Need For Assisted Ventilation Research Articles

Cognitive function in SMA patients with 2 or 3 SMN2 copies treated with SMN-modifying or gene addition therapy during the first year of life

BackgroundSpinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disease, causing progressive muscle weakness due to loss of lower motoneurons. Since 2017, three therapies, two modifying gene transcription and one adding the defective gene, have been approved with comparable efficacy on motor outcome. Data on cognitive outcomes of treated SMA type 1 patients is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate cognitive function in symptomatic and presymptomatic SMA type 1 patients with two or three SMN2 copies who received SMN-modifying or gene-addition therapy in the first year of life. MethodsCognitive testing was performed in 20 patients, including 19 symptomatic SMA type 1 patients with up to three SMN2 copies and 1 pre-symptomatically treated patient. Children were tested using Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID-III) at the age of 2 or 3 years or the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPSII-IV) at the of age of 5 years. Results11/20 patients showed subnormal cognitive development. Boys had significantly lower cognitive scores. Patients requiring assisted ventilation or feeding support were more likely to have cognitive deficits. Achieving more motor milestones was associated with a better cognitive outcome. ConclusionTreated patients with SMA type 1 have heterogeneous cognitive function with 55 % of patients showing deficits. Risk factors for cognitive impairment in our cohort were male gender and need for assisted ventilation or feeding support. Therefore, cognitive assessment should be included in the standard of care to allow early identification of deficits and potential therapeutic interventions.

The Effects of Acknowledgment of Paternity and Marital Status on Infant Morbidity and Mortality [ID 2683463

INTRODUCTION: Research shows that maternal behavior during the perinatal period has a significant effect on neonatal outcomes and that instability in the social support structure can cause undue perinatal stress. With unmarried women accounting for nearly one in three births in the United States, this analysis reviewed how marital status and paternity acknowledgment (AOP) affected infant morbidity and mortality utilizing national 2017–2019 data from the CDC-WONDER databases. METHODS: A series of chi-squared analysis and logistic regressions were performed to assess for differences in infant outcomes between married women, unmarried women with AOP, and unmarried women without AOP, as well as assess the effect of socioeconomic covariates. RESULTS: Results demonstrated that marital and AOP status had significant correlation on frequency of preterm birth, low birth weight, newborn need for assisted ventilation, antibiotics for suspected sepsis, and neonatal intensive care unit admission (P<.0001). Additionally, there were significant differences in Apgar scores found at 5 and 10 minutes for AOP and at 5 minutes for marital status. Furthermore, significant differences in rate of prenatal complication related infant mortality, as well as overall infant mortality up to 1 year of age were seen. These trends persisted when accounting for mother's age, race, nativity, education, insurance status, and select maternal health risk factors. CONCLUSION: It is evident that infants born to unmarried women and women without AOP are at increased risk for development of complex infant morbidity and mortality. This suggests that increased monitoring, precautions, and social support may be indicated. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of paternal and other support during pregnancy.

Improved diagnostic markers for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in COPD patients.

The prevalence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is steadily increasing, leading to high mortality. Although early diagnosis can significantly reduce mortality, the efficacy of current diagnostic methods is limited. Consequently, there is a need for novel approaches for early IPA detection. This retrospective study involved 383 hospitalized COPD patients with GOLD stages III and IV. The IPA group (67 patients) and non-IPA group (316 patients) were identified at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between January 2016 and February 2022. We analyzed common serological indicators in our hospital to identify predictive indicators for the early diagnosis of IPA in COPD patients. The sensitivity and specificity of C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), procalcitonin (PCT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and ceruloplasmin (CER) for diagnosing IPA in COPD patients were as follows: CRP (91.2%, 57.7%), ESR (77.5%, 73.0%), PCT (60.5%, 71.4%), LDH (50.0%, 88.8%), and CER (60.7%, 74.3%). Combinations of biomarkers, such as CRP-ESR, CRP-LDH, ESR-LDH, ESR-CER, and LDH-CER, showed promising diagnostic potential, with larger area under the curve (AUC) values for IPA diagnosis in COPD patients. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the diagnostic efficacy of single biomarkers and combined biomarkers. Notably, compared to those in the unassisted ventilation group, the patients in the assisted ventilation group (including noninvasive ventilation and tracheal intubation/incision-assisted ventilation group) exhibited significantly greater PCT and LDH levels, while the CER significantly decreased (p=0.021). There were no significant differences in biomarker levels between the ICU group and the non-ICU group. CRP (p<0.01), ESR (p=0.028), PCT (p<0.01), and CER (p<0.01) were positively correlated with hospitalization duration, whereas LDH was not correlated with hospitalization duration. Our study highlights the diagnostic potential of CRP, ESR, PCT, LDH, and CER for IPA in COPD patients. CRP and LDH can also initially predict the need for assisted ventilation, while CRP can initially estimate the length of hospitalization. This study represents the first report of the potential of CER for diagnosing IPA, suggesting its significance for further research.

