Multicentre Retrospective Cross-sectional Study Research Articles

Ecology of emergency care in lower-tier healthcare providers in Ghana: an empirical data-driven Bayesian network analytical approach.

Thehealthcare landscape in Ghana is primarily composed of lower-tier providers, which serve asthe initial point of contact for most medical emergencies. This study aimed to assess the emergency care preparedness and readiness of primary healthcare providers using a robustevaluation approach.A multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study was conductedon 460 healthcare facilities using the standardised Health Facilities Emergency Preparedness Assessment Tool (HeFEPAT). Data were analysed via Bayesian Belief network.Emergency preparedness was associated with facility location, type, ownership, and in-charge personnel.Over 70% of facilities lacked specialised emergency/critical care personnel. Although 65% of in-charges reported protocol knowledge, only 7.8% could execute cardiopulmonary resuscitation. 90% of facilities lacked onsite defibrillators, and over 80% had no cerebrovascular accident medications. Road traffic accident protocols were largely unavailable, with an estimated53% probability of lacking such protocols. Private-owned facilities were more likely to lack protocols for road traffic accidents (76% vs 20% probability) and general acute care (62% vs 32%)compared to government-owned facilities.Significant gaps in emergency preparedness were identified across the studied health facilities, indicating limited capacity to manage critical situations effectively. Urgent investments in emergency medicine training, essential resources, and evidence-based protocols are needed. Standardised emergency preparedness assessments should be implemented for accreditation and quality improvement. Further research can inform the development of national guidelines and targeted interventions to strengthen emergency response capacities.

Clinical profile, treatment and quality of life of patients with psoriatic arthritis in Malaysia: A population-based cross-sectional study.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a major comorbidity of psoriasis and may lead to irreversible joint damage and disability. This study aims to describe the clinical profile, treatment and quality of life (QoL) of patients with PsA in Malaysia. This is a multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study of psoriasis patients who were notified to the Malaysian Psoriasis Registry (MPR) from January 2007 to December 2018. Of 21 735 psoriasis patients, 2756 (12.7%) had PsA. The male to female ratio was 1:1. The mean age of psoriasis onset for PsA patients was 34.73 ± 14.44 years. They had a higher rate of family history of psoriasis (26% vs. 22.4%, p < 0.001), scalp (82.7% vs. 81.0%, p = 0.04) and nail involvement (73.3% vs. 53.3%, p < 0.001), obesity (62.6% vs. 54.4%, p < 0.001), dyslipidaemia (23.8% vs. 15.4%, p < 0.001), hypertension (31.1% vs. 22.7%, p < 0.001) and diabetes mellitus (20.9% vs. 15.2%, p < 0.001) compared to non-PsA patients. More than half (54.3%) had severe psoriasis [(body surface area >10% and/or Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) >10)]. Most had oligo-/monoarthropathy (40.3%), followed by distal interphalangeal arthropathy (31.3%), symmetrical polyarthropathy (28.3%), spondylitis/sacroiliitis (8.2%) and arthritis mutilans (3.2%). Nearly 40% of PsA patients received systemic treatment, but only 1.6% received biologic agents. QoL was more significantly affected in PsA than in non-PsA patients (mean DLQI 10.12 ± 7.16 vs. 9.52 ± 6.67, p < 0.001). One in eight patients with psoriasis in Malaysia had PsA. They had a higher incidence of comorbidities, severe disease, impaired QoL and were more likely to receive systemic and biological treatment compared to non PsA patients.

Association between serum alkaline phosphatase and bacteraemia in haemodialysis outpatients: a multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study

ObjectivesElevated baseline serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) may correlate with higher medium-term to long-term mortality in the general population and in patients with chronic kidney disease. However, few data are available...

