Predictive value of the World falls guidelines algorithm within the AGELESS-MELoR cohort.

AIM: The World Falls Guidelines (WFG) Task Force published a falls risk stratification algorithm in 2022. However, its adaptability is uncertain in low- and middle-income settings such as Malaysia due to different risk factors and limited resources. We evaluated the effectiveness of the WFG risk stratification algorithm in predicting falls among community-dwelling older adults in Malaysia. METHODS: Data from the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research subset of the Transforming Cognitive Frailty into Later-Life Self-Sufficiency cohort study was utilized. From 2013-2015, participants aged ≥55 years were selected from the electoral rolls of three parliamentary constituencies in Klang Valley. Risk categorisation was performed using baseline data. Falls prediction values were determined using follow-up data from wave 2 (2015-2016), wave 3 (2019) and wave 4 (2020-2022). RESULTS: Of 1,548 individuals recruited, 737 were interviewed at wave 2, 858 at wave 3, and 742 at wave 4. Falls were reported by 13.4 %, 29.8 % and 42.9 % of the low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups at wave 2, 19.4 %, 25.5 % and 32.8 % at wave 3, and 25.8 %, 27.7 % and 27.0 % at wave 4, respectively. At wave 2, the algorithm generated a sensitivity of 51.3 % (95 %CI, 43.1-59.2) and specificity of 80.1 % (95 %CI, 76.6-83.2). At wave 3, sensitivity was 29.4 % (95 %CI, 23.1-36.6) and specificity was 81.6 % (95 %CI, 78.5-84.5). At wave 4, sensitivity was 26.0 % (95 %CI, 20.2-32.8) and specificity was 78.4 % (95 %CI, 74.7-81.8). CONCLUSION: The algorithm has high specificity and low sensitivity in predicting falls, with decreasing sensitivity over time. Therefore, regular reassessments should be made to identify individuals at risk of falling.

The Incidence and Predictors of Failed Spinal Anesthesia After Intrathecal Injection of Local Anesthetic for Cesarean Delivery: A Single-Center, 9-Year Retrospective Review.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of failed spinal anesthesia varies widely in the obstetric literature. Although many risk factors have been suggested, their relative predictive value is unknown. The primary objective of this retrospective cohort study was to determine the incidence of failed spinal anesthesia for cesarean deliveries at a tertiary care obstetric hospital, and its secondary objectives were to identify predictors of failed spinal anesthesia in the obstetrics population and quantify their relative importance in a predictive model for failure. METHODS: With local institutional ethics committee approval, a retrospective review of our hospital database identified the incidence of failed spinal anesthesia for 5361 cesarean deliveries between 2010 and 2019. We performed a multivariable analysis to assess the association of predictors with failure and a dominance analysis to assess the importance of each predictor. RESULTS: The incidence of failed spinal anesthesia requiring an alternative anesthetic was 2.1%, with conversion to general anesthesia occurring in 0.7% of surgeries. Supplemental analgesia or sedation was provided to an additional 2.0% of women. The most important predictors of a failed spinal anesthetic were previous cesarean delivery (odds ratio [OR], 11.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.09-18.20; P < .001), concomitant tubal ligation (OR, 8.23; 95% CI, 3.12-19.20; P < .001), lower body mass index (BMI) (kg·m -2 , OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.90-0.98; P = .005), and longer surgery duration (minutes, OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03; P = .006). Previous cesarean delivery was the most significant risk factor, contributing to 9.6% of the total 17% variance predicted by all predictors examined. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal anesthesia failed to provide a pain-free surgery in 4.1% of our cesarean deliveries. Previous cesarean delivery was the most important predictor of spinal failure. Other important predictors included tubal ligation, lower BMI, and longer surgery duration.

The association between labour epidural analgesia and postpartum depression in primiparous patients: a historical cohort study.

