Surgery on admission and following day reduces hip fracture complications: a Japanese DPC study.

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy of early surgery in preventing complications among Japanese elderly patients with hip fractures requires further investigation. This study aims to use a comprehensive Japanese hip fracture case database to determine whether surgery within the day of admission and the following day reduces the incidence of complications and mortality during hospitalization in elderly hip fracture patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the Japanese National Administrative DPC (Diagnosis Procedure Combination) database from April 2016 to March 2022. Approximately 1100 DPC-affiliated hospitals consistently provided medical records with consent for research. The study investigated the association between postoperative pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and mortality during hospitalization after propensity score matching, focusing on surgeries conducted on the day of admission and the following day. RESULTS: After one-to-one propensity score matching for age, gender, and comorbidity, we identified 146,441 pairs of patients who underwent surgery either within the day of admission and the following day or after the third day of admission. Surgery on the third day or later was independently associated with increased risks of pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and mortality during hospitalization with risk ratios of 1.367 (95% CI 1.307-1.426), 1.328 (95% CI 1.169-1.508), 1.338 (95% CI 1.289-1.388), and 1.167 (95% CI 1.103-1.234), respectively. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive study of elderly Japanese patients with hip fractures in the DPC database showed that surgery on admission and the following day is crucial for preventing complications like pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and mortality during hospitalization.

Effectiveness of Antibiotics for Uncomplicated Diverticulitis: A Retrospective Investigation Using a Nationwide Database in Japan.

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy of antibiotics for diverticulitis without abscess or peritonitis (uncomplicated diverticulitis) is controversial. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis. METHODS: We collected admission data for patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis using a nationwide database. We divided eligible admissions into two groups according to antibiotic initiation within 2 days after admission (antibiotic group vs. nonantibiotic group). We conducted propensity score matching and compared the rates of surgery (intestinal resection and stoma creation), in-hospital death, and medical costs between the groups. We also performed multivariate analysis to identify the clinical factors that affect surgery. RESULTS: We enrolled 131,936 admissions; among these, we obtained 6,061 pairs after propensity score matching. Rates of both intestinal resection and stoma creation in the antibiotic group were lower than those in the nonantibiotic group (0.61 vs. 3.09%, p < 0.0001, and 0.08 vs. 0.26%, p = 0.027, respectively). Median costs in the antibiotic group were higher than those in the nonantibiotic group (315,820 JPY vs. 300,175 JPY, p < 0.0001, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that non-initiation of antibiotics within 2 days after admission was a clinical factor that increased the risk of intestinal resection (odds ratio [OR] = 5.19, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.38-6.16, p < 0.0001) and stoma creation (OR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.53-4.70, p = 0.0006). CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis expected to have moderate to severe disease activity may reduce the risk of intestinal resection and stoma creation. Further investigations are warranted.

Is proton-pump inhibitor effective in preventing postoperative bleeding after esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection?

Although proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) administration was reported to be effective in preventing delayed bleeding after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), its effectiveness in esophageal ESD is still unknown. We assessed whether PPI or vonoprazan administration was effective in preventing posterior hemorrhage after esophageal ESD. This retrospective cohort study used the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) database, and patients who underwent esophageal ESD between January 2012 and December 2020 were enrolled. The participants were divided into two groups: patients who were prescribed PPI or vonoprazan (PPI or vonoprazan group) and those who were not prescribed PPI (no acid suppression). Propensity score matching analysis was performed, and the delayed bleeding rate was compared between the groups. We analyzed 54,345 patients, of whom 8237 (15.16%) were in the no acid suppression group and 46,108 (84.84%) in the PPI or vonoprazan group (PPI: 34,380 and vonoprazan: 11,728). Delayed bleeding occurred in 1126 patients (2.07%). A total of 8237 pairs were created after matching. Delayed bleeding was not significantly different between the no acid suppression group and PPI or vonoprazan group, respectively (odds ratio: 1.20, 95% confidential interval: 0.93-1.54, P = 0.227). A sub-analysis according to the dose of PPI or vonoprazan, tumor location, and prescription of antithrombotic or anticoagulant medications was performed, but no significant effects of PPI or vonoprazan administration were found. PPI or vonoprazan did not prevent delayed bleeding; thus, the prescription of PPI and vonoprazan after esophageal ESD may not be recommended for the prevention of delayed bleeding.

