Higher Risk Of Adverse Outcomes Research Articles

Evaluating the ability of fullPIERS calculator to predict adverse maternal outcomes in pre-eclampsia at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.

To evaluate the ability of the fullPIERS model to predict adverse maternal outcomes in patients diagnosed as early-onset pre-eclampsia at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, South Africa. Retrospective record review and analysis of 134 patients admitted with early-onset pre-eclampsia. Demographic data, symptoms, and investigation results relevant to the fullPIERS calculator present on admission were collected. Adverse maternal outcomes occurring before the end of 7 days from admission were recorded. Descriptive analysis was conducted, χ2 and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to evaluate the association between fullPIERS parameters, score, and adverse outcomes. Performance of fullPIERS score was evaluated by positive and negative predictive values, sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating curve analysis. The median age was 34 years (interquartile range [IQR] 28-37 years). A total of 131 deliveries were recorded at a median gestation of 31 weeks (IQR 29-33 weeks). Most deliveries (71; 54.2%) were due to fetal indications and 102 (77.9%) were by cesarean section. A total of 20 (15.1%) patients had adverse maternal outcomes. Three (2.6%) neonates were delivered with Apgar score less than 7 at 5 minutes and were all admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. FullPIERS formula predicted adverse maternal outcomes with positive and negative predictive values of 100% and 94.9%, respectively, and sensitivity and specificity of 70% and 100%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.88 (95% confidence interval 0.75-0.95), which shows good discrimination. FullPIERS model is a useful adjunct in identifying patients at high risk of adverse outcomes from early-onset pre-eclampsia; this allows timely and appropriate management.

Independent risk factors for twin pregnancy adverse fetal outcomes before 28 gestational week by first trimester ultrasound screening.

The incidence of multiple pregnancies has increased worldwide recently and women with a twin pregnancy are at higher risk of adverse outcomes compared with women with a singleton pregnancy. It is important to understand the risk factors for adverse fetal outcomes in twin pregnancy in order to guide clinical management. To identify the independent risk factors, including maternal personal and family medical histories and first trimester ultrasound screening findings, for adverse fetal outcomes of twin pregnancy before 28 weeks of gestation. The data of 126 twin pregnancies in our hospital, including pregnancy outcomes, first trimester ultrasound screening findings and maternal medical history, were retrospectively collected. Twenty-nine women with adverse outcomes were included in the abnormal group and the remaining 97 women were included in the control group. Patients in the abnormal group were more likely to be monochorionic diamniotic (13/29 vs 20/97, P= 0.009), with a higher mean pulsatility index (PI, 1.57 ± 0.55 vs 1.28 ± 0.42, P = 0.003; cutoff value: 1.393) or a higher mean resistance index (0.71 ± 0.11 vs 0.65 ± 0.11, P = 0.008; cutoff value: 0.683) or early diastolic notch of bilateral uterine arteries (UtAs, 10/29 vs 15/97, P = 0.024) or with abnormal ultrasound findings (13/29 vs 2/97, P < 0.001), compared with the control group. Monochorionic diamnioticity, higher mean PI of bilateral UtAs and abnormal ultrasound findings during first trimester screening were independent risk factors for adverse fetal outcomes (P < 0.05). First trimester ultrasound screening for twin pregnancy identifies independent risk factors and is useful for the prediction of fetal outcomes.

Cardiovascular Reactivity to Mental Stress and Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease.

