Clinical Outcomes of Aortic Stenosis in Amyloidosis: A United States National Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Literature regarding outcomes associated with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) among amyloidosis (AM) with aortic stenosis (AS) is limited. OBJECTIVES: We aim to study the mortality and in-hospital clinical outcomes among AM with AS associated with SAVR or TAVR. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of all hospitalisation encounters associated with a diagnosis of AM with AS, using the Nationwide Readmissions Database for the years 2012-2019. Primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, and 30-day readmissions. RESULTS: A total of 4,820 index hospitalisations of AS (mean age 78.35±10.11; female 37.76%) among AM were reported. Total 464 patients had mechanical intervention, 251 patients (54.1%) TAVR and 213 patients (45.9%) SAVR. A total of 317 patients (6.77%) with AS died; TAVR 4.4%, SAVR 11.9% (p=0.01) and 6.66% died among the subgroup who did not have any mechanical intervention. Higher complication rates were observed among patients who had SAVR than those who had TAVR including acute kidney injury (39.8% vs 22.4%; p=0.01), septic shock (12.1% vs 4.4%; p=0.05) and cardiogenic shock (22% vs 4.4%; p<0.001). Acute heart failure was higher among patients who had TAVR (40.2% vs 27.5%; p=0.04) than those who had SAVR. All conduction block and ischaemic stroke were similar between the two groups (p=0.09 and p=0.1). The overall 30-day readmission rate among AM with AS encounters was 16.82%, higher among TAVR compared to SAVR subgroups (21.25% vs 11.17%; p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Among AM with AS hospitalisations, TAVR had mortality benefits compared to SAVR and non-mechanical intervention subgroups. Moreover, higher 30-day mortality rate were observed among SAVR subgroup, which may suggest that TAVR should be strongly considered in AM patients complicated by AS.

Potential Factors Associated with Healthcare Utilization for Balance Problems in Community-Dwelling Adults within the United States: A Narrative Review.

Falls are the leading cause of mortality and chronic disability in elderly adults. There are effective fall prevention interventions available. But only a fraction of the individuals with balance/dizziness problems are seeking timely help from the healthcare system. Current literature confirms the underutilization of healthcare services for the management of balance problems in adults, especially older adults. This review article explores factors associated with healthcare utilization as guided by the Andersen Healthcare Utilization Model, a framework frequently used to explore the factors leading to the use of health services. Age, sex, race/ethnicity, BMI, and comorbidities have been identified as some of the potential predisposing factors; socioeconomic status, health insurance, and access to primary care are the enabling and disabling factors; and severity of balance problem, perceived illness, and its impact on daily activities are the factors affecting need for care associated with healthcare utilization for balance or dizziness problems. Knowledge about these barriers can help direct efforts towards improved screening of vulnerable individuals, better access to care, and education regarding effective fall prevention interventions for those who are at risk for underutilization. This can aid in timely identification and management of balance problems, thereby reducing the incidence of falls.

Need for inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing services in COVID-19 patients post hospitalization: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The need for rehabilitation and skilled nursing services for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors has been speculated from the beginning of the pandemic. However, real-world data describing utilization of these services post COVID-19 hospitalization and the factors associated with the same is limited. This retrospective cohort study on COVID-19 patients aims to identify the patients discharged to inpatient rehabilitation or nursing facilities post-hospitalization and the factors associated with the same. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study on COVID-19 patients during second wave of the pandemic in the state of Michigan. Primary outcome was discharge disposition. Binary logistic regression was conducted to identify the factors associated with discharge to a facility. RESULTS: A total of 559 COVID-19 patients [median age 64 years, interquartile range (IQR) 53-73 years, 48.5% males (n=271), 67.6% Blacks (n=378)] were included in the study. During hospitalization, 17.4% of the patients (n=97) died. Around 65% (n=365) patients were discharged home whereas 12.5% (n=70) were discharged to a facility for inpatient rehabilitation/nursing services. Older patients, males, those with longer hospital stay, and patients who needed new percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube, tracheostomy, initiation of hemodialysis or continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), or had an acute stroke during admission were more likely to be discharged to a facility post-hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: About 12.5% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients needed discharge to a facility for inpatient rehabilitation/nursing services. Knowledge of the factors associated with discharge to a facility can optimize discharge planning, efficient resource allocation, and improve long-term COVID-19 care.

