Increasing Trends of Clostridium difficile Infection in Hospitalized Young Patients: A Study of the National Inpatient Sample From 2007 to 2017.

Background Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is one of the rising public health threats in the United States. It has imposed significant morbidity and mortality in the elderly population. However, the burden of the disease in the young population is unclear. This study aimed to identify hospitalization trends and outcomes of CDI in the young population. Methodology We obtained data from the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS) for hospitalizations with CDI between 2007 and 2017. We used the International Classification of Diseases Ninth Edition-Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) and ICD-10-CM to identify CDI and other diagnoses of interest. The primary outcome of our study was to identify the temporal trends and demographic characteristics of patients aged less than 50 years old hospitalized with CDI. The secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, length of hospital stay (LOS), and discharge dispositions. We utilized the Cochran Armitage trend test and multivariable survey logistic regression models to analyze the trends and outcomes. Results From 2007 to 2017, CDI was present among 1,158,047 hospitalized patients. The majority (84.04%) of the patients were ≥50 years old versus 15.95% of patients <50 years old. From 2007 to 2017, there was a significant increase in CDI among <50-year-old hospitalized patients (12.6% from 2007 to 18.1% in 2017; p < 0.001). In trend analysis by ethnicities, among patients <50 years old, there was an increasing trend in Caucasians (63.9% versus 67.9%; p < 0.001) and Asian females (58.4% versus 62.6%; p < 0.001). We observed an increased trend of discharge to home (91.3% vs 95.8%; p < 0.001) in association with a decrease in discharge to facility (8.3% vs 4%; p < 0.001). The average LOS from 2007 to 2017 was 5 ± 0.03 days, which remained stable during the study period. Conclusions The proportion of young (<50 years old) hospitalized patients with CDI has been steadily increasing over the past decade. Our findings might represent new epidemiological trends related to non-traditional risk factors. Future CDI surveillance should extend to the young population to confirm our findings, and the study of emerging risk factors is required to better understand the increasing CDI hospitalization in the young population.

Association of Helicobacter Pylori With Development of Peptic Ulcer Disease Among Cirrhotic Patients: An Evidence From Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND:  Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) plays an important role in causing peptic ulcer disease (PUD) in the general population. However, the role of H. pylori in cirrhotic patients for causing PUD is obscure. There are various studies evaluating H. pylori association with PUD in cirrhotic patients, but the results have been controversial. We sought to analyze the association of H. pylori with the development of PUD in cirrhotic patients from the largest United States population-based database. METHODS:  We analyzed Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) and Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) data from 2017. Adult hospitalizations due to cirrhosis were identified by previously validated ICD-10-CM codes. PUD and H. pylori were identified with the presence of ICD-10-CM codes in primary and secondary diagnosis fields, respectively. We performed weighted analyses using Chi-Square and paired Student's t-test to compare the groups. Multivariable survey logistic regression was performed to find an association of H. pylori with PUD in cirrhotic patients. RESULTS:  Our study showed that the prevalence of H. pylori infection was 2.2% in cirrhotic patients with PUD. In regression analysis, H. pylori was found to be associated with PUD in cirrhotic patients (OR 15.1; 95% CI: 13.9-16.4; p <0.001) and non-cirrhotic patients (OR 48.8; 95% CI: 47.5-50.1; p <0.001). In the studied population, H. pylori was more commonly seen in the age between 50 and 64 years (49.4% vs 44.1%; p <0.0001), male (63.4% vs 59.9%; p <0.0413), African American (16.3% vs 10.6%; p <0.0001), and Hispanic (26.2% vs 14.9%; p <0.0001). H. pylori is more likely to be associated with complicated PUD hospitalizations (51.2% vs 44.2%; p <0.0067). Alcoholism and smoking were more common in H. pylori group compared to those without (43.6% vs 35.8%; p <0.0001 and 33.7% vs 24.8% p <0.0001, respectively). Factors associated with increased odds of H. pylori infection include African American (OR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.5-3.6), Hispanic (OR 2.6, 95% CI: 1.7-4.0), and smoking (OR 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.2). CONCLUSION:  H. pylori are associated with PUD and concurrent cirrhosis, although it is less prevalent than general population. African American, Hispanic, and smoking were independently associated with increased odds of H. pylori infection. Further studies are required to better understand the epidemiology and confirm our findings.

Chylous Ascites and Pleural Effusion Treated With Intravenous Octreotide.

