Risk factors and mortality of candidemia in a children's public hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Candida bloodstream infections in children are of special concern in neonatal and pediatric intensive care and patients with comorbidities. This study aimed to estimate the incidence and risk factors associated with mortality in candidemia cases occurring in a public children's hospital in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil. It is a retrospective transversal study. Every patient under the age of 18 admitted to the study facility from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2019, was considered potentially eligible to be included if they had candidemia. We collected clinical data from medical records. We included 113 blood cultures yielding positive results for Candida. The incidence rate was 2.12 per 1000 admissions. The most common Candida species was Candida parapsilosis. Septic shock during the candidemia episode was the only clinical outcome associated with a relative risk-adjusted (RRa) of 2.77 with an interval >1 (1.12-6.85). Our findings show that the incidence rate and mortality rates of candidemia are in line with those in other children's services in Brazil. We found a global mortality rate of 28.31% (32/113) from candidemia episodes. We highlight the predominance of non-albicans Candida species including C. parapsilosis. Septic shock was the most important factor showing a significant risk of mortality.

It is not just about prescription. A cohort study of the impact of enteral nutrition on mortality of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Introduction: Introduction: during COVID-19 pandemic, international societies released guidelines and recommendations for patients requiring nutritional support according to previous similar respiratory diseases. Objectives: the aim of the study was to evaluate the nutritional support provided by enteral nutrition (EN) in patients with COVID-19 infection, identify if the recommendations from international societies were met and their impact on mortality rate. Methods: a cohort study was conducted on adult patients with COVID-19 admitted to a tertiary hospital. Demographic, clinical, biochemical, and nutritional variables were obtained. A random-effect parametric survival-time model was performed to quantify the risk of death for each variable, and the Hausman test was used to confirm the model. Results: two hundred and twenty-nine patients were enrolled. The delivered energy was > 80 % of adequacy in the first two days, as suggested by international guidelines (11.7 ± 4.9 kcal/kg); however, an adequacy rate less than 60 % was achieved on day 14 (25.4 ± 7.4 kcal/kg). The protein adequacy was > 75 % on the first days of infusion (1.3 ± 0.3 g/kg); however, the infusion was < 50 % (1.5 ± 0.4 g/kg) after being extubated. Age, sex, and nutritional risk were related to higher mortality in patients with EN, whereas the infused energy and protein, the percentage of protein adequacy, arginine, and n-3 PUFA were associated with lower mortality. Conclusion: achieving at least 80 % of the energy and protein requirements, as well as n-3 PUFA and arginine supplementation could be associated with lower mortality in COVID-19 patients. More studies are needed to confirm the role of these nutrients on the mortality rate.

Introducción: Introducción: durante la pandemia de COVID-19, las sociedades internacionales publicaron guías y recomendaciones para pacientes que requieren apoyo nutricional basándose en lo previamente recomendado en enfermedades respiratorias similares. Objetivos: evaluar el soporte nutricional con nutrición enteral (NE) en pacientes con COVID-19 e identificar el cumplimiento de las recomendaciones hechas por las sociedades internacionales y su impacto en la tasa de mortalidad. Métodos: estudio de cohorte en adultos con COVID-19 ingresados en un hospital de tercer nivel. Se registraron variables demográficas, clínicas, bioquímicas y nutricionales. Se realizó un modelo de supervivencia de efectos aleatorios para cuantificar el riesgo de muerte para cada variable y la prueba de Hausman para confirmar el modelo. Resultados: se incluyeron 229 pacientes. La energía administrada fue > 80 % de adecuación en los dos primeros días (11,7 ± 4,9 kcal/kg); sin embargo, fue < 60 % el día 14 (25,4 ± 7,4 kcal/kg). La adecuación de proteínas fue > 75 % en los primeros días de infusión (1,3 ± 0,3 g/kg), pero < 50 % (1,5 ± 0,4 g/kg) después de ser extubado. La edad, el sexo y el riesgo nutricional se relacionaron con mayor mortalidad, mientras que la energía y proteína infundidas, el porcentaje de adecuación proteica, la arginina y el contenido de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados (AGPI) n-3 se asociaron con menor mortalidad. Conclusión: aunque se necesitan más estudios para confirmarlo, alcanzar al menos el 80 % de los requerimientos energéticos y proteicos, así como la suplementación de fórmulas con AGPI n-3 y arginina, podría asociarse con menor mortalidad en pacientes con COVID-19.