Acute psychological stress may induce physiological changes predisposing individuals to adverse health outcomes through hemodynamic and vascular effects. We studied the association between the aggregated stress-induced changes in hemodynamic and vascular function tests with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease, after adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical factors. Individuals with stable coronary artery disease from 2 prospective cohort studies were studied. Hemodynamic reactivity, changes in endothelial function, and vasoconstriction during mental stress were evaluated using changes in rate-pressure product, brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation, and peripheral arterial tonometry, respectively. A cardiovascular reactivity risk score was calculated by allotting 0 to 3 points for each quartile of increasing abnormality for each of the 3 reactivity responses and summing the quartile points from the MIPS (Mental Stress Ischemia Prognosis Study) to yield a cardiovascular reactivity risk score ranging from 0 to 9. The outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and heart failure hospitalizations during follow-up. A total of 629 participants were included. After adjustment for demographic and traditional risk factors, a blunted hemodynamic response, a greater decrease in flow-mediated vasodilation, and a greater degree of peripheral vasoconstriction to mental stress were all independently associated with a higher risk of adverse outcomes in both cohorts. By adding the cardiovascular reactivity risk score, the C-statistic increased significantly by 10% (P<0.001). Among individuals with stable coronary artery disease, a risk score derived from cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress was predictive of adverse cardiovascular outcomes beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Association between triglyceride-glucose index and all-cause mortality in critically ill patients with acute myocardial infarction: analysis of the MIMIC-IV database

BackgroundCurrently, the clinical evidence regarding the prognostic significance of the TyG index in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients remains unclear. Our research analyzed the correlation between the TyG index and the risk of mortality in patients with AMI, in order to evaluate the influence of the TyG index on the prognosis of this population.Methods1205 ICU patients with AMI were analyzed in this retrospective cohort analysis, and the necessary data were obtained from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database. The study conducted Kaplan-Meier analysis to compare all-cause mortality rates across four groups of patients. The study included logistic regression and Cox regression analysis to examine the correlation among the TyG index and the risk of in-hospital, 28-day, and 90-day mortality.ResultsIn our study, 176 (14.61%) patients experienced in-hospital deaths, 198 (16.43%) patients died within 28 days of follow-up, and 189 (23.98%) patients died within 90 days of follow-up. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard analyses revealed that the TyG index was an independent predictor of in-hospital, 28-day, and 90-day mortality (OR: 1.406, 95% CI 1.141-1.731, p = 0.001; HR: 1.364, 95% CI 1.118-1.665, p = 0.002; HR: 1.221, 95% CI 1.024-1.445, p = 0.026, respectively). The restricted cubic spline regression model showed that the risk of in-hospital, 28-day, and 90-day mortality increased linearly with increasing TyG index.ConclusionsThe TyG index was significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality in AMI patients. Our findings suggested that the TyG index may be instrumental in identifying patients at high risk for adverse outcomes following AMI.

P0452 Complicated and Extra-Complicated Crohn’s Disease Course: a Prospective Inception Real-World Cohort

Abstract Background Crohn’s disease (CD) is a heterogeneous condition with a potentially complicated course. We aimed to evaluate the rates of a complicated disease course within a real-world prospective inception cohort of patients with newly diagnosed CD (ndCD). Methods A prospective, observational, longitudinal cohort study involving consecutive adults with ndCD was conducted at a tertiary referral center. Patients were managed at the discretion of their treating physician. Key outcomes were defined as ‘complicated disease course’ (any CD-related hospitalization, any CD-related surgery, steroid dependency, or ≥2 biologics) and ‘extra-complicated disease course’ (recurrent or &amp;gt;5-days hospitalization, multiple perianal procedures, CD-related intestinal resection, or ≥3 biologics) over time. The Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) technique was used to identify cutoffs of clinical indices and blood count values at diagnosis associated with a complicated disease course at one year post-diagnosis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess complication rates over time, and multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to identify risk factors. Results A total of 192 patients with ndCD with a median age of 26 years (IQR: 21-36) were included, of whom 45.8% were female. Phenotypes included 18.8% with stricturing (B2), 9.9% with penetrating (B3), and 19.3% with perianal (P) disease. The median follow-up period was 3.9 years (IQR: 1.5-5). The cumulative rates of complicated and extra-complicated disease courses were 24.2% and 12.9% at one year, 35.9% and 18.9% at three years, and 51.3% and 26.6% at five years post-diagnosis, respectively. Patients with progressive phenotypes (B2, B3, or P) at diagnosis had a significantly elevated risk for both complicated (HR 3.362, 95% CI: 1.992-5.673) and extra-complicated disease course (HR 6.724, 95% CI: 3.36-14.418). Baseline laboratory values contributing to risk stratification included a platelet count above 370x103/uL (HR 2.64, 95% CI: 1.583-4.401 for complicated course; HR 4.105, 95% CI: 2.043-8.247 for extra-complicated course) and lymphocyte count above 1.2x103/uL (HR 1.800, 95% CI: 1.034-3.133 for extra-complicated course). Conclusion Nearly half of patients with ndCD experience a complicated disease course within five years, with progressive phenotypes at diagnosis significantly increasing the risk. Elevated platelet and lymphocyte count at diagnosis may further identify individuals at a higher risk for adverse outcomes (‘extra-complicated course’).

