Bowel preparation protocol for hospitalized patients ages 50 years or older:A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND The incidence and mortality rate of colorectal cancer progressively increase with age and become particularly prominent after the age of 50 years.Therefore,the population that is≥50 years in age requires long-term and regular colonoscopies.Uncomfortable bowel preparation is the main reason preventing patients from undergoing regular colonoscopies.The standard bowel preparation regimen of 4-L polyethylene glycol(PEG)is effective but poorly tolerated.AIM To investigate an effective and comfortable bowel preparation regimen for hospitalized patients≥50 years in age.METHODS Patients were randomly assigned to group 1(2-L PEG+30-mL lactulose+a lowresidue diet)or group 2(4-L PEG).Adequate bowel preparation was defined as a Boston bowel preparation scale(BBPS)score of≥6,with a score of≥2 for each segment.Non-inferiority was prespecified with a margin of 10%.Additionally,the degree of comfort was assessed based on the comfort questionnaire.RESULTS The proportion of patients with a BBPS score of≥6 in group 1 was not significantly different from that in group 2,as demonstrated by intention-to-treat(91.2%vs 91.0%,P=0.953)and per-protocol(91.8%vs 91.0%,P=0.802)analyses.Furthermore,in patients≥75 years in age,the proportion of BBPS scores of≥6 in group 1 was not significantly different from that in group 2(90.9%vs 97.0%,P=0.716).Group 1 had higher comfort scores(8.85±1.162 vs 7.59±1.735,P<0.001),longer sleep duration(6.86±1.204 h vs 5.80±1.730 h,P<0.001),and fewer awakenings(1.42±1.183 vs 2.04±1.835,P=0.026)than group 2.CONCLUSION For hospitalized patients≥50 years in age,the bowel preparation regimen comprising 2-L PEG+30-mL lactulose+a low-residue diet produced a cleanse that was as effective as the 4-L PEG regimen and even provided better comfort.

Differences in insomnia-related self-reported outcomes among elderly hospitalized patients

Insomnia is among the most common sleep disorders worldwide.Insomnia in older adults is a social and public health problem.Insomnia affects the physical and mental health of elderly hospitalized patients and can aggravate or induce physical illnesses.Understanding subjective feelings and providing reasonable and standardized care for elderly hospitalized patients with insomnia are urgent issues.AIM To explore the differences in self-reported outcomes associated with insomnia among elderly hospitalized patients.METHODS One hundred patients admitted to the geriatric unit of our hospital between June 2021 and December 2021 were included in this study.Self-reported symptoms were assessed using the Athens Insomnia Scale(AIS),Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7(GAD-7),Geriatric Depression Scale-15(GDS-15),Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness(MUNSH),Barthel Index Evaluation(BI),Morse Fall Scale(MFS),Mini-Mental State Examination,and the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire(SF-36).Correlation coefficients were used to analyze the correlation between sleep quality and self-reported symptoms.Effects of insomnia was analyzed using Logistic regression analysis.RESULTS Nineteen patients with AIS≥6 were included in the insomnia group,and the incidence of insomnia was 19%(19/100).The remaining 81 patients were assigned to the non-insomnia group.There were significant differences between the two groups in the GDA-7,GDS-15,MUNSH,BI,MFS,and SF-36 items(P<0.05).Patients in the insomnia group were more likely to experience anxiety,depression,and other mental illnesses,as well as difficulties with everyday tasks and a greater risk of falling(P<0.05).Subjective well-being and quality of life were poorer in the insomnia group than in the control group.The AIS scores positively correlated with the GAD-7,GDS-15,and MFS scores in elderly hospitalized patients with insomnia(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that GDS-15≥5 was an independent risk factor for insomnia in elderly hospitalized patients(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The number of self-reported symptoms was higher among elderly hospitalized patients with insomnia.Therefore,we should focus on the main complaints of patients to meet their care needs.

