Differences In Clinical Presentation Research Articles

Clinical features and prognosis of prosthetic valve endocarditis due to Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus prosthetic valve endocarditis (SAPVE) is a serious infection with high mortality. The main objective of this study was to identify factors associated with in-hospital mortality. From January 2008 to December 2021, consecutive patients from a Spanish cohort of infective endocarditis with a definitive diagnosis of SAPVE were analyzed. During the study period, 219 cases of definitive SAPVE were diagnosed, which accounted for 16.7% of a total of 1309 cases of definitive prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). Patients presented advanced age and marked comorbidity. There was a higher incidence of persistent bacteremia, septic shock, stroke, and acute kidney injury than in cases of PVE caused by other microorganisms. Methicillin resistance was not associated with differences in clinical presentation, echocardiographic findings, or mortality. Only 50.6% of the patients with surgical indications (88 patients) underwent surgery. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 47.9%. The variables associated with in-hospital mortality were age (OR:1.03, 95% CI: 1.00-1.05; p = 0.016), heart failure (OR:2.86, 95% CI: 1.53-5.32; p = 0.001), acute kidney injury (OR:2.42, 95%CI:1.28-4.58; p = 0.006), stroke (OR:3.53, 95%CI:1.79-6.96; p < 0.001) and surgery indicated but not performed (OR:2.01, 95%CI:1.06-3.8; p = 0.030). On the other hand, the performance of surgery per se in patients with SAPVE, regardless of whether there was a surgical indication according to the guidelines, was not associated with a reduction in in-hospital mortality. SAPVE is characterized by high mortality, which is more marked in patients who present a surgical indication but do not undergo surgery.

Multicenter registry of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and Paired comparison with Kawasaki disease

ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify clinical characteristics to differentiate multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and Kawasaki disease (KD) in Taiwan, an island with a delayed cluster of MIS-C and a high incidence of KD. Additionally, we studied risk factors for developing severe complications in patients with MIS-C. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, multicenter, cohort, and observational study that linked data on patients with MIS-C between May and December 2022 and patients with KD between 2019 and 2021 from 12 medical centers. Hemodynamic compromise, defined as the need for inotropic support or fluid challenge, was recorded in patients with MIS-C. We also evaluated maximal coronary Z-scores before treatment and one month after disease onset. ResultsA total of 83 patients with MIS-C and 466 patients with KD were recruited. A 1:1 age and gender-matched comparison of 68 MIS-C and KD pairs showed that MIS-C patients had a lower percentage of positive BCG red halos, lower leukocyte/platelet counts, more gastrointestinal symptoms, and a higher risk of hemodynamic compromise. In Taiwan, 38.6% of MIS-C patients experienced hemodynamic compromise, with presence of conjunctivitis and elevated levels of procalcitonin (>1.62 ng/mL) identified as independent risk factors. ConclusionsWe identified two independent risk factors associated with hemodynamic compromise in MIS-C patients. The comparison between matched MIS-C and KD patients highlighted significant differences in clinical presentations, like BCG red halos, which may aid in the differential diagnosis of the two disease entities, especially in regions with a high incidence rate of KD.

Association of Sport Helmet Status on Concussion Presentation and Recovery in Male Collegiate Student-Athletes.

Sporting helmets contain force attenuating materials which reduce traumatic head injury risk and may influence sport-related concussion (SRC) sequelae. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of sport helmet status with SRC-clinical presentation and recovery trajectories in men's collegiate athletes. Sport helmet status was based on the nature of sports being either helmeted/non-helmeted. 1070 SRCs in helmeted (HELM) sports (Men's-Football, Ice Hockey, and Lacrosse), and 399 SRCs in non-helmeted (NOHELM) sports (Men's-Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country/Track & Field, Diving, Gymnastics, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, and Volleyball) were analyzed. Multivariable negative binomial regression models analyzed associations between sport helmet status and post-injury cognition, balance, and symptom severity, adjusting for covariate effects (SRC history, loss of consciousness, anterograde/retrograde amnesia, event type). Kaplan-Meier curves evaluated median days to: initiation of return to play (iRTP) protocol, and unrestricted RTP (URTP) by sport helmet status. Log-rank tests were used to evaluate differential iRTP/URTP between groups. Two independent multivariable Weibull accelerated failure time models were used to examine differential iRTP and URTP between groups, after adjusting for aforementioned covariates and symptom severity score. Overall, the median days to iRTP and URTP was 6.3 and 12.0, respectively, and was comparable across NOHELM- and HELM-SRCs. Post-injury symptom severity was lower (Score Ratio 0.90, 95%CI 0.82, 0.98), and cognitive test performance was higher (Score Ratio 1.03, 95%CI 1.02, 1.05) in NOHELM-compared to HELM-SRCs. Estimated time spent recovering to iRTP/URTP was comparable between sport helmet status groups. Findings suggest that the grouping of sports into helmeted and non-helmeted show slight differences in clinical presentation but not recovery.

