Immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in older patients: Results from the Spanish TTP Registry (REPTT).

Immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is an ultra-rare disease that seldom occurs in the elderly. Few reports have studied the clinical course of iTTP in older patients. In this study, we have analysed the clinical characteristics at presentation and response to therapy in a series of 44 patients with iTTP ≥60 years at diagnosis from the Spanish TTP Registry and compared them with 209 patients with <60 years at diagnosis from the same Registry. Similar symptoms and laboratory results were described in both groups, except for a higher incidence of renal dysfunction among older patients (23% vs. 43.1%; p = 0.008). Front-line treatment in patients ≥60 years was like that administered in younger patients. Also, no evidence of a difference in clinical response and overall survival was seen in both groups. Of note, 14 and 25 patients ≥60 years received treatment with caplacizumab and rituximab, respectively, showing a favourable safety and efficacy profile, like that observed in patients <60 years.

[Time to first antibiotic dose in community-acquired pneumonia diagnosed in an emergency department]. / Tiempo hasta la administración de la primera dosis de antibiótico en las neumonías adquiridas en la comunidad en un Servicio de Urgencias Hospitalario.

BACKGROUND: Early antibiotic administration to patients diagnosed of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) has been associated with a lower mortality. In the USA, its administration within four hours has been implanted as a quality standard. The objective of this work was to analyze, in a Spanish emergency department, the performance with patients with CAP, focusing on the administration of the first dose of antibiotic. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Clinics, welfare and organizational aspects have been analysed on 93 patients diagnosed of CAP in an emergency department in order to identify their influence on antibiotic administration within 4 hours. RESULTS: 46.2% of patients received antibiotics within 4 hours. The fact that patients were assisted in the higher complexity level showed a positive association with the antibiotic administration within 4 hours. On the contrary, presence of more than 10 patients waiting to be admitted showed a negative association. CONCLUSIONS: Early antibiotic administration in the CAP is possible. On order to guarantee a higher number of patients taking antibiotics within 4 hours we have to improve quality of care in both the emergency department (to guarantee correct classification according to the level of complexity) and in the hospital (management of beds to avoid delay in the admission of the patients).

Tiempo hasta la administración de la primera dosis de antibiótico en las neumonías adquiridas en la comunidad en un Servicio de Urgencias Hospitalario / Time to fi rst antibiotic dose in community-acquired pneumonia diagnosed in an emergency department

Introducción: La administración precoz de antibiótico en pacientes diagnosticados de una neumonía adquirida en comunidad (NAC) condiciona una disminución de la mortalidad. En EE. UU. Se ha implantado como estándar de calidad su administración en las primeras cuatro horas. El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido analizar retrospectivamente en un Servicio de Urgencias hospitalario (SUH) de nuestro medio la actuación con estos pacientes en lo que respecta a la administración de la primera dosis de antibiótico. Pacientes y método: Se han analizado aspectos clínicos, asistenciales y organizativos en 93 pacientes diagnosticados de NAC en un SUH para identificar su influencia en la administración de antibiótico en un plazo inferior a 4 horas. Resultados: El 46,2% de los pacientes recibió el antibiótico en las primeras cuatro horas. La asistencia en el área de mayor complejidad se asoció de forma positiva con la administración del antibiótico en las cuatro primeras horas. Por el contrario, la presencia de un mayor número de pacientes pendientes de ingreso en el SUH condicionó un menor cumplimiento de esta medida. Conclusiones: La administración precoz de antibiótico en la NAC es posible. El incremento en el cumplimiento de esta medida debe contemplar la mejora de la calidad asistencial tanto en aspectos organizativos propios del SUH (por ejemplo, con una adecuada clasificación inicial que garantice la atención de los pacientes acorde a su nivel de complejidad) como ajenos a él (gestión de camas hospitalarias que evite la demora en el ingreso desde el servicio) (AU)

Background: Early antibiotic administration to patients diagnosed of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) has been associated with a lower mortality. In the USA, its administration within four hours has been implanted as a quality standard. The objective of this work was to analyze, in a Spanish emergency department, the performance with patients with CAP, focusing on the administration of the first dose of antibiotic. Patients and method: Clinics, welfare and organizational aspects have been analysed on 93 patients diagnosed of CAP in an emergency department in order to identify their influence on antibiotic administration within 4 hours. Results: 46.2% of patients received antibiotics within 4 hours. The fact that patients were assisted in the higher complexity level showed a positive association with the antibiotic administration within 4 hours. On the contrary, presence of more than 10 patients waiting to be admitted showed a negative association. Conclusions: Early antibiotic administration in the CAP is possible. On order to guarantee a higher number of patients taking antibiotics within 4 hours we have to improve quality of care in both the emergency department (to guaranty correct classification according to the level of complexity) and in the hospital (management of beds to avoid delay in the admission of the patients) (AU)