Clinical outcomes of bronchiectasis in India: data from the EMBARC/Respiratory Research Network of India registry.

BACKGROUND: Identifying risk factors for poor outcomes can help with risk stratification and targeting of treatment. Risk factors for mortality and exacerbations have been identified in bronchiectasis but have been almost exclusively studied in European and North American populations. This study investigated the risk factors for poor outcome in a large population of bronchiectasis patients enrolled in India. METHODS: The European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration (EMBARC) and Respiratory Research Network of India (EMBARC-India) registry is a prospective observational study of adults with computed tomography-confirmed bronchiectasis enrolled at 31 sites across India. Baseline characteristics of patients were used to investigate associations with key clinical outcomes: mortality, severe exacerbations requiring hospital admission, overall exacerbation frequency and decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s. RESULTS: 1018 patients with at least 12-month follow-up data were enrolled in the follow-up study. Frequent exacerbations (≥3 per year) at baseline were associated with an increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio (HR) 3.23, 95% CI 1.39-7.50), severe exacerbations (HR 2.71, 95% CI 1.92-3.83), future exacerbations (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 3.08, 95% CI 2.36-4.01) and lung function decline. Coexisting COPD, dyspnoea and current cigarette smoking were similarly associated with a worse outcome across all end-points studied. Additional predictors of mortality and severe exacerbations were increasing age and cardiovascular comorbidity. Infection with Gram-negative pathogens (predominantly Klebsiella pneumoniae) was independently associated with increased mortality (HR 3.13, 95% CI 1.62-6.06), while Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection was associated with severe exacerbations (HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.01-1.97) and overall exacerbation rate (IRR 1.47, 95% CI 1.13-1.91). CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies risk factors for morbidity and mortality among bronchiectasis patients in India. Identification of these risk factors may support treatment approaches optimised to an Asian setting.

Association of Serum Complement C3 Levels with Severity and Mortality in COVID 19.

The severe acute respiratory distress syndrome-associated coronavirus-2 infection can activate innate and adaptive immune responses which may lead to harmful tissue damage, both locally and systemically. C3, a member of complement system of serum proteins, is a major component of innate immune and inflammatory responses. This study is aimed to assess serum C3 as a marker of COVID-19 severity and a predictor of disease progression. A total of 150 COVID-19 patients, confirmed by RT-PCR, and 50 healthy controls were recruited. Serum C3 levels were determined by using direct colorimetric method. Median levels of serum C3 in total cases and controls were 157.8 and 165.7 mg/dL respectively. Serum C3 although not significantly decreased, they were lower in cases when compared to controls. Similarly, significant differences were found between the groups, with severe group (140.6 mg/dL) having low levels of serum C3 protein when compared to mild (161.0 mg/dL) and moderate group (167.1 mg/dL). Interestingly, during hospitalization, significant difference between baseline (admission) and follow-up (discharge) was observed only in patients with moderate disease. Based on our results, lower levels of C3, with an increase in IL-6 and d-dimer levels, are associated with higher odds of mortality. Therefore, we would like to emphasize that measuring serum C3 levels along with other inflammatory markers might give an added advantage in early identification of patients who are prone to having a severe disease course and can help in a more effective follow-up of disease progression. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12291-023-01148-x.

Pulmonary embolism and gastric bleed with disseminated mucormycosis - treading dangerous waters.

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic infection seen in immunocompromised patients or in surgical and trauma settings with Mucorales wound contamination. In immunocompetent people, disseminated mucormycosis is uncommon. To ensure survival, patients with mucormycosis require early diagnosis and aggressive treatment using a multi-modality approach. We present a case of disseminated mucormycosis in an immunocompetent patient who also had pulmonary embolism and gastrointestinal bleeding. A recent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, identified retrospectively by a positive IgM against SARS-CoV-2, was the only risk factor present. This report emphasizes the increased risk of mucormycosis and thromboembolic complications following a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as its successful treatment with medical therapy alone.

Predictors of mortality among hospitalized patients with COVID-19: A single-centre retrospective analysis.

