Pre‐hospital oxygen therapy in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: High concentration oxygen is commonly administered during acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). The aim of this study was to determine the association between oxygen, severity markers and poor outcomes in AECOPD. Methods: In an audit of patients with AECOPD arriving by ambulance to the Emergency Department of Wellington Hospital, details of oxygen administration, clinical outcomes and severity markers were documented. The main outcome measure was a composite of death, assisted ventilation, or respiratory failure. Associations between oxygen therapy, severity markers and poor clinical outcomes were assessed by logistic regression. Results: Of 250 patients 77 (31%) died, required assisted ventilation or were in respiratory failure. Increased oxygen flow was associated with increasing risk of death, assisted ventilation or respiratory failure with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.2 (95% CI 1.0–1.4) per 1 L/min oxygen flow. Increasing PaO₂ was associated with a greater risk of a poor outcome with an OR of 1.1 (95% CI 1.0–1.3) per 10 mmHg higher PaO₂. Home oxygen (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.5–5.1), previous respiratory failure (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.5–4.6), previous ventilation (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.7–5.9) and home nebulizer use (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.4–4.3) were associated with an increased risk of a poor outcome. Conclusion: In AECOPD high flow oxygen in the ambulance is associated with poor clinical outcomes. A number of easily identified markers of chronic disease severity indicate an increased risk of a poor clinical outcome.     

The efficacy of noninvasive ventilation in managing postextubation respiratory failure: A meta-analysis

Introduction

To determine the effectiveness of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in the management of postextubation respiratory failure.

Methods

Databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched to find relevant trials. Randomized and quasi-randomized trials studying NIV in adult patients with postextubation respiratory failure were included. Effects on primary outcomes (i.e., reintubation rate, and ICU or/and hospital mortality) were accessed in this meta-analysis.

Results

Ten trials involving 1382 patients were included: two used NIV in patients with established postextubation respiratory failure, and eight used NIV immediately after extubation. The use of NIV following extubation for patients (n = 302) with established respiratory failure did not decrease the reintubation rate (relative risk [RR] 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83-1.25) and ICU mortality (RR 1.14, 95% CI 0.43-3.00), compared to standard medical therapy (SMT). Early application of NIV after extubation (n = 1080) also did not decrease the reintubation rate (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.45-1.15) significantly. However, in the planned extubation subgroup (n = 849), there were significant reductions in the reintubation rate (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.46-0.93), ICU mortality rate (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.21-0.82), and hospital mortality rate (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.38-0.93) compared to SMT.

Conclusion

Current evidence suggests that the use of NIV in patients with established postextubation respiratory failure should be monitored cautiously. Early use of NIV can benefit patients with planned extubation by decreasing the reintubation rate and the ICU and hospital mortality rates.     

Clinical and laboratory features of disseminated histoplasmosis in HIV patients from Brazil

OBJECTIVES: To identify the main clinical and laboratory features of disseminated histoplasmosis (DH) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients and compare them with those of HIV patients with other opportunistic diseases. METHODS: Retrospective study of HIV patients comparing the clinical and laboratory data of patients with and without DH. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to verify the risk factors related to DH. RESULTS: In total, 378 HIV patients were included, 164 with DH and 214 with other opportunistic diseases. Acute renal failure, respiratory insufficiency and septic shock were more frequent in DH patients, who also had a higher mortality (32%vs. 14%, P < 0.001). Independent risk factors for DH were: acute renal failure [odds ratio (OR) 5.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.2-8.5; P < 0.001], splenomegaly (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.19-9.9; P < 0.001), respiratory insufficiency (OR 2.7 95% CI 1.5-5.0; P < 0.001), proteinuria (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.3-5.2; P = 0.03), hypotension (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.2-5.0; P = 0.008), hepatomegaly (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.2-4.8; P = 0.01), cutaneous lesions (OR, 1.9; 95% CI 1.0-3.3; P = 0.02) and weight loss (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.0-3.1; P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that DH is a severe opportunistic disease with high mortality rate, which should be promptly recognized in order to provide early specific treatment.     

