Risk factors associated with acute kidney injury in a cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Patients with COVID-19 have a high incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), which is associated with mortality. The objective of the study was to determine the factors associated with AKI in patients with COVID-19. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cohort was established in two university hospitals in Bogotá, Colombia. Adults hospitalized for more than 48 h from March 6, 2020, to March 31, 2021, with confirmed COVID-19 were included. The main outcome was to determine the factors associated with AKI in patients with COVID-19 and the secondary outcome was estimate the incidence of AKI during the 28 days following hospital admission. RESULTS: A total of 1584 patients were included: 60.4% were men, 738 (46.5%) developed AKI, 23.6% were classified as KDIGO 3, and 11.1% had renal replacement therapy. The risk factors for developing AKI during hospitalization were male sex (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.73-2.99), age (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03), history of chronic kidney disease (CKD) (OR 3.61, 95% CI 2.03-6.42), High Blood Pressure (HBP) (OR 6.51, 95% CI 2.10-20.2), higher qSOFA score to the admission (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.14-1.71), the use of vancomycin (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.05-2.37), piperacillin/tazobactam (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.2-2.31), and vasopressor support (CI 2.39, 95% CI 1.53-3.74). The gross hospital mortality for AKI was 45.5% versus 11.7% without AKI. CONCLUSIONS: This cohort showed that male sex, age, history of HBP and CKD, presentation with elevated qSOFA, in-hospital use of nephrotoxic drugs and the requirement for vasopressor support were the main risk factors for developing AKI in patients hospitalized for COVID-19.

Associated factors for mortality in a COVID-19 colombian cohort: is the third wave relevant when Mu variant was predominant epidemiologically?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between Colombia's third wave when the Mu variant was predominant epidemiologically (until 75%) in Colombia and COVID-19 all-cause in-hospital mortality. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort, we included hospitalized patients ≥18 years with SARS-CoV-2 infection between March 2020 to September 2021 in ten hospitals from three cities in Colombia. Description analysis, survival, and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between the third epidemic wave and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 25,371 patients were included. The age-stratified time-to-mortality curves showed differences according to epidemic waves in patients ≥75 years (log-rank test p = 0.012). In the multivariate Cox analysis, the third wave was not associated with increased mortality relative to the first wave (aHR 0.95; 95%CI 0.84-1.08), but there was an interaction between age ≥75 years and the third wave finding a lower HR for mortality (aHR 0.56, 95%CI 0.36-0.86). CONCLUSIONS: We did not find an increase in in-hospital mortality during the third epidemic wave in which the Mu variant was predominant in Colombia. The reduced hazard in mortality in patients ≥75 years hospitalized in the third wave could be explained by the high coverage of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in this population and patients with underlying conditions.

Effect of bloodstream infection on survival in COVID-19 patients admitted to an intensive care unit in Colombia: a matched cohort analysis.

Aim: To determine the impact of bloodstream infection (BSI) and other risk factors for mortality in patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: A retrospective cohort was carried out at the Hospital Universitario Nacional (HUN) between March 29 and December 19, 2020. Patients with COVID-19 admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) were paired 1:4 in two groups, one with BSI and the other without, according to hospital stay and the month of admission. The primary outcome was mortality at 28 days. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate differences in mortality risk. Results: 456 patients were identified and 320 were included in the final cohort, 18% (n = 59) in the BSI group and 82% (n = 261) in the control group. 125 (39%) patients died, 30 (51%) in the BSI group and 95 (36%) in the control group (P = 0.040). BSI was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality at 28 days, [HR] 1.77 (95% CI: 1.03-3.02; P = 0.037). Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and age were associated with increased mortality risk. Some months of the year of the hospital stay were associated with a reduced risk of mortality. There was no difference in mortality between inappropriate and appropriate empirical antimicrobial use. Conclusion: BSI in patients with COVID-19 in ICU increases in-hospital mortality to 28 days. Other risk factors for mortality were IMV and age.