[Effect of the population in collective dwellings on small-area mortality risk estimation in the Basque Country region (Spain)]. / Efecto producido por la población institucionalizada en la estimación del riesgo de mortalidad en áreas pequeñas de Euskadi (España).

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the effect of the inclusion of the population in collective dwellings on the estimation of mortality risk in the census areas of the Basque Country (Spain) for the main causes of mortality in the period 1996-2003. METHOD: Small-area ecological cross-sectional study. The main causes of mortality by sex were analyzed. RESULTS: When the general effect on all areas with a a population in collective dwellings was analyzed, hardly any noticeable effect was seen on either men or women. On the other hand, an effect was found when selecting the areas where the population in collective dwellings is more than 10% of the area's population. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of the inclusion of the population in collective dwellings clearly seen in causes of mortality, such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, related to greater dependence or frailty, and therefore related to being in a nursing or elderly persons' home, over-estimating the risk of mortality by approximately 8% and 4%, respectively, in these geographical areas.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis for delirium in Spanish internal medicine departments: An analysis from a large clinical-administrative database. / Características clínicas del delirio y sus implicaciones pronósticas en los servicios de medicina interna españoles: análisis de una gran base de datos clínico-administrativa.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of reported delirium and its associated factors and costs. DESIGN: Retrospective and descriptive analysis of a national clinical-administrative database that includes all patients hospitalised in Spain in internal medicine departments from January 2007 to December 2014. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study included the patients' sociodemographic and clinical data (sex, age, diagnosis and procedures). RESULTS: The prevalence of reported delirium was 2.5% (114,343 of 4,628,397 discharge reports). Delirium was most common in the 81-90-year age group (48%) and in institutionalised patients (4.5% vs. 2.9%; P<.001). The diagnoses most associated with delirium were dementia (14% vs. 7% for patients without delirium), cerebrovascular disease (17% vs. 11%), malnutrition (4% vs. 2%), pressure ulcers (4% vs. 2%), dysphagia (2% vs. 0.2%) and hyponatraemia (5% vs. 2%) (P<.001 in all cases). Patients with delirium also had longer mean stays (11.85±13.15days vs. 9.49±11.17) and higher hospital mortality (OR: 1.41; 95%CI: 1.39-1.43; P=.0001). The costs attributable to delirium in 8years exceeded €100 million (almost €1,000 per hospitalisation/patient). We developed a predictive model for the risk of developing delirium, which has insufficient sensitivity but is useful for identifying low-risk patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who develop delirium during their hospitalisation in internal medicine have a longer stay, greater mortality and an increased risk of being institutionalised at discharge. Delirium is probably poorly reported in the discharge reports prepared by internists.

Indice de comorbilidad específico para trasplante alogénico de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas: cohorte retrospectiva de niños y adolescentes con enfermedad maligna / Specific comorbidity index for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a retrospective cohort of children and adolescents with malignancies

