Amphetamine-related intoxications in people living with HIV: An observational study in an emergency department in Barcelona (Spain) from 2018 to 2020.

BACKGROUND: Stimulant drugs, particularly amphetamines, are more commonly implicated in drug-related deaths in people living with HIV; however, the clinical characteristics of amphetamine-related intoxication in people living with HIV are poorly described. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study in people living with HIV who were admitted for amphetamine-related intoxication to an emergency department of a teaching hospital between 2018 and 2021. Severe intoxication (SI) was arbitrarily defined as requiring admission to the emergency medical support unit and receiving medical treatment for ≥6 h. RESULTS: In total, 170 male patients with a median age of 36.2 + 7.5 years were included in the study. A total of 77 (45.3%) individuals had mental disorders, and 120 (85.7%) had HIV-1 RNA suppression, with a median CD4 cell count of 696 (interquartile range 490-905). In total, 61 (37.9%) individuals were on ritonavir/cobicistat-based regimens. Presenting clinical syndromes included agitation in 60 (35.3%) subjects, anxiety in 37 (21.7%), psychosis in 27 (15.8%), chest pain in 26 (15.3%) and altered level of consciousness in 20 (11.7%). SI was observed in 48 (28.2%) individuals, 12 (7.1%) required admission to the intensive care unit, and two (1.2%) died. Altered level of consciousness (odds ratio [OR] 6.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2-18.9; p < 0.01), psychosis (OR 5.8; 95% CI 2.2-15.1; p < 0.01) and suicide attempt (OR 4.6; 95% CI 1.8-11.6; p 0.01) were associated with SI in the adjusted analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Amphetamine-related intoxication causes high morbidity in people living with HIV. Healthcare providers serving these patients should consider incorporating harm-reduction measures in the prevention of amphetamine-related intoxication.

Severity of emergency department presentations due to acute drug toxicity in Europe: a longitudinal analysis over a 6-year period (2014-2019) stratified by sex.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the severity of acute recreation drug toxicity presentations to emergency departments (EDs) in Europe has changed in recent years and to uncover potential sex differences. DESIGN: We analysed presentations to 36 EDs in 24 European countries relating to acute recreational drug toxicity, with separate analysis for presentations involving lone use of cannabis, cocaine, and heroin. As severity markers, we calculated rates of hospitalization, admission to ICU, intubation, and death by annual quarters between 2014 and 2019. Trends on severity over time were estimated by logistic regression. Differences between men and women were assessed by interaction. Sensitivity analysis was performed including only EDs that provided data for all 24 quarters. Analyses of intoxications taken altogether were adjusted by age and sex, while of lone intoxications being also adjusted by ethanol co-ingestion. RESULTS: There were 43 633 presentations (median age = 31 years, interquartile range = 25-40 years, men = 76.5%) resulting in 10 344 hospitalizations (23.9%), 2568 ICU admissions (5.9%), 1391 intubations (3.2%), and 171 deaths (0.39%). Hospitalization, ICU admission and death did not differ by sex, but intubation was more frequent in men (3.4% vs. 2.3%, P < 0.001). No significant changes in the severity of drug intoxications over time were found when considered altogether, neither for lone cannabis (n = 4264) nor cocaine (n = 3562). Conversely, significant increases in hospitalization [odds ratios (OR) = 1.023, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.004-1.041], ICU admission (OR = 1.080, 95% CI = 1.042-1.118) and in intubation (OR = 1.049, 95% CI = 1.001-1.099) were detected for lone heroin presentations (n = 1997). Sensitivity analysis (32 245 presentations, 14 EDs, 9 countries) confirmed the overall absence of changes in severity markers (except for death rate, which significantly decreased by quarter: OR = 0.968, 95% CI = 0.943-0.994). Additionally, it suggested an increased risk over time of intubation for cocaine (OR = 1.068, 95% CI = 1.009-1.130) and confirmed the increased risk of ICU admission for heroin (OR = 1.058, 95% CI = 1.013-1.105). Changes in severity over time did not differ according to sex in the main analysis of the whole cohort, while a significantly higher decrease in risk of death in men was found in the sensitivity analysis (OR = 0.894, 95% CI = 0.825-969 vs. OR = 0.949, 95% CI = 0.860-1.048; P interaction = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: The severity of presentations to European EDs remained mainly unchanged during 2014-2019, but the risk of death may have decreased. Conversely, intubation in lone cocaine and ICU admission in lone heroin intoxications have increased. Although men and women exhibited a similar pattern over the period for the majority of comparisons, our data suggest that women exhibited a smaller decrease of the overall risk of death.

