Influence of income on in-hospital mortality in older adults during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the EDEN-33 study. / Influencia de la renta económica en la mortalidad intrahospitalaria de las personas mayores durante la primera ola de la pandemia por COVID-19: resultados del estudio EDEN-33.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether income was associated with unexpected in-hospital mortality in older patients treated in Spanish public health system hospital emergency departments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-one public health system hospital emergency departments in Spain voluntarily participated in the study. Together the hospitals covered 25% of the population aged 65 years or older included in all patient registers during a week in the pre-pandemic period (April 1-7, 2019) and a week during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 30 to April 5, 2020). We estimated a patient's gross income as the amount published for the postal code of the patient's address. We then calculated the standardized gross income (SGI) by dividing the patient's estimated income by the mean for the corresponding territory (Spanish autonomous community). The existence and strength of an association between the SGI and in-hospital mortality was evaluated by means of restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves adjusted for 10 patient characteristics at baseline. Odds ratios (ORs) for each income level were expressed in relation to a reference SGI of 1 (the mean income for the corresponding autonomous community). We compared the COVID-19 and pre-pandemic periods by means of first-order interactions. RESULTS: Of the 35 280 patients attended in the 2 periods, gross income could be ascertained for 21 180 (60%), 15437 in the pre-pandemic period and 5746 during the COVID-19 period. SGIs were slightly higher for patients included before the pandemic (1.006 vs 0.994; P = .012). In-hospital mortality was 5.6% overall and higher during the pandemic (2.8% pre-pandemic vs 13.1% during COVID-19; P .001). The adjusted RCS curves showed that associations between income and mortality differed between the 2 periods (interaction P = .004). Whereas there were no significant income-influenced differences in mortality before the pandemic, mortality increased during the pandemic in the lowest-income population (SGI 0.5 OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.32-3.37) and in higher-income populations (SGI 1.5 OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.04-1.68, and SGI 2 OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.14-3.23). We found no significant differences between patients with COVID-19 and those with other diagnoses (interaction P = .667). CONCLUSION: The gross income of patients attended in Spanish public health system hospital emergency departments, estimated according to a patient's address and postal code, was associated with in-hospital mortality, which was higher for patients with the lowest and 2 higher income levels. The reasons for these associations might be different for each income level and should be investigated in the future.

OBJETIVO: Determinar si el nivel económico durante la primera ola pandémica tuvo una influencia diferente a la esperable en la mortalidad intrahospitalaria de los pacientes mayores atendidos en los servicios de urgencias (SU) de los hospitales públicos españoles. METODO: Cincuenta y un SU públicos españoles que participaron voluntariamente y que dan cobertura al 25% de la población incluyeron todos los registros de pacientes de edad 65 años atendidos durante una semana del periodo preCOVID (1-4-2019 a 7-4-2019) y una semana del periodo COVID (30-3-2020 a 5-4-2020). Se identificó la renta bruta (RB) asignada al código postal de residencia de cada paciente y se calculó la RB normalizada (RBN) dividiendo aquella por la RB media de su comunidad autónoma. La existencia y fuerza de la relación entre RBN y mortalidad intrahospitalaria se determinó mediante curvas spline cúbicas restringidas (SCR) ajustadas por 10 características basales del paciente. Las OR para cada situación económica se expresó en relación con una RBN de 1 (referencia, renta correspondiente a la media de la comunidad autónoma). La comparación entre periodo COVID y no COVID se realizó mediante el estudio de interacción de primer grado. RESULTADOS: De los 35.280 registros de pacientes atendidos en ambos periodos, se disponía de la RB en 21.180 (60%): 15.437 del periodo preCOVID y 5.746 del periodo COVID. La RBN de los pacientes incluidos fue discretamente superior en el periodo preCOVID (1,006 versus 0,994; p = 0,012). La mortalidad intrahospitalaria fue del 5,6%, y fue superior durante el periodo COVID (2,8% versus 13,1%; p 0,001). Las curvas SCR ajustadas mostraron una asociación entre nivel económico y mortalidad diferente entre ambos periodos (p interacción = 0,004): en el periodo preCOVID no hubo diferencias significativas de mortalidad en función de la RBN, mientras que en el periodo COVID la mortalidad se incrementó en rentas bajas (OR = 1,82, IC 95% = 1,32-3,37 para RBN de 0,5) y en rentas altas (OR = 1,32, IC 95% = 1,04-1,68 y OR = 1,92, IC 95% = 1,14-3,23 para RBN de 1,5 y 2, respectivamente), sin diferencias significativas entre pacientes con COVID y con otros diagnósticos (p interacción = 0,667). CONCLUSIONES: Durante la primera ola de la pandemia COVID, la RB asignada al código postal de residencia de los pacientes atendidos en los SU públicos españoles se asoció con la mortalidad intrahospitalaria, que aumentó en pacientes de rentas bajas y altas. Las razones de estas asociaciones pueden ser distintas para cada segmento económico y deben ser investigadas en el fututo.

