Epidemiological Characteristics Of Patients Research Articles

Dissemination of extensively drug-resistant NDM-producing Providencia stuartii in Europe linked to patients transferred from Ukraine, March 2022 to March 2023

Background The war in Ukraine led to migration of Ukrainian people. Early 2022, several European national surveillance systems detected multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria related to Ukrainian patients. Aim To investigate the genomic epidemiology of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM)-producing Providencia stuartii from Ukrainian patients among European countries. Methods Whole-genome sequencing of 66 isolates sampled in 2022–2023 in 10 European countries enabled whole-genome multilocus sequence typing (wgMLST), identification of resistance genes, replicons, and plasmid reconstructions. Five bla NDM-1-carrying-P. stuartii isolates underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). Transferability to Escherichia coli of a bla NDM-1-carrying plasmid from a patient strain was assessed. Epidemiological characteristics of patients with NDM-producing P. stuartii were gathered by questionnaire. Results wgMLST of the 66 isolates revealed two genetic clusters unrelated to Ukraine and three linked to Ukrainian patients. Of these three, two comprised bla NDM-1-carrying-P. stuartii and the third bla NDM-5-carrying-P. stuartii. The bla NDM-1 clusters (PstCluster-001, n = 22 isolates; PstCluster-002, n = 8 isolates) comprised strains from seven and four countries, respectively. The bla NDM-5 cluster (PstCluster-003) included 13 isolates from six countries. PstCluster-001 and PstCluster-002 isolates carried an MDR plasmid harbouring bla NDM-1, bla OXA-10, bla CMY-16, rmtC and armA, which was transferrable in vitro and, for some Ukrainian patients, shared by other Enterobacterales. AST revealed PstCluster-001 isolates to be extensively drug-resistant (XDR), but susceptible to cefiderocol and aztreonam–avibactam. Patients with data on age (n = 41) were 19–74 years old; of 49 with information on sex, 38 were male. Conclusion XDR P. stuartii were introduced into European countries, requiring increased awareness and precautions when treating patients from conflict-affected areas.

Clinical and epidemiologic characterization of non-infectious uveitis in a university hospital in Paraguay

Clinical and epidemiologic characterization of non-infectious uveitis in a university hospital in Paraguay

Epidemiological characteristics of patients with COVID-19 at the Regional Hospital of Encarnación, Paraguay, between 2021 and 2023

Introducción: las vacunas desarrolladas durante la pandemia contra COVID-19 fueron elaboradas con el objetivo de ofrecer inmunidad contra el virus y evitar la enfermedad, reduciendo así las complicaciones fatales. Objetivos: determinar las características epidemiológicas de los pacientes con COVID-19, internados en el servicio de Clínica Médica del Hospital Regional de Encarnación. Además, describir el esquema de vacunación y la relación entre el diagnóstico de neumonía por COVID-19 y la vacunación contra ésta. Metodología: estudio descriptivo, observacional, de corte transversal realizado desde marzo del 2021 a noviembre del 2023. Se aplicó un muestro no probabilístico por conveniencia. Se incluyeron pacientes internados en el servicio de Clínica Médica del Hospital Regional de Encarnación, Paraguay, con diagnóstico de COVID-19. Resultados: la muestra estuvo conformada por 806 pacientes, el 63,28% era del sexo femenino. La edad promedio fue 44 ± 21 años. el 52,73% provenían del distrito de Encarnación. El 11,79% correspondía a pacientes internados con diagnóstico de neumonía por COVID-19 de los cuales el 34,74% contaba con algún esquema de vacunación contra el virus y el 88,21% correspondía a pacientes internados por COVID-19 y otros diagnósticos, de los cuales el 69,06% contaba con algún esquema de vacunación. Las comorbilidades más frecuentes fueron el tabaquismo, la diabetes y la obesidad. Se encontró que la vacunación esta relacionada con la menor frecuencia de neumonía por COVID-19. Conclusiones: se encontró una muestra predominantemente femenina, la edad promedio corresponde al grupo de adultos jóvenes, los pacientes residían principalmente en la ciudad de Encarnación. La frecuencia de internados por COVID-19 con algún esquema de vacunación contra el virus es considerable. Los factores de riesgo o comorbilidades frecuentes fueron la cardiopatía crónica, la hipertensión arterial y la diabetes mellitus. Se determinó estadísticamente que la vacunación y el número de dosis de la vacuna están relacionados con la menor frecuencia de neumonía por COVID-19.

