Higher Risk Of Hospitalization Research Articles

Impact of breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections on vaccinated patients with colorectal cancer: A retrospective cohort study.

e15656 Background: Cancer patients are vulnerable to severe SARS-COVID outcomes due to the immunosuppressive effect by both the inherent nature of cancer and its diverse therapeutic interventions. Although COVID-19 vaccines have shown efficacy, their effectiveness appears to decrease among cancer patients. We hypothesize that colorectal cancer (CRC) patients are at a higher risk of breakthrough COVID-19 infection and severe outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using TriNetX, a population-based database that sources data from electronic medical records (EHRs) of 61 health care organizations in the US. Using ICD-10 codes, we created two cohorts of patients with COVID-19: with CRC and without CRC. The primary aim was a composite outcome of hospitalization, emergency department (ED) visits, and mortality. Secondary aims of our study included risk of hospitalization, ED visits, critical care admission, intubation, and mortality, individually. We performed propensity score matching (PSM) of 44 variables to control for confounding. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to report associations for the propensity-matched cohorts. Results: In CRC patients, the composite outcome (ED visits, hospitalization, death) was 51.6% with breakthrough infections, higher than 44.3% in matched patients without CRC (aOR = 1.39; [95%CI: 1.17 - 1.53]). CRC patients had a significantly elevated cumulative event probability within 180 days (log-rank test, p < 0.0001). Though mortality and critical care stay were similar, CRC patients had a higher risk of hospitalization (aOR = 1.3; [95%CI: 1.12 – 1.50]) and intubation (aOR = 1.79; [95%CI: 1.06 – 3.03]). In subgroup analysis, CRC patients had a higher composite outcome after 2 doses (aOR = 1.39; [95%CI: 1.17 - 1.53]) and 3 doses (aOR = 1.56; [95%CI: 1.26 - 1.95]). Those with 3 doses faced a higher risk of critical stay (aOR = 1.74; [95%CI: 1.06 – 2.86]). Younger CRC patients (16-64 years) with breakthrough infections were at higher risk of all-cause ED visits (aOR = 2.61; [95%CI: 1.73 - 3.94]). No significant differences were observed based on sex. Conclusions: Our retrospective study provides real-world evidence that CRC patients are at a higher risk of more severe outcomes after breakthrough COVID-19 infections. This may warrant a reevaluation of current preventive measures and the possible need for frequent booster vaccine doses for this patient population. [Table: see text]

Variation in benefit among patients with serious mental illness who receive integrated psychiatric and primary care.

The population with serious mental illness has high risk for hospitalization or death due to unhealthy behaviors and inadequate medical care, though the level of risk varies substantially. Programs that integrate medical and psychiatric services improve outcomes but are challenging to implement and access is limited. It would be useful to know whether benefits are confined to patients with specific levels of risk. In a population with serious mental illness and increased risk for hospitalization or death, a specialized medical home integrated services and improved treatment and outcomes. Treatment quality, chronic illness care, care experience, symptoms, and quality of life were assessed for a median of 385 days. Analyses examine whether improvements varied by baseline level of patient risk. Patients with greater risk were more likely to be older, more cognitively impaired, and have worse mental health. Integrated services increased appropriate screening for body mass index, lipids, and glucose, but increases did not differ significantly by level of risk. Integrated services also improved chronic illness care, care experience, mental health-related quality of life, and psychotic symptoms. There were also no significant differences by risk level. There were benefits from integration of primary care and psychiatric care at all levels of increased risk, including those with extremely high risk above the 95th percentile. When developing integrated care programs, patients should be considered at all levels of risk, not only those who are the healthiest.

