scholarly journals Impact of Gabapentin and Pregabalin on Neurological Outcome After Ischemic Stroke

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Weber ◽  
Caleb Morton ◽  
Fen-Lei Chang

Background The purpose of this study is to determine whether patients taking either gabapentin or pregabalin at the time of their stroke injury tend to have better outcomes than patients with similar injuries who were not taking one of the two medications. Prior studies have shown a potential neuro-protective effects of these two medications. Methods A retrospective chart review of 115 ischemic stroke patients from 2016-2021 were assessed for patient outcomes using two tools, the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), in addition to their hospital length of stay. The outcomes of patients taking either gabapentin or pregabalin with stroke diagnoses are compared to patients with stroke diagnoses who were not taking either medication. Kruskal-Wallace and X2 were used for statistical analysis. Results There was significantly larger proportion of gabapentin patients that improved compared to patients in the control group when using the mRS tool for patient outcomes (X2; p=0.015).  The gabapentin group showed a significantly larger improvement in the NIHSS scores from admission to discharge (Kruskal-Wallace; p=0.0005).   Patients on gabapentin had a longer hospital stay than those not taking the medication by 1.7 days (t-test; p=0.041). Conclusion Our data support the potential neuro-protective effect of gabapentin/pregabalin with improved outcomes after an ischemic stroke using two parallel outcome measures of NIHSS and mRS scores.  Of interest, patient hospital stays were longer on gabapentin/pregabalin, which may contribute to the improved outcomes. We need larger subject groups to confirm and further study our findings. This often can be facilitated by studies involving larger medical practices, insurance, or payer databases. In addition, impact of associated cost and care quality issues such as nosocomial infection and fall risk can be considered in the context of healthcare integration and value-based care emphasizing quality and cost management.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark L Metersky ◽  
Aruna Priya ◽  
Eric M Mortensen ◽  
Peter K Lindenauer

Abstract Background Many patients hospitalized with pneumonia are treated with combination macrolide/cephalosporin therapy. Macrolides have immunomodulatory effects and do not directly cause bacterial lysis. These effects suggest the possibility that initial treatment with a macrolide before a cephalosporin could improve patient outcomes by preventing the inflammatory response to rapid bacterial lysis that can be caused by cephalosporin treatment. This study explores whether initial treatment for pneumonia with a macrolide before a cephalosporin is associated with better patient outcomes than treatment with a cephalosporin before a macrolide. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study using a clinically rich database derived from electronic health records of 71 hospitals. We compared outcomes for pneumonia patients who received intravenous treatment with a macrolide at least 1 hour before a cephalosporin, versus patients who received a cephalosporin at least 1 hour before a macrolide. Propensity matching was performed for 527 patients in each group. Results Among the propensity-matched cohorts, for the macrolide first group, in-hospital mortality was 4.2% vs 5.5% for the cephalosporin first group (P = .31), combined in-hospital mortality/hospice discharge was 6.3% vs 9.3% (P = .06), median hospital length of stay was 101.5 hours vs 109.5 hours (P = .09), and 30-day readmission was 12.9% vs 10.6% (P = .27). Conclusions Treatment of pneumonia with a macrolide before a cephalosporin was not associated with significantly improved outcomes when compared with treatment with a cephalosporin first; however, the lower rate of mortality/discharge to hospice and the large confidence intervals allow for the possibility of a clinically significant benefit.



Author(s):  
Yvelynne Kelly ◽  
Kavita Mistry ◽  
Salman Ahmed ◽  
Shimon Shaykevich ◽  
Sonali Desai ◽  
...  

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring kidney replacement therapy (KRT) is associated with high mortality and utilization. We evaluated the use of an AKI-Standardized Clinical Assessment and Management Plan (SCAMP) on patient outcomes including mortality, hospital and ICU length of stay. Methods: We conducted a 12-month controlled study in the ICUs of a large academic tertiary medical center. We alternated use of the AKI-SCAMP with use of a "sham" control form in 4-6-week blocks. The primary outcome was risk of inpatient mortality. Pre-specified secondary outcomes included 30-day mortality, 60-day mortality and hospital and ICU length of stay. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate the impact of the AKI-SCAMP on mortality and length of stay. Results: There were 122 patients in the AKI-SCAMP group and 102 patients in the control group. There was no significant difference in inpatient mortality associated with AKI-SCAMP use (41% vs 47% control). AKI-SCAMP use was associated with significantly reduced ICU length of stay (mean 8 (95% CI 8-9) vs 12 (95% CI 10-13) days; p = <0.0001) and hospital length of stay (mean 25 (95% CI 22-29) vs 30 (95% CI 27-34) days; p = 0.02). Patients in the AKI-SCAMP group less likely to receive KRT in the context of physician-perceived treatment futility than those in the control group (2% vs 7%, p=0.003). Conclusions: Use of the AKI-SCAMP tool for AKI-KRT was not significantly associated with inpatient mortality but was associated with reduced ICU and hospital length of stay and use of KRT in cases of physician-perceived treatment futility.