Do ART and Chemsex Drugs Get Along? Potential Drug-Drug Interactions in a Cohort of People Living with HIV Who Engaged in Chemsex: A Retrospective Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: People living with HIV (PLWH) who engaged in chemsex are at risk of potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) with recreational drugs. This study aimed to characterize pDDIs between antiretroviral treatment (ART) and chemsex drugs and evaluate their association with unscheduled relevant hospital consultations. METHODS: We conducted a single-center, retrospective, observational study in a series of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) living with HIV who engaged in chemsex and who attended a tertiary hospital in Barcelona, Spain, from February 2018 through August 2019. Associations between all recorded pDDIs and relevant unscheduled consultations were estimated using the incidence rate (IR) per 100 person-years of those events compared between patients with no pDDI (green flag) or moderate severity pDDI (orange flag) with patients with high severity pDDI (red flag) using the incidence rate ratio (IRR). RESULTS: Among 172 PLWH engaged in chemsex, 249 ART regimens were prescribed: 44% based on integrase inhibitors, 30% on boosted ART, and 26% based on non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. The substances and recreational drugs most frequently used were erectile dysfunction agents (83%), methamphetamine (79%), GHB (77%), and alkyl nitrites (71%). Polydrug use was reported in 52%. We observed 2048 pDDIs. Of these, 23% were orange flag pDDIs; 88% related to boosted ARTs. The IR of the 285 unscheduled relevant episodes in patients with orange flag pDDIs was 64.67 (95% CI 40.07-89.28). The IRR of green flag pDDIs was 1.05 (95% CI 0.60-1.8; p = 0.876). CONCLUSION: One in four pDDIs were of moderate severity but no significant increase in the incidence of unscheduled relevant consultations was observed. A high number of unscheduled consultations, predominantly for psychiatric events and intoxication, were observed. Beyond using non-boosted ART to minimize pDDIs, other factors related to the practice of chemsex must be addressed, in order to offer a better approach.

Performance of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Rhythm Society versus European Society of Cardiology guideline criteria for hospital admission of patients with syncope.

BACKGROUND: Current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/Heart Rhythm Society (ACC/AHA/HRS) and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines recommend different strategies to avoid low-yield admissions in patients with syncope. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to directly compare the safety and efficacy of applying admission criteria of both guidelines to patients presenting with syncope to the emergency department in 2 multicenter studies. METHODS: The international BASEL IX (BAsel Syncope EvaLuation) study (median age 71 years) and the U.S. SRS (Improving Syncope Risk Stratification in Older Adults) study (median age 72 years) were investigated. Primary endpoints were sensitivity/specificity for the adjudicated diagnosis of cardiac syncope (BASEL IX only) and 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (30d-MACE). RESULTS: Among 2560 patients in the BASEL IX and 2085 in SRS studies, ACC/AHA/HRS and ESC criteria recommended admission for a comparable number of patients in BASEL IX (27% vs 28%), but ACC/AHA/HRS criteria less often in SRS (19% vs 32%; P <.01). Recommendations were discordant in ∼25% of patients. In BASEL IX, sensitivity for cardiac syncope and 30d-MACE among patients without admission criteria was comparable for ACC/AHA/HRS and ESC criteria (64% vs 65%, P = .86; and 67% vs 71%, P = .15, respectively). In SRS, sensitivity for 30d-MACE was lower with ACC/AHA/HRS (54%) vs ESC criteria (88%; P <.001). Similarly, specificity for cardiac syncope and 30d-MACE in BASEL IX was comparable for both guidelines, but in SRS the ACC/AHA/HRS guidelines showed a higher specificity for 30d-MACE than the ESC guidelines. CONCLUSION: ACC/AHA/HRS and ESC guidelines showed disagreement regarding admission for 1 in 4 patients and had only modest sensitivity, all indicating possible opportunities for improvements.