Background: The severity of disease and mortality due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was found to be high among patients with concurrent medical illnesses. Serum biomarkers can be used to predict the course of COVID-19 pneumonia. Data from India are very scarce about predictors of mortality among COVID-19 patients. Methodology: In the present retrospective study of 65 RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients, we retrieved data regarding clinical symptoms, laboratory parameters, and radiological grading of severity. Further, we also collected data about their hospital course, duration of stay, treatment, and outcome. Data analysis was done to compare the patient characteristics between survivor and non-survivor groups and to assess the predictors of mortality. Results: The mean age of the study population was 56.23 years (SD, 12.91) and most of them were males (63%); 81.5% of patients survived and were discharged, whereas 18.5% of patients succumbed to the disease. Univariate analysis across both groups showed that older age, diabetes mellitus, higher computed tomogram (CT) severity score, and raised levels of laboratory parameters viz, D-dimer, CPK-MB (creatine kinase), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were associated with increased mortality among hospitalized patients. On multivariate analysis, elevated levels of serum D-dimer (odds ratio, 95% CI: 10.98, 1.13-106.62, p = 0.04) and LDH (odds ratio, 95% CI: 19.15, 3.28-111.87, p = 0.001) were independently associated with mortality. Conclusion: Older patients, diabetics, and patients with high CT severity scores at admission are at increased risk of death from COVID-19. Serum biomarkers such as D-dimer and LDH help in predicting mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Clinical profile of bloodstream infections in COVID-19 patients: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are an emerging cause of significant morbidity and mortality in severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to assess the prevalence, clinical profile and outcome of BSIs in critically ill COVID-19 patients. METHODS: This was a single-centre retrospective study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Western India. All patients (age > 18 years) with reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed COVID-19 admitted in the intensive care unit (ICU) were included. Hospital electronic records were searched for demographic data, time of bloodstream infection since admission, clinical profile, antimicrobial resistance pattern and clinical outcome of all patients who developed BSIs. RESULTS: Out of 750 patients admitted in COVID ICU, 8.5% developed secondary BSIs. All severe COVID-19 patients who developed BSIs succumbed to illness. A significant proportion of BSIs were Gram-negative pathogens (53/64, 82.8%). Acinetobacter baumannii was the commonest isolate, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (32.8% and 21.9%, respectively). Multidrug-resistance organisms (MDRO) were found in 57.8% of the cases. The majority of MDRO belonged to K. pneumoniae and Enterococcus groups. The proportion of Gram-negative bacteria resistant to carbapenems was 47.2% (25/53). On multivariate analysis, raised total leukocyte counts, mechanical ventilation and presence of comorbidities were significantly associated with the incidence of BSIs. CONCLUSION: We found a significant prevalence of Acinetobacter baumannii in COVID-19 associated BSIs. The presence of comorbidities raised leukocyte counts and mechanical ventilation should alarm clinicians for possible BSIs. The timely initiation of empirical antibiotics and rapid de-escalation is vital to improve the outcome. At the same time, strict compliance of infection control practices should be accomplished to reduce the occurrence of MDRO.

Markers of coagulation dysfunction and inflammation in diabetic and non-diabetic COVID-19.

Coagulation dysfunction and inflammatory status were compared between diabetic and non-diabetic COVID-19 patients. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed for the difference of inflammatory and hypercoagulability markers. The levels of serum ferritin (standardized mean difference-SMD: 0.47, CI 0.17-0.77, p = 0.002), C-reactive protein (SMD = 0.53, CI 0.20-0.86, p = 0.002), interleukin-6 (SMD = 0.31, CI 0.09-0.52, p = 0.005), fibrinogen (SMD = 0.31, CI 0.09-0.54, p = 0.007) and D-dimers (SMD = 0.54, CI 0.16-0.91, p = 0.005) were significantly higher in diabetic COVID-19 cases as compared to non-diabetic COVID-19 patients, suggesting more susceptibility of diabetic COVID-19 patients to coagulation dysfunction and inflammatory storm.

Diagnostic accuracy of semirigid thoracoscopy in exudative pleural effusions and relationship of thoracoscopic findings with probability of malignant diagnosis.