Author(s):  
Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy ◽  
Nguyem Thanh Hai ◽  
Nguyem Xuan Bach ◽  
Hoang Thi Thu Huong ◽  
Nguyem Chi Cuong ◽  
...  

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in cesarean section at Thai Nguyen National Hospital as a first pilot activity of a surgical prophylaxis program. In the study, a randomized controlled trial was designed with two groups: intervention group and control group. Patients characteristics and effectiveness of prophylactic antibiotics for caesarean section were compared. The study results show that the patients’ ages ranged from 18 to 44 years; most of the patients had ASA score of 1; and mean hospital length of stay was statistically significant between the two groups (p<0.05). Regarding the indication of caesarean section, the reason of genital tract abnormalities accounted for the highest proportion. The percentage of the patients switching from prophylactic antibiotic regimens to therapeutic antibiotics in the intervention group was 2%. There was no patient with superficial and/or deep incisional surgical site infections in both groups. The difference in mean number of injections in the two groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). The average cost of antibiotics for each patient in the intervention group and control group were 267.720 VND and 543.871 VND, respectively. The study concludes that the effectiveness of antibiotics prophylaxis for caesarean section: 99% of the patients were without wound infection; hospital length of stay in the intervention group was shorter than the control group; and using prophylactic antibiotics was not only more economical but could also reduce the workload of medical staff, costs of antibiotics and medical supplies. Keywords  Antibiotics prophylaxis, caesarean section, Thai Nguyen National Hospital. References [1] Viet Nam Ministry of Health, National guideline on prevention of surgical site infection, issued with Decision No. 3671/QD-BYT, September 27, 2012 of Viet Nam Ministry of Health, Ha Noi, 2012 (in Vietnamese).[2] Viet Nam Ministry of Health, National guideline on antibiotics use, issued with Decision No.708/QD-BYT, March 2, 2015 of Viet Nam Ministry of Health, Ha Noi, 2015 (in Vietnamese).[3] D.W. Bratzler, K.M. Olsen, et al., Clinical Practice Guidelines for Antimicrobial Prophylaxis in Surgery, American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy 70 (2013) 195 – 283. https://doi.org/10.2146/ajhp120568.[4] R.F. Lamont, J.D. Sobel, et al., Current debate on the use of antibiotic prophylaxis for caesarean section, BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology 118 (2011) 193-201. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.14710528.2010.02729.x.[5] T.V. Khai, Infection rate of surgical incisions and associated factors on women after cesarean section at Dong Nai General Hospital, Scientific Research Project of Dong Nai Hospital, 2015 (in Vietnamese).[6] N.H. Tuan, Study on the use of cefazolin to prevent infection after cesarean section or uterine fibroids surgery at the Institute of maternal and neonatal protection, Master’s thesis, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, 2002 (in Vietnamese).[7] F.M. Smaill, R.M. Grivell, Antibiotic prophylaxis versus no prophylaxis for preventing infection after cesarean section, Cochrane Database Syst Rev 10 (2014) CD007482. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd007482.pub3.    



Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuma Nakagawa ◽  
Matthew Koenig ◽  
Todd Seto ◽  
Susan Asai ◽  
Cherylee Chang

