University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Research Articles

Absence of self-reported neuropsychiatric and somatic symptoms after Omicron variant SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections.

Persistent somatic and neuropsychiatric symptoms have been frequently described in patients after infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 even after a benign clinical course of the acute infection during the early phases of the coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic and are part of Long COVID. The Omicron variant emerged in November 2021 and has rapidly become predominant due to its high infectivity and suboptimal vaccine cross-protection. The frequency of neuropsychiatric post-acute sequelae after infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron and adequate vaccination status is not known. Here, we aimed to characterize post-acute symptoms in individuals with asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic breakthrough infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. These individuals had either proven infection with the Omicron variant (n = 157) or their infection occurred in 2022 where Omicron was the predominant variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in Germany (n = 107). This monocentric cross-sectional study was conducted at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf between 11 February 2022 and 11 April 2022. We employed questionnaires addressing self-reported somatic symptom burden (Somatic Symptom Scale 8) and neuropsychiatric symptoms including mood (Patient Health Questionnaire 2), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7), attention (Mindful Attention Awareness Scale) and fatigue (Fatigue Assessment Scale) in a cohort of hospital workers. Scores were compared between 175 individuals less than 4 weeks after positive testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, 88 individuals more than 4 weeks after positive testing and 87 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 uninfected controls. The majority (n = 313; 89.5%) of included individuals were vaccinated at least three times. After recovery from infection, no significant differences in scores assessing neuropsychiatric and somatic symptoms were detected between the three groups (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 uninfected controls, individuals less and more than 4 weeks after positive testing) independent of age, sex, preconditions and vaccination status. In addition, self-reported symptom burden did not significantly correlate with the number of vaccinations against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, time from recovery or the number of infections. Notably, in all three groups, the mean scores for each item of our questionnaire lay below the pathological threshold. Our data show that persistent neuropsychiatric and somatic symptoms after recovery from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in fully vaccinated hospital workers do not occur more frequently than that in uninfected individuals. This will guide healthcare professionals in the clinical management of patients after recovery from breakthrough infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

Prevalence and Determinants of Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms among Transgender People: Results of a Survey.

The aim was to investigate the prevalence of probable depression and probable anxiety and to investigate the determinants of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms among transgender people. In this "Transgender Survey" (n = 104) we included transgender people who had joined self-help groups to obtain and share information about the gender-affirming surgeries performed at the Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf. Data collection took place between April and October 2022. To measure probable depression, the patient health questionnaire-9 was used. The generalized anxiety disorder-7 was used to quantify probable anxiety. The prevalence of probable depression was 33.3% and it was 29.6% for probable anxiety. Multiple linear regressions showed that both more depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms were significantly associated with younger age (β = -0.16, p < 0.01; β = -0.14, p < 0.01), being unemployed (e.g., full-time employed compared to unemployment: β = -3.05, p < 0.05; β = -2.69, p < 0.05), worse self-rated health (β = -3.31, p < 0.001; β = -1.88, p < 0.05), and having at least one chronic disease (β = 3.71, p < 0.01; β = 2.61, p < 0.05). Remarkably high prevalence rates were identified among transgender people. Furthermore, risk factors of poor mental health (e.g., unemployment or younger age) were identified-which can help to address transgender people at risk for poor mental health.

Evaluation of Tofacitinib in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Associated Colitis: A Multicenter, Retrospective Study

Evaluation of Tofacitinib in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Associated Colitis: A Multicenter, Retrospective Study

One and ahalf years of e-scooters in Hamburg

Since the spread of the so-called electric scooters (e-scooters) through rental services in Hamburg as of June 2019, accidents due to the use of this means of transportation have been regularly registered. The most frequent injury patterns among e‑scooter riders involved accidents concerning the upper extremities and the head. There was arelevant accumulation of drunk drivers among the injured persons. The aim of the study is to compare injury patterns in drunk versus non-drunk e‑scooter riders who had an accident. Data from the Department of Trauma Surgery at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf were retrospectively analyzed for accidents involving e‑scooters and the resulting injury patterns. For this purpose, the gender, age, injury pattern of the persons, the course of the accident, and information on previous alcohol consumption were recorded descriptively for the period from June 2019 to December 2021. Drivers were on average32 (interval: 15-88 years) years old and those under the influence of alcohol were predominantly male (69.9%). Accidents occurred mainly in summer and at night. Common injury patterns were injuries to the face, head, and extremities. It should be noted that injuries to the face and head occurred more frequently under the influence of alcohol than in the cohort without alcohol. Education about the health and legal consequences of riding an e‑scooter under the influence of alcohol should be provided to all users. In addition, wearing ahelmet or banning driving at night are possible measures to reduce accidents associated with drunk riding.