#1085 Prediction models for hospitalization in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease: systematic review, external validation and development study

Abstract Background and Aims Hospitalization is a common complication in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Predicting hospitalization would be beneficial for clinicians and patients. Clinicians may be assisted in adequate healthcare planning by being able to anticipate hospitalizations. Additionally, patients have indicated wanting more information about their risk of hospitalization. By providing patients a personal indication of their risk of hospitalization, they better know what to expect of the future which can foster a feeling of control. Especially for incident dialysis patients this might help, as they enter a new and to them still largely unknown stage of their disease. Moreover, if a patient knows they have a high risk of hospitalization, they may better cope with the hospitalization if it occurs, as it is less unexpected. Therefore, we aimed to 1) identify and give an overview of current prediction models for hospitalization in CKD patients, 2) externally validate these models, and 3) develop a new model if no well-performing models were identified. Method We performed a systematic review in PubMed to identify prediction models for hospitalization, length of stay (LOS), and readmission. Identified models were appraised using the Prediction model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. We targeted three external validations in hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD), and pre-dialysis patients in a Dutch dialysis and European pre-dialysis cohort. Prediction models were externally validated on discrimination (C-statistic) and calibration (calibration plot, slope, and calibration-in-the-large). We developed a Fine-Gray model for hospitalization within one year in patients initiating HD, taking into account the competing risk of death. Informed by model performance, we also investigated Cox and logistic regression as modeling strategies. We performed a sensitivity analysis, redefining the outcome to be predicted as the 1-year risk of hospitalization of 3 days or longer. Results From the systematic search, we identified 17 models in 6 studies. All models were developed in the USA or in China. Two models predicted hospitalization rate in incident PD patients and 3 models predicted 30-day readmission in maintenance HD patients and in CKD stage 3-5 patients not on dialysis discharged after a heart failure hospitalization. The risk of 1 and 6 hospitalizations within one year in prevalent HD patients were predicted by one model each. Prolonged LOS in PD patients was predicted by ten models. All models were of low quality with a high risk of bias. The most common shortcomings were using future information to make predictions, inadequate handling of missing data, and model overfitting. Due to underreporting and unavailability of predictors, we could only externally validate 3 models. These models were poorly calibrated and had poor discrimination. We developed a new model in 1,020 incident HD patients predicting 1-year risk of hospitalization. We used age, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, malignancy, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and body mass index as predictors, selected based on literature and clinical expertise. The model discriminated poorly (C-statistic, 95% confidence interval [CI]; 0.55, 0.53-0.58), also in targeted external validations in 620 PD patients (0.55, 0.52-0.58) and 1,718 pre-dialysis patients (0.52, 0.52-0.54). Calibration was poor for all models. Using different modelling strategies, model performance did not improve. In the sensitivity analysis, discrimination improved but was still low (HD population: 0.58, 0.55-0.62; PD population: 0.59, 0.54-0.63; pre-dialysis: 0.55, 0.52-0.57). Conclusion Hospitalizations are important but difficult to predict for patients with advanced CKD. Current models are insufficient to predict hospitalizations. We offer two main suggestions to improve future predictions of hospitalizations. First, the outcome of hospitalization should be more specific (e.g., cardiovascular hospitalizations) to reduce outcome heterogeneity. Second, the selection of predictors should be extended with more patient-centered factors, such as patient-reported outcomes.

The lung ultrasound in children with SARS-COV-2 infection: a national multicenter prospective study.

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) caused hospitalizations, severe disease, and deaths in any age, including in the youngest children. The aim of this multicenter national study is to characterize the clinical and the prognostic role of lung ultrasound (LU) in children with COVID-19.We enrolled children between 1 month and 18 years of age with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infection who underwent a LU within 6h from the first medical evaluation.A total of 213 children were enrolled, 51.6% were male, median age was 2 years and 5 months (interquartile range (IQR) 4months-11 years and 4 months). One hundred and forty-eight (69.4%) children were admitted in hospital, 9 (6.1%) in pediatric intensive care unit. We found an inverse correlation between the lung ultrasound score (LUS) and the oxygen saturation at the first clinical evaluation (r = -0.16; p = 0.019). Moreover, LUS was significantly higher in patients requiring oxygen supplementation (8 (IQR 3-19) vs 2 (IQR 0-4); p = 0.001).Among LU pathological findings, irregular pleural lines, subpleural consolidations, and pleural effusions were significantly more frequent in patients needing oxygen supplementation (p = 0.007,p = 0.006, and p = 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: This multicenter study showed that LU in children with COVID-19 can highlight pleural line irregularities, vertical artifacts, and subpleural consolidation. Notably, children with higher LUS have a higher risk of hospitalization and need for oxygen supplementation, supporting LU as a valid and safe point-of-care first level tool for the clinical evaluation of children with COVID-19. What is Known: • Few children infected with SARS-CoV-2 develop a severe disease and need oxygen therapy. • Lung ultrasound can easily detect low respiratory tract infection during SARS-CoV-2. What is New: • Children with higher lung ultrasound score have a higher risk of need for oxygen supplementation. • Irregular pleural line, sub-pleural consolidations and pleural effusions were significantly more frequent in patients needing oxygen supplementation.

