Pneumonia Mortality Research Articles

Geography and age drive racial and ethnic disparities in hospital mortality for paediatric community-acquired pneumonia in the United States: a retrospective population based cohort study of hospitalized patients

Geography and age drive racial and ethnic disparities in hospital mortality for paediatric community-acquired pneumonia in the United States: a retrospective population based cohort study of hospitalized patients

P-242. Disparities and inequities in the burden of pneumococcal disease in US adults

Abstract Background Understanding the impact of social determinants of health on pneumococcal disease (PD) is important. The purpose of this study was to conduct a targeted literature review (TLR) of the clinical and economic burden of PD in US adults with a focus on examining disparities and inequities by race, geography, urbanicity, income, education, and employment. Methods Original research studies reporting burden of PD in US adults published between 2012 and January 2024 were identified through a US focused TLR in Pubmed (vial Medline) and a review of surveillance data from the CDC website. The original search was supplemented with targeted searches via Google Scholar in areas for which data were not identified via Pubmed or the CDC website. Results Of 4,133 identified publications, 16 studies were identified: 10 described disparities by race, 7 by geography, 2 by urbanicity, 3 by income, 1 by education and 1 by employment. Black adults had the highest incidence and longest length of stay due to IPD and bacteremic community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and highest mortality rates from CAP compared to other racial groups across all adult age groups; Black adults living in poverty experienced a 2.1 times higher rate of PD compared to white adults. Pneumococcal disease also varied by geography and urbanicity. Lower urbanicity displayed higher mortality rates for PD. Incidence of all-cause CAP was higher in early retirees 18–64 years old and their adult dependents compared to their employed counterparts and their adult dependents. PD health care expenditures mirror the patterns observed for disease burden. Vaccination rates were lower in Black adults compared to white adults and in adults who resided in rural areas, were less educated and had a lower income. Conclusion This TLR confirms that disparities and inequities in the burden of PD among US adults exist with higher disease burden and lower pneumococcal vaccination in Black adults, those living in rural areas and with lower education and income. There is a paucity of studies examining inequities and social disparities of health in PD. Additional studies are needed to examine disparities and inequities in PD according to race, geography, urbanicity, income, education, and employment. Disclosures Salini Mohanty, DrPH, MPH, Merck & Co., Inc.: Employee|Merck & Co., Inc.: Stocks/Bonds (Public Company) Kelly D. Johnson, PhD, Merck & Co., Inc.: Employee|Merck & Co., Inc.: Stocks/Bonds (Public Company) Sheba Nellore, MBA, Merck: Advisor/Consultant Lindsay McNamee, BSc, Merck & Co Inc.: Advisor/Consultant Hanane Khoury, PhD, Merck: Advisor/Consultant Laura De Benedetti, BSc, Merck & Co, Inc: Advisor/Consultant Elmira Flem, MD, PhD, Merck: Stocks/Bonds (Private Company) Kristen A. Feemster, MD, MPH, MSHPR, FAAP, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA: Grant/Research Support|Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA: Stocks/Bonds (Public Company) Nicole Cossrow, PhD, Merck: Stocks/Bonds (Public Company)

P-664. Trends in Bacterial Pneumonia-Related Mortality Among Older Adults in the United States