MO785: Balancing the Covid-19 Pandemic Impact on the Maintenance of Haemodialysis Vascular Access

BACKGROUND AND AIMSThe new coronavirus disease, named by World Health Organization (WHO) as COVID-19 brought great challenges to patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In general, ESRD patients have a higher number of comorbidities and are at risk for the severe presentation of this disease.As a lifeline of haemodialysis patients, vascular access (VA) care has a profound impact on the patient's quality of dialysis and life but the ideal management of VA during the pandemic is currently unknown.Many centres differed on their approach and referral criteria to minimize COVID-19 risk but the impact on VA and patient survival is unknown.In this multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study, we analysed the impact of the pandemic on VA maintenance in Vascular Access Centres of Nephrocare Portugal.METHODThe authors collected VA data from haemodialysis patients treated at three Vascular Access Centers of NeproCare Portugal from January 2019 to July 2021 and compared the year before and after the pandemic.RESULTSOf the 14 352 haemodilaysis patients included, with a mean age of 68 ± 14 years, 7.161 procedures were analysed.A total of 4086 endovascular procedures and 3075 surgeries were performed from January 2019 to July 2021 in the three national vascular access centres of Nephrocare.Blood flow decrease measured by the blood temperature sensor BTM_ (Blood Temperature Monitor), Fresenius Medical Care, Bad Homburg, Germany was the most frequent motive of referral to an endovascular procedure before and after the pandemic (P .221).During both waves, physical examination and clinical signs were the most affected motives of referral, followed by a rebound significantly increase (P .058).Thrombosis remained stable during the lockdown followed by a non-significant trend to increase.New vascular access creation was the most frequent motive to send a patient to surgery before and after the pandemic (P .480).Fistula and prosthesis thrombosis also didn't significantly increase as a motive of referral to a VAC (P .221 and 1.0 respectively).Angioplasty without stent followed by thrombolysis was the most frequent types of endovascular procedures before and during the pandemic without significant differences (P .430).Surgical thrombectomy followed by fistula creation were the most frequent types of surgical procedures before and during the pandemic without significant differences (P .683).During the first wave, there was a decrease in procedures without possibility to intervention (P .037) with posterior significant rebound increase.Although there was a trend to a decrease in intervention, the number and types of procedures didn't significantly change before and during the pandemic even after separating different centres.Additionally, the number of hospital admissions related to vascular access also didn't significantly change (P .368).CONCLUSIONWith the implementation of proactive infection control measures, it was possible to maintain proper monitoring, surveillance and VA care without significantly increasing the rate of thrombosis and minimizing related hospital admissions of haemodialysis patients.

The Impact of the First 11 Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Vascular Patients’ Care and Hospitalisation Rate in the Vascular Surgery Divisions of Southern Italy

The Impact of the First 11 Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Vascular Patients’ Care and Hospitalisation Rate in the Vascular Surgery Divisions of Southern Italy

Assessing the Rates and Reasons of Elective Surgical Cancellations on the Day of Surgery: A Multicentre Study from Urban Indian Hospitals

BackgroundCancellations of elective surgeries on the day of surgery (DOS) can lead to added financial burden and wastage of resources for healthcare facilities; as well as social and emotional problems to patients. These cancellations act as barriers to delivering efficient surgical services. Optimal utilisation of the available resources is necessary for resource-constrained low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC). This study investigates the rate and causes of cancellations of elective surgeries on the DOS in various surgical departments across ten hospitals in India.MethodsA research consortium ‘IndSurg’ led by World Health Organisation Collaboration Centre (WHOCC) for Research in Surgical Care Delivery in LMICs, India conducted this multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study to analyse the cancellations of elective/planned surgical operations on DOS across urban secondary and tertiary level hospitals. We audited surgical records of a pre-decided period of six weeks for cancellations, documented relevant demographic information and reasons for cancellations.ResultsWe analysed records from the participating hospitals, with an overall cancellation rate of 9.7% (508/5231) on the DOS for elective surgical operations. Of these, 74% were avoidable cancellations. A majority (30%) of these 508 cancellations were attributed to insufficient resources, 28% due to patient's refusal or failure to show-up, and 22% due to change in patient's medical status.ConclusionWe saw a preponderance of avoidable reasons for elective surgery cancellations. A multidisciplinary approach with adequate preoperative patient counselling, timely communication between the patients and caregivers, adequate preoperative anaesthetic assessment, and planning by the surgical team may help reduce the cancellation rate.

