Efecto de la N-acetilcisteína en la mortalidad de pacientes ingresados por COVID-19: estudio de cohorte retrospectivo / Impact of N-Acetylcysteine in the mortality of patients hospitalized with COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study

Introducción y objetivo La N-acetilcisteína se ha propuesto para el tratamiento de COVID-19 gracias a sus efectos mucolítico, antioxidante y antiinflamatorio. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar su efecto en pacientes ingresados con COVID-19, en términos de mortalidad. Material y métodos Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo unicéntrico. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes ingresados por COVD-19 entre marzo y abril de 2020 en nuestro hospital. Resultados Un total de 378 pacientes fueron incluidos; de ellos, 196 (51,9%) fueron hombres, la edad media fue de 73,3±14,5 años. Un total de 199 (52,6%) pacientes recibieron tratamiento con N-acetilcisteína. Más del 70% tuvieron tos, fiebre y/o disnea. La mortalidad hospitalaria global fue del 26,7%. Un análisis multivariante mediante regresión logística identificó la edad de los pacientes [mayores de 80 años; OR: 8,4 (IC95%: 3-23,4)], una afectación radiológica moderada o grave medida por la escala RALE [OR: 7,3 (IC95%: 3,2-16,9)], el consumo de tabaco [OR: 2,8 (IC95%: 1,3-6,1)] y arritmia previa [OR: 2,8 (IC95%: 1,3-6,2)] como factores de riesgo que se asociaron independientemente con la mortalidad durante el ingreso. El tratamiento con N-acetilcisteína fue identificado como factor protector [OR: 0,57 (IC95%: 0,31-0,99)]. El asma podría representar asimismo un factor protector de mortalidad, aunque en el presente estudio no alcanza significación estadística [OR: 0,19 (IC95%: 0,03-1,06)]. Conclusiones Los pacientes con COVID-19 tratados con N-acetilcisteína presentaron una menor mortalidad y mejor evolución en nuestro estudio. Futuros estudios prospectivos o ensayos clínicos aleatorizados deben confirmar el papel de la N-acetilcisteína en pacientes con COVID-19 (AU)

Introduction and aim N-acetylcysteine has been proposed for the treatment of COVID-19 thanks to its mucolytic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Our aim is to evaluate its effect on patients admitted with COVID-19 in mortality terms. Material and methods Retrospective single-center cohort study. All patients admitted to our hospital for COVID-19 from March to April 2020 have been considered. Results A total of 378 patients were included, being 196 (51.9%) men, with an average age of 73.3±14.5 years. The 52.6% (199) received treatment with N-acetylcysteine. More than 70% presented coughs, fever, and/or dyspnea. The global hospital mortality was 26.7%. A multivariate analysis through logistic regression identified the age of patients [older than 80; OR: 8.4 (95% CI: 3–23.4)], a moderate or severe radiologic affectation measured by the RALE score [OR: 7.3 (95% CI: 3.2–16.9)], the tobacco consumption [OR: 2.8 (95% CI: 1.3–6.1)] and previous arrhythmia [OR 2.8 (95% CI: 1.3–6.2)] as risk factor that were independently associated with mortality during the admission. The treatment with N-acetylcysteine was identified as a protective factor [OR: 0.57 (95% CI: 0.31–0.99)]. Asthma also seems to have a certain protective factor although it was not statistically significant in our study [OR: 0.19 (95% CI: 0.03–1.06)]. Conclusions Patients with COVID-19 treated with N-acetylcysteine have presented a lower mortality and a better evolution in this study. Future prospective studies or randomized clinical trials must confirm the impact of N-acetylcysteine on COVID-19 patients (AU)

Orthogeriatric activity in a general hospital of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. / Actividad ortogeriátrica en un hospital general de Castilla-La Mancha.

AIM: To describe the orthogeriatric activity in the elderly with hip fractures in the Hospital Mancha Centro, based on the recommendations of the main guidelines. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Observational prospective study, comprising all patients over 65 years of age admitted to the Traumatology Unit with a hip fracture between April 2015 and December 2015. Patients were admitted under the care of the Traumatology Unit with cross-consultation carried out with the Geriatrics Department, which then carried out a pre-operative geriatric assessment and the post-operative follow-ups. RESULTS: The mean pre-surgery waiting time was 48h and the overall time in hospital was 10.3±8.2 days. Patients who suffered from delirium (42.1%) did not improve as well, and were referred to nursing homes. Blood transfusions were received by 54.7% of the patients, despite 53.5% of them having received intravenous and/or oral iron after the surgery. Treatment with calcium and vitamin D was prescribed in 79% of the patients on discharge. The Rehabilitation Unit assessed 36% of the patients, with 4.8% fully, and 16.7% partially recovering their prior functional status. Upon discharge, 55% of the patients returned to their homes, and 22% were referred to short-term assisted living facilities. DISCUSSION: This article describes how the main clinical problems are handled in the elderly with hip fractures in our hospital, based on recommendations of the main guidelines and publications. CONCLUSIONS: Our hospital follows the recommended guidelines. Aspects for improvement include the management of anaemia during admission and rehabilitation.