Abstract Background Bacterial pneumonia is one of the leading causes of mortality in the US, particularly among those aged 65 and older. No study has been done on this population to understand mortality patterns based on demographic characteristics such as age, gender, race, and geographic regions, which helps to enhance evidence-based interventions for this vulnerable age group. Trends in Bacterial Pneumonia-related AAMRs and APC stratified by race in older adults. Methods This study involves a two-decade CDC WONDER data on bacterial pneumonia-related deaths via ICD-10 codes A48.1 and J13-J16.0 in ≥ 65-year-olds from 1999-2019. Demographic disparities are analyzed based on age, gender, race, census region, and urban-rural classification using systematic database analysis. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 100,000 and annual percent change (APC) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) are calculated through joinpoint regression analysis. Trends in Bacterial Pneumonia-related AAMRs in Black and White men and women. Results 155,819 individuals aged ≥65 died from bacterial pneumonia in the US from 1999 to 2019. Initially, AAMR declined (1999-2005: APC -0.47; 95% CI -1.53 to 1.08), followed by a steep decline (2005-2010: APC -6.25; 95% CI -9.72 to -4.51), and concluded with a significant increase (2010-2019: APC 1.97; 95% CI 1.09 to 3.12). Males had higher AAMR (23.6) than females (14.2). Hispanics (19.6) were more affected than non-Hispanics (17.8) and Blacks more than Whites, except for White men (23), surpassing Black women (15.3). Pneumonia mortality varied by region, highest in Arizona and California (44.5 and 30.4) and lowest in New Jersey and Wisconsin (8 and 9.4). Nationwide, Black/White mortality is comparable except for the Northeast, where Black mortality doubles that of Whites. Trends in Bacterial pneumonia-related AAMRs stratified by census regions. *=significant at p < 0.05; confidence interval does not include zero. Conclusion While initial reductions in bacterial pneumonia-related mortality among older U.S. adults were observed, an upward trend from 2010 to 2019 negated this progress, resulting in a concerning resurgence. This upsurge disproportionately impacts specific demographics, including those aged 85 and older, males, non-Hispanic Blacks, those in the Western U.S., and urban populations. To further reduce mortality rates, this highlights the urgent need for effective interventions, improved access to care, and age-specific preventive programs. Further research is required to understand contributing factors. Bacterial Pneumonia-related crude mortality percentage stratified by different variables between men and women. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Commonly prescribed medications and risk of pneumonia and all-cause mortality in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a UK population-based cohort study

BackgroundA growing body of evidence suggests that prolonged use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) is associated with increased risks of pneumonia. A substantial proportion of people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are prescribed PPIs or ICS to treat common comorbidities, giving rise to concerns that use of these medications may be associated with potential harms in this patient population.MethodsWe used UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) Aurum primary care data linked to national mortality and hospital admissions data to create a cohort of people diagnosed with IPF on or after 1 January 2010. Patients were assigned to one of three exposure categories according to their prescribing history in the 12 months prior to IPF diagnosis as follows: “regular” users (≥ 4 prescriptions), “irregular” users (1–3 prescriptions) and “non-users” (no prescriptions). We explored the association between PPI/ICS prescription and pneumonia hospitalisation and all-cause mortality using multinomial Cox regression models.ResultsA total of 17,105 people met our study inclusion criteria; 62.6% were male and 15.9% were current smokers. Median age at IPF diagnosis was 76.7 years (IQR: 69.6–82.7). 19.9% were regularly prescribed PPIs, and 16.0% ICS, prior to IPF diagnosis. Regular prescribing of PPIs and ICS was positively associated with hospitalisation for pneumonia; the adjusted HR for pneumonia hospitalisation comparing regular PPI users with non-users was 1.14 (95%CI: 1.04–1.24); for regular ICS users the corresponding HR was 1.40 (95%CI: 1.25–1.55). We also observed a small increased risk for all-cause mortality in the “regular ICS user” group compared with the “non-user” control group (HRadj = 1.19, 1.06–1.33). We found no evidence of an association between PPI prescribing and all-cause mortality.ConclusionProlonged prescription of medications used to treat common comorbidities in IPF may be associated with increased risks for severe respiratory infections. These findings point to a need to adopt an adequate risk–benefit balance approach to the prescribing of ICS-containing inhalers and PPIs in people with IPF without evidence of comorbidities, especially older patients and/or those with more advanced disease in whom respiratory infections are more likely to result in poorer outcomes.

Correlation of Pneumonia Severity Index and CURB-65 Score with Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio, Platelet/Lymphocyte Ratio, and Monocyte/Lymphocyte Ratio in Predicting In-Hospital Mortality for Community-Acquired Pneumonia: Observational Study

