Predictors of Critical Acute Pancreatitis: A Prospective Cohort Study

Critical acute pancreatitis (CAP) has recently emerged as the most ominous severity category of acute pancreatitis (AP). As such there have been no studies specifically designed to evaluate predictors of CAP. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the accuracy of 4 parameters (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation [APACHE] II score, C-reactive protein [CRP], D-dimer, and intra-abdominal pressure [IAP]) for predicting CAP early after hospital admission. During the study period, data on patients with AP were prospectively collected and D-dimer, CRP, and IAP levels were measured using standard methods at admission whereas the APACHE II score was calculated within 24 hours of hospital admission. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was applied and the likelihood ratios were calculated to evaluate the predictive accuracy. A total of 173 consecutive patients were included in the analysis and 47 (27%) of them developed CAP. The overall hospital mortality was 11% (19 of 173). APACHE II score ≥11 and IAP ≥13 mm Hg showed significantly better overall predictive accuracy than D-dimer and CRP (area under the ROC curve—0.94 and 0.92 vs 0.815 and 0.667, correspondingly). The positive likelihood ratio of APACHE II score is excellent (9.9) but of IAP is moderate (4.2). The latter can be improved by adding CRP (5.8). In conclusion, of the parameters studied, APACHE II score and IAP are the best available predictors of CAP within 24 hours of hospital admission. Given that APACHE II score is rather cumbersome, the combination of IAP and CRP appears to be the most practical way to predict critical course of AP early after hospital admission.     

Acetaminophen Poisoning and Risk of Acute Pancreatitis: A Population-Based Cohort Study

The aim of this study was to assess whether acetaminophen poisoning is associated with a higher risk of acute pancreatitis.We conducted a retrospective cohort study by using the longitudinal population-based database of Taiwan''s National Health Insurance (NHI) program between 2000 and 2011. The acetaminophen cohort comprised patients aged ≥20 years with newly identified acetaminophen poisoning (N = 2958). The comparison cohort comprised randomly selected patients with no history of acetaminophen poisoning. The acetaminophen and comparison cohorts were frequency matched by age, sex, and index year (N = 11,832) at a 1:4 ratio. Each patient was followed up from the index date until the date an acute pancreatitis diagnosis was made, withdrawal from the NHI program, or December 31, 2011. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to determine the effects of acetaminophen on the risk of acute pancreatitis.The risk of acute pancreatitis was 3.11-fold higher in the acetaminophen cohort than in the comparison cohort (11.2 vs 3.61 per 10,000 person-years), with an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.40 (95% confidence interval, 1.29–4.47). The incidence rate was considerably high in patients who were aged 35 to 49 years, men, those who had comorbidities, and within the first year of follow-up.Acetaminophen poisoning is associated with an increased risk of acute pancreatitis. Additional prospective studies are necessary to verify how acetaminophen poisoning affects the risk of acute pancreatitis.     

Buprenorphine or Procaine for Pain Relief in Acute Pancreatitis A Prospective Randomized Study

Background: To assess the analgesic efficacy and side effects of buprenorphine and procaine in patients with acute pancreatitis. Methods: Forty patients (average age, 50 years; 23 male) with acute pancreatitis or an acute bout of a chronic pancreatitis were prospectively randomized to receive buprenorphine or procaine for pain relief. Both analgesics were administered as constant intravenous (i.v.) infusions and additional analgesics were given on demand. Pain scores were assessed on a visual analogue scale. Close clinical control and laboratory checks were performed during the three-day study period. Results: Patients receiving buprenorphine were significantly less likely to demand additional analgesics (1 versus 14 patients; P < 0.0001). The pain scores for patients in the buprenorphine group were significantly lower over the treatment period in comparison to procaine (P < 0.05). The reduction of pain score was significantly greater during the initial two treatment days using buprenorphine (day 1: 55 versus 25, P < 0.0001; day 2: 62 versus 40, P = 0.005). Side effects were comparable for both groups with the exception of a slightly higher sedation rate under buprenorphine. Conclusions: Constant i.v. application of buprenorphine is more effective than the recommended procaine for pain relief in acute pancreatitis.     