The effect of late-follicular phase progesterone elevation on embryo ploidy and cumulative live birth rates

Research questionDoes late-follicular phase progesterone elevation have a deleterious effect on embryo euploidy, blastocyst formation rate and cumulative live birth rates (CLBR)? DesignA multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study including infertile patients aged 18–40 years who underwent ovarian stimulation in a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol and preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) followed by a freeze-all strategy and euploid embryo transfer between August 2017 and December 2019. The sample was stratified according to the progesterone concentrations on the day of trigger: normal (≤1.50 ng/ml) and high (>1.50 ng/ml). Moreover, sensitivity analyses were performed to determine whether different conclusions would have been drawn if different cut-offs had been adopted. The primary outcome was the embryo euploidy rate. Secondary outcomes were the blastocyst formation rate, the number of euploid blastocysts and CLBR. ResultsOverall 1495 intracytoplasmic sperm injection PGT-A cycles were analysed. Late-follicular phase progesterone elevation was associated with significantly higher late-follicular oestradiol concentrations (2847.56 ± 1091.10 versus 2240.94 ± 996.37 pg/ml, P < 0.001) and significantly more oocytes retrieved (17.67 ± 8.86 versus 12.70 ± 7.00, P < 0.001). The number of euploid embryos was significantly higher in the progesterone elevation group (2.32 ± 1.74 versus 1.86 ± 1.42, P = 0.001), whereas the blastocyst formation rate (47.1% [43.7–50.5%] versus 51.0% [49.7–52.4%]), the embryo euploidy rate (48.3% [44.9–51.7%] versus 49.1% [47.7–50.6%], the live birth rate in the first frozen embryo transfer (34.1% versus 31.1%, P = 0.427) and CLBR (38.9% versus 37.0%, P = 0.637) were not significantly different between the two groups. ConclusionsEuploidy rate and CLBR do not significantly differ among PGT-A cycles with and without late-follicular progesterone elevation in a freeze-all approach.

Anatomical segmentectomy versus pulmonary lobectomy for stage I non-small-cell lung cancer: patients selection and outcomes from the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons database analysis.

The aims of this study were to describe the potential selection criteria for patients scheduled for lobectomy versus segmentectomy for stage I non-small-cell lung cancer and to compare the 2 procedures in terms of intraoperative variables and postoperative outcomes using the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) Registry. This observational multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study was based on data collected from the ESTS database. The following were set as inclusion criteria: pulmonary lobectomy or segmentectomy for stage I primary lung cancer (according to 8th TNM edition), no previous lung surgery and no induction chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Statistical significance was examined using Mann-Whitney or 2 proportions Z tests. Among 63 542 patients enrolled in the ESTS database (2007-2018), 17 692 met the inclusion criteria: 15 845 patients received lobectomy and 1847 segmentectomy. Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy and VATS segmentectomy were the 27.8% and 31.9% of the procedures, respectively. Lobectomy group was significantly younger and had a lower American Society of Anaesthesiology (ASA) score, lower comorbidities prevalence and better respiratory function. The segmentectomy group had lower complications rate (25.6% vs 33.8%). When considering only the last 5 years, ASA score was similar between the 2 groups, although pulmonary function remained significantly lower in the segmentectomy group. According to the ESTS database, segmentectomy was preferably offered to 'compromised' patients, with limited respiratory function, higher ASA score and relevant comorbidities. Nevertheless, the procedure showed lower complications rate and similar short-term outcomes compared to lobectomy. During the last 5 years, segmentectomy appeared to be regarded as a valid alternative, even for selected patients who could tolerate both procedures.

