Hospital volume and other risk factors for in-hospital mortality among diverticulitis patients: A nationwide analysis

BACKGROUND:

Previous studies have found that a higher volume of colorectal surgery was associated with lower mortality rates. While diverticulitis is an increasingly common condition, the effect of hospital volume on outcomes among diverticulitis patients is unknown.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the relationship between hospital volume and other factors on in-hospital mortality among patients admitted for diverticulitis.

METHODS:

Data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (years 1993 to 2008) were analyzed to identify 822,865 patients representing 4,108,726 admissions for diverticulitis. Hospitals were divided into quartiles based on the volume of diverticulitis cases admitted over the study period, adjusted for years contributed to the dataset. Mortality according to hospital volume was modelled using logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, race, comorbidities, health care insurance, admission type, calendar year, colectomy, disease severity and clustering. Risk estimates were expressed as adjusted ORs with 95% CIs.

RESULTS:

Patients at high-volume hospitals were more likely to be admitted emergently, undergo surgical treatment and have more severe disease. In-hospital mortality was higher among the lowest quartile of hospital volume compared with the highest volume (OR 1.13 [95% CI 1.05 to 1.21]). In-hospital mortality was increased among patients admitted emergently (OR 2.58 [95% CI 2.40 to 2.78]) as well as those receiving surgical treatment (OR 3.60 [95% CI 3.42 to 3.78]).

CONCLUSIONS:

Diverticulitis patients admitted to hospitals with a low volume of diverticulitis cases had an increased risk for death compared with those admitted to high-volume centres.     

Ulcerative colitis-associated hospitalization costs: A population-based study

BACKGROUND:

Hospitalization costs for ulcerative colitis (UC) following the introduction of infliximab have not been evaluated.

OBJECTIVE:

To study predictors of costs for UC patients who were hospitalized for a flare or colectomy.

METHODS:

Population-based surveillance identified adults (≥18 years of age) admitted to hospital for UC flare or colectomy between 2001 and 2009 in the Calgary Health Zone (Alberta). Medical charts were reviewed and patients stratified into three admission types: responsive to inpatient medical therapy (n=307); emergent colectomy (n=227); and elective colectomy (n=208). The annual median cost with interquartile range (IQR) was calculated. Linear regression determined the effect of admission type on hospital charges after adjusting for age, sex, smoking, comorbidities, disease extent, medication use (eg, infliximab) and year. The adjusted cost increase was presented as the percent increase with 95% CIs. Joinpoint analysis assessed for an inflection point in hospital cost after the introduction of infliximab.

RESULTS:

Median hospitalization cost for UC flare, emergent colectomy and elective colectomy, respectively, were: $5,499 (IQR $3,374 to $8,904), $23,698 (IQR $17,981 to $32,385) and $14,316 (IQR $11,932 to $18,331). Adjusted hospitalization costs increased approximately 6.0% annually (95% CI 4.5% to 7.5%). Adjusted costs were higher for patients who underwent an elective colectomy (percent increase cost 179.8% [95% CI 151.6% to 211.1%]) or an emergent colectomy (percent increase cost 211.1% [95% CI 183.2% to 241.6%]) than medically responsive patients. Infliximab in hospital was an independent predictor of increased costs (percent increase cost 69.5% [95% CI 49.2% to 92.5%]). No inflection points were identified.

CONCLUSION:

Hospitalization costs for UC increased due to colectomy and infliximab.     

Effect of perioperative glucose-insulin-potassium infusions on mortality and atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND:

Glucose-insulin infusions (with potassium [GIK] or without [GI]) have been advocated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery to optimize myocardial glucose use and to minimize ischemic injury.

OBJECTIVE:

To conduct a meta-analysis assessing whether the use of GIK/GI infusions perioperatively reduce in-hospital mortality or atrial fibrillation (AF) after CABG surgery.

METHODS:

Electronic databases (Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials [CENTRAL]) and references of retrieved articles were searched for randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of GIK or GI infusions, before or during CABG surgery, on in-hospital mortality and/or postoperative AF. Pooled ORs and 95% CIs were calculated for each outcome.