Health Expenditures After Bariatric Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Bariatric surgery leads to substantial improvements in weight and weight-related conditions, but prior literature on post-surgical health expenditures is equivocal. In a retrospective cohort study, we compared expenditures between surgical and matched non-surgical patients. In a retrospective study, total, outpatient, inpatient and medication expenditures 3 years before and 5.5 years after surgery were compared between 22,698 bariatric surgery (n=7,127 RYGB, 15,571 sleeve gastrectomy) patients from 2012-2019 and 66,769 matched non-surgical patients, using generalized estimating equations. We also compared expenditures between patients receiving the two leading surgical procedures in weighted analyses. Surgical and non-surgical cohorts were well matched, 80-81% female, with mean body mass index (BMI) of 44, and mean age of 47 (RYGB) and 44 (SG) years. Estimated total expenditures were similar between surgical and non-surgical groups 3 years before surgery ($27 difference, 95% confidence interval (CI): -42, 102)), increased 6 months prior to surgery for surgical patients, and decreased below pre-period levels for both groups after 3-5.5 years to become similar (difference at 5.5y=-$61, 95% CI: -166, 52). Long-term outpatient expenditures were similar between groups. Surgical patients' lower long-term medication expenditures ($314 lower at 5.5y, 95% CI: -419, -208) were offset by a higher risk of hospitalization. Total expenditures were similar between RYGB and SG patients 3.5 to 5.5 years after surgery. Bariatric surgery translated into lower medication expenditures than matched controls, but not lower overall long-term expenditures. Expenditure trends appear similar for the two leading bariatric operations.

Gene variants rs5182, rs2074192, and rs4343 in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system are associated with symptom severity, higher odds of hospitalization, and death in COVID-19

ObjectivesTo analyze the gene variants of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and determine their association with the severity and outcome of COVID-19. MethodsA total of 104 patients were included in the study: 34 asymptomatic patients with COVID-19 as controls and 70 symptomatic patients as cases. The genetic variants ACE rs4343, ACE2 rs2074192, AGTR1 rs5182, and AGT rs4762 were identified using TaqMan genotyping tests. ResultsPatients with the T/T genotype of AGTR1 rs5182 have a higher probability of developing symptomatic COVID-19 (odds ratio [OR] 12.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34-111.9, P ≤0.001) and a higher risk of hospitalization because of disease (OR 14.00, 95% CI 1.53-128.49, P = 0.012). The haplotype CTG (AGTR1 rs5182, ACE2 rs2074192, ACE rs4343) decreased the odds of death related to COVID-19 in the study population (OR 0.03, 95% CI 0.0-0.06, P = 0.026). ConclusionsThe T/T genotype of the AGTR1 rs5182 variant increased the probability of symptomatic COVID-19 and hospitalization, whereas the haplotype CTG (consisting of AGTR1 rs5182, ACE2 rs2074192, and ACE rs4343) decreased the odds of death related to COVID-19 by 97% in the hospitalized patients with COVID-19. These results support the participation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system gene variants as modifiers of the severity of symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and the outcome of COVID-19.

Attitude to Co-Administration of Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccines among Pregnant Women Exploring the Health Action Process Approach Model.