Background/Objectives: Community-acquired pneumonia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and various scoring systems and laboratory assessments are available for predicting prognosis. The untapped potential of combining the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with the monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and their correlation with the pneumonia severity index (PSI) and CURB-65 motivated our research. We thought that this would provide more robust data for predicting CAP prognosis. We aimed to assess hematologic parameters’ associations with the PSI, CURB-65, and qSOFA scores for predicting the prognosis of hospitalized CAP patients. DESIGN AND SETTING: This is a multicenter, observational study conducted in three hospitals in Türkiye, Antalya. Methods: A total of 343 patients hospitalized with CAP in three centers in Turkey, Antalya, between 1 January 2020 and 30 September 2023 were retrospectively enrolled. The demographic data, comorbidities, vital signs, radiological images, laboratory findings, and 30-day mortality results of the patients were recorded. CURB-65, PSI, and qSOFA scores were calculated. Results: This study included 163 females (47%) with an average age of 74 ± 11.8. Hospital mortality occurred in 51 patients. Non-survivor CAP cases had higher ages (p = 0.007), CURB-65 scores (p < 0.001), PSIs (p < 0.001), and qSOFA scores (p < 0.001) and a longer hospital stay (p = 0.001) and total antibiotic duration (p < 0.001). Additionally, the NLR (p = 0.009), MLR (p = 0.018), and PLR (p = 0.025) were higher in the non-survivor group. The CURB-65, PSI, and qSOFA scores demonstrated strong predictive capabilities for in-hospital mortality. In the ROC analysis conducted to predict in-hospital mortality, the area under the curve (AUC) for CURB-65, the PSI, and qSOFA was determined to be 0.83, 0.82, and 0.82, respectively. The NLR correlated positively with CURB-65, the PSI, and qSOFA; the PLR correlated with the PSI and qSOFA; and the MLR correlated with CURB-65. Conclusions: CURB-65 and PSI scores remain highly effective for predicting in-hospital mortality in CAP patients, as demonstrated by their superior AUC values. While the NLR, MLR, and PLR showed weak predictive performance compared to these scores, their correlations suggest their potential as adjunctive markers.

Relationship Between D-dimer/Lymphocyte Ratio and CURB-65 Scores in COVID-19 Pneumonia Prognosis and Mortality

Relationship Between D-dimer/Lymphocyte Ratio and CURB-65 Scores in COVID-19 Pneumonia Prognosis and Mortality

The Efficacy of the Charlson Comorbidity Index and Its Age-Adjusted Version in Forecasting Mortality and Postoperative Outcomes Following Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Background/Objectives: The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is designed for evaluating comorbidities and mortality risks, with the age-adjusted CCI (ACCI) combining age and comorbidity assessments. Despite its long-standing use, research on CCI's application in cardiac surgery patients is limited. This study assessed the effectiveness of CCI and ACCI in predicting in-hospital mortality and post-surgery outcomes for patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: CCI and ACCI scores were derived from medical records between 2016 and 2022. Patient demographics, surgical techniques, and postoperative complications were documented. Results: Totally 393 patients [297 (75.6%) males, 96 (24.4%) females] with an average age of 65 years were included. Median CCI and ACCI scores were 1 (1-2) and 4 (3-5), respectively. In-hospital mortality occurred in 5.9% (n = 23) of cases, with CCI being an independent predictor (OR 1.865, 95% CI 1.117-3.116; p = 0.017). Both CCI and ACCI scores negatively correlated with preoperative EF (%) and positively correlated with ICU and total hospital stay, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and cross-clamp time. ACCI score also positively correlated with extubation time. Patients categorized by CCI comorbidity severity (no comorbidity, mild, moderate, severe) showed a significant increase in postoperative complications with increasing severity, including postoperative VT (p = 0.000), acute renal failure (p = 0.009), pneumonia (p = 0.007), and in-hospital mortality (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Both CCI and ACCI are prognostic indicators for in-hospital mortality in isolated CABG surgery patients, effectively predicting postoperative complications, extended ICU stays, and prolonged hospital stays. Implementing these scoring systems could enhance patient care and improve surgical decision-making.

Changes and determinants of pneumococcal vaccine uptake in Ethiopia.

Pneumococcal pneumonia is one of the most common causes of severe pneumonia and pneumonia-related mortality globally. It ranked among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children under five years in Ethiopia. Vaccination reduces the burden of pneumonia and pneumococcal infections in both children and adults. This study assesses changes in pneumococcal vaccine coverage over time and identifies factors associated with the vaccine uptake. The study was based on secondary data from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS) in 2016 and 2019, involving 1,929 children in 2016 and 1,008 in 2019, aged 12-23 months. A cross-sectional study design was conducted. The percentage change in pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) coverage was used to quantify the degree of change over time, while multilevel ordinal logistic regression identifies significant factors. All statistical tests were performed using a 5% significance threshold. The study found a significant 21.8% (95% CI: 9.8-35.2) change in the proportion of children receiving complete doses of PCV, from 49.1% in 2016 to 59.8% in 2019. Children in rural areas were 69% less likely to receive more doses of PCV vaccinations than those living in urban areas (AOR = 0.307, 95% CI: 0.127 - 0.742). Second or higher-order births were associated with greater uptake doses of PCV (AOR = 2.519, 95% CI: 1.143-5.548). Child born in health facilities were 2.35 times more likely to receive full vaccination than those born at home (AOR = 2.350, 95% CI: 1.132-4.882). Additionally, children whose mothers had more antenatal care (ANC) visits were more likely to complete their pneumococcal vaccination. Despite the increase in uptake, Ethiopia remains far from reaching its immunization goals. The study showed that place of residence, birth order, place of delivery, antenatal care and regional variation were significantly associated with pneumococcal vaccine uptake.