Bidirectional Relationship Between Diabetes and Acute Pancreatitis: A Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan

The proposed bidirectional relationship between acute pancreatitis (AP) and diabetes has never been examined with the same source of data. Furthermore, the effects of disease severity on this relationship have not been fully evaluated. The present study employed the findings from a single database to measure the strength of the association between AP and diabetes.Findings from 1 million National Health Insurance beneficiaries were utilized. Two cohort studies with this database were selected to evaluate the linkage between diabetes and AP. The first cohort analysis addressed the risk of AP among diabetic patients and was comprised of 42,080 diabetic patients and 672,146 unexposed subjects. The second cohort analysis considered the risk of diabetes among patients with AP and enrolled 3187 patients with AP and 709259 unexposed subjects. All adult beneficiaries were followed from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2012 to identify outcomes of interest. Cox regression models were applied to compare hazards adjusted for potential confounders.For the first cohort, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of AP was significantly increased by the presence of diabetes (1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52–1.96). In diabetic patients with a history of hyperglycemic crisis episodes (HCEs), the HR was even higher (6.32; 95% CI, 4.54–8.81). For the second cohort, the adjusted HR of diabetes in patients with AP was increased compared to the general population (2.15; 95% CI, 1.92–2.41). For patients with severe AP, the HR was also higher (2.22; 95% CI, 1.50–3.29) but did not differ significantly from that for patients with nonsevere AP.The 2 cohort studies provided evidence for the bidirectional relationship between diabetes and AP. Moreover, diabetic patients with history of HCEs may be associated with higher risk of AP.     

Leptin Is Associated With Persistence of Hyperglycemia in Acute Pancreatitis: A Prospective Clinical Study

Adipokines have many homeostatic roles, including modulation of glucose metabolism, but their role in the pathophysiology of hyperglycemia associated with acute and critical illnesses in general, and acute pancreatitis (AP) in particular, is largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between a panel of adipokines and hyperglycemia in the early course of AP, as well as the role of adipokines as predictors of AP severity.Adiponectin, leptin, omentin, resistin, and visfatin were measured on a daily basis in the first 72 hours after hospital admission. A first set of analyses was undertaken with admission glycemia stratified by severity, and a second set of analyses was undertaken based on persistence of early hyperglycemia. All of the analyses were adjusted for confounders.A total of 32 patients with AP were included in this study. None of the studied adipokines was significantly associated with glucose level on admission. Leptin was significantly (P = 0.003) increased in patients with persistent hyperglycemia. Adiponectin was significantly associated with the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score in patients with persistent hyperglycemia (P = 0.015), visfatin with APACHE II score in patients with persistent hyperglycemia (P = 0.014), and omentin with APACHE II score in all of the patients regardless of the presence or absence of hyperglycemia (P = 0.021).Leptin is significantly associated with persistent hyperglycemia in the early course of AP. Omentin has a potential to become an accurate predictor of AP severity.     

Incidence,Etiology and Prognosis of First-Time Acute Pancreatitis in Young Patients: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Background/Aims: The etiology of acute pancreatitis (AP) seems to have changed during the last two decades, and since detection of mutations in the gene for cationic trypsinogen (PRSS1) causing hereditary pancreatitis some patients formerly diagnosed with idiopathic AP (IAP) turn out to have a genetic cause. Methods: Data on patients <30 years of age, diagnosed with AP identified in the Danish National Registry of Patients, were retrieved. Patients previously diagnosed with IAP were offered genetic counseling and testing for mutations in the PRSS1, the Serine Protease Inhibitor Kazal type (SPINK1) and the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator gene (CFTR). Results: The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of AP increased from 3.56 per 100,000 person-years in the period 1980-1984 to 6.43 in 2000-2004 (p<0.01). The SIR of women surpassed that of men in 1999. Among patients with former IAP, 3 had hereditary pancreatitis, 3 CFTR and 4 SPINK1 mutations after reevaluation. Conclusion: The incidence of AP, especially in women, increased over time. More patients had gallstonerelated and less alcohol-related AP in the period 1999–2004 compared to 1980–1999. Genetic causes of AP were found in 32% of those tested with IAP and as a minimum estimation in 4% of the total cohort.     