Public beliefs and use of antibiotics for acute respiratory illness

OBJECTIVE: To better understand public beliefs and use of antibiotics for acute respiratory illnesses. DESIGN: Cross-sectional telephone survey. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred eighty-six adult members (aged 18 years or older) of a group-model HMO in the Denver metropolitan area. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-three (70%) of the respondents reported that antibiotics were beneficial for bacterial respiratory illnesses, 211 (55%) reported that antibiotics were beneficial for viral respiratory illnesses, and 82 (21%) reported that antibiotics were beneficial for bacterial but not for viral illness. Multivariate regression analysis identified consulting an advice nurse (odds ratio [OR] 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7, 5.3), ever being told by a provider that antibiotics were not needed for a respiratory illness episode (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.2, 3.6), having a chronic medical condition (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.0, 3.9), and believing antibiotics to be helpful for viral (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.3, 4.7) or bacterial (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.2, 6.7) respiratory illnesses to be independently associated with antibiotic use for respiratory illnesses during the previous year. There was a trend toward lower previous antibiotic use among those believing antibiotics to be helpful for bacterial illness but not for viral illness. CONCLUSIONS: A lack of understanding about antibiotic effectiveness exists in the community. Increased previous antibiotic use among those believing antibiotics to be effective for viral illnesses suggests that improvements are needed in communications to patients and the public about antibiotic appropriateness.     

Is there a role for mask continuous positive airway pressure in acute respiratory failure due to COPD? Lessons from a retrospective audit of 3 different cohorts

Exacerbations of COPD that result in acute respiratory failure requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation have high morbidity and mortality. This study is a retrospective observational study that compared the outcomes of 237 patients with COPD and acute respiratory failure requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission according to modality of initial therapy: mask continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), medical therapy, or intubation. Of the patients treated with CPAP initially, only 16% failed and required intubation compared with 62% of those treated medically (p=0.001). The median length of ICU stay was 5 days in those treated with CPAP, compared with 7 days for those medically treated, and 8.5 days for intubated patients (p=0.001). When compared with mask CPAP, and after adjusting for potentially confounding differences, mortality was significantly higher if patients were initially intubated (adjusted odds ratios [OR] 15.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.2, 59) or given medical therapy (OR 5.1; CI 1.2, 20.8). In COPD patients with acute respiratory failure, initial treatment with mask CPAP was associated with significantly better outcomes than other treatment modalities, even after adjusting for potentially confounding differences in disease severity.     

Is clinical recognition of respiratory syncytial virus infection in hospitalized elderly and high-risk adults possible?

BACKGROUND: The clinical and radiographic features of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in elderly hospitalized persons have not been described in detail, to our knowledge, despite its relative frequent occurrence. METHODS: Clinical characteristics of 132 RSV infections were compared with 144 influenza A virus infections and with all non-RSV infections in elderly and high-risk persons admitted to the hospital with acute respiratory illness. Radiographic findings were categorized for RSV-infected persons. RESULTS: RSV was more commonly associated with nasal congestion (68% vs. 55%; P=.03), wheezing by history (73% vs. 53%; P=.002) and on examination (82% vs. 68%; P=.02), and lower temperature (P=.004) than influenza A virus. Compared with all non-RSV-infected subjects, nasal congestion (odds ratio [OR], 2.0 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.3-2.9]), wheezing on examination (OR, 1.8 [95% CI, 1.2-2.8]), and temperature >37.9 degrees C (OR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.1-2.4]) were independent predictors of RSV infection, although their sensitivity and specificity were poor. New radiographic infiltrates were seen in approximately half of RSV-infected persons, and pneumonic opacities were typically small and unilateral. CONCLUSIONS: Although RSV causes a different clinical syndrome than influenza A virus, it is not readily differentiated on clinical grounds from influenza A nor from all non-RSV illnesses in elderly patients.     

Predictors of asthma severity in the elderly: results of a community survey in Northeast England.