Travel-related hepatitis E: a two-decade GeoSentinel analysis.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is widely distributed worldwide and is endemic in developing countries. Travel-related HEV infection has been reported at national levels, but global data are missing. Moreover, the global availability of HEV diagnostic testing has not been explored so far. The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiology of HEV infections in returning travellers and availability of HEV diagnostic testing in the GeoSentinel surveillance network. This was a multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study. All confirmed and probable HEV travel-related infections reported in the GeoSentinel Network between 1999 and 2018 were evaluated. GeoSentinel sites were asked to complete a survey in 2018 to assess the availability and accessibility of HEV diagnostic procedures (i.e. serology and molecular tests) throughout the study period. Overall, 165 travel-related HEV infections were reported, mainly since 2010 (60%) and in tourists (50%). Travellers were exposed to hepatitis E in 27 countries; most travellers (62%) were exposed to HEV in South Asia. One patient was pregnant at the time of HEV infection and 14 had a concomitant gastrointestinal infection. No deaths were reported. In the 51% of patients with information available, there was no pre-travel consultation. Among 44 GeoSentinel sites that responded to the survey, 73% have access to HEV serology at a local level, while 55% could perform (at a local or central level) molecular diagnostics. Reported access to HEV diagnostic testing is suboptimal among sites that responded to the survey; this could negatively affect diagnosing HEV. Pre-travel consultations before travel to South Asia and other low-income and high-prevalence areas with a focus on food and water precautions could be helpful in preventing hepatitis E infection. Improved HEV diagnostic capacity should be implemented to prevent and correctly diagnose travel-related HEV infection.

P818 Venous thromboembolism is rare among hospitalised patients with an inflammatory bowel disease flare: a multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients have twice the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared with healthy controls. VTE can occur at both hospitalisation and after discharge. We aimed to assess the prevalence of VTE among IBD patients who were hospitalised with disease flare at three Israeli Hospitals. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional analysis including all IBD patients who were admitted with disease flare at Galilee Medical Center, EMMS Nazareth Hospital and Hadassah Medical Center. Exclusion criteria were patients with confirmed diagnosis of hypercoagulable state or patients on drugs with pro-coagulable potential. Results Eighty-one patients with overall 114 admissions were included in the study. The average age was 42.2 ± 18.5 years. Sixty-six patients (57.9%) were males. Forty-five admissions (39.5%) were due to ulcerative colitis (UC) flare and 69 admissions (60.5%) were secondary to Crohn’s disease (CD) flare. Twenty-eight patients (24.6%) were smokers. Twenty-five patients (21.9%) and 39 patients (34.2%) were on recent biological and steroid treatment (within 3 months). The mean C-reactive protein and albumin levels at the day of discharge were 4.2 ± 4.6 mg/dl (normal range 0–0.5) and 3.5 ± 0.7 g/dl (normal values above 3.2), respectively. During hospitalisation, 57 (50%), 55 (48.2%), 29 (25.4%), 19 (16.7%) and 8 (7%) patients were treated with intravenous steroids, antibiotics, amino-salicylates, surgery and immunomodulators, respectively. Only four patients (3.5 %) were on prophylactic subcutaneous anticoagulation (enoxaparin) throughout their hospital stay and only 1 patient (0.9%) who have not been on anticoagulation developed in-hospital symptomatic VTE episode. Notably, this patient suffering from CD with ileo-colonic involvement developed subclavian vein thrombosis two day after PICC line insertion for total parenteral nutrition to optimise his nutritional state before performing surgery. The mean hospitalisation length was 6.5 ± 6.6 days. Conclusion In-hospital VTE was rare among our IBD patients admitted with disease flare. In fact, the only one VTE event reported in our cohort is probably related to the PICC line insertion and not related to IBD flare. Notably undergoing surgery in our cohort was not correlated with VTE episodes. Further studies are warranted to characterise IBD patients at risk for VTE, to assess the risk factors for in-hospital VTE development and to address further the role of prophylactic anticoagulation among hospitalised IBD patients, mainly those with bloody diarrhoea.