Wider Perioperative Glycemic Fluctuations Increase Risk of Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury: A Prospective Cohort Study

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after cardiac surgery. Recent studies have revealed emerging associations between the magnitude of acute glycemic fluctuations and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality rates. However, the effect of acute glycemic fluctuations on the development of postoperative AKI remains unclear. Thus, we aim to investigate the effect of the magnitude of acute perioperative glycemic fluctuations on the incidence of postoperative AKI.We conducted a prospective cohort study by prospectively obtaining data from all patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting in a tertiary heart institution from 2009 to 2011. The magnitude of the difference between the highest and lowest perioperative glucose levels within 48 hr was calculated as a measure of perioperative glycemic fluctuation. Patients were divided into 4 groups for analysis based on the magnitude of perioperative glycemic fluctuation-A: 0 to 2 mmol/L; B: >2 to 4 mmol/L; C: >4 to 6 mmol/L; and D: >6 mmol/L. We analyzed the incidence of postoperative AKI, ICU mortality and ICU length of stay as primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were used.We analyzed data from 1386 patients. The overall incidence of AKI was 29.9% and increased with wider glycemic fluctuation. The incidence of AKI was statistically highest in Group D (38.3%), followed by Groups C (28.6%), B (21.7%), and A (17.4%), respectively (P�=�0.001). A similar trend was observed among both diabetics and nondiabetics (P�=�0.001 and P�=�0.002, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression showed the magnitude of perioperative glycemic fluctuations to be an independent risk factor in the development of AKI (P < 0.001, odds ratio 1.180, 95% confidence interval 1.116-1.247). ICU length of stay was statistically highest in Group D (58.3�hr) compared with Groups C (44.5�hr), B (37.3�hr), and A (32.8�hr, P�=�0.003). ICU mortality rate was comparable among all 4 groups (P�=�0.172).Wide acute perioperative glycemic fluctuations should be avoided as they are associated with a significantly increased risk of AKI and ICU length of stay in both the diabetics and the nondiabetics.     

Tiotropium in Patients with Bronchiectasis: A Prospective Cohort Study

Purpose

There are limited studies on the use of bronchodilators for the treatment of bronchiectasis. This study investigated the efficacy of tiotropium in patients with bronchiectasis and airflow limitation.

Methods

This study was a prospective cohort study, including 169 patients with bronchiectasis and airflow limitation from 2015 to 2019. The clinical outcomes observed in our study were the effect of tiotropium on the frequency of moderate exacerbations, the time to the first severe exacerbation, and the annual decline in FEV₁.

Results

After 12 months, the annual decline in the FEV₁ after bronchodilator use was 27.08 ml or 42.9 ml per year in the group with or without tiotropium, respectively. Treatment with tiotropium was associated with a decreased risk of moderate exacerbation of bronchiectasis (Adjusted RR 0.618 95% CI 0.493–0.774; P?<?0.005). The time to the first severe acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis in the tiotropium group was longer than the non-tiotropium group (Adjusted HR 0.333 95% CI 0.219–0.506; P?<?0.001).

Conclusion

In conclusion, prospective cohort study showed that tiotropium effectively ameliorated the annual decline in the FEV_1, with a lower-risk rate of moderate exacerbations and prolonging the time to the first-time severe exacerbation in patients with bronchiectasis and airflow limitation.

     

Predictors and Causes of Long-Term Mortality in Elderly Patients with Acute Venous Thromboembolism: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background

Long-term predictors and causes of death are understudied in elderly patients with acute venous thromboembolism.