Serum Magnesium Levels in Patients Admitted with Septic Shock and Their Correlation with Outcome

Objective: To evaluate the initial serum magnesium levels of critically ill septic shock patients upon admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and correlate these levels with the patients' requirements and outcomes, including ventilator support, length of stay in the ICU, occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias, and mortality rates.Methods: This was an observational study involving 60 patients who were admitted to the medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for septic shock. Serum magnesium levels were measured upon admission to the ICU. A comparison was made between patients with normal and abnormal magnesium levels at the time of admission to evaluate the need for vasopressor support, the average duration of assisted ventilation and dialysis, the incidence of arrhythmia, the average length of ICU stay, and mortality rates.Results: Out of the 60 cases studied, there were 42 males (70.00%) and 18 females (30.00%), resulting in a M:F ratio of 1:0.42. The mean age of both male and female patients was found to be comparable. The need for assisted ventilation and renal replacement therapy was found to be comparable in patients with normal and abnormal serum magnesium levels. The number of days for which assisted ventilation was required, the incidence of arrhythmia, the mean duration of ICU and hospital stay, and mortality were significantly higher in patients with abnormal magnesium levels at the time of ICU admission (P&lt;0.05).Conclusion: Abnormal serum magnesium levels are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in critically ill septic shock patients admitted to the ICU.

Examination of changes in the breathing intolerance index to determine the respiratory support needs of very low birth weight infants.

The breathing intolerance index (BITI) is used to evaluate respiratory muscle tolerance. The higher the ratio of the inspiratory time to the total breathing time and the ratio of the tidal volume to the vital capacity, the more easily the respiratory muscles become fatigued. The BITI is high with chronic respiratory failure, and values of 0.15 or more indicate the need for assisted ventilation. This study aimed to examine the changes in the BITI of very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs) and determine whether it is possible to use the BITI as an objective indicator of the timing of noninvasive respiratory support (NRS) withdrawal. VLBWIs admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit between July 2020 and July 2022 under NRS at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA). If the BITI was less than 0.15, then we attempted to determine whether NRS could be withdrawn. Sixteen infants with a median gestational age and birth weight of 30.9 weeks and 1249 g, respectively, were eligible. The median PMA at the time of the first examination was 36.6 weeks. The BITI of two VLBWIs was less than 0.15. For 11 of the other VLBWIs, the BITI decreased over time to less than 0.15 at 39 weeks' PMA. After confirming that the BITI was less than 0.15, weaning from NRS was attempted. Weaning from NRS was possible except one VLBWI. The BITI can help evaluate respiratory tolerance and could be an objective indicator of the timing of NRS withdrawal.

The Clinical Profile and Prognostic Factors Influencing Mortality in Patients With Acute Encephalitis Syndrome.

