Emergency service use is common in the year before death among drug users who die from an overdose

Aims: This study compares the characteristics of those who were or were not attended by the emergency services in the year before death. It describes the reasons for emergency service attendance and the prevalence of such attendance. It reports the number of days between the last emergency service attendance and death and examines contact with other health and social services and the association of this with emergency service attendance. Finally, it examines the association between the frequency of emergency service attendance and the frequency of contact with other services.Methods: A retrospective registry study where all overdose fatalities (n = 231) in Oslo, Norway (2006–2008), was identified through the National Cause of Death Registry and linked with data from other health and social services.

Results: Overall, 61% were emergency service attendees and 18% were frequent attendees. Somatic complaints were the most common reason for attendance. Attendees were more known to a number of other services compared to the non-attendees. Furthermore, there was an association between the frequency of emergency service attendance and the frequency of contact with other services.Conclusions: Screening for drug use among emergency service attendees may be a way to identify those at risk of overdose death and enable the introduction of additional interventions.     

Latent class analysis of substance use and predictors of latent class membership among adolescents in the Republic of Korea

Purpose: We aimed to investigate substance use patterns and identify predictors of homogeneous subgroups of adolescent substance users.

Methods: We analyzed nationally representative secondary data collected from Korean adolescents (N = 72,435). To investigate substance use patterns, we conducted latent class analysis using seven behaviors linked to alcohol, cigarette, and e-cigarette use. After choosing the best latent class model, we investigated predictors of latent class membership (LCM) for substance use, using demographics and mental health conditions.

Results: A four-latent class model best fit the data. Non-users (74%) had low likelihoods of reporting lifetime and current use of alcohol, cigarette, and e-cigarette. Experimenters (10%) had high likelihoods of reporting lifetime alcohol and cigarette use. Current drinkers (10%) had high likelihoods of reporting lifetime and current alcohol use. Multi-substance users (6%) had high likelihoods of reporting lifetime and current use of alcohol and cigarettes, lifetime e-cigarette use, and current binge drinking. Additionally, demographics (gender, grades, socioeconomic status, co-residence with family members, and grade point average) and mental health conditions (depression, suicidal ideation, and subjective unhappiness) successfully predicted LCM.

Conclusions: In developing interventions for addressing substance-related issues, health professionals should focus on adolescent substance use patterns and take into account factors predicting LCM.     

One-year changes in methamphetamine use,dependence and remission in a community-recruited cohort

Aims: Investigate changes to a prospective cohort of methamphetamine users over 12 months, predictors of remission from methamphetamine dependence and past-month abstinence from methamphetamine use.

Method: Structured interviews were administered to 255 regular methamphetamine users at baseline (2010) and 12 months (2011). A multivariate generalised estimating equation (GEE) model identified adjusted associations with past-month abstinence at follow-up. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified factors independently associated with remission from methamphetamine dependence.

Results: Most (60%) participants were methamphetamine-dependent at baseline. Remission from dependence (n?=?38) was independently associated with age (OR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.88–1.00), maintaining/gaining employment since baseline (OR: 3.14; 95% CI: 1.21–8.14) and a greater increase in self-perceived social support (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.01–1.16). Past-month abstinence at follow-up was independently associated with being female (OR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.10–3.44), recent criminal behaviours (OR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.26–0.82), recent ecstasy (OR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.12–0.72) and benzodiazepine use (OR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.29–0.96), and being less methamphetamine-dependent (OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.72–0.88). Drug treatment was not independently associated with either outcome at follow-up.

Conclusions: Our findings highlight the potential for natural remission from methamphetamine dependence; however, targeted interventions should be developed for individuals who are likely to maintain dependent/harmful use patterns.     

Classifying subgroups of patients with symptoms of acute coronary syndromes: A cluster analysis

The purpose of the study was to identify subgroups of patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes based on symptom clusters. Two hundred fifty‐six patients completed a symptom assessment in their hospital rooms. Latent class cluster analysis and analysis of variance were used to classify subgroups of patients according to selected clinical characteristics. Four subgroups were identified and labeled as Heavy Symptom Burden, Chest Pain Only, Sweating and Weak, and Short of Breath and Weak (model fit χ² [130,891, n = 256] = 867.5, p = 1.00). The largest group of patients experienced classic symptoms of chest pain and shortness of breath but not sweating. Younger patients were more likely to cluster in the Heavy Symptom Burden group (F = 5.08, p = .002). Interpretation of the clinical significance of these groupings requires further study. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 33:386–397, 2010     

Review of the epidemiology and characteristics of intentional cyproheptadine overdose in Hong Kong

