Application and prospect of neonatal critical illness score in China / 中国小儿急救医学

Neonatal critical illness score(NCIS) has been published for over 20 years in China and has played an active role in critical neonatal transport, illness severity assessment, and prognosis evaluation.However, there are still some limitations in the scoring system with the development of medical technology, such as failure to include crucial perinatal information, unable to quantify single indicators, difficulty in obtaining PaO 2 without oxygen inhalation, complex evaluation indicators, long evaluation time and data was difficult for scientific research, etc.Therefore, it is necessary to update and simplify it for the clinical treatment and scientific study of critically ill newborns.This review summarized NCIS application in China and compared it with foreign neonatal critical scores such as score for neonatal acute physiology, clinical risk index for babies, etc.Combined with the rising technology of artificial intelligence and deep learning in recent years, it was more straightforward and optimized to enhance its accuracy and applicability, which was aimed to play a more active role in the treatment of critical newborns and scientific research.

Validation of the simple clinical risk score for the early detection of severe dengue in adult patients

Background@#In 2009, the World Health Organization revised the Dengue Fever guidelines to more accurately identify patients at risk of developing severe dengue. Despite these guidelines, early diagnosis of severe dengue remains challenging for clinicians. Several scoring systems have been developed to identify patients at highest risk for severe dengue however; these studies have a study population limited to children and did not include adult patients.@*Objective@#The purpose of this study is to validate the Simple Clinical Risk Score in predicting who will develop severe Dengue among adult patients with Dengue fever.@*Methods@#This is a prospective cohort, single-center, observational study conducted at Silliman University Medical Center from August 2019 to August 2020. A total of 481 laboratory confirmed dengue patients were included and categorized into two models based on the day of illness. Each model used a clinical risk score of 1 point as a cut-off for predicting severe Dengue. Validation was done using the risk-odds ratio and substantiated by the odds ratio, signifying that there is more likely greater association between dengue patients to develop severe dengue.@*Results@#In model 1, a total of 339 patients were analyzed with 6 patients who achieved a score of 1 developed severe Dengue. In model 2, a total of 142 patients were analyzed and 3 patients who achieved a score of 1 developed severe dengue.@*Conclusion@#The simple clinical risk score can assist clinicians in deciding and stratifying dengue patients who need hospitalization not only in resource-limited areas but also during this height of the pandemic. While the findings had a lesser number of participants, it still remained context-specific and is able to demonstrate a predictive ability for severe disease, thereby optimizing informed decisions for hospital admissions in settings with limited laboratory resources.

Improving outcomes in co-morbid diabetes and COVID-19: A quasi-experimental study

Background: High-risk people living with diabetes (PLWD) have increased risk for morbidity and mortality. During the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) wave in 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa, high-risk PLWD with COVID-19 were fast-tracked into a field hospital and managed aggressively. This study evaluated the effects of this intervention by assessing the impact of this intervention on clinical outcomes in this cohort. Methods: A retrospective quasi-experimental study design compared patients admitted pre- and post-intervention. Results: A total of 183 participants were enrolled, with the two groups having similar demographic and clinical pre-Covid-19 baselines. Glucose control on admission was better in the experimental group (8.1% vs 9.3% [p = 0.013]). The experimental group needed less oxygen (p < 0.001), fewer antibiotics (p < 0.001) and fewer steroids (p = 0.003), while the control group had a higher incidence of acute kidney injury during admission (p = 0.046). The median glucose control was better in the experimental group (8.3 vs 10.0; p = 0.006). The two groups had similar clinical outcomes for discharge home (94% vs 89%), escalation in care (2% vs 3%) and inpatient death (4% vs 8%). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that a risk-based approach to high-risk PLWD with COVID-19 may yield good clinical outcomes while making financial savings and preventing emotional distress. Contribution: We propose a risk-based approach to guide clinical management of high risk patients, which departs significantly from the current disease-based model. More research using randomised control trial methodology should explore this hypothesis.

Análisis descriptivo de los trabajos científicos presentados en la Segunda Conferencia Internacional Chilena de Psicosis 2020 / Descriptive analysis of the posters abstracts submitted to the Chilean International Conference in Psychosis 2020

