COVID-19 Infection and Clinical Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Insights From the National Inpatient Sample.

Background: Coronavirus-19, primarily a respiratory virus, affects multiple organs and can lead to exacerbation of autoimmune or systemic conditions. Patients with autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis particularly, are susceptible to infection and complications from COVID-19. RA has become well-associated with COVID-19 infections, but large-scale studies evaluating outcomes among this vulnerable group are limited. Methods: For the retrospective analysis, we used the National Inpatient Sample database to compare COVID-19 patients with and without RA. A total of 1,050,040 adult hospitalizations were included in the study between January 1 to December 31, 2020: COVID-19 with RA (n = 21,545; 2.1%) and COVID-19 without RA (n = 1,028,495; 97.9%). The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included mechanical ventilation requirement, vasopressor use, cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, acute kidney injury, acute kidney injury requiring hemodialysis, gastrostomy, tracheostomy, length of stay, health care utilization costs, and disposition. A secondary analysis evaluating in-hospital mortality and mechanical ventilation with respect to age was conducted. Results: COVID-19 patients with RA had significantly increased in-hospital mortality compared to COVID-19 patients without RA (12.9% vs 11.1%, adjusted OR [aOR]: 1.2 [95% CI 1.1-1.3], p < 0.001). This cohort also had significantly increased rates of mechanical ventilation, pressor use, and cardiogenic shock. Conclusions: Given limited large evidence regarding COVID-19 with respect to RA, future research should be focused on this topic to improve outcomes for this subset of patients.

Outcomes in systemic sclerosis patients hospitalized with COVID-19: Insight from the National Inpatient Sample.

Objective: COVID-19, a respiratory infection caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, can cause varying degrees of illness ranging from mild respiratory illness to severe respiratory failure. Systemic sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease, with an increased prevalence of infections as compared to the general population. In this study, we compare the clinical outcomes and resource utilization for COVID-19 hospitalizations in patients with and without systemic sclerosis. Methods: We used the National Inpatient Sample database, 2020, to study the characteristics, morbidity, mortality, cost, and resource utilization among primary COVID-19 hospitalizations with and without systemic sclerosis. Results: There were 1,050,040 patients aged ⩾ 18 years with a diagnosis of COVID-19. Of these, 775 (0.07%) patients had a secondary diagnosis of systemic sclerosis. Although there was no statistically significant difference regarding individual outcomes; in-hospital mortality, vasopressor use, cardiac arrest, acute kidney injury, and disposition to facility were numerically higher in hospitalizations with systemic sclerosis. The composite endpoint of major adverse events was higher in the systemic sclerosis cohort (adjusted odds ratio 1.52, 95% confidence interval: 1.06-2.17, p = 0.022). Conclusion: COVID-19 patients with systemic sclerosis had worse outcomes (i.e. higher composite endpoint of major adverse events) than those without systemic sclerosis. Further studies are needed to establish a better understanding of the relationship between COVID-19 and systemic sclerosis.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with increased risk of mortality and acute kidney injury in patients with COVID-19 hospitalization: Insights from a National Inpatient Sample analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global health, especially for patients with chronic diseases that may compromise the immune system. This study investigates the association between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and COVID-19 outcomes. METHODS: Data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) were analyzed to create a retrospective cohort of COVID-19 hospitalizations, comparing patients with and without SLE. Propensity-score matched analysis was conducted to assess the association between SLE and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 hospitalizations. RESULTS: The study included over a million COVID-19 hospitalizations, with approximately 0.5% having a secondary diagnosis of SLE. The SLE-COVID hospitalizations were predominantly female and younger, with a median age of 57.2, while the non-SLE-COVID group had a median age of 64.8 years. Comorbidities such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal failure, liver disease, and others were more prevalent in the SLE-COVID group. Patients with SLE and COVID-19 had a significantly higher incidence of acute kidney injury requiring dialysis than those without SLE. In-hospital mortality was higher in the SLE group, particularly in the 18-44 year age group (6.15% vs 2.47%, p = .022). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 patients with SLE are at an increased mortality risk, especially in the younger age group, and a higher incidence of acute kidney injury requiring dialysis. The elevated risk of adverse outcomes underscores the vulnerability of SLE patients to COVID-19. These findings emphasize the importance of special precautions and patient education for individuals with SLE to mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19.

