The dynamic changes and sex differences of 147 immune-related proteins during acute COVID-19 in 580 individuals.

INTRODUCTION: Severe COVID-19 leads to important changes in circulating immune-related proteins. To date it has been difficult to understand their temporal relationship and identify cytokines that are drivers of severe COVID-19 outcomes and underlie differences in outcomes between sexes. Here, we measured 147 immune-related proteins during acute COVID-19 to investigate these questions. METHODS: We measured circulating protein abundances using the SOMAscan nucleic acid aptamer panel in two large independent hospital-based COVID-19 cohorts in Canada and the United States. We fit generalized additive models with cubic splines from the start of symptom onset to identify protein levels over the first 14 days of infection which were different between severe cases and controls, adjusting for age and sex. Severe cases were defined as individuals with COVID-19 requiring invasive or non-invasive mechanical respiratory support. RESULTS: 580 individuals were included in the analysis. Mean subject age was 64.3 (sd 18.1), and 47% were male. Of the 147 proteins, 69 showed a significant difference between cases and controls (p < 3.4 × 10-4). Three clusters were formed by 108 highly correlated proteins that replicated in both cohorts, making it difficult to determine which proteins have a true causal effect on severe COVID-19. Six proteins showed sex differences in levels over time, of which 3 were also associated with severe COVID-19: CCL26, IL1RL2, and IL3RA, providing insights to better understand the marked differences in outcomes by sex. CONCLUSIONS: Severe COVID-19 is associated with large changes in 69 immune-related proteins. Further, five proteins were associated with sex differences in outcomes. These results provide direct insights into immune-related proteins that are strongly influenced by severe COVID-19 infection.

A New Generation of Lineage Tracing Dynamically Records Cell Fate Choices.

Reconstructing the development of lineage relationships and cell fate mapping has been a fundamental problem in biology. Using advanced molecular biology and single-cell RNA sequencing, we have profiled transcriptomes at the single-cell level and mapped cell fates during development. Recently, CRISPR/Cas9 barcode editing for large-scale lineage tracing has been used to reconstruct the pseudotime trajectory of cells and improve lineage tracing accuracy. This review presents the progress of the latest CbLT (CRISPR-based Lineage Tracing) and discusses the current limitations and potential technical pitfalls in their application and other emerging concepts.

Association between access to primary care and unplanned emergency department return visits among patients 75 years and older.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with unplanned return visits to the emergency department (ED) among the population aged 75 years and older. Moreover, it aims to determine the association between patients' access to primary care and unplanned return visits. DESIGN: Data were collected from structured interviews, administrative databases, and medical charts at the index visits, and follow-up telephone calls were made at 3 months. SETTING: Emergency departments of the 3 tertiary care hospitals in Montréal, Que. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling patients aged 75 years and older. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Zero-inflated negative binomial regression analysis was conducted of unplanned return visits within 3 months. Rate ratios (RRs) and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs are presented. RESULTS: During the study period, 4577 patients were identified, 2303 were recruited, and 1998 were retained for the analysis. Among the analysis sample, 33% were 85 and older, 34% lived alone, and 91% had a family physician. Before their ED visits, 16% of patients attempted to contact their family physicians. More than half of the patients reported having difficulty seeing their physicians for urgent problems, more than 40% had difficulty speaking with their family physicians by telephone, and more than one-third had difficulty booking appointments for new health problems. Within 3 months, 562 patients (28%) had made 894 return visits. Factors associated with a lower return visit rate included age 85 years and older (RR=0.80; 95% CI 0.67 to 0.96), less severe triage score (RR=0.83; 95% CI 0.74 to 0.92), and hospitalization at the index visit (RR=0.76; 95% CI 0.64 to 0.90). Factors that resulted in a higher return visit rate were difficulty booking appointments for new problems with their family physicians (RR=1.19; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.41), having had ED visits within the previous 6 months (RR=1.47; 95% CI 1.28 to 1.68), and higher Charlson comorbidity index scores (RR=1.06; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.11). Having had ED visits within the previous 6 months (OR=2.11; 95% CI 1.27 to 3.49), having a higher Charlson comorbidity index score (OR=1.41; 95% CI 1.19 to 1.68), and having received community care services (OR=3.00; 95% CI 0.95 to 9.53) also increased the odds of return visits. CONCLUSION: Although most people 75 years and older have a family physician, problems still exist in terms of timely access. Unplanned return visits to the ED are associated with having more comorbidities, having had previous ED visits, having already received community services, and having difficulty booking appointments with family physicians for new problems.