One and ahalf years of e-scooters in Hamburg

Since electric scooters were introduced as an urban means of transportation in Hamburg in June 2019, ahigh number of violations of the current laws regarding alcohol consumption by e‑scooter riders have been recorded. The aim of this study is to obtain an overview of traffic offences committed by e‑scooter drivers under the influence of alcohol, to classify their relevance in relation to other road user groups, and to draw afirst interim balance with respect to their frequency after 1.5 years. The data of all e‑scooter drivers (n = 342) examined concerning their blood alcohol values analyzed at the Institute of Legal Medicine of the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf between 15.06.2019 and 31.12.2020 were retrospectively evaluated with respect to their demographic information and the medical examination results. These were brought into context with the total number of offences against the road traffic regulations with subsequent blood alcohol measurement. 9.6% of the total number of offences against the road traffic regulations in connection with subsequent determination of the blood alcohol concentration were committed by e‑scooter drivers. 87.7% of those examined were male. The blood alcohol concentration was above the limit of 1.10 ‰ for absolute driving incapacity when using apassenger car in 76.9% of those examined. An accumulation of cases was particularly noticeable at night and at weekends.Due to imprecise records, acertain number of unreported e‑scooter incidents can be assumed among the unspecified motor vehicles. As e‑scooter drivers make up aconsiderable proportion of drunken road users and the accidents mostly occur at night and at weekends, increased education and, if necessary, adriving ban at these times would seem to make sense.

Sotrovimab in Hospitalized Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant Infection: a Propensity Score-Matched Retrospective Cohort Study.

In vitro data suggest the monoclonal antibody sotrovimab may have lost inhibitory capability against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant. We aimed to provide real-life data on clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients. We retrospectively analyzed patients who were treated at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany, between December 2021 and June 2022. Out of all 1,254 patients, 185 were treated with sotrovimab: 147 patients received sotrovimab monotherapy, and 38 received combination treatment with sotrovimab and remdesivir. We compared in-hospital mortality for the different treatment regimens for patients treated on regular wards and the intensive care unit separately and performed propensity score matching by age, sex, comorbidities, immunosuppression, and additional dexamethasone treatment to select patients who did not receive antiviral treatment for comparison. No difference in in-hospital mortality was observed between any of the treatment groups and the respective control groups. These findings underline that sotrovimab adds no clinical benefit for hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infections. IMPORTANCE This study shows that among hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infection at risk of disease progression, treatment with sotrovimab alone or in combination with remdesivir did not decrease in-hospital mortality. These real-world clinical findings in combination with previous in vitro data about lacking neutralizing activity of sotrovimab against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant do not support sotrovimab as a treatment option in these patients.

Additionally using transthoracic echocardiography during ultrasound-guided jugular central venous catheter placement and the odds of catheter misplacement in children: A before-and-after study.