Semirigid thoracoscopy is increasingly becoming the procedure of choice for evaluation of undiagnosed exudative pleural effusions. Few studies have reported relationship of thoracoscopic appearances of pleural abnormalities and etiological diagnoses. We aimed our study to assess the diagnostic utility and safety of semirigid thoracoscopy for evaluation of patients with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion. Further, we also pursued to find any relation of various thoracoscopic findings with the final diagnosis. We prospectively enrolled hospitalized patients with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion who underwent semirigid thoracoscopy. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data along with data on thoracoscopic appearance of various pleural abnormalities and histopathological diagnosis of pleural biopsy specimens were collected and analysed. Semirigid thoracoscopy was diagnostic in 46 (N=55) patients (83.64%). Malignancy was diagnosed in 31 patients (56.36%), of which adenocarcinoma was the most common histopathological diagnosis (45.16%).  Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV LR+ and LR- of thoracoscopy were 93.87%, 100%, 100%, 66.67%, 40.30 and 0.06, respectively. Pleural nodules, masses and hemorrhagic pleural fluid significantly increased the diagnosis yield of malignancy [OR= 37.16 (95%CI = 3.61-382.65),  =0.002]. The procedure related complications were mild and transient. Post- procedural pain (20%) was most commonly reported followed by dry cough (18.18%), sub-cutaneous emphysema (7.27%) and anaesthesia related complication (1.82%). Semirigid thoracoscopy is simple, safe and effective procedure in diagnosing exudative pleural effusion of unknown etiology with high diagnostic accuracy and minor procedure related complications. The likelihood of diagnosing malignancy is high if combination of pleural nodules, masses and hemorrhagic pleural fluid is present.

Vanishing aneurysms in Behcet's disease - A case series.

Behçet's disease is a systemic vasculitis with a wide spectrum of manifestations. Although pulmonary involvement is typical, the presence of pulmonary arterial aneurysms is associated with a high incidence of mortality and morbidity. We report two cases of Behçet's disease with pulmonary arterial involvement who presented with hemoptysis, showed significant treatment response, thus, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and therapeutic management.

Measuring medical graduate behavioral intention for administering on-site care to road traffic accident victims: Development and validation of a questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Prehospital trauma care skills are often taught and assessed in undergraduate medical curricula but the intention to voluntarily offer these skills in out of hospital or primary care settings is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: The objective is to develop and validate a questionnaire measuring behavioral intention among medical graduates for administering on-site care to road accident victims. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2018 to February 2019, among medical graduates of an academic institution in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Items for "Measure of Intention to help road accident victim (MIHRAV) instrument" were framed as per the constructs of theory of planned behavior. A total of 150 candidates undergoing internship were approached for informed consent and a link for online questionnaire was shared. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and tests for convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity was done using IBM SPSS version 23.0 for psychometric validation of scale. RESULTS: Original version of MIHRAV included 29 items which were reduced to 18 items. EFA identified five factors which explained 72% of cumulative variance with high Cronbach's α (0.920). Discriminant validity showed adequate correlations ranging from 0.283 to 0.541. Predictive validity demonstrated that model was significantly able to predict "behavioural intention to help" (F (4128) = 24.139, P = 0.0001) and explained 43% of variance. CONCLUSION: The findings reveal that developed instrument "MIHRAV" is a reliable and valid scale for predicting behavioral intention among medical graduates for administering onsite care to road accident victims.

Revisiting bronchoscopic intratumoral chemotherapy in malignant central airway obstruction via EUS-B approach and its review of literature.

Critical central airway obstruction has always been a dreaded complication to which interventional pulmonologist commonly encounters. There have been various modalities which are used for the management and palliation, which includes mechanical coring, laser, cryoextraction, electrocautery and airway stenting. Rigid bronchoscopy with or without jet ventilation has been corner stone of therapeutics and palliation of central airway obstruction. There are only a few conditions where it is not possible to use rigid bronchoscopy. Here we report a case of metastatic tracheal tumour which presented with critical airway obstruction in a patient who had atlantoaxial instability (AAI) due to rheumatoid arthritis. Here we used endobronchial ultrasound scope (EBUS) via esophageal route, i.e. EUS-B guided approach for sampling of the tracheal tumour, and intratumoral chemotherapy was instilled in multiple sessions, which resulted in shrinking of tumour, thus relieving the critical airway obstruction. This is the first report of using EUS-B approach for intratumoral chemotherapy for tracheal tumors. Bronchoscopic intratumoral chemotherapy therapy (BITC) in tracheal tumors is also one of the options but has not been explored much and there has been a dearth of literature for it.