RESULTS:

Twenty trials were identified and eligible for review. The summary OR for in-hospital mortality was 0.88 (95% CI 0.56 to 1.40), based on 44 deaths among 2326 patients. While postoperative AF was a more frequent outcome (occurring in 519 of 1540 patients in the 10 trials reporting this outcome), the overall pooled estimate of effect was nonsignificant (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.15). This latter finding needs to be interpreted cautiously because it is accompanied by significant heterogeneity across trials.

CONCLUSIONS:

Perioperative use of GIK/GI does not significantly reduce mortality or atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing CABG surgery. Unless future trial data in support of GIK/GI infusions become available, the routine use of these treatments in patients undergoing CABG surgery should be discouraged because the safety of these infusions has not been systematically examined.     

A meta-analysis of nutritional supplementation for management of hospitalized alcoholic hepatitis

BACKGROUND:

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Malnutrition accompanies this condition and may be both a consequence of and contributor to the pathology. Many trials have investigated the benefits of providing supplemental nutrition in the management of patients with ALD. The present study is a meta-analysis of the available evidence.

METHOD:

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies comparing nutritional supplementation plus a normal hospital diet versus diet alone.

RESULTS:

Seven randomized controlled studies including 262 patients with ALD were identified. Pooled analysis revealed no statistical difference in mortality between groups given special nutritional therapy versus a normal balanced diet (OR 0.80 [95% CI 0.42 to 1.52]). In addition, nutrition did not significantly improve ascites (OR 1.29 [95% CI 0.52 to 3.20]) or any biochemical parameters. However, encephalopathy showed a significant improvement or resolution (OR 0.24 [95% CI 0.06 to 0.93]).

CONCLUSION:

Nutritional supplementation provided no mortality benefit in patients with ALD, and neither ascites nor biochemical parameters significantly improved. However, encephalopathy was significantly ameliorated and, therefore, nutritional supplementation should be encouraged in that setting.     

Prediction and prevention of upper gastrointestinal bleeding after cardiac surgery: a case control study

BACKGROUND:

Gastrointestinal (GI) complications of cardiovascular surgery, particularly bleeding, occur frequently.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine factors that predict upper GI bleeding (UGIB) after cardiac surgery to improve prognostication and, thus, outcomes.

METHODS:

The present case-control study reviewed institutional records spanning 2002 to 2005 for consecutive patients who developed in-hospital UGIB following cardiovascular surgery. Each case was matched to two to three controls for age, sex and date of hospital admission. Demographics, pharmacotherapy (including use of in-hospital acid suppression), endoscopic findings and outcomes were recorded. After adjustment for possible confounders, including Parsonnet score and demographic parameters, conditional logistic regression analysis identified independent significant predictors of the subsequent development of UGIB.

RESULTS:

The study population consisted of 131 cases (mean [± SD] age 68.8±10.2 years, 69.5% male, mean Parsonnet score 24.6±14.2) and 387 matched controls (mean age 68.8±10.8 years, 70.0% male, mean Parsonnet score 20.9±14.2). UGIB events occurred a mean of 10.3±7.7 days after cardiac surgery. Duration of mechanical ventilation (OR 3.01 [95% CI 1.44 to 6.28]), elevation of international normalized ratio (OR 1.91 [95% CI 1.31 to 2.78]) and occurrence of Clostridium difficile colitis before bleeding (OR 3.15 [95% CI 1.19 to 8.36]) were independent risk factors. Use of histamine type 2 receptor antagonists (H₂RAs) (OR 0.65 [95% CI 0.38 to 1.12]) or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (OR 0.60 [95% CI 0.27 to 1.32]) demonstrated trends toward protecting against UGIB after cardiac surgery.

CONCLUSIONS:

GI bleeding events occurred approximately 10 days after cardiac surgery in patients with a complicated postoperative course. Significant predictors of subsequent bleeding included increased duration of mechanical ventilation and elevation of international normalized ratio; routine acid suppression with PPIs should be considered in such patients. C difficile colitis also significantly predicted UGIB, and H₂RAs should be considered for acid suppression. Neither H₂RAs nor PPIs were effective in preventing UGIB, although the small number of patients limits definitive conclusions regarding the role of acid suppression.     