Impacts of COVID‐19 pandemic on short‐term outcomes of low anterior resection performed in hospitals with different surgical volumes

AbstractAimTo evaluate the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) pandemic on short‐term outcomes of low anterior resection (LAR) across hospitals classified by surgical volume.MethodsData of patients who underwent elective LAR for rectal cancer between 2018 and 2022 were obtained from the National Clinical Database of Japan. Hospitals were categorized into high‐, medium‐, and low‐volume groups. Each group was constituted to represent approximately one‐third of all surgeries performed between 2018 and 2019. The standardized morbidity/mortality ratios (SMRs) of Clavien–Dindo grade ≥3 (CD ≥ 3) complications were the primary endpoint. The secondary endpoints included anastomotic leakage, pneumonia, and surgical mortality.ResultsThis study analyzed 91 800 cases of elective LAR, with 10.5% experiencing CD ≥ 3 complications, 8.8% anastomotic leakage, 0.9% pneumonia, and 0.5% surgical mortality. Despite COVID‐19, SMRs of CD ≥ 3 complications decreased from 2018 to 2022 across all groups. However, increases in the rates and SMRs of CD ≥ 3 complications were observed in low‐volume hospitals around mid‐2020, followed by a decline. Anastomotic leakage showed similar trends. The rates and SMRs of pneumonia and surgical mortality remained unchanged. Notably, anastomotic leakage rates were 7.6%, 8.9%, and 10.0% in high‐, medium‐, and low‐volume hospitals, respectively, indicating superior outcomes in high‐volume hospitals.ConclusionEarly COVID‐19 waves may have disproportionately affected low‐volume hospitals. However, the decline in SMRs of CD ≥ 3 complications from 2018 to 2022 across all three groups suggests the robustness and resilience of surgical services for rectal cancer in Japan. The potential disparity in short‐term outcomes among hospitals is a new concern.

Pneumonia and Anemia in Rural Midwestern Missouri: A Retrospective Analysis.

Pneumonia and anemia are prevalent medical conditions with significant implications on patient health, resulting in numerous hospitalizations and deaths. Various studies have been done on the mortality rates of pneumonia and anemia individually. However, fewer describe the mortality of patients diagnosed with pneumonia superimposed on anemia. This retrospective study used data from electronic medical records obtained from rural Midwestern Missouri, including 9,879 patients who were admitted with either anemia or pneumonia. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. The study found that patients with pneumonia had a higher mortality rate of 25.8% when diagnosed with comorbid anemia compared to the baseline group of patients with pneumonia without anemia at 14%. This study demonstrates higher mortality in patients with both pneumonia and anemia than either pneumonia without anemia or anemia without pneumonia.

Prevalence of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli (MDR-GNB) in hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia: A comparative study from a tertiary care center, Gujarat

Antibiotic resistance poses a formidable challenge to global healthcare, with Gram-negative bacteria emerging as a primary concern. Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (MDR-GNB) have become a significant cause of nosocomial infections, particularly pneumonia, complicate therapy, and have a detrimental impact on patients’ outcomes. This study aims to investigate the etiology, risk factors, and antibiotic resistance patterns associated with Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) isolated from nosocomial pneumonia cases.This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Microbiology laboratory of a tertiary care Hospital in Gujarat. Patients hospitalized for >48 hours with new lung infiltrates and at least two of the following clinical features: fever, leukocytosis/leukopenia, purulent secretions, or decreased oxygenation were included. The study was initiated after the ethical approval. Patient demographic and clinical details were noted in the preformed questionnaire. A total of 64 specimens [Sputum (n= 28) and Endotracheal aspirate (ET, n=36)] were cultured on MacConkey’s agar and Blood agar and further species identification with Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern was done by automated Vitek-2 compact system. Ventilator-associated Pneumonia (VAP) was found in 14.6% of infected patients, with male predominance and common in the 30-50 years age group. Out of them, 72% were mainly associated with late-onset. Overall, the major isolates were (20/64, 31%), followed by (19/64, 29.6%) and (17/64, 26.5%) both as solitary and mixed infections.76% strains of and 85% of strains were resistant to carbapenems and 93.3% of were resistant to cephalosporins and carbapenems. strains were 100% resistant to carbapenems. The study recommends effective Infection control practices and strong antibiotic stewardship programs to reduce the morbidity and mortality of nosocomial pneumonia.

