Hospitalisation, morbidity and outcomes associated with respiratory syncytial virus compared with influenza in adults of all ages.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is understood to be a cause of significant disease in older adults and children. Further analysis of RSV in younger adults may reveal further insight into its role as an important pathogen in all age groups. METHODS: We identified, through laboratory data, adults who tested positive for either influenza or RSV between January 2017 and June 2019 at a single Australian hospital. We compared baseline demographics, testing patterns, hospitalisations and outcomes between these groups. RESULTS: Of 1128 influenza and 193 RSV patients, the RSV cohort was older (mean age 54.7 vs. 64.9, p < 0.001) and was more comorbid as determined by the Charlson Comorbidity Index (2.4 vs. 3.2, p < 0.001). For influenza hospitalisations, the majority admitted were aged under 65 which was not the case for RSV (61.8% vs. 45.6%, p < 0.001). Testing occurred later in RSV hospitalisations as measured by the proportion tested in the emergency department (ED) (80.3% vs. 69.2%, p < 0.001), and this was strongly associated with differences in presenting phenotype (the presence of fever). RSV was the biggest predictor of 6-month representation, with age and comorbidities predicting this less strongly. CONCLUSION: RSV is a significant contributor to morbidity and hospitalisation, sometimes outweighing that of influenza, and is not limited to elderly cohorts. Understanding key differences in the clinical syndrome and consequent testing paradigms may allow better detection and potentially treatment of RSV to reduce individual morbidity and health system burden. This growing area of research helps quantify the need for directed therapies for RSV.

A Survey on Knowledge Gaps in Assessment and Management of Severe Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions: Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study of Australian Health Care Providers.

Severe drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) are often encountered by health care professionals (HCPs). We evaluated knowledge of doctors and pharmacists in the assessment and management of severe DHRs using a structured questionnaire. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 4 metropolitan hospital networks in Melbourne, Australia. A 13-question, scenario-based multiple-choice questionnaire to assess specific knowledge domains in drug hypersensitivity syndrome recognition, causality attribution, cross-reactivity patterns, appropriate diagnostic tests, and therapy was administered to HCPs of various vocation and specialty groups. Data were analyzed according to profession, self-reported experience, and preparedness in managing severe DHRs. Two hundred thirty-eight participants (45.0% senior doctors, 24.4% junior doctors, and 30.7% pharmacists) across a range of subspecialties achieved an overall median score of 7 (IQR, 5-8)-overall 55.6% correct responses to all questions-with senior doctors outperforming junior doctors and pharmacists (P < .001). The best performance by all participants was in DHR syndrome recognition (60.9%), and the poorest was in diagnostics/therapy (52.0%). HCP group and experience level were significantly associated with better performance in the knowledge domains of cross-reactivity and diagnostics/therapy (P = .003 and < .001, respectively), but not in the domains of syndrome recognition and causality attribution (P > .05). Levels of self-reported preparedness in DHR management were not associated with performance rates in any of the knowledge domains. This study demonstrated significant knowledge gaps in the recognition and management of severe drug hypersensitivity reactions. Targeted multidisciplinary education of staff caring for these patients is needed to improve knowledge gaps.

Guidance for Restarting Inflammatory Bowel Disease Therapy in Patients Who Withheld Immunosuppressant Medications During COVID-19.

Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD] are frequently treated with immunosuppressant medications. During the coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19] pandemic, recommendations for IBD management have included that patients should stay on their immunosuppressant medications if they are not infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2], but to temporarily hold these medications if symptomatic with COVID-19 or asymptomatic but have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. As more IBD patients are infected globally, it is important to also understand how to manage IBD medications during convalescence while an individual with IBD is recovering from COVID-19. In this review, we address the differences between a test-based versus a symptoms-based strategy as related to COVID-19, and offer recommendations on when it is appropriate to consider restarting IBD therapy in patients testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 or with clinical symptoms consistent with COVID-19. In general, we recommend a symptoms-based approach, due to the current lack of confidence in the accuracy of available testing and the clinical significance of prolonged detection of virus via molecular testing.

Denosumab-associated hypocalcaemia: incidence, severity and patient characteristics in a tertiary hospital setting.

PURPOSE: Denosumab-associated hypocalcaemia (DAH) has been reported in patients with osteoporosis or metastatic bone disease and is associated with stages 4 and 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD, estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min/1.73m2 ). Other risk factors for hypocalcaemia have not been fully elucidated. We aimed to investigate the incidence of hypocalcaemia amongst patients receiving denosumab and to identify clinical features associated with this adverse event. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study between June 2013 and June 2014 of patients administered denosumab (60/120 mg) at a tertiary hospital in Melbourne, Australia, to identify the incidence of an albumin-adjusted serum calcium concentration <2.10 mmol/L or ionized calcium <1.13 mmol/L within 6 months of treatment. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify clinical features associated with DAH. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-five patients were administered denosumab (100 osteoporosis, 55 bone metastases). Twenty-two patients (14% [95%CI 9.1-20.7]) developed hypocalcaemia: 55% were men, and 55% had osteoporosis. Eighty-six per cent had a 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration >50 nmol/L, and 91% were on calcium/colecalciferol supplementation. Stages 4 and 5 CKD (adjusted odd ratio [aOR] 4.71, 95%CI 1.61-13.79, p = 0.005) and male sex (aOR 4.30, 95%CI 1.69-10.96, p = 0.002) were associated with DAH. No patients were documented as having hypocalcaemic symptoms. One patient received intravenous calcium gluconate treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of denosumab-associated hypocalcaemia was 14% (95%CI 9.1-20.7) within 6 months of treatment despite widespread use of appropriate calcium/colecalciferol supplementation. Stages 4 and 5 CKD and male sex were associated with subsequent hypocalcaemia. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.