Introduction Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) is a significant global public health concern. AES is a disorder characterized by fever and altered mental status, and it is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. There is a limited amount of existing literature on the clinical profile and prognostic markers that influence mortality in these patients. Our study seeks to comprehend the etiology, clinical characteristics, complications, and prognostic markers that impact mortality among patients with AES. Methods The study was a prospective observational study conducted over 18 months, involving a sample size of 105 patients. Patients aged 12 years and older, who met the WHO case definition of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES), were consecutively recruited for this study. The patients' details were recorded, including their medical historyand physical and clinical examination findings upon admission. The extent of cognitive impairment was evaluated using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Additionally, the patient's presenting symptoms, any complications experienced during their hospital stay, and the mortality rate were documented. The etiology, MRI results of the brain, laboratory parameters, and the need for assisted ventilation were also recorded.In-hospital characteristics were analyzed using the t-test for continuous variables and the chi-square test for binary variables. The log-rank test was employed to identify the predictors with the most significant independent influence on prognosis. All participants were selected only after obtaining their written informed consent. Results Most of the patients were in the age group of 21-30. 60% of the patients were male. Advanced age at presentation was associated with an increased risk of mortality (p-value=0.018). All patients presented to the hospital with symptoms of fever and altered sensorium. The most common agent isolated as the etiologic cause was HSV-1, found in 31.4% of the patients. 28.6% of the patients succumbed to death. The leading cause of death was raised intracranial pressure leading to hemorrhage in the brain. There was no significant correlation between the duration of symptoms and the primary outcome of death (p-value=0.498). The requirement for assisted ventilation was shown to increase the risk of death (p-value=0.001). A low GCS score at presentation was associated with a higher mortality rate (p-value=0.048). Conclusions The factors that predict mortality in AES involve a complex interplay of patient demographics, viral etiology, clinical severity, neuroimaging findings, and the need for assisted ventilation. Integrating these factors into clinical practice would enable healthcare providers to make informed decisions regarding patient management and interventions. As our comprehension of AES continues to develop, forthcoming advancements in diagnostics and therapeutics could refine prognostic assessments further. These developments could open new avenues for enhancing outcomes and diminishing mortality rates in this complex neurological disorder.

Comparison of Sedation With Ketamine-Propofol Versus Propofol-Fentanyl for Elderly Patients Undergoing Prostate Biopsy: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Procedural sedation is increasingly used for elderly patients, but there is no established ideal method for elderly patients who are prone to respiratory and circulatory depression. This study aims to investigate the association of respiratory complications and the combination of ketamine-propofol versus fentanyl-propofol in elderly patients undergoing prostate biopsy requiring deep sedation. This was a single-center, retrospective, observational study conducted from April 2020 to March 2021. We included male patients aged 65 years and older scheduled for prostate biopsy under procedural sedation. Ketamine-propofol and fentanyl-propofol were administered at the discretion of the anesthesiologist. The primary outcome was the need for assisted ventilation. The secondary outcome was the duration ofoxygen saturation (SpO2)below 90%. We enrolled 120 patients over 65 years, and 92 patients were included in the final analysis. The anesthesiologist administered an initial dose of ketamine and propofol of 1:1 to 1:4 of 1.0 mg kg-1 (interquartile range: 0.98 to 1.17) or administered an initial dose of fentanyl of 0.05 to 0.1 mg and a target-controlled infusion of propofol of 2.8 μg ml-1 (interquartile range: 2.0 to 3.0) followed by additional doses at the discretion of the anesthesiologist. Ketamine-propofol was associated with a reduced need for assisted ventilation and a shorter duration of SpO2 below 90% than propofol-fentanyl (95.7% vs. 4.3%, P < 0.05; 0.64 minutes vs. 0.17 minutes, P = 0.26). Ketamine-propofol is associated with a significantly reduced need for assisted ventilation compared topropofol-fentanyl during procedural sedation and analgesia for procedures requiring deep sedation for the elderly.

Vitamin D and Zinc Supplementation to Improve Treatment Outcomes among COVID-19 Patients in India: Results from a Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