Recent Advances in Glycemic Management for Hospitalized Diabetic Patients

With the increase in the number of diabetic patients,hospitalized diabetes management has become very important.During hospitalization,diabetic patients are prone to high or low blood glucose levels,which pose significant risks and challenges for treatment and recovery.Therefore,glycemic management of diabetic patients during hospitalization is critical.This article reviews the latest research progress in glycemic management of hospitalized diabetic patients from several aspects,develops individualized treatment plans,and uses various methods to manage and control blood glucose in hospitalized diabetic patients.

Comparison of Oral Manifestations in Hospitalized COVID-19 Positive Patients and COVID-19 Negative Dental Outpatients. A Case Series Study and Literature Review

Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory infectious disease, also named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which can cause various systemic manifestations that pose a threat to human life. Oral lesions in patients with COVID-19 may appear during or after the illness and may or may not be a consequence of the viral infection. Objective: In this case series we compare the oral manifestations in hospitalized COVID-19 positive patients and COVID-19 negative dental outpatients. Methods: 60 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and 41 control patients, were examined for oral signs and symptoms. The controls were dental patients who visited the hospital for dental care without complaining of any problems related to the oral cavity itself. Results: We have observed a strong association between certain clinical findings and COVID-19, including alterations in taste (ageusia, dysgeusia, and hypogeusia), anosmia, hairy tongue, tongue imprints, red tongue, erythematous candidiasis, pseudomembranous candidiasis, and exfoliative cheilitis. A trend but not statistically significant association at the level of 5% was also noted for colored tongue, linea alba, and pale mucosa. On the contrary, fissured tongue and oral mucosa pigmentation were more frequent in the controls, statistically significant at the level of 5%. Conclusion: COVID-19 has been found to impact the oral cavity, resulting in various oral lesions that can be attributed to either the direct action of the virus or the patient’s immune response.

Education of Hospitalized Diabetic Patients: Analysis of Training Needs among Nurses in a Lebanese Hospital - A Secondary Publication

The design of diabetes inpatient educational preparation should be based on the needs of the nurses involved in terms of skills in this area. The objective of this qualitative study is to identify the preparatory needs of nurses working in the medical and surgical units of a Lebanese hospital in terms of Survival Skills Education for Hospitalized Diabetic Patients (SSEHDP). Method: The focus group method is used for data collection using a semi-structured interview guide. The needs expressed by the thirty-two participating nurses were classified into categories of the competency framework for providing self-management education to diabetic patients proposed by the American Diabetes Association. Results: By focusing on the themes of an SSEHDP, a list of preparatory needs was drawn up. The needs identified and analyzed are then translated into general and specific learning objectives for educational preparation. Conclusion: The needs analysis is only the first step in a work that will ideally continue into the implementation and eventual evaluation of an educational program developed to help nurses acquire skills in the education of diabetic patients.

Echocardiographic Aspects of Type 2 Diabetics Patients Hospitalized in the Medicine and Endocrinology Department of the Mali Hospital

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in diabetics. The objective of our study was to investigate the echocardiographic aspects of type 2 diabetics. Patients and Method: Descriptive and cross-sectional study of 12 months from June 2020 to June 2021. We included hospitalized type 2 diabetics who underwent transthoracic cardiac ultrasound in the Department of Medicine and Endocrinology at the Mali Hospital. Results: We collected 128 type 2 diabetics. The predominance was male with a sex ratio of 1.2. The mean age of patients was 60.06 ± 11.54 years with extremes of 28 and 84 years. Echocardiographic abnormalities were dominated by abnormal relaxation of left ventricle in 62.5%, increased of left ventricle mass in 54.7% and left atrium dilation in 28.1%. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension had more left atrium dilation with a p of 0.02. Disorders of global kinetics and systolic dysfunction were more prevalent in smoking patients with statistically significant associations, respectively, p = 0.02;p = 0.03. Dyslipidemia had a statistically significant association with segmental kinetic disorders with a p of 0.008. Duration of diabetes greater than 5 years was associated with left atrium dilation and p-value was 0.04. Conclusion: Diabetes is responsible for cardiovascular manifestations that can be identified with transthoracic echocardiography. Its performance in diabetic patients makes it possible to refine the patient’s management.

