at 5-year follow-up was predicted by baseline age, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), SDMT, whole brain volume (WBV) and T2 lesion volume (LV), explaining 30.2% of the variance of SDMT. At 10-year follow-up, age, EDSS, grey matter volume (GMV) and T1 LV explained 39.4% of the variance of SDMT change. Conclusion This longitudinal study shows that baseline MRI-markers, demographic and clinical data can help predict worsening IPS. Identification of patients at risk of IPS decline is of importance as follow-up, treatment and rehabilitation can be optimized.

scholarly journals Impact of pharmacist-conducted anticoagulation patient education and telephone follow-up on transitions of care: a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lamis R. Karaoui ◽  
Elsy Ramia ◽  
Hanine Mansour ◽  
Nisrine Haddad ◽  
Nibal Chamoun
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Bleeding Event ◽  
Transitions Of Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Post Discharge ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background There is limited published data in Lebanon evaluating the impact of supplemental education for anticoagulants use, especially DOACs, on clinical outcomes such as bleeding. The study aims to assess the impact of pharmacist-conducted anticoagulation education and follow-up on bleeding and readmission rates. Methods This study was a randomized, non-blinded interventional study conducted between August 2017 and July 2019 in a tertiary care teaching Lebanese hospital. Participants were inpatients ≥18 years discharged on an oral anticoagulant for treatment. Block randomization was used. The control group received the standard nursing counseling while the intervention group additionally received pharmacy counseling. Phone call follow-ups were done on day 3 and 30 post-discharge. Primary outcomes included readmission rates and any bleeding event at day 3 and 30 post-discharge. Secondary outcomes included documented elements of education in the medical records and reported mortality upon day 30 post-discharge. Results Two hundred patients were recruited in the study (100 patients in each study arm) with a mean age of 73.9 years. In the pharmacist-counseled group, more patients contacted their physician within 3 days (14% versus 4%; p = 0.010), received explicit elements of education (p < 0.001) and documentation in the chart was better (p < 0.05). In the standard of care group, patients were more aware of their next physician appointment date (52% versus 31%, p < 0.001). No difference in bleeding rates at day 3 and 30 post-discharge was observed between the groups. Conclusions Although pharmacist-conducted anticoagulation education did not appear to reduce bleeding or readmission rates at day 30, pharmacist education significantly increased patient communication with their providers in the early days post-discharge. Trial registration Lebanon Clinical Trial Registry LBCTR2020033424. Retrospectively registered. Date of registration: 06/03/2020.

scholarly journals COVID-19-associated rhino-orbital mucormycosis (CAROM)—a case report

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Humsheer Singh Sethi ◽  
Kamal Kumar Sen ◽  
Sudhansu Sekhar Mohanty ◽  
Sangram Panda ◽  
Kolluru Radha Krishna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Opportunistic Infections ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Nasal Discharge ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Post Discharge ◽  
Pulmonary Mucormycosis ◽  
The Right

Abstract Background There has been a rapid rise in the number of COVID-19-associated rhino-orbital mucormycosis (CAROM) cases especially in South Asian countries, to an extent that it has been considered an epidemic among the COVID-19 patients in India. As of May 13, 2021, 101 CAROM cases have been reported, of which 82 cases were from India and 19 from the rest of the world. On the other hand, pulmonary mucormycosis associated with COVID-19 has a much lesser reported incidence of only 7% of the total COVID-19-associated mucormycosis cases (Singh AK, Singh R, Joshi SR, Misra A, Diab Metab Syndr: Clin Res Rev, 2021). This case report attempts to familiarize the health care professionals and radiologists with the imaging findings that should alarm for follow-up and treatment in the lines of CAROM. Case presentation Rhino-orbital mucormycosis (ROM) is a manifestation of mucormycosis that is thought to be acquired by inhalation of fungal spores into the paranasal sinuses. Here, we describe a 55-year-old male, post COVID-19 status with long standing diabetes who received steroids and ventilator therapy for the management of the viral infection. Post discharge from the COVID-19 isolation ICU, the patient complained of grayish discharge from the right nostril and was readmitted to the hospital for the nasal discharge. After thorough radiological and pathological investigation, the patient was diagnosed with CAROM and managed. Conclusion Uncontrolled diabetes and imprudent use of steroids are both contributing factors in the increased number of CAROM cases. Our report emphasizes on the radiological aspect of CAROM and reinforces the importance of follow-up imaging in post COVID-19 infection cases with a strong suspicion of opportunistic infections.

