Tapering of Biological Agents in Juvenile ERA Patients in Daily Clinical Practice

Objectives: We aim to evaluate the proportion and characteristics of enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) patients in whom medications can be withdrawn in daily practice and to analyze the factors associated with flare-ups during medication tapering of these patients.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed records of patients under 16 years old diagnosed with ERA from April 2001 to March 2020 in one tertiary medical center in Taiwan. Patients were categorized by different medication uses: conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (cDMARDs) only and cDMARDs plus biologics. Demographics, laboratory data, presence of uveitis, and medication withdrawal rate were analyzed. Subgroup analysis was performed in the patients with cDMARDs plus biologics to identify factors associated with flare-ups during medication tapering of these patients. Statistical analysis was performed using R (v3.6.0).Results: There were 75 juvenile ERA patients with a median onset age of 10.28 years old. Nineteen (25.3%) patients used cDMARDs for disease control; 56 (74.7%) patients depended on cDMARDs plus biologics. Poly-articular involvement was noted in 29 (38.7%) patients, and it occurred more frequently in the cDMARDs plus biologics subgroup (cDMARDs only, 5.3%; cDMARDs plus biologics, 53.6%; P = 0.0001). ANA positivity was observed in 18 (24.0%) patients, and it occurred more frequently in the cDMARDs plus biologics subgroup (cDMARDs, 0%; cDMARDs plus biologics, 32.1%; P = 0.0038). The overall medication withdrawal rate was 34.7%, and it occurred more frequently in patients with cDMARDs only (cDMARDs only, 84.2%; cDMARDs plus biologics, 17.9%; P < 0.001). In the subgroup analysis of patients with cDMARDs plus biologics, patients on biologics tapering with flare-up had a significantly longer time interval between disease onset and initiation of cDMARDs (biologics tapering without flare-up: 0.27 (0.11–0.73) years; biologics tapering with flare-up: 1.14 (0.39–2.02) years; ever withdrawing biologics: 0.26 (0.18–0.42) years, P = 0.0104).Conclusion: Juvenile ERA patients with polyarticular involvement had a higher risk of developing cDMARDs refractory and progressing to biologics use. Patients with a long time interval between disease onset and initiation of cDMARDs were prone to experience flare-up during tapering of biologics.

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How often does the patient repeat screening colonoscopy? A study for personalized recommendation of screening colonoscopy interval.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2016.34.4_suppl.527 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 34 (4_suppl) ◽

pp. 527-527

Author(s):

Eun Sun Kim ◽

Hoon Jai Chun ◽

Yoon Tae Jeen ◽

Bora Keum ◽

Hyuk Soon Choi

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Clustering Analysis ◽

Medical Center ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Screening Colonoscopy ◽

Personalized Recommendation ◽

Optimal Time ◽

Time Interval ◽

Colonoscopic Examination ◽

Adenoma Detection

527 Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second most frequent cause of cancer death of female and fourth most of male in South Korea. Most CRCs develop through the adenoma–carcinoma sequence, which allows for screening and prevention of CRCs by screening colonoscopic examination and polypectomy. However, there have been limited data on personalized optimal time interval of next surveillance colonoscopic examination. The aim of our study is to recommend personalized interval by analysis of various clinical factors obtained by health care examination. Methods: We enrolled the patients who underwent two times more voluntary, complete screening colonoscopy at health care unit of Korea University Medical Center Anam Hospital from July 1, 2004 to July 31, 2010. The clustering analysis using the partitioning around medoids algorithm and Hierarchial cluster were conducted including the 32 clinical, geographic and laboratory data. For each cluster, we then performed survival analysis that provides the probability of having polyps according to the number of days until next colonoscopy. Results: Totally 8,332 patients underwent screening colonoscopy, among them 625 patients performed repeat colonoscopy exam. 625 patients divided four clusters by clustering analysis. Adenoma detection at first screening colonoscopy was the most potent risk factor of develop of adenoma at next screening. Male gender, triglyceride (>134 mg/dL), and age (>56 years old) were significant factor for decision of the personalized interval of next screening colonoscopy. For example, male patient, who had adenoma at fist screening, the predicted risk of adenoma is 50% after 25 months. Conclusions: Our study can provide personalized time interval of next screening colonoscopy according to patients’ individual clinical data. Further study are necessary for validation our results.