Central venous catheter (CVC) misplacement is a major complication.1 To avoid CVC misplacement, real-time ultrasound (US) guidance is recommended for CVC placement in children.2, 3 Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) can be additionally used to confirm correct CVC tip position.4, 5 Whether additionally using TTE during US-guided jugular CVC placement reduces the incidence of catheter misplacement remains scarcely described. We thus sought to test the hypothesis that additionally using TTE during US-guided jugular CVC placement reduces the odds of CVC misplacement in children. After approval by the ethics committee with waiver of informed consent, we performed a retrospective before-and-after study in children aged 0–6 years who received a jugular CVC during anesthetic induction for congenital heart disease surgery at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (Hamburg, Germany) between March 2015 and April 2020. In our institution, jugular CVCs in children having cardiac surgery are routinely placed using real-time US guidance since 2013. In October 2017, routine use of additional TTE during US-guided jugular CVC placement was implemented. In the 31-month “before period” (March 2015 to September 2017), anesthesiologists did not use TTE but chose the CVC insertion depth considering patient height (no-TTE-group). In the 31-month “after period” (October 2017 to April 2020), additional TTE (subcostal long-axis view) was routinely used during US-guided jugular CVC placement to confirm the correct position of the guidewire and the CVC tip (rapid saline flush test) (TTE-group) (Figure S1). During both study periods, chest x-ray was used to confirm correct CVC tip position after surgery. We categorized CVCs as misplaced when the CVC tip ended above the level of the superior vena cava in a noncentral vein or deep in the right atrium (Figure S2). We investigated the associations between CVC misplacement and TTE use by logistic regression for all patients including age as covariate—and separately for patients aged <1 year and 1–6 years. We report the odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. We included 373 patients (156 no-TTE-group and 217 TTE-group) (Table S1). CVC misplacement occurred in 15/156 no-TTE-group patients (9.6%) and in 5/217 TTE-group patients (2.3%). The odds for CVC misplacement were 371% lower when TTE was used compared to when it was not used (p = .004, OR = 0.21 [0.067–0.57]) (Figure 1). Of all 373 patients, 229 (61%) were younger than 1 year. In these patients, CVC misplacement occurred in 8/76 no-TTE-group patients (11%) and in 4/153 TTE-group patients (2.6%). The odds for CVC misplacement were 319% lower when TTE was used (p = .023, OR = 0.24 [0.062–0.79]). Of all 373 patients, 144 (39%) were between 1 and 6 years old. In these patients, CVC misplacement occurred in 7/80 no-TTE-group patients (8.8%) and in 1/64 TTE-group patients (1.6%). The odds for CVC misplacement were 480% lower when TTE was used (p = .107, OR = 0.17 [0.0090–1.0]). In our study, additionally using TTE during US-guided jugular CVC placement in children reduced the odds for CVC misplacement by more than 300%—which obviously is clinically meaningful. In only about 1% of children, the subcostal long-axis view could not be obtained—and TTE could thus not be used to confirm the CVC tip position. In general, children provide an excellent acoustic window for TTE examination of the right atrium and the superior vena cava. Nevertheless, TTE requires technical skills and operator experience. Our results need to be interpreted in light of the inherent limitations of retrospective before-and-after studies. Additionally, we only included children with congenital heart disease, whose anatomy may differ from healthy children. However, as we excluded patients with irregular venous conformations, we assume that our findings can be transferred to pediatric patients in general. Additionally using TTE during US-guided jugular CVC placement reduces the odds of CVC misplacement in children aged 0–6 years. Clinicians should consider additionally using TTE during US-guided jugular CVC placement to increase patient safety. This work was supported solely from institutional and/or department sources. There are no conflicts of interest to declare. The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions. Supporting Information Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.

Mediators of quality of life change in people with severe psychotic disorders treated in integrated care: ACCESS II study.

Patients with severe psychotic disorders exhibit a severely reduced quality of life (QoL) at all stages of the disease. Integrated care often led to an improvement in QoL. However, the specific mediators of QoL change are not yet well understood. The ACCESS II study is a prospective, long-term study investigating the effectiveness of an integrated care program for people with severe psychotic disorders (IC-TACT) that includes Therapeutic Assertive Community Treatment within a care network of in- and outpatient services at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany. We examined longitudinal associations between QoL and the hypothesized mediators of change (i.e., negative symptoms, depression, and anxiety), using cross-lagged panel models. The sample includes 418 severely ill patients treated in IC-TACT for at least 1 year. QoL increased, whereas symptom severity decreased significantly from baseline to 6-month follow-up (p-values ≤ 0.001), and remained stable until 12-month follow-up. QoL and symptom severity demonstrated significant auto-correlated effects and significant cross-lagged effects from QoL at baseline to negative symptoms (6 months, β = -0.20, p < 0.001) to QoL (12 months, β = -0.19, p < 0.01) resulting in a significant indirect, mediated effect. Additionally, negative symptoms after 6 months had a significant effect on the severity of depression after 12 months (β = 0.13, p < 0.05). Negative symptoms appear to represent an important mechanism of change in IC-TACT indicating that improvement of QoL could potentially be achieved through optimized intervention on negative symptoms. Moreover, this may lead to a reduction in the severity of depression after 12 months.