Does total hip arthroplasty in elderly patients with femoral neck fractures reduce complications?: A Japanese DPC study.

BACKGROUND: The global increase in femoral neck fractures due to aging and osteoporosis is a major clinical challenge. The debate on the optimal surgical intervention for femoral neck fractures remains unresolved. This large-scale study explores femoral neck fractures among the elderly, focusing on the comparative outcomes of Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) versus Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty (BHA) in Japanese patients. METHODS: Using the Japanese National Administrative Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) database, we studied cases of femoral neck fracture from April 2016 to March 2023, and after propensity score matching by age, sex, and comorbidities, we examined the association between THA, complications, and clinical outcomes, and the usefulness of THA for elderly patients with femoral neck fracture. RESULTS: One-to-one propensity score matching identified 7741 pairs of THA and BHA cases. There was no difference in length of stay between the THA and BHA groups. Significantly more blood transfusions were required in the THA group. There was no significant difference in mortality between the THA and BHA groups, but there was a reduced risk of pneumonia in the THA group, with a ratio of 0.547 (95% CI: 0.418-0.715). On the other hand, the THA group had a higher risk of pulmonary embolism, with a ratio of 1.607 (95% CI: 1.379-1.874). The THA group shows improved discharge rates directly home from the facility where the operation was performed, with a ratio of 1.798 (95% CI: 1.675-1.929). CONCLUSION: The findings of this research indicate that THA is more effective than BHA in enabling elderly Japanese patients with femoral neck fractures to be discharged directly home and in preventing pneumonia, despite concerns about pulmonary embolism. These findings suggest that THA may improve functional prognosis in elderly patients with femoral neck fractures, although there is a trade-off with an increased risk of pulmonary embolism.

Rheumatoid arthritis increases complication risks in elderly hip fracture patients.: A Japanese nationwide medical claims database study.

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic inflammation and periarticular bone loss, leading to systemic osteoporosis and heightened fracture susceptibility, especially hip fractures among the elderly. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes and complications associated with hip fractures in patients with RA relative to those without RA. METHODS: Using the Japanese National Administrative Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) database, we examined cases of femoral neck fractures from April 2016 to March 2023. After one to three propensity score matching for age, sex, and complications, we examined the association between RA, complications, and mortality during hospitalization in elderly patients with hip fractures. RESULTS: The findings revealed that elderly Japanese RA patients with hip fractures had significantly higher complications of pneumonia than elderly hip fracture patients without RA, with a ratio of 1.232 (95% CI: 1.065-1.426, p=0.0056), and pulmonary embolism, with a ratio of 1.155 (95% CI: 1.036-1.287, p=0.009) in multivariate logistic regression analyses. Although not significantly elevated, it also found a trend toward higher mortality during hospitalization, with a ratio of 1.179 (95% CI: 0.973-1.429, p=0.096). CONCLUSIONS: A substantial study based on the Japanese DPC database revealed a significant association between RA and increased complications, including pneumonia and pulmonary embolism. On the other hand, there was a nonsignificant but higher trend for risk of mortality during hospitalization for hip fracture in elderly RA patients. Implementing preventive strategies is essential to minimizing complications in the treatment of hip fractures in patients with RA.

Trends and clinical characteristics of pediatric acute pancreatitis patients in Japan: A comparison with adult cases based on a national administrative inpatient database.