Chylous ascites (CA) is uncommon in cirrhosis. It often presents as diuretic-resistant ascites and is associated with increased mortality. Diagnosis is done by the detection of triglyceride-rich ascitic fluid. There are no published guidelines on the management of CA. We describe the case of a middle-aged female who presented with CA secondary to cirrhosis, and the challenges associated with her treatment and her management with the use of intravenous octreotide.

Famotidine induced hypomagnesemia leading to hypocalcemia.

Fifty-five-year-old female with a past medical history of gastroesophageal reflux disease was admitted to hospital due to increased confusion, and muscle cramps for last 15 days. She was taking famotidine 20 mg twice a day for the last 2 years. She was alert and oriented to person and place only. She had dry skin, positive Chvostek's and Trousseau's sign. Blood work showed 141 mmol/L of sodium, 0.7 mg/dl of creatinine, 5.7 mg/dl of calcium, 0.55 mg/dl of magnesium, low PTH but normal parathyroid related peptide PTHrP, vitamin D (25) and vitamin D (1.25). She was discharged home on electrolyte supplements. She was readmitted with very low calcium and magnesium. Extensive workup including 24 h of urine calcium and magnesium was unimpressive. She was treated with IV therapy and discharged to follow up with nephrology in the clinic, and famotidine was discontinued on second discharge. Her calcium and magnesium levels remained normal, and in a few weeks later, oral electrolyte supplements were discontinued.

Trends and outcomes of peptic ulcer disease in patients with cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is more prevalent in cirrhotic patients and it has been associated with poor outcomes. However, there are no population-based studies from the United States (U.S.) that have investigated this association. Our study aims to estimate the incidence trends, predictors, and outcomes PUD patients with underlying cirrhosis. METHODS: We analyzed Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) and Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) data for years 2002-2014. Adult hospitalizations due to PUD were identified by previously validated ICD-9-CM codes as the primary diagnosis. Cirrhosis was also identified with presence of ICD-9-CM codes in secondary diagnosis fields. We analyzed trends and predictors of PUD in cirrhotic patients and utilized multivariate regression models to estimate the impact of cirrhosis on PUD outcomes. RESULTS: Between the years 2002-2014, there were 1,433,270 adult hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of PUD, out of which 70,007 (4.88%) had cirrhosis as a concurrent diagnosis. There was a significant increase in the proportion of hospitalizations with a concurrent diagnosis of cirrhosis, from 3.9% in 2002 to 6.6% in 2014 (p < 0.001). In an adjusted multivariable analysis, in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in hospitalizations of PUD with cirrhosis (odd ratio [OR] 1.78; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.63-1.97; P < 0.001), however, there was no difference in the discharge to facility (OR 1.00; 95%CI 0.94 - 1.07; P = 0.81). Moreover, length of stay (LOS) was also higher (6 days vs. 4 days, P < 0.001) among PUD with cirrhosis. Increasing age and comorbidities were associated with higher odds of in-hospital mortality among PUD patients with cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that there is an increased hospital burden as well as poor outcomes in terms of higher in-hospital mortality among hospitalized PUD patients with cirrhosis. Further studies are warranted for better risk stratification and improvement of outcomes.

Role of Steroids in Post-streptococcal Glomerulonephritis Without Crescents on Renal Biopsy.

Steroid is usually indicated in patients with post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN) with more than 30% crescents on renal biopsy. The role of steroids in patients without crescentic glomerulonephritis is not clear. We present a 19-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with PSGN three weeks after a sore throat infection. He developed acute renal and respiratory failure requiring hemodialysis and mechanical ventilation. The renal biopsy confirmed PSGN, but did not show severe histological features such as crescents formation. Due to lack of clinical improvement, trials of pulse dose methylprednisolone were initiated with prompt improvement in renal and respiratory function. Our case suggested the potential role of high dose steroids in select patients of PSGN with progressive renal failure, development of multi-organ system deterioration, and failed conservative management irrespective of histological findings.

Serotonin Syndrome Presenting with Concomitant Tramadol and Diphenhydramine Use: A Case Report of an Unlikely Side-Effect.

Serotonin syndrome is a condition that occurs following the administration of serotonergic drugs. Interestingly, on rare occasions, it can occur with various drug combinations that can secondarily affect the serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamin. Tramadol is an analgesic that has mu opioid receptor agonist activity and has also been shown to inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline. Diphenhydramine is a first-generation histamine antagonist prescribed to treat or prevent allergic reactions and can also be used as a sleeping aid. Here, we demonstrate a case of serotonin syndrome following the administration of diphenhydramine for seasonal allergies in a patient on tramadol for neck pain.