国产加贝酯治疗急性出血坏死性胰腺炎疗效观察

根据卫生部卫药发（１９９２）３５号文件，我们进行了开放、对照、多中心Ⅲ期临床研究，以探讨加贝酯对急性出血坏死性胰腺炎的疗效。共观察８５例，治疗组４９例，对照组３６例，我们发现：治疗组有效率为７４．２％，而对照组为３６．０％（Ｐ＜０．０５）；死亡率分别为４．１％与２２．２％（Ｐ＜０．０５）；两组在缓解症状、消退体征与血淀粉酶恢复正常的有效率分别为７５．４％、７１．８％与８１．６％以及３８．８％、３６．０％与４４．４％（Ｐ＜０．０５，三者均同），两组在缓解症状、消退体征与血淀粉酶恢复正常的时间分别为５．４１±２．３８、５．７６±２．３２与４．５８±２．３９以及７．１１±２．４７、７．５５±２．４８与７．５８±１．９５日（Ｐ＜０．０５三者均同）。治疗后血象、肝、肾功能无明显改变。以上表明：本品对急性出血坏死性胰腺炎的治疗安全可靠，有迅速缓解临床症状、降低死亡率与提高存活率之效。     

Acute Pancreatitis Associated with Acute Hepatitis A

The etiology of acute pancreatitis is diverse, and unusual causes include several common viral infections. Although pancreatitis has been found at autopsy in patients with fulminant hepatic failure, there have been only a few reports of an association between mild to moderate acute viral hepatitis and acute pancreatitis. A case of acute hepatitis A complicated by acute pancreatitis is presented, and the relevant literature regarding this unusual association is reviewed.     

Depression and Incident Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Prospective Cohort Study

Objective

To test whether depression is associated with an increased risk of incident diabetic foot ulcers.

Methods

The Pathways Epidemiologic Study is a population-based prospective cohort study of 4839 patients with diabetes in 2000-2007. The present analysis included 3474 adults with type 2 diabetes and no prior diabetic foot ulcers or amputations. Mean follow-up was 4.1 years. Major and minor depression assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 were the exposures of interest. The outcome of interest was incident diabetic foot ulcers. We computed the hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) for incident diabetic foot ulcers, comparing patients with major and minor depression with those without depression and adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, medical comorbidity, glycosylated hemoglobin, diabetes duration, insulin use, number of diabetes complications, body mass index, smoking status, and foot self-care. Sensitivity analyses also adjusted for peripheral neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease as defined by diagnosis codes.

Results

Compared with patients without depression, patients with major depression by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 had a 2-fold increase in the risk of incident diabetic foot ulcers (adjusted hazard ratio 2.00; 95% CI, 1.24-3.25). There was no statistically significant association between minor depression by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and incident diabetic foot ulcers (adjusted hazard ratio 1.37; 95% CI, 0.77-2.44).

Conclusion

Major depression by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 is associated with a 2-fold higher risk of incident diabetic foot ulcers. Future studies of this association should include better measures of peripheral neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease, which are possible confounders or mediators.     

Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors and the Risk of Acute Pancreatitis in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in Taiwan: A Population-Based Cohort Study

To investigate the effects of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors on the risk of acute pancreatitis in patients with type 2 diabetes.This nationwide population-based cohort study used the diabetes patients dataset of Taiwan''s National Health Research Insurance Research Database. Patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009 and no history of acute pancreatitis were selected. This cohort was followed from the index date to the onset of acute pancreatitis or December 31, 2011. The main outcome measure was the hazard ratio (HR) for acute pancreatitis associated with DPP-4 inhibitor use. Cox proportional-hazards regression analyses were adjusted for alcohol use, hypertriglyceridemia, cholelithiasis, neoplasm, and Diabetes Complications Severity Index (DCSI) score. Subgroup analyses stratified by age and sex were conducted.The study cohort comprised 114,141 patients. Significant interaction effects were observed between sex and age (HR 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64–0.99) and age and DCSI score (HR 0.83, 95% CI: 0.71–0.97). In subgroup analyses, significant risks of acute pancreatitis were noted in female and elderly DPP-4 inhibitor users. Among women, the risk of acute pancreatitis was significantly higher among DPP-4 inhibitor users than among nonusers (HR 2.27, 95% CI: 1.30–3.97). This risk was also significantly higher in users than in nonusers among patients aged >65 years (HR 2.39, 95% CI: 1.11–5.15).Female and elderly DPP-4 inhibitor users had significantly elevated risks of acute pancreatitis development. Further well-conducted studies are needed to confirm our findings.