Respiratory tract diseases caused by influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 can represent a serious threat to the health of pregnant women. Immunological remodulation for fetus tolerance and physiological changes in the gestational chamber expose both mother and child to fearful complications and a high risk of hospitalization. Vaccines to protect pregnant women from influenza and COVID-19 are strongly recommended and vaccine co-administration could be advantageous to increase coverage of both vaccines. The attitude to accept both vaccines is affected by several factors: social, cultural, and cognitive-behavioral. In Palermo, Italy, during the 2021-2022 influenza season, a cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate pregnant women's intention to adhere to co-administration of influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. The determinants of vaccination attitude were investigated through the administration of a questionnaire and the Health Action Process Approach theory was adopted to explore the cognitive behavioral aspects. Overall, 120 pregnant women were enrolled; mean age 32 years, 98.2% (n = 118) of Italian nationality and 25.2% (n = 30) with obstetric or pathological conditions of pregnancy at risk. Factors significantly associated with the attitude to co-administration of influenza and COVID-19 vaccines among pregnant women were: high level of education (OR = 13.96; p < 0.001), positive outcome expectations (OR = 2.84; p < 0.001), and self-efficacy (OR = 3.1; p < 0.001). Effective strategies to promote the co-administration of the influenza vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine should be based on the communication of the benefits and positive outcomes of vaccine co-administration and on the adequate information of pregnant women.

Persistent negative symptoms in young people at clinical high risk of psychosis treated with an Italian early intervention program: a longitudinal study.

Negative symptoms in CHR-P people are generally not responsive to treatments and commonly related to poorer functional outcome. However, less research attention has been dedicated to Persistent Negative Symptoms (PNS), defined as clinically stable negative symptoms of moderate severity evident for at least 6months. This study aims to (a) determine the prevalence of PNS in a sample of young people at CHR-P; (b) investigate any association of PNS with functioning and clinical features; (c) examine longitudinal course of PNS across 2years of follow-up and changes in PNS severity levels with specialized treatments. One Hundred Eighty CHR-P participants were recruited and were divided into CHR-P/PNS + and CHR-P/PNS- subgroups. The clinical assessments were based on the PANSS and the GAF and were conducted at baseline and every 12months during the follow-up. Twenty four participants showed PNS at entry. Of them, 21 concluded the 2-year follow-up period. At baseline, the CHR-P/PNS + participants showed more educational and employment deficits, and more social and functioning impairment. During the follow-up, the CHR-P/PNS + subgroup had a significant longitudinal decrease in negative symptoms, which was specifically related to antidepressant treatment. CHR-P/PNS + subjects also showed a higher incidence of new hospitalization and a lower functional recovery over time. Our findings support that the persistence of negative symptoms in CHR-P people is longitudinally related to worse daily functioning and more severe clinical conditions that are at higher risk of hospitalization and are less responsive to specialized treatments.

RSV Vaccination Intention Among People Who Are or Plan to Become Pregnant.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common pediatric infection, with young infants being at the highest risk of hospitalization and long-term sequela. New preventive agents have been recommended to prevent severe RSV illness in infants, including a vaccine administered during pregnancy. The current rates of recommended vaccination in pregnancy are suboptimal. Our objective was to characterize interest in RSV vaccination during pregnancy among people across the United States who were pregnant or planning to become pregnant. In March 2023, we conducted a national cross-sectional online survey of individuals 18 to 45 years old who were currently pregnant or trying to become pregnant on their perceptions of RSV-related illness and intentions to get vaccinated against RSV. We performed logistic regression analyses to determine the odds and predicted proportions of the likelihood of RSV vaccination during pregnancy, controlling for sociodemographic factors. Of 1619 completed surveys, 1528 were analyzed. 54% of respondents indicated that they were "very likely" to get vaccinated against RSV during pregnancy. The perception of RSV as a serious illness was the strongest predictor of vaccination likelihood. In the full regression model, predicted proportions of "very likely" to vaccinate against RSV followed a similar pattern (63% if RSV infection was perceived as serious and likely, 55% if serious and unlikely, 35% if not serious; P < .001). Raising awareness of RSV infection as likely and potentially serious for infants may be an influential component of targeted communications that promote RSV vaccine uptake during pregnancy.

