Impact of serum C-reactive protein measurements in the first 2 days on the 30-day mortality in hospitalized patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia: A cohort study

Introduction

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the impact of daily consecutive measurements of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the initial 2 days of hospitalization on the 30-day all-cause mortality in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

Methods

We used 4 different thresholds of fractional decrease (FD) in CRP at the second day of admission (CRP2) of 25%, 30%, 40%, and 60%. In addition, we studied the association of each of these thresholds with the 30-day all-cause mortality.

Results

The mean age was 64 ± 20; males, 59%. The 30-day mortality rate was 18% (20/111). The mean serum CRP levels at the first day of all study group and CRP2 were 203 ± 98 vs 146 ± 92 mg/L, respectively, P = .05. The mean FD in CRP2 levels among the survivors was 33 %, whereas among the nonsurvivors, was 7%, P < .001. Multiple regression analysis revealed that FD less than 25% in CRP2 was associated with 30-day all-cause mortality, odds ratio of 3.07 (95% confidence interval, 2.84-5.03), P = .002, compared with those with FD more than 25% in CRP2.

Conclusions

Fractional decrease less than 25% in CRP levels at the second day was significantly associated with 30-day all-cause mortality in hospitalized patients with severe CAP.     

Association between the elderly frequent attender to the emergency department and 30-day mortality: A retrospective study over 10 years

BACKGROUND: To determine if elderly frequent attenders are associated with increased 30-day mortality, assess resource utilization by the elderly frequent attenders and identify associated characteristics that contribute to mortality.METHODS: Retrospective observational study of electronic clinical records of all emergency department (ED) visits over a 10-year period to an urban tertiary general hospital in Singapore. Patients aged 65 years and older, with 3 or more visits within a calendar year were identified. Outcomes measured include 30-day mortality, admission rate, admission diagnosis and duration spent at ED. Chi-square-tests were used to assess categorical factors and Student t-test was used to assess continuous variables on their association with being a frequent attender. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were conducted on all significant independent factors on to the outcome variable (30-day mortality), to determine factor independent odds ratios of being a frequent attender.RESULTS: 1.381 million attendance records were analyzed. Elderly patients accounted for 25.5% of all attendances, of which 31.3% are frequent attenders. Their 30-day mortality rate increased from 4.0% in the first visit, to 8.8% in the third visit, peaking at 10.2% in the sixth visit. Factors associated with mortality include patients with neoplasms, ambulance utilization, male gender and having attended the ED the previous year.CONCLUSION: Elderly attenders have a higher 30-day mortality risk compared to the overall ED population, with mortality risk more marked for frequent attenders. This study illustrates the importance and need for interventions to address frequent ED visits by the elderly, especially in an aging society.     

High levels of C-reactive protein with low total cholesterol concentrations additively predict all-cause mortality in patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate independent and additive predictive effects of raised C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and decreased total cholesterol levels on mortality in patients with chronic coronary artery disease (CAD). Low total cholesterol (TC) levels are associated with worsened survival in chronic and acute diseases. Elevated CRP level is an important predictor of vascular events and mortality in patients with CAD. Potential inhibition of immune activation by circulating lipoproteins could be a link between cholesterol and inflammatory markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A group of 387 patients (median age 59 years) with CAD and with or without severe heart failure (HF) were followed for a median of 5.06 years. Serum total cholesterol and CRP concentrations were measured at enrollment. RESULTS: The relationship between lipoproteins, CRP and survival was explored. High CRP concentrations were in significant association with severity of HF and predicted worsened survival in patients with CAD (hazard ratio 5.214, 95% CI 1.762-15.427). The association between CRP levels and mortality was independent of potential confounding factors such as age, body-mass index, severity of HF, smoking habits, hypertension and TC levels. The prediction of mortality by low TC levels was significant (hazard ratio 2.932, 95% CI 1.021-8.422). Furthermore, patients with increased CRP and decreased TC (additive predictive effect) phenotype had 11.714-times higher risk (95% CI 2.619-52.385) of being nonsurvivors than patients with low CRP/high TC. CONCLUSIONS: High CRP levels and low TC concentrations are independent and additive predictors of mortality in patients with CAD. Our data indicate that joint analysis of circulating lipoproteins and inflammatory biomarkers may improve prediction of survival in patients with CAD.     

Lowering C-reactive protein with statins after an ischemic stroke avoids mortality and readmissions. A prospective cohort study

Abstract

Aims. A hypothetical benefit of statins after an ischemic stroke could be provided by their pleiotropic effects. Our aim is to test if statins are able to avoid mortality and readmissions of patients with ischemic stroke, by lowering their levels of not only LDL-cholesterol but also CRP.