BackgroundThere remains a need to identify low-cost interventions to improve coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. Vitamin D and zinc play a role in respiratory infections and could hold value as part of therapeutic regimens. ObjectivesTo determine the effect of vitamin D or zinc supplementation on recovery from COVID-19. MethodsWe conducted a double-blind, randomly assigned 2 x 2 factorial placebo-controlled trial with 1:1:1:1 allocation ratio, enrolling nonpregnant adults with COVID-19 from hospitals in Mumbai and Pune, India (NCT04641195). Participants (N = 181) were randomly assigned to vitamin D3 (180,000 IU bolus, then 2000 IU daily), zinc (40 mg daily), vitamin D3 and zinc, or placebo, for 8 wk. Participants were followed until 8 wk. The primary outcome was time to resolution of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Secondary outcomes were duration of individual symptoms; need for assisted ventilation; duration of hospital stay; all-cause mortality; and blood biomarkers, including nutritional, inflammatory, and immunological markers. ResultsWe observed no effect of vitamin D or zinc supplementation on time to resolution of all 3 symptoms [vitamin D hazard ratio (HR): 0.92; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.66, 1.30; P = 0.650; zinc HR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.67, 1.33; P = 0.745)]. Neither vitamin D nor zinc supplementation was associated with secondary outcomes, except for increased endline serum vitamin D with vitamin D supplementation [median (interquartile range) difference between endline and baseline for vitamin D: 5.3 ng/mL (–2.3 to 13.7); for no vitamin D: –1.4 ng/mL (–5.6 to 3.9); P = 0.003]. We observed nonsignificant increases in serum zinc at endline following zinc supplementation. There was no evidence of interaction between vitamin D and zinc supplementation, no effect of either on hypercalcemia, and no adverse events. ConclusionsResults suggest that neither vitamin D nor zinc supplementation improves COVID-19 treatment outcomes in this population. However, much larger-scale evidence, particularly from populations with vitamin D or zinc deficiency and severe infection, is required to corroborate our findings. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov and the Clinical Trials Registry of India as NCT04641195 and CTRI/2021/04/032593 respectively.

768-P: Effect of Dulaglutide Therapy Initiation on the Course of Coronavirus Infection and the Dynamics of Inflammatory Markers in Hospitalized Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Aim: To determine the impact of initiation of dulaglutide therapy on the course of COVID-19 and the dynamics of inflammatory markers in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: The inclusion criteria were history of T2DM, BMI &amp;gt; 27 kg/m2, PCR-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. The intervention group of 53 patients started dulaglutide therapy (1.5 mg once weekly) during the first 24 hours of admission, the control group consisted of 50 patients, who proceeded with glucose-lowering therapy. In both groups we compared COVID-19 outcomes (mortality/survival rate, ICU admission, need for assisted ventilation) and the duration of hospitalization. On days 3 and 7 of hospitalization we assessed laboratory parameters (FPG, CRP, ALT, AST, LDH, lymphocyte levels, D-dimer). Results: The initiation of dulaglutide therapy reduced the risk of death and transfer to assisted ventilation by 3.5 times in the intervention group compared to the control one (5.7% vs 20.0%, p=0.038). No differences were found in the risk of ICU admission (17.0% vs 28.0%, p=0.18) and the duration of hospitalization (10 bed-days vs 11-bed days, p=0.26). The groups were comparable in respect to carbohydrate metabolic compensation. Compared to those in the control group, patients on dulaglutide therapy demonstrated a lower CRP level (15.8 vs 24.6 mg/L, p=0.035), higher lymphocyte levels (1.2 vs 0.9 × 10*9/L, p=0.049) on day 3 of hospitalization, and a significantly lower LDH concentration level on day 7 (261.6 vs 326.1 U/L, p=0.016). There were no differences in ALT, AST, and D-dimer levels. Conclusion: The initiation of dulaglutide therapy in hospitalized patients with T2DM and COVID-19 decreased the risk of lethal outcomes and transfer to assisted ventilation, as well as proved effective in regards to inflammatory markers (CRP, lymphocytes levels). Disclosure T.Markova: None. M.Stas: None. A.Anchutina: None.

The clinical performance and population health impact of birthweight-for-gestational age indices at term gestation.

