Assessment of Exercise Capacity of Individuals with Long COVID: A Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Clinical investigations of long-term effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are rarely translated to objective findings. OBJECTIVES: To assess the functional capacity of individuals reported on deconditioning that hampered their return to their pre-COVID routine. METHODS: Assessment included the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and the 30-second sit-to-stand test (30-STST). We compared the expected and observed scores using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Predictors of test scores were identified using linear regression models. RESULTS: We included 49 individuals, of whom 38 (77.6%) were recovering from mild COVID-19. Twenty-seven (55.1%) individuals had a 6MWT score lower than 80% of expected. The average 6MWT scores were 129.5 ± 121.2 meters and 12.2 ± 5.0 repeats lower than expected scores, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). The 6MWT score was 107.3 meters lower for individuals with severe COVID-19 (P = 0.013) and rose by 2.7 meters per each 1% increase in the diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (P = 0.007). The 30-STST score was 3.0 repeats lower for individuals who reported moderate to severe myalgia (P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with long COVID who report on deconditioning exhibit significantly decreased physical capacity, even following mild acute illness. Risk factors include severe COVID-19 and impaired diffusing capacity or myalgia during recovery.

Risk Factors and Multidimensional Assessment of Long Coronavirus Disease Fatigue: A Nested Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is the most prevalent and debilitating long-COVID (coronavirus disease) symptom; however, risk factors and pathophysiology of this condition remain unknown. We assessed risk factors for long-COVID fatigue and explored its possible pathophysiology. METHODS: This was a nested case-control study in a COVID recovery clinic. Individuals with (cases) and without (controls) significant fatigue were included. We performed a multidimensional assessment evaluating various parameters, including pulmonary function tests and cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and implemented multivariable logistic regression to assess risk factors for significant long-COVID fatigue. RESULTS: A total of 141 individuals were included. The mean age was 47 (SD: 13) years; 115 (82%) were recovering from mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Mean time for evaluation was 8 months following COVID-19. Sixty-six (47%) individuals were classified with significant long-COVID fatigue. They had a significantly higher number of children, lower proportion of hypothyroidism, higher proportion of sore throat during acute illness, higher proportions of long-COVID symptoms, and of physical limitation in daily activities. Individuals with long-COVID fatigue also had poorer sleep quality and higher degree of depression. They had significantly lower heart rate [153.52 (22.64) vs 163.52 (18.53); P = .038] and oxygen consumption per kilogram [27.69 (7.52) vs 30.71 (7.52); P = .036] at peak exercise. The 2 independent risk factors for fatigue identified in multivariable analysis were peak exercise heart rate (OR: .79 per 10 beats/minute; 95% CI: .65-.96; P = .019) and long-COVID memory impairment (OR: 3.76; 95% CI: 1.57-9.01; P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: Long-COVID fatigue may be related to autonomic dysfunction, impaired cognition, and decreased mood. This may suggest a limbic-vagal pathophysiology. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT04851561.

Effectiveness and safety of colistin among older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Limited data are available to guide colistin use in older adults (>65 years old). We aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of colistin in this population. METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analysis of original data from randomized control trials, cohort studies and case-control studies assessing colistin regimens with various comparisons for any infection. Original data were obtained from corresponding authors of original studies. The primary outcome was all-cause 1 month mortality; secondary outcomes included clinical and microbiological outcomes and adverse events, including acute kidney injury. Two independent reviewers screened citations, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. ORs with 95% CIs were pooled. RESULTS: We included 38 publications (41 comparisons) reporting 2857 elderly individuals: 29 studies compared a colistin-based regimen versus another regimen (comparison 1) and 10 compared colistin monotherapy versus colistin combination (comparison 2). No significant difference in 1 month mortality was demonstrated between colistin and comparator (comparison 1, OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.80-1.60; comparison 2, OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.78-1.27). Clinical failure was significantly more likely with colistin-based therapy versus comparator (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.13-2.06). Acute kidney injury was also significantly more common with colistin-based combinations versus other drugs (OR 3.81, 95% CI 2.14-6.77). CONCLUSIONS: For older adults, colistin-based therapy resulted in no mortality difference, compared with other regimens, for any infection. Clinical failure and acute kidney injury were significantly more common with colistin-based regimens. Close renal function monitoring is needed while using colistin in older adults.

Clinical features of patients with septic arthritis and echocardiographic findings of infective endocarditis.