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Mortality predictors of hospitalized patients with COVID-19: Retrospective cohort study from Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0261272 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (12) ◽

pp. e0261272

Author(s):

Yuriy Pya ◽

Makhabbat Bekbossynova ◽

Abduzhappar Gaipov ◽

Timur Lesbekov ◽

Timur Kapyshev ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Respiratory Rate ◽

Retrospective Cohort Study ◽

Retrospective Cohort ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Disease Onset ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Hospital Death ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Predictors Of Mortality

Background First reported case of Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Kazakhstan was identified in March 2020. Many specialized tertiary hospitals in Kazakhstan including National Research Cardiac Surgery Center (NRCSC) were re-organized to accept coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infected patients during summer months of 2020. Although many studies from worldwide reported their experience in treating patients with COVID-19, there are limited data available from the Central Asia countries. The aim of this study is to identify predictors of mortality associated with COVID-19 in NRCSC tertiary hospital in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to the NRCSC between June 1st–August 31st 2020 with COVID-19. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected from electronic records. In-hospital mortality was assessed as an outcome. Patients were followed-up until in-hospital death or discharge from the hospital. Descriptive statistics and factors associated with mortality were assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results Two hundred thirty—nine admissions were recorded during the follow-up period. Mean age was 57 years and 61% were males. Median duration of stay at the hospital was 8 days and 34 (14%) patients died during the hospitalization. Non-survivors were more likely to be admitted later from the disease onset, with higher fever, lower oxygen saturation and increased respiratory rate compared to survivors. Leukocytosis, lymphopenia, anemia, elevated liver and kidney function tests, hypoproteinemia, elevated inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) and coagulation tests (fibrinogen, D-dimer, international normalized ratio (INR), and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)) at admission were associated with mortality. Age (OR 1.2, CI:1.01–1.43), respiratory rate (OR 1.38, CI: 1.07–1.77), and CRP (OR 1.39, CI: 1.04–1.87) were determined to be independent predictors of mortality. Conclusion This study describes 14% mortality rate from COVID-19 in the tertiary hospital. Many abnormal clinical and laboratory variables at admission were associated with poor outcome. Age, respiratory rate and CRP were found to be independent predictors of mortality. Our finding would help healthcare providers to predict the risk factors associated with high risk of mortality. Further investigations involving large cohorts should be provided to support our findings.

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An App Predicting Peritoneal Dialysis Appropriate Dwell Volume for Patients in Daily Practice (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.14937 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Hsien-Yi Wang ◽

Wei-Chih Kan ◽

Chih-Chiang Chien ◽

Tsair-Wei Chien

Keyword(s):

Peritoneal Dialysis ◽

Medical Center ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Daily Practice ◽

Fine Tuning ◽

Multivariate Techniques ◽

Clinical Settings ◽

The Novel ◽

Intraperitoneal Pressure ◽

Reference Equation

BACKGROUND Few studies mention how to objectively adjust peritoneal dialysis (PD) dwell volume (DV) for adult continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients. It requires a great deal of physicians’ precious time to determine the appropriate DV during daily practice. An app with evidence is required to solve this problem independently and efficiently. OBJECTIVE This study aims to determine a method for fluid control that can reduce fluid overload-related complications. We proposed a reference equation composed of parameters from the peritoneal equilibration test (PET) for adjusting daily dialysate DV to obtain more ultrafiltration volume. METHODS Ninety PD patients being treated at one medical center were enrolled, with laboratory data collected during half-yearly PET evaluations. The instilled dialysate was composed of 2.57% glucose PD fluid, either 1500 ml or 2000 ml for two groups in DV. We measured intraperitoneal pressure (IPP) before dialysate instilled (P0) and drained in the supine position after four hours (P4), effluent volume (ml), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and other parameters, including social demographics, to predict the appropriate DV. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed to extract independent domains. Statistical multivariate techniques of discrimination analysis and logistic regression (LR) to verify the most feasible and optimal formula were applied to determine infill volumes for patients. A final equation for fine-tuning daily DV was proposed with an app to be used for physicians and patients in clinical settings. RESULTS Two domains were observed by using EFA: (1) P0, and P4, and effluent volume and (2) BMI and wais circumference. We determined a formula for calculating daily dialysate DV, derived from L to obtain an accurate prediction rate of 94.44% higher than the previous study at 80.68%: Z = 4.32974 + 3.85477 * F1 + 3.83008 * F2. An app was created to easily adjust the DV in the daily procedure. CONCLUSIONS The novel formula, combined with an app using objective, real-time parameters for predicting appropriate DVs, was proposed for PD patients to optimize maximal ultrafiltration volumes and reduce subjective abdominal discomfort. DV is easy to calculate using the app, which makes it possible for physicians or patients to make frequent adjustments. CLINICALTRIAL Not available