Hospitalized ulcerative colitis patients have an elevated risk of thromboembolic events

AIM: To compare thromboembolism rates between hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and other hospitalized patients at high risk for thromboembolism. To compare thromboembolism rates between patients with ulcerative colitis undergoing a colorectal operation and other patients undergoing colorectal operations. METHODS: Data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey was used to compare thromboembolism rates between (1) hospitalized patients with a discharge diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and those with diverticulitis or acute respiratory failure, and (2) hospitalized patients with a discharge diagnosis of ulcerative colitis who underwent colectomy and those with diverticulitis or colorectal cancer who underwent colorectal operations. RESULTS: Patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis had similar or higher rates of combined venous thromboembolism (2.03%) than their counterparts with diverticulitis (0.76%) or respiratory failure (1.99%), despite the overall greater prevalence of thromboembolic risk factors in the latter groups. Discharged patients with colitis that were treated surgically did not have signifi cantly different rates of venous or arterial thromboembolism than those with surgery for diverticulitis or colorectal cancer.CONCLUSION: Patients with ulcerative colitis who do not undergo an operation during their hospitalization have similar or higher rates of thromboembolism than other medical patients who are considered to be high risk for thromboembolism.

Surveillance of multidrug resistant uropathogenic bacteria in hospitalized patients in Indian

Objective:To record surveillance,antibiotic resistance of uropathogens of hospitalized patients over a period of 18 months.Methods:Urine samples from wards and cabins were used for isolating urinary tract infection(UTI)-causing bacteria that were cultured on suitable selective media and identified by biochemical tests;and their antibiograms were ascertained by Kirby-Bauer's disc diffusion method,in each 6-month interval of the study period,using 18 antibiotics of five different classes.Results:From wards and cabins,1 245 samples were collected,from which 996 strains of bacteria belonging to 11 species were isolated,during April 2011 to September2012.Two Gram-positive,Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus)and Enterococcus faecalis(E.faecalis),and nine Gram-negative bacteria,Acinetobacter baumannii,Citrobactcr sp.,Escherichia coli,Enterobacter aerogenes,Klebsiella pneumoniae.Klebsiella oxytoca,Proteus mirabilis,Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated.Both S.aureus and E.faecalis were vancomycin resistant,and resistant-strains of all pathogens increased in each 6-month period of study.Particularly,all Gram-negatives were resistant to nitrofurantoin and co-trimoxazole,the most preferred antibiotics of empiric therapy for UTI.Conclusions:Antibiograms of 11 UTI-causing bacteria recorded in this study indicated moderately higher numbers of strains resistant to each antibiotic studied,generating the fear of precipitating fervent episodes in public health particularly with bacteria,Acinetobacter baumannii,Escherichia coli,Klebsiella pneumoniae and S.aureus.Moreover,vancomycin resistance in strains of S.aureus and E.faecalis is a matter of concern.

Performance of tacrolimus in hospitalized patients with steroid-refractory acute severe ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND Acute severe ulcerative colitis unresponsive to systemic steroid treatment is a lifethreatening medical condition requiring hospitalization and often colectomy.Despite the increasing choice of medical therapy options for ulcerative colitis, the condition remains a great challenge in the field of inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD). The performance of the calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus in this clinical setting is insufficiently elucidated.AIM To evaluate the short and long-term outcomes of tacrolimus therapy in adult inpatients with steroid-refractory acute severe ulcerative colitis.METHODS We conducted a retrospective monocentric study enrolling 22 patients at a tertiary care center for the treatment of IBD. All patients who were admitted to one of the wards of the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology of the Heidelberg University Hospital with acute severe ulcerative colitis between 2007 and 2018, and who received oral or intravenous tacrolimus for steroid-refractory disease were included. Baseline characteristics and data on the disease courses were retrieved from entirely computerized patient charts. The primary study endpoint was clinical response to tacrolimus therapy, resulting in discharge from the hospital. Secondary study endpoints were colectomy rate and time to colectomy, achievement of clinical remission under tacrolimus therapy, and the occurrence of side effects.RESULTSIn the majority of the 22 included patients(68.2%), tacrolimus therapy was initiated intravenously and subsequently converted to oral administration. The treatment duration was 128 ± 28.5 d(mean ± SEM), and the patients were followed up for 705 ± 110 d after treatment initiation. Among all patients, 86.4%were discharged from the hospital under continued oral tacrolimus therapy. In36.4% of the patients, the administration of tacrolimus resulted in clinical remission at some point during the treatment. Thirty-two percent of the patients underwent colectomy between 5 and 194 d after the initiation of tacrolimus treatment(mean: 97.4 ± 20.8 d). Colectomy-free survival rates at 1, 3, 6 and 12 mo after the initiation of tacrolimus therapy were 90.9%, 86.4%, 77.3% and 68.2%,respectively. The safety profile of tacrolimus was overall favorable. Only two patients discontinued the treatment due to side effects.CONCLUSION The short-term outcome of tacrolimus in steroid-refractory acute severe ulcerative colitis was beneficial, and side effects were rare. In all, tacrolimus therapy appears to be a viable option for short-term treatment of steroidrefractory acute severe ulcerative colitis besides ciclosporin and anti-tumor necrosis factor α treatment.