PURPOSE: Patients with septic arthritis (SA) often undergo echocardiographic evaluation to identify concomitant infective endocarditis (IE). The purpose of this study is to identify distinguishing features of patients with SA and IE by comparing them to patients with SA alone. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of all patients 18 and older admitted to a single tertiary hospital between 1998 and 2015 with culture-positive SA. Patients were stratified by echocardiogram status and the presence of vegetations: those who had echocardiographic evaluation with no evidence of infective endocarditis (ECHO + IE-) or with a vegetation present (ECHO + IE+) and those who had no echocardiographic evaluation (ECHO-). Demographic data, clinical characteristics, microbiology data, treatment strategies, and patient outcomes were recorded and compared. RESULTS: We identified 513 patients with SA. Transthoracic echocardiogram and/or transesophageal echocardiogram were performed in 263 patients (51.2%) and demonstrated evidence for IE in 19 patients (3.7%). While most demographic features, comorbidities, and clinical characteristics did not differ significantly between those with and without IE, those with IE had higher rates of sepsis and septic shock. In addition, patients with SA and IE had higher rates of positive blood cultures and Methicillin-sensitive staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) infection when compared to those with SA without IE. Patients with IE had higher rates of intensive care unit admission and increased 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: IE is uncommon among patients with SA. Echocardiography may be overutilized and may be more useful among patients presenting with sepsis, shock, or positive blood cultures, especially when MSSA is isolated.

Is 90 the new 80? Temporal trends in nonagenarians undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of death in the elderly population. Data regarding percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) in nonagenarians are scarce, and differences in long term outcomes between generations remain unclear. We aimed to study the pattern and temporal trends of nonagenarians treated with PCI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 14,695 patients underwent PCI between 2009-2020. We identified 2,034 (13.8%) octogenarians (age 80-89), and 222 (1.5%) nonagenarians (age 90-99). Endpoints included mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 1 year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 14,695 patients underwent PCI between 2009-2020. We identified 2,034 (13.8%) octogenarians (age 80-89), and 222 (1.5%) nonagenarians (age 90-99). Endpoints included mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 1 year. RESULTS: The number of nonagenarians undergoing PCI has increased substantially during the study time period, from 89 patients in the earlier time period (2009-2014) to 133 patients in the later time period (2015-2020). At 1-year, nonagenarians had significantly higher rates of both death (24.3% vs. 14.9%, p<0.01), and MACE (30.6% vs. 22.0%, p<0.01), as compared to octogenarians. The cumulative survival rate was higher among octogenarians both in the early and late time period (p<0.01 and p=0.039, respectively). A significant reduction in nonagenarian MACE rates were observed during the study time period, resulting in a non-significant difference in MACE rates in the later time period between both groups. CONCLUSION: The number of nonagenarians who undergo PCI is on the rise. While their clinical outcomes are inferior as compared to younger age groups, improvement was noted in the late time period.

How do I manage nocardiosis?

BACKGROUND: Nocardiosis is a rare infection that is often difficult to treat and may be life-threatening. There is no consensus on its management. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to provide the current evidence for the diagnosis and management of individuals with nocardiosis, and to propose a management approach for this uncommon infection. SOURCES: We systematically searched the medical literature on nocardiosis for studies published between 2010 and 2020 and describing ten or more individuals. CONTENT: Nocardiosis, a primarily opportunistic infection which may occur in immunocompetent persons, most commonly involves the lungs and frequently disseminates to other sites including the central nervous system. The reference standard for Nocardia species identification is molecular biology, and the preferred method for antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) is broth microdilution. Monotherapy seems appropriate for patients with primary skin nocardiosis or non-severe pulmonary disease; we reserve a multidrug regimen for more severe infections. Species identification and AST results are often missing at initiation of antibiotics. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the preferred agent for initial therapy, because Nocardia is very often susceptible to this agent, and because it has been the keystone of nocardiosis treatment for years. Linezolid, to which Nocardia is almost always susceptible, may be an alternative. When combination therapy is required, the repertoire of companion drugs includes third-generation cephalosporins, amikacin and imipenem. Therapeutic modifications should take into account clinical response to initial therapy and AST results. Treatment duration of 6 months is appropriate for most situations, but longer durations are preferred for disseminated nocardiosis and shorter durations are reasonable in low-risk situations. Secondary prophylaxis may be considered in selected individuals with permanent immunosuppression. IMPLICATIONS: We hereby provide the clinician with an easy-to-use algorithm for the management of individuals with nocardiosis. We also illuminate gaps in evidence and suggest future research directions.