Factors associated with the appropriate use of asthma drugs

BACKGROUND:

When used properly, asthma drugs can reduce asthma-related morbidity and mortality.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the use of asthma drugs, and to identify factors associated with appropriateness of use among patients 12 to 45 years of age.

METHODS:

Asthmatic patients were interviewed about their asthma drug(s) use and the factors potentially associated with appropriateness of use according to the 2003 Canadian Asthma Consensus Conference guidelines. To determine the factors associated with the appropriate use of asthma drugs, a multivariate logistic regression model was built using a stepwise procedure, and ORs and associated 95% CIs were calculated.

RESULTS:

Of the 349 study participants, 43 (12.3%) reported appropriate use of their asthma drugs. Respondents who were more likely to report appropriate use were patients with sound knowledge of their asthma drugs (OR 2.61 [95% CI 1.29 to 5.29]), those in good, very good or excellent self-perceived health (OR 3.37 [95% CI 1.31 to 8.71]), those who had consulted a specialist during the preceding year (OR 2.28 [95% CI 1.05 to 4.97]) and those who declared themselves short of drugs due to a lack of money (OR 2.78 [95% CI 1.26 to 6.17]).

CONCLUSIONS:

Results of the present study suggested that recommendations in the current guidelines regarding the appropriate use of asthma medications are being poorly implemented. Educational interventions with the aim of improving quality of care and knowledge about asthma drugs should be offered.     

Clostridium difficile infection worsens the prognosis of ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND:

The impact of Clostridium difficile infections among ulcerative colitis (UC) patients is well characterized. However, there is little knowledge regarding the association between C difficile infections and postoperative complications among UC patients.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether C difficile infection is associated with undergoing an emergent colectomy and experiencing postoperative complications.

METHODS:

The present population-based case-control study identified UC patients admitted to Calgary Health Zone hospitals for a flare between 2000 and 2009. C difficile toxin tests ordered in hospital or 90 days before hospital admission were provided by Calgary Laboratory Services (Calgary, Alberta). Hospital records were reviewed to confirm diagnoses and to extract clinical data. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed among individuals tested for C difficile to examine the association between C difficile infection and emergent colectomy and diagnosis of any postoperative complications and, secondarily, an infectious postoperative complication. Estimates were presented as adjusted ORs with 95% CIs.

RESULTS:

C difficile was tested in 278 (58%) UC patients and 6.1% were positive. C difficile infection was associated with an increased risk for emergent colectomy (adjusted OR 3.39 [95% CI 1.02 to 11.23]). Additionally, a preoperative diagnosis of C difficile was significantly associated with the development of postoperative infectious complications (OR 4.76 [95% CI 1.10 to 20.63]).

CONCLUSION:

C difficile diagnosis worsened the prognosis of UC by increasing the risk of colectomy and postoperative infectious complications following colectomy. Future studies are needed to explore whether early detection and aggressive management of C difficile infection will improve UC outcomes.     

Prevalence and predictors of sleep disturbance among liver diseases in long-term transplant survivors

BACKGROUND:

Patients with cirrhosis are known to experience sleep disturbance, which negatively impacts health-related quality of life.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the prevalence and predictors of sleep disturbance before and after liver transplantation (LT).

METHODS:

Both pre- and post-LT patients were administered the Basic Nordic Sleep Questionnaire. The primary outcome was overall sleep satisfaction; the secondary outcomes were sleep latency and sleep duration.