Functional outcomes and quality of life during long-term follow-up after acute pulmonary embolism: analysis of the prospective multicentre FOCUS study

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Barco ◽  
L Valerio ◽  
M Jankowski ◽  
M.M Hoeper ◽  
F.A Klok ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Acute Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Combination Group ◽  
Funding Source ◽  
Median Score ◽  
Persistent Symptoms

Abstract Background It is unclear to which extent persistence of symptoms and/or residual haemodynamic impairment clinical course of pulmonary embolism are associated with worse quality of life (QoL). Aims To study the correlation between symptoms and haemodynamic impairment with QoL during the first year after acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Methods The Follow-Up after acute pulmonary embolism (FOCUS) study prospectively enrolled and followed consecutive adult patients diagnosed with acute symptomatic objectively diagnosed PE. In the present analysis, we considered patients who completed the Pulmonary Embolism QoL (PEmb-QoL) Questionnaire at predefined visits 3 and 12 months after acute PE. The PEmb-QoL score ranges from 0% (best QoL) to 100% (worst QoL). We evaluated at these two time points the correlation between persisting symptoms (group: symptoms), elevation of natriuretic peptides or residual right ventricular dysfunction (group: RVD), or their combination (group: symptoms + RVD) and QoL. Results A total of 617 patients were included; their median age was 62 years, 44% were women; 8% had active cancer, and 21% previous venous thromboembolism. At 3 months, patients with neither symptoms nor RVD (n=302) had the highest quality of life (median score 18%, 25th–75th percentile: 8%–34%), followed by those without symptoms but with RVD (n=255; median score 19%, 25th–75th percentile: 7%–34%), and by those with symptoms only (n=131; median PEmb-QoL 31%, 25th–75th percentile: 18%–49%). Patients with both symptoms and RVD (n=170) had the worst quality of life (median score 38%, 25th–75th percentile: 19%–53%); Figure 1A. At 12 months, we found an overall improvement of PEmb-QoL score. The degree of this QoL improvement varied across groups, being largest for patients who recovered from having symptoms + RVD at 3 months to normalization of at least one at 12 months. The change in QoL from 3 to 12 months was smaller both in patients who had neither symptoms nor RVD and in patients who had no recovery in either symptoms or RVD; Figure 1B. Conclusions Persistent symptoms after PE, especially in patients with elevated biomarkers or residual echocardiographic dysfunction, were the main drivers of QoL at 3 months as well as of the course of QoL over time. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany; German Federal Ministry of Education and Research

scholarly journals Efficiency of modified Goldman’s technique in open pediatric septoplasty

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Sabry ◽  
Hazem Dewidar ◽  
Mosaad abdel Aziz ◽  
Amr Elemam ◽  
Ahmed Nassar
Keyword(s):  
Nasal Septum ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Septal Deviation ◽  
Nasal Resistance ◽  
Deviated Nasal Septum ◽  
Assessment Protocol ◽  
Nose Scale ◽  
Detailed Assessment

Abstract Background Performing nasal surgery on children has been the subject of controversy among surgeons. Specifically, the indications for and timing of septoplasty in children have been debated for the last several decades. In this study, we access the efficacy of the modified Goldman’s technique in dealing with caudal septal deviation in pediatric population suffering from severe nasal obstruction and its effect on nasal functions postoperatively. In this study, 30 pediatric patients suffering from deviated nasal septum who are candidate for septoplasty were included and underwent open septoplasty using modified Goldman’s technique. They were subjected to detailed assessment protocol preoperatively including NOSE scale, anterior rhinomanometry, and CT scans. Follow-up assessment was done at second week postoperative including anterior rhinoscopy and nasal endoscopy and 3 months postoperative including NOSE scale and anterior rhinomanometry. Results There was a statistically significant decrease of the NOSE scale severity to none in 90% of cases. Three months postoperative, all of the patients performed postoperative anterior active rhinomanometry with statistically significant decrease in the postoperative total nasal resistance values with inspiratory values ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 Pa/cm3/s with mean of 0.26 Pa/cm3/s and expiratory nasal resistance values ranging from 0.1 to 0.6 Pa/cm3/s with mean of 0.31 Pa/cm3/s. Conclusions Open septoplasty in children using the modified Goldman’s technique has enabled accurate and conservative approach for correction of nasal septal deviation especially those located in the caudal septal region. The technique also offers a significant reduction of the nasal symptoms postoperatively with marked improvement of the nasal resistance and quality of life in severe cases of deviated nasal septum.

scholarly journals Current Perspectives on Neonatal Screening for Propionic Acidemia in Japan: An Unexpectedly High Incidence of Patients with Mild Disease Caused by a Common PCCB Variant

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Go Tajima ◽  
Reiko Kagawa ◽  
Fumiaki Sakura ◽  
Akari Nakamura-Utsunomiya ◽  
Keiichi Hara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neonatal Screening ◽  
Acid Metabolism ◽  
Neonatal Period ◽  
Propionic Acidemia ◽  
Cardiac Complications ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Organic Acid Metabolism ◽  
High Incidence

Propionic acidemia (PA) is a disorder of organic acid metabolism which typically presents with acute encephalopathy-like symptoms associated with metabolic acidosis and hyperammonemia during the neonatal period. The estimated incidence of symptomatic PA in Japan is 1/400,000. The introduction of neonatal screening using tandem mass spectrometry has revealed a far higher disease frequency of approximately 1/45,000 live births due to a prevalent variant of c.1304T>C (p.Y435C) in PCCB, which codes β-subunit of propionyl-CoA carboxylase. Our questionnaire-based follow-up study reveals that most of these patients remain asymptomatic. However, reports on symptomatic patients exhibiting cardiac complications such as cardiomyopathy and QT prolongation have been increasing. Moreover, there were even cases in which these cardiac complications were the only symptoms related to PA. A currently ongoing study is investigating the risk of cardiac complications in patients with neonatal screening-detected PA caused by this common variant.

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