COVID-19 Outcomes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Hospitalized Patients: A Comprehensive Analysis Using the National Inpatient Sample.

Background: There is no uniformity in the available literature concerning the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) viral illness on people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: We conducted an analysis using the 2020 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database to compare the outcomes of COVID-19 hospitalized patients with and without IBD. Results: Of 1,050,040 patients admitted with COVID-19, 5,750 (0.5%) also had IBD. The group with COVID-19 and IBD had higher percentages of females and White individuals and a greater prevalence of chronic lung disease, peripheral vascular disease, and liver disease. However, after accounting for confounding variables, there was no significant difference in mortality rates, length of hospital stays, or hospitalization costs between the two groups. Conclusion: According to our findings, the presence of IBD does not appear to elevate the risk of COVID-19 complications.

Analysis of Cutaneous Lupus Hospitalizations: A United States National Population-Based Study.

Background There are limited studies analyzing cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) hospitalizations. In this study, we aimed to analyze baseline demographics of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and CLE patients, identify the most common reasons for hospitalizations, and find out the hospitalization outcomes.  Materials and methods We performed the analysis using the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS) database between 2016 and 2019. For the CLE cohort, data for adults aged 18 years and older with the primary or secondary diagnosis of CLE using International Classification of Disease - 10th revision (ICD-10) codes were extracted. For comparison, the SLE cohort was identified by patients aged 18 years and older with primary or secondary diagnoses of SLE using ICD-10 codes. Chi-squared test was used to compare baseline demographic characteristics. Multivariable logistic and linear regression was used to calculate outcomes of interest. Results In comparison to the SLE cohort, the CLE cohort was not only older in age and lower percentage female, but also had shorter length of stay, less total hospital charge, and the majority had Medicare as primary insurance. The SLE cohort included predominantly African American patients while the CLE cohort was majority Caucasian patients. The cardiovascular risks were more prevalent in the CLE cohort and most commonly admitted for sepsis, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders. Conclusion Our study highlights the importance of outpatient follow-up in CLE patients to closely monitor cardiovascular risk factors, early identification of infections, and routine mental health screenings to reduce hospitalizations and resource utilization.

Cardiovascular Diseases in the Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis.

There are limited data regarding the burden and trend of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). We analyzed the National Inpatient Sample database from January 2005 to December 2018 to examine the hospitalization trends amongst adults with PsA primarily for heart failure (HF), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and stroke. The primary outcomes of interest included in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), and inflation-adjusted cost. The age-adjusted percentage of HF hospitalizations among PsA patients decreased from 2.5% (2005/06) to 1.4% (2011/12; P-trend 0.013) and subsequently increased to 2.0% (2017/18; P-trend 0.044). The age-adjusted percentage of AMI hospitalizations among PsA patients showed a non-statistically significant decreasing trend from 2.1% (2005/06) to 1.7% (2011/12; P-trend 0.248) and showed a non-statistically significant increase to 2.3% (2017/18; P-trend 0.056). The age-adjusted stroke hospitalizations increased from 1.1% (2005/06) to 1.3% (2017/18; P-trend 0.036). Apart from a decrease in adjusted inflation-adjusted cost among heart failure hospitalizations, there was no significant change in inpatient mortality, length of stay or hospital cost, during the study period. We found an increasing trend of cardiovascular hospitalizations in patients with PsA. These findings will raise awareness and inform further research and clinical practice for PSA patients with CVD.

Clinical Outcomes of Acute Myocardial Infarction Hospitalizations With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: An Analysis of Nationwide Readmissions Database.