A number of risk factors for the development and severity of asthma in childhood are known. Particularly, there is information on allergens, excessive use of beta2- agonists, and indoor environmental pollutants. Similar information on elderly patients is lacking. We examined the risk factors for current asthma and for the severity of asthma in 95 elderly subjects (>65 years old) compared to 274 elderly subjects with obstructive spirometry who did not have asthma as defined by the following criteria: symptoms of episodic wheeze, cough, or chest tightness and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec/vital capacity (FEV1/VC) <70% with >15% or 200 mL reversibility in FEV1 to 200 microg salbutamol given from a metered-dose inhaler. The severity of airflow limitation was graded on the basis of the FEV1/VC ratio as mild (60%-70%), moderate (40%-60%), and severe (<40%). Asthma history was collected using the Medical Research Council respiratory questionnaire and a follow-up postal questionnaire. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression and the overall goodness-of-fit of the model was checked using the Hosmer-Lemeshow (HL) statistic. History of allergy (to one or more of the following allergens: cat, house dust, or grass or tree pollen) (odds ratio [OR] 25; 95% confidence interval [CI] 13-51; p = 0.0001) and history of childhood wheeze (OR 8; 95% CI 4-9; p = 0.004) were strong predictors of current asthma. Duration of wheezing, smoking history, indoor heating, history of working in coal mines, and sex were not predictors (HL 6.75, degrees of freedom [df] = 8, p = 0.56). Use of >4 puffs of salbutamol/ day (OR 5.3; 95% CI 2-14; p = 0.005), more than 10 years of asthma symptoms (OR 4.2; 95% CI 4.1-36.2; p = 0.0001), and >500 mL reversibility in FEV1 (OR 4.2; 95% CI 1.2-14.3; p = 0.05) were independent predictors of moderate to severe asthma. History of atopy was the strongest predictor of asthma in the elderly population studied. Indoor heating, presence of pets at home, sex, smoking history, and history of working in coal mines were not predictors of asthma. The severity of asthma as assessed by measurement of airflow limitation was related to the frequency of use of beta2-agonists, duration of symptoms of asthma, and increased reversibility of FEV1 to beta2-agonist.     

Risk factors for extubation failure in patients following a successful spontaneous breathing trial

BACKGROUND: To assess the factors associated with reintubation in patients who had successfully passed a spontaneous breathing trial. METHODS: We used logistic regression and recursive partitioning analyses of prospectively collected clinical data from adults admitted to ICUs of 37 hospitals in eight countries, who had undergone invasive mechanical ventilation for > 48 h and were deemed ready for extubation. RESULTS: Extubation failure occurred in 121 of the 900 patients (13.4%). The logistic regression analysis identified the following associations with reintubation: rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) [odds ratio (OR), 1.009 per unit; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.003 to 1.015]; positive fluid balance (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.53); and pneumonia as the reason for initiating mechanical ventilation (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.10 to 2.84). The recursive partitioning analysis allowed the separation of patients into different risk groups for extubation failure: (1) RSBI of > 57 breaths/L/min and positive fluid balance (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.8 to 4.8); (2) RSBI of < 57 breaths/L/min and pneumonia as reason for mechanical ventilation (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1 to 3.6); (3) RSBI of > 57 breaths/L/min and negative fluid balance (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.8 to 2.5); and (4) RSBI of < 57 breaths/L/min (OR, 1 [reference value]). CONCLUSIONS: Among routinely measured clinical variables, RSBI, positive fluid balance 24 h prior to extubation, and pneumonia at the initiation of ventilation were the best predictors of extubation failure. However, the combined predictive ability of these variables was weak.     

Preoperative risk factors for successful extubation or not after lung transplantation

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to uncover preoperative risk factors for extubation failure or re-intubation for patients undergoing lung transplant (LTx).MethodsWe performed a retrospective case-control study of LTx from our center between January 2017 and March 2019. Demographic and preoperative characteristics were collected for all included patients. Univariable analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyze risk factors of postoperative unsuccessful extubation following LTx.ResultsAmong 107 patients undergoing first LTx investigated, 74 (69.16%) patients who were successfully liberated from mechanical ventilation (MV), and 33 (30.84%) patients who were unsuccessful extubation, which 18 (16.82%) patients suffered from reintubation. associated preoperative factors for unsuccessful extubation following LTx included preoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support [OR =4.631, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.403–15.286, P=0.012], the preoperative ability of independent expectoration (OR =4.517, 95% CI: 1.498–13.625, P=0.007), the age older than 65-year-old (OR =4.039, 95% CI: 1.154–14.139, P=0.029), and receiving the double lung and heart-LTx (OR =3.390, 95% CI: 0.873–13.162, P=0.078; and OR =16.579, 95% CI: 2.586–106.287, P=0.012, respectively). Further, we investigated the preoperative predicted factors for reintubation. Only the preoperative ECMO remained a significant predictor of re-intubation (OR =4.69, 95% CI: 1.56–15.286, P=0.012).ConclusionsPreoperative independent sputum clearance, preoperative ECMO, older than 65-year-old, and double lung or heart-LTx were four independent risk factors for unsuccessful extubation. Moreover, preoperative ECMO was the only independent risk factor for reintubation.     