Influence of type of household on prognosis at one year in patients ≥65 years attending hospital emergency departments in Spain. The EDEN-6 study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the type of household is associated with prognosis at one year in patients ≥65 years of age discharged after medical consultation requiring emergency department care. METHODS: Data from the Emergency Department and Elder Needs (EDEN) cohort were used. This retrospective cohort included all patients ≥65 years of age seen in 52 Spanish emergency departments over one week (April 1-7, 2019) in whom the type of household was recorded and categorized as living at home alone, with relatives, with professional caregivers, or in a nursing home. Patient demographic and other baseline characteristics and management during the index emergency department episode were recorded and used to adjust the following 1-year outcomes: all-cause mortality, hospitalization and emergency department revisit. Associations between type of household and outcomes are expressed as adjusted hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals using living alone as the reference category. RESULTS: 13,442 patients with a median age of 79 years (interquartile range 72-86) were included; 56% were women, 12.2% of patients lived alone, 74.9% with relatives, 3.9% with a professional caregiver, and 9.1% in a nursing home. During the year following discharge, the mortality rate was 14.0%, the hospitalization rate 29.7%, and the emergency department revisit rate 59.3%. In the fully adjusted model, the risk of death was associated only with living in a nursing home (hazard ratio 1.366 (1.101-1.695)). On the other hand, the risk of hospitalization was lower in individuals living in nursing homes (hazard ratio 0.783 [0.676-0.907]) and at home with relatives (hazard ratio 0.897 [0.810-0.992]), while the risk of emergency department revisit was lower in individuals living in nursing homes (hazard ratio 0.826 [0.742-0.920]) or at home with caregivers (hazard ratio 0.856 [0.750-0.976]). CONCLUSION: The type of household was modestly associated with the one-year prognosis of patients ≥65 years of age discharged after attendance at an emergency department. Living in a nursing home is associated with an increased risk of death but a decreased risk of rehospitalization or emergency department revisit, while living at home with relatives or professional caregivers is associated only with a decreased risk of hospitalization and emergency department revisit, respectively.

Prospective analysis of febrile neutropenia patients with bacteraemia: the results of an international ID-IRI study.

OBJECTIVES: Bacteraemia during the course of neutropenia is often fatal. We aimed to identify factors predicting mortality to have an insight into better clinical management. METHODS: The study has a prospective, observational design using pooled data from febrile neutropenia patients with bacteraemia in 41 centres in 16 countries. Polymicrobial bacteraemias were excluded. It was performed through the Infectious Diseases-International Research Initiative platform between 17 March 2021 and June 2021. Univariate analysis followed by a multivariate binary logistic regression model was used to determine independent predictors of 30-d in-hospital mortality (sensitivity, 81.2%; specificity, 65%). RESULTS: A total of 431 patients were enrolled, and 85 (19.7%) died. Haematological malignancies were detected in 361 (83.7%) patients. Escherichia coli (n = 117, 27.1%), Klebsiellae (n = 95, 22% %), Pseudomonadaceae (n = 63, 14.6%), Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (n = 57, 13.2%), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 30, 7%), and Enterococci (n = 21, 4.9%) were the common pathogens. Meropenem and piperacillin-tazobactam susceptibility, among the isolated pathogens, were only 66.1% and 53.6%, respectively. Pulse rate (odds ratio [OR], 1.018; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.002-1.034), quick SOFA score (OR, 2.857; 95% CI, 2.120-3.851), inappropriate antimicrobial treatment (OR, 1.774; 95% CI, 1.011-3.851), Gram-negative bacteraemia (OR, 2.894; 95% CI, 1.437-5.825), bacteraemia of non-urinary origin (OR, 11.262; 95% CI, 1.368-92.720), and advancing age (OR, 1.017; 95% CI, 1.001-1.034) were independent predictors of mortality. Bacteraemia in our neutropenic patient population had distinctive characteristics. The severity of infection and the way to control it with appropriate antimicrobials, and local epidemiological data, came forward. CONCLUSIONS: Local antibiotic susceptibility profiles should be integrated into therapeutic recommendations, and infection control and prevention measures should be prioritised in this era of rapidly increasing antibiotic resistance.

Three-Day Icatibant on Top of Standard Care in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pneumonia: A Randomized, Open-Label, Phase 2, Proof-of-Concept Trial.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate icatibant, a competitive antagonist of the bradykinin B2 receptors, for the treatment of inpatients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia admitted in the early hypoxemic stage. METHODS: The randomized, open-label clinical trial of icatibant for COVID-19 pneumonia (ICAT·COVID, registered as NCT04978051 at ClinicalTrials.gov) was conducted in Barcelona. Inpatients requiring supplemental but not high-flow oxygen or mechanical ventilation were allocated (1:1) to treatment with either three 30-mg icatibant doses/d for 3 consecutive days plus standard care or standard care alone, and followed for up to 28 days after initial discharge. The primary and key secondary outcomes were clinical response on study day 10/discharge and clinical efficacy at 28 days from initial discharge, respectively. RESULTS: Clinical response occurred in 27 of 37 patients (73.0%) in the icatibant group and 20 of 36 patients (55.6%) in the control group (rate difference, 17.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], -4.22 to 39.06; P = .115). Clinical efficacy ensued in 37 patients (100.0%) in the icatibant group and 30 patients (83.3%) in the control group (rate difference, 16.67; 95% CI, 4.49-28.84; P = .011). No patient died in the icatibant group, compared with 6 patients (16.7%) in the control group (P = .011). All patients but 1 had adverse events, which were evenly distributed between study arms. No patient withdrew because of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Adding icatibant to standard care was safe and improved both COVID-19 pneumonia and mortality in this proof-of-concept study. A larger, phase 3 trial is warranted to establish the clinical value of this treatment. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT04978051.