BACKGROUND: /Objectives: Pediatric acute pancreatitis (AP) is not as rare as previously thought, and an increased incidence thereof has been reported. We aimed to clarify the trends and clinical characteristics of pediatric AP in Japan. METHODS: We utilized the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination inpatient database for patients admitted between April 2012 and March 2021, and extracted the data of patients whose principal diagnosis was AP (ICD-10 code K85) or in whom AP accounted for most of the medical expenses. Patients were classified into pediatric (≤18 years) and adult (age >18 years) groups. RESULTS: We included 3941 AP cases in pediatrics and 212,776 in adults. AP cases accounted for 0.08 % of all admissions in pediatrics and 0.33 % in adults, with upward trends during the study period. The proportion of AP patients among all admissions was increased with advancing age in pediatrics. Compared to adults, pediatric AP patients had a smaller proportion of severe cases (22.9 % vs. 28.7 %; P < 0.001), fewer interventions for late complications (0.2 % vs. 1.3 %; P < 0.001), shorter hospital stays (mean 16.6 days vs. 18.0 days; P = 0.001), lower overall mortality (0.7 % vs. 2.9 %; P < 0.001), and lower mortality in severe cases (1.3 % vs. 5.6 %; P < 0.001). Pediatric cases were more frequently transferred from other institutions and treated at academic hospitals than adults (both P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There was an upward trend in the proportion of AP among all admissions in pediatrics, with a lower risk of complications and mortality than adult cases.

Risk Factors with 30-Day Readmission and the Impact of Length of Hospital Stay on It in Patients with Heart Failure: A Retrospective Observational Study Using a Japanese National Database.

Heart failure is a major disease, and its 30-day readmission (readmission within 30-day after discharge) negatively impacts patients and society. Thus, we need to stratify the risk and prevent readmission. We aimed to investigate risk factors associated with 30-day readmission and examine the impact of length of hospital stay (LOS) on 30-day readmission. Using the Diagnosis-Procedure-Combination database from April 2018 to March 2021, we conducted multiple logistic regression to investigate risk factors with 30-day readmission. Also, we conducted subgroup analysis in the short LOS group. To examine the association between LOS and 30-day readmission, we performed propensity score matching between the short and middle LOS groups. As a result, we categorized 10,283 patients and 169,842 patients into the readmission group and the no-readmission group. We identified the following factors as the risk of readmission: short LOS, female, smoking, older age, lower body mass index, lower barthel index, artificial ventilator, beta-blockers, thiazides, tolvaptan, loop diuretics, carperitides, class Ⅲ antiarrhythmic agents, myocardial infarction, diabetes, renal disease, atrial fibrillation, dilated cardiomyopathy, and discharge to home. As a subgroup analysis in the short LOS group, we revealed that the short LOS group risk factors differed from overall. After propensity score matching in the short LOS group and middle LOS group, 37,199 pairs were matched, and we revealed that shorter LOS increases the risk of readmission. These results demonstrated that shortened LOS increases 30-day readmission, and risk factors are unique to each LOS. We suggest stratifying the readmission risk and being careful with early discharge.

Effectiveness of colonic stent placement for obstructive colorectal cancers: An analysis of short-term results using a nationwide database in Japan.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) is widely used for obstructive colorectal cancer (OCC). Both SEMS and urgent surgery have several merits and demerits. This study aimed to clarify the efficacy of SEMS by comparing the mortality rate after the hospitalization between SEMS and urgent surgery for OCC. METHODS: We collected OCC patients' data using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) database system. We divided eligible patients into the SEMS and urgent surgery groups using propensity score matching and compared in-hospital death rates, length of hospitalization, and medical costs. We also conducted logistic regression analysis to identify clinical factors affecting in-hospital deaths. RESULTS: We enrolled 17 140 cases after propensity score matching. SEMS reduced the in-hospital death rate compared with urgent surgery (2.0% vs 3.6%, P < 0.0001). Length of hospitalization was shorter in the SEMS group than in the urgent surgery group (16 vs 25 days, P < 0.0001). Medical costs were lower in the SEMS group than in the urgent surgery group (1 663 550 vs 2 424 082 JPY, P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis also showed that SEMS reduced in-hospital death (odds ratio = 0.58, 95% confidence interval: 0.50-0.70, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Self-expandable metallic stent placement for OCC might reduce the mortality rate in short term and shorten the length of hospitalization. These results facilitate considering SEMS with careful judgment for its indication when treating OCC patients.