Objectives. To identify the epidemiological characteristics and clinical outcome in patients who intentionally ingested cyproheptadine or cyproheptadine-containing sleeping pills, and to investigate any association between dose ingested and reported adverse effects. Method. A retrospective study was performed based on data from the Hong Kong Poison Information Centre from July 2005 to December 2009. Fifty-seven eligible patients were recruited. Patients’ epidemiological data, type and dose of cyproheptadine or cyproheptadine-containing sleeping pills ingested, symptoms, clinical outcome, and length of stay in hospital were reviewed. Results. The majority of patient with intentional overdose had no (42.1%) or mild (40.4%) sedative symptoms. Some 17% of patients developed anticholinergic symptoms, such as delirium, agitation, disorientation, and hallucination. The mean dose ingested was found to be significantly higher in patients who presented with delirium (188.6 mg) than those who were asymptomatic (49.8 mg) (p < 0.001). The time of symptom onset in all symptomatic patients was less than 6 h. Conclusions. The majority of patients with intentional cyproheptadine overdose had no or mild symptoms only. Patients who have ingested a significant amount of cyproheptadine are more prone to develop delirium. Patients who remain asymptomatic 6 h after exposure are unlikely to develop serious symptoms.     

Exploring Patterns of Health Service Use in Older Emergency Department Patients

Objectives: Study objectives were to identify groups of older patients with similar patterns of health care use in the 12 months preceding an index outpatient emergency department (ED) visit and to identify patient‐level predictors of group membership. Methods: Subjects were adults ≥ 65 years of age treated and released from an academic medical center ED. Latent cluster analysis (LCA) models were estimated to identify groups with similar numbers of primary care (PC), specialist, and outpatient ED visits and hospital days within 12 months preceding the index ED visit. Results: In this sample (n = 308), five groups with distinct patterns of health service use emerged. Low Users (35%) had fewer visits of all types and fewer hospital days compared to sample means. Low Users were more likely to be female and had fewer chronic health conditions relative to the overall sample (p < 0.05). The ED to Supplement Primary Care Provider (PCP) (23%) group had more PCP visits, but also significantly more ED visits. Specialist Heavy (22%) group members had twice as many specialist visits, but no difference in PCP visits. Members of this class were more likely to be white and male (p < 0.05). High Users (15%) received more care in all categories and had more chronic baseline health conditions (p < 0.05) but no differences in demographic characteristics relative to the whole sample. The ED and Hospital as Substitution Care (6%) group had fewer PC and specialist visits, but more ED visits and hospital days. Conclusions: In this sample of older ED patients, five groups with distinct patterns of health service use were identified. Further study is needed to determine whether identification of these patient groups can add important information to existing risk‐assessment methods. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:1086–1092 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine     

Resuscitation characteristics and outcomes in suspected drug overdose-related out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Introduction

We sought to compare characteristics of emergency medical services-treated out-of-hospital cardiac arrests resulting from suspected drug overdose with non-overdose cases and test the relationship between suspected overdose and survival to hospital discharge.

Methods

Data from emergency medical services-treated, non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrests from 2006 to 2008 and late 2009 to 2011 were obtained from four EMS agencies in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania metropolitan area. Case definition for suspected drug overdose was naloxone administration, indication on the patient care report and/or indication by a review of hospital records. Resuscitation parameters included chest compression fraction, rate, and depth and the administration of resuscitation drugs. Demographic and outcome variables compared by suspected overdose status included age, sex, and survival to hospital discharge.

Results

From 2342 treated out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, 180 were suspected overdose cases (7.7%) and were compared to 2162 non-overdose cases. Suspected overdose cases were significantly younger (45 vs. 65, p < 0.001), less likely to be witnessed by a bystander (29% vs. 41%, p < 0.005), and had a higher rate of survival to hospital discharge (19% vs. 12%, p = 0.014) than non-overdoses. Suspected overdose cases had a higher overall chest compression fraction (0.69 vs. 0.67, p = 0.018) and higher probability of adrenaline, sodium bicarbonate, and atropine administration (p < 0.001). Suspected overdose status was predictive of survival to hospital discharge when controlling for other variables (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Patients with suspected overdose-related out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were younger, received different resuscitative care, and survived more often than non-overdose cases.     

Accuracy of the water‐siphon test associated to barium study in a high prevalence gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease population: a novel statistical approach