International Validation of the Canadian Syncope Risk Score : A Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The Canadian Syncope Risk Score (CSRS) was developed to predict 30-day serious outcomes not evident during emergency department (ED) evaluation. OBJECTIVE: To externally validate the CSRS and compare it with another validated score, the Osservatorio Epidemiologico della Sincope nel Lazio (OESIL) score. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Large, international, multicenter study recruiting patients in EDs in 8 countries on 3 continents. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with syncope aged 40 years or older presenting to the ED within 12 hours of syncope. MEASUREMENTS: Composite outcome of serious clinical plus procedural events (primary outcome) and the primary composite outcome excluding procedural interventions (secondary outcome). RESULTS: Among 2283 patients with a mean age of 68 years, the primary composite outcome occurred in 7.2%, and the composite outcome excluding procedural interventions occurred in 3.1% at 30 days. Prognostic performance of the CSRS was good for both 30-day composite outcomes and better compared with the OESIL score (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve [AUC], 0.85 [95% CI, 0.83 to 0.88] vs. 0.74 [CI, 0.71 to 0.78] and 0.80 [CI, 0.75 to 0.84] vs. 0.69 [CI, 0.64 to 0.75], respectively). Safety of triage, as measured by the frequency of the primary composite outcome in the low-risk group, was higher using the CSRS (19 of 1388 [0.6%]) versus the OESIL score (17 of 1104 [1.5%]). A simplified model including only the clinician classification of syncope (cardiac syncope, vasovagal syncope, or other) variable at ED discharge-a component of the CSRS-achieved similar discrimination as the CSRS (AUC, 0.83 [CI, 0.80 to 0.87] for the primary composite outcome). LIMITATION: Unable to disentangle the influence of other CSRS components on clinician classification of syncope at ED discharge. CONCLUSION: This international external validation of the CSRS showed good performance in identifying patients at low risk for serious outcomes outside of Canada and superior performance compared with the OESIL score. However, clinician classification of syncope at ED discharge seems to explain much of the performance of the CSRS in this study. The clinical utility of the CSRS remains uncertain. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Swiss National Science Foundation & Swiss Heart Foundation.

Increasing emergency department admissions for chemsex-related intoxications in Barcelona, Spain, among people living with HIV: an observational study from 2018 to 2020.

BACKGROUND: Chemsex is a novel phenomenon referring to the use of drugs, including crystal methamphetamine, gammahydroxybutyric acid (GHB)/gamma-butyrolactone (GABA) and mephedrone, to facilitate, enhance, and prolong the sexual experience in men who have sex with men in large cities internationally. There is a growing concern about chemsex and fatal cases among people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of chemsex-related intoxications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational study was conducted in people living with HIV who were admitted for chemsex-related intoxications in an emergency department of a teaching hospital in Barcelona, Spain, from 2018 to 2020. Severe acute intoxications were defined according to the Poisoning Severity Score. RESULTS: One hundred and fifteen male patients with a median age of 35.6±7 years were included in the study:15 (13.1%) in 2018, 32 (27.8%) in 2019 and 68 (59.1%) in 2020. All patients had stable housing, 107(93.0%) were Spanish citizen and 32 (27.8%) had mental health disorders. Median CD4 lymphocyte count was 624 (500-765) cells/mm3 and 99 (86.1%) had HIV-1 RNA suppression. Poly-drug use was observed in 51(44.3%) cases and methamphetamine in 75(65,2%) and gammahydroxibutiric acid in 68 (59.1%) were the main drugs used. Potential drug interactions due to the inhibition of cytochrome P450 by antiviral therapy was determined in 36 (31.3%) patients. Severe intoxications cases affecting neurologic and respiratory systems were diagnosed in 12 (10.4%) patients and no patient died. CD4 cell counts ≤500 cells (O.R.:4.2; C.I.95%:1.2-14.6) and mental health disorders (O.R.: 2.9; C. I 95%: 0.8-9.9) were associated with severe acute drug intoxications in the bivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Chemsex-related intoxications are an increasing clinical problem in people living with HIV. Chemsex should be routinely screened and addressed in clinical practice, particularly for people with mental illness and low CD4 cell counts, who are at higher risk for severe intoxications.

Análisis de mortalidad de los pacientes atendidos por COVID-19 en el servicio de urgencias de un hospital de tercer nivel en la fase incial de la pandemia. Derivación de un modelo de riesgo para urgencias / Mortality in patients treated for COVID-19 in the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital during the first phase of the pandemic: Derivation of a risk model for emergency departments

