Epidemiology and outcomes of septic shock in children with complex chronic conditions in a developing country PICU

Abstract Objective: To investigate the role of Complex Chronic Conditions (CCCs) on the outcomes of pediatric patients with refractory septic shock, as well as the accuracy of PELOD-2 and Vasoactive Inotropic Score (VIS) to predict mortality in this specific population. Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study. All patients diagnosed with septic shock requiring vasoactive drugs admitted to a 13-bed PICU in southern Brazil, between January 2016 and July 2018, were included. Clinical and demographic characteristics, presence of CCCs and VIS, and PELOD-2 scores were accessed by reviewing electronic medical records. The main outcome was considered PICU mortality. Results: 218 patients with septic shock requiring vasoactive drugs were identified in the 30-month period and 72% of them had at least one CCC. Overall mortality was 22%. Comparing to patients without previous comorbidities, those with CCCs had a higher mortality (26.7% vs 9.8%; OR = 3.4 [1.3-8.4]) and longer hospital length of stay (29.3 vs 14.8; OR 2.39 [1.1-5.3]). Among the subgroups of CCCs, "Malignancy" was particularly associated with mortality (OR = 2.3 [1.0-5.1]). VIS and PELOD-2 scores in 24 and 48 hours were associated with mortality and a PELOD-2 in 48 hours > 8 had the best performance in predicting mortality in patients with CCC (AUROC = 0.89). Conclusion: Patients with CCCs accounted for the majority of those admitted to the PICU with septic shock and related to poor outcomes. The high prevalence of hospitalizations, use of resources, and significant mortality determine that patients with CCCs should be considered a priority in the healthcare system.

Características e evolução de pacientes queimados admitidos em unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica / Characteristics and outcome of burned children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar as características e a evolução de crianças internadas por queimaduras em unidade de terapia intensiva de trauma pediátrico para atendimento de queimados. Métodos: Estudo observacional, por meio da análise retrospectiva de crianças (< 16 anos) admitidas na unidade de terapia intensiva de trauma pediátrico vítimas de queimaduras, entre janeiro de 2013 e dezembro de 2015. Foram analisadas variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas: agente causal, superfície corporal queimada, presença de lesão inalatória, tempo de internação hospitalar e mortalidade. Resultados: Foram avaliados 140 pacientes, sendo 61,8% do sexo masculino, com mediana da idade de 24 meses e mortalidade geral de 5%. A principal causa de queimadura foi escaldamento (51,4%), seguida de acidente com fogo (38,6%) e choque elétrico (6,4%). Ventilação mecânica foi utilizada em 20,7% dos casos. Lesão inalatória associada apresentou risco relativo de 6,1 (3,5 - 10,7) para necessidade de suporte ventilatório e risco relativo para mortalidade de 14,1 (2,9 - 68,3) quando comparados aos pacientes sem esta lesão associada. Houve significativa associação entre a superfície queimada e a mortalidade (p < 0,002), atingindo 80% nos pacientes com mais de 50% de área queimada. Os pacientes que evoluíram ao óbito apresentaram Tobiasen's Abbreviated Burn Severity Index significativamente maior que os sobreviventes (9,6 ± 2,2 versus 4,4 ± 1,1; p < 0,001). Tobiasen's Abbreviated Burn Severity Index ≥ 7 representou risco relativo para morte de 68,4 (IC95% 9,1 - 513,5). Conclusão: As queimaduras por escaldamento são bastante frequentes e estão associadas à alta morbidade. A mortalidade está associada à superfície corporal queimada e à presença de lesão inalatória. Ênfase especial deve ser dada aos acidentes por fogo, reforçando o diagnóstico e o tratamento adequados da lesão inalatória.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the characteristics and outcomes of children hospitalized for burns in a pediatric trauma intensive care unit for burn patients. Methods: An observational study was conducted through the retrospective analysis of children (< 16 years) admitted to the pediatric trauma intensive care unit for burn victims between January 2013 and December 2015. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were analyzed including the causal agent, burned body surface, presence of inhalation injury, length of hospital stay and mortality. Results: The study analyzed a sum of 140 patients; 61.8% were male, with a median age of 24 months and an overall mortality of 5%. The main cause of burns was scalding (51.4%), followed by accidents involving fire (38.6%) and electric shock (6.4%). Mechanical ventilation was used in 20.7% of the cases. Associated inhalation injury presented a relative risk of 6.1 (3.5 - 10.7) of needing ventilatory support and a relative risk of mortality of 14.1 (2.9 - 68.3) compared to patients without this associated injury. A significant connection was found between burned body surface and mortality (p < 0.002), reaching 80% in patients with a burned area greater than 50%. Patients who died had a significantly higher Tobiasen Abbreviated Burn Severity Index than survivors (9.6 ± 2.2 versus 4.4 ± 1.1; p < 0.001). A Tobiasen Abbreviated Burn Severity Index ≥ 7 represented a relative risk of death of 68.4 (95%CI 9.1 - 513.5). Conclusion: Scalding burns are quite frequent and are associated with high morbidity. Mortality is associated with the amount of burned body surface and the presence of inhalation injury. Special emphasis should be given to accidents involving fire, reinforcing proper diagnosis and treatment of inhalation injury.

Manifestações dermatológicas da obesidade / Skin manifestations of obesity

A obesidade é um dos maiores problemas de saúde da atualidade. O Brasil é um dos países do mundo com maior prevalência, e Porto Alegre é a capital com maior número de pessoas com sobrepeso e/ou obesidade. Apesar disso, as manifestações dermatológicas da obesidade têm sido pouco estudadas. A pele é afetada pelo excesso de peso, devido a alterações em sua fisiologia, como a perda de fluidos transepidérmicos, vasodilatação, hiperinsulinemia, hiperandrogenismo e retardo na cicatrização de feridas. Nesse artigo, são revisadas as principais alterações cutâneas relacionadas à obesidade, entre elas, hiperceratose plantar, pseudoacantose nigricante, acrocórdons, ceratose pilar, estrias, hiperandrogenismo, psoríase, infecções bacterianas e fúngicas superficiais, linfedema e insuficiência venosa crônica.

Obesity is considered a major health problem nowadays. Brazil is one of the countries with the highest prevalence of the disease, and Porto Alegre is the capital with the highest number of patients with obesity or overweight. However, dermatologic manifestations related to obesity have not been well studied. Body weight excess affects the skin directly by changing its physiology such as: transepidermal fluid loss, vasodilatation, hyperinsulinemia, hyperandrogenism and impaired wound healing. This article reviews the major skin alterations related to obesity, like plantar hyperkeratosis, pseudoacanthosis nigricans, acrochordons, keratosis pilaris, striae, hyperandrogenism, psoriasis, superficial bacterial and fungal infections, lymphedema and chronic venous insufficiency.