Scleroderma hypertensive renal crisis among systemic sclerosis patients: A national emergency department database study.

BACKGROUND: Literature regarding trends for incidence and mortality of scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) within the United States (US) emergency departments (EDs) is limited. OBJECTIVE: To study the mortality of SRC among SSc patient encounters within the US EDs. METHODS: Data from the National Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) constitutes 20% sample of hospital-owned EDs and inpatient sample in the US were analyzed for SSc with and without SRC using ICD-9 codes. A linear p-trend was used to assess the trends. RESULTS: Of the total 180,435 encounters with the diagnosis of SSc in NEDS for the years 2009 2014, 771 or 4.27/1000 patients (mean age 59.6 ± 15.5 years, 75.4% females) were recorded with SRC. The numerical differences in mortality among SRC (32 or 4.1%) and non-SRC subgroups (5487 or 3.1%) did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.3). Major complications among SRC in comparison to non-SRC subgroup include ischemic stroke (5.6% vs 0.98%, p = 0.001), new-onset AF (8% vs 6.9%, p = 0.001), new-onset congestive heart failure (24.1% vs 8.8%, p = 0.001), pulmonary arterial hypertension (15.8% vs 10.9%, p = 0.001), respiratory failure (27.5% vs 10.5%, p = 0.001), and deep vein thrombosis (4.7% vs 4.6%, p = 0.001). Congestive heart failure (CHF) was strongly associated with SRC among SSc (OR 4.3 95%CI 2.7-6.7; p < 0.001). The absolute yearly rate of SRC had increased over the study years from 2.11/1000 to 5.79/1000 (linear p-trend 0.002) while the mortality trend remained steady. CONCLUSION: SRC is a relatively rare medical emergency. Although there has been a significant rise in the rate of SRC among SSc patients over the study years, mortality rates had remained steady. SSc patients with CHF should be considered to have low threshold for admission to inpatient services from EDs.

Thrombotic superior vena cava syndrome: a national emergency department database study.

Literature regarding etiology and trends of incidence of major thoracic vein thrombosis in the United States is limited. To study the causes, complications, in-hospital mortality rate, and trend in the incidence of major thoracic vein thrombosis which could have led to superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) between 2010 and 2018. Data from the nationwide emergency department sample (NEDS) that constitutes 20% sample of hospital-owned emergency departments (ED) and in-patient sample in the United States were analyzed using diagnostic codes. A linear p-trend was used to assess the trends. Of the total 1082 million ED visits, 37,807 (3.5/100,000) (mean age 53.81 ± 18.07 years, 55% females) patients were recorded with major thoracic vein thrombosis in the ED encounters. Among these patients, 4070 (10.6%) patients had one or more cancers associated with thrombosis. Pacemaker/defibrillator-related thrombosis was recorded in 2820 (7.5%) patients, while intravascular catheter-induced thrombosis was recorded in 1755 (4.55%) patients. Half of the patients had associated complication of pulmonary embolism. A total of 59 (0.15%) patients died during these hospital encounters. The yearly trend for the thrombosis for every 100,000 ED encounters in the United States increased from 2.17/100,000 in 2010 to 5.98/100,000 in 2018 (liner p-trend < 0.001). Yearly trend for catheter/lead associated thrombosis was also up-trending (p-trend 0.015). SVCS is an uncommon medical emergency related to malignancy and indwelling venous devices. The increasing trend in SVCS incidence, predominantly catheter/lead induced, and the high rate of associated pulmonary embolism should prompt physicians to remain vigilant for appropriate evaluation.

Mortality outcomes associated with invasive aspergillosis among acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patient population.