Long-term effectiveness of ustekinumab comparable to antitumor necrosis factor agents in patients with Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Ustekinumab (UST), an antibody against the p40 subunit of interleukin-12/23, has been proven to be effective in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). However, large, long-term comparative studies of UST against anti--tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents are lacking. We compared the effectiveness of anti-TNF agents and UST in CD patients without prior use of biologics. METHODS: We used a large nationwide anonymized Japanese database containing administrative medical claims data and various related patient data. In a propensity score-matched cohort with similar clinical characteristics, 2-year effectiveness was compared between patients treated with infliximab or adalimumab (anti-TNF group) and those treated with UST (UST group). Primary outcomes were cumulative rates of hospitalization, surgery, and persistence. RESULTS: Among 53 540 CD patients, 7047 were extracted for eligibility, of which 5665 were treated with an anti-TNF agent and 1382 with UST. After propensity score matching, the cumulative hospitalization rates were comparable between anti-TNF and UST groups (P = 0.85; 25.3% vs 26.5% at 1 year, 33.8% vs 39.8% at 2 years). The cumulative surgery rates were also comparable between these groups (P = 0.46; 5.5% vs 5.1% at 1 year, 8.3% vs 8.4% at 2 years). The persistence rate at 1 year was higher in UST group (90.8% vs 92.5%), and that at 2 years was higher in anti-TNF group (81.2% and 74.6%); however, there was no significant difference in the cumulative persistence rate (P = 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: Anti-TNF agents and UST appear to have comparable effectiveness for CD patients without prior use of biologics.

Effect of Postoperative Pain Management after Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy: A Study on Reducing Hospital Length of Stay and Medical Costs Using Japanese Nationwide Database.

Prostate cancer has a high incidence rate. Many articles reported its usefulness with the advent of robotic surgery in 2001. However, epidural analgesia is declining due to the spread of minimally invasive treatment. There have been no studies using nationwide databases on the impact of epidural analgesia use on length of hospital stay and medical costs. Therefore, we used a Japanese national inpatient database from April 2016 to March 2020. The study population included 46,166 patients. We compared a postoperative analgesia management group using epidural analgesia [Epidural Analgesia Group (EA Group): 5,354] and a group not using epidural analgesia [non-Epidural Analgesia Group (non-EA Group): 40,812]. We found significant differences among the two groups regarding the length of stay, days from surgery to discharge, and inpatient cost of surgery to discharge. Hospital length of stay and postoperative hospital stay was statistically shorter in the EA group than in the non-EA group (11.3 ± 2.8 days vs. 12.1 ± 3.1 days, p < 0.001 and 8.9 ± 2.5 days vs. 9.3 ± 2.7 days, p < 0.001), respectively, and medical costs were also significantly lower in the EA group (84,566 JPY vs. 294,277 JPY, p < 0.001). Also, the activities of daily living (ADL) assessment at discharge determined a considerably higher score in the EA group than in the non-EA groups. Epidural analgesia for postoperative pain management largely depends on each medical institution's treatment policy. However, epidural analgesia is declining due to the spread of minimally invasive treatment. Therefore, epidural analgesia should be reconsidered because it can reduce hospital stays and hospitalization costs.

Efficacy of urgent colonoscopy for colonic diverticular bleeding: A propensity score-matched analysis using a nationwide database in Japan.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Although colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB) is considered to have good prognosis with conservative therapy, some cases are severe. The efficacy of urgent colonoscopy for CDB and clinical factors affecting CDB prognosis are unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of urgent colonoscopy for CDB and identify risk factors for unfavorable events, including in-hospital death during admission, owing to CDB. METHODS: We collected CDB patients' data using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database system. We divided eligible patients into urgent and elective colonoscopy groups using propensity score matching and compared endoscopic hemostasis and in-hospital death rates and length of hospital stay. We also conducted logistic regression analysis to identify clinical factors affecting CBD clinical events, including in-hospital death, a relatively rare CDB complication. RESULTS: Urgent colonoscopy reduced the in-hospital death rate (0.35% vs 0.58%, P = 0.033) and increased the endoscopic hemostasis rate (3.0% vs 1.7%, P < 0.0001) compared with elective colonoscopy. Length of hospitalization was shorter in the urgent than in the elective colonoscopy group (8 vs 9 days, P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis also revealed that urgent colonoscopy reduced in-hospital death (odds ratio = 0.67, 95% confidence interval: 0.46-0.97, P = 0.036) and increased endoscopic hemostasis (odds ratio = 1.84, 95% confidence interval: 1.53-2.22, P <  0.0001). CONCLUSION: Urgent colonoscopy for CDB may facilitate identification of the bleeding site and reduce in-hospital death. The necessity and appropriate timing of urgent colonoscopy should be considered based on patients' condition.