Early trends of socio-economic and health indicators influencing case fatality rate of COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus disease 2019, i.e. COVID-19, started as an outbreak in a district of China and has engulfed the world in a matter of 3 months. It is posing a serious health and economic challenge worldwide. However, case fatality rates (CFRs) have varied amongst various countries ranging from 0 to 8.91%. We have evaluated the effect of selected socio-economic and health indicators to explain this variation in CFR. Countries reporting a minimum of 50 cases as on 14th March 2020, were selected for this analysis. Data about the socio-economic indicators of each country was accessed from the World bank database and data about the health indicators were accessed from the World Health Organisation (WHO) database. Various socioeconomic indicators and health indicators were selected for this analysis. After selecting from univariate analysis, the indicators with the maximum correlation were used to build a model using multiple variable linear regression with a forward selection of variables and using adjusted R-squared score as the metric. We found univariate regression results were significant for GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per capita, POD 30/70 (Probability Of Dying Between Age 30 And Exact Age 70 From Any of Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, Diabetes or Chronic Respiratory Disease), HCI (Human Capital Index), GNI(Gross National Income) per capita, life expectancy, medical doctors per 10000 population, as these parameters negatively corelated with CFR (rho = -0.48 to -0.38 , p<0.05). Case fatality rate was regressed using ordinary least squares (OLS) against the socio-economic and health indicators. The indicators in the final model were GDP per capita, POD 30/70, HCI, life expectancy, medical doctors per 10,000, median age, current health expenditure per capita, number of confirmed cases and population in millions. The adjusted R-squared score was 0.306. Developing countries with a poor economy are especially vulnerable in terms of COVID-19 mortality and underscore the need to have a global policy to deal with this on-going pandemic. These trends largely confirm that the toll from COVID-19 will be worse in countries ill-equipped to deal with it. These analyses of epidemiological data are need of time as apart from increasing situational awareness, it guides us in taking informed interventions and helps policy-making to tackle this pandemic.

Extrapolation of mortality in COVID-19: Exploring the role of age, sex, co-morbidities and health-care related occupation.

We used a publicly available data of 44,672 patients reported by China's centre for disease control to study the role of age, sex, co-morbidities and health-care related occupation on COVID-19 mortality. The data is in the form of absolute numbers and proportions. Using the percentages, retrospective synthetic data of 100 survivors and 100 deaths were generated using random number libraries so that proportions of ages, genders, co-morbidities, and occupations were constant as in the original data. Logistic regression of the four predictor factors of age, sex, co-morbidities and occupation revealed that only age and comorbidities significantly affected mortality. Sex and occupation when adjusted for other factors in the equation were not significant predictors of mortality. Age and presence of co-morbidities correlated negatively with survival with co-efficient of -1.23 and -2.33 respectively. Odds ratio (OR) for dying from COVID-19 for every 10-year increase in age was 3.4 compared to the previous band of 10 years. OR for dying of COVID-19 was 10.3 for the presence of any of the co-morbidities. Our findings could help in triaging the patients in the emergency room and emphasize the need to protect the elderly and those with comorbidities from getting exposed.

Endobronchial pulmonary blastoma - an unusual presentation of a rare lung malignancy and review of literature.

Biphasic pulmonary blastoma (BPB) is an extremely rare highly aggressive malignant tumor that arises from fetal lung tissue and has the classical biphasic histology of epithelial and mesenchymal components. It is usually seen in adults with a slight male predominance and smokers. Previously grouped along with well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma (WDFA), and pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB), now it is considered a separate variant and grouped under sarcomatoid neoplasms. Symptoms include chest pain, cough, hemoptysis and it is asymptomatic in at least one-third of the cases. A biopsy is essential for diagnosis and surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Prognosis is poor with 5-year survival less than 20% and recurrence occurring within 12 months of surgery. An aggressive multimodality approach is required for its management and active follow up surveillance is needed to look for recurrence.

Obstructive sleep apnea and the effect of CPAP treatment on ischemia-modified albumin levels: a multi effect size meta-analysis with diagnostic test accuracy.

