Sociodemographic predictors of hypertensive crisis in the hospitalized population in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertensive crisis (HC) encompasses hypertensive emergencies (HE) and urgencies (HU). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the 2016-2020 National Inpatient Sample was conducted, and all hospitalizations for HC were identified with their ICD-10 codes. A probability estimation of outcomes was calculated by performing multivariable logistic regression analysis, which took confounders into account. Our primary outcomes were SDs of HC. Secondary outcomes were myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, acute kidney injury (AKI), and transient ischemic attack (TIA). RESULTS: The minority populations were more likely than the Whites to be diagnosed with HCs: Black 2.7 (2.6-2.9), Hispanic 1.2 (1.2-1.3), and Asian population 1.4 (1.3-1.5), (p < 0.0001, all). Furthermore, being male 1.1 (1.09-1.2, p < 0.0001), those with 'self-pay' insurance 1.02 (1.01-1.03, p < 0.0001), and those in the <25th percentile of median household income 1.3 (1.2-1.3, p < 0.0001), were more likely to be diagnosed with HCs. The Black population had the highest likelihood of end-organ damage: MI 2.7 (2.6-2.9), Stroke 3.2 (3.1-3.4), AKI 2.4 (2.2-2.5), and TIA 2.8 (2.7-3.0), (p < 0.0001, all), compared to their Caucasian counterpart. CONCLUSIONS: Being of a minority population, male sex, low-income status, and uninsured were associated with a higher likelihood of hypertensive crisis. The black population was the youngest and had the highest risk of hypertensive emergencies. Targeted interventions and healthcare policies should be implemented to address these disparities and enhance patient outcomes.

Intestinal helminth parasites of greater cane rats (Thryonomys swinderianus) sold at Omagwa BushmeatMarket, Omagwa, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Greater cane rats (Thryonomys swinderianus) are important sources of bushmeat in southern Nigeria. Here, we collected and examined intestinal helminth parasites of these rats sold at Omagwa bushmeat market, Rivers State, Nigeria. Twelve intestinal tracts of T. swinderianus were purchased from December, 2020 to February, 2021, and transported to the laboratory for examination. Each sample was incised and its contents examined in 0.9% normal saline solution. Parasites encountered were washed in same solution, fixed in 70% ethanol and subsequently identified using taxonomical keys. Prevalence of infection was computed using standard formula for computing parasite ecological parameters. Four parasitic nematodes were isolated. Oesophagostomum venulosum and Strongylus sp. infected six hosts each accounting for a prevalence of 50.0%. Mean intensity of infection was about 12 parasites/infected host for O. venulosum and about 7 parasites/infected host for Strongylus sp. Trichuris paravispicularis had a prevalence of 33.3% and mean intensity of about two parasites/infected host, while Toxocara vitulorum was recovered as a single individual from one host at a prevalence of 8.3%. We conclude that T. swinderianus serves as host to intestinal nematode parasites, and recommend full parasitological investigation of the animal, where possible, to isolate and identify other helminth parasites not reported in the present research.