Association Between Frailty, 30-day Unplanned Readmission and Mortality After Hospitalization for Heart Failure: Results From the Nationwide Readmissions Database.

Objectives: This study examined how frailty in traditional risk-adjusted models could improve the predictability of unplanned 30-day readmission and mortality among heart failure patients. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of Nationwide Readmissions Database data collected during the years 2010-2018. All patients ≥65 years who had a principal diagnosis of heart failure were included in the analysis. The Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups frailty-defining diagnosis indicator was used to identify frail patients. Results: There was a total of 819,854 patients admitted for heart failure during the study period. Among them, 63,302 (7.7%) were frail. In the regression analysis, the risk of all-cause 30-day readmission (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.14-1.22) and in-hospital mortality (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.40-1.66) were higher in patients with frailty. Discussion: Inclusion of frailty in comorbidity-based risk-prediction models significantly improved the predictability of unplanned 30-day readmission and in-hospital mortality.

Postoperative outcomes of total knee arthroplasty across varying levels of multimodal pain management protocol adherence.

We examined the effect of varying multimodal pain management (MMPM) combinations on oral morphine milligram equivalents (OMME) and length of stay (LOS) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Five groups were compared based on the combination of multimodal analgesics ranging from no MMPM to full MMPM with acetaminophen, gabapentinoids, and celecoxib. After risk adjustment, MMPM was associated with decreased odds of LOS ≥2 days and OMME ≥75th percentile. MMPM protocols are effective at reducing LOS and postoperative narcotic requirements post-TKA. Patients appear to derive similar benefit from receiving all three medications, as well as various combinations of these drugs.

[Bronchopulmonary dysplasia epidemic: incidence and associated factors in a cohort of premature infants in Bogotá, Colombia]. / Epidemia de displasia broncopulmonar: incidencia y factores asociados en una cohorte de niños prematuros en Bogotá, Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: There is a perception that bronchopulmonary dysplasia incidence has increased in Bogotá since 2000. This study estimates its incidence, compares it with historical data and describes associated factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a prospective analytical cohort of preterm newborns =34 weeks of gestational age without major malformations from 12 health facilities from Bogotá in 2004. The main outcomes were incidence and severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, which were compared with an historical cohort (1994-1999). RESULTS: Neonatal mortality was 80/496, and the bronchopulmonary dysplasia incidence was 54.3% (95% CI, 49.4-59.1). When controlling for type of institution (low and high mortality) it appeared that being born in an institution with low mortality decreased the risk for death (OR=0.308; 95% CI, 0.129-0.736) but increased the odds for moderate-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (OR=1.797; 95% CI, 1.046-3.088). The risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia was higher than for the historical control cohort (RR=1.924; 95% CI, 1.686-2.196). Weight and gestational age at birth, mechanical ventilation, intrauterine growth restriction and type of institution (low vs. intermediate-high mortality) were independently associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia of increasing severity or even death. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in Bogotá has increased markedly, and this cannot be explained solely by better survival of more fragile infants. Survivors-irrespective from gestational age-- have more frequent and more severe respiratory sequels. Probably suboptimal aggressive respiratory care practices associated with a recent transition from restricted to almost universal access to mechanical ventilation in neonatal intensive care units in Bogota might be compromising the quality of neonatal respiratory care.

Epidemia de displasia broncopulmonar: incidencia y factores asociados en una cohorte de niños prematuros en Bogotá, Colombia / Bronchopulmonary dysplasia epidemic: Incidence and associated factors in a cohort of premature infants in Bogotá, Colombia

Introducción. Hay la percepción de que la frecuencia de displasia broncopulmonar en Bogotá ha aumentado notoriamente desde el año 2000. Este estudio estima su incidencia, la compara con datos históricos y describe factores asociados. Materiales y métodos. Se ensambló una cohorte analítica de 12 instituciones de Bogotá en 2004. Los participantes eran prematuros de menos de 34 semanas de edad gestacional al nacer, sin malformaciones mayores. Los desenlaces estudiados fueron la incidencia y la gravedad de la displasia broncopulmonar. Se hizo una comparación estandarizada de incidencias con cohorte histórica (1994 a 1999). Resultados. La mortalidad neonatal fue de 80/496 y la incidencia de displasia broncopulmonar, de 226/416 (54,3 %, IC 95% : 49,4-59,1). Los datos mostraron que nacer en una institución de baja mortalidad disminuía el riesgo de muerte (OR=0,308; IC 95% , 0,129-0,736), pero incrementaba el de displasia broncopulmonar moderada a grave (OR=1,797; IC 95% , 1,046-3,088). El riesgo de displasia broncopulmonar fue casi el doble del observado en la cohorte histórica (1994-1999) (RR=1,924; IC 95% 1,686 a 2,196). El incremento fue uniforme en todas las edades gestacionales. El peso y la edad gestacional al nacer, la respiración mecánica, el retardo en el crecimiento intrauterino y el tipo de institución se asociaron independientemente con el desenlace de displasia broncopulmonar grave o muerte. Conclusiones. La frecuencia de displasia broncopulmonar en Bogotá se ha incrementado por aumento en la supervivencia de niños más frágiles que si sobreviven, presentan secuelas respiratorias. Es probable que las prácticas de cuidado respiratorio agresivas y por debajo del nivel óptimo, asociadas con un reciente acceso irrestricto a la respiración mecánica en las unidades de recién nacidos en Bogotá, comprometan la calidad del cuidado respiratorio neonatal.