Comparison of prognosis predictive value of 4 disease severity scoring systems in patients with acute respiratory failure in intensive care unit: A STROBE report

Various disease severity scoring systems were currently used in critically ill patients with acute respiratory failure, while their performances were not well investigated.The study aimed to investigate the difference in prognosis predictive value of 4 different disease severity scoring systems in patients with acute respiratory failure.With a retrospective cohort study design, adult patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) with acute respiratory failure were screened and relevant data were extracted from an open-access American intensive care database to calculate the following disease severity scores on ICU admission: acute physiology score (APS) III, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (SOFA), quick SOFA (qSOFA), and Oxford Acute Severity of Illness Score (OASIS). Hospital mortality was chosen as the primary outcome. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the association of each scoring system with the outcome. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were conducted to evaluate the prognosis predictive performance of each scoring system.A total of 4828 patients with acute respiratory failure were enrolled with a hospital mortality rate of 16.78%. APS III (odds ratio [OR] 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.03), SOFA (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.12–1.18), qSOFA (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.11–1.42), and OASIS (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.05–1.08) were all significantly associated with hospital mortality after adjustment for age and comorbidities. Receiver operating characteristic analyses showed that APS III had the highest area under the curve (AUC) (0.703, 95% CI 0.683–0.722), and SOFA and OASIS shared similar predictive performance (area under the curve 0.653 [95% CI 0.631–0.675] and 0.664 [95% CI 0.644–0.685], respectively), while qSOFA had the worst predictive performance for predicting hospital mortality (0.553, 95% CI 0.535–0.572).These results suggested the prognosis predictive value varied among the 4 different disease severity scores for patients admitted to ICU with acute respiratory failure.     

Factors associated with severe manifestations of histoplasmosis in AIDS.

We report factors associated with severe manifestations of histoplasmosis (such as shock, respiratory failure, and death) in patients with AIDS during an outbreak. Severe disease was present in 28 of 155 patients (17.9%). The following factors were associated with severe disease: black race (odds ratio [OR], 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-6.2); hemoglobin level <9.5 g/dL (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.2-6.4), partial thromboplastin time >45 s (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.1-9.3); alkaline phosphatase level >2.5 times normal (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.3-8.7); aspartate aminotransferase level >2.5 times normal (OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.7-10.0); bilirubin level concentration >1.5 mg/dL (OR, 9.2; 95% CI, 2.5-34.3); creatinine concentration >2.1 mg/dL (OR, 8.3; 95% CI, 2.2-31.9); and albumin concentration <3.5 g/dL (OR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.3-16.4). Zidovudine use was associated with decreased risk of severe disease (OR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1-0.7). Multivariate analysis showed that a creatinine value >2.1 mg/dL (OR, 9.5; 95% CI, 1.7-52) and an albumin value <3.5 g/dL (OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.0-22) were associated with an increased risk of severe disease, and zidovudine therapy remained associated with a decreased risk (OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1-0.6). Findings associated with severe histoplasmosis should be recognized early and the cases managed aggressively.     

Risk Factors for Death in Elderly Emergency Department Patients with Suspected Infection

