scholarly journals The patient with haematemesis and melaena

2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-49
Author(s):  
A J Kent ◽  
◽  
J O’Beirne ◽  
Rupert Negus ◽  
◽  
...  

Bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a common medical emergency, with an incidence of between 50-150 cases per 100,000 per year.1 A recent audit by the British Society of Gastroenterology showed the mortality rate from upper GI bleeds has fallen from 14%2 in 1993 to 10% in 2007.3 However, despite the use of proton pump inhibitors (ppis), admission rates for peptic ulcer haemorrhage have increased in older age groups,4 probably related to increased use of antiplatelet agents such as aspirin and clopidogrel and anticoagulants in acute coronary syndromes, stroke and atrial fibrillation. The rising age of the population may also have offset further reductions in mortality and morbidity that may have otherwise come about through improved supportive and endoscopic care.

Author(s):  
Laura McGregor ◽  
Monica N. Gupta ◽  
Max Field

Septic arthritis (SA) is a medical emergency with mortality of around 15%. Presentation is usually monoarticular but in more than 10% SA affects two or more joints. Symptoms include rapid-onset joint inflammation with systemic inflammatory responses but fever and leucocytosis may be absent at presentation. Treatment according to British Society of Rheumatology/British Orthopaedic Association (BSR/BOA) guidelines should be commenced if there is a suspicion of SA. At-risk patients include those with primary joint disease, previous SA, recent intra-articular surgery, exogenous sources of infection (leg ulceration, respiratory and urinary tract), and immunosupression because of medical disorders, intravenous drug use or therapy including tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. Synovial fluid should be examined for organisms and crystals with repeat aspiration as required. Most SA results from haematogenous spread-sources of infection should be sought and blood and appropriate cultures taken prior to antibiotic treatment. Causative organisms include staphylococcus (including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA), streptococcus, and Gram-negative organisms (in elderly patients), but no organism is identified in 43%, often after antibiotic use before diagnosis. Antibiotics should be prescribed according to local protocols, but BSR/BOA guidelines suggest initial intravenous and subsequent oral therapy. Medical treatment may be as effective as surgical in uncomplicated native SA, and can be cost-effective, but orthopaedic advice should be sought if necessary and always in cases of infected joint prostheses. In addition to high mortality, around 40% of survivors following SA develop limitation of joint function. Guidelines provide physicians with treatment advice aiming to limit mortality and morbidity and assist future research.


VASA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 291-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Pultar ◽  
Patricia P. Wadowski ◽  
Simon Panzer ◽  
Thomas Gremmel

Abstract. Antiplatelet agents significantly reduce mortality and morbidity in ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral artery disease (PAD), and are therefore part of guideline-driven daily medical treatment in these patients. Due to its beneficial effects in the secondary prevention of atherothrombotic events, aspirin remains the most frequently prescribed antiplatelet agent in cardiovascular disease. In patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and in those undergoing angioplasty with stent implantation dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and an adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor antagonist is indicated. The development of the newer ADP P2Y12inhibitors prasugrel and ticagrelor has further improved prognosis in ACS patients compared to clopidogrel. Moreover, vorapaxar allows the inhibition of platelet activation by thrombin via protease-activated receptor-1 and has been approved for the use in patients with PAD and in those with a history of myocardial infarction. This review article summarizes the current evidence on oral antiplatelet agents in cardiovascular disease.Keywords: Aspirin, clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor, vorapaxar, cardiovascular disease


Endoscopy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Rees ◽  
Felicity Evison ◽  
Jemma Mytton ◽  
Prashant Patel ◽  
Nigel Trudgill

