scholarly journals Evaluation and management of infectious esophagitis in immunocompromised patients and immunocompetent individuals

2020 ◽  
Vol 92 (8) ◽  
pp. 108-117
Author(s):  
A. S. Trukhmanov ◽  
A. A. Makushina ◽  
O. A. Storonova ◽  
N. Yu. Ivashkina

Among the many causes of the inflammatory process in the esophagus, infectious diseases are becoming increasingly important due to their steady growth. Previously esophageal infections have traditionally been associated with immunodeficiency syndromes, but now in clinical practice, these disorders are becoming increasingly recognized in immunocompetent individuals. Early diagnosis of infectious esophagitis is necessary to develop effective treatment tactics, and, as a result, reduce the risk of complications and adverse outcomes of the disease. This study reviewed the most clinical relevant pathogens of infectious esophagitis, both among patients with immunodeficiency and among healthy individuals. Specific diagnostic, risk factors, clinical presentation and therapeutic features were considered depending on the immune status of patients.

Author(s):  
Raquel Lopes de Braganca ◽  
Vanessa Gorito ◽  
Diana Cibele ◽  
Luciana Gonçalves ◽  
Augusto Ribeiro ◽  
...  

Introduction: Pediatric pulmonary embolism (PE) is rare but associated with adverse outcomes. We aimed to characterize PE cases admitted in a tertiary hospital and to evaluate sensitivity of PE diagnostic prediction tools. Methods: Retrospective, descriptive study of PE cases admitted from 2008 to 2020. Data was collected from hospital records. Patients were grouped according to PE severity and setting (outpatients, inpatients). Associations with demographic characteristics, risk factors, clinical presentation, management and outcomes were analyzed. PE diagnostic prediction tools were applied. Results: 29 PE episodes occurred in 27 patients, 62.9% female, mean age 14.1 years. Most PE were central and massive or submassive. One was diagnosed in autopsy. Outpatients (n=20), admitted for classic PE symptoms, were adolescents; in half the diagnosis had been missed previously. Risk factors included contraceptives (65%), thrombophilia (35%), obesity (20%) and auto-immunity (20%). Inpatients´ PE (n=8), diagnosed during cardiorespiratory deterioration (n=5) or through incidental radiological findings (n=3), were younger and had immobilization (87.5%), complex chronic diseases (75%), infections (75%) and central venous catheter (62.5%) as risk factors. Retrospectively, D-dimer testing and adults’ scores performed better than pediatrics’ scores (sensitivity 92.9-96% vs 85.7- 92.9%). Both pediatrics’ scores missed a case with a positive family history. Discussion: Pediatric PE diagnosis is often delayed or missed. To improve it, the development of pediatric prediction tools as from validated adult scores merits to be explored. We propose that clinical presentation and risk factors may be different in inpatients and outpatients. Family history should be included.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Amanati ◽  
Hamide Barzegar ◽  
Gholamreza Pouladfar ◽  
Anahita Sanaei Dashti ◽  
Mohamad Bagher Abtahi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Orbital mucormycosis is a rare but potentially severe and troublesome invasive fungal infection that could be occurred even in healthy individuals. The initial clinical presentation is similar to bacterial pre-septal or septal cellulitis, especially in early stages. Case presentation Herein, we describe the successful management of a series of five cases presenting with orbital mucormycosis in previously healthy children. Conclusions Orbital mucormycosis is extremely rare in healthy children and maybe life-threatening when diagnosis delayed given a similar clinical presentation with bacterial septal cellulitis. Intravenous antifungal therapy with amphotericin B and timely surgical drainage is live-saving.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 388-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulla Shehab ◽  
Khalid F. AlHabib ◽  
Akshaya S. Bhagavathula ◽  
Ahmad Hersi ◽  
Hussam Alfaleh ◽  
...  

Background: Most of the available literature on ST-Elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) in women was conducted in the developed world and data from Middle-East countries was limited. Aims: To examine the clinical presentation, patient management, quality of care, risk factors and inhospital outcomes of women with acute STEMI compared with men using data from a large STEMI registry from the Middle East. Methods: Data were derived from the third Gulf Registry of Acute Coronary Events (Gulf RACE-3Ps), a prospective, multinational study of adults with acute STEMI from 36 hospitals in 6 Middle-Eastern countries. The study included 2928 patients; 296 women (10.1%) and 2632 men (89.9%). Clinical presentations, management and in-hospital outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. Results: Women were 10 years older and more likely to have diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia compared with men who were more likely to be smokers (all p<0.001). Women had longer median symptom-onset to emergency department (ED) arrival times (230 vs. 170 min, p<0.001) and ED to diagnostic ECG (8 vs. 6 min., p<0.001). When primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) was performed, women had longer door-to-balloon time (DBT) (86 vs. 73 min., p=0.009). When thrombolytic therapy was not administered, women were less likely to receive PPCI (69.7 vs. 76.7%, p=0.036). The mean duration of hospital stay was longer in women (6.03 ± 22.51 vs. 3.41 ± 19.45 days, p=0.032) and the crude in-hospital mortality rate was higher in women (10.4 vs. 5.2%, p<0.001). However, after adjustments, multivariate analysis revealed a statistically non-significant trend of higher inhospital mortality among women than men (6.4 vs. 4.6%), (p=0.145). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that women in our region have almost double the mortality from STEMI compared with men. Although this can partially be explained by older age and higher risk profiles in women, however, correction of identified gaps in quality of care should be attempted to reduce the high morbidity and mortality of STEMI in our women.