P586 Higher infliximab and adalimumab trough levels are associated with fistula healing in patients with fistulising perianal Crohn’s disease

Abstract Background Anti-TNF α agents, including infliximab (IFX) and adalimumab (ADA), are arguably the most effective medical therapies for fistulising perianal Crohn’s disease (CD). Increased rates of perianal fistula healing have been reported with increased IFX trough levels. Our study aimed to determine the correlation between perianal fistula healing and closure with IFX and ADA trough levels in fistulising perianal CD patients on maintenance therapy. Methods In this multi-centre retrospective cross-sectional study, we identified CD patients with perianal fistulae on maintenance IFX or ADA who had an IFX or ADA trough level within 3 months of clinical assessment. Data collected included demographics, serum IFX and ADA trough levels (mg/l) and concomitant medical and surgical therapy. The primary outcome was fistula healing, defined as a cessation in fistula drainage. The secondary outcome was fistula closure, defined as healing as well as closure of all external fistula openings. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to identify the IFX and ADA concentration cut-off points with combined maximal sensitivity and specificity that corresponded to fistula healing. Results A total of 123 patients (IFX = 72; ADA = 51) were included. Fifty-four (75.0%) patients on maintenance IFX achieved fistula healing and 22 (30.6%) achieved fistula closure. Patients who achieved fistula healing had significantly higher median IFX trough levels compared with patients who did not [6.2 (interquartile range 3.1 - 9.6) vs. 3.0 (0.3 - 6.2), (p = 0.007)]. The median IFX trough levels for patients with and without fistula closure were not significantly different [6.4 (2.9 - 9.8) vs. 4.9 (2.5 - 8.9), (p = 0.277)]. Forty (78.4%) patients on maintenance ADA achieved fistula healing and eighteen (35.3%) fistula closure. Patients who achieved fistula healing had a significantly higher median ADA level compared with those who did not [8.7 (6.6 - 12.0) vs. 5.4 (2.5 - 8.3), p = 0.007]. The median ADA trough levels for patients with fistula closure and without fistula closure were not significantly different [9.6 (6.7 – 12.0) vs. 7.7 (4.4–9.8), p = 0.098]. An IFX cut off point of 6.10mg/l was associated with healing (sensitivity 52%; specificity 78%; area under the curve (AUC) 0.72). An ADA cut off point of 7.05mg/l was associated with healing (sensitivity 70%; specificity 73%; AUC 0.77). Conclusion Higher IFX and ADA trough levels are associated with fistula healing. No association between IFX and ADA trough levels and fistula closure was seen, although larger numbers may be required. To the best our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate a significant association with both higher IFX and ADA levels with fistula healing in perianal CD.

Pilonidal sinus disease: an intergluteal localization ofhidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa: a cross-sectional study among 2465 patients.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), also referred to as acne inversa, is a debilitating skin disease characterized by inflammatory nodules, chronic abscesses and tunnels (fistulae and sinuses). The association with pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is frequently reported but not well documented. To determine the prevalence and characteristics of inflammatory skin lesions located in the intergluteal fold (IGF) of patients with HS. This was an international multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study based on data collection from a large cohort of patients with HS with and without histopathology. Results From a total of 2465 patients with HS included in the study, 661 (27%) reported lesions in the IGF. These patients were significantly more often smokers and had more severe HS. Of the 238 patients with an available clinical diagnosis, intergluteal-HS (IG-HS) was diagnosed in 52 patients (22%) and PSD was diagnosed in 186 patients (78%). IG-HS was associated with the localization of HS in the proximity of the IGF, including the buttocks, genitals and the anus. There was a possibility of misclassification bias in this study as a clinical/image-based diagnosis or histopathology of the IGF lesions was not always available. The high prevalence of PSD suggests a strong link between both entities. Therefore, it may be useful to identify common pathophysiological mechanisms and develop common therapeutic strategies. What's already known about this topic? The occurrence of pilonidal sinus disease has not been clearly reported among patients with hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa. What does this study add? This is the first study that investigated the prevalence of pilonidal sinus disease among a large cohort of patients and identified the patient characteristics. Risk factors that might help to improve the management of patients were identified.

