scholarly journals Predisposing Factors for Severe Complications after Cataract Surgery: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 3336
Author(s):  
I-Hung Lin ◽  
Chia-Yi Lee ◽  
Jiann-Torng Chen ◽  
Yi-Hao Chen ◽  
Chi-Hsiang Chung ◽  
...  

We conducted a retrospective group study to evaluate the potential systemic risk factors for major postoperative complications of cataract surgery. Individuals diagnosed with (n = 2046) and without (n = 8184) serious complications after cataract surgery were matched 1:4 for age, sex, and index date obtained using Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. The outcome was defined as at least one new inpatient or outpatient diagnosis of systemic disease one year before the index date. The effect of demographic data on postoperative complications was also analyzed in the multivariable model. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression models to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals of the risk of developing serious complications. After the entire study interval, the major postoperative complications of cataract surgery were associated with the following systemic diseases: hypertension (adjusted OR (aOR) = 2.329, p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (aOR = 2.818, p < 0.001), hyperlipidemia (aOR = 1.702, p < 0.001), congestive heart failure (aOR = 2.891, p < 0.001), rheumatic disease (aOR = 1.965, p < 0.001), and kidney disease needing hemodialysis (aOR = 2.942, p < 0.001). Additionally, demographic data including old age, higher urbanization level, higher level of care, and more frequent inpatient department visits were associated with a higher rate of postoperative complications. In conclusion, metabolic syndrome, chronic heart failure, end-stage renal disease, rheumatic disease, older age, and frequent inpatient department visits are correlated with the development of severe postoperative complications of cataract surgery. Therefore, cataract surgery patients should be informed about a higher possibility of postoperative complications.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cze-Ci Chan ◽  
Kuang-Tso Lee ◽  
Wan-Jing Ho ◽  
Yi-Hsin Chan ◽  
Pao-Hsien Chu