RESULTS:

Eighty-three patients participated pre-LT and 273 post-LT. Overall, participants having completed both pre- and post-LT questionnaires reported satisfactory sleep 61% of the time before LT and 65% of the time after LT. However, on review of all questionnaires, patients with alcoholic liver disease (ETOH) experienced dramatically less sleep disturbance (OR 0.13 [95% CI 0.03 to 0.60]) post-LT, whereas those with hepatitis C remained without improvement (OR 0.90 [95% CI [0.38 to 2.15]). On logistic regression, patients with ETOH had statistically less sleep satisfaction pre-LT (OR 5.8 [95% CI 1.0 to 40.5]) and significantly better sleep satisfaction post-LT (OR 0.50 [95% CI 0.20 to 1.00]) compared with those with hepatitis C. In addition, both ETOH and other conditions had significantly better sleep latency than hepatitis C patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

Sleep parameters for patients who undergo LT for hepatitis C do not improve following LT as much as they do in patients transplanted for ETOH. Following LT, patients transplanted for ETOH are significantly more satisfied with their sleep than those transplanted for hepatitis C. Physicians should address and manage sleep quality after LT, so as to ultimately improve quality of life.     

Did Duty Hour Reform Lead to Better Outcomes Among the Highest Risk Patients?

Background

Earlier work demonstrated that ACGME duty hour reform did not adversely affect mortality, with slight improvement noted among specific subgroups.

Objective

To determine whether resident duty hour reform differentially affected the mortality risk of high severity patients or patients who experienced post-operative complications (failure-to-rescue).

Design

Observational study using interrupted time series analysis with data from July 1, 2000 - June 30, 2005. Fixed effects logistic regression was used to examine the change in the odds of mortality or failure-to-rescue (FTR) in more versus less teaching-intensive hospitals before and after duty hour reform.

Participants

All unique Medicare patients (n = 8,529,595) admitted to short-term acute care non-federal hospitals and all unique VA patients (n = 318,636 patients) with principal diagnoses of acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, stroke or a DRG classification of general, orthopedic or vascular surgery.

Measurements and Main Results

We measured mortality within 30 days of hospital admission and FTR, measured by death among patients who experienced a surgical complication. The odds of mortality and FTR generally changed at similar rates for higher and lower risk patients in more vs. less teaching intensive hospitals. For example, comparing the mortality risk for the 10% of Medicare patients with highest risk to the other 90% of patients in post-reform year 1 for combined medical an OR of 1.01 [95% CI 0.90, 1.13], for combined surgical an OR of 0.91 [95% CI 0.80, 1.04], and for FTR an OR of 0.94 [95% CI 0.80, 1.09]. Findings were similar in year 2 for both Medicare and VA. The two exceptions were a relative increase in mortality for the highest risk medical (OR 1.63 [95% CI 1.08, 2.46]) and a relative decrease in the high risk surgical patients within VA in post-reform year 1 (OR 0.52 [95% CI 0.29, 0.96]).

Conclusions

ACGME duty hour reform was not associated with any consistent improvements or worsening in mortality or failure-to-rescue rates for high risk medical or surgical patients.KEY WORDS: medical errors internship and residency, education, medical, graduate, personnel staffing and scheduling, continuity of patient care     

The Simple Predictors of Pseudomembranous Colitis in Patients with Hospital-Acquired Diarrhea: A Prospective Observational Study

Background/Aims

As the incidence rate of and mortality from pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) are increasing worldwide, it is important to study the simple predictive risk factors for PMC among patients with hospital-acquired diarrhea (HAD). This study focused on identifying the clinical risk factors that can easily predict PMC.

Methods

The presumed HAD patients were prospectively recruited at the Hallym University Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital.

Results

Age of 70 and older (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 0.75), use of proton pump inhibitors (adjusted OR, 4.07; 95% CI, 2.512 to 6.57), use of cephalosporins (adjusted OR, 2.99; 95% CI, 1.82 to 4.94), and underlying cancer (adjusted OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.04 to 2.82) were independent risk factors for PMC in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of PMC was very low in the patients with HAD who exhibited no risk factors.

Conclusions

The risk factors for PMC in patients with HAD included cephalosporin use, proton pump inhibitor use, old age, and cancer. Considering the strongly negative predictive values of these risk factors, endoscopic evaluation can be delayed in patients with HAD without risk of developing PMC.     

Tuberculosis in the intensive care unit: A retrospective descriptive cohort study with determination of a predictive fatality score

BACKGROUND:

Despite effective treatments, tuberculosis-related mortality remains high among patients requiring admission to the intensive care unit (ICU).