Epidemiological characteristics of patients with pancreatic cancer with and without diabetes mellitus: A retrospective cohort study.

705 Background: Pancreatic cancer accounts for approximately 3% of new cancers diagnosed in the US and more than 8% of all cancer deaths. Despite the increasing incidence, there are few indicated screenings, mostly in patients with genetic mutations. Pancreatic cancer is associated with several risk factors including tobacco use, family history, heavy alcohol use, and diabetes mellitus (DM). In the US, more than 11% of adults have a diagnosis of diabetes and incidence is projected to rise over the coming years. Given the risk of DM associated with pancreatic cancer, establishing preventative measures, early intervention, and appropriate follow up for diabetic control could be an important step in decreasing the risk of pancreatic cancer. This study examines the demographic characteristics of patients with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer with and without DM. Methods: We used the 2016-2019 Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, the largest all-payer inpatient care database in the US, to stratify all patients admitted with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, with and without DM, to further characterize their epidemiological characteristics. Results: Characteristics of patients with and without DM and pancreatic cancer are shown in the table. There were 150,275 patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, of which 44,170 (29%) had a concomitant diagnosis of DM. Of patients with both pancreatic cancer and DM, 53% were women (51% in patients without DM), 64% were white (70% in patients without diabetes), and 63% had Medicare for insurance (60% in patients without DM). Conclusions: Of patients with pancreatic cancer 29% had a concomitant diagnosis of DM(p=0.00). Epidemiological characteristics of patients with pancreatic cancers with and without DM such as age, sex, and insurance status were similar between both groups. However, there was a decreased percentage of Caucasian patients with pancreatic cancer and DM compared to those without DM. Given the association of diabetes with pancreatic cancer, and rising incidence of patients with diabetes in the US, emphasis on diabetes prevention and control may be an important factor in reducing the incidence pancreatic cancer. This study also suggests the need for further research to determine if there is utility in screening for pancreatic cancer in patients with diabetes to decrease the burden of pancreatic cancer in the US population.[Table: see text]

Epidemiological characteristics of patients with cholangiocarcinoma with and without ulcerative colitis: A retrospective cohort study.

564 Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is correlated with gastrointestinal cancer. While the exact mechanism is unknown, it is thought that a chronic inflammatory state may result in the development of malignancies including cholangiocarcinoma. Patients with UC that develop cholangiocarcinoma usually have a poor prognosis and early detection is key to improve survival. Methods: We used the 2016-2019 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, the largest all-payer inpatient care database in the United States, to stratify all patients admitted with a diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma with and without ulcerative colitis, to further characterize their epidemiological characteristics. Results: There were at total of 46,001 patients with a diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma studied. Of these patients with cholangiocarcinoma, 401 had concomitant UC (0.87%). Individuals with UC in the database had an increased association with cholangiocarcinoma (OR=7.67, 95% CI 6.96-8.46) compared to those without UC. Patients with cholangiocarcinoma and UC tended to be younger (57.8 vs. 67.9 years old without UC), male (69.51% vs. 53.23% without UC), with private insurance (57.5%) vs. patients without UC who predominately had Medicare (59.46%). Patients with cholangiocarcinoma and UC had on average fewer Charleston Comorbidities (64.63% with 3 comorbidities) vs. patients without UC (74.52% with 3 comorbidities). Of patients with cholangiocarcinoma and UC, 65.85% were Caucasian (vs. 64.85% without UC), 6.1% were Black (vs. 10.09% without UC), 3.66% were Hispanic (vs. 12.37% without), and 24.39% were Asian or Pacific Islander (vs 12.79% without). Conclusions: In the population studied, there was a significant correlation between UC and cholangiocarcinoma. Patients with cholangiocarcinoma and UC tended to be younger with fewer comorbidities than their counterparts without. There were nearly double the percentage of Asian patients with cholangiocarcinoma and UC as compared to Asian patients without UC. Understanding the characteristics of patients with UC who develop cholangiocarcinoma is important as it could inform future best practices in potential screening and early detection of carcinomas in patients with UC. [Table: see text]