Abstract Background Acute heart failure is a life-threatening clinical condition. Levosimendan is an effective inotropic agent used to maintain cardiac output, but its usage is limited by the lack of evidence in patients with severely abnormal renal function. Therefore, we analyzed data of patients with acute heart failure with and without abnormal renal function to examine the effects of levosimendan. Methods We performed this retrospective cohort study using data from the Chang Gung Research Database (CGRD) of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH). Patients admitted for heart failure with LVEF ≤ 40% between January 2013 and December 2018 who received levosimendan or dobutamine in the critical cardiac care units (CCU) were identified. Patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) were excluded. Outcomes of interest were mortality at 30, 90, and 180 days after the cohort entry date. Results There were no significant differences in mortality rate at 30, 90, and 180 days after the cohort entry date between the levosimendan and dobutamine groups, or between subgroups of patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 and eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 or on dialysis. The results were consistent before and after propensity score matching. Conclusions Levosimendan did not increase short- or long-term mortality rates in critical patients with acute heart failure and reduced ejection fraction compared to dobutamine, regardless of their renal function. An eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 was not necessarily considered a contraindication for levosimendan in these patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Yu ◽  
Ren-Qi Yao ◽  
Yu-Feng Zhang ◽  
Su-Yu Wang ◽  
Wang Xi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The clinical efficiency of routine oxygen therapy is uncertain in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) who do not have hypoxemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between oxygen therapy and clinical outcomes in normoxemic patients hospitalized with AHF using real-world data. Methods Normoxemic patients diagnosed with AHF on ICU admission from the electronic ICU (eICU) Collaborative Research Database were included in the current study, in which the study population was divided into the oxygen therapy group and the ambient-air group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to create a balanced covariate distribution between patients receiving supplemental oxygen and those exposed to ambient air. Linear regression and logistic regression models were performed to assess the associations between oxygen therapy and length of stay (LOS), and all-cause in-hospital as well as ICU mortality rates, respectively. A series of sensitivity and subgroup analyses were conducted to further validate the robustness of our findings. Results A total of 2922 normoxemic patients with AHF were finally included in the analysis. Overall, 42.1% (1230/2922) patients were exposed to oxygen therapy, and 57.9% (1692/2922) patients did not receive oxygen therapy (defined as the ambient-air group). After PSM analysis, 1122 pairs of patients were matched: each patient receiving oxygen therapy was matched with a patient without receiving supplemental oxygen. The multivariable logistic model showed that there was no significant interaction between the ambient air and oxygen group for all-cause in-hospital mortality [odds ratio (OR) 1.30; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92–1.82; P = 0.138] or ICU mortality (OR 1.39; 95% CI 0.83–2.32; P = 0.206) in the post-PSM cohorts. In addition, linear regression analysis revealed that oxygen therapy was associated with prolonged ICU LOS (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.06–1.15; P <  0.001) and hospital LOS (OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.01–1.10; P = 0.009) after PSM. Furthermore, the absence of an effect of supplemental oxygen on mortality was consistent in all subgroups. Conclusion Routine use of supplemental oxygen in AHF patients without hypoxemia was not found to reduce all-cause in-hospital mortality or ICU mortality.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Duchenne ◽  
M Cvijic ◽  
J.M Aalen ◽  
C.K Larsen ◽  
E Galli ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The presence of mechanical dyssynchrony – such as apical rocking (ApRock) and septal flash (SF) – on echocardiography is associated with favourable outcome after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Myocardial scar on the other hand, has a considerable negative impact on CRT response. There is growing evidence that a visual echocardiographic assessment of mechanical dyssynchrony by ApRock, SF and scar predicts CRT response. Little is known however if this works equally well in patients with intermediate QRS duration (120–150ms), where guideline recommendation for CRT is weaker. Methods A total of 400 unselected patients referred for CRT, who fulfil the contemporary guidelines, were enrolled in this multicentre study. Echocardiographic images were visually assessed before CRT implantation, focussing on the presence of ApRock, SF and location and extent of scar segments in the left ventricle (LV), resulting in a CRT response prediction (i.e. Reader Interpretation). Readers were blinded to all patient information other than ischaemic aetiology of heart failure. CRT response was defined as ≥15% reduction in LV end-systolic volume on echocardiography, on average 15 months after device implantation. Results Overall, 321 (80%) patients had a left bundle branch block (LBBB), with an average QRS duration of 166±25ms. Ischemic aetiology of heart failure was found in 131 (33%) patients. Before CRT, ApRock and SF were present in 254 (64%) and 244 (61%) patients, respectively. ApRock and SF alone predicted CRT response with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.74–0.84) and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.73–0.83) (Figure A), while the echocardiographic Reader Interpretation had an AUC of 0.85 (95% CI: 0.81–0.89), with a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 82% for the prediction of CRT response (Figure B) (p&lt;0.0001 vs. ApRock and SF alone). A total of 92 patients had a QRS duration of 120–150ms, and 48 of them responded to CRT. In these patients, the AUC of Reader Interpretation was comparable to that of the entire study cohort [0.83 (95% CI: 0.75–0.92)], as was sensitivity and specificity (90% and 79%, respectively, p=0.717 vs. the AUC of the entire cohort) (Figure C). Conclusions A visual assessment of LV function, by means of mechanical dyssynchrony and scar, has an excellent predictive value for CRT response, and requires only apical echocardiographic images. Responders were identified equally well in the challenging subgroup of patients with a QRS duration of 120–150 ms. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): KU Leuven


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 3207
Author(s):  
Eirini Chrysochou ◽  
Panagiotis Georgios Kanellopoulos ◽  
Konstantinos G. Koukoulakis ◽  
Aikaterini Sakellari ◽  
Sotirios Karavoltsos ◽  
...  