Effects of Polymyxin B Hemoperfusion on Septic Shock Patients Requiring Noradrenaline: Analysis of a Nationwide Administrative Database in Japan.

INTRODUCTION: Polymyxin B hemoperfusion (PMX) reduces endotoxin in septic shock patients' blood and can improve hemodynamics and organ functions. However, its effects on the reduction of septic shock mortality are controversial. METHODS: Using the Japanese diagnosis procedure combination database from April 2016 to March 2019, we identified adult septic shock patients treated with noradrenaline. This study used propensity score matching to compare the outcome between PMX-treated and non-treated patients. The primary endpoint was 28-day mortality, counting from the day of noradrenaline initiation. The secondary endpoints were noradrenaline-, ventilator-, and continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF)-free days at day 28. RESULTS: Of 30,731 eligible patients, 4,766 received PMX. Propensity score matching produced a matched cohort of 4,141 pairs with well-balanced patient backgrounds. The 28-day survival rate was 77.9% in the PMX group and 71.1% in the control group (p < 0.0001). Median days of noradrenalin-, CHDF-, and ventilator-free days were 2 days (p < 0.0001), 2 days (p < 0.0001), and 6 days (p < 0.0001) longer in the PMX group than in the control group, respectively. When stratified with the maximum daily dose of noradrenaline, the PMX group showed a statistically significant survival benefit in the groups with noradrenaline dose <20 mg/day but not in the noradrenaline group dose ≥20 mg/day. CONCLUSION: Analysis of large Japanese databases showed that septic shock patients who received noradrenaline might benefit from PMX treatment.

Risk factors leading to trabeculectomy surgery of glaucoma patient using Japanese nationwide administrative claims data: a retrospective non-interventional cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Early recognition and management of baseline risk factors may play an important role in reducing glaucoma surgery burdens. However, no studies have investigated them using real-world data in Japan or other countries. This study aimed to clarify the risk factors leading to trabeculectomy surgery, which is the most common procedure of glaucoma surgery, of glaucoma patient using the Japanese nationwide administrative claims data associated with the diagnosis procedure combination (DPC) system. METHODS: It was a retrospective, non-interventional cohort study. Data were collected from patients who were admitted to DPC participating hospitals, nationwide acute care hospitals and were diagnosed with glaucoma between 2012 to 2018. The primary outcome was the risk factors associated with trabeculectomy surgery. The association between baseline characteristics and trabeculectomy surgery was identified using multivariable logistic regression analysis by comparing patients with and without trabeculectomy surgery. Meanwhile, the secondary outcomes included the rate of comorbidities, the rate of concomitant drug use and the treatment patterns of glaucoma eye drops at the index admission. Among patients with trabeculectomy surgery, the risk factors leading to cataract surgery were also evaluated as subgroup analysis. RESULTS: A total of 29,599 patients included in the analysis, 12,038 and 17,561 patients were in the glaucoma surgery and non-glaucoma surgery cohorts, respectively. The factors associated with the increase in trabeculectomy surgery were having allergies, taking concomitant drugs including cancer, depression, ischemic heart disease and peptic ulcer, being diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma and longer length of stay in hospital. In contrast, the factors associated with the decrease in trabeculectomy surgery were having hypertension, taking hypertension drug, age ≥ 80 and female. CONCLUSIONS: Special focus on Japanese patients with glaucoma who have allergy-related comorbidities or take immune, nervous, circulatory or gastrointestinal system-related concomitant drugs seems to be desirable.

