CT-based pathological lung opacities volume as a predictor of critical illness and inflammatory response severity in patients with COVID-19.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of CT-based lung pathological opacities volume on critical illness and inflammatory response severity of patients with COVID-19. Methods: A retrospective, single center, single arm study was performed over a 30-day period. In total, 138 patients (85.2%) met inclusion criteria. All patients were evaluated with non-contrast enhanced chest CT scan at hospital admission. CT-based lung segmentation was performed to calculate pathological lung opacities volume (LOV). At baseline, complete blood count (CBC) and inflammation response biomarkers were obtained. The primary endpoint of the study was the occurrence of critical illness, as defined as, the need of mechanical ventilation and/or ICU admission. Mann-Whitney U test was performed for univariate analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of critical illness. Spearman analysis was performed to assess the correlation between inflammatory response biomarkers serum concentrations and LOV. Results: Median LOV was 28.64% (interquartile range [IQR], 6.33-47.22%). Correlation analysis demonstrated that LOV was correlated with higher levels of D-dimer (r = 0.51, p < 0.01), procalcitonin (r = 0.47, p < 0.01) and IL6 (r = 0.48, p < 0.01). Critical illness occurred in 51 patients (37%). Univariate analysis demonstrated that inflammatory response biomarkers and LOV were associated with critical illness (p < 0.05). However, multivariate analysis demonstrated that only D-dimer and LOV were independent predictors of critical illness. Furthermore, a ROC analysis demonstrated that a LOV equal or greater than 60% had a sensitivity of 82.1% and specificity of 70.2% to determine critical illness with an odds ratio of 19.4 (95% CI, 4.2-88.9). Conclusion: Critical illness may occur in up to 37% of the patients with COVID-19. Among patients with critical illness, higher levels of inflammatory response biomarkers with larger LOVs were observed. Furthermore, multivariate analysis demonstrated that pathological lung opacities volume was an independent predictor of critical illness. In fact, patients with a pathological lung opacities volume equal or greater than 60% had 19.4-fold increased risk of critical illness.

Computed Tomography-based Lung Residual Volume and Mortality of Patients With Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19).

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of computed tomography (CT)-based residual lung volume (RLV) on mortality of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center, retrospective study of a prospectively maintained database was performed. In total, 138 patients with COVID-19 were enrolled. Baseline chest CT scan was performed in all patients. CT-based automated and semi-automated lung segmentation was performed using the Alma Medical workstation to calculate normal lung volume, lung opacities volume, total lung volume, and RLV. The primary end point of the study was mortality. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine independent predictors of mortality. RESULTS: Overall, 84 men (61%) and 54 women (39%) with a mean age of 47.3 years (±14.3 y) were included in the study. Overall mortality rate was 21% (29 patients) at a median time of 7 days (interquartile range, 4 to 11 d). Univariate analysis demonstrated that age, hypertension, and diabetes were associated with death (P<0.01). Similarly, patients who died had lower normal lung volume and RLV than patients who survived (P<0.01). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that low RLV was the only independent predictor of death (odds ratio, 1.042; 95% confidence interval, 10.2-10.65). Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that a RLV ≤64% significantly increased the risk of death (odds ratio, 4.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.9-11.7). CONCLUSION: Overall mortality of patients with COVID-19 may reach 21%. Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that reduced RLV was the principal independent predictor of death. Furthermore, RLV ≤64% is associated with a 4-fold increase on the risk of death.

Cambio de conducta para insulinoterapia en personas que viven con diabetes tipo 2, Yucatán, México / Evaluation of the behavior stage and decisional balance of change of conduct for insulin therapy in diabetic patients at the health center of Ekmul, Yucatán in 2015

Resumen Introducción La Diabetes tipo 2 es la enfermedad endocrina más frecuente y una de las principales causas de morbi-mortalidad en nuestros días. Es una enfermedad compleja que requiere de un tratamiento integral, que implica cambios en el estilo de vida del paciente. Para el abordaje de este fenómeno se toma el modelo transteorético desarrollado por James O. Prochaska, el cual propone que las personas hagan cambios en etapas y que se muevan, en forma secuencial, a través de estadios mientras experimentan diferentes procesos de cambio. Objetivo Determinar el estadio y balance decisional de cambio de conducta en personas que viven con diabetes y criterios para insulinoterapia, que acuden a control al Centro de Salud de Ekmul, Yucatán, con base en el modelo transteorético y con enfoque cualitativo. Materiales y Métodos Se seleccionó cinco pacientes que contaban con criterios para insulinoterapia, pero renuentes. Se utilizaron como instrumentos los cuestionarios de datos generales y de etapas de cambio, un árbol de problemas y un diagrama causa-efecto. Resultados Cinco pacientes realizaron las actividades planteadas, identificándose tres (60%) en el estadio de precontemplación y dos (40%) en contemplación. Con el gráfico causa-efecto se obtuvieron en total 16 aseveraciones con respecto al uso de la insulina, 10 (62.5%) en contra y seis (37.5%) a favor. Conclusiones El balance decisional dentro de las etapas identificadas otorga un mayor peso a las desventajas del uso de insulina generando una oposición a un cambio conductual a corto plazo. La desinformación de la fisiología elemental de la enfermedad ocasiona que se adjudiquen falsos conceptos al uso de la insulina, lo que además es propiciado por los factores psicológicos, como el temor a lo desconocido, y sociales, como el estigma ya generado por los falsos conceptos. Esto forma un círculo vicioso que impide el inicio oportuno de la terapia con insulina.

Abstract Introduction Type II diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disease and one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality of our days. It is a complex disease which requires an integral approach. Objective To determine the behavioral stage and the decisional balance of change of conduct in patients with type II diabetes who fulfill the insulin therapy criteria by using the transtheoretical model with a qualitative focus at Ekmul, Health Center in Yucatan Materials and Methods Eight patients, with dual oral hypoglycemic drug therapy, at a maximum dose and with no glycemic control, were chosen with a convenience sampling. In order to obtain Personal information and to know the stages of change we used questionnaires along with a cause-effect diagram and a problem tree. Results Five women completed the proposed activities, three (60%) of them where identified in the pre-contemplation stage and two in the contemplation stage. A total of 16 answers from the cause-effect diagram, related to insulin usage, showed that ten (62.5%) is against it and six (37.5%) in favor of it. Conclusions The decisional balance within the identified stages gives greater weight to the disadvantages of insulin therapy which generates resistance to short-term behavioral change. The misinformation of the elemental physiology of the disease causes false concepts of the insulin usage which is reinforced by psychological factors, such as the fear of the unknown and the social stigma. These contribute to form a vicious circle that prevents the timely initiation of insulin therapy.