Lived Experiences and Perceptions of Autistic Young Adults Participating in Employment Readiness Skills Training.

This study aimed to examine the experiences and perceptions of participants engaged in an employment readiness program, Employment Preparation And Skills Support (EPASS), which is a manualized group-based training program designed to improve employment readiness among autistic young adults. A qualitative descriptive design was utilized to generate thick descriptions through semi-structured interviews with 22 transition-age autistic individuals (Mage = 20; 6 females; 16 males). Thematic analysis was employed to understand the experiences and career outcomes of transition-age autistic individuals pre- and post-participation in the EPASS program. Five main themes were identified: (1) More Negative Than Positive Employment-related Experiences; (2) Insight about Training Needs despite Hesitation to Participate; (3) Improved Perception and Confidence of Employment readiness through Experiential Learning; (4) Emerging Career Goals and Plans in Future Application of Knowledge and Skills; and (5) Learning Preference for More Interactive and Practice Experience. Participants reported a better understanding of job preparation skills, work-related social skills and interview etiquette. They also reported that what they learned in EPASS helped them improve their skills and confidence in obtaining and maintaining employment. Overall, participants expressed satisfaction with participating in EPASS and anticipated potential long-term impacts on their employability. This study sheds light on the training needs for transition-age autistic individuals and informs future employment readiness program development. Future studies should focus on collaborating with stakeholders to address training gaps and support needs that foster improved employment outcomes for this population.

Enhanced versus standard hydration in acute ischemic stroke: REVIVE-A randomized clinical trial.

RATIONALE: Early neurological deterioration (END) within 72 h of stroke onset is associated with poor prognosis. Optimizing hydration might reduce the risk of END. AIMS: This study aimed to determine in acute ischemic stroke patients if enhanced hydration versus standard hydration reduced the incidence of major (primary) and minor (secondary) END, as well as whether it increased the incidence of early neurological improvement (secondary), at 72 h after admission. SAMPLE SIZE ESTIMATE: A total of 244 participants per arm. METHODS AND DESIGN: A prospective, double-blinded, multicenter, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial conducted at four hospitals from April 2014 to July 2020, with data analyzed in August 2020. The sample size estimated was 488 participants (244 per arm). Ischemic stroke patients with measurable neurological deficits of onset within 12 h of emergency department presentation and blood urea nitrogen/creatinine (BUN/Cr) ratio ⩾ 15 at point of admission were enrolled and randomized to 0.9% sodium chloride infusions of varying rates-enhanced hydration (20 mL/kg body weight, one-third given via bolus and remainder over 8 h) versus standard hydration (60 mL/h for 8 h), followed by maintenance infusion of 40-80 mL/h for the subsequent 64 h. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of major END at 72 h after admission, defined as an increase in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale of ⩾ 4 points from baseline. RESULTS: Overall, 487 participants were randomized (median age 67 years; 287 females). At 72 h, 7 (2.9%) in the enhanced hydration arm and 5 (2.0%) in the standard hydration developed major END (p = 0.54). The incidence of minor END and early neurological improvement did not differ between treatment arms. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Enhanced hydration did not reduce END or improve short-term outcomes in acute ischemic stroke. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02099383, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02099383).

Novel Prediction Score for Arterial-Esophageal Fistula in Patients with Esophageal Cancer Bleeding: A Multicenter Study.

PURPOSE: To develop and internally validate a novel prediction score to predict the occurrence of arterial-esophageal fistula (AEF) in esophageal cancer bleeding. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study enrolled patients with esophageal cancer bleeding in the emergency department. The primary outcome was the diagnosis of AEF. The patients were randomly divided into a derivation group and a validation group. In the derivation stage, a predictive model was developed using logistic regression analysis. Subsequently, internal validation of the model was conducted in the validation cohort during the validation stage to assess its discrimination ability. RESULTS: A total of 257 patients were enrolled in this study. All participants were randomized to a derivation cohort (n = 155) and a validation cohort (n = 102). AEF occurred in 22 patients (14.2%) in the derivation group and 14 patients (13.7%) in the validation group. A predictive model (HEARTS-Score) comprising five variables (hematemesis, active bleeding, serum creatinine level >1.2 mg/dL, prothrombin time >13 s, and previous stent implantation) was established. The HEARTS-Score demonstrated a high discriminative ability in both the derivation and validation cohorts, with c-statistics of 0.90 (95% CI 0.82-0.98) and 0.82 (95% CI 0.72-0.92), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: By employing this novel prediction score, clinicians can make more objective risk assessments, optimizing diagnostic strategies and tailoring treatment approaches.