The Characteristics of People with Serious Mental Illness Who are at High Risk for Hospitalization or Death.

Many individuals with serious mental illness are at high risk for hospitalization or death due to inadequate treatment of medical conditions or unhealthy behaviors. The authors describe demographic and clinical characteristics associated with increased risk in this population. Electronic data were obtained for individuals in treatment at a large Veterans' healthcare system who were at high risk according to a validated model. A random sample of these individuals was assessed in person. Multivariable regressions estimated the effect of numerous demographic, health, and clinical characteristics on risk. Emergency visits and hospitalizations were common. Greater risk was associated with being male, not married, and having more diagnoses. While risk varied by race, this effect was no longer significant after controlling for other factors. Health-related quality of life worsened with increasing risk. Routine data identify a large population of high-risk individuals who may benefit from outreach to provide healthcare services.

Self-Rated Health in Middle Age and Risk of Hospitalizations and Death: Recurrent Event Analysis of the ARIC Study.

Self-rated health is a simple measure that may identify individuals who are at a higher risk for hospitalization or death. To quantify the association between a single measure of self-rated health and future risk of recurrent hospitalizations or death. Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, a community-based prospective cohort study of middle-aged men and women with follow-up beginning from 1987 to 1989. We quantified the associations between initial self-rated health with risk of recurrent hospitalizations and of death using a recurrent events survival model that allowed for dependency between the rates of hospitalization and hazards of death, adjusted for demographic and clinical factors. Of the 14,937 ARIC cohort individuals with available self-rated health and covariate information, 34% of individuals reported "excellent" health, 47% "good," 16% "fair," and 3% "poor" at study baseline. After a median follow-up of 27.7years, 1955 (39%), 3569 (51%), 1626 (67%), and 402 (83%) individuals with "excellent," "good," "fair," and "poor" health, respectively, had died. After adjusting for demographic factors and medical history, a less favorable self-rated health status was associated with increased rates of hospitalization and death. As compared to those reporting "excellent" health, adults with "good," "fair," and "poor" health had 1.22 (1.07 to 1.40), 2.01 (1.63 to 2.47), and 3.13 (2.39 to 4.09) times the rate of hospitalizations, respectively. The hazards of death also increased with worsening categories of self-rated health, with "good," "fair," and "poor" health individuals experiencing 1.30 (1.12 to 1.51), 2.15 (1.71 to 2.69), and 3.40 (2.54 to 4.56) times the hazard of death compared to "excellent," respectively. Even after adjusting for demographic and clinical factors, having a less favorable response on a single measure of self-rated health taken in middle age is a potent marker of future hospitalizations and death.

Breast cancer (BC) and severe COVID-19 (C-19) outcomes: a matched analysis.

Patients with cancer receiving anticancer treatment have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 (C-19) outcomes. We examine the association between breast cancer (BC), recent treatment (systemic therapy, surgery, radiation), and C-19 outcomes. Retrospective matched cohort study using the Optum® de-identified C-19 Electronic Health Record dataset (2007-2022). Patients with C-19 were categorized into: no cancer, BC with recent treatment, and BC without recent treatment and matched based on age, C-19 diagnosis date, and comorbidity score. We evaluated 30-day mortality, mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and hospitalization. A composite outcome including all outcomes was analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression models were used. 2200 matched triplets (1:1:10) of patients with BC recently treated, BC not recently treated, and no cancer were included. Rates of adverse outcomes improved in 2021 compared to 2020. Compared to patients without cancer, those with BC recently treated had a similar risk of adverse outcomes, while patients with BC not recently treated had a lower risk of ICU stay and hospitalization. Using the composite variable, BC recently treated had similar outcomes (OR = 1.02; 95%CI 0.93-1.11) to patients without cancer, while BC patients not recently treated had better outcomes (OR = 0.66; 95%CI 0.59-0.74). Among patients with BC, chemotherapy within 3months was associated with a higher risk of hospitalization (OR = 2.30; 95%CI 1.76-2.99) and composite outcome (OR = 2.11; 95%CI 1.64-2.72). Patients with BC have a similar risk of adverse C-19 outcomes compared to patients without cancer. Among patients with BC, recent chemotherapy was associated with a higher risk of hospitalization.