Sex based differences in clinical characteristics of patients with acute myocarditis: A cohort study

BackgroundThis study investigated sex differences in acute myocarditis patients during index hospitalization. MethodsWe included 365 patients with acute myocarditis, hospitalized with continuous monitoring at the Intensive care unit (ICU), from 2000-2023 into the Basel Myocarditis Cohort study. We compared sex differences in clinical presentation, the presenting ECG prior medical history, inflammatory and cardiac biomarkers, cardiac imaging, arrhythmia occurrence and short to midterm outcomes. ResultsMean age was 41.3 years and 26.3% were female. Compared to men, women were older (median 49.7 vs 38.3 years, p<0.001) at the time of diagnosis and presented more frequently with dyspnea (41 vs 26%, p=0.013) and a higher Killip class (p=0.011). In the presenting ECG, men had a higher occurrence of diffuse ST-elevation (38 vs 9%, p<0.001) and PQ-depression (31 vs 20%, p=0.042), compared to women. Women had higher NT-proBNP levels (1180 vs 387 ng/l, p=0.015), lower cardiac troponin T levels (389 vs 726 ng/l, p=0.006), less segments with non-ischemic LGE on CMR (1 vs 3, p=0.005) but similar LVEF (55 vs 55%, p=0.629), compared to men. Overall, hospital stay was longer in women compared to men (7 vs 5 days, p=0.018) with a similar length of ICU stay (2.6 vs 2.7 days, p=0.922). Women developed more often severe arrhythmia (8.3 vs 2.2%, p=0.015) and heart failure during the hospitalization (31.3 vs 16.4%, p=0.003). ConclusionCompared to men, women with acute myocarditis were older at the time of diagnosis, presented more often with heart failure and had an increased frequency of severe arrhythmia.

Corrigendum to ‘‘Sex Differences in Clinical Presentation and Management in Eosinophilic Esophagitis”

Corrigendum to ‘‘Sex Differences in Clinical Presentation and Management in Eosinophilic Esophagitis”

Racial disparities in presentation and survival for lobular breast cancer.

1596 Background: We characterized differences in presentation and survival, and identified predictors of survival, among women of varying race with lobular breast cancer. We also assessed if these trends were unique to ILC by comparing with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and mixed invasive ductal-lobular carcinoma (IDLC). Methods: Using the SEER database, we performed a population-based retrospective cohort study of women diagnosed with ILC, IDC, and IDLC between 1998 and 2019. We collected race, age, marital status, and income. Clinical data included grade, size, laterality, clinical stage, receptor status, surgery type, chemotherapy, radiation, and breast-cancer-specific survival (BCSS). Differences between racial groups were assessed using Chi-square tests or one-way ANOVA. To identify predictors of survival, Cox-proportional hazard models were constructed. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS and P values &lt; 0.05 were considered significant. Results: 38,769 women with ILC were identified, including 32,857 White, 2398 Black, 2352 Asian, and 1162 women of other race. Black women presented with higher-grade, advanced clinical stage, ER+ disease, N2-3 stage, and lower rates of unilateral/bilateral mastectomy than White women. Black women were more likely to not undergo surgery (7.13%), compared with White (4.25%) and Asian (4.04%) women ( P = .0001). Asian women were younger, had more ER-/PR- ILC, and received more chemotherapy. The five-year BCSS rates in Black, White, Asian, and women of other race were 91.5%, 94.2%, 93.7%, and 95.7%, respectively ( P&lt; .0001). Predictors of worse survival include Black race (HR 1.32, P &lt; .0001), ER-/PR- (HR 2.18, P&lt; .0001), ER+/PR- (HR 1.52, P&lt; .0001), and no surgery (HR 4.19, P &lt; .0001). Radiotherapy was associated with improved survival (HR 0.82, P &lt; .0001), while chemotherapy did not affect survival (HR 1.1, P= 0.0504). In comparing across breast cancer subtypes, Black women similarly present with higher grade tumors, advanced clinical stage, ER+ disease, and had higher rates of surgery omission in IDC and IDLC. However, ER-/PR- subtype was notably higher in ILC among Asian women compared with IDC, whereas Black women have higher rates of ER+/PR+ and ER-/PR- ILC. Black women had the lowest five-year BCSS rates across all breast cancer subtypes. Predictors of worse survival in IDC and IDLC include Black race and negative hormone receptor status, while radiation therapy was associated with improved survival. Conclusions: There are differences in clinical presentation of invasive lobular breast cancer according to race.Black women had more advanced disease, while Asian women were younger. Across all subtypes, overall survival for Black women at 5 years was worse compared to other racial groups. Our data provides insight into the complex interactions of race, clinical characteristics, and survival outcomes in lobular breast cancer, with implications for screening considerations.