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been associated with environmental pollutants. The scope of this study is to assess any potential relation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), their hydroxylated derivatives, and trace elements with heart failure via their direct determination in human serum of Greek citizens residing in different areas. Therefore, we analyzed 131 samples including cases (heart failure patients) and controls (healthy donors), and the respective demographic data were collected. Significantly higher concentrations (p < 0.05) were observed in cases’ serum regarding most of the examined PAHs and their derivatives with phenanthrene, fluorene, and fluoranthene being the most abundant (median of >50 μg L−1). Among the examined trace elements, As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, and Pb were measured at statistically higher concentrations (p < 0.05) in cases’ samples, with only Cr being significantly higher in controls. The potential impact of environmental factors such as smoking and area of residence has been evaluated. Specific PAHs and trace elements could be possibly related with heart failure development. Atmospheric degradation and smoking habit appeared to have a significant impact on the analytes’ serum concentrations. PCA–logistic regression analysis could possibly reveal common mechanisms among the analytes enhancing the hypothesis that they may pose a significant risk for CVD development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ta-Ching Chen ◽  
Ding-Siang Huang ◽  
Chao-Wen Lin ◽  
Chang-Hao Yang ◽  
Chung-May Yang ◽  
...  

AbstractInherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) are a group of phenotypically and genotypically heterogeneous disorders with substantial socioeconomic impact. In this cohort study, we tried to address the genetic characteristics and epidemiology of IRDs in Taiwan. Totally, 312 families with IRDs were identified and recruited and genetic testing was performed via probe capture-based NGS targeting 212 IRD-related genes. Statistical analysis was based on the proband of each affected family. Disease-causing genotypes were identified in 178 families (57.1%). ABCA4 variants were the most common cause of disease in this cohort (27 families, 15.2%), whereas CYP4V2 variants were the most common cause for the single phenotype—Bietti’s crystalline dystrophy (12 families, 3.8%). Some variants such as ABCA4:c.1804C>T, CYP4V2:c.802-8_810delinsGC, and EYS:c6416G>A were population-specific disease-causing hotspots. Probands affected by ABCA4, RPGR, RP1L1, and CEP290 sought medical help earlier while patients affected by EYS and CYP4V2 visited our clinic at an older age. To evaluate the representativeness of our cohort in the genetic epidemiology of IRDs in Taiwan, our demographic data were compared with that of the total IRD population in Taiwan, obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database. This is currently the largest-scale, comprehensive study investigating the genetic characteristics and epidemiology of IRD in Taiwan. These data could help patients and caregivers to adopt precision genomic medicine and novel gene therapies in near future.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng-Han Lee ◽  
Yi-Heng Li ◽  
Ching-Lan Cheng ◽  
Jyh-Hong Chen ◽  
Yea-Huei Kao Yang

Background: Early coronary revascularization and medical therapy advancement improve the survival of patients (pts) with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, survivors of AMI are at heightened risk of developing heart failure (HF) and there is a paucity of information regarding this issue in Asian countries. This study described the temporal trends in the incidence of HF after the first AMI and the predicting factors of HF development in Taiwan. Methods: We conducted a nationwide population-based cohort study by using 1999 to 2009 National Health Insurance Research Database. Pts aged≧18 years, with no history of HF, who hospitalized with a first AMI between January 2002 and December 2008 were identified and followed up for one year. The primary outcome was HF. We evaluated the incidence of HF during the index hospitalization, 30 days, 6 months, and one year after the discharge. The predicting factors of HF were identified by Cox proportional hazard model. Results: Overall, 42,011 first AMI pts (mean age 64.4 ± 13.8 years; male 75.0%) from 2002 to 2008 were identified. The HF incidence during the index hospitalization was 14.8%. After exclusion of HF during the hospitalization, the overall HF prevalence at 30 days, 6 months, and 1 year was 9.6%, 14.2%, and 16.8%, respectively. The HF prevalence at 1 year declined from 17.9% to 14.9% (p<0.05) from 2002 to 2008. The independent predicting factors of HF after the first AMI were elder age (≧65 years) (adjusted HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.51-2.18), diabetes mellitus (adjusted HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.21-1.41), chronic kidney disease (adjusted HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.20-1.65), use of loop diuretics within 30 days after the discharge (adjusted HR 2.21, 95% CI 2.00-2.43), and recurrent AMI (adjusted HR 2.43, 2.16-2.74). Conclusions: Survivors of AMI without prior HF remain at risk of developing HF in Taiwan and most episodes occur within 6 months after AMI. Five important clinical factors of HF were identified that may help us for risk stratification.


