Fluid Resuscitation With Lactated Ringer's Solution Versus Normal Saline in Acute Pancreatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to summarize the overall association between the choice of fluid (lactated Ringer's [LR] or normal saline [NS]) and clinical outcomes in patients with acute pancreatitis. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed in electronic databases to identify eligible randomized controlled trials. Meta-analyses with the random-effects and IVhet models were used to estimate the pooled odds ratio (OR) for outcomes of interest with the administration of LR relative to NS, at 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in the odds of intensive care unit admission and development of local complications, respectively, with the administration of LR among hospitalized patients with acute pancreatitis relative to administration of NS (pooled ORs, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.13-0.81] and 0.43 [95% CI, 0.21-0.89], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are able to assist clinicians in the navigation of the proper choice of fluid in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Use of potentially inappropriate medications among older outpatients and inpatients in a tertiary care hospital in Malaysia.

BACKGROUND: Older individuals are seemingly having more medical conditions, which predispose them to a greater risk of polypharmacy. Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), including those having anticholinergic and sedative properties, are common in their prescriptions, often associated with functional decline and negative health outcomes. Thus, this study reports proportions of inappropriate drugs and drug burden exposures and its correlation with patient-reported outcomes (PROs) among cognitively intact older adults admitted to a ward or visiting the outpatient clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Malaysia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included data from 344 older (173 inpatients and 171 outpatients) patients, aged 60 years and above, through validated questionnaires. Medication appropriateness was assessed via Medication Appropriateness Index (MAI) tool, whereas Beers and Screening Tool of Older Person's Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing (STOPP) criteria were used to evaluate PIMs and potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP), respectively. The Drug Burden Index (DBI) and polypharmacy, as well as PROs, included Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI), Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (Katz ADL) and Older People's Quality of Life (OPQOL) were also evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, inpatients received significantly higher medications (6.90 ± 2.70 vs 4.49 ± 3.20) than outpatients. A significantly higher proportion of inpatients received at least one PIM (65% vs 57%) or PIP (57.4% vs 17.0%) and higher mean MAI score (1.76 ± 1.08 and 1.10 ± 0.34) and DBI score (2.67 ± 1.28 vs 1.49 ± 1.17) than outpatients. Inpatients had significantly higher total OPQOL (118.53 vs 79.95) and GFI score (5.44 vs 3.78) than outpatients. We only found significant correlations between GFI and DBI and total OPQOL and the number of PIMs. CONCLUSIONS: Proportions of PIMs and DBI exposure were significantly higher in an inpatient setting. No significant correlations between exposures to inappropriate medications or drug burden and PROs were observed.

Correlation of ultrasonography and surgical outcome in patients with testicular torsion.

INTRODUCTION: Testicular torsion is a surgical emergency that is caused by twisting of the spermatic cord and its content. This condition causes irreversible changes after 6 hours. Early recognition and management of testicular torsion is important for testicular salvage and preservation of fertility. METHODS: This is a retrospective study done on all patients who presented with acute scrotal pain from January 2013 to December 2017. The data collected included the patient's age, symptoms, the time duration between the onset, ultrasound, and surgery, ultrasound findings with Doppler and the surgical intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0. Data are presented as mean (SD) values. Differences between groups and predictive values were calculated using Chi-square, t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test and are expressed by value with 95% CI. RESULTS: The total number of patients who presented with acute scrotal pain were 88. Testicular torsion was diagnosed in 55 (62.50%) of the patients, 17 (19.32%) had epididymis-orchitis, 5 (5.68%) had torsion of appendage/cyst, and 11 (12.50%) had normal testis. Ultrasound has a sensitivity and specificity of 88.24% and 68.40% respectively. It is a good tool to detect testicular torsion but it is operator dependent. Positive predictive value was 83.33% and negative predictive value was 76.47%. When ultrasound is combined with clinical findings the rate of negative exploration is reduced by 10%. CONCLUSION: Good medical history, appropriate clinical evaluation and performing an ultrasound of the scrotum are important in testicular torsion. US evaluation in cases presented after 24 hours does not change the outcome.

Clinical characteristics and predictors of 5-year survival among colorectal cancer patients in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Malaysia. Its disease burden is likely to increase over time owing to its current trends in this region. This study was undertaken to determine the 5-year survival rate and prognostic factors for survival in colorectal cancer patients treated in a tertiary hospital, in Malaysia. METHODS: We reviewed the records of colorectal cancer patients treated in Hospital Tuanku Ja'afar Seremban, Malaysia from 2008 to 2012. Survival analysis at five years was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was carried out to determine the predictors of 5-year colorectal cancer survival. RESULTS: Of the 275 patients, 43.3% were colon cancers, 51.8% were rectal cancers. Only 2.2% were diagnosed in Stage I. 28.7%, 33.1%, and 16.7% were in Stage II, III and IV respectively; 62/79 (78%) of Stage II patients were in Stage IIb; 15.7% of patients were below the age of 50 and fewer of them presented early (P=0.002). The overall 5-year survival was 46.5%. It was 67.9%, 50.5% and 12.8% for Stage I&II, III and IV patients respectively. Early stage of cancer (P<0.001) and age below the mean (P=0.01) were the most significant factor in predicting better survival. Gender and ethnic group were not associated with late presentation nor survival. Neither was there a difference between colon and rectum cancers nor patients who received elective surgical treatment compared to patients receiving other treatment first (P=0.085). CONCLUSIONS: Late presentation is the most important predictor for poor outcome for colorectal cancer in Seremban. Patients under the age of 50 years present late more often, but do not have poorer survival.