Norovirus Infection and Histo-blood Group Antigens in Children Hospitalized with Diarrhea in Lulong and Chenzhou in China

Norovirus （NOV） is a pathogen that commonly causes viral diarrhea in children. Studies indicate that NoV recognizes human histo-blood group antigens （HBGAs） as cell attachment factors. In order to explore the correlation between of NoV infection and HBGAs, a cross-sectional study was conducted in children less than five years old who were hospitalized with diarrhea in two areas of China between November 2014 and February 2015. Of the paired stool and saliva samples taken from 424 children,

Asymptomatic bacteriuria among hospitalized diabetic patients:Should they be treated?

Diabetes Mellitus is a significant health care challenge in the United States.The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates approximately 9.4%of patients in the United States are afflicted by diabetes.The Infectious Disease Society of America asymptomatic bacteriuria in women as two consecutive cleancatch voided urine specimens with isolation of the same bacterial strain in counts≥105 cfu/mL It is understood that diabetic patients tend to be at higher risk for infections than non-diabetics.Urinary tract infections(UTIs)tend to be the most common infection contracted by this population.UTIs are not only a significant cause of morbidity and mortality,they are also a significant financial burden.The data are conflicting,in regard to treating asymptomatic bacteriuria in diabetic patients to avoid hospital complications and ultimately decrease healthcare costs associated with these complications.However,clinicians continue to prescribe antibiotics empirically.Further randomized controlled study looking into the specific population as immunocompromised diabetic patients,patient with diabetic ketoacidosis and patient in intensive care unit needs to be undertaken.

A Retrospective Study of Culture-confirmed Mycobacterial Infection among Hospitalized HIV-infected Patients in Beijing, China

A retrospective analysis was performed in two major HIV/AIDS referral hospitals in Beijing to evaluate the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis（MTB） and non-tuberculous mycobacterial（NTM） infections in HIV-infected patients. A total of 627 patients＇ data were reviewed, and 102（16.3%） patients were diagnosed with culture-confirmed mycobacterial infection, including 84 with MTB, 16 with NTM, and 2 with both MTB and NTM. The most frequent clinical complication by mycobacterial infection was pulmonary infection（48/102, 47.1%）. The overall rates of multidrug-resistant TB（MDR-TB） and extensively drug-resistant TB（XDR-TB） were 11.9% and 3.4%, respectively. This study underlines the urgent need to intensify screening for mycobacteria coinfection with HIV and to prevent the spread of drug-resistant TB among HIV-infected patients.