Pulmonary hypertension and metabolic disorders

This review presents current data regarding the relationship between hyperuricemia, obesity, diabetes mellitus, lipid disorders and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Hyperuricemia is associated with a higher risk of developing of PAH, worse prognosis of PAH and greater severity of the patient's condition. Obesity leads to the development of pro-inflammatory and vasoconstrictor effects, hypoxia, which contributes to the progression of PH, however, the survival rate of patients with PH and overweight or obesity is higher than with normal or reduced body weight. Diabetes mellitus and concomitant insulin resistance are associated with a high risk of hospitalization for right ventricular heart failure and mortality. The presence of PAH is associated with lower values of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, and probably high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). At the same time, higher levels of LDL-С and HDL-С in PAH and CTEPH determine a better prognosis of the disease.All metabolic disorders considered have common mechanisms of influence on PH. Further study of their pathogenetic basis will make it possible to develop unified approaches to methods of their correction in patients with various types of pulmonary hypertension.

From test to rest: evaluating socioeconomic differences along the COVID-19 care pathway in the Netherlands.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated healthcare needs and caused excess mortality, especially among lower socioeconomic groups. This study describes the emergence of socioeconomic differences along the COVID-19 pathway of testing, healthcare use and mortality in the Netherlands. This retrospective observational Dutch population-based study combined individual-level registry data from June 2020 to December 2020 on personal socioeconomic characteristics, COVID-19 administered tests, test results, general practitioner (GP) consultations, hospital admissions, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions and mortality. For each outcome measure, relative differences between income groups were estimated using log-link binomial regression models. Furthermore, regression models explained socioeconomic differences in COVID-19 mortality by differences in ICU/hospital admissions, test administration and test results. Among the Dutch population, the lowest income group had a lower test probability (RR = 0.61) and lower risk of testing positive (RR = 0.77) compared to the highest income group. However, among individuals with at least one administered COVID-19 test, the lowest income group had a higher risk of testing positive (RR = 1.40). The likelihood of hospital admissions and ICU admissions were higher for low income groups (RR = 2.11 and RR = 2.46, respectively). The lowest income group had an almost four times higher risk of dying from COVID-19 (RR = 3.85), which could partly be explained by a higher risk of hospitalization and ICU admission, rather than differences in test administration or result. Our findings indicated that socioeconomic differences became more pronounced at each step of the care pathway, culminating to a large gap in mortality. This underlines the need for enhancing social security and well-being policies and incorporation of health equity in pandemic preparedness plans.

Long-term PM1 exposure and hypertension hospitalization: A causal inference study on a large community-based cohort in South China

Limited evidence exists on the effect of submicronic particulate matter (PM1) on hypertension hospitalization. Evidence based on causal inference and large cohorts is even more scarce. In 2015, 36,271 participants were enrolled in South China and followed up through 2020. Each participant was assigned single-year, lag0–1, and lag0–2 moving average concentration of PM1 and fine inhalable particulate matter (PM2.5) simulated based on satellite data at a 1-km resolution. We used an inverse probability weighting approach to balance confounders and utilized a marginal structural Cox model to evaluate the underlying causal links between PM1 exposure and hypertension hospitalization, with PM2.5-hypertension association for comparison. Several sensitivity studies and the analyses of effect modification were also conducted. We found that a higher hospitalization risk from both overall (HR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.05–1.22) and essential hypertension (HR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.06–1.25) was linked to each 1 µg/m3 increase in the yearly average PM1 concentration. At lag0–1 and lag0–2, we observed a 17%–21% higher risk of hypertension associated with PM1. The effect of PM1 was 6%–11% higher compared with PM2.5. Linear concentration-exposure associations between PM1 exposure and hypertension were identified, without safety thresholds. Women and participants that engaged in physical exercise exhibited higher susceptibility, with 4%–22% greater risk than their counterparts. This large cohort study identified a detrimental relationship between chronic PM1 exposure and hypertension hospitalization, which was more pronounced compared with PM2.5 and among certain groups.

