Diagnostic Prediction Model for Tuberculous Meningitis: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis.

No accurate and rapid diagnostic test exists for tuberculous meningitis (TBM), leading to delayed diagnosis. We leveraged data from multiple studies to improve the predictive performance of diagnostic models across different populations, settings, and subgroups to develop a new predictive tool for TBM diagnosis. We conducted a systematic review to analyze eligible datasets with individual-level participant data (IPD). We imputed missing data and explored three approaches: stepwise logistic regression, classification and regression tree (CART), and random forest regression. We evaluated performance using calibration plots and C-statistics via internal-external cross-validation. We included 3,761 individual participants from 14 studies and nine countries. A total of 1,240 (33%) participants had "definite" (30%) or "probable" (3%) TBM by case definition. Important predictive variables included cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose, blood glucose, CSF white cell count, CSF differential, cryptococcal antigen, HIV status, and fever presence. Internal validation showed that performance varied considerably between IPD datasets with C-statistic values between 0.60 and 0.89. In external validation, CART performed the worst (C = 0.82), and logistic regression and random forest had the same accuracy (C = 0.91). We developed a mobile app for TBM clinical prediction that accounted for heterogeneity and improved diagnostic performance (https://tbmcalc.github.io/tbmcalc). Further external validation is needed.

Weaning Outcomes in Patients with Brain Injury.

BACKGROUND: Despite the need for specific weaning strategies in neurological patients, evidence is generally insufficient or lacking. We aimed to describe the evolution over time of weaning and extubation practices in patients with acute brain injury compared with patients who are mechanically ventilated (MV) due to other reasons. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of three prospective, observational, multicenter international studies conducted in 2004, 2010, and 2016 in adults who had need of invasive MV for more than 12 h. We collected data on baseline characteristics, variables related to management ventilator settings, and complications while patients were ventilated or until day 28. RESULTS: Among the 20,929 patients enrolled, we included 12,618 (60%) who started the weaning from MV, of whom 1722 (14%) were patients with acute brain injury. In the acutely brain-injured cohort, 538 patients (31%) did not undergo planned extubation, defined as the need for a tracheostomy without an attempt of extubation, accidental extubation, and death. Among the 1184 planned extubated patients with acute brain injury, 202 required reintubation (17%). Patients with acute brain injury had a higher odds for unplanned extubation (odds ratio [OR] 1.35, confidence interval for 95% [CI 95%] 1.19-1.54; p < 0.001), a higher odds of failure after the first attempt of weaning (spontaneous breathing trial or gradual reduction of ventilatory support; OR 1.14 [CI 95% 1.01-1.30; p = 0.03]), and a higher odds for reintubation (OR 1.41 [CI 95% 1.20-1.66; p < 0.001]) than patients without brain injury. Patients with hemorrhagic stroke had the highest odds for unplanned extubation (OR 1.47 [CI 95% 1.22-1.77; p < 0.001]), of failed extubation after the first attempt of weaning (OR 1.28 [CI 95% 1.06-1.55; p = 0.009]), and for reintubation (OR 1.49 [CI 95% 1.17-1.88; p < 0.001]). In relation to weaning evolution over time in patients with acute brain injury, the risk for unplanned extubation showed a downward trend; the risk for reintubation was not associated to time; and there was a significant increase in the percentage of patients who underwent extubation after the first attempt of weaning from MV. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with acute brain injury, compared with patients without brain injury, present higher odds of undergoing unplanned extubated after weaning was started, lower odds of being extubated after the first attempt, and a higher risk of reintubation.

Multicenter International Cohort Validation of a Modified Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score Using the Richmond Agitation-sedation Scale.

OBJECTIVE: In a multicenter, international cohort, we aimed to validate a modified Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (mSOFA) using the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale, hypothesized as comparable to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)-based Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The SOFA score, whose neurologic component is based on the GCS, can predict intensive care unit (ICU) mortality. But, GCS is often missing in lieu of other assessments, such as the also reliable and validated Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS). Single-center data suggested an RASS-based SOFA (mSOFA) predicted ICU mortality. METHODS: Our nested cohort within the prospective 2016 Fourth International Study of Mechanical Ventilation contains 4120 ventilated patients with daily RASS and GCS assessments (20,023 patient-days, 32 countries). We estimated GCS from RASS via a proportional odds model without adjustment. ICU mortality logistic regression models and c-statistics were constructed using SOFA (measured GCS) and mSOFA (measured RASS-estimated GCS), adjusted for age, sex, body-mass index, region (Europe, USA-Canada, Latin America, Africa, Asia, Australia-New Zealand), and postoperative status (medical/surgical). RESULTS: Cohort-wide, the mean SOFA=9.4+/-2.8 and mean mSOFA = 10.0+/-2.3, with ICU mortality = 31%. Mean SOFA and mSOFA similarly predicted ICU mortality (SOFA: AUC = 0.784, 95% CI = 0.769-0.799; mSOFA: AUC = 0.778, 95% CI = 0.763-0.793, P = 0.139). Across models, other predictors of mortality included higher age, female sex, medical patient, and African region (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We present the first SOFA modification with RASS in a "real-world" international cohort. Estimating GCS from RASS preserves predictive validity of SOFA to predict ICU mortality. Alternative neurologic measurements like RASS can be viably integrated into severity of illness scoring systems like SOFA.