Derivation and validation of the Montreal prehospital ST-elevation myocardial infarction activation rule.

BACKGROUND: Prehospital ECGs (phECGs) are the main screening tool used by paramedics to identify ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In the absence of telemetry or personnel trained in ECG interpretation, paramedics must rely on computerized interpretation of phECGs, which suffer from an elevated false-positive (FP) rate, impairing reliable early activation of reperfusion centers by Emergency Medical Services. OBJECTIVE: Develop a clinical prediction rule to reduce the frequency of FPs for STEMI in prehospital patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of prehospital patients with a computer interpretation of '***ACUTE MI***' on phECG. We used logistic regression analysis to identify the independent variables for derivation of the rule. Once derived, we validated the rule on a distinct cohort of consecutive phECGs. RESULTS: Among the 654 cases in the derivation cohort, 46.2% were FP STEMIs. Four elements emerged as independent FP predictors: HR ≥ 120, no ongoing chest pain, no interpretable ST-segments in a lead, and presence of baseline wander or pacemaker spikes. In the derivation cohort this rule decreased FPs to 15.1% of the total cohort, while labelling 13.8% of STEMI cases as false-negatives (FNs). In the validation cohort (386 phECGs, 41.7% FPs), the rule decreased FPs down to 8.0%, while 25.9% were FN. CONCLUSION: Use of computer interpretation alone leads to a high STEMI FP rate. A clinical prediction rule based upon four elements available to paramedics can substantially lower the proportion of FPs. This clinical prediction rule should be incorporated into the decision for prehospital activation of the cardiac catheterization laboratory.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of lactose digestion, its impact on intolerance and nutritional effects of dairy food restriction in inflammatory bowel diseases.

BACKGROUND: Relationships between inflammatory bowel disease and lactose containing foods remain controversial and poorly defined regarding symptoms, nutritional outcomes, and epidemiologic associations for lactose maldigestion. METHODS: A literature review was performed using Pub Med, Cochrane library and individual references, to extract data on lactose maldigestion prevalence in inflammatory bowel diseases. A meta-analysis was done using selected articles, to determine odds ratios of maldigestion. Information was collected about symptoms, impact on pattern of dairy food consumption, as well as the effects of dairy foods on the course of inflammatory bowel diseases. RESULTS: A total of 1022 articles were evaluated, 35 articles were retained and 5 studies were added from review articles. Of these 17 were included in meta-analysis which showed overall increased lactose maldigestion in both diseases. However increased risk on sub analysis was only found in Crohn's in patients with small bowel involvement. Nine additional studies were reviewed for symptoms, with variable outcomes due to confounding between lactose intolerance and lactose maldigestion. Fourteen studies were evaluated for dairy food effects. There was a suggestion that dairy foods may protect against inflammatory bowel disease. Nutritional consequences of dairy restrictions might impact adversely on bone and colonic complications. CONCLUSIONS: Lactose maldigestion in inflammatory bowel disease is dependent on ethnic makeup of the population and usually not disease. No bias of increased disease prevalence was noted between lactase genotypes. Intolerance symptoms depend on several parameters besides lactose maldigestion. Dairy foods may decrease risks of inflammatory bowel disease. Dairy restrictions may adversely affect disease outcome.

Prehospital Nitroglycerin Safety in Inferior ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Patients with inferior ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), associated with right ventricular infarction, are thought to be at higher risk of developing hypotension when administered nitroglycerin (NTG). However, current basic life support (BLS) protocols do not differentiate location of STEMI prior to NTG administration. We sought to determine if NTG administration is more likely to be associated with hypotension (systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg) in inferior STEMI compared to non-inferior STEMI. We conducted a retrospective chart review of prehospital patients with chest pain of suspected cardiac origin and computer-interpreted prehospital ECGs indicating "ACUTE MI." We included all local STEMI cases identified as part of our STEMI registry. Univariate analysis was used to compare differences in proportions of hypotension and drop in systolic blood pressure ≥ 30 mmHg after nitroglycerin administration between patients with inferior wall STEMI and those with STEMI in another region (non-inferior). Multiple variable logistic regression analysis was also used to assess the study outcomes while controlling for various factors. Over a 29-month period, we identified 1,466 STEMI cases. Of those, 821 (56.0%) received NTG. We excluded 16 cases because of missing data. Hypotension occurred post NTG in 38/466 inferior STEMIs and 30/339 non-inferior STEMIs, 8.2% vs. 8.9%, p = 0.73. A drop in systolic blood pressure ≥ 30 mmHg post NTG occurred in 23.4% of inferior STEMIs and 23.9% of non-inferior STEMIs, p = 0.87. Interrater agreement for chart review of the primary outcome was excellent (κ = 0.94). NTG administration to patients with chest pain and inferior STEMI on their computer-interpreted electrocardiogram is not associated with a higher rate of hypotension compared to patients with STEMI in other territories. Computer interpretation of inferior STEMI cannot be used as the sole predictor for patients who may be at higher risk for hypotension following NTG administration.