P0504 The Impact of Disease Activity and Medications on Pregnancy and Fetal Outcomes in Women With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Cohort Study From the IBD-ME Group

Abstract Background Women with Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and their children may face a higher risk of adverse outcomes during and after pregnancy. The primary aim was to examine the association between IBD and adverse pregnancy outcomes: preterm birth, small for gestational age, birth weight, congenital anomalies, and stillbirth. The secondary aim was to assess the impact of maternal IBD and medications used on children’s outcomes: adverse reactions to vaccinations and development of IBD in the offspring up until seven years of age. Methods We performed a multicenter retrospective study in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Three participating hospitals enrolled women with IBD who gave birth between 2016 and 2023. Information regarding disease characteristics, medication use, pregnancy outcomes, and long-term health outcomes of children until age fourteen was collected. Results This study analyzed data from 167 patients with a median age of 37.0 years (IQR: 33.0 to 44.0). Crohn’s disease was the most common type of IBD (51.2%), followed by ulcerative colitis (46.3%). Of note, 42.7% of the women were on mesalamine, while 25.1% of the study population were on both anti-TNF agents and Azathioprine. The most frequent pregnancy outcome was low birth weight (22.5%), and 8.2% of the offsprings were diagnosed with IBD. A history of having six or more pregnancies significantly predicted IBD in an offspring (OR = 4.02, 95% CI, 1.19 to 14.8, p &amp;lt; 0.01). In contrast, disease control before pregnancy significantly reduced the risk of adverse infant outcomes (OR = 0.10, 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.61, p &amp;lt; 0.01). None of the IBD medications predicted poor pregnancy outcomes. Conclusion Infants of women with active IBD have an increased risk of prematurity and being small for gestational age. Number of pregnancies was a significant predictor for IBD in an offspring. Controlling disease activity at conception is essential to improve both pregnancy and fetal outcomes.

Firearm injury survivors report extreme high risk for poor physical and mental health outcomes early after hospital discharge necessitating multidisciplinary care

BackgroundUp to 20–40% of survivors of any traumatic injury develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression after injury. Firearm injury survivors may be at even higher risk for adverse outcomes....

The value of blood lactate and lactate clearance rate in evaluating the prognosis of athletes with heat illness of varying degrees after high-intensity exercise