Evaluating the CURB-65 score for in-hospital mortality prediction in COVID-19 patients: insights into dysglycaemia

IntroductionWhile the CURB-65 score predicts mortality in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), its performance in COVID-19 CAP is suboptimal. Hyperglycaemia correlates with an increased mortality in COVID-19. This analysis aims to enhance...

Association between various types of corticosteroids and mortality for severe community-acquired pneumonia in adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

This study aims to conduct a systematic review and network meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of specific corticosteroids, including but not limited to hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, and dexamethasone, in the treatment of severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP). Efficacy will be assessed using specific outcomes, such as 30-day mortality and the requirement for mechanical ventilation. Safety evaluations will include adverse events like gastrointestinal bleeding and healthcare-associated infections. The study seeks to address the gaps identified in the latest guidelines regarding the optimal use of different corticosteroid types and to provide recommendations for clinical practice. This study conducted a comprehensive search of Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, covering the period from inception until 22 June 2023. Randomized clinical trials for corticosteroid use among adults with SCAP were collected. Two researchers independently assessed study eligibility based on titles and abstracts, with any disagreements resolved through discussion or consultation with a third researcher. Two researchers independently collected and clarified study details, with a third researcher adjudicating in case of disputes. The data from 13 randomized clinical trials involving 2,495 patients, were analyzed using a random-effects model. Eleven trials were assessed as low risk, while two were assessed as high risk. Trials were rated as having low bias risk. Results, presented as risk ratios (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI), indicated that hydrocortisone outperformed prednisolone (RR 0.35; 95% CI 0.10-0.94), methylprednisolone (RR 0.41; 95% CI 0.15-0.89), and placebo (RR 0.35; 95% CI 0.16-0.59) in reducing 30-day mortality. A rankogram plot suggested that hydrocortisone had the highest probability of being the most effective treatment for this outcome within the analyzed group. In this network meta-analysis, while hydrocortisone showed greater efficacy than prednisolone, methylprednisolone, and placebo in reducing 30-day mortality in patients with SCAP, further Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) are required to confirm these findings before drawing definitive conclusions. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=438389, identifier CRD42023438389.

IMPACTO DA PNEUMONIA NA MORTALIDADE INFANTIL: ANÁLISE HOSPITALAR NO ESTADO DA BAHIA

Introduction: Pneumonia is a severe respiratory infection, often caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, that primarily affects the lungs and can impair gas exchange, leading to respiratory difficulties. In Brazil, pneumonia presents a significant public health challenge, with a particular impact on children under five years of age. This issue is especially evident in the state of Bahia, where the infant mortality rate due to pneumonia is one of the highest in the country. The causes of this high mortality are linked to a combination of factors such as lack of access to adequate medical care, low vaccination coverage, poor living conditions, overcrowded homes, and insufficient air quality. Objectives: The main objective of this study is to analyze the impact of pneumonia on infant mortality in the state of Bahia, focusing on hospital data analysis between 2020 and 2024. The research aims to identify the epidemiological trends of the disease, understand the associated risk factors, and encourage the implementation of public policies to reduce infant mortality caused by pneumonia. Justification: This research is relevant to public health because it highlights the persistent high rates of infant mortality due to pneumonia, a critical issue in socially vulnerable areas. The study contributes to understanding the social, economic, and healthcare access factors affecting the child population in Bahia, providing essential data for more effective public health policies. Methodology: The study is of an epidemiological nature, using a quantitative approach. Data were collected from records of pediatric pneumonia cases provided by the Health Department of the State of Bahia (SESAB) and DATASUS, covering the period from 2020 to 2024. Data on incidence, mortality, demographic characteristics (age, sex, race/ethnicity), and regional conditions were analyzed. The analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and techniques such as calculating mortality rates and identifying risk factors. Results and Discussion: The data revealed that between January 2020 and September 2024, there were 295 deaths due to pneumonia in children in Bahia. The highest mortality was observed in the age groups under 1 year (33.6%) and 1 to 4 years (37.3%), indicating extreme vulnerability of these age groups to the disease. Additionally, pneumonia mortality was higher among children of mixed-race (parda) background (76.3%), reflecting socioeconomic and healthcare access inequalities, particularly in peripheral and rural areas. A slight predominance of deaths among girls was also observed, though the gender difference was small (2.37%). Conclusion: This study highlights the social and regional inequalities contributing to high infant mortality from pneumonia in Bahia, emphasizing the difficulties in accessing healthcare services in more vulnerable areas. The analysis revealed that children under 5 years of age, especially those under 1 year old, are the most affected. To reduce these rates, it is urgent to implement public policies focused on improving healthcare access, expanding vaccination coverage, and strengthening living conditions in the most underserved areas of Bahia.

