ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy recommends prophylactic antibiotics before endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). We assessed the impact of this approach on the incidence of post-ERCP outcomes using nationwide data. METHODS: Using 2015-2021 Nationwide Inpatient Sample data and relevant ICD-10 codes, we analyzed adult hospitalizations for PSC who underwent ERCP, with and without antibiotic prophylaxis. Hierarchical multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between prophylactic antibiotic use and post-ERCP complications including sepsis, acute cholangitis, and acute pancreatitis. RESULTS: We analyzed 32,972 hospitalizations for PSC involving ERCP, with 12,891 admissions (39.1%) receiving antibiotics before ERCP (cases) and 20,081 (60.9%) serving as controls. Cases were older than controls (mean age: 64.2 ± 8.6 vs. 61.3 ± 6.1 years; P = 0.020). Compared with controls, hospitalizations with antibiotic prophylaxis had a higher male population (7,541 (58.5%) vs. 11,265 (56.1%); P < 0.001) and higher comorbidity burden (Charlson comorbidity index score of ≥2: 5,867 (45.5%) of cases vs. 8,996 (44.8%) of controls; P = 0.01). Incidence of post-ERCP septicemia was 19.1% (6,275) with 2,935 incidences (22.8%) among cases compared with 3,340 (16.6%) among controls. Antibiotic prophylaxis did not significantly improve the odds of septicemia (aOR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.77 - 1.09; P = 0.179). Approximately 2,271 (6.9%) cases of acute cholangitis and 5,625 (17.1%) cases of acute post-ERCP pancreatitis were recorded. After adjustments for multiple variables, no significant difference was observed in the odds of cholangitis (aOR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.98 - 1.45; P = 0.08). However, antibiotic prophylaxis was correlated with a statistically significant reduction in the odds ratio of acute post-ERCP pancreatitis (aOR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.57 - 0.66; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The use of antibiotic prophylaxis in hospitalizations with PSC was correlated with a significant reduction in the odds of post-ERCP pancreatitis. Antibiotic prophylaxis did not improve the odds of post-ERCP sepsis or cholangitis. Prophylactic use of antibiotics should be individualized, considering both their anti-infective benefits and potential impact on the biochemical markers of liver disease.
ABSTRACT
Background Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) continues to pose significant healthcare challenges due to its broad differential diagnosis and the often extensive yet inconclusive workup. We investigated the rates and characteristics of unplanned 30-day readmissions in adult patients hospitalized with IBS. In addition, we identified factors that predict readmission within 30 days of initial discharge. Methods We analyzed the 2020 Nationwide Readmission Database. Using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification code, we identified hospitalizations in adult patients with IBS. We excluded hospitalizations for minors and planned or elective readmissions. To compare baseline characteristics between readmissions and index hospitalizations, χ2 tests were employed. We used multivariate Cox regression analyses to identify independent predictors of readmissions. Results A total of 5,729 adult hospitalizations with IBS as the primary diagnosis were discharged alive, and 638 (11.1%) readmissions occurred within 30 days. The most common diagnoses associated with readmission were noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis, sepsis, enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile, and irritable bowel syndrome with or without diarrhea. Patients in readmissions had a mean age of 56.3 years, similar to index hospitalizations (54.5 years, p=0.093). Readmissions had a higher burden of comorbidity (Charlson comorbidity index (CMI) scores ≥3: 26.7%, 170 cases vs. 16.6%, 953 cases; p<0.001) and were mostly Medicare beneficiaries (49.5%, 316% vs. 44.9%, 2,578) compared with index hospitalizations. Readmissions had a longer mean length of stay (LOS) (5.2 vs. 3.6 days, p<0.0001), higher inpatient mortality (0.8%, 5% vs. 0.2%, 11; p=0.032), and higher mean hospital costs ($47,852 vs. $34,592; p<0.0001) compared with index admissions. Secondary diagnoses of ulcerative colitis (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR), 2.82; p<0.0001), interstitial cystitis (AHR, 5.37; p=0.007), peripheral vascular disease (AHR, 1.59; p=0.027), and discharge to short-term hospitals (AHR, 1.03; p<0.0001) were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of readmission within 30 days. Conclusion IBS readmissions have poorer outcomes than index hospitalizations. Patients with an existing history of ulcerative colitis, interstitial cystitis, and peripheral vascular disease and those discharged to short-term hospitals following index hospitalization are more likely to be readmitted within 30 days.
ABSTRACT
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a heterogeneous hematological condition associated with cytopenia, inadequate blood cell synthesis, and the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Patients are divided into risk groups according to the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) to help direct therapy. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation, despite its limitations, is curative. Medical management, such as the use of lenalidomide, has potential benefits but can cause adverse effects that require dose regimen modification. Lenalidomide is approved for low-risk MDS with 5q deletion (5q- MDS). In this case study, a 79-year-old woman with 5q- MDS was switched from a daily regimen to an alternate-day lenalidomide dose schedule to achieve complete remission with fewer adverse effects. The management of hematological toxicity and the mechanisms of action of lenalidomide are discussed. We recommend individualized treatment strategies and additional research to improve MDS management.