Long-term outcome and prognosis of mixed histiocytosis (Erdheim-Chester disease and Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis)

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare histiocytosis that may overlap with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH). This "mixed" entity is poorly characterized. We here investigated the clinical phenotype, outcome, and prognostic factors of a large cohort of patients with mixed ECD-LCH. This retrospective study was performed at two referral centers in France and Italy (Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris; Meyer Children's Hospital, Florence). We included children and adults with ECD diagnosed in 2000-2022 who had biopsy-proven LCH, available data on clinical presentation, treatment and outcome, and a minimum follow-up of one year. Outcomes included differences in clinical presentation and survival between mixed ECD-LCH and isolated ECD; we also investigated response to treatments and predictors of survival in the mixed cohort. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Maier method and differences in survival with the long-rank test. Cox regression models were used to evaluate the potential impact of age and gender on survival and to identify predictors of non-response and survival. Out of a cohort of 502 ECD patients, 69 (14%) had mixed ECD-LCH. Compared to isolated ECD, mixed ECD-LCH occurred more frequently in females (51 vs. 26%, p<0.001) and in patients with multisystem disease (≥4 sites). Mixed ECD-LCH more frequently involved long bones (91 vs. 79%, p=0.014), central nervous system (51vs. 34%, p=0.007), facial/orbit (52 vs. 38%, p=0.031), lungs (43 vs. 28%, p=0.009), hypothalamic/pituitary axis (51 vs. 26%, p<0.001), skin (61 vs. 29%, p<0.001), and lymph nodes (15 vs. 7%, p=0.028); the BRAFV600E mutation was also more frequent in mixed ECD-LCH (81 vs. 59%, p<0.001). Targeted treatments (BRAF and/or MEK inhibitors) induced response more frequently than conventional therapies (interferon-α, chemotherapy), either as first-line (77 vs. 29%, p<0.001) or as any line (75 vs. 24%, p<0.001). After a median follow-up of 71 months, 24patients (35%) died. Survival probability was comparable between ECD alone and mixed ECD-LCH (log-rank p=0.948). At multivariable analysis, age at diagnosis (HR 1.052, 95% CI 1.008-1.096), associated hematologic conditions (HR 3.030, 95% CI 1.040-8.827), and treatment failure (HR 9.736, 95% CI 2.919-32.481) were associated with an increased risk of death, while lytic bone lesions with a lower risk (HR 0.116, 95% CI 0.031-0.432). Mixed ECD-LCH is a multisystem disease driven by the BRAFV600E mutation and targeted treatments are effective. Age at diagnosis, bone lesion patterns, associated hematologic conditions, and treatment failure are the main predictors of death in mixed ECD-LCH. None.

#1731 Clinico-epidemiological characteristics of early versus late onset cytomegalovirus disease among renal transplant recipients: two decade experience