Care offered to people living with HIV: the social representations of nurses in a Moroccan university hospital / Soins offerts aux personnes vivant avec le VIH : représentations sociales des infirmières dans un centre hospitalo-universitaire marocain

Introduction: The social representations (SRs) of nurses on HIV/AIDS and the care provided to people living with HIV are diverse and different depending on the context. This study aims to understand the SRs of nurses on the disease and on the care provided. Method: A qualitative study conducted in 2018 with 50 nurses practicing in 11 specialized departments, belonging to seven Moroccan university hospitals. Results: The SRs of nurses recalled the beginnings of the emergence of HIV/AIDS with certain positions taken on the clinical conception of the disease. Prescribed care has been at the heart of professional representations, with an interest nevertheless little applied to relational care. Various behaviors and emotions were also represented around the caregiver-patient relationship. Discussion: In the health care setting, SRs of HIV/AIDS and the care provided give rise to models of care and relationships that go beyond technical knowledge and skills. Conclusion: Actions of individual commitment relating to professional and multidisciplinary meetings can change these representations and support nurses in the integration of sensitivity care, relating to positive affects toward these patients.

Introduction: Les représentations sociales (RS) des infirmières sur la maladie VIH-sida et les soins fournis aux personnes vivant avec le VIH sont diverses et différentes selon les contextes. L'étude vise la compréhension des RS des infirmières sur la maladie et sur les soins dispensés. Méthode: Il s'agit d'une étude qualitative réalisée en 2018 auprès de 50 infirmières pratiquant dans 11 services spécialisés, relevant de sept hôpitaux universitaires marocains. Résultats: Les RS des infirmières ont rappelé les débuts de l'émergence de la maladie VIH-sida avec certaines prises de positions sur sa conception clinique. Les soins prescrits ont été au cœur des représentations professionnelles, avec un intérêt néanmoins peu marqué pour les soins relationnels. Plusieurs conduites et émotions ont été représentées également autour de la relation soignant/soigné des infirmières face aux personnes vivant avec le VIH. Discussion: En milieu de soins, les RS sur la maladie VIH-sida et les soins dispensés donnent naissance à des modèles de soins et des relations qui vont au-delà des connaissances et capacités techniques. Conclusion: Des actions d'engagement individuel portant sur les rencontres professionnelles et multidisciplinaires peuvent changer ces représentations et accompagner les infirmières dans l'intégration des soins de sensibilité, portant sur des affects positifs envers les patients.

Driving Pressure Is a Risk Factor for ARDS in Mechanically Ventilated Subjects Without ARDS.

BACKGROUND: Driving pressure (ΔP) has been described as a risk factor for mortality in patients with ARDS. However, the role of ΔP in the outcome of patients without ARDS and on mechanical ventilation has received less attention. Our objective was to evaluate the association between ΔP on the first day of mechanical ventilation with the development of ARDS. METHODS: This was a post hoc analysis of a multicenter, prospective, observational, international study that included subjects who were on mechanical ventilation for > 12 h. Our objective was to evaluate the association between ΔP on the first day of mechanical ventilation with the development of ARDS. To assess the effect of ΔP, a logistic regression analysis was performed when adjusting for other potential risk factors. Validation of the results obtained was performed by using a bootstrap method and by repeating the same analyses at day 2. RESULTS: A total of 1,575 subjects were included, of whom 65 (4.1%) developed ARDS. The ΔP was independently associated with ARDS (odds ratio [OR] 1.12, 95% CI 1.07-1.18 for each cm H2O of ΔP increase, P < .001). The same results were observed at day 2 (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.07-1.21; P < .001) and after bootstrap validation (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04-1.22; P < .001). When taking the prevalence of ARDS in the lowest quartile of ΔP (≤9 cm H2O) as a reference, the subjects with ΔP > 12-15 cm H2O and those with ΔP > 15 cm H2O presented a higher probability of ARDS (OR 3.65, 95% CI 1.32-10.04 [P = .01] and OR 7.31, 95% CI, 2.89-18.50 [P < .001], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In the subjects without ARDS, a higher level of ΔP on the first day of mechanical ventilation was associated with later development of ARDS. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT02731898.).