Hospital stay on acute care units for non-acute reasons: Effects of patient pre-hospitalization and admission factors.

This study identifies patient risk factors present prior to an acute hospitalization that are associated with occupying acute care beds for non-acute reasons on the 30th day of a hospitalization. Data from 952 adult patients were obtained, among which 333 (35%) were evaluated as non-acute on their 30th day. Inability to move in and out of the bed, cognitive impairment, receiving home or community healthcare services prior to hospitalization, unavailable family resources, a secondary diagnosis within the mental and behavioural category, and age ≥75 years were found to increase the risk of occupying acute care beds for non-acute reasons, while patients with a feeding tube were less likely to be non-acute at day 30.

Proteome-wide Mendelian randomization implicates nephronectin as an actionable mediator of the effect of obesity on COVID-19 severity.

Obesity is a major risk factor for Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) severity; however, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are not fully understood. As obesity influences the plasma proteome, we sought to identify circulating proteins mediating the effects of obesity on COVID-19 severity in humans. Here, we screened 4,907 plasma proteins to identify proteins influenced by body mass index using Mendelian randomization. This yielded 1,216 proteins, whose effect on COVID-19 severity was assessed, again using Mendelian randomization. We found that an s.d. increase in nephronectin (NPNT) was associated with increased odds of critically ill COVID-19 (OR = 1.71, P = 1.63 × 10-10). The effect was driven by an NPNT splice isoform. Mediation analyses supported NPNT as a mediator. In single-cell RNA-sequencing, NPNT was expressed in alveolar cells and fibroblasts of the lung in individuals who died of COVID-19. Finally, decreasing body fat mass and increasing fat-free mass were found to lower NPNT levels. These findings provide actionable insights into how obesity influences COVID-19 severity.

Circulating proteins to predict COVID-19 severity.

Predicting COVID-19 severity is difficult, and the biological pathways involved are not fully understood. To approach this problem, we measured 4701 circulating human protein abundances in two independent cohorts totaling 986 individuals. We then trained prediction models including protein abundances and clinical risk factors to predict COVID-19 severity in 417 subjects and tested these models in a separate cohort of 569 individuals. For severe COVID-19, a baseline model including age and sex provided an area under the receiver operator curve (AUC) of 65% in the test cohort. Selecting 92 proteins from the 4701 unique protein abundances improved the AUC to 88% in the training cohort, which remained relatively stable in the testing cohort at 86%, suggesting good generalizability. Proteins selected from different COVID-19 severity were enriched for cytokine and cytokine receptors, but more than half of the enriched pathways were not immune-related. Taken together, these findings suggest that circulating proteins measured at early stages of disease progression are reasonably accurate predictors of COVID-19 severity. Further research is needed to understand how to incorporate protein measurement into clinical care.

Global associations of national economic wealth are more robust with inflammatory bowel diseases than with obesity.

The inflammatory bowel diseases consisting of Crohn's and ulcerative colitis have expanded into previously low incidence areas of the world. The spread follows the relatively recent pandemic of global obesity. Pathological relations have been proposed between these two diseases. Both inflammatory bowel diseases and obesity originated in wealthier western societies marked by high gross domestic product per capita. The pathogenic influence of national wealth on the inflammatory bowel diseases has been recognized but are less clear with obesity. Parallel correlations of national wealth with obesity would further strengthen relations between these two diseases. Alternatively, diverging relations could suggest that obesity is less dependent on wealth. As such it would supports another earlier hypothesis that obesity depends on adoption of western diet which precedes national acquisition of wealth. Previously ecological modifiers of global disease patterns, including latitude and lactose digestion status have shown different influences on IBD compared with obesity. We evaluate. the influence of the Gross Domestic Product on these two diseases taking into consideration the former's relationship with ecological markers. Patterns of correlations could suggest contributing mechanisms how these ecological parameters influence some disease distributions. The literature and internet were searched for national rates of obesity, inflammatory bowel diseases, national gross domestic product per capita and national lactase distribution rates. National average latitudes were calculated previously. Pearson correlations were used to compare variables in three regions; global, European and Asian theaters. SAS statistical package was used and statistical significance was accepted at p < 0.05. Globally and in Europe correlations of gross domestic product were moderate and significant r = 0.55 and r = 0.6 respectively with Crohn's disease but weaker with ulcerative colitis. The results were negligible in Asia. Obesity was weakly correlated with gross domestic product globally r = 0.32 and negligible in Europe and Asia. In addition, gross domestic product was moderately correlated with latitude r = 0.6, and inversely with lactase non persistence r = -0.6 both globally and in Europe. This relationship is similar to that with inflammatory bowel diseases, but less related to obesity. Overall results suggest unequal effect of national wealth and industrialization on obesity and inflammatory bowel diseases. It has been suggested that western type diet precedes full industrialization and this could promote obesity.

