Prevalence and prognostic value of Delirium as the initial presentation of COVID-19 in the elderly with dementia: An Italian retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Delirium may be one of the presenting symptoms of COVID-19, complicating diagnosis and care of elderly patients with dementia. We aim to identify the prevalence and prognostic significance of delirium as the sole onset manifestation of COVID-19. METHODS: This is a retrospective single-centre study based on review of medical charts, conducted during the outbreak peak (March 27-April 18, 2020) in a Lombard dementia facility, including 59 elderly subjects with dementia and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. FINDINGS: Of the 59 residents, 57 (96⋅6%) tested positive (mean age: 82⋅8; women: 66⋅7%). Comorbidities were present in all participants, with 18/57 (31⋅6%) having three or more concomitant diseases. Delirium-Onset COVID-19 (DOC) was observed in 21/57 (36⋅8%) subjects who were chiefly older (mean age: 85⋅4 y/o) and with multiple comorbidities. Eleven/21 DOC patients (52⋅4%) had hypoactive delirium, while hyperactive delirium occurred in ten/21 (47⋅6%). Lymphopenia was present in almost all subjects (median: 1⋅3 × 109/L). Overall mortality rate was 24⋅6% (14/57) and dementia severity per se had no impact on short-term mortality due to COVID-19. DOC was strongly associated with higher mortality (p<0⋅001). Also, DOC and male gender were independently associated with increased risk of mortality (OR: 17⋅0, 95% CI: 2⋅8-102⋅7, p = 0⋅002 and 13⋅6, 95% CI: 2⋅3-79⋅2, p = 0⋅001 respectively). INTERPRETATION: Delirium occurrence in the elderly with dementia may represent a prodromal phase of COVID-19, and thus deserves special attention, especially in the presence of lymphopenia. Hypoxia and a severe inflammatory state may develop subsequently. DOC cases have higher short-term mortality rate. FUNDING: None.

Management of diabetic patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndromes: a prospective multicenter registry.

BACKGROUND: Patients with diabetes mellitus and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) present an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events. An Italian Consensus Document indicated 'three specific must' to obtain in this subgroup of patients: optimal oral antiplatelet therapy, early invasive approach and a tailored strategy of revascularization for unstable angina/non-ST-elevation-myocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI); furthermore, glycemia at admission should be managed with dedicated protocols. AIM: To investigate if previous recommendations are followed, the present multicenter prospective observational registry was carried out in Lombardia during a 9-week period between March and May 2015. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 559 consecutive ACS patients (mean age 68.7 ±â€Š11.3 years, 35% ≥75 years, 50% STEMI), with 'known DM' (56%) or 'hyperglycemia', this last defined as blood glucose value ≥ 126 mg/dl at admission, were included in the registry at 29 hospitals with an on-site 24/7 catheterization laboratory. Patients with known diabetes mellitus received clopidogrel in 51% of the cases, whereas most patients with hyperglycemia (72%) received a new P2Y12 inhibitor: according to clinical presentation in case STEMI prasugrel/ticagrelor were more prescribed than clopidogrel (70 vs. 30%, P < 0.001); on the contrary, no significant difference was found in case of UA/NSTEMI (48 vs. 52%, P = 0.57).Overall, 96% of the patients underwent coronary angiography and 85% received a myocardial revascularization (with percutaneous coronary intervention in 92% of cases) that was however performed in fewer patients with known diabetes mellitus compared with hyperglycemia (79 vs. 90%, P = 0.001).Among UA/NSTEMI, 85% of patients received an initial invasive approach, less than 72 h in 80% of the cases (51% <24 h); no difference was reported comparing known diabetes mellitus to hyperglycemia. Despite similar SYNTAX score, patients with known diabetes mellitus had a higher rate of Heart Team discussion (29 vs. 12%, P = 0.03) and received a surgical revascularization in numerically more cases.Most investigators (85%) followed a local protocol for glycemia management at admission, but insulin was used in fewer than half of the cases; diabetes consulting was performed in 25% of the patients and mainly in case of known diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: Based on data of the present real world prospective registry, patients with ACS and known diabetes mellitus are treated with an early invasive approach in case of UA/NSTEMI and with a tailored revascularization strategy, but with clopidogrel in more cases; glycemia management is taken into account at admission.