BackgroundHeat stroke, a severe heat illness with organ damage, is a major cause of cause irreparable organ damage and higher death rates among military persons and athletes.ObjectivesTo study the changes in blood lactate (Lac) levels and lactate clearance rate (LCR) in athletes with heat illness of varying degrees after high-intensity exercise and to evaluate their prognostic value.Material and methodsIn present study, acute care unit admitted 36 heat sickness patients following high-intensity exercise from December 2019 to July 2024, with comprehensive medical records, for retrospective study. The study population consisted of two groups of high level athletes: the favourable Prognosis Group (< 7 days, 22 cases), comprising 21 males and 1 female with a mean age of 21.8 ± 2.7 years, and the bad Prognosis Group (≥ 7 days, 14cases), consisting of 14 males with a mean age of 22.6 ± 3.2 years. Lac levels were assessed at admission (0 h) and early in therapy (2 h, 6 h), and the LCR was computed. Lac and LCR values at each time point were compared between the two groups to see how they affected patient prognosis.ResultsAfter 2 and 6 h of therapy, lactate levels decreased significantly in the good prognosis group (1.2 ± 0.5 mmol/L at 2 h and 0.8 ± 0.3 mmol/L at 6 h), but remained elevated in the poor prognosis group (4.2 ± 1.2 mmol/L at 2 h and 3.5 ± 1.5 mmol/L at 6 h). Core body temperature normalized in both groups, but the good prognosis group showed a more rapid decline, with temperatures of 37.4 ± 0.6 °C at 2 h and 36.8 ± 0.4 °C at 6 h in the good prognosis group, and 38.8 ± 0.8 °C at 2 h and 38.2 ± 0.9 °C at 6 h in the poor prognosis group. Notably, a significant positive correlation existed between lactate levels and APACHE II scores at admission (P < 0.01). Furthermore, logistic regression analysis revealed that the 2-hour lactate clearance rate (LCR) (R2 = 0.83) was an independent predictor of outcomes.ConclusionsThe study suggests that athletes with elevated lactate levels after heat illness may be at higher risk of adverse outcomes. The 2-hour lactate clearance rate (LCR) appears to be a valuable prognostic indicator, with potential applications in evaluating the severity of heat illness and guiding treatment decisions. Furthermore, dynamic monitoring of lactate levels in conjunction with LCR may provide valuable insights into the clinical management and prognosis of athletes with heat-related illnesses.

Association between body mass index at birth and neonatal health outcomes in preterm infants: A retrospective analysis.

Studies on how birth body mass index (BMI) affects health outcomes in preterm infants are relatively limited. To analyze the association between BMI at birth and neonatal health outcomes in extremely low and very low birth weight preterm infants in China. Used data from the Chinese Premature Infant Informatization Platform (2022-2023). Preterm infants were categorized based on their birth BMI z-scores into three groups: low BMI group (< -2), normal BMI group (-2 to 2) and high BMI group (>2). The relationship between BMI and neonatal health outcomes was then analyzed. The final analysis included 1662 extremely low and very low birth weight preterm infants. The results indicated that low BMI was significantly associated with an increased risk of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (AOR 1.61, 95% CI 1.31-2.30), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (AOR 1.34, 95% CI 1.00-1.80) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) (AOR 1.57, 95% CI 1.01-2.42). High BMI was significantly associated with an increased risk of RDS (AOR 1.60, 95% CI 1.05-2.45). BMI at birth is significantly associated with the risks of RDS, BPD and NEC in ELBW and VLBW, highlighting the importance of monitoring BMI as an additional risk predictor in a population of neonates already at high risk for adverse outcomes.

Maternal and neonatal outcomes after metabolic and bariatric surgery among women with severe obesity.

Earlier evidence indicated that metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) may adversely affect neonatal outcomes among patients conceiving soon after MBS, but recent studies demonstrated conflicting results, especially for new surgical techniques. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of MBS types and surgery to birth interval on maternal, birth, and nonbirth outcomes in women with severe obesity. New York State's all-payer hospital discharge database (2008-2019). We identified women with severe obesity who underwent MBS (Post-MBS, n = 5001) or did not undergo MBS (No-MBS, n = 74,515), and examined maternal, neonatal, and nonbirth outcomes by MBS type and time since surgery in a propensity score-matched sample. Compared with No-MBS mothers, Post-MBS mothers had a lower incidence of stillbirths, ectopic pregnancies, and miscarriages (nonoverlapping confidence intervals). Post-MBS mothers were also significantly less likely to have pregnancy hypertension, gestational diabetes, and cesarean deliveries, but were more likely to experience vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy and deliver low birthweight newborns compared with No-MBS mothers (P < .05). Among Post-MBS mothers, deliveries within 18 months after surgery were associated with higher rate of cesarean sections and neonatal deaths compared with deliveries 18+ months after MBS (P < .05). Pregnancies after gastric bypass (RYGB) were more likely to result in cesarean deliveries compared with pregnancies after sleeve gastrectomy (P < .01). Although weight loss surgery in women with obesity may reduce the rates of adverse maternal nonbirth outcomes and pregnancy complications, neonates born to women who conceived during the first year after MBS, especially RYGB, may be at higher risk for adverse outcomes.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Real World Data Infrastructure: A Big-Data Resource for Study of the Impact of COVID-19 in Patient Populations With Immunocompromising Conditions.