Association of cumulative methylprednisolone dosages with mortality risk from pneumonia in connective tissue disease patients

Corticosteroid is essential in the treatment regimen for connective tissue disease (CTD); however, its long-term use poses significant risks, including pulmonary infections. The relationship between cumulative corticosteroid doses and adverse pneumonia outcomes requires further investigation. This study aimed to explore the association between cumulative methylprednisolone dosages (CMD) and pneumonia mortality risks among CTD patients. We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from CTD patients treated with intravenous or oral corticosteroids across six academic hospitals over approximately five years in China. We evaluated follow-up outcomes at 30 and 90 days after the onset of pneumonia. Piecewise linear regression, Cox regression analysis, and survival analysis were employed to investigate the relationship between CMD and 30-day and 90-day mortality risks. Among 335 CTD patients with pneumonia, the mean CMD was 12 g. The 30-day and 90-day mortality rates were 25.07% and 29.55%, respectively. After adjusting for potential confounders, smooth curve fitting analysis revealed a specific nonlinear relationship between CMD and 30-day and 90-day mortality risks. Cox regression analysis indicated that the lowest pneumonia mortality risk occurred when CMD ranged from 11 to 24 g (30-day adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.33, 95% CI 0.14–0.77; 90-day aHR 0.37, 95% CI 0.17–0.81). Patients in the 11–24 g CMD group demonstrated significantly lower cumulative hazard and death rates compared to both the low CMD (< 11 g) and high CMD (> 24 g) groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, interaction testing suggested that CMD’s negative impact on pneumonia mortality risks was more pronounced in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) compared to hospital-acquired pneumonia (P for interaction < 0.05). CMD shows a distinct nonlinear relationship with 30-day and 90-day pneumonia mortality risks, with potentially lower risks observed within the 11–24 g CMD range. Moreover, the varying impact of CMD on CAP mortality risk warrants further consideration in clinical management strategies.

Post-Transplant Vitamin D Deficiency in Lung Transplant Recipients: Impact on Outcomes and Prognosis.

Despite the recognized clinical significance of vitamin D deficiency in other solid organ transplant recipients, its specific relevance in lung transplantation remains to be fully understood. In this study, we performed a retrospective observational study on the impact of vitamin D deficiency on clinical outcomes and prognosis in 125 lung transplant recipients (LTRs) from October 2014 to March 2020 at a university hospital in Seoul, South Korea. Among 125 LTRs, 51 patients (40.8%) were vitamin D deficient. LTRs in the vitamin D-deficient group exhibited a higher incidence of post-transplant pneumonia and overall mortality than those with normal vitamin D levels during the follow-up period. This trend persisted when subjects were stratified into vitamin D tertiles. Furthermore, post-transplant vitamin D levels and C-reactive protein (CRP) significantly impacted pneumonia incidence and survival outcomes. Prognosis also varied based on cumulative vitamin D supplementation after transplantation, with patients receiving higher cumulative supplementation demonstrating improved prognosis. Our findings underscore the importance of assessing and maintaining optimal vitamin D levels post-transplantation, suggesting a potential avenue for improving outcomes in lung transplant recipients, especially in mitigating infection risk and enhancing long-term survival. Further research into optimal vitamin D levels and supplementation strategies in this population is warranted.