Eine klinische Perspektive auf die Behandlung von chronischer myeloischer Leukämie in der chronischen Phase

Zusammenfassung Tyrosinkinase-Inhibitoren (TKIs) haben die langfristigen Behandlungsergebnisse für Patienten mit chronischer myeloischer Leukämie (CML) erheblich verbessert. Nach Imatinib (einem TKI der ersten Generation) wurden TKIs der zweiten und dritten Generation entwickelt. Mit 5 TKIs, die auf BCR::ABL abzielen und in den meisten Ländern zugelassen sind (Imatinib, Dasatinib, Bosutinib, Nilotinib und Ponatinib), und der kürzlich erfolgten Zulassung von Asciminib in den USA sind die Behandlungsentscheidungen komplex und erfordern eine Bewertung patientenspezifischer Faktoren. Optimale Behandlungsstrategien für CML entwickeln sich weiter, wobei der Schwerpunkt verstärkt darauf liegt, ein tiefes molekulares Ansprechen zu erzielen. Anhand von klinisch relevanten Fallstudien, die von den Autoren dieses Reviews entwickelt wurden, diskutieren wir 3 Hauptszenarien aus der Perspektive internationaler Experten. Erstens untersucht dieser Übersichtsartikel patientenspezifische Merkmale, die die Entscheidungsfindung zwischen TKIs der ersten und zweiten Generation bei der Erstdiagnose von CML beeinflussen, einschließlich der Begleiterkrankungen des Patienten. Zweitens wird eine gründliche Bewertung der therapeutischen Optionen im Falle eines Versagens der Erstlinienbehandlung (wie in den Richtlinien des National Comprehensive Cancer Network und des European LeukemiaNet definiert) diskutiert, zusammen mit praktischen Erwägungen zur Überwachung des optimalen Ansprechens auf die TKI-Therapie. Drittens verdeutlicht diese Übersichtsarbeit die Erwägungen zum und die Bedeutung des Erreichen(s) einer behandlungsfreien Remission als Behandlungsziel. Aufgrund des Zeitpunkts der Erstellung befasst sich dieser Review auch mit den globalen Herausforderungen, denen Hämatologen bei der Behandlung von CML-Patienten während der COVID-19-Pandemie häufig gegenüberstehen. Da bei CML weiterhin neue Behandlungsansätze erforscht werden, erörtert diese Übersichtsarbeit schließlich auch das Aufkommen neuerer Therapien wie Asciminib. Dieser Artikel kann eine nützliche Referenz für Ärzte sein, die CML-Patienten mit TKI der zweiten Generation behandeln, und kann, da er sich auf die internationalen und persönlichen Erfahrungen der Ärzte konzentriert, einen Einblick in alternative, zuvor nicht in Betracht gezogene Ansätze geben.

A clinician perspective on the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have vastly improved long-term outcomes for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). After imatinib (a first-generation TKI), second- and third-generation TKIs were developed. With five TKIs (imatinib, dasatinib, bosutinib, nilotinib, and ponatinib) targeting BCR::ABL approved in most countries, and with the recent approval of asciminib in the USA, treatment decisions are complex and require assessment of patient-specific factors. Optimal treatment strategies for CML continue to evolve, with an increased focus on achieving deep molecular responses. Using clinically relevant case studies developed by the authors of this review, we discuss three major scenarios from the perspective of international experts. Firstly, this review explores patient-specific characteristics that affect decision-making between first- and second-generation TKIs upon initial diagnosis of CML, including patient comorbidities. Secondly, a thorough assessment of therapeutic options in the event of first-line treatment failure (as defined by National Comprehensive Cancer Network and European LeukemiaNet guidelines) is discussed along with real-world considerations for monitoring optimal responses to TKI therapy. Thirdly, this review illustrates the considerations and importance of achieving treatment-free remission as a treatment goal. Due to the timing of the writing, this review addresses global challenges commonly faced by hematologists treating patients with CML during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lastly, as new treatment approaches continue to be explored in CML, this review also discusses the advent of newer therapies such as asciminib. This article may be a useful reference for physicians treating patients with CML with second-generation TKIs and, as it is focused on the physicians' international and personal experiences, may give insight into alternative approaches not previously considered.

Disease burden and vaccination priorities in Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination is considered a potentially effective strategy for controlling the disease. The objective of this study is to estimate the number of people with a high risk of morbidity and those who should be prioritized in immunization planning in Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The population at risk by age was identified from the national census data of 2018. Various sources were identified to obtain information on the number of patients with different comorbidities, including heart failure, diabetes, chronic kidney failure, cancers, HIV infection, and obesity. Sources were also identified to estimate the number of health workers, teachers and military and police force personnel. RESULTS: By 2021, Colombia is estimated to have a total of 51,049,498 inhabitants, of whom 14% will be people over 60 years of age. Additionally, of the people with comorbidities younger than 60 years old, 5,233,241 inhabitants are expected to be obese, 592,726 are expected to have diabetes mellitus, 216,389 are expected to have chronic kidney disease, and 521,263 are expected to have heart failure, totaling 15,055,697 individuals. Combining the high-priority groups and health workers, a projected 20 million people will have mortality risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: For Colombia's vaccination strategy to have an impact on reducing mortality, population groups with risk factors, corresponding to approximately 15 million inhabitants, as well as essential workers should be prioritized.