Objetivo. Derivar un modelo de riesgo para estimar la probabilidad de mortalidad a los 30 días de la visita a urgencias de pacientes con COVID-19. Método. Estudio observacional de cohortes retrospectivo de 2.511 pacientes con COVID-19 atendidos en el servicio de urgencias hospitalario (SUH) del 1 de marzo al 30 de abril de 2020. Se realizó análisis de supervivencia mediante Kaplan Meier y regresión de Cox. Resultados. La mortalidad por cualquier causa a los 30 días fue de un 8%. Los factores asociados de forma independiente a mayor mortalidad fueron: edad $ 50 años, índice de Barthel < 90 puntos, alteración del nivel de consciencia, índice de SaO2/FIO2 < 400, auscultación respiratoria anómala, cifra de plaquetas < 100.000/mm3, PCR $ 5 mg/dL y filtrado glomerular < 45 mL/min. A estos factores se les asignó una puntuación de 1, excepto a la edad, que se le asignó un valor de 2 puntos. Se dividió el modelo de riesgo en 3 categorías: riesgo bajo (menor o igual a 4 puntos), riesgo intermedio (5-6 puntos) y riesgo alto (igual o superior a 7 puntos). Para los pacientes clasificados como de bajo riesgo la probabilidad de mortalidad a los 30 días fue del 1,7%, en los casos de riesgo intermedio fue del 28,2% y para los de alto riesgo fue del 67,3%. Conclusión. Disponer de una herramienta para estratificar el riesgo de mortalidad de los pacientes con COVID-19 que consultan a un SUH podría ser de utilidad para la gestión de los recursos sanitarios disponibles. (AU)

Objectives: To develop a risk model to predict 30-day mortality after emergency department treatment for COVID-19. Material and methods: Observational retrospective cohort study including 2511 patients with COVID-19 who came to our emergency department between March 1 and April 30, 2020. We analyzed variables with Kaplan Meier survival and Cox regression analyses. Results: All-cause mortality was 8% at 30 days. Independent variables associated with higher risk of mortality were age over 50 years, a Barthel index score less than 90, altered mental status, the ratio of arterial oxygen saturation to the fraction of inspired oxygen (SaO2/FIO2), abnormal lung sounds, platelet concentration less than 100 000/mm3, a C-reactive protein concentration of 5 mg/dL or higher, and a glomerular filtration rate less than 45 mL/min. Each independent predictor was assigned 1 point in the score except age, which was assigned 2 points. Risk was distributed in 3 levels: low risk (score of 4 points or less), intermediate risk (5 to 6 points), and high risk (7 points or above). Thirty-day risk of mortality was 1.7% for patients who scored in the low-risk category, 28.2% for patients with an intermediate risk score, and 67.3% for those with a high risk score. Conclusion: This mortality risk stratification tool for patients with COVID-19 could be useful for managing the course of disease and assigning health care resources in the emergency department. (AU)

Mortality in patients treated for COVID-19 in the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital during the first phase of the pandemic: Derivation of a risk model for emergency departments. / Análisis de mortalidad de los pacientes atendidos por COVID-19 en el servicio de urgencias de un hospital de tercer nivel en la fase incial de la pandemia. Derivación de un modelo de riesgo para urgencias.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a risk model to predict 30-day mortality after emergency department treatment for COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational retrospective cohort study including 2511 patients with COVID-19 who came to our emergency department between March 1 and April 30, 2020. We analyzed variables with Kaplan Meier survival and Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: All-cause mortality was 8% at 30 days. Independent variables associated with higher risk of mortality were age over 50 years, a Barthel index score less than 90, altered mental status, the ratio of arterial oxygen saturation to the fraction of inspired oxygen (SaO2/FIO2), abnormal lung sounds, platelet concentration less than 100 000/mm3, a C-reactive protein concentration of 5 mg/dL or higher, and a glomerular filtration rate less than 45 mL/min. Each independent predictor was assigned 1 point in the score except age, which was assigned 2 points. Risk was distributed in 3 levels: low risk (score of 4 points or less), intermediate risk (5 to 6 points), and high risk (7 points or above). Thirty-day risk of mortality was 1.7% for patients who scored in the low-risk category, 28.2% for patients with an intermediate risk score, and 67.3% for those with a high risk score. CONCLUSION: This mortality risk stratification tool for patients with COVID-19 could be useful for managing the course of disease and assigning health care resources in the emergency department.