From the identification of biopsychosocial risk factors to an increase in pain-related self-efficacy (IDRIS) – The online-based conveyance of an explanatory model for chronic back pain: Study protocol of a cohort multiple randomized controlled trial

BackgroundBack pain has a high global prevalence and carries a substantial risk for chronification. Biopsychosocial factors are assumed to be critical in the transition from acute to chronic back pain. Digital interventions are a promising tool to educate patients about their complaints. Thus, providing patients with an explanatory model regarding their individual risk factors in the early stage of their complaints via the internet might thus be a valuable approach in treatment. ObjectivesThe objectives of the present online study are to investigate the influence of a personalized psychoeducational intervention on self-efficacy and functioning and to examine biopsychosocial risk factors for symptom chronification. The intervention is based on a current model summarizing the empirical knowledge on relevant factors for persistent somatic symptoms, which has not been studied in back pain patients yet. MethodsAn observational cohort of patients with acute and subacute back pain (N = 564) will be asked about biopsychosocial risk factors via online survey at baseline, 4-week, and 12-week follow-up. Within this cohort, a randomly selected group of 132 participants (intervention group) with psychological burden (MCS-12 score of the SF-12 ≤ 50) and relevant somatic symptom intensity and interference (mean sum score of two numeric rating scales ≥5) and no prior psychotherapeutic treatment will be offered a personalized explanatory model in the form of an animated psychoeducational video. The video will be personalized in terms of participants' individual symptom profile and will be made accessible to watch online for 7 days. Participants will be compared to a control group receiving no treatment regarding change in pain-specific self-efficacy after 1 month as primary outcome, and change in functioning after 1 and 3 months, respectively, as secondary outcomes. Acceptance and usefulness of the intervention will be evaluated using the number of video views and a numeric rating scale. DiscussionThis is the first investigation of a personalized, video-animated online psychoeducation based on patients' individual risk factors for the chronification of back pain and the first systematic evaluation of the risk factors included in a comprehensive aetiological model on persistent somatic symptoms in back pain patients. This way, this study contributes to the understanding of cross-disorder psychopathological factors and a stronger consideration of biopsychosocial factors in the treatment of persistent somatic symptoms. If proven effective, the internet-based intervention will make an important contribution to the early treatment of back pain. Ethical approvalThe study was approved by the Local Psychological Ethics Committee (LPEK) at the Center for Psychosocial Medicine of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf. Trial registrationThe study was registered at the German Clinical Trials Register in December 2021 (registration trial number: DRKS00025445).

The development of a regional network for health care research in Hamburg, Germany

Abstract Background At the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), health care research has been established as one of five research priorities recommended by the Research Council with the founding of the Center for Health Care Research (CHCR) in 2006. The CHCR was involved in numerous research projects with the focus on strengthening regional networking. Despite the numerous initiatives, there is still potential for improvement with regard to a systematic and sustainable exchange in the region of Hamburg, Germany. Methods These requirements led to the initiation of the ‘Hamburg Network Health Services Research (HAM-NET)'. The mission of HAM-NET is to build an open forum for all relevant institutions, to concentrate their interests and needs in health services research and to promote and conduct innovative, efficient, needs-based and patient-centred health services research projects in the metropolitan area of Hamburg. Three main tasks were appointed: 1) linking health care research to relevant regional institutions, 2) promoting research activities and new fields of research and 3) using methodological expertise to promote young scientists. Results By today 40 institutions from all sectors of health care joined HAM-NET. The regularly general meetings offer exchange and advice. Internal communication is promoted by mailing lists and newsletters. Also, HAM-NET presents itself with a website, logo and by organizing recurring events and participating in international and national congresses and networks. Within two funding phases a total of four overarching research projects were developed and implemented. Furthermore, a person with lived experience committee was established. Conclusions For the further development of health care research as one the core disciplines of public health a regional network with an efficient infrastructure is needed. HAM-NET promotes this with the implementation of an innovative, efficient and patient-oriented network. Key messages • Regional networks help to integrate multiple public health initiatives and community stakeholders. • Public health networks can be established on multidisciplinary cooperations in different out- and inpatient sector levels.