A Neanderthal OAS1 isoform protects individuals of European ancestry against COVID-19 susceptibility and severity.

To identify circulating proteins influencing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) susceptibility and severity, we undertook a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study, rapidly scanning hundreds of circulating proteins while reducing bias due to reverse causation and confounding. In up to 14,134 cases and 1.2 million controls, we found that an s.d. increase in OAS1 levels was associated with reduced COVID-19 death or ventilation (odds ratio (OR) = 0.54, P = 7 × 10-8), hospitalization (OR = 0.61, P = 8 × 10-8) and susceptibility (OR = 0.78, P = 8 × 10-6). Measuring OAS1 levels in 504 individuals, we found that higher plasma OAS1 levels in a non-infectious state were associated with reduced COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. Further analyses suggested that a Neanderthal isoform of OAS1 in individuals of European ancestry affords this protection. Thus, evidence from MR and a case-control study support a protective role for OAS1 in COVID-19 adverse outcomes. Available pharmacological agents that increase OAS1 levels could be prioritized for drug development.

Estimating Lactase Nonpersistence Distributions in the Multi-Ethnic Canadian Demographic: A Population-Based Study.

OBJECTIVES: The lactase persistence/nonpersistence (LP/LNP) phenotypes follow a geographic pattern that is rooted in the gene-culture coevolution observed throughout the history of human migrations. The immense size and relatively open immigration policy have drawn migrants of diverse ethnicities to Canada. Among the multicultural demographic, two-thirds of the population are derived from the British Isles and northwestern France. A recent assessment of worldwide lactase distributions found Canada to have an LNP rate of 59% (confidence interval [CI] 44%-74%). This estimate is rather high compared with earlier reports that listed Canada as a country with a 10% LNP rate; the authors had also noted that biases were likely because their calculations were based largely on Aboriginal studies. We hereby present an alternate LNP prevalence estimate at the national, provincial and territorial level. METHODS: We applied the referenced LNP frequency distribution data to the 2016 population census to account for the current multi-ethnic distributions in Canada. Prevalence rates for Canada, the provinces and territories were calculated. RESULTS: The national LNP rate is estimated at 44% (CI 41%-47%) after accounting for the 254 ethnic groups, with the lowest rates found in the eastern provinces and the highest rates in the Northwest Territories (57%) and Nunavut (66%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Despite the heterogeneous nature of the referenced data and the inference measures taken, evidently, the validity of our LNP estimate is anchored on the inclusion of multi-ethnic groups representing the current Canadian demographic.

Changing Patterns of Relationships Between Geographic Markers and IBD: Possible Intrusion of Obesity.

Background: Latitude and lactase digestion status influence incidence and prevalence rates of some noncommunicable diseases. Latitudinal correlations helped define beneficial roles of vitamin D in many diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In view of recent global expansion of IBD and population migrations, we reexamine relations with these markers. As these changes also paralleled the pandemic of obesity, we explore possible interactions with IBD. Methods: We undertook a literature review to compare rates of obesity, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis with the geographic markers of lactase digestion status, average population-weighted national latitude, and national yearly sunshine exposure. Pearson correlations were used throughout to determine r correlation factors. Statistical significance was accepted at P <0.05 using 2-tailed tests. Results: Forty-seven countries were matched with various data sets that could be analyzed (range of availability was 49%-85%). While global correlations of IBD with latitude and lactase status remain similar to previous analyses, in Europe and Asia, outcomes were different. Global outcome contains a statistical paradox related to combining countries from Europe and Asia. Obesity showed moderate global correlations with IBD but weak and negligible correlations in Europe and Asia. There was also a weak global correlation with latitude. Conclusions: It is suggested that global correlations point to parallel geographic spread of IBD and obesity. The lack of latitudinal relations with obesity suggests reduced vitamin D effect. The paradox supports epidemiological differences in western and eastern IBD. Obesity combined with IBD may contribute to different relations, partly due to variable vitamin D effects.