Author(s):  
Rory Hachamovitch ◽  
Brian Griffin ◽  
Alan Klein ◽  
Benjamin Nutter ◽  
Irene Katzan ◽  
...  

Background. Patients (pts) diagnosed with congestive heart failure (HF) have been reported to have more frequent depression and worsened health related quality of life (HRQOL). Although depression is more common in women than men in this condition, the impact of HF on depression and HRQOL in men versus women is unclear. We sought to examine the relationship between pt sex, HF diagnosis, and pt-perceived depression and HRQOL. Methods. Depression (PHQ-9) and HRQOL (EQ5D) data were collected using tablet computers from pts presenting for routine outpatient cardiovascular assessment at our institution between November, 2010 and December, 2011. Demographic, clinical, and historical data was collected as per routine. We examined the association of pt sex and clinical diagnosis of HF with instrument results after adjusting for potential confounding information using mutliple linear regression. Results. Of 3046 pts (age 61±15), 39% were female and 8.7% were diagnosed with HF. Overall, PHQ-9 was greater, and minor or major depression (PHQ-9≥10) was more frequent, in women than men (4.6±4.6 vs. 3.3±4.4; 14.0% vs. 8.9%, both p<0.05) and in HF pts than pts without HF (5.9±5.6 vs. 3.6±4.3, 22.0% versus 9.6%; both p<0.05). Similarly, HRQOL was worse in women than men (EQ-5D 0.80±0.18 vs. 0.87±0.16; p<0.01) and in HF pts than no HF (EQ-5D 0.76±0.18 vs. 0.85±0.17; p<0.01). However, the difference in PHQ-9 between pts with versus without HF was greater in men (6.23±6.06 vs. 3.02±4.06, p<0.01) than women (5.43±4.85 vs. 4.55±4.58, p=0.09). After adjusting for cardiovascular diagnoses, comorbidities, clinical and demographic data, multivariable modeling of PHQ-9 revealed a significant interaction between pt sex and HF diagnosis (p=0.001; see Figure) such that women had greater PHQ-9 scores compared to men without HF, but in the setting of HF, mens' PHQ-9 scores were greater. Modeling of EQ-5D also revealed that after risk-adjustment an interaction between HF diagnosis and sex was present with a similar pattern of findings. Conclusion. Although depression is more frequent and severe in women compared to men, and in pts with versus without HF, HF appears to impact depression severity more in men compared to women.


Author(s):  
Tanya Burton ◽  
Lauren J Lee ◽  
Ying Fan ◽  
Winghan Jacqueline Kwong

Objective: Previous studies suggest that the complexity of a dosing regimen may affect medication adherence. We examined the association between dosing frequency and adherence for 2 concomitant medications commonly prescribed to patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), metoprolol (MET) and carvedilol (CAR). Methods: A retrospective claims study from a large US commercial and Medicare Advantage health plan analyzed data of adults ( > 18 years) with 1 inpatient or 2 outpatient claims for NVAF between 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2010. Patients with > 2 pharmacy claims for MET or CAR were analyzed separately. Within MET and CAR samples, once-daily (QD) and twice-daily (BID) cohorts were defined by the dosing frequency on pharmacy claims. The index date was set as the date of the first MET or CAR claim. Patients were continuously enrolled in the health plan for 1 year before (pre-index) and 1 year after (post-index) the index date. MET patients were required to have > 1 pre-index claim for acute myocardial infarction, angina, heart failure, or hypertension; CAR patients were required to have ≥1 claim for heart failure or hypertension. Patients using both QD and BID formulations of the index medication were excluded. Adherence to the index medication was assessed by the proportion of days covered (PDC) during the post-index period. PDC between QD and BID patients was compared using logistic regression to adjust for demographic and pre-index clinical characteristics. The proportion of QD and BID patients who discontinued the index medication (defined by a gap > 30 days) during the post-index period was also compared. Results: The analysis included 11,621 MET patients (QD: 6,084; BID: 5,537) and 4,393 CAR patients (QD: 203; BID: 4,190). Mean (SD) age was 70 (12) years for MET and CAR patients; 59% of MET and 69% of CAR patients were male. Compared to patients with BID dosing, patients with QD dosing were on average younger, more likely to be male, and had a lower comorbidity burden. Fewer patients discontinued MET or CAR with QD than BID dosing (MET: 38% vs. 51%, p<0.001; CAR: 39% vs. 48%, p=0.009). The proportion of patients with PDC > 80% was greater for patients with QD than BID dosing (MET: 62% vs. 50%, p< 0.001; CAR: 63% vs. 53%, p=0.004). MET patients with BID dosing were less likely to achieve PDC > 80% than patients with QD dosing (adjusted OR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.609-0.712). CAR patients with BID dosing were less likely to achieve PDC > 80% than patients with QD dosing (adjusted OR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.508-0.934). Among MET and CAR patients, age <60 years was associated with lower adherence (p<0.001) while prior use of index medication was associated with higher adherence (p≤0.001) to the index medication. Conclusion: Medication adherence to MET and CAR was higher with QD than BID dosing. Quality initiatives that reduce the dosing frequency of treatment regimens may improve medication adherence among NVAF patients.