OBJETIVO: Derivar un modelo de riesgo para estimar la probabilidad de mortalidad a los 30 días de la visita a urgencias de pacientes con COVID-19. METODO: Estudio observacional de cohortes retrospectivo de 2.511 pacientes con COVID-19 atendidos en el servicio de urgencias hospitalario (SUH) del 1 de marzo al 30 de abril de 2020. Se realizó análisis de supervivencia mediante Kaplan Meier y regresión de Cox. RESULTADOS: La mortalidad por cualquier causa a los 30 días fue de un 8%. Los factores asociados de forma independiente a mayor mortalidad fueron: edad 50 años, índice de Barthel 90 puntos, alteración del nivel de consciencia, índice de SaO2/FIO2 400, auscultación respiratoria anómala, cifra de plaquetas 100.000/mm3, PCR 5 mg/dL y filtrado glomerular 45 mL/min. A estos factores se les asignó una puntuación de 1, excepto a la edad, que se le asignó un valor de 2 puntos. Se dividió el modelo de riesgo en 3 categorías: riesgo bajo (menor o igual a 4 puntos), riesgo intermedio (5-6 puntos) y riesgo alto (igual o superior a 7 puntos). Para los pacientes clasificados como de bajo riesgo la probabilidad de mortalidad a los 30 días fue del 1,7%, en los casos de riesgo intermedio fue del 28,2% y para los de alto riesgo fue del 67,3%. CONCLUSIONES: Disponer de una herramienta para estratificar el riesgo de mortalidad de los pacientes con COVID-19 que consultan a un SUH podría ser de utilidad para la gestión de los recursos sanitarios disponibles.

Características de las intoxicaciones agudas atendidas en Cataluña y diferencias según grupos de edad / Poisoning cases in Catalonia: characteristics according to age groups in the Intox-28 study

Introducción. El Grupo de Trabajo de Toxicología de la Societat Catalana de Medicina d’Urgències i Emergències (SoCMUETox) inició en 2013 el estudio Intox-28. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar las diferencias existentes en las características de las intoxicaciones según la edad de los pacientes.Método. Estudio descriptivo observacional de las intoxicaciones atendidas en 8 servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH) el día 28 de cada mes durante el periodo 2013-19. Se recogieron datos demográficos, tipo de tóxico, datos clínicos y destino al alta. Los pacientes se dividieron en 3 grupos: menores de 17 años, adultos (entre 17 y 65 años) y mayores de 65 años.Resultados. Se registraron 1.088 intoxicaciones: 132 (12,1%), 859 (78,9%) y 97 (8,9%) en cada grupo de edad respectivamente. En comparación a los pacientes adultos, en los menores de 17 años hubo más mujeres (58,3% vs46,1%; p < 0,001), menos intoxicaciones de tipo recreativo (22% vs 46,1%; p < 0,001) y acontecieron más frecuente-mente en el domicilio (67,4% vs 51,1%; p < 0,001). El tipo de tóxico más implicado fueron los fármacos (49,2% vs31,1%; p < 0,001) y precisaron tratamiento con menor frecuencia (43,2% vs 73%; p < 0,001). Los mayores de 65 años precisaron tratamiento en porcentaje similar a los pacientes de 17 a 65 años (73,2%).Conclusiones. Existen diferencias entre los grupos de edad, entre las que destacan el sexo predominante, la intencionalidad de la intoxicación y el tipo de tóxico implicado. (AU)

Background and objective. The Toxicology Working Group of the Catalan Society of Emergency Medicine (SoCMUETox) began the Intox-28 study in 2013. The aim was to identify differences in poisoning cases between 3 age groups.Methods. Descriptive observational study of poisoning cases managed in 8 hospital emergency departments on the 28th day of each month from 2013 to 2019. We gathered information on patient particulars, type of poison, clinical data, and discharge destination. The patient sample was distributed into 3 groups for comparison: minors under the age of 17 years, adults aged 17 to 65 years, and adults over the age of 65 years.Results. The hospitals registered 1088 cases: 132, 859, and 97 in each age group. In comparisons between the minors and the adults aged 65 years or younger, the minors had more females (58.3% vs 46.1%), fewer recreational poisonings (22% vs 46.1%) more poisonings inside the home (67.4% vs 51.1%), more medication poisonings (49.2% vs 31.1%), and less often received treatment (43.2% vs 73%) (P < .001, all comparisons). The proportion of older adults receiving treatment (73.2%) was similar to that of the younger adults.Conclusions. The characteristics of poisonings vary according to age. Differences lie in gender, intentionality, and type of poison. (AU)

Poisoning cases in Catalonia: characteristics according to age groups in the Intox.28 study. / Características de las intoxicaciones agudas atendidas en Cataluña y diferencias según grupos de edad: Estudio Intox-28.