[Revisit after discharge from the emergency department in a cohort of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and analysis based on the healthcare resource used for follow-up. RESALSEVID study]. / Análisis de la evolucion tras el alta de urgencias en pacientes con neumonía por COVID-19 en función del recurso sanitario utilizado para el seguimiento: estudio RESALSEVID.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 pneumonia is a manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection and in most cases involves hospital admission. There are recommendations according to which these patients can be discharged without hospital admission, but there is no evidence regarding the revisit and the most appropriate type of follow-up. The objective of the RESALSEVID study was to investigate the variables associated with the 30-day revisit (Rev30d) in a group of patients discharged directly from 4 emergency departments (ED) with COVID-19 pneumonia, and analyze whether there were differences based on 4 different tracking devices. METHOD: Analysis of a prospective cohort of patients discharged directly from the ED with COVID-19 pneumonia in 4 hospital with different models of follow-up at discharge (primary care, hospitalization at home [HaH] phone and in person, HaH phone, hospital phone). RESULTS: Five hundred twenty patients were included, with a mean age of 50.1 years and 51% men. Rev30d was 18.3% and was related only to immunosuppression, odds ratio 4.49 (95% confidence interval 1.10-18.24); p=0.022. There was no difference in Rev30d based on the follow-up model used at discharge from the ED. CONCLUSIONS: There are some recommendations that allow the safe discharge of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, with no differences in Rev30d depending on the type of follow-up.

The utility of the Barthel index as an outcome predictor in older patients with acute infection attending the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Functional decline and frailty are common in older adults and influence the risk of adverse outcomes. We aimed to assess the value of a Barthel index at the Emergency Department (ED-BI) score in predicting 30-day mortality and ED reconsultation among older patients with acute infection. METHODS: We performed a prospective multicentre cohort study of older patients (≥75 years) diagnosed with acute infection in 69 Spanish EDs. Demographic, comorbidities, functional status, clinical and analytical data were collected. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess the association between ED-BI score, mortality and ED reconsultation. RESULTS: In total 1596 patients with a mean age of 84.7 years were included in the study and 51.7% female. The most frequent focus of infection was respiratory in 918 patients (57.5%). Patients with an ED-BI< 60 points were significantly older, predominantly female, more likely institutionalized and more urinary infections. When comparing patients with an ED-BI score ≥ 60 points with those< 60 points no differences were found in ED reconsultation but in the latter group mortality at 30-days was higher (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: An ED-BI score< 60 points appears to be a strong predictor of mortality at the 30-day follow up in older patients with acute infection. DATA AVAILABILITY: The data used to support the findings of this study are included within the article.

Predictors of revisits within 1 year by patients after acute COVID-19: the HUBCOVID365 cohort study. / Predictores de revisita en pacientes con infección aguda COVID-19 con seguimiento al año: estudio de cohorte HUBCOVID365.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the frequencies of 3 types of hospital revisits by patients after treatment for COVID-19 in the emergency department. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study of consecutive patients who came to the emergency department in March and April 2020 and were discharged alive with a diagnosis of COVID-19. Baseline and acute episode data were collected and the patients were followed for 1 year. We analyzed variables associated with revisits for any reason, revisits related to COVID-19, and early COVID-19-related revisits (within 30 days). RESULTS: A total of 1352 patients with a mean age of 62.1 years (52.9% male) were studied. A total of 553 revisits were made by 342 patients (25.3%) for any reason; 132 (9.8%) revisited in relation to COVID-19 at least once. Of those, 103 (7.6%) revisited within 30 days (early) and 29 (2.2%) came later. COVID-19-related revisits were associated with thrombotic events (odds ratio [OR], 7.58; 95% CI, 1.75-32.81) and pulmonary fibrosis (OR, 4.95; 95% CI, 1.27-19.24); early revisits were inversely associated with follow-up management by a contracted health care support service (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.03-0.92). Hospital admission during the initial visit was significantly associated with fewer revisits for any reason or related to COVID-19 at any time. CONCLUSION: Fewer than half the total number of emergency department revisits after initial care for COVID-19 were related to the novel coronavirus infection. Revisits occurred more often in the first 30 days after discharge. Later COVID-19-related revisits were uncommon, but given the large number of patients with this infection, such visits can be expected.