Dynamic hyperinflation is a risk factor for mortality and severe exacerbations in COPD patients

ObjectiveTo assess if dynamic hyperinflation is an independent risk factor for mortality and severe exacerbations in COPD patients. MethodsA cohort of 141 patients with stable COPD and moderate to very severe airflow limitation, treated according to conventional guidelines, was followed for a median of 9 years. Clinical characteristics were recorded and arterial blood gases, pulmonary function tests, 6-min walk and incremental exercise test with measurement of respiratory pattern and operative lung volumes were performed. Endpoints were all-cause mortality and hospitalization for COPD exacerbation. Results58 patients died during the follow-up period (1228 patients x year). The mortality rate was higher in patients with dynamic hyperinflation (n = 106) than in those without it (n = 35) (14.6; 95% CI, 14.5–14.8 vs. 7.2; 95% CI, 7.1–7.4 per 1000 patients-year). After adjusting for sex, age, body mass index, pack-years and treatment with inhaled corticosteroids, dynamic hyperinflation was associated with a higher mortality risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.725; 95% CI, 1.010–8.161), and in a multivariate model, comorbidity, peak oxygen uptake and dynamic hyperinflation were retained as independent predictors of mortality. The time until first severe exacerbation was shorter for patients with dynamic hyperinflation (aHR, 3.961; 95% CI, 1.385–11.328), and dynamic hyperinflation, FEV1 and diffusing capacity were retained as independent risk factors for severe exacerbation. Moreover, patients with dynamic hyperinflation had a higher hospitalization risk than those without it (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 1.574; 95% CI, 1.087–2.581). ConclusionIn stable COPD patients, dynamic hyperinflation is an independent prognostic factor for mortality and severe exacerbations.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, obesity, bronchial asthma: simple combination or complex interaction

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) continues to be one of the most common diseases in primary health care. In recent years, the presence of several diseases in the same patient at the same time has been widely discussed. An increase in persons suffering from several chronic diseases is associated with a deterioration in the quality of life, a high risk of hospitalization and mortality, and taking into account the presence of co/poly/multimorbidity is necessary for decision-making when developing a patient management strategy in primary health care. Studies on GERD, obesity and bronchial asthma have shown that there are common and bidirectional mechanisms in the development of these diseases. And, there are many gaps in understanding these relationships, it is important to identify concomitant diseases, since they can be the cause of resistance to therapy, to form an unfavorable prognosis of their course.

Worsening of health disparities across COVID-19 pandemic stages in Korea.

With the end of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the health outcomes of this disease in Korea must be examined. We aimed to investigate health outcomes and disparities linked to socioeconomic status during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea and to identify risk factors for hospitalization and mortality. This nationwide retrospective study incorporated an analysis of individuals with and without COVID-19 in Korea between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2022. The study period was divided into 4 stages. Prevalence, hospitalization, mortality, and case-fatality rates were calculated per 100,000 population. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors for COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality. Overall, the incidence rate was 40,601 per 100,000 population, the mortality rate was 105 per 100,000 population, and the case-fatality rate was 259 per 100,000 cases. A total of 12,577,367 new cases (24.5%) were recorded in stage 3 and 8,979,635 cases (17.5%) in stage 4. Medical Aid recipients displayed the lowest 3-year cumulative incidence rate (32,737 per 100,000) but the highest hospitalization (5,663 cases per 100,000), mortality (498 per 100,000), and case-fatality (1,521 per 100,000) rates. Male sex, older age, lower economic status, non-metropolitan area of residence, high Charlson comorbidity index, and disability were associated with higher risk of hospitalization and death. Vaccination was found to reduce mortality risk. As the pandemic progressed, surges were observed in incidence, hospitalization, and mortality, exacerbating disparities associated with economic status and disability. Nevertheless, Korea has maintained a low case-fatality rate across all economic groups.

