Post-hospitalization Short Versus Long Steroid Taper Strategies in Patients With Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis: A Comparison of Clinical Outcomes.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory colon disease characterized by relapsing flares and remission episodes. However, the optimal steroid tapering strategy in patients hospitalized for acute severe UC (ASUC) remains relatively unknown. We aim to examine the clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized for ASUC regarding variable prednisone taper regimens upon discharge. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all adult patients admitted to our facility with ASUC between 2000 and 2022. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the duration of steroid taper on discharge (< 6 and > 6 weeks). Patients who had colectomy at index admission were excluded from the analysis. The primary outcome was rehospitalization for ASUC within 6 months of index admission. Secondary outcomes included the need for colectomy, worsening endoscopic disease extent and/or severity during the follow-up period (6 months), and a composite outcome as a surrogate of worsening disease (defined as a combination of all products above). Two-sample t-tests and Pearson's chi-square tests were used to compare the means of continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors for rehospitalization with ASUC. Results: A total of 215 patients (short steroid taper = 91 and long steroid taper = 124) were analyzed. A higher number of patients in the long steroid taper group had a longer disease duration since diagnosis and moderate-severe endoscopic disease activity (63.8 vs. 25.6 months, p < 0.0001, 46.8% vs. 23.1%, P = ≤ .05, respectively). Both groups had similar disease extent, prior biologic therapy, and the need for inpatient rescue therapy. At the 6-month follow-up, rates of rehospitalization with a flare of UC were comparable between the 2 groups (68.3% vs. 68.5%, P = .723). On univariate and multivariate logistic regression, escalation of steroid dose within four weeks of discharge (aOR 6.09, 95% CI: 1.82-20.3, P  = .003) was noted to be the only independent predictor for rehospitalization with ASUC. Conclusions: This is the first study comparing clinical outcomes between post-discharge steroid tapering regimens in hospitalized patients for ASUC. Both examined steroid taper regimens upon discharge showed comparable clinical results. Hence, we suggest a short steroid taper as a standard post-hospitalization strategy in patients following ASUC encounters. It is likely to enhance patient tolerability and reduce steroid-related adverse effects without adversely affecting outcomes.

Risk Factors and Outcomes Associated With Re-Intubation Secondary to Respiratory Failure in Patients With COVID-19 ARDS.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is associated with variable symptoms and clinical sequelae. Studies have examined the clinical course of these patients, finding a prolonged need for invasive ventilation and variable re-intubation rates. However, no research has investigated factors and outcomes related to re-intubation secondary to respiratory failure among patients with COVID-19 with ARDS. METHODS: We conducted a single-center, retrospective study on subjects intubated for ARDS secondary to COVID-19. The primary outcome was re-intubation status; secondary outcomes were hospital and ICU stay and mortality. Data were analyzed using between-group comparisons using chi-square testing for categorical information and Student t test for quantitative data. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine factors related to re-intubation and mortality as dependent variables. RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen subjects were included, of which 32% required re-intubation. No between-group differences were detected for most demographic variables or comorbidities. No differences were detected in COVID-19 treatments, noninvasive respiratory support, mechanical circulatory support, or duration of ventilation. Midazolam (odds ratio [OR] 5.55 [95% CI 1.83-16.80], P = .002), fentanyl (OR 3.64 [95% CI 1.26-10.52], P = .02), and APACHE II scores (OR 1.08 [95% CI 1.030-1.147], P = .005) were independently associated with re-intubation (area under the curve = 0.81). Re-intubated subjects had extended hospital (36.7 ± 22.7 d vs 26.1 ± 12.1 d, P = .01) and ICU (29.6 ± 22.4 d vs 15.8 ± 10.4 d, P < .001) stays. More subjects died who failed extubation (49% vs 3%, P < .001). Age (OR 1.07 [95% CI 1.02-1.23], P = .005), male sex (OR 4.9 [95% CI 1.08-22.35], P = .041), positive Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU) (OR 5.43 [95% CI 1.58-18.62], P = .007), and re-intubation (OR 12.75 [95% CI 2.80-57.10], P < .001) were independently associated with death (area under the curve = 0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Midazolam, fentanyl, and higher APACHE II scores were independently associated with re-intubation secondary to respiratory failure in subjects with COVID-19-related ARDS. Furthermore, age, male sex, positive CAM-ICU, and re-intubation were independently associated with mortality. Re-intubation also correlated with prolonged hospital and ICU stay.