OBJETIVO: Analizar diferentes categorías de revisita (RV) al año en pacientes con infección COVID-19 que consultan en un servicio de urgencias hospitalario (SUH). METODO: Estudio observacional, retrospectivo, que incluyó pacientes consecutivos que consultaron al SUH en los meses de marzo y abril de 2020 con diagnóstico de COVID-19 y fueron dados de alta vivos del hospital. Se recogieron variables basales y del episodio agudo y se realizó un seguimiento al año. Se hicieron tres comparaciones identificando variables asociadas a la RV total, RV relacionada con COVID-19 (RCovid) y RCovid precoz (# 30 días). RESULTADOS: Se analizaron 1.352 pacientes con edad media de 62,1 años y 52,9% varones. En el seguimiento al año hubo 553 RV en 342 (25,3%) pacientes, 132 (9,8%) con al menos una RCovid, 103 (7,6%) precoz y 29 (2,2%) tardía. La RCovid se relacionó con la presencia de fenómenos trombóticos [OR 7,58 (IC 95%: 1,75-32,81)] y la fibrosis pulmonar [OR 4,95 (IC 95%: 1,27-19,24)]; y la RCovid precoz se relacionó inversamente con alta a dispositivo de soporte sanitario [OR 0,18 (IC 95%: 0,03-0,92)]. El ingreso hospitalario en el evento índice disminuyó la RV total y RCovid y las hospitalizaciones derivadas de esta RV de manera significativa a largo plazo. CONCLUSIONES: Menos de la mitad de la RV total tras una infección COVID-19 está relacionada con la infección, y es más frecuente en los primeros 30 días. La RCovid tardía no es frecuente, pero dado el elevado número de pacientes que han sido infectados por COVID-19 se debe tener en cuenta.

The COVID-19 vaccination acceptance/hesitancy rate and its determinants among healthcare workers of 91 Countries: A multicenter cross-sectional study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the COVID-19 vaccination acceptance rate and its determinants among healthcare workers in a multicenter study. This was a cross-sectional multi-center survey conducted from February 5 to April 29, 2021. The questionnaire consisted of 26 items in 6 subscales. The English version of the questionnaire was translated into seven languages and distributed through Google Forms using snowball sampling; a colleague in each country was responsible for the forward and backward translation, and also the distribution of the questionnaire. A forward stepwise logistic regression was utilized to explore the variables and questionnaire factors tied to the intention to COVID-19 vaccination. 4630 participants from 91 countries completed the questionnaire. According to the United Nations Development Program 2020, 43.6 % of participants were from low Human Development Index (HDI) regions, 48.3 % high and very high, and 8.1 % from medium. The overall vaccination hesitancy rate was 37 %. Three out of six factors of the questionnaire were significantly related to intention to the vaccination. While 'Perceived benefits of the COVID-19 vaccination' (OR: 3.82, p-value<0.001) and 'Prosocial norms' (OR: 5.18, p-value<0.001) were associated with vaccination acceptance, 'The vaccine safety/cost concerns' with OR: 3.52, p-value<0.001 was tied to vaccination hesitancy. Medical doctors and pharmacists were more willing to take the vaccine in comparison to others. Importantly, HDI with OR: 12.28, 95 % CI: 6.10-24.72 was a strong positive determinant of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance. This study highlighted the vaccination hesitancy rate of 37 % in our sample among HCWs. Increasing awareness regarding vaccination benefits, confronting the misinformation, and strengthening the prosocial norms would be the primary domains for maximizing the vaccination coverage. The study also showed that the HDI is strongly associated with the vaccination acceptance/hesitancy, in a way that those living in low HDI contexts are more hesitant to receive the vaccine.

Sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidity, and baseline functional status of older patients treated in emergency departments during the COVID-19 pandemic and associations with mortality: an analysis based on the EDENCOVID cohort. / Sociodemografía, comorbilidad y situación funcional basal de los pacientes mayores atendidos en urgencias durante la pandemia de COVID y su relación con la mortalidad: análisis a partir de la cohorte EDEN-Covid.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidity, and baseline functional status of patients aged 65 or older who came to hospital emergency departments (EDs) during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to compare them with the findings for an earlier period to analyze factors of the index episode that were related to mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied data from the EDEN-COVID cohort (Emergency Department and Elder Needs During COVID-19) of patients aged 65 years or older treated in 40 Spanish EDs on 7 consecutive days. Nine sociodemographic variables, 18 comorbidities, and 7 function variables were registered and compared with the findings for the EDEN cohort of patients included with the same criteria and treated a year earlier in the same EDs. In-hospital mortality was calculated in the 2 cohorts and a multivariable logistic regression model was used to explore associated factors. RESULTS: The EDEN-COVID cohort included 6806 patients with a median age of 78 years; 49% were women. The pandemic cohort had a higher proportion of men, patients covered by the national health care system, patients brought from residential facilities, and patients who arrived in an ambulance equipped for advanced life support. Pandemic-cohort patients more often had diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and dementia; they less often had connective tissue and thromboembolic diseases. The Barthel and Charlson indices were worse in this period, and cognitive decline was more common. Fewer patients had a history of depression or falls. Eight hundred ninety these patients (13.1%) died, 122 of them in the ED (1.8%); these percentages were lower in the earlier EDEN cohort, at 3.1% and 0.5%, respectively. Independent sociodemographic factors associated with higher mortality were transport by ambulance, older age, male sex, and living in a residential facility. Mortalityassociated comorbidities were neoplasms, chronic kidney disease, and heart failure. The only function variable associated with mortality was the inability to walk independently. A history of falls in the past 6 months was a protective factor. CONCLUSION: The sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidity, and functional status of patients aged 65 years or older who were treated in hospital EDs during the pandemic differed in many ways from those usually seen in this older-age population. Mortality was higher than in the prepandemic period. Certain sociodemographic, comorbidity, and function variables were associated with in-hospital mortality.