Investigation and analysis of lower extremity arterial disease in hospitalized elderly type 2 diabetic patients

Background:The risk of lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD) is increased in diabetic patients.LEAD in diabetic patients occurs earlier and is often more severe and diffuse;however,it is largely underdiagnosed and untreated.The purposes of this study were to investigate and analyze LEAD situation of hospitalized elderly type 2 diabetic patients.Methods:The ankle-brachial index (ABI) was used to screen LEAD in hospitalized elderly type 2 diabetic patients.The patients were divided into 5 groups based on the screening results:non-LEAD group and LEAD group;the LEAD group was divided into mild stenosis group,moderate stenosis group,and severe stenosis group.Results:The percentage of patients who had LEAD was 43%.Significant difference in age,diabetes duration,peak velocity,microalbuminuria,and vibratory sensory neuropathy was observed between patients with and without LEAD;regression analysis showed that urinary albumin and vibratory sensory neuropathy were independent risk factors for LEAD.Significant difference in age,body mass index (BMI),peak velocity,urinary albumin,and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was observed between mild stenosis group,moderate stenosis group,and severe stenosis group;regression analysis showed that urinary albumin,BMI,and HDL-C were independent risk factors for accelerating vascular stenosis.Conclusions:The incidence of LEAD in hospitalized elderly type 2 diabetic patients is high;age,diabetes duration,peak velocity,BMI,urinary microalbumin,vibratory sensory neuropathy,and HDL-C are the maior risk factors for LEAD.Active control of risk factors is helpful to reduce or delay LEAD.

Analysis on Nutritional Risk Screening and Influencing Factors of Hospitalized Patients in Central Urban Area

Rational nutritional support shall be based on nutritional screening and nutritional assessment. This study is aimed to explore nutritional risk screening and its influencing factors of hospitalized patients in central urban area. It is helpful for the early detection of problems in nutritional supports, nutrition management and the implementation of intervention measures, which will contribute a lot to improving the patient＇s poor clinical outcome. A total of three tertiary medical institutions were enrolled in this study. From October 2015 to June 2016, 1202 hospitalized patients aged ≥18 years were enrolled in Nutrition Risk Screening 2002（NRS2002） for nutritional risk screening, including 8 cases who refused to participate, 5 cases of same-day surgery and 5 cases of coma. A single-factor chi-square test was performed on 312 patients with nutritional risk and 872 hospitalized patients without nutritional risk. Logistic regression analysis was performed with univariate analysis（P〈0.05）, to investigate the incidence of nutritional risk and influencing factors. The incidence of nutritional risk was 26.35% in the inpatients, 25.90% in male and 26.84% in female, respectively. The single-factor analysis showed that the age ≥60, sleeping disorder, fasting, intraoperative bleeding, the surgery in recent month, digestive diseases, metabolic diseases and endocrine system diseases had significant effects on nutritional risk（P〈0.05）. Having considered the above-mentioned factors as independent variables and nutritional risk（Y=1, N=0） as dependent variable, logistic regression analysis revealed that the age ≥60, fasting, sleeping disorders, the surgery in recent month and digestive diseases are hazardous factors for nutritional risk. Nutritional risk exists in hospitalized patients in central urban areas. Nutritional risk screening should be conducted for inpatients. Nutritional intervention programs should be formulated in consideration of those influencing factors, which enable to reduce the nutritional risk and to promote the rehabilitation of inpatients.

Time and department distribution of hypoglycemia occurrences in hospitalized diabetic patients

Hypoglycemia occurred on hospitalized patients would result in severe complications.So we monitored the blood glucose of hospitalized patients with diabetes in 14 clinical departments from January to December 2013.Totally 105728 cases of blood glucose were monitored and 1374 cases of hypoglycemia were detected.The incidence of hypoglycemia was 1.29%.Among which,317 cases of severe hypoglycemia were detected and the incidence of severe hypoglycemia was 0.29%.The peak periods of hypoglycemia were 0:00~2:00,22:00~24:00,2:00~4:00,8:00~10:00 and 10:00~12:00.The symptomatic hypoglycemia accounted for 47.01%,The asymptomatic hypoglycemia accounted for 52.98%.The incidence of hypoglycemia was 1.49%in medical departments and 0.87%in surgical departments.It is suggested to be vigilant of high risk periods of hypoglycemia,detect and treat asymptomatic hypoglycemia timely and rationally administer antidiabetics to prevent hypoglycemia.