OBJECTIVES: The Toxicology Working Group of the Catalan Society of Emergency Medicine (SoCMUETox) began the Intox-28 study in 2013. The aim was to identify differences in poisoning cases between 3 age groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive observational study of poisoning cases managed in 8 hospital emergency departments on the 28th day of each month from 2013 to 2019. We gathered information on patient particulars, type of poison, clinical data, and discharge destination. The patient sample was distributed into 3 groups for comparison: minors under the age of 17 years, adults aged 17 to 65 years, and adults over the age of 65 years. RESULTS: The hospitals registered 1088 cases: 132, 859, and 97 in each age group. In comparisons between the minors and the adults aged 65 years or younger, the minors had more females (58.3% vs 46.1%), fewer recreational poisonings (22% vs 46.1%) more poisonings inside the home (67.4% vs 51.1%), more medication poisonings (49.2% vs 31.1%), and less often received treatment (43.2% vs 73%) (P .001, all comparisons). The proportion of older adults receiving treatment (73.2%) was similar to that of the younger adults. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of poisonings vary according to age. Differences lie in gender, intentionality, and type of poison.

OBJETIVO: El Grupo de Trabajo de Toxicología de la Societat Catalana de Medicina d'Urgències i Emergències (SoCMUETox) inició en 2013 el estudio Intox-28. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar las diferencias existentes en las características de las intoxicaciones según la edad de los pacientes. METODO: Estudio descriptivo observacional de las intoxicaciones atendidas en 8 servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH) el día 28 de cada mes durante el periodo 2013-19. Se recogieron datos demográficos, tipo de tóxico, datos clínicos y destino al alta. Los pacientes se dividieron en 3 grupos: menores de 17 años, adultos (entre 17 y 65 años) y mayores de 65 años. RESULTADOS: Se registraron 1.088 intoxicaciones: 132 (12,1%), 859 (78,9%) y 97 (8,9%) en cada grupo de edad respectivamente. En comparación a los pacientes adultos, en los menores de 17 años hubo más mujeres (58,3% vs 46,1%; p 0,001), menos intoxicaciones de tipo recreativo (22% vs 46,1%; p 0,001) y acontecieron más frecuentemente en el domicilio (67,4% vs 51,1%; p 0,001). El tipo de tóxico más implicado fueron los fármacos (49,2% vs 31,1%; p 0,001) y precisaron tratamiento con menor frecuencia (43,2% vs 73%; p 0,001). Los mayores de 65 años precisaron tratamiento en porcentaje similar a los pacientes de 17 a 65 años (73,2%). CONCLUSIONES: Existen diferencias entre los grupos de edad, entre las que destacan el sexo predominante, la intencionalidad de la intoxicación y el tipo de tóxico implicado.

Development of an electrocardiogram-based risk calculator for a cardiac cause of syncope.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an ECG-based tool for rapid risk assessment of a cardiac cause of syncope in patients ≥40 years. METHODS: In a prospective international multicentre study, 2007 patients ≥40 years presenting with syncope were recruited in the emergency department (ED) of participating centres ranging from large university hospitals to smaller rural hospitals in eight countries from May 2010 to July 2017. 12-Lead ECG recordings were obtained at ED presentation following the syncopal event. The primary diagnostic outcome, a cardiac cause of syncope, was centrally adjudicated by two independent cardiologists using all available clinical information including 12-month follow-up. ECG predictors for a cardiac cause of syncope were identified using penalised backward selection and a continuous-scale likelihood was calculated based on regression analysis coefficients. Findings were validated in an independent US multicentre cohort including 2269 patients. RESULTS: In the derivation cohort, a cardiac cause of syncope was adjudicated in 267 patients (16%). Seven ECG criteria were identified as predictors for this outcome: heart rate and QTc-interval (continuous predictors), rhythm, atrioventricular block, ST-segment depression, bundle branch block and ventricular extrasystole/non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (categorical predictors). Diagnostic accuracy of these combined predictors for a cardiac cause of syncope was high (area under the curve 0.80, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.83). Overall, 138 patients (8%) were rapidly triaged towards rule-out and 181 patients (11%) towards rule-in of a cardiac cause of syncope. External validation showed similar performance. CONCLUSION: In patients ≥40 years with a syncopal event, a combination of seven ECG criteria enabled rapid assessment of the likelihood that syncope was due to a cardiac cause. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01548352 (BASEL IX), NCT01802398 (SRS study).

Tetracaine from urethral ointment causes false positive amphetamine results by immunoassay.