Influences of Cognitive Function and Depressive Symptoms on Pain Trajectories During the First Year Following Hip Fracture Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to explore trajectories for patterns of postoperative pain intensity during the first year following hip fracture surgery and the relationships between pain trajectory groups, cognitive impairment, and depressive symptoms. DESIGN: A prospective cohort correlational study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 325 patients aged 60 years or older who had received hip fracture surgery at a 3000-bed medical center in northern Taiwan from September 2012 to March 2020. METHODS: Data were collected before hospital discharge and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postdischarge. Pain intensity was measured using a numeric rating scale; cognitive function was measured with the Taiwan version of the Mini-Mental State Examination; and depressive symptoms were measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form. Patients with similar postoperative pain trajectories were categorized into groups and compared with group-based trajectory modeling. Cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms associated with each group were identified by logistic regression. RESULTS: Three different pain trajectory groups were identified: drastic decline-minimum pain (47.7%), gentle decline-mild pain (45.5%), and slight decline-moderate pain (6.8%). Patients with cognitive impairment [odds ratio (OR) 11.01, 95% CI 2.99-10.51] and at risk for depression (OR 49.09, 95% CI 10.46-230.30) were more likely to be in the moderate pain group than the minimum pain group. Patients with cognitive impairment (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.25-3.42) were more likely to be in the mild pain group than the minimum pain group. Patients at risk for depression (OR 9.68, 95% CI 3.16-29.63) were more likely to be in the moderate pain group than the mild pain group. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Identifying postoperative pain trajectories can provide insight into the most appropriate pain management for older persons following hip fracture surgery. Attention should focus on assessments for cognitive impairment and risk of depression to prevent persistent postoperative pain. Future studies of older patients with clinically diagnosed cognitive impairment and depression are suggested.

Anticoagulant Prescribing Patterns in New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication after cardiac surgery and is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic stroke. Recommendations regarding the optimal anticoagulant, timing of initiation, and duration of therapy remain uncertain. METHODS: Administrative databases were used to include adult patients who presented with POAF after cardiac surgery between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020. Key exclusion criteria included preexisting atrial fibrillation, mechanical valve replacement, or anticoagulant prescription fill within 6 months before the index admission. RESULTS: A total of 3214 of patients were included, and 878 (27.3%) were prescribed an oral anticoagulant (OAC) on discharge, with 536 (61%) prescribed warfarin and 342 (39%) prescribed a direct OAC. More than half of the patients (56.1%) stopped their OAC by 6 months. There was no difference in stroke or systemic embolism at 30 days, 3 months, or 6 months between those with and without anticoagulation prescribed. However, those on any OAC had higher rates of any bleeding at all time points. CONCLUSIONS: A minority of patients who presented with POAF after cardiac surgery were prescribed OAC, with warfarin being the most common agent. OAC initiation was associated with increased bleeding risk, warranting special consideration when assessing a patient's risk of stroke with the increased risk of bleeding, particularly in the postoperative period.

Low-to-Moderate Arsenic Exposure and Urothelial Tract Cancers with a Long Latent Period of Follow-Up in an Arseniasis Area.

BACKGROUND: Arsenic exposure can cause adverse health effects. The effects of long-term low-to-moderate exposure and methylations remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the association between low-to-moderate arsenic exposure and urothelial tract cancers while considering the effects of methylation capacity. METHODS: In this study, 5,811 participants were recruited from an arseniasis area in Taiwan for inorganic arsenic metabolite analysis. This follow-up study was conducted between August 1995 and December 2017. We identified 85 urothelial tract cancers in these participants, including 49 bladder and 36 upper urothelial tract cancer cases. A Cox proportional hazards model was employed. RESULTS: The analyses revealed a significant association between concentrations of inorganic arsenic in water > 100 ug/L and bladder cancer occurrence, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 4.88 (95% CI 1.35-17.61). A monotonic trend was observed between concentrations of inorganic arsenic in water (from 0 to > 100 ug/L) and the incidence of urothelial tract cancer, including bladder cancer (p < 0.05) and upper urothelial tract cancers (p < 0.05). Participants with a lower primary methylation index or higher secondary methylation index had a prominent effect. CONCLUSIONS: Rigorous regulations and active interventions should be considered for populations with susceptible characteristics.