OBJECTIVES: To identify independent risk factors for death in elderly emergency department (ED) patients admitted for infection and to derive and validate a mortality‐prediction rule for such patients. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary hospital ED with 55,000 annual visits. PARTICIPANTS: ED patients aged 65 and older admitted for infection between December 2003 and September 2004 in the derivation cohort and October 2005 and October 2006 in the validation cohort. MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome: 28‐day in‐hospital mortality. Data were extracted from charts, and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify independent mortality predictors. A prediction model was constructed and then validated in a second cohort. RESULTS: Nine hundred thirty‐five patients were included in the derivation cohort and 2,015 in the validation cohort. Mortality was 6% in the derivation cohort and 7% in the validation cohort. In the derivation cohort, logistic regression revealed five independent mortality predictors: respiratory compromise (respiratory rate >20 breaths per minute or hypoxemia) (odds ratio (OR)=4.0, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.7–9.4), tachycardia (heart rate ≥120 betas per minute; OR=3.2, 95% CI=1.6–6.3), cardiovascular failure (systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg despite fluid challenge or lactate ≥4.0; OR=9.0, 95% CI=4.7–17), preexisting terminal illness (OR=5.7, 95% CI=2.2–15), and platelet count less than 150,000/mm³ (OR=2.7, 95% CI=1.3–5.6). Mortality increased with the number of factors: 0.51% for no factors, 3.1% for one factor, 14% for two factors, 47% for three or more risk factors. The c‐statistic was 0.87 for the derivation model and 0.74 for the validation model. Almost 80% of patients in both cohorts were in low‐risk groups (0 or 1 factor). CONCLUSION: A rule derived from five readily available variables predicts mortality in infected elderly ED patients and allows identification of a large low‐risk subgroup.     

Airway bacterial colonization in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and the alterations during the perioperative period

Background

To observe the alterations in airway bacterial colonization during the perioperative period in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and evaluate their clinical implications.

Methods

Patients with resectable primary NSCLC were enrolled from October 2011 to April 2012. Airway secretions were harvested for microbiological study after admission, immediately after surgery, and before endotracheal extubation. Spontaneous sputum was collected when patients presented with signs of postoperative pneumonia (POP). Detailed data on the isolated pathogens were carefully recorded. Risk factors for airway colonization and POP were analyzed.

Results

A total of 78 consecutive patients were enrolled. Fourteen patients (17.9%) had airway colonization at admission, including four cases of fungi and ten cases of Gram-negative bacilli (GNB). Five patients (6.4%) had colonized pathogens at the end of surgery, including three cases of GNB and two cases of Gram-positive cocci. Nine (11.5%) patients had positive culture of airway secretions collected before extubation, including seven cases of GNB and two cases of fungi. Eighteen patients (23.1%) had POP, of whom one suffered from bronchopleural fistula and one died of POP. Pathogens of POP were confirmed in 11 patients, including nine cases of GNB and two cases of fungi. Three patients had the same pathogens as preoperative colonization. The proportion of more antibiotic-resistant strains increased gradually. Advanced age [odds ratio (OR), 2.263; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.030-4.970] and smoking (OR, 2.163; 95% CI, 1.059-4.429) were risk factors for airway colonization. Decreased diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (OR, 5.838; 95% CI, 1.318-25.854), prolonged operation time (OR, 6.366; 95% CI, 1.349-30.033), and preoperative airway colonization (OR, 9.448; 95% CI, 2.206-40.465) were risk factors of POP.

Conclusions

Airway colonized pathogens altered and more antibiotic-resistant GNB emerged during the perioperative period. These pathogens played an important role in the presence of POP.     

Predictors of extubation outcome in patients who have successfully completed a spontaneous breathing trial