BACKGROUND: Literature regarding trends of mortality, and complications of aspergillosis infection among patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is limited. METHODS: Data from the National Readmissions Database (NRD) that constitutes 49.1% of the stratified sample of all hospitals in the United States (US), representing more than 95% of the national population were analyzed for hospitalizations with aspergillosis among AECOPD. Predictors and trends related to aspergillosis in AECOPD were evaluated. A Linear p-trend was used to assess the trends. RESULTS: Out of the total 7,282,644 index hospitalizations for AECOPD (mean age 69.17 ± 12.04years, 55.3% females), 8209 (11.2/10,000) with primary diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis were recorded in the NRD for 2013-2018. Invasive aspergillosis was strongly associated with mortality (OR 4.47, 95%CI 4.02-4.97, p < 0.001) among AECOPD patients. Malignancy and organ transplant status were predominant predictors of developing aspergillosis among AECOPD patients. The IA-AECOPD group had higher rates of multi-organ manifestations including ACS (3.7% vs 0.44%; p-value0.001), AF (20% vs 18.4%; p-value0.001), PE (4.79% vs1.87%; p-value0.001), AKI (22.3% vs17.5%; p-value0.001), ICU admission (16.5% vs11.9%; p-value0.001), and MV (22.3% vs7.31%; p-value0.001) than the AECOPD group. The absolute yearly trend for mortality of aspergillosis was steady (linear p-trend 0.22) while the yearly rate of IA-AECOPD had decreased from 15/10,000 in 2013 to 9/10,000 in 2018 (linear p-trend 0.02). INTERPRETATION: Aspergillosis was related with high mortality among AECOD hospitalizations. There has been a significant improvement in the yearly rates of aspergillosis while the mortality trend was steady among aspergillosis subgroups. Improved risk factor management through goal-directed approach may improve clinical outcomes.

Trends in Incidence, and Mortality of Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the United States Emergency Department (2010-2018).

Literature regarding trends of incidence, mortality, and complications of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the emergency departments (ED) is limited. What are trends of COPD exacerbation in ED? Data were obtained from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) that constitutes a 20% sample of hospital-owned EDs and inpatient sample in the US. All ED encounters were included in the analysis. Complications of AECOPD were obtained by using ICD codes. Out of 1.082 billion ED encounters, 5,295,408 (mean age 63.31 ± 12.63 years, females 55%) presented with COPD exacerbation. Among these patients, 353,563(6.7%) had AECOPD-plus (features of pulmonary embolism, acute heart failure and/or pneumonia) while 4,941,845 (93.3%) had exacerbation without associated features or precipitating factors which we grouped as AECOPD. The AECOPD-plus group was associated with statistically significantly higher proportion of cardiovascular complications including AF (5.6% vs 3.5%; p < 0.001), VT/VF (0.14% vs 0.06%; p < 0.001), STEMI (0.22% vs 0.11%; p < 0.001) and NSTEMI (0.65% vs 0.2%; p < 0.001). The in-hospital mortality rates were greater in the AECOPD-plus population (0.7% vs 0.1%; p < 0.001). The incidence of both AECOPD and AECOPD-plus had worsened (p-trend 0.004 and 0.0003) and the trend of mortality had improved (p-trend 0.0055 and 0.003, respectively). The prevalence of smoking for among all COPD patients had increased (p-value 0.004), however, the prevalence trend of smoking among AECOPD groups was static over the years 2010-2018. There was an increasing trend of COPD exacerbation in conjunction with smoking; however, mortality trends improved significantly. Moreover, the rising burden of AECOPD would suggest improvement in diagnostics and policy making regarding management.

The Use of Vancomycin Versus Teicoplanin in Treating Febrile Neutropenia: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.

Background and objective The efficacy of vancomycin vs. teicoplanin for the successful treatment of febrile neutropenia (FN) has been a subject of debate in the medical community. In light of this, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare these two medications in the treatment of patients with FN in terms of treatment success and adverse events. Data source and study design We conducted a search of major electronic databases [MEDLINE (PubMed, Ovid), Google Scholar, clinicaltrial.org], which returned 10 studies with 1,630 patients (vancomycin: 788; teicoplanin: 842) for analysis. An unadjusted odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated for all studies, as well as separate sub-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and retrospective studies. Results The average age of patients ranged from 37 to 57 years in the vancomycin group and 31 to 57 years in the teicoplanin group (n=9 studies). Over half of the patients in both groups were male (vancomycin: 55.6%; teicoplanin: 57.7%; n=9 studies). Both overall evaluation and sub-analyses revealed that both treatments were comparable in terms of treatment success, nephrotoxicity, and red man syndrome. The vancomycin group was more likely to develop skin rashes (OR: 2.49; 95% CI: 1.28-4.83). The heterogeneity for all analyses ranged from 0-47.4%. Conclusion Our analysis showed that vancomycin and teicoplanin showed comparable results in terms of successful treatment of FN. Adverse effects such as nephrotoxicity and red man syndrome were also comparable between the two treatment groups.