OBJECTIVE:

To determine prognostic factors of death in tuberculosis patients admitted to the ICU, and to develop a simple predictive scoring system.

METHODS:

A 10-year, retrospective study of 53 patients admitted consecutively to the Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Lariboisière (Paris, France) ICU with confirmed tuberculosis, was conducted. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors for death. A predictive fatality score was determined.

RESULTS:

Diagnoses included pulmonary tuberculosis (96%) and tuberculous encephalomeningitis (26%). Patients required mechanical ventilation (45%) and vasopressor infusion (28%) on admission. Twenty patients (38%) died, related to direct tuberculosis-induced organ failure (n=5), pulmonary bacterial coinfections (n=14) and pulmonary embolism (n=1). Using a multivariate analysis, three independent factors on ICU admission were predictive of fatality: miliary pulmonary tuberculosis (OR 9.04 [95% CI 1.25 to 65.30]), mechanical ventilation (OR 11.36 [95% CI 1.55 to 83.48]) and vasopressor requirement (OR 8.45 [95% CI 1.29 to 55.18]). A score generated by summing these three independent variables was effective at predicting fatality with an area under the ROC curve of 0.92 (95% CI 0.85 to 0.98).

CONCLUSIONS:

Fatalities remain high in patients admitted to the ICU with tuberculosis. Miliary pulmonary tuberculosis, mechanical ventilation and vasopressor requirement on admission were predictive of death.     

Predictors of a variceal source among patients presenting with upper gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND:

Patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) require an early, tailored approach best guided by knowledge of the bleeding lesion, especially a variceal versus a nonvariceal source.

OBJECTIVE:

To identify, by investigating a large national registry, variables that would be predictive of a variceal origin of UGIB using clinical parameters before endoscopic evaluation.

METHODS:

A retrospective study was conducted in 21 Canadian hospitals during the period from January 2004 until the end of May 2005. Consecutive charts for hospitalized patients with a primary or secondary discharge diagnosis of UGIB were reviewed. Data regarding demographics, including historical, physical examination, initial laboratory investigations, endoscopic and pharmacological therapies administered, as well as clinical outcomes, were collected. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was performed to identify clinical predictors of a variceal source of bleeding.

RESULTS:

The patient population included 2020 patients (mean [± SD] age 66.3±16.4 years; 38.4% female). Overall, 215 (10.6%) were found to be bleeding from upper gastrointestinal varices. Among 26 patient characteristics, variables predicting a variceal source of bleeding included history of liver disease (OR 6.36 [95% CI 3.59 to 11.3]), excessive alcohol use (OR 2.28 [95% CI 1.37 to 3.77]), hematemesis (OR 2.65 [95% CI 1.61 to 4.36]), hematochezia (OR 3.02 [95% CI 1.46 to 6.22]) and stigmata of chronic liver disease (OR 2.49 [95% CI 1.46 to 4.25]). Patients treated with antithrombotic therapy were more likely to experience other causes of hemorrhage (OR 0.44 [95% CI 0.35 to 0.78]).

CONCLUSION:

Presenting historical and physical examination data, and initial laboratory tests carry significant predictive ability in discriminating variceal versus nonvariceal sources of bleeding.     

Does the level of reproductive knowledge specific to inflammatory bowel disease predict childlessness among women with inflammatory bowel disease?

BACKGROUND:

Women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may choose to remain childless due to a lack of IBD-specific reproductive knowledge.

OBJECTIVES:

To examine the effects of IBD-specific reproductive knowledge and discussion of family planning with a physician on childlessness among women with IBD.

METHODS:

Female IBD patients 18 to 45 years of age completed the Crohn’s and Colitis Pregnancy Knowledge questionnaire (CCPKnow), and answered questions regarding reproductive history, plans to have children and discussion of family planning with a physician. CCPKnow scores were grouped according to poor (0 to 7), adequate (8 to 10), good (11 to 13) and very good (14 to 17).