Epidemiology features of traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injury in China, Wuhan

Spinal cord injuries are incredibly disabling and can have fatal consequences. At present, there is a lack of available information regarding the epidemiological characteristics of patients who have experienced spinal cord injury (SCI) in China. This retrospective hospital-based study was conducted in the Rehabilitation department of Wuhan’s Tongji Hospital between 2016 and 2022. A total of 649 individuals diagnosed with SCI (both traumatic and non-traumatic) were admitted during this period. Data regarding various epidemiological features were gathered, including sex, age, etiology, occupation, neurological level of injury, the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale at the time of admission, and information on any accompanying injuries. Out of the 649 cases of SCI, there were 539 cases of traumatic SCI and 110 cases of non-traumatic SCI. The mean age at the time of injury was 45.6 ± 14.8 years. The ratio of male to female patients was higher in traumatic SCI at 2.82:1compared to non-traumatic SCI at 1.68:1. Traffic accidents were the most common cause of TSCI, accounting for (n = 207/539; 38.40%) of cases. On the other hand, neoplasm was the most common cause of NTSCI, accounting for (n = 38/110; 34.54%) of cases. The findings indicated a higher proportion of males, with traffic accidents being the main cause of injury among TSCI patients. It is crucial to prioritize the risk of falling among older adults and allocate more attention to this issue. These results emphasize the need for tailored preventive strategies that consider the unique characteristics of different types of SCI patients.

Epidemiological characteristics of patients with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome and progeroid laminopathies in China.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) and progeroid laminopathies (PL) are extremely rare genetic diseases with extremely poor prognoses. This study aims to investigate the epidemiological and genotypic characteristics of patients with HGPS/PL in China. Using a cross-sectional study design, general characteristics and genotypic data of 46 patients with HGPS/PL from 17 provinces in China were analyzed. Among the 46 patients with HGPS/PL, 20 patients are HGPS, and the rest are PL; the identified total prevalence of HGPS/PL is 1/23 million. Among 42 patients with gene reports, 3 carried compound heterozygous mutations in the ZMPSTE24 while the other 39 carried LMNA mutations. Among PL, LMNA c.1579 C > T homozygous mutation was the most common. The onset of classic genotype HGPS is skin sclerosis in the first month after birth. The primary clinical manifestations of PL patients include skin abnormalities, growth retardation, and joint stiffness. The median age of onset for PL was 12 (6,12) months. In China, the identified total prevalence of HGPS/PL is 1/23 million. 92.8% of the genetic mutations of HGPS/PL were located in LMNA, and the rest in ZMPSTE24. Most patients of HGPS/PL have skin abnormalities as the earliest manifestation. Compared to PL, the classic genotype HGPS starts earlier. Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) and progeroid laminopathies (PL) are extremely rare genetic diseases with extremely poor prognoses. To date, there is a paucity of epidemiological data related to HGPS/PL in China. This study first examined the genotypic, phenotypic, and prevalence characteristics of 40-50% of the cases of HGPS/PL in mainland China through a collaborative international registry effort. In China, the identified total prevalence of HGPS/PL is 1/23 million. 92.8% of the genetic mutations of HGPS/PL are located in LMNA. LMNA c.1579 C > T homozygous mutations are the most common form of gene mutations among the Chinese PL population.

Triple-seronegative myasthenia gravis: clinical and epidemiological characteristics.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease usually caused by antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR-Abs), muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK-Abs), or low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (LRP4-Abs). However, there are MG patients who do not have these antibodies and are thus said to have triple-seronegative (triple-SN) MG. This study aims to describe the frequency and clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with triple-SN MG. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study carried out through the analysis of medical records. Descriptive and analytical statistical analysis was performed comparing subgroups of myasthenic patients, classified according to serological profile. The sample population consisted of 93 MG patients: 85 were positive for antibodies, 80 (86%) with AChR-Abs, 5 (5.4%) with MuSK-Abs, and no MG patients with LRP4-Abs. Eight patients (8.6%) had triple-SN MG; they had a median age at disease onset of 30 years (21-45). Their most common initial symptoms were ptosis, diplopia, and generalized weakness. Most patients presented with mild symptoms at their last visit, reflecting a median MG composite scale score of 4 (0-6), and 75% of patients had an adequate response to treatment. Our study showed a low frequency of triple-SN MG in Brazilian MG patients. Triple-SN MG was predominant in females, who presented with ptosis, diplopia, and generalized weakness, and most patients had an adequate response to immunosuppressive treatment. There was no significant difference between triple-SN MG and the other subgroups.

ETIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF CASES WITH CHEST PAIN IN THE PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY OUTPATIENT CLINIC

Objective: Chest pain in children, especially in adolescence, constitutes a significant proportion of the presentations to pediatric cardiology clinics. We aimed to determine the frequency of chest pain causes in the pediatric age group and the importance of echocardiography.
 Material and Methods: We retrospectively examined the etiological and epidemiological characteristics of patients with chest pain who were admitted to Kırıkkale University Medical Faculty Hospital Pediatric Cardiology Clinic and Pediatric Emergency Service between 2014 and 2019.
 Results: One thousand hundred sixty-four patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age of the patients was 12.9±2.0 years (range 10-17 years). Echocardiographic evaluation was performed in 87.9% (n=1023) of 1164 patients. In 769 (75.2%) patients, there was no cardiac abnormality. Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) was detected in 164 (16.0%) patients. Out of these patients, 116 (11.3%) also had mitral insufficiency (MI). There was a female preponderance (117/164, 71.4%) among the patients with MVP. Patients with normal echocardiography findings, were compared with patients who had MVP+MI with respect to mean hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, Creatine kinase, Creatine kinase- MB, troponin, pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, and C-reaktif protein levels. There was no significant difference between these groups with respect to these parameters.
 Conclusion: We showed that MVP/MI is the most common cause of cardiac related chest pain in children. Therefore, chest pain, especially with physical examination findings, such as a murmur, should be evaluated by a pediatric cardiologist, ideally by echocardiography.

Translated article] Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Patients Being Treated for Scabies in Spain: Opportunities for Improvement — A Multicenter Cross-Sectional CLINI-AEDV Study

BackgroundSeveral studies support the hypothesis that scabies is on the rise in Spain. There are also concerns about the possible development of resistance to treatment and an increase in atypical presentations. The aims of this study were to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with scabies seen by dermatologists in Spain, to identify the possible emergence of atypical forms of scabies, and to explore the frequency of treatment failures and associated risk factors. MethodsWe conducted an observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study of data collected prospectively in April and May 2023 using the CLINI-AEDVp platform created by the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV). ResultsParticipating dermatologists from 31 hospitals in 15 of Spain's autonomous communities recorded 186 cases of active scabies (51% in women) during the study period. A diagnostic certainty level of A, B or C as per the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies Consensus Criteria was required for diagnosis. Overall, 92% of patients had clinical features of classic scabies and 66% had already been treated with a scabicide for the current episode. Of the treated patients, only 36% had received and completed adequate treatment (including the simultaneous treatment of all household members) and 50% had not received clear written recommendations. ConclusionsIn a high proportion of scabies cases, the patient has already received treatment. In those cases, we observe several remediable shortcomings that could explain why some of these treatments fail. Remedying these deficiencies should lead to better control of scabies and an improved assessment of the actual effectiveness of currently available scabicides.

Evaluation of Comt2, Comt3, Cyp1b1, and Esr1 gene polymorphisms as risk factor for endometrial polyp

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to evaluate COMT2, COMT3, CYP1B1, and ESR1 gene polymorphisms and occurrence of endometrial polyps. In addition, we intended to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological features of patients with and without the presence of the disease, characterizing the possible risk factors. A cross-sectional study was performed, with a total of 309 women, including 236 in the group of women with endometrial polyp confirmed by hysteroscopy and anatomical pathological examination and 73 in the group of people with diagnostic hysteroscopy without abnormal findings from the macroscopic point of view. Polymorphisms of four genes were studied: COMT2 (rs4680), COMT3 (rs5031015), CYP1B1 (rs1056836), and ESR1 (rs2234693). Polymorphism genotyping was determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Considering the results, no differences were identified between the two groups with respect to age, body mass index, diabetes, dyslipidemia, or smoking. The group of women without endometrial polyps showed higher use of hormone therapy than the other group (16.4 percent versus 3.8 percent, p < .001). The COMT2, COMT3, CYP1B1, and ESR1 genes exhibited no significant difference for the occurrence of endometrial polyp between the two groups. The research concluded that no correlation was identified between the genetic polymorphisms evaluated and the presence of endometrial polyps.