BACKGROUND: Amphetamine urine drug screening by immunoassay is prone to cross-react with other compounds leading to false positive results. Tetracaine is a local anesthetic drug used in the clinical setting as an ointment during urinary catheterization. In our laboratory, tetracaine is often detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the urine of patients admitted in the emergency department with false positive amphetamine results. The objectives of this study were to investigate if there was cross-reactivity to tetracaine in an amphetamine immunoassay and to retrospectively evaluate the potential contribution of tetracaine to false positive amphetamine results. METHODS: An interference study was conducted using negative urine samples spiked with increasing concentrations of tetracaine hydrochloride and analyzed with the CEDIA Amphetamine/Ecstasy immunoassay. Retrospectively, urine samples of patients which yielded positive amphetamine immunoassay results and were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were reviewed (n = 417). The presence of tetracaine and/or other drugs by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were gathered. RESULTS: Tetracaine caused false positive amphetamine results by immunoassay (cut-off 1000 µg/L) with a concentration of above 40 mg/L. Retrospective analysis of all positive amphetamine immunoassay samples showed that in 45 out of the 417 (10.8%) urine samples no amphetamine-like derivative was identified by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry. In 37 out of 45 (82.2%) of these false positive cases tetracaine was detected, of whom 59.5% (22/37) had an estimated tetracaine concentration of ≥40 mg/L. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the interference of tetracaine in the CEDIA Amphetamine/Ecstasy immunoassay and that tetracaine may have contributed to around 80% of the false positive amphetamine cases in the urine samples of patients admitted to the emergency department at our institution.

Factors associated with revisits by patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection discharged from a hospital emergency department. / Factores asociados a revisita en pacientes con diagnóstico de infección por SARS-CoV-2 dados de alta de un servicio de urgencias hospitalario.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze emergency department (ED) revisits from patients discharged with possible coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study of consecutive patients who came to the ED over a period of 2 months and were diagnosed with possible COVID-19. We analyzed clinical and epidemiologic variables, treatments given in the ED, discharge destination, need to revisit, and reasons for revisits. Patients who did or did not revisit were compared, and factors associated with revisits were explored. RESULTS: The 2378 patients included had a mean age of 57 years; 49% were women. Of the 925 patients (39%) discharged, 170 (20.5%) revisited the ED, mainly for persistence or progression of symptoms. Sixty-six (38.8%) were hospitalized. Odds ratios (ORs) for the following factors showed an association with revisits: history of rheumatologic disease (OR, 2.97; 95% CI, 1.10-7.99; P = .03), digestive symptoms (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.14-2.63; P = .01), respiratory rate over 20 breaths per minute (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.0-1.06; P = .05), and corticosteroid therapy given in the ED (OR, 7.78; 95% CI, 1.77-14.21, P = .01). Factors associated with hospitalization after revisits were age over 48 years (OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1 42-4.67; P = .002) and fever (OR, 4.73; 95% CI, 1.99-11.27; P = .001). CONCLUSION: Patients under the age of 48 years without comorbidity and with normal vitals can be discharged from the ED without fear of complications. A history of rheumatologic disease, fever, digestive symptoms, and a respiratory rate over 20 breaths per minute, or a need for corticosteroid therapy were independently associated with revisits. Fever and age over 48 years were associated with a need for hospitalization.

OBJETIVO: Analizar las revisitas y los factores asociados a la misma en pacientes con diagnóstico de posible COVID-19 dados de alta de un servicio de urgencias hospitalario (SUH). METODO: Estudio observacional, retrospectivo que incluyó pacientes consecutivos que consultaron al SUH en un periodo de 2 meses y fueron diagnosticados de posible de COVID-19. Se analizaron variables clínico-epidemiológicas, tratamiento administrado en urgencias, destino final, revisita al SUH y motivo de esta. Se hizo un análisis comparativo entre ambos grupos (revisita sí/no) y se identificaron factores asociados a la revisita. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 2.378 pacientes (edad media 57 años; 49% mujeres). De los pacientes dados de alta (39% del total; n = 925), 170 (20,5%) reconsultaron al SUH, principalmente por persistencia o progresión de síntomas, y 66 (38,8%) precisaron ingreso. Los factores relacionados con la revisita fueron: antecedentes de enfermedad reumatológica [OR: 2,97 (IC 95%: 1,10-7,99, p = 0,03)], síntomas digestivos [OR: 1,73 (IC 95%: 1,14-2,63, p = 0,01)], frecuencia respiratoria $ 20 [OR: 1,03 (IC 95%: 1,0-1,06, p = 0,05)] y haber recibido tratamiento con esteroides en urgencias [OR: 7,78 (IC 95%: 1,77-14,21, p = 0,01)]. Los factores asociados al ingreso en la revisita fueron la edad $ 48 años [OR: 2,57 (IC 95%: 1,42-4,67, p = 0,002)] y presentar fiebre [OR: 4,73 (IC 95%: 1,99-11,27, p = 0,001)]. CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes con posible COVID-19 menores de 48 años, sin comorbilidad y con signos vitales normales podrían ser dados de alta desde urgencias sin temor a sufrir complicaciones. Los antecedentes de enfermedad reumatológica, fiebre, sintomas digestivos, frecuencia respiratoria $ 20/min o necesidad de tratamiento con esteroides fueron factores independientes de revisita, y la fiebre y edad $ 48 años de necesidad de ingreso.

