Clinical Insights for Early Screening of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Homeless Patients Who Visited Emergency Department

PURPOSE: In 2014, Korea ranked as the first among the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries on the prevalence, incidence, and mortality of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The prevalence of TB among the homeless was 6.4% in the United State and 7.1% in South Korea. The aim of this study is to develop predicting indicators of TB by analyzing homeless people who visit the public hospital emergency department (ED). METHODS: We analyzed 7,500 homeless individuals who visited a public hospital ED between January 1, 2001 and May 31, 2014. A total of 4,552 patients were included, and of these, 145 homeless patients were infected with TB. We conducted univariate and multivariate analysis of clinical variables obtained from the initial check list and later lab analysis, and made a scoring system by weighing each variable. Then applying this scoring system, the area under the receiver (AUC) operating characteristic curve (ROC) was calculated. RESULTS: The prevalence of TB was 3.2%. The initial meaningful predictor variables were as follows: Being homeless, abnormal heart rate, abnormal respiratory rate, no alcohol intake, hypoalbuminemia, and CRP elevation. The AUC of ROC curve from these predictor variables were 0.815. CONCLUSION: We developed a novel scoring system to screen TB patients in a vulnerable social group who visit the ED. We can detect potential TB patients early and effectively control TB, preventing the spread of TB. Prospective internal and external validation is necessary by using the scoring system of TB among the homeless.

Vitamin C Deficiency of Korean Homeless Patients Visiting to Emergency Department with Acute Alcohol Intoxication

Vitamins are essential micronutrients for maintenance of tissue functions. Vitamin deficiency is one of the most serious and common health problems among both chronic alcoholics and the homeless. However, the vitamin-level statuses of such people have been little studied. We evaluated the actual vitamin statuses of alcoholic homeless patients who visited an emergency department (ED). In this study the blood levels of vitamins B1, B12, B6, and C of 217 alcoholic homeless patients were evaluated retrospectively in a single urban teaching hospital ED. Vitamin C deficiency was observed in 84.3% of the patients. The vitamin B1, B12, and B6 deficiency rates, meanwhile, were 2.3%, 2.3%, and 23.5%, respectively. Comparing the admitted patients with those who were discharged, only the vitamin C level was lower. (P=0.003) In fact, the patients' vitamin C levels were markedly diminished, vitamin C replacement therapy for homeless patients should be considered in EDs.

External Validation of Scoring Systems for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Acute Appendicitis for Acute Abdominal Pain of Reproductive-aged Women in Emergency Department

PURPOSE: Differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain of the childbearing age woman is a difficult challenge to the emergency physician. Clinical scoring systems for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and acute appendicitis have already been introduced. We want to validate these scoring systems externally. METHODS: This study was conducted at a single urban teaching hospital emergency department from May 2011 to September 2013. Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected registry for reproductive-aged women was performed. RESULTS: A total of 1432 patients were registered. Among them, 322 patients diagnosed as PID (177 patients) or acute appendicitis (145 patients) were finally analyzed in this study. Among the PID and acute appendicitis scored, lower and higher cut-off points were 3 and 8 for PID risk score, and 6 and 10 for appendicitis risk score. PID risk score of PID patients was 7.0 (+/-1.9), acute appendicitis patients was 4.3 (+/-2.1), and other patients was 4.0 (+/-2.2) (p<0.001). Appendicitis risk score of PID patients was 5.7 (+/-1.9), acute appendicitis patients was 9.0 (+/-2.1), and other patients was 5 (+/-1.6) (p<0.001). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were 0,832 and 0,950 for diagnosis of PID with PID risk score and acute appendicitis with appendicitis risk score, respectively. CONCLUSION: These scoring systems have appropriate diagnostic power for diagnosis of PID and acute appendicitis.

The Usefulness of Tablet Computer for Self-surveys of Child-bearing Aged Women Who Visit the Emergency Department with Abdominal Pain

PURPOSE: In the emergency department (ED), identification of the obstetrical and gynecologic history for diagnosis of child-bearing aged women who present with abdominal pain is very important. We compared the usefulness of self-registry using a tablet computer and a traditional paper registry for taking history of child-bearing aged women. METHODS: We reviewed the prospective registries of child-bearing aged women presenting with abdominal pain without underlying disease to the ED of the Seoul Metropolitan Boramae Medical Center. We used a paper version of this registry from April 2008 to April 2011. From May 2011 to October 2012, we used the Smart Medical Registry (SMR), where the patient used a tablet computer to record her own data. The registries of child-bearing aged women included information on the patient's basic information, medical history, gynecologic history, symptoms, physician's examination, and laboratory results. We performed statistical analysis of the difference between the paper registry and SMR. RESULTS: A total of 1193 patients were registered. Among them, 835 patients were registered using the SMR. There were no statistically significant differences in the patients' basic information and diagnostic classification. However, the SMR group reported more recent history of pelvic inflammatory disease (p<0.01), higher number of abortions (p<0.01), and higher number of sexual partners (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Using the tablet computer based self-survey, patients had a more positive tendency toward answering privacy sensitive items. Therefore, it might be more useful and effective in obtaining sensitive, private information from patients.