Abstract Background and Aims The epidemiology of the Cytomegalo virus (CMV) disease among renal transplant recipients has changed with the advent of effective antiviral prophylaxis usually occurs in the later part of the post transplant period. To study the difference between CMV infections occurring in early versus late post renal transplant period with respect to nature of immunosuppressive medications (induction agents, maintenance agents and heightening of immunosuppression), type of CMV infection and occurrence of biopsy proven rejection post CMV infection. Method A single centre retrospective observational study was conducted among renal transplant recipients who underwent kidney transplant between 1st January, 2002 and 31st December, 2021. CMV disease was classified as early or late depending on detection before or after 90 days post transplant. The differences in clinical presentation between early and late onset CMV disease, use of immunosuppression, and the impact on graft outcomes were studied. Results Total number of recipients with CMV disease was 156 (7.2%) out of total 2164 renal transplant recipients. Twenty-five (16%) patients had early CMV while one hundred and thirty one (84%) had late CMV. The two groups did not differ with respect to induction or use of maintenance immunosuppressive agents. Proportion of CMV syndrome was more among early CMV group (56.0% vs 26.7%, p = 0.01) while tissue invasive disease was more frequent among late CMV group (44.0% vs. 73.3%, p = 0.01). Diarrhoea was more frequent in late (63.4%) versus early CMV (36%) (p = 0.01). Graft loss occurred in 4.0% of early and 25.2% of late CMV cases (p = 0.03). However, both groups did not differ with respect to occurrence of biopsy proven rejection post infection. Conclusion Early CMV presents more frequently as CMV syndrome while late CMV usually manifests as tissue invasive disease. Graft loss is more common in patients with late onset disease.

Musculoskeletal System and Gait Characteristics in Patients with Osteogenesis imperfecta.

The aim of the study was to assess the muscoloskeletal system and spatiotemporal gait parameters of patients in three types of osteogenesis imperfecta. Retrospective observational study. The Department of Rehabilitation, Children's Memorial Health Institute in Warsaw, Poland. This study investigated individuals with various types of osteogenesis imperfecta: 33 with osteogenesis imperfecta I (aged 13.9), 16 with osteogenesis imperfecta III (aged 10.4), and 14 with osteogenesis imperfecta IV (aged, 15.8), as well as a reference group of 400 healthy individuals. The musculoskeletal assessment included: medical record review, clinical evaluation, functional tests, long bone deformity assessment via clinical and X-ray examination, and objective gait analysis with the Vicon Motion Systems (Ltd, Oxford, UK). The study revealed notable differences in clinical presentation, deformities within the musculoskeletal system, gait parameters across the various types of osteogenesis imperfecta (p < 0.001). The most affected gait parameters were: cadence, gait speed and step length. The greatest deformities of lower limbs and spine were presented in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta type III. These findings are significant for understanding gait abnormalities in osteogenesis imperfecta patients and designing customized physiotherapy programs to help them participate fully in daily life. Improvement of muscle strength is one of the key for easier engagement in activities like walking or stair-climbing.

Singular Value Decomposition-Based Penalized Multinomial Regression for Classifying Imbalanced Medulloblastoma Subgroups Using Methylation Data.

Medulloblastoma (MB) is a molecularly heterogeneous brain malignancy with large differences in clinical presentation. According to genomic studies, there are at least four distinct molecular subgroups of MB: sonic hedgehog (SHH), wingless/INT (WNT), Group 3, and Group 4. The treatment and outcomes depend on appropriate classification. It is difficult for the classification algorithms to identify these subgroups from an imbalanced MB genomic data set, where the distribution of samples among the MB subgroups may not be equal. To overcome this problem, we used singular value decomposition (SVD) and group lasso techniques to find DNA methylation probe features that maximize the separation between the different imbalanced MB subgroups. We used multinomial regression as a classification method to classify the four different molecular subgroups of MB using the reduced DNA methylation data. Coordinate descent is used to solve our loss function associated with the group lasso, which promotes sparsity. By using SVD, we were able to reduce the 321,174 probe features to just 200 features. Less than 40 features were successfully selected after applying the group lasso, which we then used as predictors for our classification models. Our proposed method achieved an average overall accuracy of 99% based on fivefold cross-validation technique. Our approach produces improved classification performance compared with the state-of-the-art methods for classifying MB molecular subgroups.

The Evolution of a Pediatric Public Health Crisis: E-cigarette or Vaping-Associated Lung Injury.

