Geriatric nutritional risk index as the prognostic factor in older patients with fragility hip fractures.

This study investigated the long-term survival and incidence of secondary fractures after fragility hip fractures. The 5-year survival rate was 62%, and the mortality risk was seen in patients with GNRI < 92. The 5-year incidence of secondary fracture was 22%, which was significantly higher in patients with a BMI < 20. BACKGROUND: Malnutrition negatively influences the postoperative survival of patients with fragility hip fractures (FHFs); however, little is known about their association over the long term. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the ability of the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) as a risk factor for long-term mortality after FHFs. METHODS: This study included 623 Japanese patients with FHFs over the age of 60 years. We prospectively collected data on admission and during hospitalization and assessed the patients' conditions after discharge through a questionnaire. We examined the long-term mortality and the incidence of secondary FHFs and assessed the prognostic factors. RESULTS: The mean observation period was 4.0 years (range 0-7 years). The average age at the time of admission was 82 years (range 60-101 years). The overall survival after FHFs (1 year, 91%; 5 years, 62%) and the incidence of secondary FHFs were high (1 year, 4%; 5 years, 22%). The multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed the risk factors for mortality as older age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.04), male sex (HR 1.96), lower GNRI score (HR 0.96), comorbidities (malignancy, HR 2.51; ischemic heart disease, HR 2.24; revised Hasegawa dementia scale ≤ 20, HR 1.64), no use of active vitamin D3 on admission (HR 0.46), and a lower Barthel index (BI) (on admission, HR 1.00; at discharge, HR 0.99). The GNRI scores were divided into four risk categories: major risk (GNRI, < 82), moderate risk (82-91), low risk (92-98), and no risk (> 98). Patients at major and moderate risks of GNRI had a significantly lower overall survival rate (p < 0.001). Lower body mass index (BMI) was also identified as a prognostic factor for secondary FHFs (HR 0.88 [p = 0.004]). CONCLUSIONS: We showed that older age, male sex, a lower GNRI score, comorbidities, and a lower BI are risk factors for mortality following FHFs. GNRI is a novel and simple predictor of long-term survival after FHFs.

In which cases of pneumonia should we consider treatments for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia?

BACKGROUND: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a pathogen commonly associated with respiratory infection. However, the characteristics of pneumonia caused by S. maltophilia remain unknown. AIM: To evaluate the characteristics of and risk factors for S. maltophilia pneumonia. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was undertaken of 2002 patients with sputum cultures positive for S. maltophilia between January 2010 and December 2019. Cases were excluded based on clinical information and laboratory results. Included cases were divided into two groups: the S. maltophilia pneumonia group (patients with pneumonia caused by S. maltophilia) and the non-S. maltophilia pneumonia group (patients with pneumonia caused by pathogens other than S. maltophilia). Patient characteristics, clinical data and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were compared between the groups. FINDINGS: Eight and 91 patients were assigned to the S. maltophilia pneumonia and non-S. maltophilia pneumonia groups, respectively. The median age was significantly lower in the S. maltophilia pneumonia group than in the non-S. maltophilia pneumonia group (63.4 vs 73.1 years; P<0.01), and the SOFA score was significantly higher in the S. maltophilia pneumonia group (7.5 vs 3.0; P<0.01). Underlying malignancy and pre-administration of antipseudomonal ß-lactams and steroids were confirmed in seven of the eight cases in the S. maltophilia pneumonia group, suggesting an association with immunosuppression. CONCLUSIONS: Pneumonia due to S. maltophilia is a rare occurrence. Treatment for this pathogen should be considered in cases of pneumonia with: (1) predominance of S. maltophilia in sputum cultures; (2) pre-administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics; (3) immunodeficiency; and (4) a high SOFA score.

[Roles of clinical laboratory monitoring in bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation].

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT) increase the chances of cure of many hematological malignancy. The clinical laboratory plays a major role in support of HSCT. Both transplantation-specific laboratory test(tissue typing, assessment of graft viability/rejection, evaluation of minimal residual disease, and measurement of immunosuppressive drugs) and routine clinical laboratory tests(biochemical, hematological, serological, urinary, bacteriological, and physiological examinations) are significant. Hematopoietic stem cells(HSC) are usually assessed as CD34+ cells, while immature cells determined by automated hematology analyzers can simply evaluate HCS. These automated immature cell counts are earlier markers of engraftment following transplantation than the traditional indicators(neutrophils and platelets). After transplantation, infections, regimen-related toxicities, graft-versus host disease, veno-occlusive disease, and thrombotic microangiopathy are the serious complications, which are causes of expected mortality and morbidity in HSCT. Clinical laboratory monitoring may contribute early diagnosis and treatment of the complications, resulting in prevention of the adverse events.