OBJETIVO: Investigar sociodemografía, comorbilidad y situación funcional de los pacientes de 65 o más años de edad que consultaron a los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH) durante la primera oleada epidémica de COVID, compararlas con un periodo previo y ver su relación. METODO: Se utilizaron los datos obtenidos de la cohorte EDEN-Covid (Emergency Department and Elder Needs during COVID) en la que participaron 40 SUH españoles que incluyeron todos los pacientes de $ 65 años atendidos durante 7 días consecutivos. Se analizaron 9 características sociodemográficas, 18 comorbilidades y 7 variables de funcionalidad, que se compararon con las de la cohorte EDEN (Emergency Department and Elder Needs), que contiene pacientes con el mismo criterio de inclusión etario reclutados por los mismos SUH un año antes. Se recogió la mortalidad intrahospitalaria y se investigaron los factores asociados mediante regresión logística multivariable. RESULTADOS: La cohorte EDEN-Covid incluyó 6.806 pacientes (mediana edad: 78 años; 49% mujeres). Hubo más varones, con cobertura sanitaria pública, procedentes de residencia y que llegaron con ambulancia medicalizada que durante el periodo prepandemia. Presentaron más frecuentemente diabetes mellitus, enfermedad renal crónica, enfermedad cerebrovascular y demencia y menos conectivopatías y enfermedad tromboembólica, peores índices de Barthel y Charlson, más deterioro cognitivo y menos antecedentes de depresión o caídas previas. Fallecieron durante el episodio 890 pacientes (13,1%), 122 de ellos en urgencias (1,8%), porcentajes superiores al periodo prepandemia (3,1% y 0,5%, respectivamente). Se asociaron de forma independiente a mayor mortalidad durante el periodo COVID la llegada en ambulancia, mayor edad, ser varón y vivir en residencia como variables sociodemográficas, y neoplasia, enfermedad renal crónica e insuficiencia cardiaca como comorbilidades. La única variable funcional asociada a mortalidad fue no deambular respecto a ser autónomo, y la existencia de caídas los 6 meses previos resultó un factor protector. CONCLUSIONES: La sociodemografía, comorbilidad y funcionalidad de los pacientes de 65 o más años que consultaron en los SUH españoles durante la primera ola pandémica difirieron en muchos aspectos de lo habitualmente observado en esta población. La mortalidad fue mayor a la del periodo prepandémico. Algunos aspectos sociodemográficos, de comorbilidad y funcionales se relacionaron con la mortalidad intrahospitalaria.

Midregional proadrenomedullin safely reduces hospitalization in a low severity cohort with infections in the ED: a randomized controlled multi-centre interventional pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: The midregional fragment of proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) is known to provide accurate short-, mid- and long term prognostic information in the triage and multi-dimensional risk assessment of patients in the emergency department (ED). In two independent observational cohorts MR-proADM values identified low disease severity patients without risk of disease progression in the ED with no 28 days mortality that wouldn´t require hospitalization. In this interventional study we want to show that the combination of an MR-proADM algorithm with clinical assessment is able to identify low risk patients not requiring hospitalization to safely reduce the number of hospital admissions. METHODS: A randomized-controlled interventional multicenter study in 4 EDs in Spain. The study protocol was approved by Ethics Committees. Control arm patients received Standard Care. MR-proADM guided arm patients with low MR-proADM value (≤0.87 nmol/L) were treated as out-patients, with high MR-proADM value (>0.87 nmol/L) were hospitalized. The hospitalization rate was compared between the study arms. RESULTS: Two hundred patients with suspicion of infection were enrolled. In the MR-proADM guided arm the hospital admission rate in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population was 17% lower than in the control arm (40.6% vs. 57.6%, p=0.024) and 20% lower in the per protocol (PP) population (37.2% vs. 57.6%, p=0.009). No deaths of out-patients and no significant difference for the safety endpoints readmission and representation rates were observed. The readmission rate was only slightly higher in the MR-proADM guided arm compared to the control arm (PP population: at 14 days 9.3% vs. 7.1%, difference 2.1% (95% CI: -11.0% to 15.2%); and at 28 days 11.1% vs. 9.5%, difference 1.6% (95% CI: -12.2% to 15.4%)). The rate of 28 days representation was slightly lower in the MR-proADM guided arm compared to the control arm (20.4% vs. 26.2%, difference -5.8% (95% CI: -25.0% to 13.4%); PP population). CONCLUSIONS: Implementing a MR-proADM algorithm optimizes ED workflows efficiently and sustainably. Hospitals can highly benefit from a reduced rate of hospitalizations by 20% using MR-proADM. The safety in the MR-proADM guided study arm was similar to the Standard Care arm. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03770533.