E-cigarettes and vaping products were first introduced in the United States around 2007, and quickly grew in popularity. By 2014, e-cigarettes had become the most commonly used tobacco product among youth in the United States. An e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) outbreak was identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2019, with many cases in the adolescent population. The CDC opened a national database of cases and launched a multistate investigation; reported cases reached a peak in September 2019. The CDC investigation found that a vaping liquid additive, vitamin E acetate, was strongly linked to the EVALI outbreak but determined that the decline in cases was likely multifactorial. Due to decreased cases and the identification of a potential cause of the outbreak, the CDC stopped collecting data on EVALI cases as of February 2020. However, e-cigarettes and vaping products have continued to be the most popular tobacco product among youth, though state and national regulations on these products have increased since 2016. While pediatric case series and studies have shown differences in clinical presentation and medical histories between pediatric and adult EVALI cases, the fact that cases are no longer tracked at a national level limits necessary information for pediatric clinicians and researchers. We describe the available literature on the diagnosis, pathophysiology, treatment, and outcomes of EVALI in the pediatric population, and provide clinical and public health recommendations to facilitate prevention and management of EVALI specific to pediatrics.

First report from the European registry for anomalous aortic origin of coronary artery (EURO-AAOCA).

Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) is a group of rare congenital heart defects with various clinical presentations. The lifetime-risk of an individual living with AAOCA is unknown, and data from multicentre registries are urgently needed to adapt current recommendations and guide optimal patient management. The European AAOCA Registry (EURO-AAOCA) aims to assess differences with regard to AAOCA management between centres. EURO-AAOCA is a prospective, multicentre registry including 13 European centres. Herein, we evaluated differences in clinical presentations and management, treatment decisions and surgical outcomes across centres from January 2019 to June 2023. A total of 262 AAOCA patients were included, with a median age of 33 years (12-53) with a bimodal distribution. One hundred thirty-nine (53.1%) were symptomatic, whereas chest pain (n = 74, 53.2%) was the most common complaint, followed by syncope (n = 21, 15.1%). Seven (5%) patients presented with a myocardial infarction, 2 (1.4%) with aborted sudden cardiac death. Right-AAOCA was most frequent (150, 57.5%), followed by left-AAOCA in 51 (19.5%), and circumflex AAOCA in 20 (7.7%). There were significant differences regarding diagnostics between age groups and across centres. Seventy-four (28.2%) patients underwent surgery with no operative deaths; minor postoperative complications occurred in 10 (3.8%) cases. Currently, no uniform agreement exists among European centres with regard to diagnostic protocols and clinical management for AAOCA variants. Although surgery is a safe procedure in AAOCA, future longitudinal outcome data will hopefully shed light on how to best decide towards optimal selection of patients undergoing revascularization versus conservative treatment.

ST elevation acute myocardial infarction in young versus elderly: An observational study

ABSTRACT Background: ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is usually associated with marked morbidity and mortality, affecting both young and elderly populations. Aims: To compare the differences in clinical presentation, treatment, outcome, and comorbidity in elderly and young patients of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 60 patients divided equally into two groups – above 60 years (Group A) and 60 years or below (Group B). The various parameters including clinical presentation, time of onset, type of AMI, medication, complications, and outcome were assessed. They were followed up for 1 month. Results: The proportion of males and females (M:F) was equal in Group A, and the M:F ratio was 2.75 in Group B. The mean duration of hospitalization was longer in elderly. Hypertension was the most common comorbid condition. About half of the elderly cohort had previous history of angina pectoris, and about one third had prior attacks of MI. Overall, a higher number of younger cohorts were thrombolyzed with streptokinase. Conclusion: Our study showed that there were noteworthy differences in clinical presentation, management, and outcome between elderly and young AMI patients. Early recognition of atypical features among elderly can lead to effective strategies and timely management.

Sex Differences in Clinical Presentation of Lower Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Background: Differences between men and women in the clinical features and extent of lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may influence DVT diagnostic algorithms involving pretest clinical probability (PTP) assessment, D-dimer, and compression ultrasonography (CUS). Aims: To assess differences in DVT clinical presentation between men and women and their effect on PTP and D-dimer. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in outpatients referred for suspected DVT of the lower limbs to our vascular emergency department from January 2005 to December 2019. Patients underwent PTP assessment with the Wells score, D-dimer testing, and CUS. Results: More women were referred for suspected DVT than men (M/F: 1,785/2,821; F: 61.4%; p < 0.0001). Women were older than men (median age: 71 vs. 67 years; p = 0.0001), DVT was diagnosed in 436 patients (9.4%) but in more men than women (M: 210 [11.8%] vs. F: 226 [8%]; p = 0.0002), with more proximal DVT in men than women (M: 131 7.3% vs. F: 124 [4.4%]; p = 0.00021). PTP was more likely in men (355 [19.9%]) than women (455 [16.2%]) (p = 0.0011); more men had swelling in the entire limb, increased calf circumference by >3 cm compared with the contralateral limb, and pitting edema, than women. D-dimer levels (available in 65% of patients) were more frequently positive in women with DVT than in men (94.6% vs. 85.7%; p = 0.016). However, a positive D-dimer and/or likely PTP was similarly frequent in men (92%) and women (96%) with DVT. Conclusions: More women than men are referred for suspected DVT, and men have a higher prevalence of proximal DVT. However, current algorithms for DVT diagnosis perform similarly in men and in women.