Author(s):  
Babita Das ◽  
Apra Shahi ◽  
Vishnu Pratap Chandrapuria ◽  
Shobha Jawre ◽  
Madhu Swamy ◽  
...  

Background: Despite significant advances in canine cataract surgery over the years, many post-operative complications persist and reduces the success rate of phacoemulsification procedure. The aim of current study was to evaluate post-operative complications encountered till 90 days after bimanual phacoemulsification with implantation of different acrylic Intraocular Lenses.Methods: The study was conducted on 24 canine eyes. All the clinical cases were subjected to detailed ocular, ultrasonography and neuro-ophthalmic tests for ascertaining cataract and associated neuro-ophthalmic pathology. Dogs were divided in four groups with 6 eyes in each group and subjected to phacoemulsification procedure for removal of cataractous lens and implanted with square edge or round edge hydrophilic or hydrophobicintra ocular lenses.Result: Statistically non-significant (p£0.05) variations were found for all the post- operative complications among the groups. Within the groups initially higher values were recorded and on subsequent days a declining trend of varying degrees were observed. The corneal opacity was a major postoperative complication leading to failure to achieve vision with other coinciding neuro-ophthalmic conditions.


10.36469/9905 ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-232
Author(s):  
Mike Durkin ◽  
Jacqueline Pesa ◽  
Jessica Lopatto ◽  
Rachel Halpern ◽  
Damon Van Voorhis ◽  
...  

Background: The objective of this study was to compare health care utilization and costs between matched cohorts of chronic pain patients treated with the opioids tapentadol extended release (ER) or oxycodone controlled release (CR). Methods: This retrospective study used claims data from the Optum Research Database. Commercial and Medicare Advantage adult patients with ≥1 prescription fill for oxycodone CR or tapentadol ER between September 1, 2011 and September 30, 2012 were eligible. The date of the first observed oxycodone CR or tapentadol ER claim was the index date. Patients had continuous health plan enrollment for 6 months before and after the index date, ≥ 90 days supply of opioid therapy, and no index drug claims in the preindex period. Patients were propensity score matched in a 1:2 ratio (tapentadol ER : oxycodone CR). Results: The attributes of the matched cohorts (1,120 tapentadol ER and 2,240 oxycodone CR patients) appeared similar. In the 6 month post-index period, lower proportions of the tapentadol ER cohort than the oxycodone CR cohort had ≥1 inpatient stay (14.6% versus 20.5%; p&lt;0.001) and ≥1 emergency department visit (33.4% versus 37.5%; p=0.021). The tapentadol ER compared with the oxycodone CR cohort had higher mean pharmacy costs ($4,263 versus $3,694; p &lt;0.001), lower mean inpatient costs ($3,625 versus $6,309; p&lt;0.001), and lower mean total healthcare costs ($16,510 versus $19,330; p=0.004). Conclusions: During follow-up, total mean healthcare costs were lower among tapentadol ER patients than oxycodone CR patients, and tapentadol ER patients were less likely to have an inpatient admission or emergency department visit.


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