The Distribution Trend and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Uropathogens in Taiwan: Retrospective Analysis of a 10-Year Study.

Background: The prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of uropathogens can vary with time and geographical location. Empirical antibiotic treatment is frequently started before the urine culture reports are received; thus, the correct selection of antibiotics is imperative, as inappropriate use could increase resistance rates. This study evaluates the distribution trends and antimicrobial susceptibility of common uropathogens in Taiwan to help predict causative pathogens, prevent overly broad antibiotic use, and guide the optimal prescription of empirical antibiotic therapy to improve prognosis. Methods: This retrospective study extracted 5,672,246 urine culture sample data, including outpatient, emergency, and inpatient departments, during 2007-2017 from the Chang Gung Research Database. We examined the trend and susceptibility of uropathogens. Results: The three leading microorganisms were Escherichia coli (E. coli), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). E. coli. was more common among females (42.7%) than males (24.7%), while P. aeruginosa was more common among males (10.2%) than females (4.42%). E. coli and K. pneumoniae were highly susceptible to carbapenems, followed by aminoglycosides. Nevertheless, an increased antimicrobial resistance trend was observed in cephalosporins and quinolones. Conclusions: This study establishes E. coli and K. pneumoniae as the predominant uropathogens. Age and gender of patients result in distribution variations of uropathogens, but geographical location does not. In addition, P. aeruginosa occurs more in the sample of elderly and that too among males. Overall, this study could help clinicians choose appropriate antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections per the prevalent uropathogens and local antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.

Case report: Duodenal obstruction caused by gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm with hematoma: an unusual case and literature review.

Visceral artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare disease that most commonly occurs in male patients in their 50s, with gastroduodenal artery (GDA) pseudoaneurysm accounting for only 1.5% of these. The treatment options generally include open surgery and endovascular treatment. In 40 cases of GDA pseudoaneurysm from 2001 to 2022, endovascular therapy was the mainstay of treatment in 30 cases, and most of them (77%) were treated by coil embolization. Our case report describes a 76-year-old female patient with a GDA pseudoaneurysm, which was treated by endovascular embolization using liquid embolic agent N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) alone. This is the first time this treatment strategy has been used for GDA pseudoaneurysm. We demonstrate a successful outcome with this unique treatment. The successful experience of our case may provide a new treatment strategy for this rare disease.

Case report: Aortoesophageal fistula-an extremely rare but life-threatening cardiovascular cause of hematemesis.

Aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is an extremely rare cardiovascular etiology of hematemesis and upper gastrointestinal bleeding. As such, its recognition and diagnosis are challenging and may be delayed when such patients present to the emergency department (ED). Without timely surgical intervention, AEF is almost always fatal. Awareness of AEF as a possible diagnosis and consequently early identification of these patients presenting to the ED are therefore crucial in optimizing clinical outcomes. We report a 45-year-old male presenting to the ED with the classical triad of an AEF (Chiari's triad)-midthoracic pain or dysphagia, a sentinel episode of minor hematemesis, then massive hematemesis with risk of exsanguination. The case report highlights the importance of considering the differential diagnosis of AEF when evaluating patients presenting to the ED with hematemesis, especially if they have predisposing risk factors such as prior aortic or esophageal surgeries, aortic aneurysms, or thoracic malignancies. Patients suspected of having AEF should be prioritized for early computed tomography angiography to expedite diagnosis and treatment.

Adaptation of Parents Raising a Child with ASD: The Role of Positive Perceptions, Coping, Self-efficacy, and Social Support.

