Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in North America: evaluation of health burden and treatment prevalence.

BACKGROUND: Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a poorly understood vomiting disorder associated with chronic cannabis use. AIMS: To characterise patients experiencing CHS in North America and to obtain a population-based estimate of CHS treatment prevalence in Canada before and during the Covid-19 pandemic METHODS: Internet survey of 157 CHS sufferers in Canada and the United States. Administrative health databases for the province of Alberta (population 5 million) were accessed to measure emergency department (ED) visits for vomiting, with a concurrent diagnostic code for cannabis use. Three time periods of 1 year were assessed: prior to recreational cannabis legalisation (2017-2018), after recreational legalisation (2018-2019) and during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic (2020-2021). RESULTS: Problematic cannabis use (defined as a CUDIT-R score ≥8) was universal among the survey cohort, and 59% and 68% screening for moderate or worse anxiety or depression, respectively. The overall treatment prevalence of CHS across all ages increased from 15 ED visits per 100,000 population (95% CI, 14-17) prior to legalisation, to 21 (95% CI, 20-23) after legalisation, to 32 (95% CI, 31-35) during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic (p < 0.001). Treatment prevalence among chronic cannabis users was as high as 6 per 1000 in the 16-24 age group. CONCLUSION: Survey data suggest patients with CHS almost universally suffer from a cannabis use disorder, which has significant treatment implications. Treatment prevalence in the ED has increased substantially over a very short time period, with the highest rates seen during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Factors Associated with the Development of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Patients Hospitalized with Covid-19.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The most common symptoms of Covid-19 are respiratory; however, gastrointestinal symptoms are present in up to 50% of patients. We aimed to determine characteristics associated with the development of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with Covid-19. METHODS: A case-control study of adults hospitalized for Covid-19 was conducted across a geographically diverse alliance of 36 US and Canadian medical centers. Data were manually abstracted from electronic health records and analyzed using regression analyses to determine characteristics associated with any gastrointestinal symptoms and diarrhea specifically. RESULTS: Of 1406 patients, 540 (38%) reported at least one gastrointestinal symptom and 346 (25%) reported diarrhea. Older patients (≥ 80 years) had significantly lower rates of any gastrointestinal symptoms and diarrhea (vs. patients 18-79 years, OR 0.41, p < 0.01 and OR 0.43 p = 0.01, respectively), while those with IBS (OR 7.70, p = 0.02 and OR 6.72, p < 0.01, respectively) and on immunosuppressive therapy (OR = 1.56, p = 0.02) had higher rates of any gastrointestinal symptom and diarrhea. Patients with constitutional symptoms exhibited significantly higher rates (OR 1.91, p < 0.01), while those with pulmonary disease alone had lower rates of gastrointestinal symptoms (OR 0.23, p = 0.01). A significant interaction between constitutional symptoms and pre-existing pulmonary conditions was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Several patient- and disease-specific characteristics associate with gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with Covid-19. Knowledge of these may provide insights into associated pathophysiologic mechanisms, and help health care professionals provide targeted attention to reduce morbidity related to Covid-19.

Novel Negative Pressure Protective Box in Upper Digestive Endoscopy: A Prospective Case Series.

In the context of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 pandemic, we have developed a novel negative pressure aerosol protector for upper endoscopy (TRACEY). TRACEY is the first endoscopic enclosure to have passed stringent testing for aerosol protection. The following describes its clinical use in a single-center prospective case series. Overall, 15 patients were included. All endoscopic procedures were successful without premature removal of TRACEY. In addition, its use did not lead to significant patient discomfort, technical hinderance, or adverse events. TRACEY seems to offer a safe and easy to use aerosol protection for upper endoscopy and a potential Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 mitigation strategy in endoscopy.

Digestive Manifestations in Patients Hospitalized With Coronavirus Disease 2019.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The prevalence and significance of digestive manifestations in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain uncertain. We aimed to assess the prevalence, spectrum, severity, and significance of digestive manifestations in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. METHODS: Consecutive patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were identified across a geographically diverse alliance of medical centers in North America. Data pertaining to baseline characteristics, symptomatology, laboratory assessment, imaging, and endoscopic findings from the time of symptom onset until discharge or death were abstracted manually from electronic health records to characterize the prevalence, spectrum, and severity of digestive manifestations. Regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between digestive manifestations and severe outcomes related to COVID-19. RESULTS: A total of 1992 patients across 36 centers met eligibility criteria and were included. Overall, 53% of patients experienced at least 1 gastrointestinal symptom at any time during their illness, most commonly diarrhea (34%), nausea (27%), vomiting (16%), and abdominal pain (11%). In 74% of cases, gastrointestinal symptoms were judged to be mild. In total, 35% of patients developed an abnormal alanine aminotransferase or total bilirubin level; these were increased to less than 5 times the upper limit of normal in 77% of cases. After adjusting for potential confounders, the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms at any time (odds ratio, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.76-1.15) or liver test abnormalities on admission (odds ratio, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.80-2.12) were not associated independently with mechanical ventilation or death. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients hospitalized with COVID-19, gastrointestinal symptoms and liver test abnormalities were common, but the majority were mild and their presence was not associated with a more severe clinical course.

Outcomes of COVID-19 Among Hospitalized Health Care Workers in North America.

Importance: Although health care workers (HCWs) are at higher risk of acquiring coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), it is unclear whether they are at risk of poorer outcomes. Objective: To evaluate the association between HCW status and outcomes among patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective, observational cohort study included consecutive adult patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 across 36 North American centers from April 15 to June 5, 2020. Data were collected from 1992 patients. Data were analyzed from September 10 to October 1, 2020. Exposures: Data on patient baseline characteristics, comorbidities, presenting symptoms, treatments, and outcomes were collected, including HCW status. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was a requirement for mechanical ventilation or death. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to yield adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% CIs for the association between HCW status and COVID-19-related outcomes in a 3:1 propensity score-matched cohort, adjusting for residual confounding after matching. Results: In total, 1790 patients were included, comprising 127 HCWs and 1663 non-HCWs. After 3:1 propensity score matching, 122 HCWs were matched to 366 non-HCWs. Women comprised 71 (58.2%) of matched HCWs and 214 (58.5%) of matched non-HCWs. Matched HCWs had a mean (SD) age of 52 (13) years, whereas matched non-HCWs had a mean (SD) age of 57 (17) years. In the matched cohort, the odds of the primary outcome, mechanical ventilation or death, were not significantly different for HCWs compared with non-HCWs (AOR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.34-1.04). The HCWs were less likely to require admission to an intensive care unit (AOR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.34-0.92) and were also less likely to require an admission of 7 days or longer (AOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.34-0.83). There were no differences between matched HCWs and non-HCWs in terms of mechanical ventilation (AOR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.37-1.17), death (AOR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.18-1.27), or vasopressor requirements (AOR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.37-1.24). Conclusions and Relevance: In this propensity score-matched multicenter cohort study, HCW status was not associated with poorer outcomes among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and, in fact, was associated with a shorter length of hospitalization and decreased likelihood of intensive care unit admission. Further research is needed to elucidate the proportion of HCW infections acquired in the workplace and to assess whether HCW type is associated with outcomes.