Abstract Background Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a common medical emergency with significant mortality. Despite developments in endoscopic and clinical management, only minor improvements in outcomes have been reported. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with non-malignant UGIB emergency admissions in England between 2003 and 2015, using Hospital Episode Statistics. Multilevel logistic regression analysis examined the associations with mortality. Results 242 796 patients with an UGIB admission were identified (58.8 % men; median age 70 [interquartile range (IQR) 53 – 81]). Between 2003 and 2015, falls occurred in both 30-day mortality (7.5 % to 7.0 %; P < 0.001) and age-standardized mortality (odds ratio (OR) 0.74, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.69 – 0.80; P < 0.001), including from variceal bleeding (OR 0.63, 95 %CI 0.45 – 0.87; P < 0.005). Increasing co-morbidity (Charlson score > 5, OR 2.94, 95 %CI 2.85 – 3.04; P < 0.001), older age (> 83 years, OR 6.50, 95 %CI 6.09 – 6.94; P < 0.001), variceal bleeding (OR 2.03, 95 %CI 1.89 – 2.18; P < 0.001), and a weekend admission (Sunday, OR 1.18, 95 %CI 1.12 – 1.23; P < 0.001) were associated with 30-day mortality. Of deaths at 30 days, 8.9 % were from ischemic heart disease (IHD) and the cardiovascular age-standardized mortality rate following UGIB was high (IHD deaths within 1 year, 1188.4 [95 %CI 1036.8 – 1353.8] per 100 000 men in 2003). Conclusions Between 2003 and 2015, 30-day mortality among emergency admissions with non-malignant UGIB fell by 0.5 % to 7.0 %. Mortality was higher among UGIB admissions at the weekend, with important implications for service provision. Patients with UGIB had a much greater risk of subsequently dying from cardiovascular disease and addressing this risk is a key management step in UGIB.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Li ◽  
Yinzi Chen ◽  
Xiling Wang ◽  
Hongjie Yu

AbstractInfluenza causes substantial morbidity and mortality. Many original studies have been carried out to estimate disease burden of influenza in mainland China, while the full disease burden has not yet been systematically reviewed. We did a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the burden of influenza-associated mortality, hospitalization, and outpatient visit in mainland China. We searched 3 English and 4 Chinese databases with studies published from 2005 to 2019. Studies reporting population-based rates of mortality, hospitalization, or outpatient visit attributed to seasonal influenza were included in the analysis. Fixed-effects or random-effects model was used to calculate pooled estimates of influenza-associated mortality depending on the degree of heterogeneity. Meta-regression was applied to explore the sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plots and Egger’s test. We identified 30 studies eligible for inclusion with 17, 8, 5 studies reporting mortality, hospitalization, and outpatient visit associated with influenza, respectively. The pooled influenza-associated all-cause mortality rates were 14.33 and 122.79 per 100,000 persons for all ages and ≥ 65 years age groups, respectively. Studies were highly heterogeneous in aspects of age group, cause of death, statistical model, geographic location, and study period, and these factors could explain 60.14% of the heterogeneity in influenza-associated mortality. No significant publication bias existed in estimates of influenza-associated all-cause mortality. Children aged < 5 years were observed with the highest rates of influenza-associated hospitalizations and ILI outpatient visits. People aged ≥ 65 years and < 5 years contribute mostly to mortality and morbidity burden due to influenza, which calls for targeted vaccination policy for older adults and younger children in mainland China.


2005 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 446-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Villamor ◽  
Wafaie W. Fawzi

SUMMARY Vitamin A supplementation to preschool children is known to decrease the risks of mortality and morbidity from some forms of diarrhea, measles, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and malaria. These effects are likely to be the result of the actions of vitamin A on immunity. Some of the immunomodulatory mechanisms of vitamin A have been described in clinical trials and can be correlated with clinical outcomes of supplementation. The effects on morbidity from measles are related to enhanced antibody production and lymphocyte proliferation. Benefits for severe diarrhea could be attributable to the functions of vitamin A in sustaining the integrity of mucosal epithelia in the gut, whereas positive effects among HIV-infected children could also be related to increased T-cell lymphopoiesis. There is no conclusive evidence for a direct effect of vitamin A supplementation on cytokine production or lymphocyte activation. Under certain circumstances, vitamin A supplementation to infants has the potential to improve the antibody response to some vaccines, including tetanus and diphtheria toxoids and measles. There is limited research on the effects of vitamin A supplementation to adults and the elderly on their immune function; currently available data provide no consistent evidence for beneficial effects. Additional studies with these age groups are needed.