The assessment of birthweight for gestational age and the identification of small- and large-for-gestational age (SGA and LGA) infants remain contentious, despite the recent creation of the Intergrowth 21st Project and World Health Organisation (WHO) birthweight-for-gestational age standards. We carried out a study to identify birthweight-for-gestational age cut-offs, and corresponding population-based, Intergrowth 21st and WHO centiles associated with higher risks of adverse neonatal outcomes, and to evaluate their ability to predict serious neonatal morbidity and neonatal mortality (SNMM) at term gestation. The study population was based on non-anomalous, singleton live births between 37 and 41 weeks' gestation in the United States from 2003 to 2017. SNMM included 5-min Apgar score <4, neonatal seizures, need for assisted ventilation, and neonatal death. Birthweight-specific SNMM was modelled by gestational week using penalised B-splines. The birthweights at which SNMM odds were minimised (and higher by 10%, 50% and 100%) were estimated,and the corresponding population, Intergrowth 21st, and WHO centiles were identified. The clinical performance and population impact of these cut-offs for predicting SNMM were evaluated. The study included 40,179,663 live births and 991,486 SNMM cases. Among female singletons at 39 weeks' gestation, SNMM odds was lowest at 3203 g birthweight, and 10% higher at 2835 g and 3685 g (population centiles 11th and 82nd, Intergrowth centiles 17th and 88th and WHO centiles 15th and 85th). Birthweight cut-offs were poor predictors of SNMM, for example, the cut-offs associated with 10% and 50% higher odds of SNMM among female singletons at 39 weeks' gestation resulted in a sensitivity, specificity, and population attributable fraction of 12.5%, 89.4%, and 2.1%, and 2.9%, 98.4% and 1.3%, respectively. Reference- and standard-based birthweight-for-gestational age indices and centiles perform poorly for predicting adverse neonatal outcomes in individual infants, and their associated population impact is also small.

Association of Metformin, Dipeptidyl Dipeptidase-4 Inhibitors, and Insulin with Coronavirus Disease 2019–Related Hospital Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

ObjectiveThe effects of diabetes medications on COVID-19 hospitalization outcomes have not been consistent. We sought to determine the effect of metformin, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i), and insulin on admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), need for assisted ventilation, development of renal insufficiency, and mortality in patients admitted with COVID-19 infection after controlling for clinical variables and other relevant diabetes-related medications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). MethodsThis was a retrospective study of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 from a single hospital system. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed that included demographic data, glycated hemoglobin, kidney function, smoking status, insurance, Charlson comorbidity index, number of diabetes medications, and use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and statin prior to admission and glucocorticoids during admission. ResultsA total of 529 patients with type 2 DM were included in our final analysis. Neither metformin nor DPP4i prescription was associated with ICU admission, need for assisted ventilation, or mortality. Insulin prescription was associated with increased ICU admission but not with need for assisted ventilation or mortality. There was no association of any of these medications with development of renal insufficiency. ConclusionsIn this population, limited to type 2 DM and controlled for multiple variables that have not been consistently studied (such as a measure of general health, glycated hemoglobin, and insurance status), insulin prescription was associated with increased ICU admission. Metformin and DPP4i prescriptions did not have an association with the outcomes.

Comparison between Clinical Profile and Outcome of Patients Admitted with Moderate and Severe COVID-19 Illness in the First and Second Wave of COVID-19 in a Tertiary Care Centre in South India.

SARS-coronavirus-2 has caused large number of infections globally. The infections have presented in a wave form in most of the countries. There have been differences in the clinical presentation, course, and the outcomes in the different waves. This study describes the clinical features and course of the patients admitted with COVID-19 illness between the first and second wave of COVID-19 in a tertiary care center in South India. This was a cross-sectional study where case record analysis of the patients admitted with moderate and severe COVID-19 illness in a tertiary care center in South India was performed. Patients admitted between August 1, 2020, and November 30, 2020, were considered to be affected in the first wave and those admitted between April 30, 2021, and July 30, 2021, were considered to be in the second wave of COVID-19. First wave and second wave periods were determined by a steep surge in infections in India as per the epidemiological data. The symptoms, comorbidities, clinical profile, severity, laboratory parameters, need for assisted ventilation, medications used, and outcome were compared between the two-time frames. A total of 123 patients' data were analyzed in each wave. 72 (58%) patients had fever, while 64 (52%) patients had fever in COVID second wave. In the first wave, five (4%) patients had diarrhea, and four (3.2%) patients had vomiting, whereas in second wave, 43 (34%) patients had diarrhea, and 25 (20 percent) patients had vomiting (P < 0.001). It was seen in the present study that more number of patients in the age group of 31 to 40 years had more serious illness and adverse outcomes in second wave compared with patients in first wave where age group of 51-60 years was more seriously affected. In COVID first wave, 80 (65.0%) were having moderate COVID-19 illness and 43 (35%) had severe illness. In the second wave, 70 (57%) had moderate illness and 53 (43%) patients had severe illness. In the first wave, 31 patients (25%) required non-invasive ventilation (NIV), whereas 79 patients (64%) required NIV in second wave (P < 0.001). First wave resulted in 12 (9.7%) deaths, whereas second wave resulted in 20 (16.2%) deaths. The patients with COVID-19 illness in the second wave presented with more non-respiratory symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and joint pains. The patients who had severe illness in the second wave were comparatively younger than the patients of the first wave. The requirement of ventilatory support and immunosuppressants was more in the second wave.