Outcomes of critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 patients requiring kidney replacement therapy: A retrospective cohort study

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in high hospitalization rates worldwide. Acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 is frequent and associated with disease severity and poor outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in critically ill patients with COVID-19 and its implication on outcome. We retrospectively analyzed all COVID-19 patients admitted to the Department of Intensive Care Medicine at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (Germany) between 1 March 2020 and 31 July 2021. Demographics, clinical parameters, type of organ support, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, mortality and severity scores were assessed. Three-hundred critically ill patients with COVID-19 were included. The median age of the study population was 61 (IQR 51-71) years and 66% (n = 198) were male. 73% (n = 219) of patients required invasive mechanical ventilation. Overall, 68% (n = 204) of patients suffered from acute respiratory distress syndrome and 30% (n = 91) required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We found that 46% (n = 139) of patients required KRT. Septic shock (OR 11.818, 95% CI: 5.941-23.506, p < 0.001), higher simplified acute physiology scores (SAPS II) (OR 1.048, 95% CI: 1.014-1.084, p = 0.006) and vasopressor therapy (OR 5.475, 95% CI: 1.127-26.589, p = 0.035) were independently associated with the initiation of KRT. 61% (n = 85) of patients with and 18% (n = 29) without KRT died in the ICU (p < 0.001). Cox regression found that KRT was independently associated with mortality (HR 2.075, 95% CI: 1.342-3.208, p = 0.001) after adjusting for confounders. Critically ill patients with COVID-19 are at high risk of acute kidney injury with about half of patients requiring KRT. The initiation of KRT was associated with high mortality.

Mini-laparoscopy as a diagnostic tool for abdominal tuberculosis: a retrospective series of 29 cases

ObjectivesAbdominal tuberculosis (TB) is a “great mimic,” and diagnosis remains challenging even for experienced clinicians. While mini-laparoscopy has already been demonstrated to be an efficient diagnostic tool for a variety of diseases, we aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of this technique in diagnosing abdominal TB.MethodsWe retrospectively included patients who underwent mini-laparoscopy at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf between April 2010 and January 2022 for suspected abdominal TB. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data, radiological findings as well as macroscopic, histopathologic, and microbiologic results were analyzed by chart review.ResultsOut of 49 consecutive patients who underwent mini-laparoscopy for suspected abdominal TB, the diagnosis was subsequently confirmed in 29 patients (59%). Among those, the median age was 30 years (range 18–86 years) and the majority were male (n = 22, 76%). Microbiological diagnosis was established in a total of 16 patients. The remaining patients were diagnosed with abdominal TB either by histopathological detection of caseating granulomas (n = 3), or clinically by a combination of typical presentation, mini-laparoscopic findings, and good response to anti-tuberculous treatment (n = 10). Bleeding from the respective puncture site occurred in 19 patients (66%) and either resolved spontaneously or was arrested with argon plasma coagulation alone (n = 10) or in combination with fibrin glue (n = 1). Minor intestinal perforation occurred in 2 patients and was treated conservatively.ConclusionsMini-laparoscopy is a useful and safe modality for the diagnosis of abdominal TB.

C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio offers superior risk prediction in patients undergoing mitral valve edge-to-edge repair: a comparison to established surgical risk scores