Secondary language impairment in posterior cortical atrophy: insights from sentence repetition.

Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is a neurodegenerative syndrome characterized by progressive impairment in visuospatial and perceptual function linked to atrophy of the occipito-parietal cortex. Besides the salient visual impairment, several studies have documented subtle changes in language may also be present. Sentence repetition is a highly constrained linguistic task involving multiple linguistic and cognitive processes and have been shown to be impaired in other AD spectrum disorders, with little consensus on its relevance in PCA. This aim of this study was to further delineate the linguistic and cognitive features of impaired language in PCA using a sentence repetition task. Seven PCA patients and 16 healthy controls verbally repeated 16 sentences from the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination. Responses were transcribed orthographically and coded for accuracy (percentage accuracy; percentage Correct Information Units; Levenshtein Distance) and for temporal characteristics (preparation duration (ms); utterance duration (ms); silent pause duration (ms); speech duration (ms); dysfluency duration (ms)). The potential modulating effects of attentional control and working memory capacity were explored. PCA patients showed lower overall accuracy with retained semantic content of the sentences, and lower phonological accuracy. Temporal measures revealed longer preparation and utterance duration for PCA patients compared to controls, alongside longer speech duration but comparable dysfluency duration. PCA patients also showed comparable silent pause duration to controls. Attentional control, measured using the Hayling sentence completion task, predicted accuracy of sentence repetition. The findings suggest that sentence repetition is impaired in PCA and is characterized by phonological, response planning and execution difficulties, underpinned in part by attentional control mechanisms. The emerging profile of language impairment in PCA suggests vulnerability of similar cognitive systems to other Alzheimer's syndromes, with subtle differences in clinical presentation.

Differences between GH and PRL co-secreting and GH-secreting pituitary adenomas. A series of 604 cases.

To evaluate differences in clinical presentation and in surgical outcomes between growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas (GH-PAs) and GH and prolactin co-secreting pituitary adenomas (GH&PRL-PAs). Multicenter retrospective study of 604 patients with acromegaly submitted to pituitary surgery. Patients were classified into two groups according to serum PRL levels at diagnosis and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for PRL: a) GH&PRL-PAs when PRL levels were above the upper limit of normal and IHC for GH and PRL was positive or PRL levels were >100ng/and PRL IHC was not available (n=130) and b) GH-PAs who did not meet the previously mentioned criteria (n=474). GH&PRL-PAs represented 21.5% (n=130) of patients with acromegaly. The mean age at diagnosis was lower in GH&PRL-PAs than in GH-PAs (P<0.001). GH&PRL-PAs were more frequently macroadenomas (90.6% vs. 77.4%, P=0.001) and tended to be more invasive (33.6% vs. 24.7%, P=0.057) than GH-PAs. Furthermore, they had presurgical hypopituitarism more frequently (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.83-4.38). IGF-1 upper limit of normality (ULN) levels at diagnosis were lower in patients with GH&PRL-PAs (median 2.4 [IQR 1.73-3.29] vs. 2.7 [IQR 1.91-3.67], P=0.023). There were no differences in the immediate (41.1% vs 43.3%, P=0.659) or long-term post-surgical acromegaly biochemical cure rate (53.5% vs. 53.1%, P=0.936) between groups. However, there was a higher incidence of permanent arginine-vasopressin deficiency (AVP-D) (7.3% vs. 2.4%, P=0.011) in GH&PRL-PAs patients. GH&PRL-PAs are responsible for 20% of acromegaly cases. These tumors are more invasive, larger and cause hypopituitarism more frequently than GH-PAs and are diagnosed at an earlier age. The biochemical cure rate is similar between both groups, but patients with GH&PRL-PAs tend to develop permanent postsurgical AVP-D more frequently.