The Care of the Leukemic Patients in Times of SARS-CoV-2.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and its associated disease, coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), has significantly derailed cancer care. Patients with leukemia are more likely to have severe infection and increased rates of mortality. There is paucity of information on how to modify care of leukemia patients in view of the COVID-19 risks and imposed restrictions. We review the available literature on the impact of COVID-19 on different types of leukemia patients and suggest general as well as disease-specific recommendations on care based on available evidence. RECENT FINDINGS: The COVID-19 infection impacts leukemia subtypes in variable ways and the standard treatments for leukemia have similarly, varying effects on the course of COVID-19 infection. Useful treatment strategies include deferring treatment when possible, use of less intensive regimens, outpatient targeted oral agents requiring minimal monitoring, and prioritization of curative or life-prolonging strategies. Reducing health care encounters, rational transfusion standards, just resource allocation, and pre-emptive advance care planning will serve the interests of leukemia patients. Ad hoc modifications based on expert opinions and extrapolations of previous well-designed studies are the way forward to navigate the crisis. This should be supplanted with more rigorous prospective evidence.

SARS-CoV2/COVID-19 Infection in Transplant Recipients and in Patients on the Organ Transplant Waiting List in Colombia.

To assess our determination to continue transplant activity in Colombia during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, this study seeks to describe the risk of infection and mortality of transplanted patients vs those on the waiting list. Therefore, a descriptive study of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2)/COVID-19 infection in transplant recipients and patients on the waiting list was conducted. The data sources were the information systems of the Instituto Nacional de Salud of Colombia: National Donation and Transplant Information System, the National Public Health Surveillance System, and the National COVID-19 Data Repository. Characteristics of the patients who tested positive were analyzed, and the mortality rate was determined. An Real Time-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 was performed in 7% of the transplant recipients included in this study, and 14.8% of those recipients tested positive. Among patients on the waiting list, 15.2% were tested, and 16.7% showed positive results. Overall, 1% (84/8108) of the transplant recipients and 2.5% (74/2926) of patients on the waiting list were infected with SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19. There were no differences in mortality between these groups (P = .8748). In conclusion, with the data obtained so far, the hospital availability, and the adoption of safety protocols in the institutions, our findings can support the continuity of the transplant activities in this country.

Citywide preparedness for a pandemic: A cross-sectional survey of knowledge, attitudes, and practices about respiratory infection prevention in Bogotá, Colombia

Introduction: Healthcare personnel plays an important role in the prevention of acute respiratory infections in hospital settings. Objective: Our aim was to establish the level of knowledge about respiratory virus infections and the attitudes and practices among healthcare workers, leaders of infection control committees in hospitals of Bogotá, Colombia. Materials and methods: We used a self-administered questionnaire of 28 items during the monthly meeting sponsored by the local health authority. "Yes or no"and "true or false"questions were applied to measure knowledge. Attitudes and practices were measured with a Likert-type scale according to the agreement degree. Results: We surveyed 70 healthcare workers. Respondents demonstrated a good level of knowledge as 80% of them answered correctly more than five questions. A total of 54.4% showed a low degree of agreement when asked if their institutions have the policy to stay home when they are sick with respiratory symptoms and 67.1% never or rarely remain at home under such conditions. Conclusion: Healthcare worker leaders of infection control committees in Bogotá's hospitals have adequate knowledge about the prevention of seasonal respiratory viruses. There is a need for implementing urgent sick leave policies as a measure to prevent the spread of potential coronavirus infections in hospitals. Resumen Introducción. El personal de salud juega un papel importante en la prevención de la diseminación de los virus respiratorios en los hospitales. Objetivo. Establecer el nivel de conocimiento y determinar las actitudes y prácticas en relación con los virus respiratorios entre los encargados de los comités de infecciones de los hospitales de Bogotá. Materiales y métodos. Los participantes respondieron una encuesta de 28 ítems durante una de las sesiones mensuales del comité de infecciones de la ciudad. Se midió el conocimiento y se formularon preguntas sobre las actitudes y las prácticas utilizando una escala de tipo Likert para evaluar la conformidad. Resultados. Se encuestaron 70 trabajadores de salud. Los participantes tenían un buen nivel de conocimiento, ya que el 80 % de los respondientes tuvieron cinco o más respuestas correctas. El 54,4 % mostró un bajo nivel de conformidad en cuanto a si sus instituciones tenían una política de quedarse en casa en caso de síntomas respiratorios y 64,1 % nunca o casi nunca se queda en casa cuando presenta dichos síntomas. Conclusión. Los trabajadores de la salud que encabezan los comités de infecciones de los hospitales de Bogotá tienen un adecuado conocimiento de la prevención de los virus respiratorios. Deben implementarse políticas de quedarse en casa para el personal con síntomas gripales, con el fin de prevenir la potencial diseminación de virus en los hospitales.

