Update on the Epimed Monitor Adult ICU Database: 15 years of its use in national registries, quality improvement initiatives and clinical research.

In recent decades, several databases of critically ill patients have become available in both low-, middle-, and high-income countries from all continents. These databases are also rich sources of data for the surveillance of emerging diseases, intensive care unit performance evaluation and benchmarking, quality improvement projects and clinical research. The Epimed Monitor database is turning 15 years old in 2024 and has become one of the largest of these databases. In recent years, there has been rapid geographical expansion, an increase in the number of participating intensive care units and hospitals, and the addition of several new variables and scores, allowing a more complete characterization of patients to facilitate multicenter clinical studies. As of December 2023, the database was being used regularly for 23,852 beds in 1,723 intensive care units and 763 hospitals from ten countries, totaling more than 5.6 million admissions. In addition, critical care societies have adopted the system and its database to establish national registries and international collaborations. In the present review, we provide an updated description of the database; report experiences of its use in critical care for quality improvement initiatives, national registries and clinical research; and explore other potential future perspectives and developments.

Multicenter validation of PIM3 and PIM2 in Brazilian pediatric intensive care units.

Objective: To validate the PIM3 score in Brazilian PICUs and compare its performance with the PIM2. Methods: Observational, retrospective, multicenter study, including patients younger than 16 years old admitted consecutively from October 2013 to September 2019. We assessed the Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR), the discrimination capability (using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve - AUROC), and the calibration. To assess the calibration, we used the calibration belt, which is a curve that represents the correlation of predicted and observed values and their 95% Confidence Interval (CI) through all the risk ranges. We also analyzed the performance of both scores in three periods: 2013-2015, 2015-2017, and 2017-2019. Results: 41,541 patients from 22 PICUs were included. Most patients aged less than 24 months (58.4%) and were admitted for medical conditions (88.6%) (respiratory conditions = 53.8%). Invasive mechanical ventilation was used in 5.8%. The median PICU length of stay was three days (IQR, 2-5), and the observed mortality was 1.8% (763 deaths). The predicted mortality by PIM3 was 1.8% (SMR 1.00; 95% CI 0.94-1.08) and by PIM2 was 2.1% (SMR 0.90; 95% CI 0.83-0.96). Both scores had good discrimination (PIM3 AUROC = 0.88 and PIM2 AUROC = 0.89). In calibration analysis, both scores overestimated mortality in the 0%-3% risk range, PIM3 tended to underestimate mortality in medium-risk patients (9%-46% risk range), and PIM2 also overestimated mortality in high-risk patients (70%-100% mortality risk). Conclusions: Both scores had a good discrimination ability but poor calibration in different ranges, which deteriorated over time in the population studied.

The Epimed Monitor ICU Database®: a cloud-based national registry for adult intensive care unit patients in Brazil. / Epimed Monitor ICU Database®: um registro nacional baseado na nuvem, para pacientes adultos internados em unidades de terapia intensiva do Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the Epimed Monitor Database®, a Brazilian intensive care unit quality improvement database. METHODS: We described the Epimed Monitor® Database, including its structure and core data. We presented aggregated informative data from intensive care unit admissions from 2010 to 2016 using descriptive statistics. We also described the expansion and growth of the database along with the geographical distribution of participating units in Brazil. RESULTS: The core data from the database includes demographic, administrative and physiological parameters, as well as specific report forms used to gather detailed data regarding the use of intensive care unit resources, infectious episodes, adverse events and checklists for adherence to best clinical practices. As of the end of 2016, 598 adult intensive care units in 318 hospitals totaling 8,160 intensive care unit beds were participating in the database. Most units were located at private hospitals in the southeastern region of the country. The number of yearly admissions rose during this period and included a predominance of medical admissions. The proportion of admissions due to cardiovascular disease declined, while admissions due to sepsis or infections became more common. Illness severity (Simplified Acute Physiology Score - SAPS 3 - 62 points), patient age (mean = 62 years) and hospital mortality (approximately 17%) remained reasonably stable during this time period. CONCLUSION: A large private database of critically ill patients is feasible and may provide relevant nationwide epidemiological data for quality improvement and benchmarking purposes among the participating intensive care units. This database is useful not only for administrative reasons but also for the improvement of daily care by facilitating the adoption of best practices and use for clinical research.

