Diagnosis of Influenza: Only a Problem of Coding?

Objective

To evaluate the characteristics of hospital discharge diagnoses of influenza measured by using specific International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9 CM) codes.

Subjects and Methods

The study was conducted for the 3 years 2007, 2008 and 2011. The database included (1) administrative and clinical data on Sicilian patients admitted to acute care hospitals and (2) data from the influenza virological surveillance of 10 European countries (FluNet database). All Sicilian patients diagnosed with at least 1 ICD-9 CM code for influenza (487.0, 487.1 and 487.9) were considered influenza cases.

Results

Overall, 2,880 patients with an ICD-9 CM code attributable to influenza were hospitalized in Sicily: 2,119 (73.6%) were admitted from November to April, whereas 761 (26.4%) were admitted from May to October. In the 3 years studied, the analyzed European influenza surveillance systems recorded a peak of laboratory-confirmed influenza activity from November to April with 36,753 (99.7%) influenza cases, whereas only 124 cases (0.3%) were observed from May to October.

Conclusions

In Sicily, more than one quarter of all hospital admissions with an ICD-9 CM code for influenza were observed in the months with a negligible circulation of influenza viruses. Our findings show that several hospital discharge records included ICD-9 CM codes for influenza with low levels of sensitivity, specificity and/or appropriateness for clinical information and support the need for improving medical education on the epidemiology and hospital management of influenza cases.Key Words: Influenza, Hospital discharge records, Influenza-like illness, Epidemiology     

Drug-induced QT prolongation and torsades de pointes: evaluation of a QT nomogram

BACKGROUND: Although QT prolongation is associated with increased risk of torsade de pointes (TdP), the precise relationship is not well defined. AIM: To evaluate the performance of a QT nomogram in assessing the risk of TdP from QT-RR combinations. DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: We systematically searched MEDLINE/EMBASE for cases of drug-induced TdP. Controls were patients taking non-cardiotoxic drugs in overdose. Inclusion criteria were definite TdP, normal ECG before or after the event, association with a drug/toxin and QT-RR measurements available. The upper bound of a QT-RR cloud diagram developed from human preclinical studies was converted into a QT nomogram [QT vs. heart rate (HR)]. QT-HR combinations for TdP cases and controls were plotted with the QT nomogram, and curves corresponding to a QTc = 440 ms and QTc = 500 ms for comparison (Bazett's correction). RESULTS: We identified 129 cases of TdP. TdP cases occurred at lower HR values with longer QT intervals, with most cases occurring at HR 30-90 bpm. Controls were more evenly distributed, with HR 40-160 bpm. The sensitivity and specificity of the QT nomogram were 96.9% (95%CI 93.9-99.9) and 98.7% (95%CI 96.8-100), respectively. For Bazett QTc = 440 ms, sensitivity and specificity were 98.5% (95%CI 96.3-100) and 66.7% (95%CI 58.6-74.7), respectively, whereas for Bazett QTc =500 ms they were 93.8% (95%CI 89.6-98.0) and 97.2% (95%CI 94.3-100), respectively. DISCUSSION: The QT nomogram is a clinically relevant risk assessment tool that accurately predicts arrhythmogenic risk for drug-induced QT prolongation. Further prospective evaluation of the nomogram is needed.     

Multivariate analysis of risk factors for QT prolongation following subarachnoid hemorrhage

Background

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) often causes a prolongation of the corrected QT (QTc) interval during the acute phase. The aim of the present study was to examine independent risk factors for QTc prolongation in patients with SAH by means of multivariate analysis.

Method

We studied 100 patients who were admitted within 24 hours after onset of SAH. Standard 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) was performed immediately after admission. QT intervals were measured from the ECG and were corrected for heart rate using the Bazett formula. We measured serum levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, adrenaline (epinephrine), noradrenaline (norepinephrine), dopamine, antidiuretic hormone, and glucose.

Results

The average QTc interval was 466 ± 46 ms. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the QTc interval, with a cutoff line of 470 ms. Univariate analyses showed significant relations between categories of QTc interval, and sex and serum concentrations of potassium, calcium, or glucose. Multivariate analyses showed that female sex and hypokalemia were independent risk factors for severe QTc prolongation. Hypokalemia (<3.5 mmol/l) was associated with a relative risk of 4.53 for severe QTc prolongation as compared with normokalemia, while the relative risk associated with female sex was 4.45 as compared with male sex. There was a significant inverse correlation between serum potassium levels and QTc intervals among female patients.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that female sex and hypokalemia are independent risk factors for severe QTc prolongation in patients with SAH.     

Pseudo-aneurysm of the anterior tibial artery, a rare cause of ankle swelling following a sports injury

Background

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most common antidepressants used in first-world countries and are generally well tolerated. Specifically, less cardiovascular toxicity has been reported in comparison with tricyclic antidepressants. Here we report QT interval prolongation after an overdose of the SSRI sertraline.