BACKGROUND: After patients recovering from respiratory failure have successfully completed a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), clinicians must determine whether an artificial airway is still required. We hypothesized that cough strength and the magnitude of endotracheal secretions affect extubation outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of 91 adult patients treated in medical-cardiac ICUs who were recovering from respiratory failure, had successfully completed an SBT, and were about to be extubated. A number of demographic and physiologic parameters were recorded with the patient receiving full ventilatory support and during the SBT, just prior to extubation. Cough strength on command was measured with a semiobjective scale of 0 to 5, and the magnitude of endotracheal secretions was measured as none, mild, moderate, or abundant by a single observer. In addition, patients were asked to cough onto a white card held 1 to 2 cm from the endotracheal tube; if secretions were propelled onto the card, it was termed a positive white card test (WCT) result. All patients were then extubated from T-piece or continuous positive airway pressure breathing trials. If 72 h elapsed and patients did not require reintubation, they were defined as successfully extubated. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients with a mean (+/- SE) age of 65.2 +/- 1.6 years, ICU admission APACHE (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation) II score of 17.7 +/- 0.7, and duration of mechanical ventilation of 5.0 +/- 0.5 days were studied over 100 extubations. Sixteen patients could not be extubated, and 2 patients underwent two unsuccessful extubation attempts, for a total of 18 unsuccessful extubations. Age, severity of illness, duration of mechanical ventilation, oxygenation, rapid shallow breathing index, and vital signs during SBTs did not differ between patients with successful extubations vs patients with unsuccessful extubations. The WCT result was highly correlated with cough strength. Patients with weak (grade 0 to 2) coughs were four times as likely to have unsuccessful extubations, compared to those with moderate-to-strong (grade 3 to 5) coughs (risk ratio [RR], 4.0; 95% confidence interval [CI],1.8 to 8.9). Patients with moderate-to-abundant secretions were more than eight times as times as likely to have unsuccessful extubations as those with no or mild secretions (RR, 8.7; 95% CI, 2.1 to 35.7). Patients with negative WCT results were three times as likely to have unsuccessful extubations as those with positive WCT results (RR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.3 to 6.7). Poor cough strength and endotracheal secretions were synergistic in predicting extubation failure (Rothman synergy index, 3.7; RR, 31.9; 95% CI, 4.5 to 225.3). Patients with PaO(2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (P:F) ratios of 120 to 200 (receiving mechanical ventilation) were not less likely to be successfully extubated than those with P:F ratios of > 200, but those with hemoglobin levels < or = 10 g/dL were more than five times as likely to have unsuccessful extubations as those with hemoglobin levels > 10 g/dL. CONCLUSIONS: After patients recovering from respiratory failure have successfully completed an SBT, factors affecting airway competence, such as cough strength and amount of endotracheal secretions, may be important predictors of extubation outcomes. Also, a majority (89%) of medically ill patients with P:F ratios of 120 to 200 (four of five patients with P:F ratios from 120 to 150), values sometimes used to preclude weaning, were extubated successfully.     

Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors of Respiratory Failure in a Cohort of Young Patients Requiring Hospital Admission with SARS-CoV2 Infection in Spain: Results of the Multicenter SEMI-COVID-19 Registry

BackgroundAge is a risk factor for COVID severity. Most studies performed in hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV2 infection have shown an over-representation of older patients and consequently few have properly defined COVID-19 in younger patients who require hospital admission. The aim of the present study was to analyze the clinical characteristics and risk factors for the development of respiratory failure among young (18 to 50 years) hospitalized patients with COVID-19.MethodsThis retrospective nationwide cohort study included hospitalized patients from 18 to 50 years old with confirmed COVID-19 between March 1, 2020, and July 2, 2020. All patient data were obtained from the SEMI-COVID Registry. Respiratory failure was defined as the ratio of partial pressure of arterial oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2 ratio) ≤200 mmHg or the need for mechanical ventilation and/or high-flow nasal cannula or the presence of acute respiratory distress syndrome.ResultsDuring the recruitment period, 15,034 patients were included in the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry, of whom 2327 (15.4%) were younger than 50 years. Respiratory failure developed in 343 (14.7%), while mortality occurred in 2.3%. Patients with respiratory failure showed a higher incidence of major adverse cardiac events (44 (13%) vs 14 (0.8%), p<0.001), venous thrombosis (23 (6.7%) vs 14 (0.8%), p<0.001), mortality (43 (12.5%) vs 7 (0.4%), p<0.001), and longer hospital stay (15 (9–24) vs 6 (4–9), p<0.001), than the remaining patients. In multivariate analysis, variables associated with the development of respiratory failure were obesity (odds ratio (OR), 2.42; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.71 to 3.43; p<0.0001), alcohol abuse (OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.26 to 4.58; p=0.0076), sleep apnea syndrome (SAHS) (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.07 to 3.43; p=0.032), Charlson index ≥1 (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.25 to 2.52; p=0.0013), fever (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.13 to 2.22; p=0.0075), lymphocytes ≤1100 cells/μL (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.18 to 2.37; p=0.0033), LDH >320 U/I (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.18 to 2.42; p=0.0039), AST >35 mg/dL (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.2 to 2.52; p=0.003), sodium <135 mmol/L (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.24 to 4.33; p=0.0079), and C-reactive protein >8 mg/dL (OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.72 to 3.41; p<0.0001).ConclusionsYoung patients with COVID-19 requiring hospital admission showed a notable incidence of respiratory failure. Obesity, SAHS, alcohol abuse, and certain laboratory parameters were independently associated with the development of this complication. Patients who suffered respiratory failure had a higher mortality and a higher incidence of major cardiac events, venous thrombosis, and hospital stay.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11606-021-07066-z.KEY WORDS: SARS-CoV2, COVID-19, young, respiratory failure, obesity, hyponatremia     