We developed a United States-based real-world data resource to better understand the continued impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on immunocompromised patients, who are typically underrepresented in prospective studies and clinical trials. The COVID-19 Real World Data infrastructure (CRWDi) was created by linking and harmonizing de-identified HealthVerity medical and pharmacy claims data from 1 December 2018 to 31 December 2023, with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virologic and serologic laboratory data from major commercial laboratories and Northwell Health; COVID-19 vaccination data; and, for patients with cancer, 2010 to 2021 National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry data. The CRWDi contains 4 cohorts: patients with cancer; patients with rheumatic diseases receiving pharmacotherapy; noncancer solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients; and people from the general population including adults and pediatric patients. The project successfully linked and harmonized longitudinal, de-identified data on 5.2 million unique patients using privacy-preserving record lineage techniques. The system was developed in early 2024 and rapidly deployed, enabling longitudinal analysis of patient healthcare over the full geography of delivery settings and exploration of novel questions for populations at high risk for adverse outcomes. The successful development of the CRWDi enables researchers to address unanswered questions that have arisen during the COVID-19 pandemic. By making the data broadly and freely available to academic researchers, this real-world data system represents an important complement to existing consortia and clinical trials that have emerged during the healthcare crisis and is readily reproducible for future purposing.

Evaluating ADHD medication trial representativeness: a Swedish population-based study comparing hypothetically trial-eligible and trial-ineligible individuals.

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating ADHD medications often use strict eligibility criteria, potentially limiting generalisability to patients in real-world clinical settings. We aimed to identify the proportion of individuals with ADHD who would be ineligible for medication RCTs and evaluate differences in treatment patterns and clinical and functional outcomes between RCT-eligible and RCT-ineligible individuals. We used multiple Swedish national registries to identify individuals with ADHD, aged at least 4 years at the age of diagnosis, initiating pharmacological treatment between Jan 1, 2007, and Dec 31, 2019, with follow-up up to Dec 31, 2020. Hypothetical RCT ineligibility was established using exclusion criteria from the international MED-ADHD dataset, including 164 RCTs of ADHD medications. Cox models evaluated differences in medication switching and discontinuation within 1 year between eligible and ineligible individuals. Quasi-Poisson models compared eligible and ineligible individuals on rates of psychiatric hospitalisations, injuries or accidents, and substance use disorder within 1 year of initiating ADHD medications. People with lived experience of ADHD were not involved in the research and writing process. Of 189 699 individuals included in the study cohort (112 153 men and boys [59%] and 77 546 women and girls [41%]; mean age 21·52 years [SD 12·83; range 4-68]) initiating ADHD medication, 53% (76 477 [74%] of 103 023 adults [aged >17 years], 12 658 [35%] of 35 681 adolescents [aged 13-17 years], and 10 643 [21%] of 50 995 children [aged <13 years]) would have been ineligible for RCT participation. Ethnicity data were not available. Ineligible individuals had a higher likelihood of treatment switching (hazard ratio 1·14, 95% CI 1·12-1·16) and a decreased likelihood of medication discontinuation (0·96, 0·94-0·98) compared with eligible individuals. Individuals ineligible for RCTs had significantly higher rates of psychiatric hospitalisations (ncidence rate ratio 9·68, 95% CI 9·57-9·78) and specialist care visits related to substance use disorder (14·78, 14·64-14·91), depression (6·00, 5·94-6·06), and anxiety (11·63, 11·56-11·69). Individuals ineligible for ADHD medication trials face higher risks of adverse outcomes. This study provides the first empirical evidence for the limited generalisability of ADHD RCTs to real-world clinical populations, by applying eligibility criteria extracted from a comprehensive dataset of RCTs to a large real-world cohort. Triangulating evidence from RCTs and real-world studies is crucial to inform rigorous evidence-based treatment guidelines. National Institute of Healthcare and Research, European Union's Horizon 2020, and Swedish Research Council.