Clinical and morphological features of infective endocarditis of native and prosthetic heart valves

Aim. To evaluate clinical and morphological data of infective endocarditis (IE) of native and prosthetic heart valves.Material and methods. This retrospective cohort study included 354 patients that had signs of IE according to pathological study of surgical material from native valves and prosthetic heart valves. The patients were divided into two groups: the first group included patients with native valve IE (n=328), while the second group — with prosthetic valve IE (n=26).Results. Among patients with native valve IE, aortic (AV) and mitral valve (MV) IE was recorded in 67,6% and 20,7%, respectively. In the group of patients with prosthetic IE, AV IE also predominated — 57,7% vs 26,9% in MV IE. In the majority of patients in the first group, secondary IE was detected (68,9%). The development of IE in the presence of bicuspid AV (BAV), degenerative AV disease, and rheumatic valve disease was revealed in 40,7%, 31,4% and 6,7%, respectively. In the group of patients with native valve IE, subactive IE was most often detected — in 38,4%, while in 7,1% — signs of process remission were detected. In the group of patients with prosthetic valve IE, IE with moderate activity was detected more often than in the group of patients with native valve IE (42,3% vs 26,8%, p=0,042). In the group of patients with prosthetic valve IE, the presence of colonies of microorganisms and neutrophilic infiltration in the histological material was somewhat more common, while in patients with native valve IE there was a tendency towards a higher percentage of necrosis in the studied material (42,4% vs 38,5%, p&gt;0,05).Conclusion. This work confirms changes in the epidemiological characteristics of patients with IE. A high frequency of subactive forms of IE was noted according in patients with native valve IE, which requires individual approach to antibacterial therapy depending on the pathomorphological IE activity.

Neutralizing Antibody Levels and Epidemiological Characteristics of Patients with Breakthrough COVID-19 Infection in Toyama, Japan.

Breakthrough infection (BI) after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination has increased owing to the emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants. In this study, we analyzed the epidemiological information and possession status of neutralizing antibodies in patients with BI using SARS-CoV-2 pseudotyped viruses. Analysis of 44 specimens from patients diagnosed with COVID-19 after two or more vaccinations showed high inhibition of infection by 90% or more against the Wuhan strain and the Alpha and Delta variants of pseudotyped viruses in 40 specimens. In contrast, almost no neutralizing activity was observed against the Omicron BA.1 variant. Many patients without neutralizing activity or BI were immunosuppressed. The results of this study show that contact with an infected person can result in BI, even when there are sufficient neutralizing antibodies in the blood. Thus, sufficient precautions must be taken to prevent infection even after vaccination.

Correlation between clinicopathological characteristics and the clinical prognosis of patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are one of the most common types of NETs, accounting for 65-75% of all NETs. However, epidemiological characteristics of patients with GEP-NETs in China are still lacking. The present retrospective study aimed to investigate the local epidemiology of GEP-NETs and assess the prognostic factors in China. The data of 267 patients with GEP-NETs who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College (Bengbu, China) and the Affiliated Hospital of West Anhui Health Vocational College (Lu'an, China) were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical and pathological characteristics of the patients, as well as follow-up information, were collected, and the 5-year survival rate was calculated. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank analysis were used to analyze the prognostic factors. The stomach (100/267; 37.5%) was the most common site of GEP-NETs and the liver (25/39; 64.1%) was the most common metastatic site. A total of 166 (62.2%) and 219 (82.0%) patients had positive results for chromogranin A (CgA) and synaptophysin (Syn), respectively. The percentage of patients with tumor grade G1, G2 and G3 was 33.3, 21.0 and 45.7%, respectively. The 5-year overall survival rate was 79.7%, and the age, tumor site, distant metastasis and tumor grading upon diagnosis were all prognostic factors. In conclusion, the present case series investigated the epidemiology and prognostic factors of GEP-NETs in China. CgA and Syn could be used as diagnostic markers for NETs and the stomach was the most common primary tumor site. Lymph node metastasis, tumor site, distant metastasis and tumor grading were important prognostic factors.