Hospital readmissions post-acute myocardial infarctions (AMIs) are associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes and also incur huge healthcare costs. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at an increased risk of AMI likely due to multifactorial mechanisms including higher levels of inflammation and accelerated atherosclerosis. We investigated if patients with SLE are at higher risk of hospital readmissions post-AMI compared to the patients without SLE. Furthermore, we sought to assess if inpatient outcomes of AMI in SLE patients are different than AMI without SLE. We conducted a retrospective analysis of adult hospital discharges with the principal diagnosis of AMI using the Nationwide Readmissions Database in 2018. We used the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-CM/PCS) to identify comorbid conditions. The primary outcome was all-cause 30-day readmission. Secondary outcomes were cardiac procedures at index hospitalization (percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] and coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG]), and adverse events at index hospitalization, including inpatient mortality, cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, cardiac assist device, coronary artery dissection, acute kidney injury, gastrointestinal bleeding, stroke, post-procedural hemorrhage, sepsis, and hospital costs. Complex samples multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine the association of SLE with outcomes. The patients with AMI and SLE had a higher 30-day readmission rate (15.5% vs 12.5%, aOR = 1.33, CI 1.12-1.57, P = 0.001), and inpatient mortality (aOR = 1.40 CI 1.1-1.79, P = 0.006) compared to the AMI without SLE cohort. The rates of acute kidney injury (aOR = 1.41 CI 1.21-1.64, P < 0.0001) and sepsis (aOR = 1.61 CI 1.16-2.23, P = 0.004) were higher among AMI with SLE group as compared to AMI without SLE group. Within the AMI with SLE cohort, the independent predictors of readmission were diabetes mellitus (aOR = 1.38 CI 0.99-1.91, P = 0.054), peripheral vascular disease (aOR = 2.10 CI 1.22-3.62, P = 0.007), anemia (aOR = 1.50 CI 1.07-2.11, P = 0.019), end-stage renal disease (aOR = 1.91 CI 1.10-3.31, P = 0.021), and congestive heart failure (aOR = 1.55 CI 1.12-2.16, P = 0.009). The length of stay in days during index hospitalization (5.10 vs 4.67) was similar in both cohorts. In the multivariable-adjusted regression model, no statistically significant differences were noted between the AMI with SLE and AMI without SLE cohorts for most inpatient adverse events during the index hospitalization. Patients with AMI and SLE had higher inpatient mortality during the index hospitalization and higher 30-day hospital readmissions compared to AMI patients without SLE. There were no significant differences in most of the other major inpatient outcomes between the 2 cohorts.

A Case of Munchausen Syndrome Presenting with Hematemesis: A Case Report.

Munchausen syndrome (MS) was first reported in 1951 by Richard Alan John Asher as a factitious disorder. It is a condition in which the patient intentionally produces symptoms to assume a sick role and gain medical attention. Underdiagnosis of this disorder results in the unnecessary use of medical resources, i.e. unnecessary medical tests and evaluations. This makes it one of the most challenging diagnosis in any medical set up. We present this rare case of a patient with chronic factitious disorder who presented to the emergency with hematemesis. The patient was successfully treated with psychotherapy with no recurrence. It is the need of the hour to create awareness amongst the medical and nonmedical population about factitious disorders so that they can easily be diagnosed and treated with efficiency. Further research is needed to find the risks leading to this syndrome and discover the cultural and social aspects of this disease, which may help us explore treatment strategies and avoid unnecessary tests and treatment.​.

Consanguinity Associated with Increased Prevalence and Severity of Bipolar Disorder in Pakistan: A Case Report Highlighting the Genetic Link.

This case report highlights the genetic link associated with bipolar disorder and rising prevalence of such cases in Pakistan due to the lack of knowledge and understanding of the disease. It also shows that a family history of bipolar disorder is associated with more aggressive episodes, early onset, and treatment relapse. Further studies are warranted to fully understand the pathophysiology of genetic linkages causing bipolar disorder so we can understand the natural course of illness and provide effective treatment. We report the case of a 25-year-old girl who presented to the hospital with severe mania and had around 20 episodes of acute mania in the last ten years. Her parents (first cousins) and brother all had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.