Frailty and adverse outcomes in older adults being discharged from the emergency department: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: A growing number of frail older adults are treated in the emergency department (ED) and discharged home. There is an unmet need to identify older adults that are predisposed to functional decline and repeat ED visits so as to target them with proactive interventions. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in patients 75 years or older who were being discharged from the ED. The objective was to test the value of frailty screening tests, namely 5-meter gait speed and handgrip strength, to predict repeat ED visits at 1 and 6 months and functional decline at 1 month using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: After excluding 7 patients lost to follow-up, 150 patients were available for analysis. The mean age was 81.1 ± 4.9 years with 51% females, 13% arriving by ambulance, and 67% having at least two comorbid conditions. At ED discharge, 41% of patients were found to have slow gait speed, whereas 23% had weak handgrip strength. After adjustment, only slow gait speed was independently associated with functional decline at 1 month (odds ratio [OR] 1.39 per 0.1 meters/second decrement, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 1.72) and repeat ED visits at 6 months (OR 1.20 per 0.1 meters/second decrement, 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.42). CONCLUSIONS: Gait speed can be feasibly measured at the time of ED discharge to identify frail older adults at risk for early functional decline and subsequent return to the ED. Conversely, grip strength was not found to be associated with functional decline or ED visits.

Soluble Acid Invertases Act as Key Factors Influencing the Sucrose/Hexose Ratio and Sugar Receding in Longan ( Dimocarpus longan Lour.) Pulp.

Soluble acid invertases (SAIs) cleave sucrose into hexose in vacuoles and play important roles in influencing fruit quality. However, their potential roles in regulating sugar composition and the "sugar receding" process of longan fruits lacked systematic investigations. Our results showed that sucrose/hexose ratios and sugar receding rates of longan pulp varied among cultivars. Analysis of enzymes for sucrose synthesis and cleavage indicated that DlSAI showed the highest negative correlation with sucrose/hexose ratio at both of activity and expression level. Moreover, high SAI activity and DlSAI expression resulted in extremely low sucrose/hexose ratio in 'Luosanmu' longan from development to mature stages and a remarkable loss of sugar in 'Shixia' longan fruits during on-tree preservation. In conclusion, DlSAIs act as key factors influencing sucrose/hexose ratio and sugar receding through transcriptional and enzymatic regulations. These results might help improve the quality of on-tree preserved longan.

Comparison of geographic distributions of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Inflammatory Bowel Disease fail to support common evolutionary roots: Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases are not related by evolution.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) shares overlapping symptoms and some features of pathogenesis with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD: Crohn's disease [CD], and Ulcerative Colitis [UC]). Geographic markers such as latitude/sunshine and more recently lactase population distributions are found to be correlated with IBD. As a result of clinical and pathogenic similarities between the 2 conditions, some authorities questioned whether a connection exists between them. We compare IBS directly with IBD, and indirectly with geographic markers associated with IBD, in order to evaluate possible evolutionary links between IBS and IBD. Similar correlations may link IBS as a precursor to IBD and possibly other conditions which are geographically connected with IBD. Data from four systematic reviews on IBD incidence and prevalence, IBS prevalence, and lactase distributions were included. Pearson's correlations were used for comparisons, with IBD values log-transformed because of skewed distribution. The articles provided 18-28 complete set of national data. Direct comparison between IBS and IBD showed no significant correlations (r = -0.14, r = -0.06 for CD and UC prevalence, r = -0.10 for CD incidence). Indirect comparisons also failed to show correlations of IBS with lactase distributions (r = -0.17), sunshine (r = -0.2) or latitude (r = 0.097); however, there was significant correlation between lactase distributions and CD incidence (r = -0.84), prevalence (r = -0.55) and UC prevalence (r = -0.59). Both sunshine (r= -0.53) and latitude (r = 0.58) are also significantly related to CD incidence. It is concluded that IBS and IBD do not follow similar global geographic patterns. This suggests a lack of an evolutionary genetic background coincident with emergence of lactase persistence. As well, vitamin D has no obvious impact on development of IBS. Similarities with IBD may result from sub groups (not yet identified) within the current Rome criteria of IBS. Alternatively limited intestinal gut-brain responses to host microbial interactions may result in similar overlap features in both.