PURPOSE: Peripartum pain has been associated with postpartum depression (PPD), and labour epidural analgesia (LEA) may be able to modify this risk. The objective of this historical cohort study was to examine the association between LEA and PPD among primiparous patients. METHODS: With institutional research ethics board approval, a provincial perinatal database was searched for primiparous patients who delivered a liveborn singleton infant between 2004 and 2018. Those patients who experienced PPD following their first delivery were identified by a history of PPD in the perinatal records of their second pregnancy. We used logistic regression to compute odds ratios (ORs) for the association between LEA and PPD and performed an adjusted analysis to control for confounding variables. RESULTS: A total of 35,437 primiparous patients were identified, 67% (n = 23,599) of whom received LEA. In the cohort, 3.7% (n = 1,296) of patients developed PPD. Patients who received LEA had increased odds of developing PPD compared with patients who did not receive LEA (adjusted OR, 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 1.48). In a multivariable regression model, LEA remained a significant predictor for PPD, as did body mass index, pre-existing anxiety, and maternal antidepressant use. CONCLUSION: This historical cohort study found an association between LEA and PPD among primiparous patients who subsequently had a second pregnancy in the same province. The findings call into question the hypothesis that LEA decreases the risk for PPD and further illustrates the complexities of PPD.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: La douleur péripartum a été associée à la dépression post-partum (DPP), et l'analgésie péridurale obstétricale (APO) pourrait modifier ce risque. L'objectif de cette étude de cohorte historique était d'examiner l'association entre l'APO et la DPP chez les primipares. MéTHODE: Après avoir obtenu l'approbation du comité d'éthique de la recherche de l'établissement, une base de données périnatale provinciale a été consultée pour trouver des personnes primipares qui ont accouché d'un seul enfant vivant né entre 2004 et 2018. Les primipares qui ont présenté une DPP après leur premier accouchement ont été identifiées par la présence d'antécédents de DPP dans les dossiers périnataux de leur deuxième grossesse. Nous avons utilisé la régression logistique pour calculer les rapports de cotes (RC) pour l'association entre l'APO et la DPP et réalisé une analyse ajustée pour tenir compte des variables de confusion. RéSULTATS: Au total, nous avons identifié 35 437 personnes primipares, dont 67 % (n = 23 599) ont bénéficié d'une APO. Dans la cohorte, 3,7 % (n = 1296) ont manifesté une DPP. Les personnes ayant reçu une APO présentaient un risque accru de développer une DPP par rapport aux primipares qui n'avaient pas reçu d'APO (RC ajusté, 1,29; intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 %, 1,12 à 1,48). Dans un modèle de régression multivariée, l'APO est restée un prédicteur significatif de DPP, tout comme l'indice de masse corporelle, une anxiété préexistante et l'utilisation maternelle d'antidépresseurs. CONCLUSION: Cette étude de cohorte historique a révélé une association entre l'APO et la DPP chez les personnes primipares qui ont par la suite eu une deuxième grossesse dans la même province. Les résultats remettent en question l'hypothèse selon laquelle l'APO diminue le risque de DPP et illustre davantage les complexités de la DPP.

Provider and Public Health Adaptation to Changing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidance for Zika Virus, 2015-2017.

In 2015, Harris County (Texas) Public Health responded to the Zika virus (ZIKV) threat by investigating every report of potential ZIKV infection, including those with negative laboratory results, through December 2017. Before investigations, 40.6% of patients who were indicated for testing received it in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. By investigating reports with negative ZIKV results, we increased the number of patients receiving correct and complete laboratory testing to 54.5%, and improved dissemination of evolving guidelines to partners across the health care spectrum.

Influenza A (H3) Outbreak at a Hurricane Harvey Megashelter in Harris County, Texas: Successes and Challenges in Disease Identification and Control Measure Implementation.

ABSTRACTWhen Hurricane Harvey landed along the Texas coast on August 25, 2017, it caused massive flooding and damage and displaced tens of thousands of residents of Harris County, Texas. Between August 29 and September 23, Harris County, along with community partners, operated a megashelter at NRG Center, which housed 3365 residents at its peak. Harris County Public Health conducted comprehensive public health surveillance and response at NRG, which comprised disease identification through daily medical record reviews, nightly "cot-to-cot" resident health surveys, and epidemiological consultations; messaging and communications; and implementation of control measures including stringent isolation and hygiene practices, vaccinations, and treatment. Despite the lengthy operation at the densely populated shelter, an early seasonal influenza A (H3) outbreak of 20 cases was quickly identified and confined. Influenza outbreaks in large evacuation shelters after a disaster pose a significant threat to populations already experiencing severe stressors. A holistic surveillance and response model, which consists of coordinated partnerships with onsite agencies, in-time epidemiological consultations, predesigned survey tools, trained staff, enhanced isolation and hygiene practices, and sufficient vaccines, is essential for effective disease identification and control. The lessons learned and successes achieved from this outbreak may serve for future disaster response settings. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:97-101).

Transmission of Hepatitis A Virus through Combined Liver-Small Intestine-Pancreas Transplantation.

Although transmission of hepatitis A virus (HAV) through blood transfusion has been documented, transmission through organ transplantation has not been reported. In August 2015, state health officials in Texas, USA, were notified of 2 home health nurses with HAV infection whose only common exposure was a child who had undergone multi-visceral organ transplantation 9 months earlier. Specimens from the nurses, organ donor, and all organ recipients were tested and medical records reviewed to determine a possible infection source. Identical HAV RNA sequences were detected from the serum of both nurses and the organ donor, as well as from the multi-visceral organ recipient's serum and feces; this recipient's posttransplant liver and intestine biopsy specimens also had detectable virus. The other organ recipients tested negative for HAV RNA. Vaccination of the donor might have prevented infection in the recipient and subsequent transmission to the healthcare workers.

Notes from the Field: Health Care-Associated Hepatitis A Outbreak - Texas, 2015.

On August 27-28, 2015, the Texas Department of State Health Services received calls from Fort Bend County and Harris County health departments requesting postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) recommendations for contacts of two nurses (patients A and B) with confirmed hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. Both nurses had symptom onset during August 15-19 and worked for the same pediatric home health care agency in another jurisdiction. Because of the proximity of the onset dates, a common source exposure was suspected. The state and local health departments began an investigation to identify potentially exposed patients, their families, and other agency personnel; offer PEP; and identify the source of exposure.