Factors associated with length of stay for pediatric asthma hospitalizations

Objective: Asthma is a leading cause of pediatric hospitalizations, but little is known about factors associated with length of stay (LOS) for asthma hospitalizations. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with LOS for pediatric asthma hospitalizations. Methods: The Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) was used to cohort patients 2–17 years old with a primary asthma diagnosis discharged from 42 PHIS hospitals in 2011. Sociodemographic, temporal and health-status factors were examined. Bivariate and generalized-estimating-equation logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with LOS, after adjusting for severity of illness (SOI). Results: In total, 25?900 children were hospitalized, with a mean LOS of 1.9 days. In bivariate analysis, mean LOS was longer (p?<?0.01) for patients with complex chronic conditions (CCC) (3.1 days versus 1.8 for non-CCC) and adolescents (2.3 versus 1.8 for 2–5 years old). In multivariable analysis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA; OR 2.3; 95% CI: 1.8–2.9), older age (OR 1.3; 95% CI: 1.2–1.4), obesity (OR 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1–1.4), CCC (OR 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1–1.4), winter admissions (OR 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1–1.4), female gender (OR 1.1; 95% CI: 1.1–1.3), and weekend admissions (OR 1.1; 95% CI: 1.03–1.2) had higher odds of asthma LOS >2 days. Conclusions: OSA, older age, obesity, CCC, winter and weekend admissions, and female gender are associated with longer LOS for pediatric asthma hospitalizations, after adjustment for SOI. The study findings suggest that interventions focused on these at-risk groups may prove most useful in reducing LOS for pediatric asthma hospitalizations.     

Early onset pneumonia in patients with cholinesterase inhibitor poisoning

Background and objective: Organophosphates and carbamates are potent cholinesterase inhibitors that are widely used as insecticides in agriculture. Pneumonia is a frequent complication of cholinesterase inhibitor poisoning (CIP) and a risk factor for death. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the risk factors for pneumonia in patients with CIP. Methods: The medical records of 155 patients, who were treated for CIP in a 1300‐bed medical centre in central Taiwan, from January 2002 to December 2004, were retrospectively analysed. Pneumonia was diagnosed by a new or persistent infiltrate on CXR, as well as clinical symptoms. Demographic data, comorbidities, acute respiratory failure and in‐hospital mortality were also recorded. Results: Of the 155 patients, 31 (20%) died and 92 (59.4%) developed acute respiratory failure. Thirty‐four patients (21.9%) were diagnosed with early onset pneumonia during hospitalization. Acute respiratory failure (OR 12.10, 95% CI: 2.55–57.45), underlying cardiovascular disease (OR 3.02, 95% CI: 1.02–8.91), undergoing gastric lavage at peripheral hospitals (OR 6.23, 95% CI: 1.52–25.98) and development of respiratory failure at the study centre after gastric lavage (OR 3.43, 95% CI: 1.17–10.0) were predictive factors for early onset pneumonia. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (OR 23.58, 95% CI: 6.03–92.29), early onset pneumonia (OR 7.45, 95% CI: 2.02–27.5) and lower Glasgow coma score (OR 1.26, 95% CI: 1.08–1.48) were predictive factors for mortality. Conclusions: Pneumonia was a significant risk factor for death in patients with CIP. In addition to aggressive management of patients with CIP who develop respiratory failure, careful respiratory evaluation before and after gastric lavage would help to decrease the incidence of early onset pneumonia in patients with CIP.     

Risk factors for early emergency hospital readmission in elderly medical patients.