Evaluation of risk factors for morbidity and mortality in children aged 1 month- 6 years presenting with lower respiratory tract infection to a referral hospital

Background: Acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) is the single largest cause of death in children in most developing countries. It can be prevented by simple interventions and treated with low-cost medication and care. Hence we undertook this study with the aim to assess the severity of LRTI in children using the respiratory index of severity in children (RISC) scoring system and to evaluate the prognosis of these children using this scoring model and to evaluate which are the risk factors that consistently predict mortality and morbidity in LRTI in young children. Methods: It was a prospective observational study which included 104 children aged 1 month-6 years presenting with LRTI. Data was collected using a pre-coded proforma and analysed using R 2.6.2 (2008-02-08) and Microsoft excel. Results: The risk factors for adverse outcome in children with LRTI were age &lt;6 months, refusal of feeds, hypoxemia (SpO2 &lt;90% in room air), and positive chest X-ray findings for prolonged hospitalization, age &lt;6 months for need for assisted ventilation. 62.79% of children with a RISC score of ≤0, were managed as outpatients and all children with a RISC score of ≥3 required hospitalization, of which, 88.89% required prolonged hospitalization and 19.4% required ventilation. Conclusions: A high RISC score (≥3) can determine poor outcome in children with LRTI with high specificity and sensitivity. This study may be used to limit hospital referrals to those most in need, especially in resource limited regions, thereby improving the number of children receiving appropriate treatment.

Pathophysiological and clinical aspects of comorbidity of coronavirus disease and chronic generalized periodontitis (literature review)

The purpose of the literature review was to conduct a general analysis of the literature data on the study of comorbidity between coronavirus disease and inflammatory periodontal diseases. Studies have found that periodontitis is significantly associated with a higher risk of complications from COVID-19, including intensive care unit hospitalization, the need for assisted ventilation and death, as well as increased blood levels of markers associated with worse COVID-19 outcome. 19, such as D-dimer, serum leukocyte level and CRP concentration. The article describes the mechanisms of penetration of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into the human body, the common links of pathogenesis between COVID-19 and periodontitis, the importance of oral hygiene for patients with COVID-19, and considers the clinical and general immunological aspects of inflammation in COVID-19 and periodontitis. Currently, most research is focused on whether the presence of periodontal disease affects the outcome of coronavirus disease. The possibility of cross-talk between SARS-CoV-2 and the oral microbiome, which may affect the subsequent course of periodontitis at the post-covid stage, presents the scientific interest.

A real-time automated sleep scoring algorithm to detect refreshing sleep in conscious ventilated critically ill patients