Factores asociados a revisita en pacientes con diagnóstico de infección por SARS-CoV-2 dados de alta de un servicio de urgencias hospitalario / Factors associated with revisits by patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection discharged from a hospital emergency department

OBJETIVO: Analizar las revisitas y los factores asociados a la misma en pacientes con diagnóstico de posible COVID-19 dados de alta de un servicio de urgencias hospitalario (SUH). MÉTODO: Estudio observacional, retrospectivo que incluyó pacientes consecutivos que consultaron al SUH en un periodo de 2 meses y fueron diagnosticados de posible de COVID-19. Se analizaron variables clínico-epidemiológicas, tratamiento administrado en urgencias, destino final, revisita al SUH y motivo de esta. Se hizo un análisis comparativo entre ambos grupos (revisita sí/no) y se identificaron factores asociados a la revisita. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 2.378 pacientes (edad media 57 años; 49% mujeres). De los pacientes dados de alta (39% del total; n = 925), 170 (20,5%) reconsultaron al SUH, principalmente por persistencia o progresión de síntomas, y 66(38,8%) precisaron ingreso. Los factores relacionados con la revisita fueron: antecedentes de enfermedad reumatológica [OR: 2,97 (IC 95%: 1,10-7,99, p = 0,03)], síntomas digestivos [OR: 1,73 (IC 95%: 1,14-2,63, p = 0,01)], frecuencia respiratoria>=20 [OR: 1,03 (IC 95%: 1,0-1,06, p = 0,05)] y haber recibido tratamiento con esteroides en urgencias[OR: 7,78 (IC 95%: 1,77-14,21, p = 0,01)]. Los factores asociados al ingreso en la revisita fueron la edad>=48 años[OR: 2,57 (IC 95%: 1,42-4,67, p = 0,002)] y presentar fiebre [OR: 4,73 (IC 95%: 1,99-11,27, p = 0,001)]. CONCLUSIÓN: Los pacientes con posible COVID-19 menores de 48 años, sin comorbilidad y con signos vitales normales podrían ser dados de alta desde urgencias sin temor a sufrir complicaciones. Los antecedentes de enfermedad reumatológica, fiebre, sintomas digestivos, frecuencia respiratoria>=20/min o necesidad de tratamiento con esteroides fueron factores independientes de revisita, y la fiebre y edad>=48 años de necesidad de ingreso

OBJECTIVE: To analyze emergency department (ED) revisits from patients discharged with possible coronavirus disease2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: Retrospective observational study of consecutive patients who came to the ED over a period of 2 monthsand were diagnosed with possible COVID-19. We analyzed clinical and epidemiologic variables, treatments given inthe ED, discharge destination, need to revisit, and reasons for revisits. Patients who did or did not revisit werecompared, and factors associated with revisits were explored. RESULTS: The 2378 patients included had a mean age of 57 years; 49% were women. Of the 925 patients (39%) discharged, 170 (20.5%) revisited the ED, mainly for persistence or progression of symptoms. Sixty-six (38.8%) were hospitalized. Odds ratios (ORs) for the following factors showed an association with revisits: history of rheumatologic disease (OR, 2.97; 95% CI, 1.10-7.99;P= .03), digestive symptoms (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.14-2.63;P= .01), respiratory rate over 20 breaths per minute (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.0-1.06;P = .05), and corticosteroid therapy given in the ED (OR, 7.78; 95% CI, 1.77-14.21,P= .01). Factors associated with hospitalization after revisits were age over 48 years (OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1 42-4.67;P= .002) and fever (OR, 4.73; 95% CI, 1.99-11.27;P= .001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients under the age of 48 years without comorbidity and with normal vitals can be discharged from the ED without fear of complications. A history of rheumatologic disease, fever, digestive symptoms, and a respiratory rate over 20 breaths per minute, or a need for corticosteroid therapy were independently associated with revisits. Fever and age over 48 years were associated with a need for hospitalization