Author(s):  
Fatih Yılmaz ◽  
Havva Kaya ◽  
Mehmet Özdemir

Abstract Objective Gastroenteritis is a disease that affects all age groups, especially children, and causes high mortality and morbidity in all countries. The most common agents of acute gastroenteritis are viral agents. As a result, millions of diarrhea attacks and hospital admissions occur worldwide every year due to viral gastroenteritis. This study uses the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to investigate the viruses that are the causative agents of viral gastroenteritis in the pediatric patient group in Konya, Turkey. Methods Stool samples of 94 patients aged 0 to 18 years sent from Emergency clinics and Pediatric outpatient clinics, Meram Medical Faculty Hospital Pediatric clinics, Konya Necmettin Erbakan University to Medical Microbiology Laboratory with a diagnosis of gastroenteritis between February and December 2018 were included in the study. Stool samples were stored at –80°C until the time of the analysis. Deoxyribonucleic acid/ribonucleic acid isolation from stool samples was performed with EZ1 Virus Mini Kit v2.0 (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) using an automatic extraction system (BioRobot EZ1 system, Qiagen). The presence of astrovirus, rotavirus, adenovirus, norovirus (GI, GII), and sapovirus agents was investigated by the multiplex PCR method (Fast Track Diagnostics, Luxembourg) viral gastroenteritis kit. Results Viral gastroenteritis agents were detected in 56.3% of the patients. One viral agent was detected in 47 (50%) of these patients and at least two viral agents in 6 (6.3%) of them. Norovirus GII was detected in 20 (21.2%) of the children included in the study, adenovirus in 13 (13.8%), rotavirus in 11 (12.8%), astrovirus in 11 (11.7%), sapovirus in 4 (4.2%), and norovirus GI in 1 (1.06%). When the distribution of viral agents was examined by months, the most number of agents were observed (21; 35%) in May, followed by April and June (12; 20%). Considering the distribution of the prevalence of the agents by age, it was seen to be mainly between 0 and 12 months (42%). Conclusion Considering that the most common viral agent in our region is norovirus GII, it will be useful to investigate the norovirus that is not routinely examined in children who are admitted to clinics with the complaint of gastroenteritis. It will be appropriate to examine routinely adenovirus, rotavirus, and norovirus in the laboratory, especially in children with diarrhea and vomiting in the winter and spring months.


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Harisharan ◽  
Awnish Kumar Singh ◽  
Nidhu Ram Dangal ◽  
Krishna Mohan Surapaneni ◽  
Ashish Joshi

<p><strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most critical medical emergency and contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Myocardial infarction is the most common form of coronary heart disease and leading cause of premature death. Past century has seen substantial advancement in the field of medical sciences but still mortality trends due to myocardial infarction is increasing in developing countries including India. We have conducted this study to compare the Sociodemographic characteristics of alcoholic and non alcoholic MI patients admitted in coronary care unit of Saveetha Medical College, Chennai, India.<strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>METHODS: </strong>An exploratory cross sectional study was performed by enrolling a convenient sample of 100 Myocardial Infarction patients. Information about Sociodemographic characteristics, past medical history, alcohol and tobacco intake, physical activity, psychological stress and biochemical measurements was gathered.</p> <p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>The mean age of the respondents was 46 (SD=6) years and majority of them were male i.e. 82%. 100% married and 89% literate, there were 24% past and 22% present alcoholics. Consumption of alcohol on a monthly, weekly and daily basis was 8%, 11% and 5% respectively. Preference to brandy was 67%, rum was 21% and that the beer was 12%. Current smoker were 20% and former were 11%. 93% and 52% respondents were under medication of beta blocker and angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors respectively.</p> <p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>Worldwide, MI is the most common cause of mortality and morbidity and hence early diagnosis and management is most essential. Results from our study revealed that, participants had sedentary lifestyles where risk factors of MI such as alcohol consumption, and smoking does existed.</p>