Introduction: Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders (NHPI) with ischemic stroke are younger and have more comorbidities compared to other major racial-ethnic groups. However, their impact on hospital length of stay (LOS) after ischemic stroke has not been studied. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that NHPI race is associated with a longer hospital LOS after ischemic stroke. Methods: Data from 2004 to 2010 were retrospectively obtained from the Get With the Guidelines-Stroke (GWTG-Stroke) database from The Queen’s Medical Center, the only primary stroke center for the state of Hawaii. Multivariable analyses were performed using a stepwise linear regression model to identify factors predictive of hospital LOS after ischemic stroke. Results: A total of 1921 patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke (NHPI 20%, Asians 53%, whites 24%, blacks 0.8%, others 2%) were studied. Univariate analyses showed that NHPI were younger (mean ages, NHPI 60±14 vs. Asians 72±14, p <0.0001; vs. whites 71±14, p <0.0001) and had higher prevalence of diabetes (NHPI 53% vs. Asians 67%, p <0.0001; vs. whites 22%, p <0.0001), hypertension (NHPI 82% vs. whites 22%, p <0.0001), prior stroke or TIA (NHPI 30% vs. Asians 23%, p =0.01), smoking (NHPI 19% vs. Asians 14%, p =0.01), dyslipidemia (NHPI 43% vs. whites 34%, p <0.01), and longer hospital LOS (NHPI 11±17 days vs. Asians 7±9 days, p <0.0001; whites 8±17 days, p <0.05). After adjusting for age, race, gender, and risk factors with predefined significance ( p <0.1), independent predictors for hospital LOS were NHPI race (parameter estimate, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.09 - 4.22, p =0.001), atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (parameter estimate, 2.22; 95% CI, 0.53 - 3.90, p =0.01), and age (parameter estimate, -0.04; 95% CI, -0.09 - -0.002, p =0.04). Conclusions: Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders with ischemic stroke have a longer hospital length of stay compared to Asians and whites. Further studies are needed to assess if other socioeconomic factors contribute to the observed differences.



Author(s):  
Michael Wolfe ◽  
Daniel Saddawi-Konefka

Schweickert et al. studied effects of early physical and occupational therapy in mechanically ventilated patients. 109 mechanically ventilated medical ICU patients (with independent functional status prior to hospitalization) were randomized to receive physical and occupational therapy initiated at time of enrollment (intervention group) vs. physical and occupational therapy ordered at the discretion of the primary team (control group), with both groups receiving daily interruptions of sedation. The primary outcome, independent functional status at time of discharge, was met in 59% of the intervention group vs. 35% of the control group (p = 0.02). Lower rates of ICU and hospital delirium were observed in the intervention group. Hospital length of stay and mortality were unaffected. This study demonstrated that physical and occupational therapy can be safely accomplished in critically ill, mechanically ventilated medical ICU patients, and that early implementation of therapy may improve return to independent functional status at hospital discharge.



2020 ◽  
pp. 089719002097775
Author(s):  
Tia E. Collier ◽  
Lane B. Farrell ◽  
Aaron D. Killian ◽  
Vivek K. Kataria

Objective: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of adjunctive dexmedetomidine for alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) treatment compared to symptom-triggered benzodiazepine therapy. Methods: This single-center, retrospective, cohort study evaluated patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with AWS. Patients were divided into 2 groups: adjunctive dexmedetomidine or symptom-triggered therapy (control). Primary outcome was change in Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA-Ar) score. Secondary outcomes assessed cumulative ICU benzodiazepine requirement and ICU/hospital length of stay (LOS). Safety outcomes evaluated incidence of adverse events, new onset seizures, and intubation. Propensity matching was performed to minimize differences between study groups. Results: Overall, 147 patients were included, 56 in the dexmedetomidine group and 91 in the control group. Patient demographics were similar, however baseline CIWA-Ar score was statistically higher in the dexmedetomidine group. Following propensity matching, 55 patients were included in each group. No significant difference was noted for change in CIWA-Ar score (median, IQR) [3.8 (-0.4-12.3) dexmedetomidine vs. 5.4 (1.4-12.9) control, p = 0.223]. Secondary endpoints revealed increased benzodiazepine requirements (p = 0.001), prolonged ICU LOS (p = 0.050), and more frequent use of physical restraints (p = 0.001) in the dexmedetomidine group. While not statistically significant, the development of new onset seizures (p = 0.775) and intubation (p = 0.294) occurred more frequently in the dexmedetomidine group. Conclusion: The addition of dexmedetomidine to symptom-triggered benzodiazepines for AWS did not produce a significant change in CIWA-Ar scores from baseline compared to symptom-triggered therapy alone. The increased rate of new onset seizures and intubation warrant further investigation into the safety of dexmedetomidine in AWS.



2018 ◽  
Vol 79 (06) ◽  
pp. 559-568
Author(s):  
Kenny Lin ◽  
Claire Stewart ◽  
Philip Steig ◽  
Cameron Brennan ◽  
Philip Gutin ◽  
...  