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Onset age is a risk factor for refractory pediatric IgA vasculitis: a retrospective cohort study

Pediatric Rheumatology ◽

10.1186/s12969-020-00480-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chun-Hua Liao ◽

Melody Tsai ◽

Yao-Hsu Yang ◽

Bor-Luen Chiang ◽

Li-Chieh Wang

Keyword(s):

Complete Remission ◽

Medical Center ◽

Renal Involvement ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Disease Onset ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Joint Involvement ◽

Refractory Disease ◽

Iga Vasculitis ◽

Onset Age

Abstract Background Though outcome differences between children and adults with immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) has been well documented, it remains unclear if disease features in pediatric IgAV patients vary with onset age. We aimed to explore clinical features and prognosis of pediatric IgAV stratified by onset age. Methods We retrospectively reviewed records of patients under 18 years old diagnosed with IgAV from January 1999 to December 2018 in one tertiary medical center in Taiwan. Patients were grouped by onset age: ≤ 6 years old, 6–12 years old (> 6, ≤ 12), and 12–18 years old (> 12, < 18). Demographics, laboratory data, incidence of gastrointestinal, renal, and joint involvement, corticosteroid dependence, recurrence, and refractory disease were analyzed. Recurrence was defined as disease flare-up after complete remission and discontinuation of all medications for at least 3 months. Corticosteroid dependence was defined by more than 6 weeks of daily oral corticosteroid intake. Refractory disease was defined as not achieving complete remission 6 months after disease onset. Statistical analysis was performed using R software (v3.6.0). Results There were 484 IgAV patients, with an onset age of 6.10 (4.72–8.58) (median (IQR)) years old. There were 234 (48.3%) patients ≤6 years old, 210 (43.4%) 6–12 years old, and 40 (8.3%) 12–18 years old. One hundred and thirty (26.9%) patients had renal involvement, which was more frequent in older children (≤ 6 years old, 18.4%; 6–12 years old, 31.0%; 12–18 years old, 55.0%; p < 0.001). There were 361 patients (74.6%) with joint involvement; younger children were affected more frequently (≤ 6 years old, 82.1%; 6–12 years old, 71.9%; 12–18 years old, 45.0%; p < 0.001). Gastrointestinal involvement was present in 311 (64.3%) patients, showing no difference among age groups. There were 46 patients (9.5%) with recurrent IgA vasculitis, 136 (28.1%) with corticosteroid dependent and 76 (15.7%) with refractory disease. Corticosteroid dependence and refractory disease occurred more frequently as onset age increased (p < 0.001). Conclusion Pediatric IgAV with different onset ages are associated with distinct clinical manifestations and outcomes. The risk of developing corticosteroid dependence, refractory disease and renal involvement increased with onset age.

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An App Predicting Peritoneal Dialysis Appropriate Dwell Volume for Patients in Daily Quality-of-Care Practice

10.21203/rs.3.rs-22476/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Tsair-Wei Chien ◽

Hsien-Yi Wang ◽

Wei-Chih Kan ◽

Chih-Chiang Chien

Keyword(s):

Peritoneal Dialysis ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Medical Center ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Daily Practice ◽