Managing adult patients with infectious diseases in emergency departments: international ID-IRI study.

We aimed to explore factors for optimizing antimicrobial treatment in emergency departments. A single-day point prevalence survey was conducted on January 18, 2020, in 53 referral/tertiary hospitals in 22 countries. 1957 (17%) of 11557 patients presenting to EDs had infections. The mean qSOFA score was 0.37 ± 0.74. Sepsis (qSOFA ≥ 2) was recorded in 218 (11.1%) patients. The mean qSOFA score was significantly higher in low-middle (1.48 ± 0.963) compared to upper-middle (0.17 ± 0.482) and high-income (0.36 ± 0.714) countries (P < 0.001). Eight (3.7%) patients with sepsis were treated as outpatients. The most common diagnoses were upper-respiratory (n = 877, 43.3%), lower-respiratory (n = 316, 16.1%), and lower-urinary (n = 201, 10.3%) infections. 1085 (55.4%) patients received antibiotics. The most-commonly used antibiotics were beta-lactam (BL) and BL inhibitors (n = 307, 15.7%), third-generation cephalosporins (n = 251, 12.8%), and quinolones (n = 204, 10.5%). Irrational antibiotic use and inappropriate hospitalization decisions seemed possible. Patients were more septic in countries with limited resources. Hence, a better organizational scheme is required.

Effect of risk of malnutrition on 30-day mortality among older patients with acute heart failure in Emergency Departments.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the prevalence and impact of risk of malnutrition on short-term mortality among seniors presenting with acute heart failure (AHF) in emergency setting. The objective was to determine the impact of risk of malnutrition on 30-day mortality risk among older patients who attended in Emergency Departments (EDs) for AHF. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of the OAK-3 Registry including all consecutive patients ≥65 years attending in 16 Spanish EDs for AHF. Risk of malnutrition was defined by the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) < 12 points. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess the association between risk of malnutrition and 30-day mortality. RESULTS: We included 749 patients (mean age: 85 (SD 6); 55.8% females). Risk of malnutrition was observed in 594 (79.3%) patients. The rate of 30-day mortality was 8.8%. After adjusting for MEESSI-AHF risk score clinical categories (model 1) and after adding all variables showing a significantly different distribution among groups (model 2), the risk of malnutrition was an independent factor associated with 30-day mortality (adjusted OR by model 1 = 3.4; 95%CI 1.2-9.7; p = .020 and adjusted OR by model 2 = 3.1; 95%CI 1.1-9.0; p = .033) compared to normal nutritional status. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of malnutrition assessed by the MNA-SF is associated with 30-day mortality in older patients with AHF who were attended in EDs. Routine screening of risk of malnutrition may help emergency physicians in decision-making and establishing a care plan.

180-day risk of mortality in older patients admitted to short-stay units: the 6-Month Short-Stay Unit (6M UCE) Score. / Modelo de riesgo de mortalidad a 180 días en los pacientes ancianos ingresados en unidades de corta estancia: 6M UCE-SCORE.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a multidimensional score to assess risk of death for patients of advanced age 180 days after their admission to short-stay units (SSUs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective, multicenter, observational and analytical study of a cohort of patients aged 75 years or older who were admitted to 5 Spanish SSUs between February 1 and April 30, 2014. We recorded demographic and clinical data as well as geriatric assessment scores. A multilevel logistic regression model was developed to identify independent factors associated with 180-day mortality. The model was used to construct a scale for scoring risk. RESULTS: Data for 593 patients with a mean (SD) age of 83.4 (5.9) years entered the model; 359 (60.7%) were women. Ninety-two patients (15.5%) died within 180 days of SSU admission. Factors included in the final risk score were age over 85 years (1 point), male sex (1), loss of appetite or weight loss in the 3 months before admission (1), acute confusional state (2), functional dependence for basic activities of daily living at admission (2), and pressure ulcers (2). Low risk was indicated by a score of 0 to 2 points, intermediate risk by 3 to 5 points, and high risk by 6 to 9 points. Mortality rates at 180 days in these 3 risk groups were 5%, 18%, and 54%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the model after boots trapping was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.65-0.78). CONCLUSION: The SSU score could be useful for stratifying risk of death within 6 months of SSU admission of older patients, so that type of care can be tailored to risk.

