Sodium chloride or plasmalyte-148 for patients presenting to emergency departments with diabetic ketoacidosis: A nested cohort study within a multicentre,cluster, crossover,randomised, controlled trial

Objective

To test the hypothesis that fluid resuscitation in the ED with plasmalyte-148 (PL) compared with 0.9% sodium chloride (SC) would result in a lower proportion of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

Methods

We performed a prespecified nested cohort study at two hospitals within a cluster, crossover, open label, randomised, controlled trial comparing the effects of PL versus SC as fluid therapy for patients who presented to the ED with DKA. All patients presenting within a fixed recruitment period were included. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients admitted to ICU.

Results

Eighty-four patients were enrolled (SC n = 38, PL n = 46). The SC group had a lower median pH on admission (SC: 7.09 [interquartile range (IQR) 7.01–7.21], PL: 7.17 [IQR 6.99–7.26]). The median volume of intravenous fluids administered in ED was 2150 mL (IQR 2000–3200 mL; SC) and 2200 mL (IQR 2000–3450; PL); respectively. A higher proportion of patients in the SC group, 19 (50%), was admitted to ICU compared with PL group, 18 (39.1%); however, after adjustment for pH at presentation and diabetes type in a multivariable logistic regression model, the PL group did not have a significantly different rate of ICU admission compared with the SC group (odds ratio for ICU admission 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.13–3.97, P = 0.71).

Conclusion

Patients with DKA treated with PL compared with SC in the EDs had similar rates of requiring ICU admission.     

The contribution of primary care practitioners to interventions reducing loneliness and social isolation in older people—An integrative review

Background

Social connection is a fundamental human need. Its absence can lead to loneliness and social isolation, adversely impacting health and well-being. Given their regular contact and trusted relationships with older people, practitioners delivering community-based primary care are well-positioned to address this issue. However, their contribution to addressing loneliness and social isolation is unclear.

Aim

This integrative review explores the contribution of the primary care workforce to interventions aimed at reducing loneliness and social isolation in community-dwelling older people.

Method

Using an integrative review method, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL and PubMed were searched for original research published between 2000 and 2022. Fourteen papers reporting 13 primary studies were appraised for methodological quality and included in the review. Data were extracted into a summary table and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Included studies came from over six countries. Internationally, primary care services have diverse structures, funding and workforces influencing their response to loneliness and social isolation. All but one intervention was multi-component, with ten studies including a group-based activity and three providing primarily individual-level activities. Only six studies reported reductions in loneliness following the intervention. Three themes were identified: characteristics of interventions; implementation context, barriers and facilitators; and differing contributions of primary care practitioners in addressing loneliness and social isolation of older people.

Conclusion

There is increasing demand and scope for primary care practitioners to assist lonely and socially isolated older people. It is important to understand how to equip and incentivise these practitioners to routinely identify, assess and respond to lonely and socially isolated older people despite varying implementation contexts. There is a need for further research that explores how the primary care team can be better utilised to deliver effective interventions that reduce the health impacts of loneliness and social isolation.