Rationale, aims and objectives Gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is ‘a condition which develops when the reflux of gastric content causes troublesome symptoms or complications’. Instrumental diagnostic tests generally used for GORD are 24‐hour pH‐metry and upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy but barium study associated with provocative manoeuvres such as the water‐siphon test (WST), has also been used for GORD. The aim of this paper was to estimate the accuracy of several tests in patients with GORD in a tertiary care setting, focusing on WST, which is rapid and non‐invasive, simple to perform and well‐tolerated by patients. Method A total of 172 consecutive patients, symptomatic for reflux referred to a tertiary medical centre, were considered and data regarding the WST, 24‐hour pH‐metry, upper GI endoscopy with histology were analysed using latent class analysis, a multivariable statistical method for estimating the accuracy of tests when a gold standard is not available. Results The overall proportion of GORD in the sample was estimated at 0.664 [95% confidence interval (CI) = (0.589; 0.731)]. WST proved to be the most sensitive [Se = 0.886; 95% CI = (0.688; 1.000)] compared with pH‐metry [Se = 0.620; 95% CI = (0.493; 0.745)] and endoscopy with histology [Se = 0.534; 95% CI = (0.273; 0.789)]. It was less specific [Sp = 0.537; 95% CI = (0.003; 1.000)] than pH‐metry [Sp = 0.547; 95% CI = (0.281; 0.813)], and even less than endoscopy with histology [Sp = 0.862; 95% CI = (0.495; 1.00)]. Positive predictive values were estimated at 0.792 [95% CI = (0.721; 0.862)] for WST, 0.731 [95% CI = (0.643; 0.819)] for pH‐metry and 0.886 [95% CI = (0.811; 0.961)] for endoscopy with histology. Negative predictive values were estimated at 0.707 [95% CI = (0.573; 0.841)] for WST, 0.422 [95% CI = (0.310; 0.534)] for pH‐metry and 0.484 [95% CI = (0.387; 0.581)] for endoscopy with histology. Conclusion Water‐siphon test might possibly be useful in patients with suspected GORD because it is highly sensitive and predictive. A positive outcome of the WST associated with a barium study can certainly justify upper GI endoscopy and support any pharmacological treatment of GORD.     

药物性肝损伤不同时间临床分型与病理损伤分型关联性分析

目的分析药物性肝损伤(drug-induced liver injury,DILI)不同时间点依据R值和新R值进行临床分型与病理损伤分型的关联性。方法选取临床确诊且经肝穿刺病理检查证实的DILI患者178例,收集患者首次发病时、疾病进程中生化指标峰值及肝脏穿刺3 d内的丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)值分别计算R值和新R值(分别为R0、R1、R2和新R0、新R1、新R2)进行临床分型。通过肝组织活检观察病理损伤靶点,分析不同时间点临床分型与病理损伤分型的关联性。结果R0、新R0、R1、新R1、R2、新R2分型与病理损伤分型的κ值分别为0.115、0.122、0.141、0.151、0.078、0.077,一致性较差。以导致DILI的可疑药物进行亚组分析,西药组R1临床分型与肝病理损伤分型的一致性最高,中药组R2及新R2临床分型与肝病理损伤分型的一致性最差。R0临床分型与肝病理损伤分型比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),以肝细胞损伤型一致率最高,以混合型一致率最低。以R0临床分型标准分型后,3型患者总体ALT、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、ALP、总胆红素(TBIL)、γ谷氨酰转移酶(GGT)比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);而以肝病理损伤分型后,3型患者总体ALT、AST比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),总体ALP、TBIL、GGT比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论DILI的R值临床分型与病理损伤分型一致性较差,结合患者临床表现、用药史和肝功能生化指标进行肝组织病理学检查对于明确DILI分型有重要的意义。     

Nonmalignant Pain Symptom Subgroups in Nursing Home Residents

Context

Despite many nursing home residents experiencing pain, research about the multidimensional nature of nonmalignant pain in these residents is scant.

Acute poisonings in Croatia: differences in epidemiology,associated comorbidities and final outcomes – a single-centre 15-year follow-up

Purpose: To determine the demographic and social characteristics of acutely intoxicated patients in the emergency department (ED), intention of drug/chemical intake, main toxic agents, outcomes and time trends for all variables.

Methods: This prospective, observational study included acutely intoxicated patients treated in the ED of the University Hospital Centre Sisters of Charity, Zagreb, Croatia, during the years 2001, 2010 and 2015. The diagnosis was derived from patient’s self-report, clinical observations and laboratory test results (quantitative test for serum ethanol levels and qualitative tests for drugs in urine).

Results: A total of 1593 patients were enrolled in the study (331 in 2001, 618 in 2010, 644 in 2015), with a predominance of men (55.9%, 65.2%, 70.7%, respectively). The median age was 28 [18–89], 39 [18–92] and 40 years [18–95], respectively. There was a decline in the number of suicide attempts during the study (46.2%, 22.2%, 17.1% of patients, respectively) with a predominance of women (64.1–68.2%), and an escalation in the number of unintentional overdoses by substances of abuse (50.2%, 72.3%, 81.7% of patients, respectively) with a predominance of men (74.1–79.1%). Ethanol was the main toxic agent (40.2%, 69.4%, 75.8% of patients, respectively), used primarily as a substance of unintentional overdose. Anxiolytics were the most frequently implicated pharmaceuticals among all patients (46.5%, 32.0%, 18.5% of patients, respectively) and the main substance used in suicide attempts. The number of patients hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) decreased during the study from 20.2% of all patients in 2001 to 7.9% in 2010 and 6.8% in 2015. They accounted for 7.2%, 5.8% and 5.6% of all ICU-treated patients, respectively. In-hospital mortality (ED and ICU) caused by acute intoxications was low (0.9%, 0.8%, 0.8%, respectively).

Conclusions: The escalation of overdoses by ethanol was a major medical and public concern in Zagreb. Anxiolytics were the main substance used in suicide attempts, with a low death rate due to their good safety profile.