The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence and resistance of Gram-negative bacilli and antimicrobial consumption in the intensive care units of a referral hospital in Buenos Aires.

BACKGROUND: There was a reported increase in the antimicrobial consumption in hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, accompanied by an increase in infections due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. METHODS: This retrospective time series study from intensive care units in Buenos Aires examined changes in antibiotic consumption (defined daily doses/1000 patients/day), the incidence of Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) and the mechanism of resistance. Antibiotics were categorised into group 1 (agents against MDR GNB) and group 2 (agents against non-MDR infections). Bacteriological samples included respiratory samples and blood cultures. Periods were divided into pre-pandemic (July 2019 to March 2020) and pandemic (April 2020 to March 2022). Correlation coefficients (r) were analysed and the Mann-Whitney test was performed to compare both periods. RESULTS: During the study period, GNB incidence, group 1 antibiotic consumption and resistance mechanisms increased, whereas antibiotics decreased in group 2. A significant positive correlation was seen between the consumption of antibiotics in group 1 and the incidence of GNB (r = 0.63; P < 0.001) and resistance (r = 0.52; P = 0.002). Significant differences were found between pre-pandemic and pandemic periods regarding the medians of group 1 consumption (520 [408-570] vs. 753 [495-851] DDD/1000 patients/day; P = 0.029), incidence of GNB (12 [10-13] vs. 43 [25-52.5] cases/month; P < 0.001) and resistance mechanisms (5 [4-8] vs. 17 [10-25] cases/month; P < 0.001), extended-spectrum beta lactamases (2 [1-2] vs. 6 [3-8] cases/month; P < 0.001) and metallo-beta-lactamases (0 [0-0] vs. 6 [1.75-8.5] cases/month; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise in GNB incidence and the amount of resistance mechanisms significantly correlated with the increase in consumption of agents against MDR strains.

Renal Transplantation in the Elderly: Are They All the Same? A Multicenter, Comorbidity-Based Study.

INTRODUCTION: The age for kidney transplantation (KT) is no longer a limitation and several studies have shown benefits in the survival of elderly patients. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of the baseline Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score to morbidity and mortality after transplantation. METHODS: In this multicentric observational retrospective cohort study, we included patients older than 60 years admitted on the waiting list (WL) for deceased donor KT from January 01, 2006, to December 31, 2016. The CCI score was calculated for each patient at inclusion on the WL. RESULTS: Data for analysis were available of 387 patients. The patients were divided in tertiles of CCI: group 1 (CCI: 1-2) n = 117, group 2 (CCI: 3-4) n = 158, and group 3 (CCI: ≥5) n = 112. Patient survival was significantly different between CCI groups at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively: 90%, 88%, and 84% for group 1, 88%, 80%, and 72% for group 2, and 87%, 75%, and 63% for group 3 (p < 0.0001). Variables associated with mortality were CCI score (p < 0.0001), HLA mismatch (p = 0.014), length of hospital stay (p < 0.0001), surgical complications (p = 0.048). CONCLUSION: Individualized strategies to modify these variables may improve patient's morbidity and mortality after KT.

Renal Transplantation in Patients Older Than 60 Years With High Comorbidity. Is There a Survival Benefit? A Multicenter Study in Argentina.

BACKGROUND: The impact of renal transplantation (RT) in the elderly with many comorbid conditions is a matter of concern. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of RT on the survival of patients older than 60 years compared with those remaining on the waiting list (WL) according to their comorbidities. METHODS: In this multicentric observational retrospective cohort study, we included all patients older than 60 years old admitted on the WL from 01 January 2006 to 31 December 2016. The Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score was calculated for each patient at inclusion on the WL. Kidney donor risk index was used to assess donor characteristics. RESULTS: One thousand and thirty-six patients were included on the WL of which 371 (36%) received an RT during a median follow-up period of 2.5 (1.4-4.1) years. Patient survival was higher after RT compared to patients remaining on the WL, 87%, 80%, and 72% versus 87%, 55%, and 30% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. After RT survival at 5 years was 37% higher for patients with CCI ≥ 3, and 46% higher in those with CCI < 3, compared with patients remaining on the WL. On univariate and multivariate analysis, patient survival was independently associated with a CCI of ≥3 (hazard ratio 1.62; confidence interval 1.09-2.41; P < 0.02) and the use of calcineurin-based therapy maintenance therapy (hazard ratio 0.53; confidence interval 0.34-0.82; P < 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that RT improved survival in patients older than 60 years even those with high comorbidities. The survival after transplantation was also affected by comorbidities.

Validation of the Kidney Donor Profile Index in Argentina.

Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI), derived from donor characteristics, was developed in the United States in an effort to devise an objective means of assessing donor organ suitability based on predicted graft survival. The objective of this study is to analyze the utility of KDPI to predict renal graft survival in Argentina. We conducted a retrospective national cohort study of adult patients who received a deceased donor renal transplantation in Argentina between January 2008 and December 2017. The graft survival was estimated according to the KDPI stratified by quartiles. A Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to calculate survival. A Cox regression was performed to estimate the probability of graft loss for each quart of the KDPI adjusted by receptor variables (age, diabetes, sex, and dialysis time) and cold ischemia time. In a Kaplan-Meier analysis, the graft survival decreases as the quartile of KDPI increases. Multivariate analysis shows that the increase in KDPI quartile and recipient's characteristics-such as age ≥60 years, diabetes, and dialysis time-were related to the probability of graft loss. In conclusion, the KDPI system could provide a guide to objectively assess the quality of organs offered for transplantation in Argentina.

Fibromyalgia and dissociative symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome with a controversial etiopathogenesis. Patients with FM usually complain of cognitive symptoms, which are described as "fibrofog." These cognitive complaints might be caused partially by dissociative disorders (DD). The aim of this research is to determine the association between FM and DD. METHODS: The authors conducted a case-control study for this purpose, integrated by 3 groups: control (C), patients with rheumatic disorders (R), and patients with FM (FM), who were compared through the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES).The findings are as follows: 42% were taking medications in the FM group, and their differences in scores with those who were not under medications were then considered. In terms of the results, the FM group showed higher scores than both C and R groups (p < 0.05). Patients with FM who were taking antidepressants had lower scores than those who were not (Z-score -8.03; p < 0.05); and finally, 5.71% had a score over 30 (χ2 = 3.73, p = 0.15). CONCLUSION: Patients with FM had higher scores, which might be related to the association of dissociative experiences, lifetime trauma, and victimization. Antidepressants might have some role on dissociative symptoms as well.