Management of hip fracture in COVID-19 infected patients

Given that the global population of elderly individuals is expanding and the difficulty of recovery, hip fractures will be a huge challenge and a critical health issue for all of humanity. Although people have spent more time at home during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, hip fractures show no sign of abating. Extensive studies have shown that patients with hip fracture and COVID-19 have a multifold increase in mortality compared to those uninfected and a more complex clinical condition. At present, no detailed research has systematically analyzed the relationship between these two conditions and proposed a comprehensive solution. This article aims to systematically review the impact of COVID-19 on hip fracture and provide practical suggestions. We found that hip fracture patients with COVID-19 have higher mortality rates and more complicated clinical outcomes. Indirectly, COVID-19 prevents hip fracture patients from receiving regular medical treatment. With regard to the problems we encounter, we provide clinical recommendations based on existing research evidence and a clinical flowchart for the management of hip fracture patients who are COVID-19 positive. Our study will help clinicians adequately prepare in advance when dealing with such patients and optimize treatment decisions.     

A case of psoriasis successfully treated by extracorporeal photopheresis during COVID-19 pandemic

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is characterized by well-demarcated erythematous plaques with a silver scale. Although many new and emerging therapeutic agents are often sufficient to control the disease, there is still a need for alternative treatment options in challenging cases. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) has been applied to many T-cell-mediated diseases to restore immune homeostasis and treat psoriasis effectively. In this paper, we present a psoriasis patient who did not respond to methotrexate, narrowband ultraviolet B, or acitretin. Because of a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the patient had contraindications for cyclosporine, fumaric acid esters, and biologics but achieved remission with a total of 12 sessions of ECP in two and a half months. Although exacerbation was recorded after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) disease infection at the end of the first month, scores from the psoriasis area severity index (PASI) and dermatological life quality index (DLQI) were regressed significantly within two and a half months. ECP seems to provide an effective and rapid response for psoriasis and should be considered for psoriasis patients who fail to respond or have contraindications to existing treatments.     

The Current Pediatric Surgery Job Market: A Perspective of Recent Fellowship Graduates

PurposeThis study describes the job market from the perspective of recent pediatric surgery graduates.MethodsAn anonymous survey was circulated to the 137 pediatric surgeons who graduated from fellowships 2019–2021.ResultsThe survey response rate was 49%. The majority of respondents were women (52%), Caucasian (72%), and had a median student debt burden of $225,000. Considering job opportunities, respondents strongly emphasized camaraderie (93%), mentorship (93%), case mix (85%), geography (67%), faculty reputation (62%), spousal employment (57%), compensation (51%), and call frequency (45%). 30% were satisfied with the employment opportunities available, and 21% felt strongly prepared to negotiate for their first job. All respondents were able to secure a job. Most jobs were university-based (70%) or hospital employed (18%) positions where surgeons covered median of two hospitals. 49% wanted protected research time, and 12% of respondents were able to secure substantial, protected research time. The median compensation for university-based jobs was $12,583 below the median AAMC benchmark for assistant professors for the corresponding year of graduation.ConclusionThese data highlight the ongoing need for assessment of the pediatric surgery workforce and for professional societies and training programs to further assist graduating fellows in preparing to negotiate their first job.Type of studySurveyLevel of EvidenceLevel V.     

Statin use and medically attended acute respiratory illness among influenza vaccine recipients

BackgroundPrevious studies have suggested that statins decrease influenza vaccine effectiveness and increase risk of medically attended acute respiratory illness (MAARI).ObjectivesTo examine the association of incident statin use and MAARI in a cohort of influenza vaccine recipients.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study evaluated influenza vaccine recipients within the Tricare population. The primary outcome compared MAARI incidence during the follow-up period in a propensity score-matched cohort of incident statin users and statin non-users. Secondary analysis included propensity score-adjusted comparisons between incident statin users and statin non-users in the entire cohort and prespecified sub-cohorts with and without comorbidities. The propensity score was derived from 72 variables encompassing demographics, medical history, comorbidities, medication use, and healthcare utilization.ResultsMAARI incidence in statin users was similar to non-users in the propensity score-matched cohort (odds ratio [OR] 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84–1.01). In contrast, statin users with lower comorbidity had lower OR for MAARI compared to non-users (Charlson Score zero cohort: 0.85 [CI 0.74–0.98]; No Diabetes cohort: 0.88 [CI 0.80–0.96]).ConclusionIncident statin use was not associated with increased MAARI incidence and may be associated with lower incidence of MAARI in those with less comorbidity. This study thus offers reassurance regarding the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine in statin users.     

前置血管围产结局130例分析

目的:探讨前置血管临床特点、孕期管理及围产儿结局。方法:回顾性分析2013年1月至2019年5月在四川大学华西第二医院分娩的130例前置血管患者临床资料,分析其临床高危因素、孕期管理及围产儿结局。结果:130例前置血管患者占我院同期分娩产妇的1.86‰。108例(83.1%)单胎,22例(16.9%)多胎,自然受孕109例(83.8%),辅助受孕21例(16.2%),其中妊娠合并帆状胎盘(68.5%)和前置胎盘(33.8%)占多数,96.2%产前诊断前置血管的患者合并至少一个高危因素。产前诊断111例,70.3%中孕期诊断,29.7%晚孕期诊断,诊断后行严密监测,入院孕周(33.7±2.2周),分娩孕周为35.0±1.6周,34~37周分娩77例。130例分娩活产儿150个,活产儿中存活145个,其出生体质量为2422.8±462.5 g,74例(51.0%)转NICU,在NICU住院时间为8(1~49)天。产前诊断组中,多胎妊娠病例的入院孕周、分娩孕周较单胎早,早产率和新生儿死亡率明显高于单胎妊娠病例(P<0.05)。产前诊断组与产时产后诊断组新生儿早产率为87.8%与55.6%(P<0.05),新生儿死亡率分别为2.4%和7.4%(P=0.220)。结论:规范产前检查、早期诊断、严密监护胎儿情况并适时终止妊娠有助于改善前置血管孕妇围产儿结局。