RESUMO
Abstract Introduction: Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterised by hyperinflammatory state, systemic coagulopathies, and multiorgan involvement, especially acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We here describe our preliminary clinical experience with COVID-19 patients treated via an early initiation of extracorporeal blood purification combined with systemic heparinisation and respiratory support. Methods: Fifteen patients were included; several biomarkers associated with COVID-19 severity were monitored. Personalised treatment was tailored according to the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumour necrosis factor alpha, C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, thrombocyte counts, D-dimers, and fibrinogen. Treatment consisted of respiratory support, extracorporeal blood purification using the AN69ST (oXiris®) hemofilter, and 300 U/kg heparin to maintain activation clotting time ≥ 180 seconds. Results: Ten patients presented with severe to critical disease (dyspnoea, hypoxia, respiratory rate > 30/min, peripheral oxygen saturation < 90%, or > 50% lung involvement on X-ray imaging). The median intensive care unit length of stay was 9.3 days (interquartile range 5.3-10.1); two patients developed ARDS and died after 5 and 26 days. Clinical improvement was associated with normalisation (increase) of thrombocytes and white blood cells, stable levels of IL-6 (< 50 ng/mL), and a decrease of CRP and fibrinogen. Conclusion: Continuous monitoring of COVID-19 severity biomarkers and radiological imaging is crucial to assess disease progression, uncontrolled inflammation, and to avert irreversible multiorgan failure. The combination of systemic heparin anticoagulation regimens and extracorporeal blood purification using cytokine-adsorbing hemofilters may reduce hyperinflammation, prevent coagulopathy, and support clinical recovery.
RESUMO
ABSTRACT Objective: COPD is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Health care providers should counsel their smoking patients with COPD to quit smoking as the first treatment step. However, in countries with high prevalences of smoking, health care workers may also be smokers. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and severity of COPD in health care workers who smoke. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. All health care workers who smoke, from nine health care centers in Serbia, were invited to participate in the study and perform spirometry. The diagnosis of COPD was based on a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio of < 0.70. All patients completed the COPD Assessment Test and the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence. Results: The study involved 305 subjects, and 47 (15.4%) were male. The mean age of the participants was 49.0 ± 6.5 years. Spirometry revealed obstructive ventilatory defect in 33 subjects (10.8%); restrictive ventilatory defect, in 5 (1.6%); and small airway disease, in 96 (31.5%). A diagnosis of COPD was made in 29 patients (9.5%), 25 (86.2%) of whom were newly diagnosed. On the basis of the Global Initiative for COPD guidelines, most COPD patients belonged to groups A or B (n = 14; 48.2%, for both); 1 belonged to group D (3.6%); and none, to group C. Very high nicotine dependence was more common in those with COPD than in those without it (20.7% vs. 5.4%, p = 0.01). Conclusions: In this sample of health care workers, the frequency of COPD was comparable with that in the general population. The presence of COPD in health care workers who smoke was associated with higher nicotine dependence.
RESUMO Objetivo: A DPOC é uma das principais causas de morbidade e mortalidade em todo o mundo. Os provedores de cuidados de saúde deveriam aconselhar seus pacientes fumantes com DPOC a parar de fumar como primeiro passo de tratamento. Entretanto, em países com altas prevalências de tabagismo, os profissionais de saúde também podem ser fumantes. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a frequência de DPOC e sua gravidade em profissionais de saúde que fumam. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal. Todos os profissionais de saúde fumantes de nove centros de saúde na Sérvia foram convidados a participar do estudo e realizar espirometria. O diagnóstico de DPOC baseou-se em VEF1/CVF pós-broncodilatador < 0,70. Todos os pacientes preencheram o COPD Assessment Test e o Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence. Resultados: Participaram do estudo 305 indivíduos, e 47 (15,4%) eram do sexo masculino. A média de idade dos participantes foi de 49,0 ± 6,5 anos. A espirometria revelou defeito ventilatório obstrutivo em 33 indivíduos (10,8%), defeito ventilatório restritivo em 5 (1,6%) e doença das vias aéreas pequenas em 96 (31,5%). O diagnóstico de DPOC foi feito em 29 pacientes (9,5%), 25 (86,2%) dos quais foram recém-diagnosticados. Com base nas diretrizes da Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, a maioria dos pacientes com DPOC ficou no grupo A ou B (n = 14; 48,2%, para ambos); 1 ficou no grupo D (3,6%) e nenhum ficou no grupo C. Um grau muito alto de dependência de nicotina foi mais comum nos indivíduos com DPOC que naqueles sem a doença (20,7% vs. 5,4%; p = 0,01). Conclusões: Nesta amostra de profissionais de saúde, a frequência de DPOC foi comparável à observada na população geral. A presença de DPOC em profissionais de saúde que fumam relacionou-se com maior dependência de nicotina.