Characteristics of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria patients in Brazil: A retrospective administrative claims database analysis of PNH patients in Brazilian public healthcare system.

Few studies have reported the profile of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and their care in the Brazilian health system. To describe clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with PNH in the Brazilian public health system including procedures performed, associated comorbidities and visits to health care professionals. In a real-world observational, retrospective, population-based cohort study, anonymized secondary data provided by the Department of Informatics of the Brazilian Unified Health System (DATASUS) were analyzed. Patients were considered eligible if they had at least one procedure coded with the ICD-10 code D59.5 from January 1, 2008 to December 30, 2018. In total, 675 individual PNH patients were identified (52.4% female; prevalence of 1:237,000 people). Around 15.8% of the patients included had myelodysplastic syndrome and about half of the sample had other aplastic anemias and/or other bone marrow failure syndromes. Portal vein thrombosis (I82 ICD code) was reported in 4.3% of patients. Regarding hospitalizations, 263 individual PNH patients had 416 inpatient admissions with the ICD code for PNH (D59.5) on admission. Twelve deaths occurred during the study period, of which two had the PNH ICD code related with the cause of death, while another three deaths were associated with acquired hemolytic anemia (D59.9), unspecified aplastic anemia (D61.9) and acute respiratory failure (J96.0), respectively. Despite its limitations, this statistical analysis of data extracted from DATASUS reasonably describes PNH patients in Brazil and its variations across different regions of the country. Comorbidities frequently associated with PNH such as portal vein thrombosis were not as common in our study, but it is assumed that several thrombotic events at specific sites were coded under the broader I82 ICD code. The frequency of visits to different health professionals, including hematologists, increased after the diagnosis of PNH. Among hospitalized PNH patients, the mortality rate was 4.5%.

Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis in COVID-19 pandemic period, Dushanbe

Aim. To evaluate the shifts in demographic, clinical, and epidemiological characteristics of patients with multidrugresistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with MDR TB registered in Dushanbe, before (2017-2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021).Results. The average age of patients prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was 36.5±16.9 years (1.7-79.4), whereas during the COVID-19 period, it was 34.4±17 years (2.9-80.2). The pandemic era witnessed a statistically significant rise in the proportion of workers among MDR TB patients compared to the unemployed (OR = 1.4; 95% CI 1.02-1.91; p = 0.05). Furthermore, an increase was observed in the proportion of patients with lung destruction in both newly diagnosed (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.99–5.87; p&lt;0.001) and previously treated patients (OR 4.2; 95% CI 1.38–12.99; p =0.002). There was also an increase in extrapulmonary tuberculosis registration (OR=1.7; 95% CI 1.34-2.22; p&lt;0.001), indicating an unfavorable epidemiological situation in terms of MDR-TB. However, there were no statistically significant changes in the registration of concomitant diseases.Conclusion. We recommend the improvement of TB infection prevention and control measures at all levels, as well as the enhancement of early detection of TB and MDR TB patients by primary health care workers.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of 369 patients with pelvic fractures in Eastern Zhejiang Province of China: a retrospective study

BackgroundData on the epidemiological characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with pelvic fractures are lacking, particularly in China. This study aimed to summarise the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with pelvic fractures in eastern Zhejiang Province, China, and to identify risk factors for poor prognosis.MethodsThe clinical data of 369 patients with pelvic fractures admitted to the Ningbo No. 6 Hospital between September 2020 and September 2021 were retrospectively analysed. Data on the demographic characteristics; fracture classification; injury time, cause, and site; treatment plan; and prognosis were collected using the Picture Archiving and Communication System and the Hospital Information System. Differences in constituent proportions were analysed using the chi-square test. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors affecting patient prognosis. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.ResultsAmong the 369 patients, there were 206 men and 163 women, at a ratio of 1.26:1, and the average age was 53.64 ± 0.78 years. More than 50% of patients were aged 41–65 years. The average length of hospital stay was 18.88 ± 1.78 days. The three most common causes of pelvic fractures were traffic accidents (51.2%), falls from height (31.44%), and flat-ground falls (14.09%). There were significant differences in the distribution of the three causes of injury depending on age (p < 0.001), sex (p < 0.001), and occupation (p < 0.0001). Most patients were manual workers (48.8%). Furthermore, most patients (n = 262, 71.0%) underwent surgical treatment for pelvic fractures. Postoperative complications occurred in 26 patients (7.05%), and infection was the main complication (73.08%). Age (p = 0.013), occupation (p = 0.034), cause of injury (p = 0.022), treatment options (p = 0.001), and complications (p < 0.0001) were independent factors affecting the prognosis of patients with pelvic fractures. One death (0.027%) occurred, which was due to severe blood loss.ConclusionsAge, occupation, cause of injury, treatment options and complications were factors affecting patient prognosis. In addition, changes in blood flow and prevention of infection warrant attention.