INTRODUCCIÓN: Dentro de los desafíos de la investigación en Psicosis en Chile y el mundo se encuentra el desarrollo de polos académicos de investigación en estados mentales de riesgo (EMARS). En este artículo se realiza un análisis descriptivo de los resúmenes de los trabajos científicos presentados en la II conferencia internacional: Desafíos Clínicos y terapéuticos en Psicosis realizada en Octubre del 2020. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una selección y premiación del mejor trabajo de acuerdo a un sistema de puntuación realizado por un comité científico ad-hoc. Luego se sistematizó la información en una tabla resumen para su posterior análisis descriptivo cualitativo. RESULTADOS: Se seleccionaron 12 trabajos. El 75% de los trabajos seleccionados abordan el tema de la detección precoz e intervención temprana en psicosis, en particular en la temática EMARS. Asimismo, el 40% de los trabajos presentados provienen de regiones de la zona centro-sur de nuestro país. El 83% de los trabajos realizan un diseño experimental con reclutamiento de pacientes o discusión de casos clínicos complejos. CONCLUSIÓN: Los trabajos seleccionados dan cuenta del interés por el mejoramiento en el diagnóstico y terapéutica en este ámbito. Se debe potenciar el trabajo de investigación y asistencial en Chile en el ámbito de los EMARS.

INTRODUCTION: Within the challenges of research in Psychosis in Chile and the world is the development of academic research poles in mental states of risk (EMARS). This article makes a descriptive analysis of the summaries of the scientific papers presented at the II international conference: Clinical and therapeutic challenges in Psychosis held in October 2020. METHODS: The best work was selected and awarded according to a scoring system carried out by an ad-hoc scientific committee. The information was then systematized in a summary table for subsequent qualitative descriptive analysis. RESULTS: 12 papers were selected. 75% of the selected works address the issue of early detection and early intervention in psychosis, particularly the EMARS theme. Likewise, 40% of the papers presented come from regions of the south-central zone of our country. 83% of the works carry out an experimental design with recruitment of patients or discussion of complex clinical cases. CONCLUSION: The selected works show the interest in the improvement in diagnosis and therapy in this area. Research and assistance work in Chile should be promoted in the field of EMARS.

The use of preoperative clinical risk assessment in COVID-19 screening among asymptomatic individuals, its cost-effectiveness and impact on surgical outcomes and management decisions: A rapid review

Objective@#This rapid review aimed to summarize data on the accuracy, benefits, harms, and cost-effectiveness of preoperative COVID-19 clinical risk assessment for asymptomatic individuals. @*Methods@#A comprehensive search in MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, ChinaXiv, medRxiv, and bioRxiv was done until March 10, 2021, using the keywords “COVID-19”, “surgery”, “RT-PCR”, “clinical risk assessment” and “cost-effectiveness”. We searched for studies that assessed the diagnostic accuracy of preoperative clinical risk assessment in COVID-19 screening among asymptomatic individuals, its cost-effectiveness, and its impact on surgical outcomes and management decisions. Risk of bias was assessed using Evaluation of Articles on Diagnosis (Painless Evidence Based Medicine)10 for accuracy studies, Newcastle-Ottawa Scale11 for cohort studies, and Drummond’s checklist12 for economic evaluations. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to evaluate the overall evidence. Data from included studies were collated qualitatively using summary tables and analyzed in Review Manager 5.4. Pooling of sensitivity and specificity, odds ratio or adjusted odds ratio, and cost-effectiveness measures using a random-effects model was planned. Heterogeneity was determined using I2. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were preplanned in case significant heterogeneity was found. @*Results@#Three observational studies were included. Preoperative clinical risk assessment for COVID-19 demonstrated a sensitivity of 0.42 (95% CI 0.15-0.72) and a specificity of 0.85 (95% CI 0.76-0.92), using RT-PCR as a reference standard. Indirect evidence showed that any positive clinical risk assessment, COVID-19 antigen or RT-PCR test is done within 0–7 weeks from surgery was associated with a higher 30-day postoperative mortality (RR 3.96, 95% CI 3.41, 4.59) and pulmonary complications (RR 3.41, 95% CI 3.04, 3.83). Delaying surgery at least seven weeks from COVID-19 diagnosis was associated with lower post-surgical complications. Universal pre-endoscopy virus testing using the antigen rapid diagnostic test (Ag-RDT) (ICER = -26,286 €), standard RT-PCR (ICER = -11,128€), or rapid PCR (ICER = -13,703 €) combined with high-risk personal protective equipment (PPE) use in all patients irrespective of test results were found to be more cost-effective compared to no pre-endoscopy testing and no high-risk PPE use, at an, assumed COVID-19 prevalence of 1% or higher among asymptomatic individuals. Overall certainty of evidence was very low. @*Conclusion@#Preoperative clinical risk assessment has poor sensitivity but high specificity for detecting COVID-19 among asymptomatic individuals undergoing elective surgery. Objective diagnostic tests such as RT-PCR or Ag-RDT may still be needed to inform surgery schedules. @*@#

The clinical engineering strategy for reducing application risk of ventilator / 中国医学装备