2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Magri ◽  
Robert Xuereb ◽  
Sandra Distefano ◽  
Neville Calleja ◽  
Victor Grech

Objectives: The introduction of laws that make indoor public areas and workplaces smoke-free has resulted in a significant<br />reduction in the incidence of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Malta was the second European country to introduce the<br />smoking ban legislation in April 2004. The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of the smoking ban in Malta on<br />ACS morbidity and mortality.<br />Methods: The number of ACS hospital admissions and the number of cardiovascular deaths were retrospectively analysed.<br />The annual data for 5 years prior to and following the introduction of the Tobacco Act were obtained according to age-groups<br />for both genders. Poisson regression analyses were performed to assess for decline in ACS admission and cardiovascular<br />death.<br />Results: The ACS admission rate increased throughout the 5 years following the introduction of the smoking ban. There was<br />no change in mortality rate in the 5 years following the legislation, except in 2007 when a small but significant decline was<br />noted.<br />Conclusions: The Malta smoking ban did not have a significant impact on cardiovascular mortality and ACS admissions<br />rates, indicating the need for proper enforcement of the public smoking ban and increase in public awareness regarding the<br />adverse effects of smoking.<br />Key words: Coronary heart disease; Mortality; Prevention; Smoking.


Author(s):  
Mukhyaprana M. Prabhu ◽  
Jagadish Madireddy ◽  
Ranjan K. Shetty ◽  
Weena Stanley

Background: Acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) are the primary cause of mortality worldwide. The aim of the study was to assess the as‑sociations of serum fibrinogen and plasma D‑dimer levels with angiographic severity of atherosclerotic lesions as well as the presence of in‑hospital complications and complications at 30‑day follow‑up in patients with ACS. Methods: This was a prospective study including 107 patients with ACS. Severity of CAD was assessed by the Gensini score. Correlations of D‑dimer and fibrinogen levels with complica‑tions such as heart failure, arrhythmia, recurrent angina, and cardiac death were assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: The mean age of patients was 61±10.9 years. Mean serum fibrinogen levels were higher in individuals with severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction than in those with moderate and mild LV dysfunction (444 mg/dl, 404 mg/dl, and 330 mg/dl, respectively). Similarly, the mean plasma D‑dimer level was higher in individuals with severe ACS (1.03 μg/ml) than in those with moderate (1.88 μg/ml) and mild ACS (3.5 μg/ml). Conclusion: Our study revealed that patients with higher serum fibrinogen levels tend to have more severe ACS, greater LV dysfunction, and a higher rate of complications. Therapies aimed at reducing fibrinogen levels might help reduce mortality and morbidity in patients with ACS.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-181
Author(s):  
Leyla N. Natsun

The health of women of reproductive age is the basis for forming the health of new generations of the population. Reducing preventable mortality and morbidity of women with diseases that reduce their reproductive potential, as well as motivating them to lead a healthy lifestyle are urgent tasks in the field of strengthening the demographic potential of the country. The purpose of this work is to analyze themain indicators that characterize the health of women of reproductive age in Russia, as well as the characteristics of behavioral factors that affect the health of this category of population. The information base of the study was made up of the works of domestic and foreign authors, statistical data, and materials of selective observation of behavioral factors affecting the health of the population (for 2018), conducted by the Federal state statistics service. It is shown that, despite the improvement of individual indicators of health of women of reproductive age, an actual threat to it is an increase in the incidence of neoplasms and infertility. Analysis of sample observation data allowed to expand the number of problems identified in the statistics. It was found that different age groups of women of reproductive age have different combinations of behavioral factors that affect health. In the future, it is planned to expand the results obtained by adding an analysis of regional sociological research data.


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