Methods. A prospective cohort study was performed. Pre-stroke and post-stroke medications were recorded. Cholesterol and hsCRP levels were measured at admission and 90 days post-stroke. Rankin score and fatality or readmissions were assessed at 90 days and 1 year. We have used robust statistical methods.

Results. Of 359 stroke patients, statins were prescribed before stroke onset in 30.6% (110/359) and were begun during hospitalization in an additional 32.3% (116/359). In logistic regression analysis adjusted, statins therapy was independently associated with improved total mortality (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.11–0.86; P < 0.02), improved cardiovascular mortality (OR 0.29; 95% CI 0.08–0.98; P < 0.04), and improved total mortality and readmission rates (OR 0.35; 95% CI 0.18–0.7; P < 0.003). In the final model, lowering the levels of hsCRP by 0.4mg/dL, a 30% of mortality or readmissions would be avoided.

Conclusions. Therapy with statins, either previous or early initiation, after an ischemic stroke, could improve the survival and readmission rates by lowering both cholesterol and hsCRP levels.     

C反应蛋白与白蛋白比值在急性A型主动脉夹层手术患者预后预测中的价值

目的 探讨急性A型主动脉夹层患者术前C反应蛋白(CRP)与白蛋白(ALB)比值(CRP/ALB)在手术后预后预测中的价值,进一步分析其住院期间的死亡危险因素.方法 回顾性分析广东省人民医院2015年2月至2015年11月连续收治的104例Stanford A型主动脉夹层手术患者的病例资料.本观察排除标准:术前未检测CRP、白蛋白,术前感染,肝硬化、低蛋白血症.共83例患者符合入选条件.根据住院期间是否死亡,分为存活组和死亡组;对CRP/ALB、术前及手术相关因素进行住院期间死亡的单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析.结果 存活组与死亡组患者术前血清CRP、ALB浓度比较差异无统计学意义(均P＞0.05),死亡组CRP/ALB [(5.63±4.47)vs.(3.16±2.58),P=0.010]、APACHEⅡ评分[(26.45±4.08) minvs.(20.10±3.74) min,P＜0.01]和体外循环时间[(302.64±89.26) min vs.(234.23±53.80)分,P=0.031]显著高于存活组,起病24h内急诊手术者死亡率(63.64％ vs.5.56％,P＜0.01)明显高于延期手术患者.多因素Logistic回归分析显示:术前CRP/ALB增大[比值比(OR) =1.322,95％可信区间(CI)1.035 ～1.689,P=0.025]、24 h内急诊手术(OR=31.595,95％ CI5.655-176.52,P＜0.01)是手术患者住院期间死亡的独立危险因素.结论 急性A型主动脉夹层术前CRP与白蛋白比值增大、24 h内急诊手术与住院死亡相关,是手术患者住院期间死亡的独立危险因素.     

Emergency department septic shock patient mortality with refractory hypotension vs hyperlactatemia: A retrospective cohort study

Background

Our objective was to compare in-hospital mortality among emergency department (ED) patients meeting trial-based criteria for septic shock based upon whether presenting with refractory hypotension (systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg after 1 L intravenous fluid bolus) versus hyperlactatemia (initial lactate ≥ 4 mmol/L).

Positive correlation between voriconazole trough concentrations and C-reactive protein levels in patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: A retrospective cohort study

BackgroundVoriconazole (VRCZ) is the first-line treatment for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). VRCZ trough concentration monitoring is recommended for adequate therapy because VRCZ concentrations vary widely. However, factors associated with variations in VRCZ concentrations, especially in the same patient at different time points, have not been identified. The objective of this study was to identify factors influencing VRCZ trough concentrations.Patients and methodsThis single-center retrospective study conducted at our institute between April 2014 and August 2016 included patients with CPA who received VRCZ. Patient trough concentrations were measured more than twice while the patients received the same dose using the same administration route (defined as one series). A step-wise method and multiple regression analysis were used to test the effects of patient characteristics on VRCZ trough concentrations.ResultsSixty-nine series in 49 patients were analyzed. VRCZ was administered orally in 59 series, intravenously in 7 series, and by dry syrup in 3 series. The median VRCZ trough concentration and the median variation in VRCZ concentrations were 1.68 and 0.99 μg/ml, respectively. In the simple regression analysis, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, C-reactive protein (CRP), and creatinine clearance significantly correlated with VRCZ concentrations. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated a significant positive correlation between CRP and VRCZ concentration (P < 0.0001).ConclusionIn patients with CPA, VRCZ concentration correlated with CRP levels in the same patients receiving the same dose of VRCZ at different time points.     