Objective: To reduce the risk of ventilator in clinical use by using technical management so as to enhance cure rate for patients. Methods: Through a series of methods included of clinical investigation, statistic analysis of data, socio-technical system model and others to analyze and assess risk factors which were possibly produced in the cure process of ventilator. And the relevant risk regulation indicators were formulated as above information. Results: The formulation about risk control criterion of operation in the cure process of ventilator provided various aspects, which included of the material qualities of ventilator and breathe pipeline, clinical service environment, human factor and others, for clinical engineer to control risk so as to ensure the life safe of patients. Conclusion: The clinical engineering department should adopt technique management way to analyze the cure process of ventilator, and control risk from aspect of clinical engineering. Therefore, it can efficiently reduce the risk of ventilator in clinical application and promote the safety and efficiency of ventilator in the treatment.

Application of clinical risk index for babies in low birth weight preterm infants / 中国小儿急救医学

Clinical risk index for babies( CRIB) is applied in low birth weight preterm neonates to assess the initial severity of illness,predict mortality risk rates,evaluate their own performance,and audit the performance between different medical institutions.CRIB plays an important role in the progressive develop-ment of neonatology.The scoring rules and advantagse of CRIB scorni g system were introud ced in this arti-cle.Teh scoring system is able to correctly predict mortaliyt probabilities and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes for low birth weight preterm infants.

Risk factors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants with different severities / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To improve the prevention and treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD) in preterm infants,and the clinical risk factors of premature neonates with different severities of BPD were investigated.Methods A total of 139 cases among preterm infants who were admitted to NICU in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from Jan.2007 to Dec.2011 were analyzed retrospectively.The history of birth and mother pregnancy,clinical treatment,prognosis and complication of mild,moderate and severe BPD according to clinical diagnostic criteria were analyzed,respectively.Results Of the total 139 premature neonates,61 cases were diagnosed as mild BPD,48 cases as moderate BPD and 30 cases as severe BPD.No significant differences were found in gender,birth times,fertilization,delivery mode,the percentage of fetal distress and neonatal resuscitation,maternal age,the percentage of pregnancy-induced hypertension,the percentage of antenatal corticosteroids administration and postnatal pulmonary surfactant and combined with patent ducts arteries among the different groups(all P ＞ 0.05).With the increasing severity of BPD,the birth weight and gestational age were decreasing,the percentage of the infants with Apgar 1 minute score ≤7,premature rupture of membranes ≥ 8 hours,maternal perinatal infection,meconium-stained amniotic fluid were increasing(all P ＜ 0.05).And mechanical ventilation,the time of using oxygen,and the percentage of trachea cannula intubation ≥2 times,indwelling gastric tube and red blood cells transfusing,the positive rate of sputum cultures and the blood culture were also increased with the increasing severity of BPD(all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Preventing of preterm delivery,control and reduce antenatal and postnatal infection,shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation and usage of oxygen are key factors to reduce BPD and severities in neonatal infants.

Development of FRAX in predicting fracture risk / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

The FRAX (Fracture Risk Assessment Tool) calculator is an application of different clinical risk factors to predict the absolute risk of fracture.It is the model based on a series of data of evidence-based medical researches on fracture risk factors.FRAX is limited by a number of factors.However,it is a major achievement in terms of our understanding and measuring fracture risk.

Scoring of prognostic factors that influence long-term survival in patients with hepatic metastasis of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: To find independent predictors that affect the survival in patients with hepatic metastasis of colorectal cancer after surgery and to devise a risk scoring system. METHODS: Among 150 patients who underwent hepatic resection after diagnosis of colorectal cancer with hepatic metastasis between March 1994 and February 2009, we analyzed clinical, pathologic and outcome data retrospectively. RESULTS: The 1-year survival rate was 83%, and the 5-year survival rate was 35%. Nine factors were found to be independent predictors of adverse outcome by univariate analysis: stage of primary tumor, CA19-9 >36 U/ml, extrahepatic disease, distribution of the hepatic tumor, number of hepatic tumors >3, largest hepatic tumor >5 cm, total size >10 cm, CEA >10 ng/ml, and metachronous cancer. The last two of these criteria were also significant risk factors on multivariate analysis. When these criteria were used as a risk scoring system, assigning one point for each criterion and dividing the cases into A, B and C groups, the total score was highly predictive of outcomes (p<0.001). No patients in group C (6 to 9 points) were long-term survivors. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term outcome can be predicted from nine criteria that are readily available for all patients. Patients meeting up to two criteria (group A) are more likely to have a favorable outcome compared to the three or over (groups B and C). This scoring system may offer an easy, rapid, and reliable prognostic indicator of survival outcome after hepatic resection in patients with hepatic metastasis from colorectal cancer.