Comparison of a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for lactase genetic polymorphism with standard indirect tests for lactose maldigestion.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: There is a discrepancy in outcome between the lactose tolerance and breath hydrogen tests for lactose maldigestion. The availability of a validated genetic test for lactase polymorphism allows a reevaluation of these tests. METHODS: Thirty healthy adults participated in a 50-g lactose challenge test at a university clinic. Blood was drawn for genetic and timed blood glucose testing (2 hours), and breath hydrogen was measured (4.5 hours). Lactase genetic polymorphism was assessed by a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. Participants completed a diet questionnaire, and symptoms were recorded during the lactose challenge. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each indirect test. The 2-way kappa coefficient between these tests was evaluated. Student t test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used to compare variables. RESULTS: The lactose tolerance test as a standard had an 87.5% sensitivity and 92.7% specificity for genetic status. Only a moderate agreement between lactose tolerance test and breath hydrogen test was observed (2-way kappa coefficient, .53; 95% confidence interval, .22-.83). When genetic status was used as standard, symptoms had a moderate sensitivity and specificity. Lactose tolerance test had very good sensitivity, and the breath test had excellent specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Both indirect tests independently have good to very good sensitivities and specificities for genetic lactase status. The noted disagreement likely reflects variables that affect the tests independently of intestinal lactase status. The value of these tests in the light of the availability of genetic testing is discussed.

Impact of a standardized communication system on continuity of care between family physicians and the emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that continuity of care is hampered because of the lack of communication between emergency departments (EDs) and primary care providers. A web-based, standardized communication system (SCS) that enables family physicians (FPs) to visualize information regarding their patients' ED visits was developed. This paper aims to evaluate the impact of this SCS on continuity of care. METHODS: We conducted an open, 4-period crossover, cluster-randomized controlled trial of 23 FP practices. During the intervention phase, FPs received detailed reports via SCS, while in the control phase they received mailed copies of the ED notes. Continuity of care was evaluated with a web questionnaire completed by FPs 21 days after the ED visit. The primary measures of continuity of care were knowledge of ED visit (quality and quantity), patient management and follow-up rate. RESULTS: We analyzed a total of 2022 ED visits (1048 intervention and 974 control). The intervention group received information regarding the ED visit more often (odds ratio [OR] 3.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.6-3.79), found the information more useful (OR 5.1, 95% CI 3.49-7.46), possessed a better knowledge of the ED visit (OR 6.28, 95% CI 5.12-7.71), felt they could better manage patients (OR 2.46, 95% CI 2.02-2.99) and initiated actions more often following receipt of information (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.36-1.93). However, there was no significant difference in the follow-up rate at FPs offices (OR 1.25, 95% CI 0.97-1.61). CONCLUSION: The use of SCS between an ED and FPs led to significant improvements in continuity of care by increasing the usefulness of transferred information and by improving FPs' perceived patient knowledge and patient management.

Evaluation of a fecal immunochemistry test prior to colonoscopy for outpatients with various indications.

BACKGROUND: Stool tests can predict advanced neoplasms prior to colonoscopy. Results of immunochemical stool tests to predict findings at colonoscopy for various indications are less often reported. We compared pre-colonoscopy stool tests with findings in patients undergoing colonoscopy for different indications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Charts of patients undergoing elective or semi-urgent colonoscopy were reviewed. Comparison of adenoma detection rates and pathological findings was made between prescreened and non-prescreened, and between stool-positive and stool-negative cases. Demographics, quality of colonoscopy, and pathological findings were recorded. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were assessed. Statistical significance was accepted at p≤0.05. RESULTS: Charts of 325 patients were reviewed. Among them, stool tests were done on 144 patients: 114 were negative and 30 were positive. Findings were similar in the pretest and non-pretest groups. Detection of advanced adenomas per patient was higher in the stool-positive group compared to the stool-negative group (23.4% vs 3.5%, p=0.0016, OR =7.6 [95% CI: 2-29.3]). Five advanced adenomas (without high-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma) and several cases of multiple adenomas were missed in the negative group. Sensitivity and specificity for advanced polyps was 63.6% and 82.7%, respectively. The negative predictive value was 96.5%. Male gender was independently predictive of any adenoma. CONCLUSION: The stool immunochemical test best predicted advanced neoplasms and had a high negative predictive value in this small cohort. Whether this test can be applied to determine the need for colonoscopy in groups other than average risk would require more studies.