Abstract Background The population of patients with relevant mitral regurgitation (MR) who stand to gain optimal benefit from mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) remains to be determined. Prior to TEER, a heart-team approach with interdisciplinary decision-making is mandatory integrating both the patient profile and relevant co-morbidities. In addition, the application of established surgical risk scores is recommended by current guidelines. Whether alternative risk prediction is more suitable for this fragile patient cohort burdened with various co-morbidities has not been examined in detail. A simplified approach may be achieved by using the C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio (CAR), but its value in TEER is unclear. Methods This single-center, retrospective study thought to determine long-term prognostic accuracy of different risk scores in patients with relevant MR undergoing TEER. For this analysis, 316 patients with a median follow-up time of 5.81 years were included. The primary outcome measure was defined as all-cause mortality. ROC analysis was conducted for the identification of the optimal CAR threshold, subsequently dichotomizing patients into two groups (CAR ≤0.4 and CAR &amp;gt;0.4) estimating their long-term event rate using the Kaplan-Meier method. In addition, we evaluated the prognostic value of CAR compared to two conventional surgical risk scores (logistic EuroSCORE and Society of Thoracic Surgeons [STS] risk score) using C-Index analysis. Results Among 316 high-risk patients undergoing TEER (mean age 75.6±8.2 years, 61.7% male, median logistic EuroSCORE 19.9% [11.7; 31.6], median STS Score 3.8% [2.2; 5.7]), 176 (55.7%) patients had a CAR value ≤0.4. Patients with an elevated CAR (&amp;gt;0.4) predominantly suffered from a higher burden of co-morbidities, such as peripheral artery disease (p=0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p=0.044), and chronic kidney disease (p=0.015). Consequently, these patients had significantly higher logistic EuroSCORE and STS Score than patients with CAR ≤0.4 (logistic EuroSCORE p=0.002; STS Score p&amp;lt;0.001). Stratification according to the CAR threshold of 0.4 led to significant differences in the Cumulative Incidence curves (p&amp;lt;0.001). In addition, log-rank test revealed a superior risk stratification of the simplified CAR approach compared to established surgical risk scores (Figure 1). This effect consequently reflects in a higher adjusted C-Index for CAR (0.608) compared to logistic EuroSCORE (0.502; p&amp;lt;0.001) and STS Score (0.498; p&amp;lt;0.001). Conclusions Our data provide first evidence that alternative risk prediction using CAR allows for a feasible and easy-to-use risk prediction in a real-word TEER cohort presenting with advanced age, a high proportion of frailty and numerous co-morbidities. Alternative risk prediction in TEER patients should be investigated in more detail as the established surgical risk scores seem to demonstrate limited applicability in patients scheduled for TEER. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany

Signals for reduced cognitive function are associated with subtle signs of atrial cardiomyopathy and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction – insights from a large population based study

Abstract Background/Introduction In recent years, it has been proposed that a thrombogenic atrial substrate due to various alterations in (left) atrial morphology and function could contribute to atrial thromboembolism even in the absence of (clinically overt) atrial fibrillation. This so-called atrial cardiomyopathy may pose a risk of stroke and cognitive decline beyond the presence of atrial fibrillation. Purpose To define the association of echocardiographic parameters of left atrial cardiomyopathy and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction with cognitive function in individuals free of clinically overt atrial fibrillation or stroke. Methods Data from the first 10,000 participants of a large German population-based cohort study were analysed. Of these, 8264 individuals underwent standardized transthoracic echocardiography and cognitive function testing at baseline. Parameters of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function as well as left atrial function were systematically assessed, including left atrial global peak strain. Cognitive function was quantified using the Animal Naming Test and the Trail Making Test A and B. We performed linear regression analyses with incremental adjustment to examine the association of echocardiographic parameters with the performance on the neuropsychological tests. Results After exclusion of 463 individuals with known AF and 309 individuals with prior/known stroke or severe depression, 7492 individuals were analysed (mean age 61.9±8.4 years, 52.3% women, median left ventricular ejection fraction 59% [25th/75th percentile 56/62%], median left atrial volume index 25.0 ml/m2 [25th/75th percentile 20/30 ml/m2]). In multivariable-adjusted analyses, E/e'-ratio was significantly associated with a worse performance on the Animal Naming Test (−0.24 per one standard deviation [SD] increase, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.42 to −0.06), the Trail Making Test A (0.76 per one SD increase, 95% CI 0.35–1.17) and B (1.1 per one SD increase, 95% CI 0.09–2.11). Left atrial strain was associated with worse performance on Trail Making Test B (−1.39 per one SD increase, 95% CI −2.46 to −0.32). Increased left atrial volume index was associated with worse performance on the ANT (0.2, 95% CI 0.03–0.37). Conclusions Subtle echocardiographic signs of atrial cardiomyopathy and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction are associated with worse performance on cognitive function tests in a German middle-aged population. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): The Hamburg City Health Study (HCHS) is supported by the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf and by various grants from different institutions/organizations.