O impacto da osteoporose no Brasil: dados regionais das fraturas em homens e mulheres adultos: The Brazilian Osteoporosis Study (BRAZOS) / The burden of osteoporosis in Brazil: regional data from fractures in adult men and women: The Brazilian Osteoporosis Study (BRAZOS)

INTRODUÇÃO/OBJETIVOS: O BRAZOS (The Brazilian Osteoporosis Study) é um estudo epidemiológico, de base populacional, realizado em amostra representativa de mulheres e homens brasileiros, de idade superior a 40 anos, com o objetivo de identificar os principais fatores clínicos de risco associados com fratura por baixo impacto. Nesse artigo são apresentados os principais resultados do estudo, de acordo com cada região do país. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Um total de 2.420 indivíduos, provenientes das cinco regiões do país e de todas as classes socioeconômicas foram incluídos no estudo. Foram avaliados dados antropométricos, bem como aspectos relacionados aos hábitos de vida, fraturas, ingestão alimentar, atividade física, quedas e qualidade de vida por meio de entrevista individual e quantitativa. Fratura por baixo impacto foi definida como aquela decorrente de queda da própria altura ou menos. Valor de P < 0,05 foi considerado como estatisticamente significante. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa da prevalência de fratura nas cinco regiões do Brasil, de acordo com o sexo ou classe social. No entanto, nas mulheres, houve maior ocorrência de fraturas na região metropolitana do que nos municípios do interior dos estados e tendência a maior frequência de fraturas em homens da região nordeste. Não foi verificada diferença estatisticamente significativa de fraturas se os homens eram provenientes das capitais ou do interior dos estados. CONCLUSÕES: De acordo com os nossos resultados, não foi observada diferença significativa da prevalência de fraturas por baixo impacto nem da frequência ou relevância de fatores de risco entre as cinco regiões do Brasil.

OBJECTIVES: The BRAZOS (The Brazilian Osteoporosis Study) study is the first epidemiological and population-based study carried out in a representative sample of Brazilian men and women, 40 years or older, with the objective of identifying the prevalence and main clinical risk factors (CRF) associated with low-impact fractures. This report shows the main results according to each region of the country. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 2,420 subjects (70 percent women) from 150 different cities in five geographic regions in Brazil, and from all different socio-economical classes were included in this study. Anthropometrical data, as well life style, previous fractures, nutritional status, physical activity, falls, and quality of life were evaluated by a quantitative individual survey. Low-impact fracture was defined as that resulting from a fall no greater than standing height of an individual. A P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in the prevalence of fractures among the five Brazilian regions according to gender or social class were not observed. However, in women, a higher incidence of fractures was observed in metropolitan areas than in rural areas, and a tendency for a higher frequency of fractures was observed in men from Northeastern states. Statistically significant differences among men from metropolitan areas or rural areas were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in the prevalence of low-impact fractures among the five different regions of Brazil were not observed, as well as its frequency or relevance of risk factors.

Scoring Method for Predicting the Mortality of Premature Infants: Comparison with CRIB

PURPOSE: To develop a new scoring method for predicting the mortality at 28 days of life in premature infants. METHODS: From January 2000 to August 2001 (period I), medical records of 138 premature infants less than 32 weeks' gestation admitted at Asan Medical Center were reviewed retrospectively, and a predictive model (named as KCRIB28) was developed based on several steps of regression analysis. From January 2001 to December 2002 (period II), KCRIB28 was validated for 99 premature infants admitted at Ulsan University Hospital using retrospective cohort study, and compared with results of CRIB score for those infants. The primary outcome variable was death at 28 days of life. RESULTS: One hundred twenty seven (92%) of 138 infants during period I and 86 (86.9%) of 99 infants during period II survived over 28 days of life (P=0.07). The mean gestational age and birth weight (+/-SD) were 29.1+/-2.0 weeks and 1.23+/-0.35 kg, respectively, during period I, and 29.6+/-2.0 weeks and 1.37+/-0.46 kg, respectively, during period II. Gestational age, birth weight, 5-min. Apgar score and peak inspiratory pressure divided by birth weight at 12 hours of age were selected as parameters of KCRIB 28. Areas under the receiver operator characteristic curves (AUCs) were 0.84 (SEM, 0.08; 95%CI, 0.77-0.90) during period I and 0.89 (SEM, 0.06; 95%CI, 0.81-0.94) during period II. No differences in AUCs were found between KCRIB 28 and CRIB for patients during period II (P=0.75). CONCLUSION: KCRIB 28 can be used as a valuable measurement to predict the mortality of premature infants at 28 days of life.