Anti-synthetase syndrome is associated with a higher risk of hospitalization among patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and COVID-19.

Data with fine granularity about COVID-19-related outcomes and risk factors were still limited in the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) population. This study aimed to investigate clinical factors associated with hospitalized and severe COVID-19 in patients with IIMs, particularly those gauged by myositis-specific antibodies. This retrospective cohort study was conducted in the Renji IIM cohort in Shanghai, China, under an upsurge of SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant infections from December 2022 to January 2023. Clinical data were collected and analyzed by multivariable logistic regression to determine risk factors. High-dimensional flow cytometry analysis was performed to outline the immunological features. Among 463 infected patients in the eligible cohort (n=613), 65 (14.0%) were hospitalized, 19 (4.1%) suffered severe COVID-19, and 10 (2.2%) died. Older age (OR=1.59/decade, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.16, p=0.003), requiring family oxygen supplement (2.62, 1.11 to 6.19, 0.028), patients with anti-synthetase syndrome (ASyS) (2.88, 1.12 to 7.34, 0.027, vs. other dermatomyositis), higher IIM disease activity, and prednisone intake >10mg/day (5.59, 2.70 to 11.57, <0.001) were associated with a higher risk of hospitalization. Conversely, 3-dose inactivated vaccination reduced the risk of hospitalization (0.10, 0.02 to 0.40, 0.001, vs. incomplete vaccination). Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) pre-exposure significantly reduced the risk of severe COVID-19 in hospitalized patients (0.16, 0.04 to 0.74, 0.019, vs. csDMARDs). ASyS patients with severe COVID-19 had significantly reduced peripheral CD4+ T cells, lower CD4/CD8 ratio, and fewer naive B cells but more class-switched memory B cells compared with controls. ASyS and family oxygen supplement were first identified as risk factors for COVID-19-related hospitalization in patients with IIMs. JAKi pre-exposure might protect IIM patients against severe COVID-19 complications.

Tezepelumab for Severe Asthma: One Drug Targeting Multiple Disease Pathways and Patient Types.

Asthma is a heterogeneous inflammatory disease of the airways, affecting many children, adolescents, and adults worldwide. Up to 10% of people with asthma have severe disease, associated with a higher risk of hospitalizations, greater healthcare costs, and poorer outcomes. Patients with severe asthma generally require high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and additional controller medications to achieve disease control; however, many patients remain uncontrolled despite this intensive treatment. The treatment of severe uncontrolled asthma has improved with greater understanding of asthma pathways and phenotypes as well as the advent of targeted biologic therapies. Tezepelumab, a monoclonal antibody, blocks thymic stromal lymphopoietin, an epithelial cytokine that has multifaceted effects on the initiation and persistence of asthma inflammation and pathophysiology. Unlike other biologic treatments, tezepelumab has demonstrated efficacy across severe asthma phenotypes, with the magnitude of effects varying by phenotype. Here we describe the anti-inflammatory effects and efficacy of tezepelumab across the most relevant phenotypes of severe asthma. Across clinical studies, tezepelumab reduced annualized asthma exacerbation rates versus placebo by 63-71% in eosinophilic severe asthma, by 58-68% in allergic severe asthma, by 67-71% in allergic and eosinophilic severe asthma, by 34-49% in type 2-low asthma, and by 31-41% in oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma. Furthermore, in all these asthma phenotypes, tezepelumab demonstrated higher efficacy in reducing exacerbations requiring hospitalizations or emergency department visits versus placebo. In patients with severe uncontrolled asthma, who commonly have multiple drivers of inflammation and disease, tezepelumab may modulate airway inflammation more extensively, as other available biologics block only specific downstream components of the inflammatory cascade.