Introducción: Entre las variables que afectan el riesgo de mortalidad relacionada (MRT) al trasplante alogénico de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas (TACPH) se incluyen las comorbilidades previas. Los índices de comorbilidad (IC) buscan mejorar la predicción de eventos combinando factores de riesgo independientes. Objetivos: 1) evaluar el uso de la versión breve y adaptada para niños, adolescentes y adultos jóvenes con enfermedad maligna del índice de comorbilidad específico para trasplante alogénico de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas (smyHCT-CI ); 2) evaluar el uso de los biomarcadores ferritina y albúmina en un índice de comorbilidad ampliado (smyHCT-CIa). Población y métodos: Diseño: cohorte retrospectiva. Periodo 2017- 2022. A cada p se le asignó nuevos puntajes utilizando el smyHCT-CI y el smyHCT-CIa. Los p se clasificaron en grupos de riesgo (GR) bajo (puntaje 0), intermedio (1-2) y alto (>3) con cada índice. Se comparó el n° de p asignado a cada GR grupo de riesgo y la MRT en cada grupo al usar el HCT-CI, el smyHCTCI y el smyHCT-CIa. Resultados: n 75. Frecuencia de p por GR según cada indicador (IC95): HCT-CI bajo 36 (25-47), intermedio 57 (56-69), alto 7 (1-12); smyHCT-CI: bajo 48 (37-59), intermedio 33 (23-44), alto 19 (10-27); smyHCT-CIa: bajo 43 (31-54), intermedio 36 (25-47), alto 21 (12-31). MRT por GR según indicador (IC95): HCT-CI: bajo 6,8 (14-28), intermedio 20,9 (9-33), alto 17,9 (0-55); smyHCT-CIa bajo 12,5 (1-24), intermedio 18,5 (4-33), alto 31,2 (9-54). Conclusión: El smyHCT-CI permitió identificar mejor los pacientes con mayor comorbilidad y riesgo de MRT. La ferritina resultó un biomarcador útil en la estimación del riesgo de MRT (AU)

Introduction: Variables affecting allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) related mortality risk (TMR) include prior comorbidities. Comorbidity indices (CI) aim to improve event prediction by combining independent risk factors. Objectives: 1) to evaluate the use of the brief and adapted version of the HCT-specific comorbidity index for children, adolescents and young adults with malignancies (ymHCT-CI); 2) to evaluate the use of the biomarkers ferritin and albumin in an expanded comorbidity index (expanded ymHCT-CI). Population and methods: Design: retrospective cohort. Period 2017- 2022. Each patient was assigned new scores using the ymHCTCI and expanded ymHCT-CI. The p were classified into low (score 0), intermediate (1-2) and high (>3) risk groups (RG) with each index. The number of patients assigned to each RG and the TMR in each group were compared using the HCTCI, the ymHCT-CI, and the expanded ymHCT-CI. Results: n 75. Frequency of patients per RG according to each indicator (95%CI): HCT-CI low 36 (25-47), intermediate 57 (56-69), high 7 (1-12); ymHCT-CI: low 48 (37-59), intermediate 33 (23-44), high 19 (10-27); expanded ymHCT-CI: low 43 (31-54), intermediate 36 (25-47), high 21 (12-31). TMR by RG according to indicator (95%CI): HCT-CI: low 6.8 (14-28), intermediate 20.9 (9-33), high 17.9 (0-55); expanded ymHCT-CI low 12.5 (1-24), intermediate 18.5 (4-33), high 31.2 (9-54). Conclusion: ymHCT-CI allowed better identification of patients with higher comorbidity and risk of TMR. Ferritin proved to be a useful biomarker to estimate TMR risk (AU)

Clinical characteristics and factors associated with mortality in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in ICU / Características clínicas y factores asociados a la mortalidad de pacientes hospitalizados en una UCI por COVID-19

Abstract Introduction: At the end of 2019, SARS-CoV-2 was identified as the cause of a new global pandemic. The clinical course may vary depending on the geographical region. The factors associated with mortality in our setting must continue to be documented. Objective: To describe the clinical and biological characteristics of a cohort of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in an intensive care unit (ICU), and the factors associated with their mortality. Materials and methods: Patients with a positive RT-PCR. The variables were recorded on admission to the ICU. The comparisons were made using the Mann-Whitney U, Chi2 or Fisher's exact test. Logistic regression was used for the multivariate model. Results: 148 patients were collected from March to December 2020, 102 (69.8%) of whom were males. The median age was 62 years; 137 (92.5%) of the patients met the criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), 132 patients (89.2%) received mechanical ventilation, and 103 (69.6%) of the patients died. The factors associated with mortality on the bivariate analysis were hypertension (HTN), obesity, age, ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP) and the PaO2/Fio2 (P/F) ratio. The multivariate analysis showed that hypertensive patients had a higher risk of dying (odds ratio [OR] 3.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29 - 4.96). Conclusion: COVID-19 mortality in the ICU is high, and the risk factors found were similar to those reported in the literature. Understanding the differential behavior according to risk factors helps determine early intervention measures. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 48. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2023.2610).