Effects of Acupoint Massage Combined with Psychological Nursing on Depression and Hope Level and Coping Style in Hospitalized Patients with Hepatocirrhosis

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of acupoint massage combined with psychological nursing on depression and hope level and coping style in hospitalized patients with hepatocirrhosis, and to provide scientific basis for clinical treatment. METHODS: A total of 86 patients with hepatocirrhosis hospitalized in The Sixth Hospital of Handan from June 2015 to June 2018 were selected and divided into 2 groups according to the nursing method. The control group, with a total of 42 patients, were given psychological nursing intervention. The observation group, with a total of 44 patients, were given acupoint massage and psychological nursing intervention. Changes in depression levels, hope levels, and coping style scores were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in depression, hope level and coping style before the intervention between the 2 groups(P > 0.05). In the observation group, the self-rating depression scale(SDS) score of depression before intervention was 55.16 ± 4.17; and the positive attitude score was 8.40 ± 2.02; the positive action score was 8.33 ± 3.05; and the intimate score was 8.13 ± 2.44. The negative response score was 30.14 ± 3.31, and the positive response score was 30.49 ± 3.26. Before the intervention, the SDS score in the control group was 56.81 ± 4.39, and the positive attitude score was 8.29 ± 1.98. The positive action score was 8.04 ± 2.57, and the intimate score was 8.06 ± 2.31. The total level of hope score was 24.07 ± 3.11. The negative coping score was 30.55 ± 3.06, and the positive coping score was 30.93 ± 3.17. After intervention the SDS scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group(P < 0.05). The SDS score of the observation group was 36.19 ± 4.19, and the SDS score of the control group was 42.95 ± 3.71. The total level of hope in the observation group was higher than that in the control group after intervention(P < 0.05). The positive attitude score of the observation group was 16.10 ± 2.15, and the score of positive action was 14.74 ± 3.11; the score of intimate relationship was 15.08 ± 5.45; and the total score of hope was 45.71 ± 5.63. The positive attitude score of the control group was 10.92 ± 2.07; the score of positive action was 11.38 ± 3.14; the score of intimate relationship was 10.92 ± 2.33; and the total score of hope was 34.09 ± 5.77. The patients in the observation group had lower response scores after intervention than the control group, and the positive response scores were higher than those in the control group(P < 0.05). The negative response score of the observation group was 20.14 ± 2.19; the positive response score was 38.92 ± 4.33; the negative response score of the control group was 26.61 ± 2.34; and the positive response score was 34.08 ± 2.69. CONCLUSION: Acupoint massage combined with psychological nursing can effectively improve depression in hospitalized patients with hepatocirrhosis, improve the patient's hope level, help patients cope with lifestyle changes from negative to positive, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Beta-blockers and 1-year clinical outcomes in hospitalized heart failure patients with atrial fibrillation

OBJECTIVE To assess the association between beta-blockers and 1-year clinical outcomes in heart failure(HF)patients with atrial fibrillation(AF),and further explore this association that differs by left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)level.METHODS We enrolled hospitalized HF patients with AF from China Patient-centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events Prospective Heart Failure Study.COX proportional hazard regression models were employed to calculate hazard ratio of betablockers.The primary outcome was all-cause death.RESULTS Among 1762 HF patients with AF(756 women[41.4%]),1041(56%)received beta-blockers at discharge and 1272(72.2%)had an LVEF>40%.During one year follow up,all-cause death occurred in 305(17.3%),cardiovascular death occurred in203 patients(11.5%),and rehospitalizations for HF occurred in 622 patients(35.2%).After adjusting for demographic characteristics,social economic status,smoking status,medical history,anthropometric characteristics,and medications used at discharge,the use of beta-blockers at discharge was not associated with all-cause death[hazard ratio(HR):0.86;95%Confidence Interval(CI):0.65-1.12;P=0.256],cardiovascular death(HR:0.76,95%CI:0.52-1.11;P=0.160),or the composite outcome of all-cause death and HF rehospitalization(HR:0.97,95%CI:0.82-1.14;P=0.687)in the entire cohort.There were no significant interactions between use of beta-blockers at discharge and LVEF with respect to all-cause death,cardiovascular death,or composite outcome.In the adjusted models,the use of beta-blockers at discharge was not associated with all-cause death,cardiovascular death,or composite outcome across the different levels of LVEF:reduced(<40%),mid-range(40%-49%),or preserved LVEF(≥50%).CONCLUSION Among HF patients with AF,the use of beta-blockers at discharge was not associated with 1-year clinical outcomes,regardless of LVEF.