Statins and clinical outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with and without Diabetes Mellitus: a retrospective cohort study with propensity score matching.

BACKGROUND: The pleiotropic effects of statins may reduce the severity of COVID-19 disease. This study aims to determine the association between inpatient statin use and severe disease outcomes among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, especially those with Diabetes Mellitus (DM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study on hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. The primary outcome was mortality during hospitalization. Patients were classified into statin and non-statin groups based on the administration of statins during hospitalization. Analysis included multivariable regression analysis adjusting for confounders and propensity score matching to achieve a 1:1 balanced cohort. Subgroup analyses based on presence of DM were conducted. RESULTS: In the cohort of 922 patients, 413 had a history of DM. About 27.1% patients (n = 250) in the total cohort (TC) and 32.9% patients (n = 136) in DM cohort received inpatient statins. Atorvastatin (n = 205, 82%) was the most commonly prescribed statin medication in TC. On multivariable analysis in TC, inpatient statin group had reduced mortality compared to the non-statin group (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.42-0.90; p = 0.01). DM modified this association between inpatient statins and mortality. Patients with DM who received inpatient statins had reduced mortality (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.21-0.61; p < 0.001). However, no such association was noted among patients without DM (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.67-2.17; p = 0.52). These results were further validated using propensity score matching. CONCLUSIONS: Inpatient statin use was associated with significant reduction in mortality among COVID-19 patients especially those with DM. These findings support the pursuit of randomized clinical trials and inpatient statin use appears safe among COVID-19 patients.

Letter to the editor: Vitamin D levels in acute illness and clinical severity in COVID-19 patients.

We would like to comment on the recently published article titled: "Circulating Vitamin D levels status and clinical prognostic indices in COVID-19 patients" by Ricci et al. The authors grouped the patients into two groups according to the vitamin D levels measured at the time of admission into the hospital and reported that lower vitamin D levels are associated with elevated D-dimer and IL-6 levels, low CD4/CD8 ratio and compromised clinical findings with elevated LIPI and SOFA scores. However, review of recent literature shows this association to be debatable. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in the initial phase of critical illness have been reported to drop rapidly and hence consideration of the time of measurement from symptom onset would have enhanced the clinical relevance of these findings. Inferred association between vitamin D levels and disease severity based on SOFA score in COVID-19 patients, needs to be further explored in the light of the recent literature which casts doubt on using SOFA score at admission to predict mortality in COVID-19.

Association between antecedent statin use and severe disease outcomes in COVID-19: A retrospective study with propensity score matching.

BACKGROUND: Statins have been associated with a reduction in inflammatory markers and improved endothelial function. Whether statins offer any benefit in COVID-19 needs to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between antecedent statin use and severe disease outcomes among COVID-19 patients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study on 1014 patients with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. Outcomes were mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, and intensive care admission. Patients were classified into statin-users vs statin non-users based on antecedent use of statins. Multivariable regression analysis was performed adjusting for confounders such as age, sex, race, BMI, smoking, insurance, and comorbidities. Propensity score matching was performed to achieve a 1:1 balanced cohort. RESULTS: A total of 1014 patients (Median age 65 (IQR 53-73); 530 (52.3%) males; 753 (74.3%) African Americans; median BMI 29.4 (IQR 25.1-35.9); 615 (60.7%) with Medicare insurance) were included in the study. About 454 patients (44.77%) were using statins as home medication. Antecedent statin use was associated with significant decrease in mortality in the total cohort (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.46 - 0.95; p = 0.03). Among the propensity score matched (PSM) cohort of 466 patients (233 statin users and 233 statin non-users), all the baseline characteristics had similar distribution among the two groups. Statin users had significant reduction in mortality in the PSM cohort as well (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.37 - 0.83; p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Statin use was associated with significant reduction in mortality among COVID-19 patients. These findings support the pursuit of randomized clinical trials to explore the possible benefits of statins in COVID-19.