Resumen Introducción: Desde finales de 2019 se identificó el SARS-CoV2 como causante de una nueva pandemia global. El curso clínico puede variar dependiendo de la región geográfica. Es necesario seguir documentando factores asociados con la mortalidad en nuestro ambiente. Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas y biológicas de una cohorte de pacientes hospitalizados en unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) por COVID-19 y los factores asociados a su mortalidad. Material y métodos: Los pacientes con prueba RT-PCR positiva. Las variables se registraron al momento de su ingreso a la UCI. Las comparaciones se hicieron con prueba U de Mant Whitney, chi2 o test exacto de Fisher. Para el modelo multivariado usamos regresión logística. Resultados: Desde marzo hasta diciembre de 2020 se recolectaron 148 pacientes. 102 (69.8%) fueron hombres. La mediana de la edad fue 62 años; 137 (92.5%) de los pacientes cumplió criterios para síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda (SDRA),132 pacientes (89.2%) tuvieron ventilación mecánica, 103 (69.6%) de los pacientes fallecieron. Los factores asociados con mortalidad en el análisis bivariado fueron: hipertensión arterial (HTA), obesidad, edad, ferritina, deshidrogenasa láctica (LDH), proteína c reactiva (PCR) y la PAFI (PaO2/Fio2). En el análisis multivariado se observó que los hipertensos tuvieron mayor riesgo de morir (odds ratio -OR), 3.57 [intervalo de confianza (IC) 95%; 1.29 - 4.96]. Conclusión: la mortalidad por COVID-19 en UCI es alta y se documentaron factores de riesgo similares a los documentados por la literatura. Entender el comportamiento diferencial con base en factores de riesgo, permite establecer medidas de intervención temprana. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 48. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2023.2610).

[High levels of atrial natriuretic peptide and copeptin and mortality risk]. / Asociación de valores elevados de péptido natriurético auricular y copeptina con riesgo de mortalidad.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether high levels of mid-regional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP), copeptin, and procalcitonin (PCT) plasma concentrations are associated with increased mortality risk. METHODS: Prospective observational study including 254 critically ill children. MR-proANP, copeptin and PCT were compared between children with high (Group A; n=33) and low (Group B; n=221) mortality risk, and between patients with failure of more than 1 organ (Group 1; n=71) and less than 2 (Group 2; n=183). RESULTS: Median (range) of MR-proANP, copeptin, and PCT levels in group A vs B were, respectively: 209.4 (30.5-1415.8) vs. 75.0 (14.6-867.2) pmol/L (P<.001); 104.4 (7.4-460.9) vs. 26.6 (0.00-613.1) pmol/L (P<.001), and 7.8 (0.3-552.0) vs. 0.3 (0.02-107.0) ng/mL (P<.001). The area under the curve (AUC) for the differentiation of group A and B was 0.764 (95% CI: 0.674-0.854) for MR-proANP; 0.735 (0.642-0.827) for copeptin, and 0.842 (0.744-0.941) for PCT, with no statistical differences. The AUCs for the differentiation of group 1 and 2 were: 0.837 (0.784-0.891) for MR-proANP, 0.735 (0.666-0.804) for copeptin, and 0.804 (0.715-0.892) for PCT, with statistical differences between MR-proANP and copeptin, P=.01. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of MR-proANP, copeptin and PCT were associated with increased mortality risk scores. MR-proANP showed a higher association than copeptin with number of organs in failure.