Clinical Presentations, MDCT Features, and Treatment of Three Types of Adult Intussusceptions Based on the Location.

This study aimed to explore the similarities and differences in clinical presentations, multidetector computed tomographic (MDCT) features, and treatment of three types of adult intussusceptions based on location. We retrospectively reviewed 184 adult patients with 192 intussusceptions. Depending on the location, intussusceptions were classified as enteric, ileocolic, and colonic types. The similarities and differences of clinical presentations, MDCT features, and treatment of three types of adult intussusception were compared. Meanwhile, the three types of intussusceptions were further divided into surgical and conservative groups based on the treatment. Uni- and multivariate logistic analyses were used to identify risk factors for intussusception requiring surgery. Enteric and ileocolic intussusceptions were mainly presented with abdominal pain (78.46% and 85.71%). Hematochezia/melena (64.29%) was the main symptom of colonic intussusception. On MDCT, ileocolic intussusceptions were longer in length and had more signs of intestinal necrosis (hypodense layer, fluid collection and no/poor bowel wall enhancement) than enteric and colonic intussusceptions. Moreover, it was found that 93.88% (46/49) of ileocolic intussusception and 98.59% (70/71) of colonic intussusception belonged to the surgical group, whereas only 43.06% (31/72) of enteric intussusception belonged to the surgical group. Intussusception length (OR=1.171, P=0.028) and discernible lead point on MDCT (OR=21.003, P<0.001) were reliable indicators of enteric intussusception requiring surgery. Ileocolic intussusception may be more prone to intestinal necrosis than enteric and colonic intussusceptions, requiring more attention from clinicians. Surgery remains the treatment of choice for most ileocolic and colonic intussusceptions. Less than half of enteric intussusceptions require surgery, and MDCT features are effective in identifying them.

Sex-related differences in patients presenting with heart failure–related cardiogenic shock

BackgroundHeart failure–related cardiogenic shock (HF-CS) accounts for a significant proportion of all CS cases. Nevertheless, there is a lack of evidence on sex-related differences in HF-CS, especially regarding use of treatment and mortality risk in women vs. men. This study aimed to investigate potential differences in clinical presentation, use of treatments, and mortality between women and men with HF-CS.MethodsIn this international observational study, patients with HF-CS (without acute myocardial infarction) from 16 tertiary-care centers in five countries were enrolled between 2010 and 2021. Logistic and Cox regression models were used to assess differences in clinical presentation, use of treatments, and 30-day mortality in women vs. men with HF-CS.ResultsN = 1030 patients with HF-CS were analyzed, of whom 290 (28.2%) were women. Compared to men, women were more likely to be older, less likely to have a known history of heart failure or cardiovascular risk factors, and lower rates of highly depressed left ventricular ejection fraction and renal dysfunction. Nevertheless, CS severity as well as use of treatments were comparable, and female sex was not independently associated with 30-day mortality (53.0% vs. 50.8%; adjusted HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.75–1.19).ConclusionsIn this large HF-CS registry, sex disparities in risk factors and clinical presentation were observed. Despite these differences, the use of treatments was comparable, and both sexes exhibited similarly high mortality rates. Further research is necessary to evaluate if sex-tailored treatment, accounting for the differences in cardiovascular risk factors and clinical presentation, might improve outcomes in HF-CS.Graphical abstractSex-related differences in clinical characteristics, shock severity, and mortality in patients with heart failure–related cardiogenic shock. Summary for the main study findings. AMI, acute myocardial infarction; CI, confidence interval; HF-CS, heart failure–related cardiogenic shock; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; MCS, mechanical circulatory support; SCAI, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions.

Sex Differences in Prehospital Identification of Large Vessel Occlusion in Patients With Suspected Stroke.