Author(s):  
Alvin J. X. Lee ◽  
Karin Purshouse

AbstractThe SARS-Cov-2 pandemic in 2020 has caused oncology teams around the world to adapt their practice in the aim of protecting patients. Early evidence from China indicated that patients with cancer, and particularly those who had recently received chemotherapy or surgery, were at increased risk of adverse outcomes following SARS-Cov-2 infection. Many registries of cancer patients infected with SARS-Cov-2 emerged during the first wave. We collate the evidence from these national and international studies and focus on the risk factors for patients with solid cancers and the contribution of systemic anti-cancer treatments (SACT—chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted and hormone therapy) to outcomes following SARS-Cov-2 infection. Patients with cancer infected with SARS-Cov-2 have a higher probability of death compared with patients without cancer. Common risk factors for mortality following COVID-19 include age, male sex, smoking history, number of comorbidities and poor performance status. Oncological features that may predict for worse outcomes include tumour stage, disease trajectory and lung cancer. Most studies did not identify an association between SACT and adverse outcomes. Recent data suggest that the timing of receipt of SACT may be associated with risk of mortality. Ongoing recruitment to these registries will enable us to provide evidence-based care.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Yini Wang ◽  
Xueqin Gao ◽  
Zhenjuan Zhao ◽  
Ling Li ◽  
Guojie Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Type D personality and depression are the independent psychological risk factors for adverse outcomes in cardiovascular patients. The aim of this study was to examine the combined effect of Type D personality and depression on clinical outcomes in patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods This prospective cohort study included 3568 patients diagnosed with AMI between February 2017 and September 2018. Type D personality and depression were assessed at baseline, while the major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rate (cardiac death, recurrent non-fatal myocardial infarction, revascularization, and stroke) and in-stent restenosis (ISR) rate were analyzed after a 2-year follow-up period. Results A total of 437 patients developed MACEs and 185 had ISR during the follow-up period. The Type D (+) depression (+) and Type D (+) depression (−) groups had a higher risk of MACE [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.74–6.07] (95% CI 1.25–2.96) and ISR (95% CI 3.09–8.28) (95% CI 1.85–6.22). Analysis of Type D and depression as continuous variables indicated that the main effect of Type D, depression and their combined effect were significantly associated with MACE and ISR. Moreover, Type D (+) depression (+) and Type D (+) depression (−) emerged as significant risk factors for MACE and ISR in males, while only Type D (+) depression (+) was associated with MACE and ISR in female patients. Conclusions These findings suggest that patients complicated with depression and Type D personality are at a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Individual assessments of Type D personality and depression, and comprehensive interventions are required.


Author(s):  
Heidi K. Al-Wassia ◽  
Shahd K. Baarimah ◽  
Asmaa H. Mohammedsaleh ◽  
Manal O. Alsulami ◽  
Ragad S. Abbas ◽  
...  

Objective Low birth weight (LBW) infants (<2,500 g) continued to be a global health problem because of the associated short- and long-term adverse outcomes. The study aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and short-term outcomes of term LBW infants Study Design A prospective and case–control study. All infants born consecutively from September 1, 2018 to August 31, 2019 were included. Cases, term LBW infants, were 1:1 matched to controls, appropriate for gestational age (AGA) term infants. Major congenital or chromosomal anomalies and multiple pregnancies were excluded. Results The prevalence of term LBW in the studied period was 4.8%. Mothers of term LBW infants had significantly lower body mass index (p = 0.05), gained less weight (p = 0.01), had a history of previous LBW (p = 0.01), and lower monthly income (p = 0.04) compared with mothers of term AGA infants even after adjustment for confounders. A nonsignificant higher number of term LBW infants needed NICU admission, while their need for phototherapy was deemed significant. Conclusion We identified nutritional and socioeconomic maternal factors that are significantly associated with LBW infants and should be targeted during antenatal visits to improve neonatal outcomes. Key Points


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Jeanne Sigalla ◽  
Nathalie Duparc Alegria ◽  
Enora Le Roux ◽  
Artemis Toumazi ◽  
Anne-Françoise Thiollier ◽  
...  