RESULTS:

Of 434 eligible women, 248 (57.1%) completed the questionnaires. Of these 248 women, 51.6% were childless and, among these, 12.9% were voluntarily childless and 12.1% were trying to become pregnant. Childless women had a lower median CCPKnow score than women with children (6.0 versus 8.0; P=0.001). After adjusting for current age and marital status, each one point increase in the CCPKnow score corresponded to 8% lower odds of childlessness (OR 0.92 [95% CI 0.86 to 0.99]), 9% lower odds of voluntary child-lessness (OR 0.91 [95% CI 0.79 to 1.0]) and 20% higher odds of trying to become pregnant (OR 1.2 [95% CI 1.0 to 1.4]). Discussion of family planning with a gastroenterologist corresponded to 72% lower odds of a poor CCPKnow score (OR 0.28 [95% CI 0.15 to 0.53]) and of voluntary childlessness (OR 0.28 [95% CI 0.057 to 1.3]).

CONCLUSION:

In the present study, higher IBD-specific reproductive knowledge lowered the odds of childlessness among women with IBD. Discussion of family planning with a physician was associated with higher CCPKnow scores and lower odds of voluntary childlessness.     

Third-generation cephalosporin-resistant spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: A single-centre experience and summary of existing studies

BACKGROUND:

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is the most prevalent bacterial infection in patients with cirrhosis. Although studies from Europe have reported significant rates of resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, there are limited SBP-specific data from centres in North America.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the prevalence of, predictors for and clinical impact of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant SBP at a Canadian tertiary care centre, and to summarize the data in the context of the existing literature.

METHODS:

SBP patients treated with both antibiotics and albumin therapy at a Canadian tertiary care hospital between 2003 and 2011 were retrospectively identified. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors of third-generation cephalosporin resistance and mortality.

RESULTS:

In 192 patients, 25% of infections were nosocomial. Forty per cent (77 of 192) of infections were culture positive; of these, 19% (15 of 77) were resistant to third-generation cephalosporins. The prevalence of cephalosporin resistance was 8% with community-acquired infections, 17% with health care-associated infections and 41% with nosocomial acquisition. Nosocomial acquisition of infection was the only predictor of resistance to third-generation cephalosporins (OR 4.0 [95% CI 1.04 to 15.2]). Thirty-day mortality censored for liver transplantation was 27% (50 of 184). In the 77 culture-positive patients, resistance to third-generation cephalosporins (OR 5.3 [1.3 to 22]) and the Model for End-stage Live Disease score (OR 1.14 [1.04 to 1.24]) were independent predictors of 30-day mortality.

CONCLUSIONS:

Third-generation cephalosporin-resistant SBP is a common diagnosis and has an effect on clinical outcomes. In an attempt to reduce the mortality associated with resistance to empirical therapy, high-risk subgroups should receive broader empirical antibiotic coverage.     

Adenoma detection rates decline with increasing procedural hours in an endoscopist’s workload

BACKGROUND:

Operator fatigue may negatively influence adenoma detection (AD) during screening colonoscopy.

OBJECTIVE:

To better characterize factors affecting AD, including the number of hours worked, and the number and type of procedures performed before an index screening colonoscopy.

METHODS:

A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving individuals undergoing a screening colonoscopy at a major tertiary care hospital in Montreal, Quebec. Individuals were identified using an endoscopic reporting database; AD was identified by an electronic chart review. A hierarchical logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between patient- and endoscopist-related variables and AD.

RESULTS:

A total of 430 consecutive colonoscopies performed by 10 gastroenterologists and two surgeons were included. Patient mean (± SD) age was 63.4±10.9 years, 56.3% were males, 27.7% had undergone a previous colonoscopy and the cecal intubation rate was 95.7%. The overall AD rate was 25.7%. Age was associated with AD (OR 1.06 [95% CI 1.03 to 1.08]), while female sex (OR 0.44 [95% CI 0.25 to 0.75]), an indication for average-risk screening (OR 0.47 [95% CI 0.27 to 0.80]) and an increase in the number of hours during which endoscopies were performed before the index colonoscopy (OR 0.87 [95% CI 0.76 to 0.99]) were associated with lower AD rates. On exploratory univariable analysis, a threshold of 3 h of endoscopy time performed before the index colonoscopy was associated with decreased AD.