This study explored the adaptation of parents raising a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) specifically the contributory role of positive perceptions, coping, self-efficacy, and social support. One hundred and thirty-six parents of children with a diagnosis of ASD completed a battery of self-report questionnaires via an online survey. Using multiple regression analyses positive perceptions, adaptive coping, self-efficacy, and social support were each a significant contributor to one or more positive adaptation outcomes. Multiple moderated regression analysis found no evidence that these factors were significant moderators between behavioural problems and parental adaptation. The implications of these findings in supporting parents raising a child with ASD are outlined.

When a Rapid Accurate Diagnosis Changes Therapeutic Approach: Recognizing Acute Abdominal Pain with Ascites as a Possible Presentation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, multi-organ autoimmune disease which rarely presents with peritoneal involvement. As such, its diagnosis in the emergency department (ED) based on a clinical presentation of gastrointestinal symptoms is extremely challenging. Yet, reaching such a diagnosis in the ED is crucial for avoiding unnecessary surgical intervention and initiating early glucocorticoid therapy to maximise patient outcomes. Here, we report a case of newly diagnosed SLE in a 28-year-old lady who presented atypically and unusually with abdominal pain and ascites. She required extensive but methodical investigations, and was eventually diagnosed with lupus mesenteric vasculitis with underlying newly diagnosed SLE in the ED. The patient was promptly treated with methylprednisolone resulting in marked clinical improvement. Emergency physicians should be mindful of abdominal pain with ascites as an extremely rare but important clinical presentation of SLE. Early diagnosis and commencement of glucocorticoid therapy in these patients are crucial in halting disease progression and averting the need for surgical intervention.

Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in the Management of Acute Minor Ischemic Stroke and High-Risk Transient Ischemic Attack: An Expert Consensus Statement From Taiwan Stroke Society and Taiwan Society of Emergency Medicine.

The aim of this review is to achieve a consensus between Taiwan Stroke Society (TSS) and Taiwan Society of Emergency Medicine (TSEM) to manage acute non-cardioembolic minor ischemic stroke (MIS) and high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA). The methodology is to review the recent findings from clinical trials of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) from 2010 to 2021 and updates in clinical practice guidelines from 2018 to 2022 for non-cardioembolic MIS/TIA management at the acute stage. Four leading clinical studies, CHANCE, POINT, THALES, and CHANCE-2 along with other relevant studies introducing DAPT, are discussed in this review. The risk-benefit profile between stroke recurrence reduction and major bleeding increase is also elucidated. TSS and TSEM concluded that for patients presenting with non-cardioembolic MIS or high-risk TIA who did not receive intravenous alteplase, initiation of DAPT within 24 hours after stroke onset and continued up to 21 days, followed by antiplatelet monotherapy, is effective in reducing recurrent ischemic stroke for a period of up to 90 days.

Point-of-care application of diaphragmatic ultrasonography in the emergency department for the prediction of development of respiratory failure in community-acquired pneumonia: A pilot study.

Background: Early recognition of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) at risk of poor outcomes is crucial. However, there is no effective assessment tool for predicting the development of respiratory failure in patients with CAP. Diaphragmatic ultrasonography (DUS) is a novel technique developed for evaluating diaphragmatic function via measurements of the diaphragm thickening fraction (DTF) and diaphragm excursion (DE). This study evaluated the accuracy of DUS in predicting the development of respiratory failure in patients with CAP, as well as the feasibility of its use in the emergency department (ED) setting. Materials and methods: This was a single-center prospective cohort study. We invited all patients with ED aged ≥ 20 years who were diagnosed with CAP of pneumonia severity index (PSI) SIe diagnosed with CAP of pneumonia severe with respiratory failure or septic shock were excluded. Two emergency physicians performed DUS to obtain DTF and DE measurements. Data were collected to calculate PSI, CURB-65 score, and Infectious Diseases Society of America/American Thoracic Society severity criteria. Study endpoints were taken at the development of respiratory failure or 30 days post-ED presentation. Continuous variables were analyzed using T-tests, while categorical variables were analyzed using chi-square tests. Further logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to examine the ability to predict the development of respiratory failure. Intra- and inter-rater reliability was examined with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Results: In this study, 13 of 50 patients with CAP enrolled developed respiratory failure. DTF was found to be an independent predictor (OR: 0.939, p = 0.0416). At the optimal cut-off point of 23.95%, DTF had 69.23% of sensitivity, 83.78% of specificity, 88.57% of negative predictive value, and 80% of accuracy. Intra- and inter-rater analysis demonstrated good consistency (intra-rater ICC 0.817, 0.789; inter-rater ICC 0.774, 0.781). Conclusion: DUS assessment of DTF may reliably predict the development of respiratory failure in patients with CAP presenting to the ED. Patients with DTF > 23.95% may be considered for outpatient management.