Clinical Predictors for Reproductive-aged Gynecologic Emergency Surgery Candidates Presenting to the Emergency Department with Acute Abdominal Pain

PURPOSE: Differentiating gynecological emergency surgery indications among reproductive-age female patients presenting with acute abdominal pain is challenging for emergency department (ED) physicians. We evaluated the clinical demographics of female patients diagnosed with gynecological surgery indications in the ED and found clinical predictors associated with surgical indications overall and with each surgical indication. METHODS: We conducted a prospective review study of the hospital registries of reproductive-aged women who presented with abdominal pain but without underlying disease from April 2008 to October 2010. These registries included information concerning the patient's basic characteristics, medical history, gynecologic history, symptoms, physician's examination, and laboratory results. Using a multivariate logistic regression analysis, we found a number of statistically significant factors indicating a gynecological emergency necessitating surgery. RESULTS: A total of 1047 cases involving female patients of reproductive age were initially included. We found 89 patients(8.50%) who were diagnosed as having gynecological surgery indications: 50(4.78%) were diagnosed with hemorrhagic ovarian cyst rupture, 16(1.53%) with ectopic pregnancy, and 23(2.20%) with ovarian torsion. Pain of more than 14 days from the last menstrual period (OR, 2.332; 95% CI, 1.406-3.968; p=0.001), bilateral lower abdominal tenderness (OR, 0.467; 95% CI, 0.288-0.758; p=0.002), rebound tenderness (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.329-0.887; p=0.015), normal C-reactive protein value (CRP) (OR, 3.286; 95% CI, 1.717-6.290; p<0.001), and positive human chorionic gonadotropin test (OR, 0.058; 95% CI, 0.024-0.142; p<0.001) were related to gynecologic emergency surgery indication in a patient with abdominal pain. CONCLUSION: Clinical findings of the last menstrual period, bilateral abdominal tenderness, rebound tenderness, CRP value, and urine hCG result can be helpful in exclusion of gynecologic emergency surgical indications.

The Usefulness of Tablet Computer for Self-surveys of Child-bearing Aged Women Who Visit the Emergency Department with Abdominal Pain

PURPOSE: In the emergency department (ED), identification of the obstetrical and gynecologic history for diagnosis of child-bearing aged women who present with abdominal pain is very important. We compared the usefulness of self-registry using a tablet computer and a traditional paper registry for taking history of child-bearing aged women. METHODS: We reviewed the prospective registries of child-bearing aged women presenting with abdominal pain without underlying disease to the ED of the Seoul Metropolitan Boramae Medical Center. We used a paper version of this registry from April 2008 to April 2011. From May 2011 to October 2012, we used the Smart Medical Registry (SMR), where the patient used a tablet computer to record her own data. The registries of child-bearing aged women included information on the patient's basic information, medical history, gynecologic history, symptoms, physician's examination, and laboratory results. We performed statistical analysis of the difference between the paper registry and SMR. RESULTS: A total of 1193 patients were registered. Among them, 835 patients were registered using the SMR. There were no statistically significant differences in the patients' basic information and diagnostic classification. However, the SMR group reported more recent history of pelvic inflammatory disease (p<0.01), higher number of abortions (p<0.01), and higher number of sexual partners (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Using the tablet computer based self-survey, patients had a more positive tendency toward answering privacy sensitive items. Therefore, it might be more useful and effective in obtaining sensitive, private information from patients.

Clinical Predictors for Reproductive-aged Gynecologic Emergency Surgery Candidates Presenting to the Emergency Department with Acute Abdominal Pain

PURPOSE: Differentiating gynecological emergency surgery indications among reproductive-age female patients presenting with acute abdominal pain is challenging for emergency department (ED) physicians. We evaluated the clinical demographics of female patients diagnosed with gynecological surgery indications in the ED and found clinical predictors associated with surgical indications overall and with each surgical indication. METHODS: We conducted a prospective review study of the hospital registries of reproductive-aged women who presented with abdominal pain but without underlying disease from April 2008 to October 2010. These registries included information concerning the patient's basic characteristics, medical history, gynecologic history, symptoms, physician's examination, and laboratory results. Using a multivariate logistic regression analysis, we found a number of statistically significant factors indicating a gynecological emergency necessitating surgery. RESULTS: A total of 1047 cases involving female patients of reproductive age were initially included. We found 89 patients(8.50%) who were diagnosed as having gynecological surgery indications: 50(4.78%) were diagnosed with hemorrhagic ovarian cyst rupture, 16(1.53%) with ectopic pregnancy, and 23(2.20%) with ovarian torsion. Pain of more than 14 days from the last menstrual period (OR, 2.332; 95% CI, 1.406-3.968; p=0.001), bilateral lower abdominal tenderness (OR, 0.467; 95% CI, 0.288-0.758; p=0.002), rebound tenderness (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.329-0.887; p=0.015), normal C-reactive protein value (CRP) (OR, 3.286; 95% CI, 1.717-6.290; p<0.001), and positive human chorionic gonadotropin test (OR, 0.058; 95% CI, 0.024-0.142; p<0.001) were related to gynecologic emergency surgery indication in a patient with abdominal pain. CONCLUSION: Clinical findings of the last menstrual period, bilateral abdominal tenderness, rebound tenderness, CRP value, and urine hCG result can be helpful in exclusion of gynecologic emergency surgical indications.