Effect of a participatory whole-systems approach on mortality in children younger than 5 years in Jigawa state, Nigeria (INSPIRING trial): a community-based, parallel-arm, pragmatic, cluster randomised controlled trial and concurrent mixed-methods process evaluation

In 2019, Nigeria reported the highest mortality rate in children younger than 5 years globally. We aimed to assess a whole-systems approach to improving child mortality in northern Nigeria. We conducted a community-based, parallel-arm, pragmatic, cluster randomised controlled trial in Kiyawa local government area, Jigawa state, Nigeria, and a concurrent mixed-methods process evaluation using ethnography and quantitative implementation monitoring. Trial clusters were population catchment areas of 32 government primary health-care facilities. Compounds were randomly sampled, proportional to cluster size, and all women aged 16-49 years and children younger than 5 years who were permanent residents were eligible for inclusion and recruited as the evaluation population. Children younger than 7 days were recruited but excluded from analysis. Evaluation clusters were allocated to intervention or control via simple randomisation with a 1:1 ratio. Cluster names were written on paper, folded, and placed in a container by community representatives. Different community representatives took out names one by one, with the first half assigned to receive the intervention. The intervention consisted of three components: participatory learning and action (PLA) groups for men and women (including compound heads [ie, the member of the compound that residents deemed most senior]), partnership defined quality scorecard (PDQS), and health-care worker capacity building; it was delivered from March 1, 2021, to Dec 31, 2022. We could not mask participants, field staff, or intervention-delivery staff to cluster allocation but baseline, endline, and follow-up data excluded information on cluster allocation. PLA groups involved separate groups of up to 25 men or women from all villages in the intervention clusters. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality in children aged 7 days to 59 months between Oct 1, 2021, and Sept 20, 2022, referred to as the evaluation period. The trial was prospectively registered (ISRCTN 39213655) and the protocol has been published. We recruited 3800 compounds at baseline, with 12 893 children contributing to analysis of the primary outcome (7316 [56·8%] of 12 893 in the intervention group and 5577 [43·3%] in the control group). 6617 (51·3%) of 12 893 children were male, 6275 (48·7%) were female, and one (<0·1%) child had missing sex data. Sampled compounds randomly came from 388 (91·3%) of 425 villages in the 32 clusters. We conducted verbal autopsies for 1182 deaths, of which 369 (31·2%) were children aged 7 days to 59 months during the evaluation period. Of these 369, 91 (24·7%) were classified as pneumonia deaths. Children contributed a median 361 days (IQR 236-365) to the analysis, with 369 (2·9%) of 12 893 children censored on their date of death, 1545 (12·0%) on their 5th birthday, and 3392 (26·3%) on the date of the most recent follow-up in which their residence or survival status was known. We found no significant decrease in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 0·95, 95% CI 0·68-1·33; p=0·79) or suspected pneumonia mortality (0·79, 0·43-1·46; p=0·46) in the intervention group. The process evaluation showed low coverage and issues in reach of the intervention, but qualitative data highlighted mechanisms for positive effects on health and relationships. Our intervention did not affect mortality. However, due to the high child mortality in this region, further efforts should be made to adapt our participatory whole-systems approach to use communities of action within compounds. GSK and Save the Children UK. For the Hausa translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Study of indications, associated comorbid condi-tions and outcome of patients requiring Bilevel type of Non Inva-sive Positive Pressure Ventilation in a tertiary care hospital

BiLevel non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (BiPAP) is the most utilised supportive treatment in the world of medicine for respiratory failure. COPD is the most common indication for its use. We in-vestigated the indications and effects of comorbidities on BiPAP outcomes because there have been few studies on it. It is a descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study conducted over period of 12 months, wherein 60 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria for the requirement of BiPAP were includ-ed in the study and evaluated. The indications, associated comorbid conditions and the outcomes of NIV therapy were studied. COPD exacerbation with Type II Respiratory failure was the most common indication (71.4%), followed by asthma [near fatal/severe] (21.4%). Success with BiPAP in COPD was 67.6% . In COPD patients with co-morbidities, success came down to 47.4%. Pneumonia, ILD &amp; Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema (CPE) had success rates of 0%, 16.7% and 66.7% respectively with BiPAP therapy,with higher mortality rates for pneumonia and ILD. Comorbidities were present in 51.7% of patients and Hypertension (35%) and Diabetes Mellitus (21.7%) were the most common. In patients who had co-morbidities, the mean hospital stay was 12 days, which was higher than the mean hospital stay of 9.3 days in patient with no co-morbidities. The presence of co-morbidities was associated with higher failures with BiPAP (51.6%) comapred to ones with no co-morbidities (13.8%) (p value &lt;0.05). Higher respiratory rate (&gt;28/min), lower ABG pO2, pCO2 and bicarbonate levels and higher blood glucose and total leucocyte counts were associated with higher BiPAP failures and mortality. The conclusion was that the most common indication of BiPAP was a COPD exacerbation with type II respiratory failure and presence of comorbidities led to a poorer outcome with prolonged hospital stay. ABG parameters, blood glucose levels and total leucocyte counts has an effect on NIV outcome and mortality.