Recombinant Human Soluble Thrombomodulin Contributes to a Reduction In-Hospital Mortality of Acute Cholangitis with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation: A Propensity Score Analyses of a Japanese Nationwide Database.

The anti-DIC biological agent, recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rhTM), is being used clinically for DIC treatment in Japan. Patients with acute cholangitis associated with DIC are severe and require improved treatment. In addition, although clinical efficacy of rhTM in patients with acute cholangitis and DIC is expected, its efficacy is controversial. Thus, it is useful to evaluate rhTM in patients with acute cholangitis with DIC. This study aimed to validate the hypothesis that rhTM use improves in-hospital mortality in patients with acute cholangitis with DIC. A propensity score-matching analysis using a nationwide administrative database, the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination Inpatient Database from April 2012 to March 2018, was performed. This database includes administrative claims data for all inpatients discharged from more than 1,000 participating hospitals, covering 92% of all tertiary-care emergency hospitals in Japan. Eligible patients (n = 2,865) were categorized into the rhTM (n = 1,636) or control groups (n = 1,229). Propensity score-matching created a matched cohort of 910 pairs with and without rhTM. In-hospital mortality between the groups in the unmatched analysis showed no significant difference (rhTM vs. control; 10.8% vs. 12.2%; p = 0.227). However, in-hospital mortality between the groups in the propensity score-matched analysis showed a significant difference (rhTM vs. control; 9.5% vs. 12.9%; p = 0.021). These results demonstrated that the rhTM group had significantly lower in-hospital mortality for patients with acute cholangitis with DIC. We propose that rhTM should be used for the treatment of patients with acute cholangitis with DIC.

Improved Activities of Daily Living With Adjunctive Intravenous Steroids in Bacterial Meningitis: A Nationwide, Population-Based Medical Database Study.

The benefit of using adjunctive intravenous steroids (IVS) to reduce the neurological sequelae in bacterial meningitis remains inconclusive. This study evaluated the effect of IVS on improving the subsequent Activities of Daily Living (ADL) in bacterial meningitis by analyzing data from a large nationwide administrative medical database in Japan. Data from 1,132 hospitals, covered by the administrative Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) payment system from 2016 to 2022, were evaluated. The ADL levels at admission and discharge were measured using the Barthel Index (BI). Out of the cumulative 47,366,222 patients hospitalized, 8,736 were diagnosed with acute bacterial meningitis and had BI data available. The BI at discharge, adjusted for sex, age, and BI at admission, was significantly better among those treated with IVS (p<0.0001). Exploratory subgroup analyses suggested that this benefit is expected across a broad spectrum of bacterial species. In summary, the use of IVS for improving the subsequent ADL level in bacterial meningitis was suggested.

Demographic profiles and risk factors for mortality in acute meningitis: A nationwide population-based observational study.

Aim: Acute meningitis encompasses bacterial, viral (aseptic), fungal, tuberculous, and carcinomatous meningitis. The rate and risks of mortality in each type remain uncertain. This study aimed to elucidate these aspects in each type of meningitis. Methods: This study utilized Japan's nationwide administrative Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) database. Patients with acute meningitis, treated at 1132 DPC-covered hospitals from 2016 to 2022, were enrolled. Results: Among 47,366,222 cumulative hospitalized patients, 48,758 (0.10%) were hospitalized with acute meningitis. The types of meningitis were as follows: 10,338 with bacterial, 29,486 with viral/aseptic, 965 with fungal, 678 with tuberculous, and 3790 with carcinomatous meningitis. Bacterial and viral meningitis exhibited bimodal age distributions, with the first peak occurring at 0-9 years. The median onset age was below 50 years only in viral meningitis. The mortality rate was the highest in carcinomatous meningitis (39%), followed by fungal meningitis (21%), and the lowest in viral meningitis (0.61%). Mortality rates increased with age across all meningitis types, but this trend was less prominent in carcinomatous meningitis. The duration from admission to mortality was longer in fungal and tuberculous meningitis compared with other types. Staphylococcus aureus in bacterial meningitis (adjusted odds ratio 1.71; p = 0.0016) and herpes simplex virus in viral meningitis (adjusted odds ratio 1.53; p = 0.0467) exhibited elevated mortality rates. Conclusion: Distinct demographic profiles and mortality rates were observed among different meningitis types. The high mortality rates in less common types of meningitis emphasize the necessity to further optimize the required diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Comparative Effectiveness of Tacrolimus and Infliximab in Hospitalized Patients With Ulcerative Colitis.