Post-PCI outcomes in STEMI patients with coronary ectasia: meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Coronary ectasia (CE) is defined as dilation of the coronary artery, 1.5 times that of the surrounding vessel. Outcomes of percutaneous intervention (PCI) in patients with CE presenting as ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) remain a topic of debate. METHODS: Studies comparing outcomes of PCI in CE versus no-ectasia (NE) STEMI patients were identified. Baseline angiographic characteristics include thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) 0-1 flow, right coronary artery (RCA) involvement, and primary outcomes including thrombus aspiration, no-reflow, mortality, and TIMI-3 post-PCI. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Six studies (n = 5746, CE-340 and NE-5406) qualified for the analysis. RCA involvement was more common in CE than NE, OR-1.39 (95%CI1.06-1.82, p-0.02). Pre-procedure TIMI-0-1 was of comparable results between the groups (p-1.13). Higher thrombus aspiration for CE (OR 2.18, 95%CI1.44-3.32;p-<0.001). CE had higher incidence of no-reflow (OR 4.07, 95%CI2.42-6.84;p-<0.001). TIMI-3 flow post-PCI was achieved less commonly in the CE group (OR-0.64, 95%CI-0.48-0.86;p-<0.001). Mortality on follow-up was comparable (0.83, 95%CI0.39-1.78;p-0.63). Metaregression analysis did not show confounding effects from comorbidities. CONCLUSION: Coronary ectasia patients with STEMI had higher rates of PCI failure and no-reflow than NE; however, mortality during follow-up was comparable.

Preexisting respiratory diseases and clinical outcomes in COVID-19: a multihospital cohort study on predominantly African American population.

BACKGROUND: Comorbidities play a key role in severe disease outcomes in COVID-19 patients. However, the literature on preexisting respiratory diseases and COVID-19, accounting for other possible confounders, is limited. The primary objective of this study was to determine the association between preexisting respiratory diseases and severe disease outcomes among COVID-19 patients. Secondary aim was to investigate any correlation between smoking and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients. METHODS:  This is a multihospital retrospective cohort study on 1871 adult patients between March 10, 2020, and June 30, 2020, with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. The main outcomes of the study were severe disease outcomes i.e. mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. During statistical analysis, possible confounders such as age, sex, race, BMI, and comorbidities including, hypertension, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, any history of cancer and prior liver disease, chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease on dialysis, hyperlipidemia and history of prior stroke, were accounted for. RESULTS:  A total of 1871 patients (mean (SD) age, 64.11 (16) years; 965(51.6%) males; 1494 (79.9%) African Americans; 809 (43.2%) with ≥ 3 comorbidities) were included in the study. During their stay at the hospital, 613 patients (32.8%) died, 489 (26.1%) needed mechanical ventilation, and 592 (31.6%) required ICU admission. In fully adjusted models, patients with preexisting respiratory diseases had significantly higher mortality (adjusted Odds ratio (aOR), 1.36; 95% CI, 1.08-1.72; p = 0.01), higher rate of ICU admission (aOR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.07-1.68; p = 0.009) and increased need for mechanical ventilation (aOR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.07-1.72; p = 0.01). Additionally, patients with a history of smoking had significantly higher need for ICU admission (aOR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.01-1.55; p = 0.03) in fully adjusted models. CONCLUSION:  Preexisting respiratory diseases are an important predictor for mortality and severe disease outcomes, in COVID-19 patients. These results can help facilitate efficient resource allocation for critical care services.

Metabolic syndrome and clinical outcomes in patients infected with COVID-19: Does age, sex, and race of the patient with metabolic syndrome matter?