Objectives To determine the incidence of prolonged postoperative systemic corticosteroid therapy after surgery for acoustic neuroma as well as the indications and associated risk factors that could lead to prolonged steroid administration, and the incidence of steroid-related adverse effects. Study Designs Retrospective chart review. Methods Retrospective chart review of patients undergoing resection of acoustic neuroma between 2010 and 2017 at two tertiary care medical centers. Patient and tumor characteristics, operative approach, hospital length of stay, initial postoperative taper length, number of discrete postoperative steroid courses, and postoperative complications were analyzed. Results There were 220 patients (99 male, 121 female) with an average age of 49.4 (range 16–78). There were 124 left-sided tumors and 96 right-sided tumors. Within the group, 191 tumors were operated through a retrosigmoid approach, 25 tumors through a translabyrinthine approach, and 4 tumors with a combined retrosigmoid–translabyrinthine approach under the same anesthetic. In total, 35 (15.9%) patients received an extended initial course of postoperative systemic steroids, defined as a taper longer than 18 days. Twenty six (11.8%) patients received additional courses of systemic steroids after the initial postoperative taper. There were 5 (2.3%) patients who required an extended initial taper as well as additional courses of steroids. Aseptic meningitis, often manifested as headache, was the most common indication for additional steroids (14 cases of prolonged taper and 17 cases of additional courses). None of the patient or tumor factors including age, gender, side, size, and approach were statistically significantly associated with either a prolonged initial steroid taper or additional courses of steroids. An extended hospital length of stay was associated with a prolonged initial steroid taper (p = 0.03), though the initial taper length was not predictive of additional courses of steroids. The cumulative number of days on steroids was associated with need for additional procedures (p < 0.01) as well as steroid-related side effects (p = 0.05). The administration of steroids was not found to significantly improve outcomes in postoperative facial paresis. Steroid-related complications were uncommon, seen in 9.26% of patients receiving steroids, with the most common being psychiatric side effects such as agitation, anxiety, and mood lability. Conclusions Systemic corticosteroids are routinely administered postoperatively for patients undergoing craniotomy for the resection of acoustic neuromas. In a review of 220 patients operated by a single neurotologist, no patient or tumor factors were predictive of requiring prolonged initial steroid taper or additional courses of steroids. The cumulative number of days on systemic steroids was associated with undergoing additional procedures and steroid-related side effects. The most common indications for prolonged or additional steroids were aseptic meningitis, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and facial paresis. Additional steroids for postoperative facial paresis did not significantly improve outcomes. Patient-reported steroid-related complications were infrequent and were most commonly psychiatric including agitation, anxiety, and mood lability.





Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Lu ◽  
Erica Bertoncini

Abstract INTRODUCTION Spine surgery traditionally relies on opioid analgesics for postoperative pain management. Opioids are associated with prolonged hospital stays and opioid use disorders. Opioid-focused prescribing habits in surgery have partially contributed to the opioid epidemic. METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed comparing patients receiving a multimodal analgesia regimen after lumbar fusion surgery vs control group receiving standard analgesia regimen. The multimodal regimen consisted of Acetaminophen 975 mg TID, Toradol 7.5 mg Q6 hours for 24-ho followed by Celebrex 100 mg BID for 7-d, Robaxin 500 mg Q6 hours prn for muscle spasms, Gabapentin 300 mg/100 mg TID for 4-wk, and prn narcotic. The standard regimen consisted of Acetaminophen 975 mg TID, narcotic prn, and muscle relaxant prn. There were 12 patients in the multimodal group and 26 patients in the control group evaluated over 3-mo and 6-mo time periods respectively. Primary outcomes included hospital length-of-stay, total and IV narcotic requirements in Morphine Milligram Equivalent (MME), and VASS pain scores. RESULTS Study results demonstrate differences between patient populations when focusing on the opioid-naïve participants. Opioid-naïve patients in the multimodal group were found to have significantly lower IV narcotic requirement than the control (0.22+/−0.67 mg/d for multimodal vs 5.36+/−5.56 mg/d for standard group, P-value = .001). These patients also had shorter hospital stays than the control (2.78+/−0.83 d for multimodal vs 3.53+/−1.17 d for standard group) but the difference was just below our threshold for significance (P-value = .066). Including both opioid-naïve and opioid-tolerant patients, no significant differences were found in hospital length-of-stay, MME, IV narcotic requirement nor VASS score between the multimodal group and the control groups (P-values of .46, .81, .36, and .91, respectively). CONCLUSION Overall, the study favors using multimodal analgesia in those undergoing lumbar spinal fusion surgeries as evident by considerably reduced IV narcotic requirement and nearly significant shortened hospital length-of-stay in opioid-naïve patients compared to control.



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