Combined Effects of Cognitive Impairment and Nutritional Trajectories on Functional Recovery for Older Patients after Hip-Fracture Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Malnutrition and cognitive impairment are associated with poor functional recovery in older adults following hip-fracture surgery. This study examined the combined effects of cognitive impairment and nutritional trajectories on postoperative functional recovery for older adults following hip-fracture surgery. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal correlational study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This study recruited 350 older adults (≥60 years of age) who received hip-fracture surgery at a 3000-bed medical center in northern Taiwan from September 2012 to March 2020. METHODS: Participant data were collected over a 2-year period after surgery for nutritional and cognitive status and activities of daily living (ADLs). Participants were grouped by type of nutritional trajectory using group-based trajectory modeling. Generalized estimating equations analyzed associations between trajectory groups/cognitive status at discharge and performance of ADLs. RESULTS: Nutritional trajectories best fit a 3-group trajectory model: malnourished (19%), at-risk of malnutrition (40%), and well-nourished (41%). Nutritional status for the malnourished group declined from 12 months to 24 months following surgery; nutritional status remained stable for at-risk of malnutrition and well-nourished groups. Interactions for cognitive impairment-by-nutritional status were significant: the malnourished + intact cognition subgroup had significantly better ADLs than the malnourished + cognitive impairment subgroup (b = 27.1, 95% confidence interval = 14.0-40.2; P < .001). For at-risk of malnutrition and well-nourished groups, there were no significant differences between cognitive impairment and intact cognition in ADLs. These findings suggest that nutritional status may buffer the negative effect of cognitive impairment on ADLs. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Better nutritional status over time for older adults following hip fracture can protect against adverse influences of cognitive impairment on ADLs during postoperative recovery. Participants with malnutrition and cognitive impairment had the poorest ADLs. These findings suggest interventions tailored to improving nutritional status may improve recovery for older adults following hip-fracture surgery.

At the heart of the problem: congestive cardiac failure as a cause of ascites: A narrative review.

Heart failure leading to cardiac ascites is an extremely rare and underrecognized entity in clinical practice. Recognizing cardiac ascites can be difficult, especially since patients presenting with ascites may have more than 1 etiology. Various biomarkers are available to aid in the diagnosis of cardiac ascites, though with differing sensitivities and specificities. Such biomarkers include serum albumin, ascitic albumin and protein, as well as serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). While serum NT-proBNP is a powerful biomarker in distinguishing the etiology of ascites and monitoring treatment progression, its cost can be prohibitive in low-resource settings. Clinicians practicing under these circumstances may opt to rely on other parameters to manage their patients. We go on further to report a series of 3 patients with cardiac ascites to illustrate how these biomarkers may be employed in the management of this patient population. Clinicians should always keep in mind the differential diagnosis of cardiac failure as a cause of ascites. The resolution of cardiac ascites may serve as a surrogate clinical marker for response to antifailure therapy in lieu of NT-proBNP at resource-scarce centers.

Intentional avermectin pesticide ingestion: a retrospective multicenter study.