Telemedicine in Orthopedic Oncology: An Opportunity for Cost Savings Without Compromising Clinical Outcomes.

Prior work has demonstrated that telemedicine in orthopedic surgery is cost-effective and can yield good clinical outcomes with high patient satisfaction. However, few studies have investigated the use of telemedicine in orthopedic oncology. In this study, we assessed the effect of telemedicine on (1) potential cost savings for orthopedic oncologic patients and (2) clinical outcomes as measured by unexpected in-person clinic visits and missed complications. A total of 308 patients who had 528 telemedicine visits in the orthopedic oncology clinic from May 2020 to August 2023 were identified. Demographic and clinical information, travel distance/time to clinic, complications, and instances where a telemedicine visit prompted an in-person evaluation were collected and reported with descriptive statistics. Cost savings were calculated based on travel distance and lost productivity. Patients with and without a complication or an unexpected in-person clinic visit were compared to identify risk factors for these clinical outcomes. Cost analysis demonstrated that telemedicine offers patients a potential cost savings of up to $475.2±$242.9 per visit. For 4.5% of the patients, a telehealth visit prompted an in-person evaluation. A complication was experienced by 5.5% of the patients. No complications were missed because of telemedicine. A diagnosis of a malignant tumor was associated with a higher rate of complications (P=.01) and unexpected in-person clinic visits (P=.03). Telemedicine can reduce the financial burden of treatment for orthopedic oncologic patients without negatively impacting clinical outcomes. Care should be taken when considering telehealth for patients with malignant tumors given their higher risk for adverse outcomes. [Orthopedics. 202x;4x(x):xx-xx.].

The Effect of Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir on Short- and Long-term Adverse Outcomes From COVID-19 Among Patients With Kidney Disease: A Propensity Score-Matched Study.

Patients with kidney disease are at high risk for adverse outcomes after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) despite vaccination. Because patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney failure were excluded from registrational trials, the impact of the protease inhibitor nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in patients with kidney disease is unknown. This was a cohort study evaluating adverse outcomes in patients with kidney disease who developed COVID-19. Patients prescribed nirmatrelvir-ritonavir for COVID-19 between March 16, 2022, and November 30, 2022, were propensity score-matched to comparators diagnosed with COVID-19 between July 15, 2021, and March 15, 2022 (before the use of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in our health care network). We determined the association between nirmatrelvir-ritonavir and short- and long-term outcomes using Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard and Cox proportional hazard models, adjusting for potential confounders. Outcomes included 30-day risk of hospitalization and 1-year risk of a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), CKD progression, and death. A total of 1095 nirmatrelvir-ritonavir-treated patients were matched to 584 comparators. Patients who received nirmatrelvir-ritonavir patients were less likely to be hospitalized within 30 days of diagnosis (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio [sHR], 0.44; 95% CI, 0.26-0.73; P < .01). At 1 year, nirmatrelvir-ritonavir-treated patients had a lower risk of hospitalization for MACE (adjusted sHR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.36-0.67; P < .01) and death (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.21-0.65; P < .01). Use of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir was not associated with decreased risk of CKD progression or attenuation of estimated glomerular filtration rate decline slope in the year following infection. Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir was associated with decreased risk of hospitalization within 30 days and 1-year risk of MACE and death in patients with CKD and kidney failure.

Vertebral osteomyelitis in patients with an underlying malignancy or chronic kidney disease - who is at higher risk for adverse outcome?