Case presentation

A previously healthy female patient presented with an attempted suicide with overdoses sertraline (2250 mg), diazepam (200 mg), and temazepam (400 mg). Routine laboratory studies were normal and her ECG upon admission showed a normal QT interval. The next day, her ECG showed prolongation of the QT_c interval up to 525 ms. After discontinuation of sertraline the QT interval normalized. Echocardiography and exercise electrocardiography were normal. After hospitalization, the patient resumed sertraline in the normally recommended dose and QT interval remained within normal ranges.

Conclusion

It seems that the SSRI sertraline in overdose may cause QT interval prolongation.     

Prevalence and Outcome of High-Risk QT Prolongation Recorded in the Emergency Department from an Institution-Wide QT Alert System

Background

QT prolongation is an independent risk factor for sudden death, stroke, and all-cause mortality. However, additional studies have shown that in certain settings, QT prolongation may be transient and a result of external factors.

Home visits reduce the number of hazards for childhood home injuries in Karachi, Pakistan: a randomized controlled trial

Background

Although unintentional injuries are major causes of morbidity and mortality in less developed countries, they have received scant attention, and injury prevention policies and programs have just begun to be addressed systemically.

Aims

To reduce hazards associated with home injuries due to falls and ingestions through an injury prevention program administered by home visitors.

Methods

Non-blinded randomized controlled trial design of two interventions where one branch of the study group served as the control for the other in an urban neighborhood in Karachi, Pakistan. The study participants included 340 families with at least one child aged 3 years or less, discharged home from the Emergency Department following a visit for any reason other than an injury. The interventions included: (1) counseling to reduce falls; (2) counseling to reduce poisoning and choking. The primary outcome measure for each intervention was the relative risk of change in the home status from “unsafe” to “safe” after the intervention.

Results

There were 170 families in the fall prevention and 170 families in the ingestion prevention branch of the study. The percentage of homes deemed “safe” in which the families had received fall intervention counseling was 13.5% compared to 3.5% in the control group (relative risk 3.8; 95% CI: 1.5 to 10.0; p = 0.002), whereas the percentage of homes deemed “safe” in which the families had received the ingestions intervention counseling was 18.8% compared to 2.4% in the control group (relative risk 7.8; 95% CI: 2.4 to 25.3; p?Conclusions Our study demonstrates the effectiveness of an educational intervention aimed at improving the home safety practices of families with young children.     

A High‐yield Fall Risk and Adverse Events Screening Questions From the Stopping Elderly Accidents,Death, and Injuries (STEADI) Guideline for Older Emergency Department Fall Patients

Objectives

The objectives were to examine whether responses to the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Death, and Injuries (STEADI) questions responses predicted adverse events after an older adult emergency department (ED) fall visits and to identify factors associated with such recurrent fall.

Methods

We conducted a prospective study at two urban, teaching hospitals. We included patients aged ≥ 65 years who presented to the ED for an accidental fall. Data were gathered for fall‐relevant comorbidities, high‐risk medications for falls, and the responses to 12 questions from the STEADI guideline recommendation. Our outcomes were the number of 6‐month adverse events that were defined as mortality, ED revisit, subsequent hospitalization, recurrent falls, and a composite outcome.

Results

There were 548 (86.3%) patients who completed follow‐up and 243 (44.3%) patients experienced an adverse event after a fall within 6 months. In multivariate analysis, seven questions from the STEADI guideline predicted various outcomes. The question “Had previous fall” predicted recurrent falls (odds ratio [OR] = 2.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.52 to 3.97), the question “Feels unsteady when walking sometimes” (OR = 2.34, 95% CI = 1.44 to 3.81), and “Lost some feeling in their feet” predicted recurrent falls. In addition to recurrent falls risk, the supplemental questions “Use or have been advised to use a cane or walker,” “Take medication that sometimes makes them feel light‐headed or more tired than usual,” “Take medication to help sleep or improve mood,” and “Have to rush to a toilet” predicted other outcomes.

Conclusion

A STEADI score of ≥4 did not predict adverse outcomes although seven individual questions from the STEADI guidelines were associated with increased adverse outcomes within 6 months. These may be organized into three categories (previous falls, physical activity, and high‐risk medications) and may assist emergency physicians to evaluate and refer high‐risk fall patients for a comprehensive falls evaluation.

     

Application of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling in management of QT abnormalities after citalopram overdose

Objective

To develop guidelines for the management of QT prolongation after citalopram overdose, including decontamination with single-dose activated charcoal (SDAC) and cardiac monitoring.

Design

Simulation study using a previously developed pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PKPD) model which predicted the time-course of QT prolongation and the effect of citalopram dose and use of SDAC on QT prolongation.