Healthcare-associated Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Turkey, 2002–2014: a multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study

Healthcare-related transmission of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a well-recognized hazard. We report a multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study undertaken in Turkey in 2014 in nine hospitals, regional reference centres for CCHF, covering the years 2002 to 2014 inclusive. Data were systematically extracted from charts of all personnel with a reported health care injury/accident related to CCHF. Blood samples were tested for CCHF IgM/IgG by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and/or viral nucleic acid detection by PCR after the injury. Fifty-one healthcare-related exposures were identified. Twenty-five (49%) of 51 resulted in laboratory-confirmed infection, with a 16% (4/25) overall mortality. The main route of exposure was needlestick injury in 32/51 (62.7%). A potential benefit of post-exposure prophylaxis with ribavirin was identified.

Factors and comorbidities associated with first neuropsychiatric event in systemic lupus erythematosus: does a risk profile exist? A large multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study on 959 Italian patients

To analyse risk factors and comorbidities potentially associated with CNS involvement in a large cohort of Italian patients affected by SLE. A number of generic (not strictly SLE related) and specific (disease related) risk factors to which all patients have been exposed in the span of 5 years before the first neuropsychiatric (NP) event or before the last available observation were checked for and their distribution was analysed in 959 SLE patients with and without NP involvement; all the first NP events that occurred in a time frame of 10 years were recorded and categorized as SLE related or SLE unrelated. Three hundred and twenty-six SLE patients with and 633 SLE patients without NP manifestations were included in the study. A total of 469 NP events were recorded. Headache (26.1%), cerebrovascular events (22.7%), mood disorders (8.9%), seizures (14.4%) and cognitive dysfunctions (9.5%) were the most frequent SLE-related NP events. More risk factors [mean 4.52 (2.44) vs 3.73 (2.01); P < 0.0001] were observed in patients with than without NP involvement. Overall, aPLs, LA and APS were factors more strongly associated with NP involvement. In SLE, NP involvement and aPLs were confirmed as closely related. Furthermore, other modifiable generic risk factors, such as hypertension, carotid vasculopathy and dyslipidaemia, appeared to be related to the occurrence of cerebral vascular accident (CVA) and cognitive dysfunctions, suggesting the need for a more intensive preventive strategy to optimize the management of NP lupus.

Clinical teaching and clinical outcomes: teaching capability and its association with patient outcomes

There is little research on the impact of medical education on patient outcome. We studied whether teaching capability is associated with altered short-term patient outcomes. We performed a multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study involving 40 clinician teachers who had attended on the general internal medicine services in hospitals affiliated with the University of Toronto along with the clinical outcomes of consecutive patients treated for community-acquired pneumonia, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 4377) between 1999 and 2001. Doctors were characterised by teaching effectiveness scores (n = 677) as high-rated or low-rated according to house staff ratings. There was no correlation between the teaching effectiveness scores and the mean length of stay for those patients treated for community-acquired pneumonia (high-rated = 10.3 versus low-rated = 8.1 days, P = 0.058), congestive heart failure (high-rated = 10.1 versus low-rated = 9.9 days, P = 0.978), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (high-rated = 9.4 versus low-rated = 9.9 days, P = 0.419) and gastrointestinal bleeding (high-rated = 6.3 versus low-rated = 6.8 days, P = 0.741). In addition, we observed no significant correlation between teaching effectiveness scores and 7-day, 28-day and 1-year readmission rates for all pre-specified diagnoses. There is no large correlation between teaching effectiveness scores and short-term patient outcomes, suggesting that doctor teaching capabilities, as perceived by house staff, does not generally impact clinical care.