CONTEXT: Avermectin pesticides are widely used in agriculture, and are thought to have low toxicity in humans. However, information on their toxicity after accidental or deliberate ingestion is limited. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical manifestations of avermectin pesticide ingestion and identify factors associated with severe outcomes (death, intubation, or sustained hypotension requiring inotrope therapy). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included patients who visited the emergency departments of six teaching hospitals due to acute avermectin pesticide ingestion between January 2012 and May 2020. Patients who reported ingestion of any other pesticides, drugs, or substances were excluded. RESULTS: In total, 64 patients (median age, 72 years) were included: 60 had ingested emamectin pesticides, and 4 had ingested abamectin. Almost all (98%) were cases of self-harm. The most common presentation was drowsiness (47%), with a median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 14, followed by shortness of breath (SOB)/dyspnea (33%) and nausea/vomiting (22%). Concurrent methanol exposure (via the solvent) was confirmed or suspected in five patients. Seventeen patients (27%) were intubated. Three patients who developed respiratory failure were not intubated because of a "do-not-resuscitate" (DNR) order. Four patients developed sustained hypotension requiring inotrope therapy. Fifty patients (78%) were admitted, of whom 27 (42%) required intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Four patients died, three of whom had a DNR order. Based on our definition, 20 patients (31%) had severe outcomes. A multivariate logistic regression model showed that a GCS score < 13 (OR 68.1, 95% CI 3.8-999) and the presence of SOB/dyspnea (OR 50.2, 95% CI 3.0-849.9) were associated with severe outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients who intentionally ingested avermectin pesticides required inpatient treatment. Forty-two percent needed ICU care and 31% had severe outcomes. A GCS score < 13 and SOB/dyspnea were independently associated with severe outcomes.

Shock Index Is a Validated Prediction Tool for the Short-Term Survival of Advanced Cancer Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department.

Advanced cancer patients who are not expected to survive past the short term can benefit from early initiation of palliative care in the emergency department (ED). This discussion, however, requires accurate prognostication of their short-term survival. We previously found in our retrospective study that shock index (SI) is an ideal risk stratification tool in predicting the 60-day mortality risk of advanced cancer patients presenting to the ED. This study is a follow-up prospective validation study conducted from January 2019 to April 2021. A total of 410 advanced cancer patients who presented to the ED of a medical centre and could be followed-up feasibly were recruited. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed with receiver operator calibrating (ROC) curve analysis. Non-survivors had significantly lower body temperatures, higher pulse rates, higher respiratory rates, lower blood pressures, and higher SI. Each 0.1 increment of SI increased the odds of 60-day mortality by 1.591. Area under ROC curve was 0.7819. At optimal cut-off of 0.94, SI had 66.10% accuracy. These results were similar to our previous study, thus validating the use of SI in predicting the 60-day mortality of advanced cancer patients presenting to the ED. Identified patients may be offered palliative care.

Evaluation of a Diagnostic and Management Algorithm for Adult Caustic Ingestion: New Concept of Severity Stratification and Patient Categorization.

BACKGROUND: Caustic ingestion has gained increasing attention worldwide. However, the insight into whether to use esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) or computed tomography (CT) for first-line investigation remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate a diagnostic and management algorithm that combines EGD and CT for rapid triage. METHODS: We established an algorithm for our hospital in 2013, aiming to maximize the benefits and minimize the limitations of EGD and CT. Then, we retrospectively analyzed the 163 enrolled patients treated between 2014 and 2019 and categorized them into 4 groups: A = 3 (1.8%): with perforation signs and directly confirmed by CT, B = 10 (6.1%): clinically suspected perforation but not initially proven by CT, C = 91 (55.8%): initial perforation less favored but with EGD grade ≥ 2b or GI/systemic complications, and D = 59 (36.2%): clinically stable with EGD grade ≤ 2a, according to initial signs/symptoms and EGD/CT grading. The morbidity and mortality of each group were analyzed. The predictive values of EGD and CT were examined by logistic regression analyses and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: The outcomes of such algorithm were reported. CT was imperative for patients with toxic signs and suspected perforation. For non-emergent operations, additional EGD was safe and helpful in identifying surgical necessity. For patients with an initially low perforation risk, EGD alone sufficiently determined admission necessity. Among inpatients, EGD provided excellent discrimination for predicting the risk for signs/symptoms' deterioration. Routine additional CT was only beneficial for those with deteriorating signs/symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: According to the analyses, initial signs/symptoms help to choose EGD or CT as the first-line investigative tool in caustic patients. CT is necessary for seriously injured patients, but it cannot replace EGD for moderate/mild injuries. The severity stratification and patient categorization help to simplify complex scenarios, accelerate decision-making, and prevent unnecessary intervention/therapy. External validation in a larger sample size is further indicated for this algorithm.