OBJETIVO: Descrever a Epimed Monitor ICU Database®, uma base de dados brasileira cujo objetivo é a melhora da qualidade nas unidades de terapia intensiva do país. MÉTODOS: Descrevemos a Epimed Monitor ICU Database®, inclusive sua estrutura e seus dados principais. Com utilização de estatística descritiva, apresentamos dados informativos agregados das admissões às unidades de terapia intensiva entre os anos de 2010 e 2016. Descrevemos também a expansão e o crescimento da base de dados juntamente da distribuição geográfica das unidades participantes no Brasil. RESULTADOS: Os dados principais da base de dados incluíram informações demográficas, parâmetros administrativos e fisiológicos, assim como formulários específicos de relato para obter dados detalhados, com relação ao uso dos recursos da unidade de terapia intensiva, episódios infecciosos, eventos adversos e uma lista de verificação para adesão às melhores práticas clínicas. Até o final de 2016 tomou parte desta base de dados um total de 598 unidades de terapia intensiva para pacientes adultos, localizadas em 318 hospitais, perfazendo 8.160 leitos de terapia intensiva. Em sua maioria, as unidades participantes se localizavam em hospitais privados da Região Sudeste. O número anual de admissões apresentou um crescimento neste período, com predominância de admissões clínicas. A proporção de admissões em razão de doença cardiovascular diminuiu, enquanto as admissões por sepse ou infecções se tornaram mais comuns. Severidade da doença (Simplified Acute Physiology Score - SAPS 3 - 62 pontos), idade (média = 62 anos) e mortalidade hospitalar (cerca de 17%) permaneceram razoavelmente estáveis durante o período. CONCLUSÃO: Uma grande base de dados de pacientes críticos privados é viável e pode oferecer dados epidemiológicos abrangentes e relevantes para fins de melhoria da qualidade e comparação de resultados entre as unidades de terapia intensiva participantes. A base de dados é útil não apenas por razões administrativas, mas também por melhorar os cuidados diários, ao facilitar a adoção das melhores práticas e pode também ser utilizada em pesquisas clínicas.

Epimed Monitor ICU Database®: um registro nacional baseado na nuvem, para pacientes adultos internados em unidades de terapia intensiva do Brasil / The Epimed Monitor ICU Database®: a cloud-based national registry for adult intensive care unit patients in Brazil

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever a Epimed Monitor ICU Database®, uma base de dados brasileira cujo objetivo é a melhora da qualidade nas unidades de terapia intensiva do país. Métodos: Descrevemos a Epimed Monitor ICU Database®, inclusive sua estrutura e seus dados principais. Com utilização de estatística descritiva, apresentamos dados informativos agregados das admissões às unidades de terapia intensiva entre os anos de 2010 e 2016. Descrevemos também a expansão e o crescimento da base de dados juntamente da distribuição geográfica das unidades participantes no Brasil. Resultados: Os dados principais da base de dados incluíram informações demográficas, parâmetros administrativos e fisiológicos, assim como formulários específicos de relato para obter dados detalhados, com relação ao uso dos recursos da unidade de terapia intensiva, episódios infecciosos, eventos adversos e uma lista de verificação para adesão às melhores práticas clínicas. Até o final de 2016 tomou parte desta base de dados um total de 598 unidades de terapia intensiva para pacientes adultos, localizadas em 318 hospitais, perfazendo 8.160 leitos de terapia intensiva. Em sua maioria, as unidades participantes se localizavam em hospitais privados da Região Sudeste. O número anual de admissões apresentou um crescimento neste período, com predominância de admissões clínicas. A proporção de admissões em razão de doença cardiovascular diminuiu, enquanto as admissões por sepse ou infecções se tornaram mais comuns. Severidade da doença (Simplified Acute Physiology Score - SAPS 3 - 62 pontos), idade (média = 62 anos) e mortalidade hospitalar (cerca de 17%) permaneceram razoavelmente estáveis durante o período. Conclusão: Uma grande base de dados de pacientes críticos privados é viável e pode oferecer dados epidemiológicos abrangentes e relevantes para fins de melhoria da qualidade e comparação de resultados entre as unidades de terapia intensiva participantes. A base de dados é útil não apenas por razões administrativas, mas também por melhorar os cuidados diários, ao facilitar a adoção das melhores práticas e pode também ser utilizada em pesquisas clínicas.

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the Epimed Monitor Database®, a Brazilian intensive care unit quality improvement database. Methods: We described the Epimed Monitor® Database, including its structure and core data. We presented aggregated informative data from intensive care unit admissions from 2010 to 2016 using descriptive statistics. We also described the expansion and growth of the database along with the geographical distribution of participating units in Brazil. Results: The core data from the database includes demographic, administrative and physiological parameters, as well as specific report forms used to gather detailed data regarding the use of intensive care unit resources, infectious episodes, adverse events and checklists for adherence to best clinical practices. As of the end of 2016, 598 adult intensive care units in 318 hospitals totaling 8,160 intensive care unit beds were participating in the database. Most units were located at private hospitals in the southeastern region of the country. The number of yearly admissions rose during this period and included a predominance of medical admissions. The proportion of admissions due to cardiovascular disease declined, while admissions due to sepsis or infections became more common. Illness severity (Simplified Acute Physiology Score - SAPS 3 - 62 points), patient age (mean = 62 years) and hospital mortality (approximately 17%) remained reasonably stable during this time period. Conclusion: A large private database of critically ill patients is feasible and may provide relevant nationwide epidemiological data for quality improvement and benchmarking purposes among the participating intensive care units. This database is useful not only for administrative reasons but also for the improvement of daily care by facilitating the adoption of best practices and use for clinical research.