BACKGROUND: Early emergency readmissions is a common and important problem in the elderly patient. Identification of the risk factors for early emergency readmissions is needed to prevent this occurring. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to study the risk factors for early emergency readmission in the elderly medical patient. METHODS: A case-control study (sex- and age-matched) was conducted from March to December 1996. 380 elderly (age 65 years or over) medical patients with emergency hospital readmission (within 28 days) and 380 matched controls were recruited from an acute university general hospital in Hong Kong. Potential risk factors which included demographic, socio-economic, principal medical diseases, comorbid diseases, dysphagia, physical functional status and mental status were studied. RESULTS: In bivariate analyses for the risk factors of early emergency readmission, institutional caregiver, previous visiting nurse service, adverse drug reaction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, end-stage renal failure, mobility being chair- or bed-bound, dysphagia, use of a nasogastric tube feeding, urinary incontinence and bowel incontinence were significant. Readmission cases had higher mean number of comorbid diseases, lower mean Barthel Index, higher mean number of impairments in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) tasks and lower mean Abbreviated Mental Test score than controls. In multivariate logistic regression model, the number of ADL impairments (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.08-1.19), no income (OR = 2. 28, 95% CI = 1.19-4.37), adverse drug reaction (OR = 4.19, 95% CI = 1.56-11.2), advanced malignancy (OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.37-4.37), congestive heart failure (OR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.05-2.53), chronic obstructive airways disease (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.47-3.02), end-stage renal failure (OR = 5.48, 95% CI = 1.69-17.75), dysphagia (OR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.5-10.11) and the number of comorbid diseases (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.13-1.49) were significant risk factors for early emergency readmissions. Living in a private old aged home was associated with a lower risk of readmissions (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0. 36-0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Definite medical, functional and socio-economic factors were found to be risk factors for early emergency readmissions in the elderly medical patient. A multiple risk factors intervention approach should be considered in designing future prevention strategies.     

Risk factors associated with persistent airflow limitation in severe or difficult-to-treat asthma: insights from the TENOR study

BACKGROUND: The Epidemiology and Natural History of Asthma: Outcomes and Treatment Regimens study is among the largest to assess persistent airflow limitation and the first to evaluate a wide range of potential risk factors in high-risk patients with severe or difficult-to-treat asthma. A better understanding is needed regarding factors associated with persistent airway obstruction; this study was performed to determine demographic and clinical characteristics associated with persistent airflow limitation. METHODS: Data from adult patients (>or= 18 years old) with severe or difficult-to-treat asthma were evaluated. Patients with COPD, obesity with a restrictive respiratory pattern, or a >or= 30 pack-year history of smoking were excluded. Patients with persistent airflow limitation (postbronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio 相似文献   

Secondhand smoke exposure,illness severity,and resource utilization in pediatric emergency department patients with respiratory illnesses

Objective: Hospital-based data reveal that children who have secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe) experience severe respiratory illnesses and greater resource utilization. Our objective was to assess the relationship between SHSe and illness severity/resource utilization among children presenting to the pediatric emergency department (PED) with three common respiratory conditions—asthma, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. Methods: A retrospective review of a yearlong consecutive sample of PED patients with SHSe status documentation and asthma, bronchiolitis, or pneumonia diagnoses was performed. PED illness severity/resource utilization variables included triage categorization, initial oxygen saturation, evaluation/testing (influenza A & B, respiratory syncytial virus, chest X-ray), procedures/interventions performed (supplemental oxygen, suctioning, intubation), medications administered, and disposition. Logistic and linear regression models were conducted to determine differences in each diagnosis group while controlling for sociodemographics, medical history, seasonality, and insurance type. Results: There were 3,229 children with documentation of SHSe status and an asthma (41%), bronchiolitis (36%), or pneumonia (23%) diagnosis. Across diagnosis groups, approximately 1/4 had positive documentation of SHSe. Asthmatic children with SHSe were more likely to receive corticosteroids (odds ratio (OR) = 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.19, 2.44) and/or magnesium sulfate (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.14, 2.40). Children with SHSe and bronchiolitis were more likely to receive racemic epinephrine (OR = 2.48, 95% CI = 1.21, 5.08), have a chest X-ray (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.00, 1.85), and/or be admitted (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.09, 1.95). No differences in illness severity/resource utilization were identified for children with pneumonia. Conclusions: SHS-exposed children with asthma or bronchiolitis have greater illness severity/resource utilization. Our findings highlight the importance of SHSe assessment, cessation, and research efforts in the PED setting.