Frailty assessment as independent prognostic factor for patients ≥65 years undergoing urgent cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate, in a prospective observational cohort study of adults ≥65 years old, the frailty status at the emergency department (ED) admission for the in-hospital death risk stratification of patients needing urgent cholecystectomy. METHODS: Clinical variables and frailty status assessed in the ED were evaluated for the association with major complications and the need for open surgery. The parameters evaluated were frailty, comorbidities, physiological parameters, surgical approach, and laboratory values at admission. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for poor outcomes. RESULTS: The study enrolled 358 patients aged ≥65 years [median age 74 years]; 190 males (53.1%)]. Overall, 259 patients (72.4%) were classified as non-frail, and 99 (27.6%) as frail. The covariate-adjusted analysis revealed that frailty (P< 0.001), and open surgery (P = 0.015) were independent predictors of major complications. Frailty, peritonitis, constipation at ED admission, and Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥ 4 were associated with higher odds of open surgical approach (2.06 [1.23 - 3.45], 2.49 [1.13 - 5.48], 11.59 [2.26 - 59.55], 2.45 [1.49 - 4.02]; respectively). DISCUSSION: In patients aged ≥65 years undergoing urgent cholecystectomy, the evaluation of functional status in the ED could predict the risk of open surgical approach and major complications. Frail patients have an increased risk both for major complications and need for "open" surgical approach.

ABCD2, ABCD2-I, and OTTAWA scores for stroke risk assessment: a direct retrospective comparison.

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a neurologic emergency characterized by cerebral ischemia eliciting a temporary focal neurological deficit. Many clinical prediction scores have been proposed to assess the risk of stroke after TIA; however, studies on their clinical validity and comparisons among them are scarce. The objective is to compare the accuracy of ABCD2, ABCD2-I, and OTTAWA scores in the prediction of a stroke at 7, 90 days, and 1 year in patients presenting with TIA. Single-centre, retrospective study including patients with TIA admitted to the Emergency Department of our third-level, University Hospital, between 2018 and 2019. Five hundred three patients were included. Thirty-nine (7.7%) had a stroke within 1 year from the TIA: 9 (1.7%) and 24 (4.7%) within 7 and 90 days, respectively. ABCD2, ABCD2-I, and OTTAWA scores were significantly higher in patients who developed a stroke. AUROCs ranged from 0.66 to 0.75, without statistically significant differences at each time-point. Considering the best cut-off of each score, only ABCD2 > 3 showed a sensitivity of 100% only in the prediction of stroke within 7 days. Among clinical items of each score, duration of symptoms, previous TIA, hemiparesis, speech disturbance, gait disturbance, previous cerebral ischemic lesions, and known carotid artery disease were independent predictors of stroke. Clinical scores have moderate prognostic accuracy for stroke after TIA. Considering the independent predictors for stroke, our study indicates the need to continue research and prompts the development of new tools on predictive scores for TIA.

Frailty Assessment in the Emergency Department for Patients ≥80 Years Undergoing Urgent Major Surgical Procedures.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate, in a cohort of adults ≥80 years old, the frailty status at the emergency department (ED) admission, for the in-hospital death risk stratification of patients needing major surgical procedures. DESIGN: Single-center prospective observational cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The study was conducted in the ED of a teaching hospital. We enrolled all patients ≥80 years old consecutively admitted to the ED for conditions requiring urgent surgical procedures, between 2018 and 2021. METHODS: Clinical variables and frailty status assessed in the ED were evaluated for the association with all-cause in-hospital death. The parameters evaluated were frailty [assessed by the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS)], comorbidities, physiological parameters, type of surgery needed, laboratory values at admission. Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for poor outcomes. RESULTS: The study enrolled 1039 patients aged ≥80 years [median age 85 years (interquartile range 82-89); 445 males (42.8%)]. Overall, 127 patients (12.2%) were classified as nonfrail (CFS score 1-3), 722 (69.5%) as mild frail (CFS score 4-6), and 190 (18.3%) as frail (CFS score 7-9). The covariate-adjusted analysis revealed that severe frailty [hazard ratio (HR) 12.55, 95% CI 2.96-53.21, P = .016], ≥3 comorbidities (HR 2.08, 95% CI 1.31-3.31, P = .002), shock at ED presentation (HR 3.58, 95% CI 2.16-5.92, P < .001), anemia (HR 1.88, 95% CI 1.17-3.04, P = .009), and neurosurgery procedures (HR 3.97, 95% CI 1.98-7.96, P < .001) were independent risk factors for in-hospital death. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: In patients aged ≥80 years undergoing urgent surgical procedures, the evaluation of functional status in the ED could predict the risk of in-hospital death. Frail patients have an increased risk of death and major complications, whereas those with mild frailty have a similar prognosis compared with the more fit ones. Nonsurgical management should be considered in the case of severely frail and comorbid patients aged ≥80 years needing neurosurgery or abdominal surgery.