Differences in Tetanus Antibody Titer between Homeless Patients and General Patients

PURPOSE: Homeless patients usually live outside and are therefore frequently exposed to injury and tetanus infection. Thus, after visits to an emergency department (ED) due to injury, homeless patients need to be vaccinated for the prevention of tetanus infection with tetanus immunoglobulin regardless of tetanus antibody titer or previous vaccination history. Because the exact history of previous tetanus vaccination in homeless patients is unclear, the tetanus antibody titer between homeless patients and general patients was assessed. METHODS: Subjects who visited the ED after injury from October 2008 to February 2010 were enrolled. All participants answered questions on age, gender, previous vaccination or prophylaxis history, and military service. The Tetanus Immunoglobulin G ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method was used for the analysis of serum samples. Propensity score-matched analysis was used to control for age, gender, previous vaccination or prophylaxis history, and military service. RESULTS: A total of 1325 samples were analyzed. There was 83 samples from homeless patients and 1242 samples from general patients. After matched analysis using the propensity score, 56 subjects were matched. The geometric mean titer of tetanus antibody was 0.204+/-0.392 IU/mL in homeless patients and 0.105+/-0.143 IU/mL in general patients (p=0.078). The proportion of patients with a safe tetanus antibody titer was 66.1 percent of homeless patients and 23.2 percent of general patients (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Homeless patients had a higher mean titer and a statistically higher proportion had a safe titer compared to general patients.

Differences in Tetanus Antibody Titer between Homeless Patients and General Patients

PURPOSE: Homeless patients usually live outside and are therefore frequently exposed to injury and tetanus infection. Thus, after visits to an emergency department (ED) due to injury, homeless patients need to be vaccinated for the prevention of tetanus infection with tetanus immunoglobulin regardless of tetanus antibody titer or previous vaccination history. Because the exact history of previous tetanus vaccination in homeless patients is unclear, the tetanus antibody titer between homeless patients and general patients was assessed. METHODS: Subjects who visited the ED after injury from October 2008 to February 2010 were enrolled. All participants answered questions on age, gender, previous vaccination or prophylaxis history, and military service. The Tetanus Immunoglobulin G ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method was used for the analysis of serum samples. Propensity score-matched analysis was used to control for age, gender, previous vaccination or prophylaxis history, and military service. RESULTS: A total of 1325 samples were analyzed. There was 83 samples from homeless patients and 1242 samples from general patients. After matched analysis using the propensity score, 56 subjects were matched. The geometric mean titer of tetanus antibody was 0.204+/-0.392 IU/mL in homeless patients and 0.105+/-0.143 IU/mL in general patients (p=0.078). The proportion of patients with a safe tetanus antibody titer was 66.1 percent of homeless patients and 23.2 percent of general patients (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Homeless patients had a higher mean titer and a statistically higher proportion had a safe titer compared to general patients.

Scoring System for Screening Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome in Childbearing-aged Women who Visit the Emergency Department with Upper Abdominal Pain

PURPOSE: Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome (FHCS) is a perihepatitis associated with pelvic inflammatory disease. Due to difficulty in diagnosis of FHCS on initial evaluation, we developed a reliable scoring system for screening FHCS using clinical variables. METHODS: We reviewed the registries of women of childbearing age who presented with upper abdominal pain in an urban emergency department from April 2008 to October 2010. Using multivariate analysis, along with 95% confidence interval (CI), we identified the statistically significant predictor variables that affected the FHCS. Using the results, we developed the scoring system for FHCS. Performances of each score were evaluated using the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. RESULTS: A total of 361 eligible women of childbearing age were enrolled in our study. Fifty patients were diagnosed as FHCS. The significant factors for FHCS were as follows: pain onset for more than two days, history of abortion, unmarried woman, coitus within four weeks, migrating pain, absence of gastrointestinal symptoms, absence of urinary symptoms, and elevation of C-reactive protein. We assigned a score of 1 or 2 to each variable using the beta-coefficients. The ROC areas of the scoring system were 0.920. Patients were categorized as low (score 0~4), intermediate (score 5~7), and high (score 8~10) risk groups; 75.0% of high, 18.3% of intermediate, and 1.0% of the low risk group were diagnosed as FHCS. CONCLUSION: We developed a novel scoring system for screening FHCS of women of child-bearing-age who had presented with upper abdominal pain. Use of this scoring system will allow for easier screening for FHCS in women of child-bearing age.