Postdischarge thromboembolic outcomes and mortality of hospitalized patients with COVID-19: the CORE-19 registry.

Thromboembolic events, including venous thromboembolism (VTE) and arterial thromboembolism (ATE), and mortality from subclinical thrombotic events occur frequently in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) inpatients. Whether the risk extends postdischarge has been controversial. Our prospective registry included consecutive patients with COVID-19 hospitalized within our multihospital system from 1 March to 31 May 2020. We captured demographics, comorbidities, laboratory parameters, medications, postdischarge thromboprophylaxis, and 90-day outcomes. Data from electronic health records, health informatics exchange, radiology database, and telephonic follow-up were merged. Primary outcome was a composite of adjudicated VTE, ATE, and all-cause mortality (ACM). Principal safety outcome was major bleeding (MB). Among 4906 patients (53.7% male), mean age was 61.7 years. Comorbidities included hypertension (38.6%), diabetes (25.1%), obesity (18.9%), and cancer history (13.1%). Postdischarge thromboprophylaxis was prescribed in 13.2%. VTE rate was 1.55%; ATE, 1.71%; ΑCM, 4.83%; and MB, 1.73%. Composite primary outcome rate was 7.13% and significantly associated with advanced age (odds ratio [OR], 3.66; 95% CI, 2.84-4.71), prior VTE (OR, 2.99; 95% CI, 2.00-4.47), intensive care unit (ICU) stay (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.78-2.93), chronic kidney disease (CKD; OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.47-3.0), peripheral arterial disease (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.10-3.80), carotid occlusive disease (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.30-3.14), IMPROVE-DD VTE score ≥4 (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.06-2.14), and coronary artery disease (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.04-2.17). Postdischarge anticoagulation was significantly associated with reduction in primary outcome (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.47-0.81). Postdischarge VTE, ATE, and ACM occurred frequently after COVID-19 hospitalization. Advanced age, cardiovascular risk factors, CKD, IMPROVE-DD VTE score ≥4, and ICU stay increased risk. Postdischarge anticoagulation reduced risk by 46%.

Thyroglobulin flare response after radioiodine ablation in 2 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.

Serum thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement facilitates monitoring differentiated thyroid cancer. We describe 2 patients with papillary thyroid cancer who developed dramatic transient serum Tg level elevations within 1 week of I radioiodine (RAI) ablation without cancer recurrence on follow-up. The first patient received recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone injections. The pre-injection Tg level was 3.8 µg/L and increased to 3060 µg/L 3 days post-RAI. In the second patient, the serum Tg level increased from 1.3 µg/L to 209.9 µg/L 7 days after RAI. This transient early serum Tg "flare response" could be misleading if interpreted as suggesting more extensive high-risk thyroid cancer.

Urinary Iodine Clearance following Iodinated Contrast Administration: A Comparison of Euthyroid and Postthyroidectomy Subjects.

Purpose. To compare iodine clearance following iodinated contrast administration in thyroidectomised thyroid cancer patients and euthyroid individuals. Methods. A convenience population (6 thyroidectomised thyroid cancer patients and 7 euthyroid controls) was drawn from patients referred for iodinated contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) studies. Subjects had sequential urine samples collected up to 6 months (50 samples from the thyroidectomised and 63 samples from the euthyroid groups). t-tests and generalised estimating equations (GEE) were used to test for group differences in urinary iodine creatinine ratios. Results. Groups had similar urinary iodine creatinine ratios at baseline, with a large increase 2 weeks following iodinated contrast (P = 0.005). Both groups had a return of urinary iodine creatinine ratios to baseline by 4 weeks, with no significant group differences overall or at any time point. Conclusions. Thyroidectomised patients did not have a significantly different urinary iodine clearance than euthyroid individuals following administration of iodinated contrast. Both had a return of urinary iodine creatinine ratios to baseline within 4 weeks.

Predictors of insulin resistance in the obese with metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: In the obese, the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is assumed to reflect insulin resistance. OBJECTIVE: To determine the predictors of insulin resistance in obese subjects with MetS. DESIGN: We used the 90th percentile of the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) to define insulin resistance in 4958 nondiabetic adults evaluated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 1999-2004, and compared the 373 obese subjects who were insulin-resistant (HOMA 9.52+/-5.73) to a control group of 373 obese who had the highest sensitivity to insulin (HOMA 1.79+/-0.44). MEASUREMENTS: MetS was present in 312 (83.6%) obese with insulin resistance and in 156 (41.8%) obese from the insulin-sensitive control group. Demographic, metabolic, and lifestyle variables were analyzed with logistic regression. RESULTS: In a logistic model of insulin resistance given the presence of MetS, the significant predictors were triglycerides (P=0.0021), body mass index (P=0.0096), HDL-cholesterol (P=0.0098), age (P=0.0242) and smoking (P=0.0366). LIMITATIONS: Cross-sectional design prevents elucidation of causality for the association between insulin resistance and MetS. CONCLUSIONS: Insulin resistance is not an obligatory correlate of MetS in the obese. Its likelihood can be predicted by cigarette smoking and by the severity of obesity and dyslipidemia.

Design, implementation, and outcome of a hands-on arthrocentesis workshop.

INTRODUCTION: During a 4-week rheumatology elective at our institution, opportunities for internal medicine residents to perform arthrocentesis were limited, particularly for sites other than the knee. Consequently, residents were inadequately prepared and had less self-confidence to perform such procedures. To overcome these educational deficiencies, an arthrocentesis workshop was developed. We report our quality improvement data that was collected during the first year of workshop implementation. METHODS: We devised a structured half-day arthrocentesis workshop for rheumatology fellows as well as rotating internal medicine residents. This program consisted of a one hour lecture immediately followed by a hands-on workshop that used mannequin models for 5 anatomic sites. A self-assessment questionnaire and medical knowledge test were administered before and after each session. The accuracy of the self-assessment questionnaire was analyzed by comparing responses to an external objective measure of knowledge in the same content area. Finally, an optional postworkshop survey addressed resident satisfaction. RESULTS: Thirty-eight trainees participated in the workshop between July 2006 and June 2007. There were statistically significant improvements in self-confidence in 9 content areas (P < 0.0002), cognitive testing (P < 0.0001) and in self-assurance of procedural skill at all anatomic sites. A high degree of discordance was found between the perceived level of competence and the actual performance on the medical knowledge test during the preworkshop analysis. In contrast, the postworkshop analysis displayed modestly higher concordance. All residents completing a postworkshop survey believed that it was a useful exercise, and 96% stated that they would change their practice habits. CONCLUSION: The arthrocentesis workshop provided a solid foundation from which trainees can learn key concepts of joint injection, increase their self-confidence and refine their motor skills. The accuracy of resident self-reported confidence is poor and should therefore be used only to complement other means of competency assessment and medical knowledge acquisition.