Fine Tuning ◽

Care Practice ◽

Multivariate Techniques ◽

Intraperitoneal Pressure ◽

Logistic Analysis

Abstract Background Few studies mention how to objectively adjust peritoneal dialysis (PD) dwell volume (DV) for adult continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients. It requires a great deal of physicians’ precious time to determine the appropriate DV during daily practice. An app with evidence is required to solve this problem independently and efficiently This study aims to determine a method for fluid control that can reduce fluid overload-related complications. We proposed a reference equation composed of parameters from the peritoneal equilibration test (PET) for adjusting daily dialysate DV to obtain more ultrafiltration volume.Methods Ninety PD patients being treated at one medical center were enrolled, with laboratory data collected during half-yearly PET evaluations. The instilled dialysate was composed of 2.57% glucose PD fluid, either 1500 ml or 2000 ml for two groups in DV. We measured intraperitoneal pressure (IPP) before dialysate instilled (P0) and drained in the supine position after four hours (P4), effluent volume (ml), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and other parameters, including social demographics, to predict the appropriate DV. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed to extract independent domains. Statistical multivariate techniques of discrimination analysis and logistic regression (LR) to verify the most feasible and optimal formula were applied to determine inflow volumes for patients. A final equation for fine-tuning daily DV was proposed with an app to be used for physicians and patients in clinical settings.Results Two domains were observed by using EFA: (1) P0, and P4, and effluent volume and (2) BMI and waist circumference. We determined a formula for calculating daily dialysate DV, derived from Logistic analysis to obtain an accurate prediction rate of 94.44% with Z = 4.32974 + 3.85477 * F1 + 3.83008 * F2, higher than the previous study at 80.68%. An app was created to easily adjust the DV in the daily procedure.Conclusion The novel formula, combined with an app using objective, real-time parameters for predicting appropriate DVs, was proposed for PD patients to optimize maximal ultrafiltration volumes and reduce subjective abdominal discomfort. DV is easy to calculate using the app, which makes it possible for physicians or patients to make frequent adjustments.

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An Adaptive and Learning System for Feedback-Controlled Evoked Response Studies

Methods of Information in Medicine ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1635302 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 20 (03) ◽

pp. 169-173

Author(s):

J. Wagner ◽

G. Pfurtscheixer

Keyword(s):

Brain Activity ◽

Evoked Response ◽

Learning System ◽

Time Interval ◽

Electrical Brain Activity ◽

Long Time ◽

The Subject ◽

Eeg Power ◽

Stimulation System ◽

Background Eeg

The shape, latency and amplitude of changes in electrical brain activity related to a stimulus (Evoked Potential) depend both on the stimulus parameters and on the background EEG at the time of stimulation. An adaptive, learnable stimulation system is introduced, whereby the subject is stimulated (e.g. with light), whenever the EEG power is subthreshold and minimal. Additionally, the system is conceived in such a way that a certain number of stimuli could be given within a particular time interval. Related to this time criterion, the threshold specific for each subject is calculated at the beginning of the experiment (preprocessing) and adapted to the EEG power during the processing mode because of long-time fluctuations and trends in the EEG. The process of adaptation is directed by a table which contains the necessary correction numbers for the threshold. Experiences of the stimulation system are reflected in an automatic correction of this table. Because the corrected and improved table is stored after each experiment and is used as the starting table for the next experiment, the system >learns<. The system introduced here can be used both for evoked response studies and for alpha-feedback experiments.

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Characteristics and risk factors associated with stroke subtypes among adult patients admitted to stroke unit of JUMC

Current Hypertension Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573402115666191121120228 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

Bekalu Getachew Gebreegziabher ◽

Tesema Etefa Birhanu ◽

Diriba Dereje Olana ◽

Behailu Terefe Tesfaye

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Stroke Unit ◽

Medical Center ◽

Data Entry ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Stroke Subtypes

Background: Stroke is a great public health problem in Ethiopia. According to reports, in-hospital stroke mortality was estimated to be 14.7% in Ethiopia. Despite this, in this country researches done on factors associated with stroke sub-types were inadequate. Objective: To assess the Characteristics and risk factors associated with stroke sub-types among patients admitted to JUMC. Methods and materials: A retrospective cross sectional study was conducted from May 2017 to May 2018 in stroke unit of Jimma University Medical Center. A total of 106 medical charts of patients diagnosed with stroke were reviewed. Checklist comprising of relevant variables was used to collect data. SPSS version 21 was employed for data entry and analysis. Chi-square test was used to point-out association and difference among stroke sub-types. The data was presented using text, tables and figures. Result: From a total of 106 patients, 67(63.2%) were men. The mean ± SD of age was 52.67±12.46 years, and no significant association was found. Of all the patients, 59(55.6%) had ischemic strokes and 47(44.4%) had hemorrhagic strokes. The most common risk factor in the patients was alcohol use with a prevalence of 69.9%. Of all the risk factors, only sex, cigarettes smoking and dyslipidemia were significantly associated to sub-types of stroke. Conclusion: Ischemic stroke was the most common subtype of stroke. Sex of patient, cigarette smoking and dyslipidemia are significantly associated with the two stroke subtypes.