N-terminal Pro-B type natriuretic peptide as long-term predictor of death after an acute pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: After an acute pulmonary embolism few long-term prognostic factors have shown to be of practical use. We hypothesized that, as in heart failure, natriuretic peptides could serve as biomarkers of a late deleterious prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients admitted to an Internal Medicine ward diagnosed with acute pulmonary embolism were traced through the computerized system of clinical episodes of Navarra Health System and by telephone calls. On hospitalization, standard evaluation was made, previous history of cancer and cardiac disease was recorded, and N-terminal ProB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP), D-dimer and Troponin I were measured. In the analysis all-causes death was considered. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-four patients were traced, median age 75 [interquartile range (IQR) 16] years old, women 51%. At a median time of 9.5 (IQR 29) months 52 (22%) patients had died, 38 (73%) dead patients had NT-ProBNP higher than 850 ng/L. NT-ProBNP in dead patients was 2.741 (IQR 7.420)ng/L and 662 (IQR 2.517)ng/L in survivors (p<0.001). Age (OR 4.37 CI 95% 1.04-1.16) and NT-ProBNP (OR 1.49 CI 95% 1-1.002) showed to be independent factors of mortality. Between the 3rd and 20th month after the diagnosis, a level of NT-ProBNP higher than 850 ng/L (sensitivity 0.86, specificity 0.45 and negative predictive value 0.92) was associated with a lower survival (p=0.019), hazard ratio 1.89, OR 7.67 (CI 95% 1.52-39.44) for this period. CONCLUSION: Besides the unchangeable age, plasma level of NT-ProBNP measured on acute pulmonary embolism could predict longer-term all-cause death.

[Development of a risk-mortality index for elderly patients discharged from a geriatric acute care unit]. / Elaboración de una herramienta para la estimación del riesgo de mortalidad a corto y medio plazo tras el alta de una Unidad de Hospitalización de Agudos de Geriatría.

OBJECTIVES: To identify predictive factors for 6 and 12-months mortality after discharge from a geriatric acute care unit, and from these, derive a mortality-risk index. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Prospective cohort study will be conducted on patients over 70 years-old admitted to a geriatric acute care unit and survived to hospital discharge. The main outcome measure will be mortality at 6 months and 12 months after discharge. Independent variables include sociodemographics, functional status, comorbidities, and clinical and laboratory characteristics. Risk factors associated with mortality will be constructed using multivariate logistic regression models. To build the mortality index, points will be assigned to each risk factor by dividing each beta coefficient in the logistic model by the lowest beta coefficient. A score will be assigned to each subject by adding up the points for each risk factor present in the model. The predictive accuracy of the model will be determined by comparing the predicted versus observed mortality in the study population and calculating the area under the ROC curves in both populations. CONCLUSIONS: The risk-mortality index developed would allow an easy estimate to be made of individual risk of death at 6 months and 12 months after discharge from a geriatric acute care unit, with the purpose of establishing care plans and individualising treatment, according to real objectives.

Aplicación de la escala de riesgo de mortalidad pediátrica (PRISM): en una unidad de terapia intensiva pediátrica venezolana / Application of the pediatric risk of mortality (PRISM): in a venezuelan pediatric intensive care unit

El PRISM es una escala de predicción del riesgo de mortalidad pediátrica, basada en la inestabilidad fisiológica, la cual refleja directamente el riesgo de mortalidad. Determinar si esta escala es un buen predictor de mortalidad en los pacientes ingresados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos del Hospital Dr. Miguel Pérez Carreño. En el período de un año fueron recogidas las variables fisiológicas al ingreso. Se aplicó el PRISM, obteniéndose el puntaje y el porcentaje de riesgo de mortalidad. Se utilizó estadística básica descriptiva, la prueba de diferencia de medias t de Student y la de contraste chi cuadrado. Fueron ingresados 119 pacientes de ambos sexos con edades compredidas entre 1 y 144 meses. La mortalidad observada fue de 18.5 por ciento. La media del PRISM fue de 14.92. Se encontró asociación entre la mortalidad observada y la esperada. El PRISM es una buena escala de predicción de mortalidad en nuestra población pediátrica.

PRISM is a pediatric mortality risk prediction scale based on the fact that physiologic instability directly reflects the risk of mortality. We used PRISM in all the patients admitted to our pediatric intensive care unit in order to determine if this scale is applicable to our pediatric population. All physiologic parameters were recorded on admission for a period of one year. PRISM was used to determine the number of points in the scale as well as the mortality risk percentage. Basic descriptive statistics was used to calculate the means, t Student and chi square. 119 patients with ages between 1 and 144 months and of both genders were admitted. Observed mortality was 18,5%. PRISM mean was 14,92. There was a association between the observed and predicted mortality. PRISM is a good mortality risk prediction scale in our pediatric population.