Frailty Assessment in the Emergency Department for Risk Stratification of COVID-19 Patients Aged ≥80 Years.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate, in a cohort of adults aged ≥80 years, the overlapping effect of clinical severity, comorbidities, cognitive impairment, and frailty, for the in-hospital death risk stratification of COVID-19 older patients since emergency department (ED) admission. DESIGN: Single-center prospective observational cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The study was conducted in the ED of a teaching hospital that is a referral center for COVID-19 in central Italy. We enrolled all patients with aged ≥80 years old consecutively admitted to the ED between April 2020 and March 2021. METHODS: Clinical variables assessed in the ED were evaluated for the association with all-cause in-hospital death. Evaluated parameters were severity of disease, frailty, comorbidities, cognitive impairment, delirium, and dependency in daily life activities. Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for poor outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 729 patients aged ≥80 years were enrolled [median age 85 years (interquartile range 82-89); 346 were males (47.3%)]. According to the Clinical Frailty Scale, 61 (8.4%) were classified as fit, 417 (57.2%) as vulnerable, and 251 (34.4%) as frail. Severe disease [hazard ratio (HR) 1.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.31-2.59], ≥3 comorbidities (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.11-2.13), male sex (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.14-1.87), and frailty (HR 6.93, 95% CI 1.69-28.27) for vulnerable and an overall HR of 12.55 (95% CI 2.96-53.21) for frail were independent risk factors for in-hospital death. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The ED approach to older patients with COVID-19 should take into account the functional and clinical characteristics of patients being admitted. A sole evaluation based on the clinical severity and the presence of comorbidities does not reflect the complexity of this population. A comprehensive evaluation based on clinical severity, multimorbidity, and frailty could effectively predict the clinical risk of in-hospital death for patients with COVID-19 aged ≥80 years at the time of ED presentation.

Early Procalcitonin Assessment in the Emergency Department in Patients with Intra-Abdominal Infection: An Excess or a Need?

Background: Intra-abdominal infection (IAI) is a wide range of intra-abdominal disease. Management involves empirical therapy and source control. Procalcitonin (PCT) has been suggested to assist in defining individual infection status and delivering individualized therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects on patient outcomes of an early procalcitonin (PCT) assessment (in the emergency department [ED]) in patients with IAI. Methods: This was a retrospective, mono-centric study evaluating consecutive patients admitted to the ED from 2015 to 2019 with diagnosis of IAI. According to whether there had been PCT determination in the ED, patients were divided into no ePCT determination (no-ePCT) and early PCT determination in the ED (ePCT). The primary endpoint was the intra-hospital mortality rate. Secondary endpoints were occurrence of major complications and length of hospital stay (LOS). The propensity score match (PSM) was generated using a logistic regression model on the baseline covariates considered to be potentially influencing the decision to determine PCT in the ED and confounding factors identified as significant at a preliminary statistical analysis with respect to in-hospital death. Results: A series of 3,429 patients were included. The ePCT group consisted to 768 (22.4%), whereas the no-ePCT group contained 2,661 patients (77.6%). When the PSM was matched to the two groups, no significant difference was observed. Considering patients with uncomplicated infections, the PCT determination was associated with a higher mortality rate. We found no significant differences regarding outcomes with the exception of LOS, which was slightly longer in the ePCT group. However, we observed a tendency toward a minor difference in the number of complications in the ePCT group, in particular a reduced rate of progression to sepsis. Conclusion: Early PCT determination could be irrelevant in IAIs. The PCT value may be cost-effective and possibly improve the prognosis in cIAIs. Further research is needed to understand the optimal use of PCT, including in combination with other emerging diagnostic tests.

Risk Management and Treatment of Coagulation Disorders Related to COVID-19 Infection.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging infectious disease. Bilateral pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and coagulation activation are key features of severe COVID-19. Fibrinogen and D-dimer levels are typically increased. The risk for venous thromboembolism is markedly increased, especially in patients in the intensive care unit despite prophylactic dose anticoagulation. Pulmonary microvascular thrombosis has also been described and the risk for arterial thrombotic diseases also appears to be increased while bleeding is less common than thrombosis, but it can occur. Evaluation for venous thromboembolism may be challenging because symptoms of pulmonary embolism overlap with COVID-19, and imaging studies may not be feasible in all cases. The threshold for evaluation or diagnosis of thromboembolism should be low given the high frequency of these events. Management and treatment are new challenges due to the paucity of high-quality evidence regarding efficacy and safety of different approaches to prevent or treat thromboembolic complications of the disease. All inpatients should receive thromboprophylaxis unless contraindicated. Some institutional protocols provide more aggressive anticoagulation with intermediate or even therapeutic dose anticoagulation for COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU. Therapeutic dose anticoagulation is always appropriate to treat deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, unless contraindicated. This article reviews evaluation and management of coagulation abnormalities in individuals with COVID-19.