Optimized Informed Consent for Psychotherapy: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundInformed consent is a legal and ethical prerequisite for psychotherapy. However, in clinical practice, consistent strategies to obtain informed consent are scarce. Inconsistencies exist regarding the overall validity of informed consent for psychotherapy as well as the disclosure of potential mechanisms and negative effects, the latter posing a moral dilemma between patient autonomy and nonmaleficence.ObjectiveThis protocol describes a randomized controlled web-based trial aiming to investigate the efficacy of a one-session optimized informed consent consultation.MethodsThe optimized informed consent consultation was developed to provide information on the setting, efficacy, mechanisms, and negative effects via expectation management and shared decision-making techniques. A total of 122 participants with an indication for psychotherapy will be recruited. Participants will take part in a baseline assessment, including a structured clinical interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-fifth edition (DSM-5) disorders. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned either to a control group receiving an information brochure about psychotherapy as treatment as usual (n=61) or to an intervention group receiving treatment as usual and the optimized informed consent consultation (n=61). Potential treatment effects will be measured after the treatment via interview and patient self-report and at 2 weeks and 3 months follow-up via web-based questionnaires. Treatment expectation is the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include the capacity to consent, decisional conflict, autonomous treatment motivation, adherence intention, and side-effect expectations.ResultsThis trial received a positive ethics vote by the local ethics committee of the Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University-Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany on April 1, 2021, and was prospectively registered on June 17, 2021. The first participant was enrolled in the study on August 5, 2021. We expect to complete data collection in December 2022. After data analysis within the first quarter of 2023, the results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals in summer 2023.ConclusionsIf effective, the optimized informed consent consultation might not only constitute an innovative clinical tool to meet the ethical and legal obligations of informed consent but also strengthen the contributing factors of psychotherapy outcome, while minimizing nocebo effects and fostering shared decision-making.Trial RegistrationPsychArchives; http://dx.doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.4929International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/39843

A new noninvasive finger sensor (NICCI system) for continuous blood pressure and pulse pressure variation monitoring: A method comparison study in patients having neurosurgery.

The NICCI system (Getinge, Gothenburg, Sweden) is a new noninvasive haemodynamic monitoring system using a finger sensor. We aimed to investigate the performance of the NICCI system to measure blood pressure and pulse pressure variation compared with intra-arterial measurements. A prospective method comparison study. University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. Forty-seven neurosurgery patients. We performed a method comparison study in 47 neurosurgery patients to compare NICCI blood pressure measurements (BP NICCI ) with intra-arterial blood pressure measurements (BP ART ) (Bland-Altman analysis, four-quadrant plot, error grid analysis) and NICCI pulse pressure variation measurements (PPV NICCI ) with pulse pressure variation calculated manually from the intra-arterial blood pressure waveform (PPV ART ) (Bland-Altman analysis, predictive agreement, Cohen's kappa). The mean of the differences ± standard deviation (95% limits of agreement) between BP NICCI and BP ART was 11 ± 10 mmHg (-8 to 30 mmHg) for mean blood pressure (MBP), 3 ± 12 mmHg (-21 to 26 mmHg) for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 12 ± 10 mmHg (-8 to 31 mmHg) for diastolic blood pressure (DBP). In error grid analysis, 54% of BP NICCI and BP ART MBP measurement pairs were classified as 'no risk', 43% as 'low risk', 3% as 'moderate risk' and 0% as 'significant risk' or 'dangerous risk'. The mean of the differences between PPV NICCI and PPV ART was 1 ± 3% (-4 to 6%). The predictive agreement between PPV NICCI and PPV ART was 80% and Cohen's kappa was 0.55. The absolute agreement between BP NICCI and BP ART was not clinically acceptable. We recommend not using the current version of the NICCI system for blood pressure monitoring during surgery. The absolute agreement between PPV NICCI and PPV ART was clinically acceptable with moderate predictive agreement regarding pulse pressure variation categories. The NICCI system needs to be further developed and re-evaluated when an improved version is available. The study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00023188) on 2 October 2020.