ObjectivesDue to the noisy environment, a very large number of patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) suffer from sleep severe disruption. These sleep alterations have been associated with a prolonged need for assisted ventilation or even with death. Sleep scoring in the critically ill is very challenging and requires sleep experts, limiting relevant studies to a few experienced teams. In this context, an automated scoring system would be of interest for researchers. In addition, real-time scoring could be used by nurses to protect patients’ sleep. We devised a sleep scoring algorithm working in real time and compared this automated scoring against visual scoring. MethodsWe analyzed retrospectively 45 polysomnographies previously recorded in non-sedated and conscious ICU patients during their weaning phase. For each patient, one EEG channel was processed, providing automated sleep scoring. We compared total sleep time obtained with visual scoring versus automated scoring. The proportion of sleep episodes correctly identified was calculated. ResultsAutomated total sleep time and visual sleep time were correlated; the automatic system overestimated total sleep time. The median [25th–75th] percentage of sleep episodes lasting more than 10 min detected by algorithm was 100% [73.2 – 100.0]. Median sensitivity was 97.9% [92.5 – 99.9]. ConclusionAn automated sleep scoring system can identify nearly all long sleep episodes. Since these episodes are restorative, this real-time automated system opens the way for EEG-guided sleep protection strategies. Nurses could cluster their non-urgent care procedures, and reduce ambient noise so as to minimize patients’ sleep disruptions.

Hospitalisation outcomes in pneumococcal-vaccinated versus -unvaccinated patients with exacerbation of COPD: results from the HOPE COPD Study.

Infectious exacerbations are crucial events that dictate the natural course of COPD patients. Pneumococcal vaccination has been shown to decrease incidence of community-acquired pneumonia in COPD patients. There is a paucity of data on outcomes of hospitalisation in pneumococcal-vaccinated COPD patients in comparison with unvaccinated subjects. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the difference in hospitalisation outcomes in pneumococcal-vaccinated versus -unvaccinated COPD subjects hospitalised with acute exacerbation. This was a prospective analytical study on 120 subjects hospitalised with acute COPD exacerbation. 60 patients with prior pneumococcal vaccination and 60 unvaccinated patients were recruited. Outcomes of hospitalisation such as mortality rate, need for assisted ventilation, length of hospital stay, need for intensive care unit (ICU) care and length of ICU stay were collected and compared between two groups with appropriate statistical tools. 60% of unvaccinated patients (36 out of 60) required assisted ventilation, whereas only 43.3% of vaccinated subjects (26 out of 60) needed assisted ventilation (p-value of 0.04). Most of the secondary outcomes were better in the vaccinated group. The mean±SD length of ICU stay in the vaccinated group was 0.67±1.11 days compared to 1.77±1.89 days in the unvaccinated group. The mean±SD length of hospital stay was 4.50±1.64 days and 5.47±2.03 days in the vaccinated and unvaccinated group, respectively (p-value of 0.005). COPD patients who have received prior pneumococcal vaccination have better outcomes when they are hospitalised for an acute exacerbation. Pneumococcal vaccination may be recommended for all patients with COPD who are at risk of hospitalisation with acute exacerbation.

Worse In-Hospital Outcomes Among Patients With Heart Failure (HF) and Concomitant Influenza Infection.

A sizable proportion of heart failure (HF) admissions is precipitated by respiratory infections. Influenza has been linked to higher rates of HF hospitalizations and in-hospital morbidity and mortality. We aimto describe the in-hospital outcomes of systolic HF vs. diastolic HF admissions with concomitant influenza infection in US hospitalizations from 2016 to 2017. Materials and Methods:We queried the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2016 to 2017 for discharge diagnosis for SHF and DHF and influenza per ICD-10 CM codes. Using binominal logistic regression analysis and adjusting for demographic and comorbid conditions, we compared the outcomes of SHF vs. DHF admissions with concomitant influenza as an independent risk factor for inpatient mortality, acute respiratory failure, ICU admission,assisted ventilation, as well as length of stay, and total hospital costs. A total of 7,490,596 HF weighted admissions were analyzed, among which 0.9% had concomitant influenza infection. SHF and DHF admissions with influenza had higher mortality, ICU admission, ventilation assistance, and acute respiratory failure when compared to those without influenza. Among influenza admissions, those with SHF had higher mortality (6.6% vs. 5%, adjusted odds ratio - aOR 1.31, p<0.001) compared to DHF. While intensive care unit (ICU) admission(7.8% vs. 5.2%, aOR 1.30, p<0.001) and ventilation assistance rates (22.1% vs. 18.9%, aOR 1.15, p<0.001) were greater among SHF patients with influenza, acute respiratory failure was more common amongst diastolic HF with influenza (46.6% vs. 51.2%, aOR 0.86, p<0.001).Finally, SHF patients with concomitant influenza had higher inpatient costs ($82,788) when compared to diastolic HF patients ($66,373) and a longer in-hospital stay (7.29 days compared to 6.98 days in the diastolic HF group)p <0.001. Concomitant influenza infection in hospitalized patients with HF is associated with higher mortality, ICU admission, and the need for assisted ventilation, especially in those with SHF. A greater emphasis on vaccination against influenza may improve in-patient outcomes among HF patients.