The majority of hospitalizations of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are related to painful vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs). Although the pain of VOC is classically nociceptive, neuropathic pain (NP) has also been demonstrated in SCD patients. The aim of our study is to specify the prevalence of NP during VOCs in SCD children using a dedicated scale and to measure its characteristics. We performed a prospective study that included SCD children hospitalized for an acute VOC. The presence of NP was sought with the DN4 scale on the second and fourth days of hospitalization. A total of 54 SCD children were included in the study. Overall, 41% of the patients (n = 22) experienced neuropathic pain during the VOC, mostly at an early stage (Day 2). The median age, the sex ratio, the location of the pain, and the morphine consumption were similar for patients with and without NP. Our study shows that neuropathic pain is very common during VOCs in SCD children. The absence of identified risk factors should prompt us to be vigilant regardless of the patient’s age, sex, and clinical presentation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117863882110352
Author(s):  
Yordanos Mengistu ◽  
Gobena Dedefo ◽  
Mesay Arkew ◽  
Gebeyehu Asefa ◽  
Gutema Jebessa ◽  
...  

Background: Khat chewing is a long standing social-cultural habit in several countries. Even though many people chew khat simply for its pleasurable and stimulatory effect, evidence showed widely-held belief among khat chewers in Ethiopia and other part of the world that khat helps to lower blood glucose while some studies are contradicted on the effect of khat. There is limited data about khat’s effect on blood glucose especially in our setting, Harar estern Ethiopia. Objective: Primarily the present study aims to compare fasting blood sugar level among khat chewer diabetic and healthy individuals, and to asses risk factors associated with poor glycemic control in diabetic subjects. Method: A cross-sectional study included 200 confirmed diabetic and healthy subjects. Fasting blood sugar was determined by enzymatic method glucose oxidase and glucose hexokinase. Glycemic control was also determined for diabetic subjects based on the last 2-month diabetic clinic visits and current measurement. Result: (Median ± IQR [interquartile range]) fasting blood sugar difference among Khat chewer and non khat chewer were 159 ± 83 mg/dl and 202 ± 79 mg/dl respectively in diabetic subjects when tested by glucose oxidase. Similarly, in healthy non khat chewer and khat chewer, khat chewers has lower (Median ± IQR) fasting blood glucose level 82 ± 18 mg/dl than non khat chewers 94 ± 13 mg/dl when tested by glucose oxidase. Regarding risk factors associated with poor glycemic control in diabetic subjects, positive parental diabetes history, insulin medication, being overweight, obese were significantly associated with poor glycemic control. Conclusion: There was significant effect of khat on median FBS among khat chewers in diabetic and healthy individuals. And the proportion of glycemic control was high among diabetic subjects. Recommendation: Health care professional and patients should manage the risk factors to delay disease progression and restrain the damage. More studies should be conducted in randomized control trial manner to further elucidate khat effect on blood sugar level so that the actual effect of khat can be identified unlike in cross sectional where there may not be strong causal relationship.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Thanvi ◽  
P Thakkar

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction   Cardiovascular disease (CVD) including heart disease and stroke, is the leading cause of death globally and in India.  The importance of primary prevention, defined as interventions designed to modify adverse risk factors with the goal of preventing an initial CVD event has been established beyond doubt by several population based studies in healthy individuals. While there have been many studies defining the high prevalence in CVD risk factors in Indian population, this study sought to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed modifiable CVD risk factors in healthy individuals.  Methods The  cross sectional, analytical study was carried out at the hospitals, from 1st April 2015 to 31st dec 2017. Subjects between 18 - 70 years of age who were healthy and were undergoing health checkup were included in the study. A total of 5000 patients were screened, those having existing CVD risk factors were excluded from the study.  This study was approved by the institutional ethics committee of the hospital. Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects. The data collection record sheet was prepared based on validated and standardized questionnaires which was used to enter all data.  Physical examination for vitals and BMI was done by qualified physicians. Blood investigations were done for diabetes and dyslipidemia and thyroid dysfunction. ACC/AHA criteria was used for diagnosis of  hypertension, ADA criteria for diabetes. Joint British society 3 risk score and ASCVD risk score was calculated using standard calculators. Results At screening, 4998 participants aged ≥18 years were approached to participate in study. The study population included 2705 men (68.1%) and 1265 women (31.9%) with a mean age of 68± 18.8 years. The most prevalent risk factor was overweight and obesity (71.2%). The prevalence of undiagnosed HTN was 73.3%, undiagnosed pre-diabetes was 24.9% and undiagnosed diabetes was 28.3%. Out of total, 44.3% subjects had high level of low-density lipoprotein and 36.6% subjects had low level of high-density lipoprotein, 20.1% subjects had high level of very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and 17.3% subjects had high level of triglyceride. Tobacco smoking was present in 7.7% of the population. The risk estimation predicted 29.1% of the study participants to have more than 10% risk of heart attack/stroke risk at 10 years. Conclusion Our study reveals a fairly good snapshot of CVDs risk factors in healthy general population. Increased prevalence of high BMI, undiagnosed HTN, diabetes, dyslipidemia was present in our study population.  The population had significantly high predicted risk of heart attack/stroke. These findings warrant the need of community based life style modifications, regular health checkup for healthy population for early detection and modification of CVD risk factors.


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