Patients with vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) and comorbidities, notably chronic kidney disease (CKD), are at risk of early mortality. The aim of this study was to compare characteristics and outcomes of VO patients with an underlying malignancy (ONCO) to VO patients with CKD and VO patients without comorbidities (CONTROL). We performed a retrospective analysis of data which was prospectively collected between 2008 and 2020. Primary outcome was treatment failure defined as death and/or recurrence of VO within one year. 241 VO patients (ONCO = 56; CKD = 47; CONTROL = 138) were analysed. Treatment failure occurred in 26% of ONCO and 45% of CKD patients. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common causative pathogen in the CKD (57%) and CONTROL group (43%). ONCO patients showed a broader distribution of common VO-causing pathogens, with coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) accounting for the highest proportion of causative bacteria (27%). Nevertheless, S.aureus was associated with a significantly higher risk of treatment failure in VO ONCO patients. Treatment failure in VO CKD patients was twice as high as in VO ONCO patients. However, both groups showed high treatment failure rates. CoNS should be considered when starting empirical antibiotic treatment in VO ONCO patients. Moreover, oncological patients with VO caused by S.aureus should be monitored closely.

Impact of stage 1 hypertension before 20 gestational weeks on pregnancy outcomes in twin pregnancies: a retrospective cohort study.

To explore the association between stage 1 hypertension before 20 weeks of gestation and twin pregnancy outcomes and to examine whether the association varies by prepregnancy BMI, conception mode, or chorionicity, we conducted a single-center, retrospective, hospital-based cohort study. All women who delivered twins between July 2014 and December 2020 were recruited. Logistic regression and linear regression models were used to identify associations. Among the 2069 included twin pregnancies, 1326 had normotension (< 130/80 mm Hg), and 743 had stage 1 hypertension (130-139/80-89 mm Hg). Compared with normotension, stage 1 hypertension was associated with higher risks of hypertension disorders of pregnancy (adjusted OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.62 ~ 2.64), gestational hypertension (adjusted OR: 3.99, 95% CI: 2.42 ~ 6.58), preeclampsia (adjusted OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.30 ~ 2.25), early preterm birth (adjusted OR: 1.58, 95%CI: 1.16 ~ 2.15), and small for gestational age (adjusted OR:1.45, 95%CI: 1.20 ~ 1.75). In particular, there were interaction effects between chorionicity and stage 1 hypertension on the risk of early preterm birth (Pinteraction = 0.014). In conclusion, stage 1 hypertension before 20 weeks of gestation is associated with a higher risk of adverse outcomes in twin pregnancies, and the associations vary by prepregnancy BMI and chorionicity. Obstetricians should take this into careful consideration during prenatal care to mitigate the potential risks of twins.

After-hours, Severity, and Distance are Associated with Non-VHA Emergency Department Use for Older Veterans: Insights from a Regional Health Information Exchange.

Older adults treated in emergency departments (EDs) are at higher risk for adverse outcomes. Using multiple facilities can worsen this issue through service duplication and poor care transitions. Veterans with dual insurance coverage can access both Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and non-VHA EDs. This study aimed to identify factors associated with non-VHA ED use among veterans. We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients aged ≥ 65 who had primary care at the James J Peters VA Medical Center and at least one VHA or non-VHA ED visit between October 2017 and February 2020. Data were collected from the Veterans Affairs Corporate Data Warehouse and the Bronx Regional Health Information Exchange Organization. Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine factors influencing non-VHA ED use. The study sample consisted of 3,897 veterans and a total of 13,312 ED visits. Compared to VHA-exclusive ED users, non-VHA ED users were more likely to live farther away (OR 1.04, CI 1.02 - 1.06) and seek care outside regular hours, including mornings (OR 1.61, CI 1.39 - 1.87), nights (OR 1.49, CI 1.33 - 1.66), weekends (OR 1.28, CI 1.16 - 1.42), and holidays (OR 1.32, CI 1.04 - 1.68). They were also more likely to present with emergency care sensitive conditions (OR 2.13, CI 1.90 - 2.37) and recent inpatient hospitalizations (OR 1.22, CI 1.05 - 1.41). These findings suggested that distance and acuity are important predictors of non-VHA ED use in urban areas such as the Bronx, NY. Identifying veterans with key risk factors could improve care coordination and potentially reduce non-VHA ED use.