REACTIVATION OF EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS AND CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH COVID-19

REACTIVATION OF EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS AND CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH COVID-19

Prognostic factors, disease course, and treatment efficacy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Prognostic factors in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) predict the disease course and may help individualize patient care. The aim was to summarize the evidence on prognostic factors that may support treatment decisions. We searched six databases for prospective studies that each included ≥50 DMD patients with a minimum follow-up of 1 y. Primary outcomes were age at loss of ambulation (LoA), pulmonary function (forced vital capacity percent of predicted, FVC%p), and heart failure. Out of 5074 references, 59 studies were analyzed. Corticosteroid use was associated with a delayed LoA (pooled effect hazard ratio [HR] 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23-0.75, I2 94%), better pulmonary function tests (higher peak FVC%, prolonged time with FVC%p > 50%, and reduced need for assisted ventilation) and delayed cardiomyopathy. Longer corticosteroid treatment was associated with later LoA (>1 y compared to <1 y; pooled HR: 0.50, 95% CI 0.27-0.90) and early treatment start (aged <5 y) may be associated with early cardiomyopathy and higher fracture risk. Genotype appeared to be an independent driver of LoA in some studies. Higher baseline physical function tests (e.g., 6-minute walk test) were associated with delayed LoA. Left ventricular dysfunction and FVC <1 L increased and the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors reduced the risk of heart failure and death. Fusion surgery in scoliosis may potentially preserve pulmonary function. Prognostic factors that may inform clinical decisions include age at corticosteroid treatment initiation and treatment duration, ACE-inhibitor use, baseline physical function tests, pulmonary function, and cardiac dysfunction.

Association of periodontal therapy, with inflammatory biomarkers and complications in COVID-19 patients: a case control study

BackgroundIn previous studies, COVID-19 complications were reported to be associated with periodontitis. Accordingly, this study was designed to test the hypothesis that a history of periodontal therapy could be associated with lower risk of COVID-19 complications.MethodsA case–control study was performed using the medical health records of COVID-19 patients in the State of Qatar between March 2020 and February 2021 and dental records between January 2017 and December 2021. Cases were defined as COVID-19 patients who suffered complications (death, ICU admissions and/or mechanical ventilation); controls were COVID-19 patients who recovered without major complications. Associations between a history of periodontal therapy and COVID-19 complications were analysed using logistic regression models adjusted for demographic and medical factors. Blood parameters were compared using Kruskal–Wallis test.ResultsIn total, 1,325 patients were included. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) analysis revealed that non-treated periodontitis was associated with significant risk of need for mechanical ventilation (AOR = 3.91, 95% CI 1.21–12.57, p = 0.022) compared to periodontally healthy patients, while treated periodontitis was not (AOR = 1.28, 95% CI 0.25–6.58, p = 0.768). Blood analyses revealed that periodontitis patients with a history of periodontal therapy had significantly lower levels of D-dimer and Ferritin than non-treated periodontitis patients.ConclusionAmong COVID-19 patients with periodontal bone loss, only those that have not received periodontal therapy had higher risk of need for assisted ventilation. COVID-19 patients with a history of periodontal therapy were associated with significantly lower D-dimer levels than those without recent records of periodontal therapy.Clinical relevanceThe fact that patients with treated periodontitis were less likely to suffer COVID-19 complications than non-treated ones further strengthen the hypothesis linking periodontitis to COVID-19 complications and suggests that managing periodontitis could help reduce the risk for COVID-19 complications, although future research is needed to verify this.