CONCLUSION:

The number of hours devoted to endoscopies before the index colonoscopy was inversely associated with AD rate, with decreased performance possibly as early as within 3 h. This metric should be confirmed in future studies and considered when optimizing scheduling practices.     

Younger age and prognosis in diverticulitis: A nationwide retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND:

Traditionally regarded as a disease of the elderly, the incidence of diverticulitis of the colon has been on the rise, especially in younger cohorts. These patients have been found to experience a more aggressive disease course with more frequent hospitalization and greater need for surgical intervention.

OBJECTIVE:

To characterize factors that portend a poor prognosis in patients diagnosed with diverticulitis; in particular, to evaluate the role of demographic variables on disease course.

METHODS:

Using the Canadian Institute for Health Information Discharge Abstract Databases, readmission rates, length of stay, colectomy rates and mortality rates in patients hospitalized for diverticulitis were examined. Data were stratified according to age, sex and comorbidity (as defined by the Charlson index).

RESULTS:

In the cohort ≤30 years of age, a clear male predominance was apparent. Colectomy rate in the index admission, stratified according to age, demonstrated a J-shaped curve, with the highest rate in patients ≤30 years of age (adjusted OR 2.3 [95% CI 1.62 to 3.27]) compared with the 31 to 40 years of age group. In-hospital mortality increased with age. Cumulative rates of readmission at six and 12 months were 6.8% and 8.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

In the present nationwide cohort study, younger patients (specifically those ≤30 years of age) were at highest risk for colectomy during their index admission for diverticulitis. It is unclear whether this observation was due to more virulent disease among younger patients, or surgeon and patient preferences.     

Postoperative delirium in the intensive care unit predicts worse outcomes in liver transplant recipients

BACKGROUND:

Delirium is common in intensive care unit patients and is associated with worse outcome.

OBJECTIVE:

To identify early risk factors for delirium in patients admitted to the intensive care unit following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

METHODS:

An observational study of patients admitted to the intensive care unit from January 2000 to May 2010 for elective or semi-elective OLT was conducted. The primary end point was delirium in the intensive care unit. Pre- and post-transplantation and intraoperative factors potentially associated with this outcome were examined.

RESULTS:

Of the 281 patients included in the study, 28 (10.03%) developed delirium in the intensive care unit at a median of two days (interquartile range one to seven days) after OLT. According to multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for delirium were intraoperative transfusion of packed red blood cells (OR 1.15 [95% CI 1.01 to 1.18]), renal replacement therapy during the pretransplantation period (OR 13.12 [95% CI 2.82 to 72.12]) and Acute Physiologic and Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score (OR per unit increase 1.10 [95% CI 1.03 to 1.29]). Using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for baseline covariates, delirium was associated with an almost twofold risk of remaining in hospital, a fourfold increased risk of dying in hospital and an almost threefold increased rate of death by one year.

CONCLUSION:

Intraoperative transfusion of packed red blood cells, pretransplantation renal replacement therapy and APACHE II score are predictors for the development of delirium in intensive care unit patients post-OLT and are associated with increased hospital lengths of stay and mortality.     

Impact of anemia on long-term ischemic events and bleeding events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a system review and meta-analysis

Background

Data focused on the ischemic events and bleeding events are still limited. We systematically reviewed the current available literature to investigate whether anemia increase incidence of long-term ischemic events and long-term bleeding events in patients undergoing PCI.

Methods

PubMed and Embase were searched for case-control studies regarding the impact of anemia on long-term outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The primary outcome was long-term ischemic events and long-term bleeding events. Mantel-Haenszel method with random effects model or fixed effects model was used to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Seventeen studies involving 68,528 patients (17,123 anemic patients and 51,405 non-anemic patients) were included. Pooled analysis suggested that anemic patients were at higher risk for long-term composite ischemic events (OR: 1.95, 95% CI, 1.21-3.14, P<0.01, I²=84%), long-term reinfarction (0R: 1.63, 95% CI, 1.16-2.28, P<0.01, I²=82%) and long-term bleeding events (OR: 2.89, 95% CI, 1.68-4.98, P<0.001, I²=89%). Anemia was also associated with long-term mortality (OR: 3.20, 95% CI, 2.72-3.75, P<0.01, I²=65%) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (OR: 2.06, 95% CI, 1.48-2.86, P<0.01, I²=91%).