OBJETIVO: Diseñar una escala de puntuación multidimensional con el fin de estratificar el riesgo de mortalidad a 180 días entre los ancianos ingresados en las unidades de corta estancia (UCE). METODO: Estudio analítico observacional de cohortes prospectivo multicéntrico que seleccionó todos los pacientes 75 años ingresados en 5 UCE españolas del 1 de febrero al 30 de abril de 2014. Se recogieron variables demográficas, clínicas y de la valoración geriátrica. Se derivó un modelo de regresión logística multinivel para identificar los factores independientemente asociados con la mortalidad a 180 días y después se construyó una escala de puntuación. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 593 pacientes (edad media 83,4 años, DE: 5,9; 359 mujeres, 60,7%), y 92 (15,5%) fallecieron a los 180 días. La escala de puntuación 6M UCE-SCORE incluyó la edad 85 años (1 punto), sexo varón (1 punto), presencia de pérdida de apetito o peso involuntaria en los últimos 3 meses (1 punto), síndrome confusional agudo (2 puntos), dependencia en las actividades básicas de la vida diaria al ingreso (2 puntos) y úlceras por presión (2 puntos). Se categorizó a los pacientes en bajo (0-2 puntos), intermedio (3-5 puntos) y alto (6-9 puntos) riesgo, con una mortalidad a 180 días de 5%, 18% y 54%, respectivamente. El ABC COR del modelo tras remuestreo fue de 0,72 (IC95%: 0,65-0,78). CONCLUSIONES: La escala de puntuación 6M UCE-SCORE podría ser de utilidad a la hora de estratificar el riesgo a 6 meses entre los ancianos ingresados en las UCE con el fin de diseñar un plan individualizado de cuidados.

Infection and systemic inflammatory response syndrome in older patients in the emergency department: a 30-day risk model. / Modelo de riesgo a 30 días en los pacientes ancianos con infección y síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica atendidos en los servicios de urgencias.

OBJECTIVES: To build a model to predict 30-day mortality and compare it to prediction based on the Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis (MEDS) score in patients aged 75 years or older treated for infection and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in the emergency department. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective analysis of a convenience cohort of patients aged 75 years or older treated for infection and SIRS in 13 Spanish emergency departments in 2013. We recorded demographic variables; comorbidity; risk factors for poor outcome; functional dependence at baseline; site of infection; and hemodynamic, clinical and laboratory findings on start of care.The main outcome variable was 30-day all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Three hundred seventy-nine patients with a mean (SD) age of 84 (5.8) years were included; 186 (49.,1%) were women, 150 (39.6%) had a high degree of comorbidity, and 113 (34.2%) had a high level of functional dependence. Seventy-nine (20.8%) died within 30 days. The model built by the infection working group (INFURG) of the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES) included the presence of metastasis from a solid tumor (odds ratio [OR], 5.4; 95% CI, 1.6-18.2; P=.006), respiratory insufficiency (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.5-6.0; P=.002), renal insufficiency (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.0-5.5; P=.045), arterial hypertension (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.2-5.0; P=.015), and altered level of consciousness (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.4-5.8; P=.003). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the INFURG-OLDER model was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.72-0.84; P<.001) (vs 0.72 (95% CI, 0.64-0.80; P<.001 for the MEDS model). CONCLUSION: The INFURG-OLDER model has good predictive ability for 30-day mortality in patients aged 75 years or older who are treated in emergency departments for SIRS.

OBJETIVO: . Diseñar un modelo de riesgo para predecir la mortalidad a los 30 días, y compararlo con la escala MEDS (Mortality in Emergency Department), en pacientes 75 años atendidos por infección con síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica (SIRS) en los servicios de urgencias (SU). METODO: Estudio analítico de cohortes prospectivo que incluyó por oportunidad a pacientes 75 años atendidos por infección con SIRS en 13 SU españoles durante el año 2013. Se recogieron variables demográficas, comorbilidad, factores de riesgo de mala evolución, situación funcional basal, modelo de infección, y parámetros hemodinámicos, clínicos y analíticos en el momento de la primera atención. La variable de resultado principal fue mortalidad por cualquier causa a los 30 días. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 379 pacientes con edad media de 84 (DE 5,8) años, 186 (49,1%) fueron mujeres, 150 (39,6%) tenían alto grado de comorbilidad y 113 (34,2%) dependencia funcional grave. Setenta y nueve pacientes (20,8%) fallecieron a los 30 días. El modelo INFURG-OLDER incluyó la presencia de tumor sólido con metástasis (OR = 5,4; IC95% 1,6- 18,2; p = 0,006), la insuficiencia respiratoria (OR = 3,02; IC95% 1,5-6,0; p = 0,002), la insuficiencia renal (OR = 2,4; IC95% 1,0-5,5; p = 0,045), la hipotensión arterial (OR = 2,4; IC95% 1,2-5,0; p = 0,015) y la disminución del nivel de consciencia (OR = 2,9; IC95% 1,4-5,8; p = 0,003). El área bajo la curva (ABC) del modelo INFURG-OLDER fue de 0,78 (IC95% 0,72- 0,84; p < 0,001) y el ABC de la escala MEDS fue de 0,72 (IC95% 0,64-0,80; p < 0,001). CONCLUSIONES: El modelo INFURG-OLDER tiene buena capacidad para predecir la mortalidad a los 30 días en los pacientes 75 años atendidos por infección con SIRS en los SU.