Inflammatory biomarkers are not useful for predicting prognosis in nursing and healthcare-associated pneumonia: A prospective,cohort study

IntroductionWhether inflammatory biomarkers including procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are useful for predicting prognosis in nursing and healthcare-associated pneumonia (NHCAP) is unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the utility of serial PCT and CRP measurements for predicting prognosis and treatment efficacy for hospitalized NHCAP patients.MethodsThis prospective, observational, cohort study enrolled consecutive NHCAP patients hospitalized at Kurashiki Central Hospital from October 2010 to September 2017. PCT and CRP were measured twice, once on admission and again within 48–72 h after admission. The primary outcome was 30-day all-cause mortality, and the secondary outcome was initial treatment failure.ResultsA total of 299 patients were included. The 30-day mortality rate was 8.4% (25/299), and the initial treatment failure rate was 15.4% (46/299). On multivariate analysis, performance status [odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)): 2.25 (1.34–3.77), P = 0.002], temperature [OR (95%CI): 0.53 (0.32–0.88), P = 0.02], heart rate [OR (95%CI): 1.03 (1.01–1.06), P = 0.007], albumin [OR (95%CI): 0.42 (0.18–0.95), P = 0.04], and blood urea nitrogen [OR (95%CI): 1.02 (1.00–1.05), P = 0.04] were significant prognostic factors, and CRP D3 [OR (95%CI): 1.07 (1.02–1.11), P = 0.003] and PSI [OR (95%CI): 1.01 (1.00–1.02), P = 0.01] were the predictors of initial treatment failure. Consecutive measurements of PCT and CRP were not significant predictors of 30-day mortality.ConclusionsInflammatory biomarkers including PCT and CRP were not useful for predicting prognosis and treatment efficacy in NHCAP patients. We should carefully evaluate the patients’ vital signs and comorbidities when managing NHCAP patients.     

Temporal trends in clinical characteristics and in-hospital mortality among patients with COVID-19 in Japan for waves 1, 2, and 3: A retrospective cohort study

IntroductionLittle information is available on the temporal trends in the clinical epidemiology and in-hospital mortality of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Japan for waves 1, 2, and 3.MethodsA national claims database was used to analyze the time trends in admission, medical procedure, and in-hospital mortality characteristics among patients with COVID-19. Patients who were ≥18 years and discharged from January 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021 were included.ResultsA multilevel logistic regression analysis of 51,252 patients revealed a decline in mortality in waves 2 and 3 (risk-adjusted mortality range = 2.17–4.07%; relative risk reduction = 23–59%; reference month of April 2020 = 5.32%). In the subgroup analysis, a decline in mortality was also observed in patients requiring oxygen support but not mechanical ventilation (risk-adjusted mortality range = 5.98–11.68%; relative risk reduction = 22–60%; reference month of April 2020 = 15.06%). Further adjustments for medical procedure changes in the entire study population revealed a decrease in mortality in waves 2 and 3 (risk-adjusted mortality range = 2.66–4.05%; relative risk reduction = 24–50%).ConclusionsA decline in in-hospital mortality was observed in waves 2 and 3 after adjusting for patient/hospital-level characteristics and medical treatments. The reasons for this decline warrant further research to improve the outcomes of hospitalized patients.     

Impact of additional antibiotics on in-hospital mortality in tuberculosis isolated general bacteria: A propensity score analysis

Whether or not additional antibiotics with anti-tuberculosis agents are required to treat bacterial co-infection with pulmonary tuberculosis is unclear. We aimed to assess the impact of additional antibiotics on mortality in pulmonary tuberculosis patients whose sputum cultures were positive for general bacteria as a surrogate definition of bacterial pneumonia. This study was a single-center retrospective cohort using a propensity score analysis. We included patients who were admitted for pulmonary tuberculosis and whose sputum cultures were positive for general bacteria. The mortality of patients who received additional antibiotics was analyzed after adjusting for other variables, including the propensity score predicting treatment with additional antibiotics. We assessed 68 and 55 tuberculosis patients treated with and without general antibiotics, respectively. Additional antibiotics tended to be administered to patients with a high level of C-reactive protein and neutrophil count, poor performance status, hypoxemia and hypoalbuminemia (C-statistics of area under receiver operating characteristic curve to the propensity score; 0.884, p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, advanced age and not the use of additional antibiotics was associated with in-hospital mortality. Additional antibiotics with anti-tuberculosis agents may not improve the prognosis of pulmonary tuberculosis patients whose sputum cultures were positive for general bacteria. Isolation of general bacteria does not equate to complication with bacterial pneumonia, so physicians should not administer general antibiotics to TB patients based solely on the results of sputum culture for general bacteria. A prospective study is needed to verify these results using a more accurate definition of pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with bacterial pneumonia.