INTRODUCTION: Cyclosporine or infliximab (IFX) have been used to avoid surgery in patients with severe refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). Tacrolimus (Tac) is occasionally used as an alternative to cyclosporine; however, the comparative efficacy of Tac and IFX has not been reported. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of Tac and IFX in hospitalized patients with UC. METHODS: In a propensity score-matched cohort derived from a large nationwide database, 4-year effectiveness was compared between patients initiated on Tac and those initiated on IFX. The primary outcome was the colectomy rate during the index hospitalization. We also analyzed the cumulative medication discontinuation, UC-related rehospitalization, and colectomy rates after discharge. RESULTS: Among 29,239 hospitalized patients, 4,565 were extracted for eligibility, of whom 2,170 were treated with Tac and the remaining 2,395 with IFX. After propensity score matching, 1,787 patients were selected for each group. During the index hospitalization, excluding patients who switched to another molecular-targeted agent, the colectomy rate was higher in the Tac group than in the IFX group (7.8% vs 4.2%, P < 0.01). Among patients discharged without colectomy, the cumulative medication discontinuation (28.4% vs 17.1%, P < 0.01) and rehospitalization (22.4% vs 15.4%, P < 0.01) rates were higher in the Tac group than in the IFX group; however, there was no difference in the cumulative colectomy rate (3.3% vs 2.7%). DISCUSSION: Although Tac and IFX were effective for avoiding surgery in hospitalized patients with UC, IFX was more effective than Tac. IFX also had higher long-term effectiveness. Future prospective studies comparing the efficacy of Tac and IFX are warranted.

Prenatal hypertension as the risk of eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, and critical obstetric hemorrhage.

Critical bleeding is a common cause of maternal mortality in obstetric patients. However, the non-obstetric factors underlying critical obstetric bleeding remain uncertain. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the impact of chronic hypertension on obstetric hemorrhage by evaluating a nationwide administrative database in Japan. Women who gave birth between 2018 and 2022 were enrolled. The primary outcome was critical hemorrhage requiring massive red blood cell (RBC) transfusion during childbirth. In total, 354, 299 eligible women were selected from the database. The maternal mortality rate was >1.0% among those who received a massive RBC transfusion (≥4000 cc), and this amount was used as the cutoff of the outcome. Critical hemorrhage was less frequent with elective Caesarean section (CS) compared with vaginal childbirth or emergent CS (odds ratio [OR], 0.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.30-0.47). Multiple logistic regression analysis adjusting for these obstetric risks revealed that a higher maternal age (adjusted OR [aOR] per 1 year, 1.07 [1.05-1.09]); oral medications with prednisolone (aOR, 2.5 [1.4-4.4]), anti-coagulants (aOR, 10 [5.4-19]), and anti-platelets (aOR, 2.9 [1.3-6.4]); and a prenatal history of hypertension (aOR, 2.5 [1.5-4.4]) and hypoproteinemia (aOR, 5.8 [1.7-20]) are the risks underlying critical obstetric hemorrhage. Prenatal history of hypertension was significantly associated with obstetric disseminated intravascular coagulation (OR, 1.9 [1.5-2.4]); Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome (OR, 3.3 [2.7-4.2]); and eclampsia (OR, 6.1 [4.6-8.1]). In conclusion, a maternal prenatal history of hypertension is associated with the development of HELLP syndrome, eclampsia, and resultant critical hemorrhage. The incidence of HELLP syndrome and eclampsia increased more than fivefold in the presence of prenatal hypertension. However, the likelihood of subsequently developing DIC or experiencing critical bleeding did not change by the presence of prenatal hypertension.