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is highly prevalent worldwide, and its individual components obesity, diabetes, and hypertension have been identified as risk factors to develop severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, data on MetS and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 are scarce. This study aims to determine association between MetS and severe disease outcomes, that is, mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, and intensive care unit (ICU) requirement among patients with COVID-19. METHODS: This is a retrospective multihospital cohort study on 1871 patients with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. Patient data including demographics, comorbidities, body mass index (BMI), smoking, laboratory data, and the clinical course of hospitalization were collected. Multivariable regression was performed adjusting for age, sex, race, insurance, smoking, and comorbidities. RESULTS: A total of 1871 patients (median age 66 [interquartile range, IQR 54-75]; 965 (51.6%) males; 1494 (80%) African Americans; median BMI 29.4 kg/m2 [IQR 25-35.8]; 573 (30.6%) patients with MetS) were included. Patients with MetS had increased mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.40; 95% CI, 1.11-1.75; P = .004), higher ICU admission (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.36-2.08; P < .001), and increased need for mechanical ventilation (OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.52-2.37; P < .001). Among individual comorbidities, diabetes had significant association with mortality (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.05-1.63; P = 0.02), ICU admission (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.27-1.93; P < .001), and need for mechanical ventilation (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.30-2.03; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: MetS is a better prognostic indicator for severe disease outcomes in patients with COVID-19 than its individual components. Patients with MetS had significantly higher mortality, increased ICU admissions, and need for mechanical ventilation.

Exploring the link between vitamin D and clinical outcomes in COVID-19.

The immunomodulating role of vitamin D might play a role in COVID-19 disease. We studied the association between vitamin D and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients. This is a retrospective cohort study on COVID-19 patients with documented vitamin D levels within the last year. Vitamin D levels were grouped as ≥ 20 ng/mL or < 20 ng/mL. Main outcomes were mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, new DVT or pulmonary embolism, and ICU admission. A total of 270 patients (mean ± SD) age, 63.81 (14.69) years); 117 (43.3%) males; 216 (80%) Blacks; 139 (51.5%) in 65 and older age group were included. Vitamin D levels were less than 20 ng/mL in 95 (35.2%) patients. During admission, 72 patients (26.7%) died, 59 (21.9%) needed mechanical ventilation, and 87 (32.2%) required ICU. Vitamin D levels showed no significant association with mortality (OR = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.39-1.24; P = 0.21), need for mechanical ventilation (OR = 1.23; 95% CI, 0.68-2.24; P = 0.49), new DVT or PE(OR= 0.92; 95% CI, 0.16-5.11; P = 1.00) or ICU admission (OR = 1.38; 95% CI, 0.81-2.34; P = 0.23). We did not find any significant association of vitamin D levels with mortality, the need for mechanical ventilation, ICU admission and the development of thromboembolism in COVID-19 patients.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Low vitamin D has been associated with increased frequency and severity of respiratory tract infections in the past. Current literature linking clinical outcomes in COVID-19 with low vitamin D is debatable. This study evaluated the role of vitamin D in severe disease outcomes among COVID-19 patients and found no association of vitamin D levels with mortality, the need for mechanical ventilation, ICU admission, and thromboembolism in COVID-19.

Takotsubo syndrome vs anterior STEMI electrocardiography; a meta-analysis and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) and its differentiation from anterior wall ST-elevation myocardial infarction on electrocardiography (ECG) has been a debate. METHODS: Six studies comparing ECG changes in TTS and AW-STEMI were identified. The primary endpoint was reciprocal changes, presence of Q-waves, and QT-interval. An unadjusted odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using Review Manager (RevMan) 5.3. RESULTS: Six studies consisting of 1090 patients (TTS = 220, AW-STEMI = 870) were included. Reciprocal changes on ECG were less commonly associated with TTS than AW STEMI with OR of 0.05 and 95%CI- 0.02-0.11 (P-<0.00001). Q-wave presence on ECG was comparable between the groups with OR-0.68, 95%CI-0.08-5.63 (p-0.72). QT interval on ECG was comparable between the two groups with OR-1.09, 95%CI-0.63-1.54 (p-<0.00001). There was minimal publication bias among the studies. CONCLUSION: AW STEMI is associated with reciprocal changes. Q-waves and QT interval has no differentiating significance between AW STEMI and TTS.

Analysis of patient safety messages delivered and received during clinical rounds.