Introduction: There is a perception that bronchopulmonary dysplasia incidence has increased in Bogotá since 2000. This study estimates its incidence, compares it with historical data and describes associated factors. Materials and methods: We carried out a prospective analytical cohort of preterm newborns =34 weeks of gestational age without major malformations from 12 health facilities from Bogotá in 2004. The main outcomes were incidence and severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, which were compared with an historical cohort (1994-1999). Results: Neonatal mortality was 80/496, and the bronchopulmonary dysplasia incidence was 54.3% (95% CI, 49.4-59.1). When controlling for type of institution (low and high mortality) it appeared that being born in an institution with low mortality decreased the risk for death (OR=0.308; 95% CI, 0.129-0.736) but increased the odds for moderate-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (OR=1.797; 95% CI, 1.046-3.088). The risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia was higher than for the historical control cohort (RR=1.924; 95% CI, 1.686-2.196). Weight and gestational age at birth, mechanical ventilation, intrauterine growth restriction and type of institution (low vs. intermediate-high mortality) were independently associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia of increasing severity or even death. Conclusions: The frequency of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in Bogotá has increased markedly, and this cannot be explained solely by better survival of more fragile infants. Survivors-irrespective from gestational age­- have more frequent and more severe respiratory sequels. Probably suboptimal aggressive respiratory care practices associated with a recent transition from restricted to almost universal access to mechanical ventilation in neonatal intensive care units in Bogota might be compromising the quality of neonatal respiratory care.

Cerebral motor function in very premature-at-birth adolescents: a brain stimulation exploration of kangaroo mother care effects.

AIM: Given that prematurity has deleterious effects on brain networking development beyond childhood, the study explored whether an early intervention such as Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) in very preterm preemies could have influenced brain motor function up to adolescence. METHODS: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was applied over the primary motor cortex (M1) of 39 adolescents born very prematurely (<33 weeks' gestational age, 21 having received KMC after birth, 18 Controls with no KMC) and nine adolescents born at term (>37 weeks' gestational age, >2500 g) to assess the functional integrity of motor circuits in each hemisphere (motor planning) and between hemispheres (callosal function). RESULTS: All TMS outcomes were similar between KMC and term adolescents, with typical values as in healthy adults, and better than in Controls. KMC adolescents presented faster conduction times revealing more efficient M1 cell synchronization (p < 0.05) and interhemispheric transfer time (p < 0.0001), more frequent inhibitory processes with a better control between hemispheres (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The enhanced synchronization, conduction times and connectivity of cerebral motor pathways in the KMC group suggests that the Kangaroo Mother Care positively influenced the premature brain networks and synaptic efficacy up to adolescence.

Postpartum maternal hyperthyrotropinemia in an area in which iodine supplementation is required.

Mild maternal hypothyroidism during pregnancy can adversely affect infant development. We studied thyrotropin (TSH) levels in mothers of premature and low-birth-weight infants in Colombia, where iodized salt supplements the diet to correct iodine deficiency. The additional impact of salt restriction in mothers with hypertensive disorders was examined. Blood was spotted on filter paper from 404 mothers and their infants. Using radioimmunoassay (RIA), TSH was measured in the mothers, and TSH and thyroxine in their infants at three postpartum times. Initially, mothers had high TSH levels (i.e., TSH > 10 mU/L in half the mothers at the first assessment). Fourteen days later, only 9.3%, and at calculated term 7.5% were greater than 10 mU/L. Maternal TSH levels correlated with infant birth weight and gestational age (r = 0.47, and r = 0.49, p < 0.01). Initial TSH values were higher in salt restricted (20.1 +/- 2 mU/L, n = 76) versus control mothers (14.6 +/- 0.85, n = 328, p < 0.01), dropping dramatically in both groups 14 days later (to 3.4 +/- 0.7 mU/L vs. 2.8 +/- 0.4 mU/L) and at calculated term (2.8 +/- 0.4 mU/L vs. 2.3 +/- 0.6 mU/L). Increased maternal TSH levels during pregnancy in an iodine-deficient area may be aggravated by salt restriction. Monitoring TSH and supplementing iodine or thyroxine are recommended in pregnancy, especially if dietary salt restriction is prescribed.

Longitudinal assessment of pituitary-thyroid axis and adrenal function in preterm infants raised by 'kangaroo mother care'.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether complete kangaroo mother care (KMC), a skin-to-skin contact intervention, would affect longitudinal/developmental patterns of hormonal change. METHOD: An open randomized controlled trial was conducted in a large tertiary care hospital, comparing KMC and traditional care for newborn infants weighing less than 2,001 g. Eighty-seven healthy preterm (<37 weeks gestational age) infants from this study provided three blood-spot samples on filter paper: at randomization (postnatal age 1-5 days), 2 weeks later, and at calculated term (41 weeks gestational age). They met a number of additional inclusion criteria including discharge from the hospital within the first postnatal week. The levels of 17alpha-hydroxy-progesterone (17-OHP), thyroxine-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T(4)) were assessed by radioimmunoassay. Birth weight (<1,800 or > or =1,800 g) and prenatal maternal corticosteroid treatment were taken into account in the analysis. INTERVENTIONS: Complete KMC includes early discharge, positioning the infant on the parent's chest in an upright position, 24 h/day in skin-to-skin contact, and breast-feeding. In the traditional care group, infants were discharged according to routine hospital practice. RESULTS: Levels of 17-OHP and TSH decreased significantly from eligibility to calculated term while T(4) levels did not change significantly over time. Most importantly, overall, treatment (KMC) did not interact with the pattern of physiological change. CONCLUSIONS: Maturation of the pituitary-thyroid axis and adrenal function is apparently not compromised by KMC, at least in healthy preterm infants.