Development and Validation of Predictive Assessment of Complicated Diverticulitis Score.

The prevalence of acute diverticulitis (AD) has progressively increased in recent decades, with correspondingly greater morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study is to develop a predictive score to identify patients with the highest risk of complicated AD. The clinical records of 1089 patients referred to the emergency department (ED) over a five-year period were reviewed. In multivariate analysis, male sex (p < 0.001), constipation (p = 0.002), hemoglobin < 11.9 g/dL (p < 0.001), C reactive protein > 80 mg/L (p < 0.001), severe obesity (p = 0.049), and no proton pump inhibitor treatment (p = 0.003) were independently associated with complicated AD. The predictive assessment of complicated (PACO)-diverticulitis (D) score, including these six variables, was applied to the retrospective cohort and then validated prospectively in a cohort including 282 patients. It categorized patients into three risk classes for complicated AD. The PACO-D score showed fair discrimination for complicated AD with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.674 and 0.648, in the retrospective and prospective cohorts, respectively. The PACO-D score could be a practical clinical tool to identify patients at highest risk for complicated AD referred to the ED so that appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic resources could be appropriately allocated. Further external validation is needed to confirm these results.

Risk Management in First Aid for Acute Drug Intoxication.

Drug abuse (cannabis, cocaine, opiates, and synthetic drugs) is an increasing phenomenon, especially in the younger population, thus leading to more cases of intoxication requiring evaluation in the emergency department and subsequent hospitalization. In 2017, 34.2% of students reported having used an illegal psychoactive substance in their lifetime, while 26% reported having done so over the past year. We made a review about the effectiveness of the role of the temporary observation unit in the emergency department to improve management of acute drugs intoxication. We checked medical literature from the last 10 years (2009-2019). The following electronic databases were systematically searched: MEDLINE-PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Then, a systematic review was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review standards. Intoxicated patients usually display a favorable medical course, few diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, a short stay in the hospital, and, when hospitalization is needed, semi-intensive therapy is a feasible solution; therefore, intoxicated patients are ideal candidates for a temporary observation unit. The emergency department is very important to manage intoxicated patients; however, the hospitalization of these patients is often not necessary.

Helicobacter pylori "Test-and-Treat" strategy with urea breath test: A cost-effective strategy for the management of dyspepsia and the prevention of ulcer and gastric cancer in Spain-Results of the Hp-Breath initiative.

BACKGROUND: Data from clinical trials comparing Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) management strategies in patients with dyspepsia are limited. Cost-effectiveness simulation models might help to identify the optimal strategy. OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost-effectiveness of the H. pylori "Test and Treat" (T&T) strategy including the use of urea breath test (UBT) vs symptomatic treatment (ST) and vs upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) as a first procedure in patients with dyspepsia. METHODS: Three main strategies: "T&T" strategy including the use of UBT, "UGE" and "ST" have been compared using cost-effectiveness models developed in accordance with the Spanish medical practice. For the model simulations, a time horizon of 4 weeks was considered for the endpoint "Dyspepsia symptoms relief" and 10 years when using "Peptic ulcer avoided" and "Gastric cancer avoided" endpoints. RESULTS: For the endpoint "Dyspepsia symptoms relief", T&T strategy appears to be the most cost-effective (883€/success) compared to UGE strategy and to ST strategy (respectively 1628€ and 990€/success). For the endpoint "Probability of peptic ulcer", the T&T strategy appears to be the most cost-effective (421€/peptic ulcer avoided/y) compared to UGE strategy and ST strategy (respectively 728€ and 632€/peptic ulcer avoided/y). For the endpoint "Gastric cancer avoided", the T&T strategy appears to be the most cost-effective (524€/gastric cancer avoided/y) compared to UGE strategy and "ST" strategy (respectively 716€ and 696€/gastric cancer avoided/y). CONCLUSIONS: T&T strategy including the use of UBT is the most cost-effective medical approach for management of dyspepsia and for the prevention of ulcer and gastric cancer.