BACKGROUND: Multiple modalities are available to introduce patient safety training to healthcare professionals. In internal medicine, clinical rounds have always played an important role in education; however, the patient safety content taught at the point of care is not well studied. We studied, both quantitatively and qualitatively, the number and nature of patient safety messages delivered by attending physicians to determine what is taught at the point of care and how well this is recognised and recalled by attending physicians, residents and medical students. METHODS: This prospective mixed methods study was conducted on the medicine teaching service. Clinical rounds were audio-recorded. Immediately after rounds, attending physicians, residents and students completed a short survey card identifying the number and type of educational messages they immediately recalled teaching or hearing. Independent t-test was used to compare differences in the number of messages delivered by attendings and recalled by trainees. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare differences in messages delivered by attending physicians compared with trainees. Recordings were transcribed and analysed qualitatively for patient safety content. RESULTS: Trainees recalled more educational messages than attendings recalled teaching in all educational domains. Safety messages comprised 17.5% of educational messages. The average number of patient safety messages recalled per session was 1.08 per attending physicians, 1.84 per resident and 2.50 per student. Residents recalled 56.4% of safety messages delivered; students recalled 76.7% of safety messages. CONCLUSION: Patient safety is a focus of teaching during clinical rounds and provides meaningful opportunities to train students and residents to practice safe patient care.

Irinotecan inducing sinus pause bradycardia in a patient with small round cell cancer.

Irinotecan is a novel anticancer drug that has worked wonders in combination with other anticancer drugs. It can be used as a single chemotherapy agent in colonic cancer treatment or in combination with 5-fluorouracil. Irinotecan has been found a better salvage therapy in patients who are resistant to 5-fluorouracil. It is also used in combination with cisplatin and other drugs for cancers such as pleural mesothelioma, Ewing's sarcoma, lung cancer and others, and has helped reduce tumour burden. Irinotecan is generally associated with gastrointestinal side effects including nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, while cardiovascular toxicity (5%) has been reported mainly as vasodilatation and possible bradycardia with no known incidence. A case was reported in 1998 by Miya et al of a 65-year-old man with bradycardia which was managed with atropine without modifications in the dosage of irinotecan or in the rate of infusion. We report a case of a patient with small round cell cancer who presented with sinus pause bradycardia after infusion with irinotecan. The patient was managed with atropine during chemotherapy.

The Association Between Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Metabolic Abnormalities in The United States Population.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and rate of advanced fibrosis among individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its individual metabolic abnormalities needs better understanding in the United States population. We aim to study these by using a large United States population database, the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). METHODS: A total of 11,674 individuals were included in our study cohort. NAFLD was defined as presence of moderate to severe hepatic steatosis on liver ultrasound in absence of viral hepatitis, significant alcohol use, elevated transferrin level, and medication use leading to hepatic steatosis. Advanced fibrosis among those with NAFLD was determined using noninvasive method, the NAFLD fibrosis score. MetS was defined based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definition. RESULTS: The prevalence of NAFLD among included study cohort was 18.2% (95% confidence interval, 16.5-19.9). Individuals with metabolic abnormalities demonstrated higher prevalence (MetS, 43.2%; increased waist circumference, 31.2%; impaired fasting glucose/diabetes, 41.2%; high triglyceride level, 34.7%; low high-density lipoprotein, 27.8%; high blood pressure, 29.2%). The individuals with MetS had significantly higher NAFLD prevalence compared with controls (adjusted odds ratio, 11.5; 95% confidence interval, 8.9-14.7). The severity of hepatic steatosis was also noted to increase with higher number of metabolic abnormalities. Among individual metabolic abnormalities, increased waist circumference, impaired fasting glucose/diabetes, high triglyceride, and low high-density lipoprotein levels were found to be independently associated with NAFLD. Individuals with impaired fasting glucose/diabetes and those with 5 metabolic abnormalities had higher rate of advanced fibrosis (18.6% and 30.3%, respectively). Prevalence of NAFLD among individuals without any metabolic abnormality was 6.1%. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of NAFLD and rate of advanced fibrosis are significantly high among individuals with metabolic abnormalities.