[Acanthosis nigricans: metabolic interrelations inherent to the polycystic ovary syndrome]. / Acantose nigricante: inter-relações metabólicas inerentes à síndrome dos ovários policísticos.

PURPOSE: To establish the prevalence of acanthosis nigricans (AN) within the context of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its associations with obesity, insulin resistance, insulinemia, and metabolic syndrome (MS). METHODS: A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted on 100 patients with PCOS diagnosed according to the Rotterdam Consensus (2003). The skin test included, in addition to the detection of the presence of AN, the presence of hirsutism (score ≥ 8) and acne. In addition to clinical and biochemical data, we investigated cardiovascular risk factors present in MS such as abdominal circumference, obesity, hypertension and HDL and triglyceride levels. Insulin resistance was determined by the HOMA-IR test. RESULTS: The prevalence of AN (53%) was significantly correlated with hirsutism (p = 0.02), body mass index (p < 0.01), basal insulinemia (p < 0.01), (HOMA-IR) (p < 0.01), and MS (p < 0.01). The prevalence of MS reached 36% and was significantly associated only with AN (p < 0.01). Although diabetes mellitus was absent, there was a significant association of altered HOMA-IR (p < 0.01) with MS (p < 5%) and AN (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: AN is part of the severe phenotypic profile of PCOS as an additional predictable sign of the risks of cardiovascular disease.

Acantose nigricante: inter-relações metabólicas inerentes à síndrome dos ovários policísticos / Acanthosis nigricans: metabolic interrelations inherent to the polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJETIVO: Estabelecer a prevalência da acantose nigricante (AN) no contexto da síndrome dos ovários policísticos (SOP) e as respectivas associações com a obesidade, a resistência insulínica (RI), a insulinemia e a síndrome metabólica (SM). MÉTODOS: Em um estudo transversal e prospectivo, foram selecionadas cem pacientes acometidas pela SOP, diagnosticadas segundo o Consenso de Rotterdam (2003). O exame cutâneo incluiu, além da verificação da presença da AN, a presença do hirsutismo (escore ≥8) e da acne. Foram investigados os dados clínicos e bioquímicos, os fatores de risco cardiovascular que se fazem presentes na SM, como circunferência abdominal (CA), obesidade, hipertensão e os índices de HDL e triglicérides. O modelo de aferição da resistência insulínica foi realizado por meio do teste homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). RESULTADOS: A prevalência da AN (53%) mostrou correspondência significativa com o hirsutismo (p=0,02), o índice de massa corpórea (IMC) (p<0,01), a insulinemia basal (p<0,01), o HOMA-IR (p<0,01) e a SM (p<0,05). A SM alcançou a prevalência de 36% e associou-se significativamente apenas com a AN (p<0,01). Conquanto ausente o diabetes mellitus, sobressaem as conotações do HOMA-IR alterado (p=0,01) com a SM (p<5%) e a AN (p<0,01). CONCLUSÕES: A AN integra o quadro fenotípico grave da SOP como mais um signo previsível dos riscos da doença cardiovascular. .

PURPOSE: To establish the prevalence of acanthosis nigricans (AN) within the context of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its associations with obesity, insulin resistance, insulinemia, and metabolic syndrome (MS). METHODS: A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted on 100 patients with PCOS diagnosed according to the Rotterdam Consensus (2003). The skin test included, in addition to the detection of the presence of AN, the presence of hirsutism (score ≥8) and acne. In addition to clinical and biochemical data, we investigated cardiovascular risk factors present in MS such as abdominal circumference, obesity, hypertension and HDL and triglyceride levels. Insulin resistance was determined by the HOMA-IR test. RESULTS: The prevalence of AN (53%) was significantly correlated with hirsutism (p=0.02), body mass index (p<0.01), basal insulinemia (p<0.01), (HOMA-IR) (p<0.01), and MS (p<0.01). The prevalence of MS reached 36% and was significantly associated only with AN (p<0.01). Although diabetes mellitus was absent, there was a significant association of altered HOMA-IR (p<0.01) with MS (p<5%) and AN (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: AN is part of the severe phenotypic profile of PCOS as an additional predictable sign of the risks of cardiovascular disease. .