Main measures and results

The previously developed PKPD model was used to address the following in patients following citalopram overdose: (1) Above what dose should patients be decontaminated? (2) Above what dose should patients have cardiac monitoring? (3) For what period of time should patients be monitored? The primary outcome was QT,RR combinations above an abnormal threshold as a surrogate predictor of torsades de pointes. Simulations were performed using MATLAB for an overdose patient with typical demographics: 30-year-old female with a heart rate of 79?bpm taking citalopram therapeutically. The simulations showed: (1) There was significant benefit associated with the administration of SDAC to patients following citalopram overdose ingesting >?600?mg; (2) With citalopram overdoses >?1,000?mg it was advisable to give SDAC and cardiac monitor the patient; (3) The risk of developing future abnormal QT,RR combinations was less than 1% in patients with normal QT,RR combinations up to 13?h post-dose, so the minimum monitoring time for citalopram overdoses >?1,000?mg should be 13?h. Recommended dose levels for intervention should be lowered in older patients and patients with tachycardia, while men are less sensitive to QT prolongation.

Conclusions

Guidelines for the management of QT prolongation after citalopram overdose were developed. We believe the model will help clinicians to decide which patients to decontaminate and monitor.     

Complementing Insulin Therapy to Achieve Glycemic Control

Introduction

Most patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) will need incrementally more complex therapeutic regimens to control hyperglycemia as the disease progresses. Insulin is very effective in reducing hyperglycemia and may improve β-cell function in patients with T2DM. However, insulin therapy is associated with weight gain and increased risk of hypoglycemia. Adding other antidiabetes medications to insulin can improve glycemic control and potentially lower the required insulin dose, resulting in less weight gain and lower risk for hypoglycemia. This article summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of different classes of commonly used antidiabetes agents, with emphasis on newer classes, for use as add-on therapy to insulin in patients with T2DM inadequately controlled on insulin therapy.

Methods

A PubMed search from July 1, 2003 to April 15, 2013 for peer-reviewed clinical and review articles relevant to insulin combination or add-on therapy in T2DM was conducted. Search terms included “insulin combination therapy,” “add-on therapy diabetes,” “dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors,” “glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist,” “sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors”, “insulin metformin,” “insulin sulfonylurea,” and “insulin thiazolidinedione.” Bibliographies from retrieved articles were also searched for relevant articles. Study design, clinical relevance, and effect on insulin combination therapy were analyzed.

Results

Therapies used as add-on to insulin include agents associated with weight gain (thiazolidinediones and sulfonylureas) and/or hypoglycemia (sulfonylureas), which, therefore, may exacerbate risks already present with insulin. GLP-1 receptor agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors, and SGLT2 inhibitors improve glycemic control when added to insulin and have a low propensity for hypoglycemia and cause no change (DPP-4 inhibitors) or a reduction (GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors) in body weight.

Conclusion

GLP-1 receptor agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors, and SGLT2 inhibitors improve glycemic control when combined with insulin. They also have low propensity for weight gain and hypoglycemia and so may be preferred treatment options for insulin combination when compared with traditional therapies.     

Respiratory comfort of automatic tube compensation and inspiratory pressure support in conscious humans

Objective

To compare the new mode of ventilatory Support, which we call automatic tube compensation (ATC), with inspiratory pressure support (IPS) with respect to pereeption of respiratory comfort. ATC unloads the resistance of the endotracheal tube (ETT) in inspiration by increasing the airway pressure, and in expiration by decreasing the airway pressure aecording to the non-linear pressure-flow relationship of the ETT.

Design

Prospective randomized single blind cross-over study.

Setting

Laboratory of the Section of Experimental Anaesthesiology (Clinic of Anaesthesiology; University of Freiburg).

Subjects

Ten healthy volunteers.

Interventions

The subjects breathed spontaneously through an ETT of 7.5 mm i. d. Three different ventilatory modes, each with a PEEP of 5 cmH₂O, were presented in random order using the Dräger Evita 2 ventilator with prototype software:

1. IPS (10 cmH₂O,1 s ramp),
2. inspiratory ATC (ATC-in),
3. inspiratory and expiratory ATC (ATC-in-ex).

Measurements and main results

Immediately following a mode transition, the volunteers answered with a hand sign to show how they perceived the new mode compared with the preceding mode in terms of gain or loss in subjective respiratory comfort: “better”, “unchanged” or “worse”. Inspiration and expiration were investigated separately analyzing 60 mode transitions each. Flow rates were continuously measured. The transition from IPS to either type of ATC was perceived positively, i.e. as increased comfort, whereas the opposite transition from ATC to IPS was perceived negatively, i. e. as decreased comfort. The transition from ATC-in to ATC-in-ex was perceived positively whereas the opposite mode transition was perceived negatively in expiration only. Tidal volume was 1220 ± 404 ml during IPS and 1017 ± 362 ml during ATC. The inspiratory peak flow rate was 959 ± 78 ml/s during IPS and 1048 ± 197 ml/s during ATC.

Conclusions

ATC provides an increase in respiratory comfort compared with IPS. The predominant cause for respiratory discomfort in the IPS mode seems to be lung over-inflation.