A cohort study of hospitalized adult dengue patients with fatality in Taiwan: The elderly and febrile characteristics matter for prognosis

Objective:To identify the febrile characteristics and clinical presentations associated with fatality in hospitalized adult patients with dengue virus(DENV)infections.Methods:A total of 289 adult hospitalized patients with laboratoryconfirmed DENV infections were examined,of which 22 were fatal and 267 were non-fatal.A comparison of the clinical and laboratory characteristics was retrospectively conducted of the deceased and surviving individuals.Multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were performed to identify predictors of fatality.Results:Fatal patients exhibited significantly more comorbidities,particularly renal and cardiac comorbidities,and they were,in general,older than control individuals(P<0.0001).The results of logistic regression analysis showed that febrile duration of less than four days before arriving in the Emergency Department(OR=5.34;95%CI:1.39–20.6),episode of hypotension in the Emergency Department(OR=6.95;95%CI:2.40–20.1),and comorbidity with congestive heart failure(OR=11.26;95%CI:2.31–54.79)were all significantly associated with inpatient fatality due to DENV infection.The ROC curve analysis indicated that the final prognostic model yielded an area under the curve of 0.87(95%CI:0.79–0.97)for fatality.Conclusions:The aforementioned clinical findings may help clinicians predict fatality among adult inpatients with DENV infection.

Retroperitoneal and abdominal bleeding in anticoagulated COVID-19 hospitalized patients:Case series and brief literature review

BACKGROUND Hospitalized and severely ill coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)patients necessitate prophylactic or therapeutic anticoagulation to minimize the risk of thrombosis at different sites.Life-threatening bleeding complications include spontaneous iliopsoas hematoma,peritoneal bleeding,and extra-abdominal manifestations such as intracranial hemorrhage.CASE SUMMARY Bleeding in the abdominal wall results in less severe complications than seen with iliopsoas hematoma or peritoneal bleeding.In our case series of 9 patients,we present retroperitoneal and abdominal bleeding complications following anticoagulation in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pneumonia.Contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CE-CT)is the best imaging modality for assessing hematoma secondary to anticoagulation and determines the therapeutic approach,whether interventional,surgical,or conservative management.CONCLUSION We present the role of CE-CT for rapid and precise localization of the bleeding site and prognostic counseling.Finally,we provide a brief review of the literature.

Clinical Outcomes Associated with Use of Subcutaneous Sliding Scale Insulin Compared to Other Insulin Regimens in Hospitalized Patients

Background: Hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients is managed through one of the following approaches: sliding scale insulin (SSI) alone;SSI plus long-acting insulin and basal-bolus insulin (BBI). The optimal insulin treatment regimen is still debated. Objectives: To evaluate the clinical outcomes associated with the use of SSI compared to other regimens. Setting: The general medical wards in King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: Medical charts for adult patients admitted between October 2014-December 2015 with type 2 diabetes or uncontrolled hyperglycemia with insulin treatment were reviewed. Data from capillary blood glucose were measured daily for the first 5 days of hospitalization and recorded. Demographics and blood glucose levels were compared by group using one-way ANOVA or Chi-square test. The number of hyperglycemic/hypoglycemic episodes was analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: A total of 240 patients were included. The three insulin regimen groups were not statistically different in terms of the number of days with episodes of hyper- or hypoglycemia (p > 0.05). However, a significantly bigger change from baseline (improvement) in random blood glucose (RBG) levels was observed in BBI and SSI plus glargine patients compared to SSI (p = 0.014). Conclusion: Our study showed no significant difference in the number of days with episodes of hyper- or hypoglycemia for SSI vs. other insulin regimens. However, SSI patients had less improvement in their RBG levels compared to other insulin regimen groups. Further studies with a larger sample size are needed to confirm these findings.