Citywide preparedness for a pandemic: A crosssectional survey of knowledge, attitudes, and practices about respiratory infection prevention in Bogotá, Colombia. / Preparación de la ciudad para la pandemia: una encuesta de conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre la prevención de infecciones respiratorias en Bogotá, Colombia

INTRODUCTION: Healthcare personnel plays an important role in the prevention of acute respiratory infections in hospital settings. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to establish the level of knowledge about respiratory virus infections and the attitudes and practices among healthcare workers, leaders of infection control committees in hospitals of Bogotá, Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a self-administered questionnaire of 28 items during the monthly meeting sponsored by the local health authority. "Yes or no" and "true or false" questions were applied to measure knowledge. Attitudes and practices were measured with a Likert-type scale according to the agreement degree. RESULTS: We surveyed 70 healthcare workers. Respondents demonstrated a good level of knowledge as 80% of them answered correctly more than five questions. A total of 54.4% showed a low degree of agreement when asked if their institutions have the policy to stay home when they are sick with respiratory symptoms and 67.1% never or rarely remain at home under such conditions. CONCLUSION: Healthcare worker leaders of infection control committees in Bogotá's ospitals have adequate knowledge about the prevention of seasonal respiratory viruses. There is a need for implementing urgent sick leave policies as a measure to prevent the spread of potential coronavirus infections in hospitals.

Introducción. El personal de salud juega un papel importante en la prevención de la diseminación de los virus respiratorios en los hospitales. Objetivo. Establecer el nivel de conocimiento y determinar las actitudes y prácticas en relación con los virus respiratorios entre los encargados de los comités de infecciones de los hospitales de Bogotá. Materiales y métodos. Los participantes respondieron una encuesta de 28 ítems durante una de las sesiones mensuales del comité de infecciones de la ciudad. Se midió el conocimiento y se formularon preguntas sobre las actitudes y las prácticas utilizando una escala de tipo Likert para evaluar la conformidad. Resultados. Se encuestaron 70 trabajadores de salud. Los participantes tenían un buen nivel de conocimiento, ya que el 80 % de los respondientes tuvieron cinco o más respuestas correctas. El 54,4 % mostró un bajo nivel de conformidad en cuanto a si susinstituciones tenían una política de quedarse en casa en caso de síntomas respiratorios y 64,1 % nunca o casi nunca se queda en casa cuando presenta dichos síntomas. Conclusión. Los trabajadores de la salud que encabezan los comités de infecciones de los hospitales de Bogotá tienen un adecuado conocimiento de la prevención de los virus respiratorios. Deben implementarse políticas de quedarse en casa para el personal con síntomas gripales, con el fin de prevenir la potencial diseminación de virus en los hospitales.

Decontamination and reuse of N95 filtering facemask respirators: A systematic review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: As has happened in other emerging respiratory pandemics, demand for N95 filtering facemask respirators (FFRs) has far exceeded their manufacturing production and availability in the context of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. One of the proposed strategies for mitigating the massive demand for N95 FFRs is their reuse after a process of decontamination that allows the inactivation of any potentially infectious material on their surfaces. This article aims to summarize all of the available evidence on the different decontamination methods that might allow disposable N95 FFRs to be reused, with emphasis on decontamination from SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the literature in order to identify studies reporting outcomes of at least 1 decontamination method for inactivating or removing any potentially infectious material from the surface of N95 FFRs, specifically addressing issues related to reduction of the microbial threat (including SARS-CoV-2 when available), maintaining the function of N95 FFRs and a lack of residual toxicity. RESULTS: We identified a total of 15 studies reporting on the different decontamination methods that might allow disposable N95 FFRs to be reused, including small-scale energetic methods and disinfecting solutions/spray/wipes. Among these decontamination methods, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation and vaporized hydrogen peroxide seem to be the most promising decontamination methods for N95 FFRs, based on their biocidal efficacy, filtration performance, fitting characteristics, and residual chemical toxicity, as well as other practical aspects such as the equipment required for their implementation and the maximum number of decontamination cycles. CONCLUSIONS: Although all the methods for the decontamination and reuse of N95 FFRs have advantages and disadvantages, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation and vaporized hydrogen peroxide seem to be the most promising methods.