Conclusions

Anemic patients undergoing PCI are at higher risk for both long-term ischemic events and bleeding events, and also at higher risk for long-term mortality and MACE. There’s a need for further clarification and consistency regarding dosage, timing and duration of antithrombotic therapy for the prevention of ischemic events and bleeding events in anemic patients.     

Gaps in the hepatitis C continuum of care among sex workers in Vancouver,British Columbia: Implications for voluntary hepatitis C virus testing,treatment and care

BACKGROUND:

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication leads to reduced morbidity, mortality and transmission. Despite the disproportionate burden of HCV among sex workers, data regarding the HCV care continuum in this population remain negligible.

METHODS:

Using baseline data from an ongoing cohort of women sex workers in Vancouver (An Evaluation of Sex Workers’ Health Access, January 2010 to August 2013), the authors assessed HCV prevalence and engagement in the HCV care continuum within the past year. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate associations with recent (ie, in the past year) HCV testing.

RESULTS:

Among 705 sex workers, 302 (42.8%) were HCV seropositive. Of these, 22.5% were previously unaware of their HCV status, 41.7% had accessed HCV-related care, 13.9% were offered treatment and only 1.0% received treatment. Among 552 HCV-seronegative sex workers, only one-half (52.9%) reported a recent HCV test. In multivariable analysis, women who self-identified as a sexual/gender minority (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.89 [95% CI 1.11 to 3.24]), resided in the inner city drug use epicentre (aOR 3.19 [95%CI 1.78 to 5.73]) and used injection (aOR 2.00 [95% CI 1.19 to 3.34]) or noninjection drugs (aOR 1.95 [95% CI 1.00 to 3.78]) had increased odds of undergoing a recent HCV test, while immigrant participants (aOR 0.24 [95% CI 0.12 to 0.48]) had decreased odds.

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite a high burden of HCV among sex workers, large gaps in the HCV care continuum remain. Particularly concerning are the low access to HCV testing, with one-fifth of women living with HCV being previously unaware of their status, and the exceptionally low prevalence of HCV treatment. There is a critical need for further research to better understand and address barriers to engage in the HCV continuum for sex workers.     

Impact of obesity on perinatal outcomes among asthmatic women

BACKGROUND:

Only one study has investigated the combined effect of maternal asthma and obesity on perinatal outcomes; however, it did not consider small-for-gestational age and large-for-gestational age infants.

OBJECTIVES:

To examine the impact of obesity on perinatal outcomes among asthmatic women.

METHODS:

A cohort of 1386 pregnancies from asthmatic women was reconstructed using three of Quebec’s administrative databases and a questionnaire. Women were categorized using their prepregnancy body mass index. Underweight, overweight and obese women were compared with normal weight women. The primary outcome was the birth of a small-for-gestational-age infant, defined as a birth weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age and sex. Secondary outcomes were large-for-gestational-age infants (birth weight >90th percentile for gestational age) and preterm birth (<37 weeks’ gestation). Logistic regression models were used to obtain the ORs of having small-for-gestational-age infants, large-for-gestational-age infants and preterm birth as a function of body mass index.

RESULTS:

The proportions of underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese women were 10.8%, 53.3%, 19.7% and 16.2%, respectively. Obese asthmatic women were not found to be significantly more at risk for giving birth to small-for-gestational-age infants (OR 0.6 [95% CI 0.4 to 1.1]), large-for-gestational-age infants (OR 1.2 [95% CI 0.7 to 2.2]) or having a preterm delivery (OR 0.7 [95% CI 0.4 to 1.3]) than normal-weight asthmatic women.

CONCLUSIONS:

No significant negative interaction between maternal asthma and obesity on adverse perinatal outcomes was observed.