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Prevalence and Factors Associated With Second Eye Cataract Surgery and the Trend in the Time Interval Between the Two Eye Surgeries Based on the Malaysian National Eye Database

Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.22608/apo.201605 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Shu Fen Ho ◽

Tassha Hilda bin Adnan ◽

Pik Pin Goh

Keyword(s):

Cataract Surgery ◽

Time Interval ◽

Factors Associated

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OP0313 PRELIMINARY CRITERIA FOR MACROPHAGE ACTIVATION SYNDROME ASSOCIATED WITH CORONAVIRUS DISEASE-19

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.3113 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 191.1-192

Author(s):

S. Amikishiyev ◽

M. G. Gunver ◽

M. Bektas ◽

S. Aghamuradov ◽

B. Ince ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Macrophage Activation Syndrome ◽

Macrophage Activation ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Disease Onset ◽

Dynamic Changes ◽

Ferritin Concentration ◽

Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

Significant Difference ◽

D Dimer ◽

Activation Syndrome

Background:COVID-19 runs a severe disease associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome in a subset of patients, and a hyperinflammatory response developing in the second week contributes to the worse outcome. Inflammatory features are mostly compatible with macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) observed in other viral infections despite resulting in milder changes. Early detection and treatment of MAS may be associated with a better outcome. However, available criteria for MAS associated with other causes have not been helpful.Objectives:To identify distinct features of MAS associated with COVID-19 using a large database enabling to assess of dynamic changes.Methods:PCR-confirmed hospitalized COVID-19 patients followed between March and September 2020 constituted the discovery set. Patients considered to have findings of MAS by experienced physicians and given anakinra or tocilizumab were classified as the MAS group and the remaining patients as the non-MAS group. The MAS group was then re-grouped as the cases with exact-MAS and borderline-MAS cases by the study group. Clinical and laboratory data including the Ct values of the PCR test were obtained from the database, and dynamic changes were evaluated especially for the first 14 days of the hospitalization. The second set of 162 patients followed between September-December 2020 were used as the replication group to test the preliminary criteria. In the second set, hospitalization rules were changed, and all patients required oxygen support and received dexamethasone 6mg/day or equivalent glucocorticoids. Daily changes were calculated for the laboratory items in MAS, borderline, and non-MAS groups to see the days differentiating the groups, and ROC curves and lower and upper limits (10-90%) of the selected parameters were calculated to determine the cutoff values.Results:A total of 769 PCR-confirmed hospitalized patients were analysed, and 77 of them were classified as MAS and 83 as borderline MAS patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the baseline viral loads of MAS patients compared to the non-MAS group according to the Ct values. Daily dynamic changes in the MAS group differed from the non-MAS group especially around the 6th day of hospitalization, and more than a twofold increase in ferritin and a 1.5-fold increase in D-dimer levels compared to the baseline values help to define the MAS group. Twelve items selected for the criteria are given in Table 1 below. The total score of 45 provided 79.6% sensitivity for the MAS (including borderline cases) and 81.3% specificity around days 5 and 6 in the discovery set, and a score of 60 increased the specificity to 94.9% despite a decrease in sensitivity to 40.8%. The same set provided a similar sensitivity (80.3%) in the replication, but a lower specificity (47.4-66% on days 6 to 9) due to a group of control patients with findings of MAS possibly masked by glucocorticoids.Table 1.Preliminary Criteria for Macrophage Activation Syndrome Associated with Coronavirus Disease-191.Fever (>37.0 °C)2.Ferritin concentration > 550 ng/mL3.More than 2 times increase of ferritin concentration within 7 days of disease onset4.Neutrophil count > 6000 cell/mm35.Lymphopenia < 1000 cell/mm36.Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio > 67.D-dimer concentration > 1000 ng/ml8.More than 50% increase of D-dimer concentration within 7 days of disease onset9.CRP concetration > 50 mg/L10.LDH concentration > 300 U/L11.ALT or AST concentration > 50 U/L12.Procalcitonin concentration < 1.21 point for each positive item assessed on Days 5-7Score calculation: Total points / 12 x 100Possible MAS ≥45 and Definite MAS ≥60Conclusion:This study defined a set of preliminary criteria using the most relevant items of MAS according to the dynamic changes in the parameters in a group of COVID-19 patients. A score of 45 would be helpful to define a possible MAS group with reasonable sensitivity and specificity to start necessary treatments as early as possible.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

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