PURPOSE: A close association of oxidative stress (OS) and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been reported in the literature, but the results on IMA are ambiguous. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the association of IMA with OSA and the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on IMA in patients with OSA. METHODS: Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed and other databases in addition to manual searching of cross-references. Using random-effects model, the standardized mean differences (SMDs), pooled correlation coefficients and summary of diagnostic test accuracies were obtained with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The meta-regression, sub-group and sensitivity analyses were performed to explore heterogeneity. The presence of publication bias was tested using funnel plot analysis followed by Begg's and Egger's tests for statistical signidicance. RESULTS: This meta-analysis finally included nine studies. When comparing with non-OSA controls, the OSA patients showed a significantly increased circulatory IMA levels (SMD = 1.15, p = 0.0001). And, this increase is even more pronounced in severe-OSA group as compared to mild-moderate OSA patients (SMD = 076, p = 0.0006). A decrease in post-CPAP treatment IMA was observed when compared with that of baseline values. Meta-analysis of correlations showed significant associations of IMA with polysomnographic parameters. The pooled diagnostic odds ratio and area under curve were 19.58 and 0.888 (Q* = 0.819), respectively. There was no evidence of publication bias for the association of IMA with OSA. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that OSA is associated with significantly increased IMA levels which may indicate OS, ischemia and subclinical cardiovascular risk. In the diagnostic test accuracy meta-analysis, IMA showed good accuracy for OSA detection. However, further studies are required to establish its clinical utility.

Obstructive sleep apnoea with co existent Kleine-Levine syndrome in a middle-aged man.

Hypersomnia is a symptom which is pathognomonic of patients with Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS), but the cause of this finding remains undefined. Given the pervasive association between obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and excessive daytime sleepiness, there exists the possibility that OSA might contribute to the sleepiness exhibited by these patients. Here we report a middle age man who had excessive daytime sleepiness and diagnosed as OSA after polysomnography. Prescribing of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) lead to unmasking of episodes of increased sleepiness and other behavioural features of KLS.

Pancreatic pleural effusion masquerading as right sided tubercular pleural effusion.

Pleural effusion is easily diagnosed often managed optimally with standard protocols. It at times, is a diagnostic dilemma as it comes with big list of differential diagnosis. Pleural effusion due to pancreaticopleural fistula (PPF) is a rare and on right side is even rarer. Detailed history along with high index of suspicion in required to diagnose PPF, which is confirmed by increased level of pleural fluid amylase and lipase along with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) demonstrating fistula tract. Here we report the case of a young patient who presented with respiratory distress and was wrongly diagnosed as right sided tubercular effusion which later turned out to be pancreatic effusion. Management in our case was multi-disciplinary involving pulmonologist, gastroenterologist, radiologist and thoracic surgeon.

A Rare Case of Neurogenic Pulmonary Edema Following High-voltage Electrical Injury.

Electrical injuries though infrequent, are potentially devastating form of injuries which are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The severity of the injury depends upon intensity of the electrical current which is determined by the voltage and the resistance offered by the victim. These injuries vary from trivial burns to death. There have been few reports about pulmonary injuries due to electrical current but none mentioning neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE). Here we report a young boy who when exposed to high-voltage current developed neurogenic pulmonary edema and was successfully managed. Though there is no specific protocol for electrical injury but identifying the organs involved along with type of disease facilitates the management. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Chawla G, Dutt N, Ramniwas, Chauhan NK, Sharma V. A Rare Case of Neurogenic Pulmonary Edema Following High-voltage Electrical Injury. Indian J Crit Care Med 2019;23(10):486-488.

A Rare Case of Neurogenic Pulmonary Edema Following High-voltage Electrical Injury.

Electrical injuries though infrequent, are potentially devastating form of injuries which are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The severity of the injury depends upon intensity of the electrical current which is determined by the voltage and the resistance offered by the victim. These injuries vary from trivial burns to death. There have been few reports about pulmonary injuries due to electrical current but none mentioning neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE). Here we report a young boy who when exposed to high voltage current developed neurogenic pulmonary edema and was successfully managed. Though there is no specific protocol for electrical injury but identifying the organs involved along with type of disease facilitates the management. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Chawla G, Dutt N, Ramniwas, Chauhan N, Sharma V. A Rare Case of Neurogenic Pulmonary Edema Following High-voltage Electrical Injury. Indian J Crit Care Med 2019;23(8):384-386.