Uptake of guideline-based testing for chronic viral hepatitis in Australian primary care: retrospective analysis of electronic medical record data.

Background Diagnosis is essential for engagement in care for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC), however, many Australians remain undiagnosed, especially for CHB. Primary care represents an important setting for testing, and this study sought to examine coverage in a large representative cohort of patients. Methods We analysed retrospective data from the electronic medical records of active patients visiting 566 primary care clinics in Victoria, Australia. Pathology records were assessed to identify the proportion of patients with a record of CHB/CHC serology testing based on risk factors identified in national guidelines (ethnicity, Indigenous status, history of injecting drug use, diagnosed HIV, and/or indications of liver disease). Results Of 1,593,774 patients, 393,948 (24.7%) had an indication for testing for CHB and/or CHC, of which 150,821 (38.3%) had evidence of testing. This proportion was highest in patients with HIV (65.6%) or injecting drug use history (60.0%), and lowest for those whose Indigenous status/ethnicity indicated testing (38.2%) or with elevated liver enzymes (39.1%). The proportion with evidence of testing was only moderate among those with a cirrhosis diagnosis (48.6%) or probable cirrhosis based on laboratory testing (50.6%). Conclusions This analysis demonstrated considerable gaps in testing for CHB and CHC in a large population of patients, including many with evidence of cirrhosis, suggesting higher risk of adverse outcomes. Primary care practices should be supported to comprehensively offer testing for viral hepatitis, particularly where there is evidence of liver disease, and these findings should be used to guide future interventions.

Integrating Drug Target Information in Deep Learning Models to Predict the Risk of Adverse Events in Patients with Comorbid Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder.

Background/Objectives: Comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) patients are at a significantly higher risk of adverse outcomes, including opioid use disorder, depression, suicidal behaviors, and death, yet limited treatment options exist for this population. This study aimed to build on previous research by incorporating drug target information into a novel deep learning model, T-DeepBiomarker, to predict adverse outcomes and identify potential therapeutic medications. Methods: We utilized electronic medical record (EMR) data from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), analyzing 5565 PTSD + AUD patients. T-DeepBiomarker was developed by integrating multimodal data, including lab results, drug target information, comorbidities, neighborhood-level social determinants of health (SDoH), and individual-level SDoH (e.g., psychotherapy and veteran status). The model was trained to predict adverse events, including opioid use disorder, suicidal behaviors, depression, and death, within three months following any clinical encounter. Candidate medications targeting significant proteins were identified through literature reviews. Results: T-DeepBiomarker achieved high predictive performance with an AUROC of 0.94 for adverse outcomes in PTSD + AUD patients. Several medications, including OnabotulinumtoxinA, Dronabinol, Acamprosate, Celecoxib, Exenatide, Melatonin, and Semaglutide, were identified as potentially reducing the risk of adverse events by targeting significant proteins. Conclusions: T-DeepBiomarker demonstrates high accuracy in predicting adverse outcomes in PTSD + AUD patients and highlights candidate drugs with potential therapeutic effects. These findings advance pharmacotherapy for this high-risk population and identify medications that warrant further investigation.

Counselling in Fetal Medicine: Uncomplicated Twin Pregnancies.

Twin pregnancies account for 3% of all pregnancies and they are burdened by higher morbidity and mortality compared to singletons. The role of ultrasound in the screening, diagnosis and management of possible complications of twin pregnancies has been widely investigated in the current literature. However, despite the progress that have been made in the last decades regarding treatment and evidence-based management of complications, twin pregnancies remain at higher risk of adverse outcomes, requiring therefore dedicated surveillance. Thorough counselling regarding the risks and prenatal care should be offered to all future parents of twin pregnancies. This review aims to summarize the current evidence regarding the management of uncomplicated dichorionic and monochorionic pregnancies.