Differences in clinical presentation of acute ischemic stroke between men and women may affect prehospital identification of anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (aLVO). We assessed sex differences in diagnostic performance of 8 prehospital scales to detect aLVO. We analyzed pooled individual patient data from 2 prospective cohort studies (LPSS [Leiden Prehospital Stroke Study] and PRESTO [Prehospital Triage of Patients With Suspected Stroke Study]) conducted in the Netherlands between 2018 and 2019, including consecutive patients ≥18 years suspected of acute stroke who presented within 6 hours after symptom onset. Ambulance paramedics assessed clinical items from 8 prehospital aLVO detection scales: Los Angeles Motor Scale, Rapid Arterial Occlusion Evaluation, Cincinnati Stroke Triage Assessment Tool, Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale, Prehospital Acute Stroke Severity, gaze-face-arm-speech-time, Conveniently Grasped Field Assessment Stroke Triage, and Face-Arm-Speech-Time Plus Severe Arm or Leg Motor Deficit. We assessed the diagnostic performance of these scales for identifying aLVO at prespecified cut points for men and women. Of 2358 patients with suspected stroke (median age, 73 years; 47% women), 231 (10%) had aLVO (100/1114 [9%] women and 131/1244 [11%] men). The area under the curve of the scales ranged from 0.70 (95% CI, 0.65-0.75) to 0.77 (95% CI, 0.73-0.82) in women versus 0.69 (95% CI, 0.64-0.73) to 0.75 (95% CI, 0.71-0.79) in men. Positive predictive values ranged from 0.23 (95% CI, 0.20-0.27) to 0.29 (95% CI, 0.26-0.31) in women versus 0.29 (95% CI, 0.24-0.33) to 0.37 (95% CI, 0.32-0.43) in men. Negative predictive values were similar (0.95 [95% CI, 0.94-0.96] to 0.98 [95% CI, 0.97-0.98] in women versus 0.94 [95% CI, 0.93-0.95] to 0.96 [95% CI, 0.94-0.97] in men). Sensitivity of the scales was slightly higher in women than in men (0.53 [95% CI, 0.43-0.63] to 0.76 [95% CI, 0.68-0.84] versus 0.49 [95% CI, 0.40-0.57] to 0.63 [95% CI, 0.55-0.73]), whereas specificity was lower (0.79 [95% CI, 0.76-0.81] to 0.87 [95% CI, 0.84-0.89] versus 0.82 [95% CI, 0.79-0.84] to 0.90 [95% CI, 0.88-0.91]). Rapid arterial occlusion evaluation showed the highest positive predictive values in both sexes (0.29 in women and 0.37 in men), reflecting the different event rates. aLVO scales show similar diagnostic performance in both sexes. The rapid arterial occlusion evaluation scale may help optimize prehospital transport decision-making in men as well as in women with suspected stroke.

Sport-related concussion in 8- to 12-year-olds: an understudied population.

Most studies regarding sport-related concussion (SRC) focus on high school and collegiate athletes; however, little has been published on children younger than 12 years of age. In a cohort of children aged 8-12 years with SRC, the authors sought to describe demographics, initial presentation, and recovery in this understudied population. A retrospective cohort study of children aged 8-12 years who sustained an SRC between November 2017 and April 2022 and were treated at a regional sports concussion center was conducted. Demographic information, injury characteristics, traditional Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 (SCAT5) and Child/Parent SCAT5 scores, and outcomes, defined as days to return to learn (RTL), symptom resolution, and return to play (RTP), were reported. Outcomes in boys and girls were compared using effect size analyses given sample size constraints. Forty-seven athletes were included. The mean age was 11.0 ± 0.8 years, and the majority were male (34, 72.3%). A sizable proportion of patients visited an emergency department (19, 40.4%), and many received head imaging (16, 34.0%), mostly via CT (n = 13). The most common sport for boys was football (15, 44.1%), and the most common sports for girls were soccer (4, 30.8%) and cheerleading (4, 30.8%). These athletes reported a variety of symptoms on presentation. It took a mean of 8.8 ± 10.8 days to RTL, 27.3 ± 38.3 days to reach symptom resolution, and 35.4 ± 41.9 days to RTP. When comparing boys versus girls, there appeared to be moderate differences in symptom severity scores (Cohen's d = 0.44 for SCAT5, 0.13 for Child SCAT5, and 0.38 for Parent SCAT5) and minimal differences in recovery (Cohen's d = 0.11 for RTL, n = 35; 0.22 for symptom resolution, n = 22; and 0.12 for RTP, n = 21). In this cohort of concussed athletes aged 8-12 years, a little less than half of the athletes initially presented to the emergency department, and approximately one-third received acute head imaging. Across all athletes, the mean RTL was slightly more than a week and the mean symptom resolution and RTP were both approximately 1 month; however, much of the cohort is missing recovery outcome measures. This study demonstrated a strong positive correlation between Child SCAT5 and Parent SCAT5 symptom reporting. Future efforts are needed to evaluate differences in clinical presentation and outcomes following SRC between children and older populations.