General Characteristics and Activity of Emergency Department Short-Stay Units in Spanish Hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Emergency Department (ED) overcrowding mainly due to the lack of access to inpatient beds negatively affects safety and quality of care. Implementation of ED short-stay units (EDSSUs) may help to mitigate this situation. OBJECTIVES: To describe the general characteristics and evaluate the activity of EDSSUs in Spanish hospitals. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was sent to coordinators responsible for the EDSSUs identified among Spanish hospitals appearing on the Ministry of Health Web page. Data regarding structure, caseloads, and clinical management practices were collected. RESULTS: Among the 591 hospitals surveyed, 35 EDSSUs (5.9%) were identified and 23 participated in the study. Admissions to EDSSUs over different periods in 2011 were assessed: 12-month activity in 17 EDSSUs and between 5 and 10.5 months in six EDSSUs. A total of 25,568 patients with a mean age of 67.2 ± 9.8 years were admitted, representing between 6% and 16.3% of hospital admissions from the ED. The most frequent diagnoses were acute heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation, and urinary and respiratory tract infections. The average length of stay (LOS) was 2.6 ± 1.1 days (range 1.2-5.3), in-hospital mortality 0.59% (range 0-2.68), and the 30-day readmission rate after discharge was 6.7% (range 0-14.6). CONCLUSIONS: To date, only a few Spanish hospitals have implemented EDSSUs. Prevalent infections and exacerbation of chronic conditions are the most frequent causes for admission. Considering LOS, 30-day readmission rate and mortality, EDSSUs appear to be safe and effective and might be considered a tool to alleviate ED overcrowding.

[Are short-stay units an appropriate resource for hospitalising elderly patients with infection?] / ¿Son las unidades de corta estancia un recurso adecuado para la hospitalización de los pacientes ancianos con infección?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of elderly patients (≥ 75 years) with suspected infection attending the emergency department (ED) and to compare patients admitted to a short-stay unit (SSU) with those admitted to a conventional hospital unit (CHU). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study including, using opportunity sampling, patients ≥75 years treated for infection in the ED of 3 Spanish university hospitals (2013). Demographic variables, comorbidity, baseline performance status, presence of sepsis, infection type, destination on discharge, and mortality at 30 days were collected. RESULTS: During the study period, 330 patients ≥75 years (mean age 83.8±7.3) were evaluated for a suspected infection in the ED, and 306 (93%) were admitted to the hospital, 175 (53%) to the CHU and 87 (26%) to the SSU. Medical history included hypertension (74.5%), arrhythmia (30%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (28%), and diabetes mellitus (26%), and risk factors for multidrug resistance, such as antibiotic treatment in 3 months prior to admission (48%), and institutionalisation (26%). A classic sepsis syndrome was found to be the source of infection in 53%, and was respiratory in half of patients. When comparing patients admitted to SSU and CHU, statistically significant differences (p<.05) were found in the Charlson index (1.95 vs. 2.51), Glasgow coma scale (14.6 vs. 14.3), classic sepsis syndrome (67% vs. 53%), severe sepsis (2.3% vs. 18%), length of stay (4.2 vs. 10.4 days), and mortality within 30 days (3.4% vs. 18%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SSU may be an adequate alternative to CHU for elderly patients requiring admission with suspected infection.

The effect of simvastatin on inflammatory cytokines in community-acquired pneumonia: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: It has been suggested that statins have an effect on the modulation of the cytokine cascade and on the outcome of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The aim of this prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was to determine whether statin therapy given to hospitalised patients with CAP improves clinical outcomes and reduces the concentration of inflammatory cytokines. SETTING: A tertiary teaching hospital in Barcelona, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-four patients were randomly assigned and included in an intention-to-treat analysis (19 to the simvastatin group and 15 to the placebo group). INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly assigned to receive 20 mg of simvastatin or placebo administered in the first 24 h of hospital admission and once daily thereafter for 4 days. OUTCOME: Primary end point was the time from hospital admission to clinical stability. The secondary end points were serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and partial pressure of arterial oxygen/fractional inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) at 48 h after treatment administration. RESULTS: The trial was stopped because enrolment was much slower than originally anticipated. The baseline characteristics of the patients and cytokine concentrations at the time of enrolment were similar in the two groups. No significant differences in the time from hospital admission to clinical stability were found between study groups (median 3 days, IQR 2-5 vs 3 days, IQR 2-5; p=0.47). No significant differences in PaO2/FiO2 (p=0.37), C reactive protein (p=0.23), tumour necrosis factor-α (p=0.58), interleukin 6 (IL-6; p=0.64), and IL-10 (p=0.61) levels at 48 h of hospitalisation were found between simvastatin and placebo groups. Similarly, transaminase and total creatine kinase levels were similar between study groups at 48 h of hospitalisation (p=0.19, 0.08 and 0.53, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the use of simvastatin, 20 mg once daily for 4 days, since hospital admission did not reduce the time to clinical stability and the levels of inflammatory cytokines in hospitalised patients with CAP. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN91327214.