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Patients with Hypertensive Emergencies: Implication for Risk Stratification.

Acute severe elevation of blood pressure (BP) is a common clinical event, that can present as hypertensive emergency (HTNE) and hypertensive urgency (HTNU). HTNE results in life-threatening target organ damage, including myocardial infarction, pulmonary edema, stroke, and acute kidney injury. It is associated with high utilization of healthcare and increased cost. HTNU is high BP without acute serious complications. The purpose of this review was to examine the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of patients with HTNE and propose a risk stratification framework to differentiate between the two conditions, since prognosis, setting of therapy and treatment is vastly different. Systematic review. Fourteen full-text studies were included in this review. In comparison with HTNU, patients with HTNE had higher mean systolic (mean difference 2.413, 95% CI 0.477, 4.350) and diastolic BP (mean difference 2.043, 95% CI 0.624, 3.461). HTNE were more prevalent in men (OR 1.390, 95% CI 1.207, 1.601), older adults (mean difference 5.282, 95% CI 3.229, 7.335) and those with diabetes (OR 1.723, 95% CI 1.485, 2.000). Non-adherence to BP medications (OR 0.939, 95% CI 0.647, 1.363) and unawareness of hypertension diagnosis (OR 0.807, 95% CI 0.564, 1.154) did not elevate the risk of HTNE. Systolic and diastolic BP are marginally higher in patients with HTNE. Given that these differences are not clinically significant, other epidemiological and medical characteristics (older age, male sex, cardiometabolic comorbidities) as well as patient's presentation should be considered to differentiate between HTNU and HTNE.

Epidemiological characteristics of patients from fever clinics during the COVID-19 epidemic in 2022 in Shanghai, China.

An outbreak of COVID-19 in Shanghai, China, in March 2022 was caused by the Omicron variant. The epidemic lasted for more than 3 months, and the cumulative number of infected people reached 626,000. We investigated the impact of clinical factors on disease outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Using a case-control study design, we examined cases from fever clinics with confirmed Omicron variant infection, analyzed their population and laboratory diagnostic characteristics, and provided theoretical support for subsequent epidemic prevention and control. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with infection with the Omicron variant. The results of this study show that the COVID-19 vaccine can protect against infection with the Omicron variant, and more than 50% of infected people had not been vaccinated. Compared with the epidemic in Wuhan 2 years ago, most of the patients in the hospital in the Shanghai epidemic had underlying diseases (P = 0.006). A comparison of patients infected with the Omicron variant in Shanghai and patients with other respiratory tract infections showed no significant difference in the levels of neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, white blood cells, hemoglobin, or platelets (P > 0.05). People over 60 years old and those with underlying diseases were at risk for pneumonia (OR = 14.62 (5.49-38.92), P < 0.001; OR = 5.29 (2.58-10.85), P < 0.001, respectively), but vaccination was a protective factor (OR = 0.24 (0.12-0.49), P < 0.001). In summary, vaccination has a potential effect on infection with Omicron variant strains and provides protection against pneumonia. The severity of illness caused by the Omicron variant in 2022 was significantly lower than that of the original SARS-CoV-2 variant from two years previously.

Epidemiological characteristics of paediatric burn patients in China from 2016 to 2019: a retrospective study

BackgroundEpidemiological characteristics of paediatric burn can help to protect children from burn injuries. Most of the previous studies have been conducted on small scale and single centre in China. This...