A Retrospective Multicenter Study of Operating Room Extubation and Extubation Timing following Cardiac Surgery

BackgroundIn an effort to enhance recovery after cardiac surgery, intraoperative extubation has been targeted as possibly beneficial. This multi-center cohort study aimed to assess this by evaluating the outcomes of OR extubation versus extubation within six hours of intensive care unit arrival (early ICU extubation). Furthermore, we assessed time to ICU extubation and mortality and morbidity. MethodsPatients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery across 79 hospitals between 2011-2020 were included to 1) compare outcomes among OR extubation and early ICU extubation patients, and 2) assess time to overall ICU extubation and outcomes. ResultsThe overall study cohort comprised 163,982 patients, including 95,982 patients [ [ OR extubation : n= 2,529 (2.6%)and early ICU extubation : n= 93,453 (97.4%)] who underwent comparison of OR with early ICU extubation. Following overlap weighting, OR extubation patients had longer OR times (5.6 vs. 5.1 hours, p < 0.0001), and higher rates of reintubation (5.2% vs 2.9%, p=0.003), prolonged ventilation (3% vs 2%, p = 0.021), reoperation for bleeding (1.5% vs 0.7%, p < 0,01), pneumonia (1.9% vs. 1.1% , p < 0.006), and greater in-hospital mortality on multivariable regression (OR 1.34, p < 0.001). OR extubation patients at centers with low OR extubation rates (< 10%, N=60) had higher mortality (odds ratio 1.6, p = 0.001). Beyond 22 hours of postoperative ICU ventilation, the risk of morbidity and mortality increased significantly . ConclusionsFew cardiac surgery patients are extubated in the OR, which is associated with no clinical benefit and with increased morbidity. Cardiac surgery programs should reconsider OR extubation following cardiopulmonary bypass. Additionally, increased intubation time, in particular > 22 hours, is associated with an increase in adverse outcomes.

Effect of COVID-19 vaccine in adults infected with the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2: a retrospective cohort study.

Reducing mortality among those infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains a critical challenge in clinic. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine on the prognosis of individuals infected with the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2. In a single-center, retrospective cohort study, all adult patients with COVID-19 from designated hospital in Xi'an, China, during the Delta outbreak from December 2021 to January 2022 were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they received the COVID-19 vaccine, and differences in clinical outcomes (pneumonia, oxygen therapy, severe disease, and mechanical ventilation or death), symptoms, and nucleic acid-negative time between the two groups were compared. A total of 651 adult patients with COVID-19 were included, among whom 578 were vaccinated and 73 were not vaccinated. Compared with the unvaccinated group, the vaccinated group had lower rates of pneumonia (49.8% vs. 67.1%; P=0.005), oxygen therapy (20.9% vs. 57.5%; P<0.001), severe illness (1.6% vs. 26.0%; P<0.001), and mechanical ventilation or mortality (0.3% vs. 13.7%; P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that COVID-19 vaccination significantly reduced the risk of requiring oxygen therapy, severe illness, and mechanical ventilation or death. Compared with the unvaccinated group, the vaccinated group had a higher incidence of sore throat (31.8% vs. 17.8%; P=0.01) and a lower incidence of shortness of breath (3.1% vs. 20.5%; P<0.001), diarrhea (1.2% vs. 5.5%; P=0.03), and nausea or vomiting (1.4% vs. 6.8%; P=0.007). The median time of nucleic acid transition to negative was 14.0 [interquartile range (IQR), 10.0-17.0] and 15.0 (IQR, 11.0-18.0) days (P=0.18) in the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups, respectively. Vaccination may reduce the risk of oxygen therapy, severe illness, and mechanical ventilation or death in patients with Delta variant COVID-19, as well as the incidence of pneumonia. Vaccinated patients had a higher incidence of sore throat and a lower incidence of shortness of breath, diarrhea, and nausea or vomiting compared to nonvaccinated patients. Vaccination did not shorten the time for the emergence of nucleic acid-negative status.