Effect of Hemadsorption Therapy in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19 (CYTOCOV-19): A Prospective Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

Introduction: Immunomodulatory therapies have shown beneficial effects in patients with severe COVID-19. Patients with hypercytokinemia might benefit from the removal of inflammatory mediators via hemadsorption. Methods: Single-center prospective randomized trial at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (Germany). Patients with confirmed COVID-19, refractory shock (norepinephrine ≥0.2 µg/kg/min to maintain a mean arterial pressure ≥65 mm Hg), interleukin-6 (IL-6) ≥500 ng/L, and an indication for renal replacement therapy or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were included. Patients received either hemadsorption therapy (HT) or standard medical therapy (SMT). For HT, a CytoSorb® adsorber was used for up to 5 days and was replaced every 18–24 h. The primary endpoint was sustained hemodynamic improvement (norepinephrine ≤0.05 µg/kg/min ≥24 h). Results: Of 242 screened patients, 24 were randomized and assigned to either HT (N = 12) or SMT (N = 12). Both groups had similar severity as assessed by SAPS II (median 75 points HT group vs. 79 SMT group, p = 0.590) and SOFA (17 vs. 16, p = 0.551). Median IL-6 levels were 2,269 (IQR 948–3,679) and 3,747 (1,301–5,415) ng/L in the HT and SMT groups at baseline, respectively (p = 0.378). Shock resolution (primary endpoint) was reached in 33% (4/12) versus 17% (2/12) in the HT and SMT groups, respectively (p = 0.640). Twenty-eight-day mortality was 58% (7/12) in the HT compared to 67% (8/12) in the SMT group (p = 1.0). During the treatment period of 5 days, 6/12 (50%) of the SMT patients died, in contrast to 1/12 (8%) in the HT group. Conclusion: HT was associated with a non-significant trend toward clinical improvement within the intervention period. In selected patients, HT might be an option for stabilization before transfer and further therapeutic decisions. This finding warrants further investigation in larger trials.

Teaching fiberoptic-assisted tracheoscopy in very low birth weight infants: A randomized controlled simulator study.

ObjectiveWe developed a fiberoptic-assisted tracheoscopy (FAST) method to avoid direct laryngoscopy during surfactant replacement therapy and compared two training approaches on a very low birth weight (VLBW) infant simulator.DesignThis prospective randomized controlled study was conducted at the Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care Medicine of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany.ParticipantsWe recruited physicians, trainees, students, and nurses without prior experience in endoscopic techniques.InterventionsParticipants were assigned randomly to a group that received instructions according to Peyton’s Four-Step Approach and a control group that received standard bedside teaching only.Main outcome measuresPrimary endpoints were the total and the component times required to place the bronchoscope and the method success.ResultsWe recruited 186 participants. Compared with the control group, the Peyton group had a lower mean (±standard deviation) FAST completion time (33.2 ± 27.5 s vs. 79.5 ± 47.9 s, p < 0.001; d = 1.12) and a higher FAST success rate (95% vs. 84%, p = 0.036, V = 0.18).ConclusionAfter standardized training, the vast majority of novices completed FAST successfully. Peyton’s four-step approach resulted in faster and more successful performance than standardized training.

Exploring the relationships between first impressions and MMI ratings: a pilot study

The phenomenon of first impression is well researched in social psychology, but less so in the study of OSCEs and the multiple mini interview (MMI). To explore its bearing on the MMI method we included a rating of first impression in the MMI for student selection executed 2012 at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (196 applicants, 26 pairs of raters) and analyzed how it was related to MMI performance ratings made by (a) the same rater, and (b) a different rater. First impression was assessed immediately after an applicant entered the test room. Each MMI-task took 5 min and was rated subsequently. Internal consistency was α = .71 for first impression and α = .69 for MMI performance. First impression and MMI performance correlated by r = .49. Both measures weakly predicted performance in two OSCEs for communication skills, assessed 18 months later. MMI performance did not increment prediction above the contribution of first impression and vice versa. Prediction was independent of whether or not the rater who rated first impression also rated MMI performance. The correlation between first impression and MMI-performance is in line with the results of corresponding social psychological studies, showing that judgements based on minimal information moderately predict behavioral measures. It is also in accordance with the notion that raters often blend their specific assessment task outlined in MMI-instructions with the self-imposed question of whether a candidate would fit the role of a medical doctor.

Psychological (co)morbidity in patients with psoriasis: the impact of pruritus and anogenital involvement on symptoms of depression and anxiety and on body dysmorphic concerns – a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesWhile stress plays a paramount role on the onset/exacerbation of psoriasis, via overactivation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and increased release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, cutaneous inflammatory response induces, in turn, anxiety/depression...