Machine learning predicts mortality based on analysis of ventilation parameters of critically ill patients: multi-centre validation.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical Ventilation (MV) is a complex and central treatment process in the care of critically ill patients. It influences acid-base balance and can also cause prognostically relevant biotrauma by generating forces and liberating reactive oxygen species, negatively affecting outcomes. In this work we evaluate the use of a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) modelling to predict outcomes of mechanically ventilated patients, using standard mechanical ventilation parameters. METHODS: We performed our analysis on VENTILA dataset, an observational, prospective, international, multi-centre study, performed to investigate the effect of baseline characteristics and management changes over time on the all-cause mortality rate in mechanically ventilated patients in ICU. Our cohort includes 12,596 adult patients older than 18, associated with 12,755 distinct admissions in ICUs across 37 countries and receiving invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation. We carry out four different analysis. Initially we select typical mechanical ventilation parameters and evaluate the machine learning model on both, the overall cohort and a subgroup of patients admitted with respiratory disorders. Furthermore, we carry out sensitivity analysis to evaluate whether inclusion of variables related to the function of other organs, improve the predictive performance of the model for both the overall cohort as well as the subgroup of patients with respiratory disorders. RESULTS: Predictive performance of RNN-based model was higher with Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve (AUC) of 0.72 (± 0.01) and Average Precision (AP) of 0.57 (± 0.01) in comparison to RF and LR for the overall patient dataset. Higher predictive performance was recorded in the subgroup of patients admitted with respiratory disorders with AUC of 0.75 (± 0.02) and AP of 0.65 (± 0.03). Inclusion of function of other organs further improved the performance to AUC of 0.79 (± 0.01) and AP 0.68 (± 0.02) for the overall patient dataset and AUC of 0.79 (± 0.01) and AP 0.72 (± 0.02) for the subgroup with respiratory disorders. CONCLUSION: The RNN-based model demonstrated better performance than RF and LR in patients in mechanical ventilation and its subgroup admitted with respiratory disorders. Clinical studies are needed to evaluate whether it impacts decision-making and patient outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02731898 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02731898 ), prospectively registered on April 8, 2016.

Propensity-Adjusted Comparison of Mortality of Elderly Versus Very Elderly Ventilated Patients.

BACKGROUND: The growing proportion of elderly intensive care patients constitutes a public health challenge. The benefit of critical care in these patients remains unclear. We compared outcomes in elderly versus very elderly subjects receiving mechanical ventilation. METHODS: In total, 5,557 mechanically ventilated subjects were included in our post hoc retrospective analysis, a subgroup of the VENTILA study. We divided the cohort into 2 subgroups on the basis of age: very elderly subjects (age ≥ 80 y; n = 1,430), and elderly subjects (age 65-79 y; n = 4,127). A propensity score on being very elderly was calculated. Evaluation of associations with 28-d mortality was done with logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Very elderly subjects were clinically sicker as expressed by higher SAPS II scores (53 ± 18 vs 50 ± 18, P < .001), and their rates of plateau pressure < 30 cm H2O were higher, whereas other parameters did not differ. The 28-d mortality was higher in very elderly subjects (42% vs 34%, P < .001) and remained unchanged after propensity score adjustment (adjusted odds ratio 1.31 [95% CI 1.16-1.49], P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Age was an independent and unchangeable risk factor for death in mechanically ventilated subjects. However, survival rates of very elderly subjects were > 50%. Denial of critical care based solely on age is not justified. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT02731898.).

Evolution Over Time of Ventilatory Management and Outcome of Patients With Neurologic Disease.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the changes in ventilator management over time in patients with neurologic disease at ICU admission and to estimate factors associated with 28-day hospital mortality. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of three prospective, observational, multicenter studies. SETTING: Cohort studies conducted in 2004, 2010, and 2016. PATIENTS: Adult patients who received mechanical ventilation for more than 12 hours. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among the 20,929 patients enrolled, we included 4,152 (20%) mechanically ventilated patients due to different neurologic diseases. Hemorrhagic stroke and brain trauma were the most common pathologies associated with the need for mechanical ventilation. Although volume-cycled ventilation remained the preferred ventilation mode, there was a significant (p < 0.001) increment in the use of pressure support ventilation. The proportion of patients receiving a protective lung ventilation strategy was increased over time: 47% in 2004, 63% in 2010, and 65% in 2016 (p < 0.001), as well as the duration of protective ventilation strategies: 406 days per 1,000 mechanical ventilation days in 2004, 523 days per 1,000 mechanical ventilation days in 2010, and 585 days per 1,000 mechanical ventilation days in 2016 (p < 0.001). There were no differences in the length of stay in the ICU, mortality in the ICU, and mortality in hospital from 2004 to 2016. Independent risk factors for 28-day mortality were age greater than 75 years, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II greater than 50, the occurrence of organ dysfunction within first 48 hours after brain injury, and specific neurologic diseases such as hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke, and brain trauma. CONCLUSIONS: More lung-protective ventilatory strategies have been implemented over years in neurologic patients with no effect on pulmonary complications or on survival. We found several prognostic factors on mortality such as advanced age, the severity of the disease, organ dysfunctions, and the etiology of neurologic disease.

Health-related Quality of Life Evaluated by MOS SF-36 in the Elderly Patients 1 Month before ICU Admission and 3 Months after ICU Discharge.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) before ICU admission and after ICU discharge in elderly patients and to determine predictors of this HRQoL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study has been realized in the medical ICU (August 2012-March 2013). All patients 65 years of age or older who were hospitalized for ≥48 hours in our medical ICU have been included. The HRQoL was assessed 1 month prior to ICU admission in all the patients at admission and 3 months after ICU discharge for survivors using the Arabic version of MOS SF-36 questionnaire. RESULTS: We enrolled 118 patients (66 M: 55.9% and 52 F: 44.1%). The mean age was 72 ± 6 years. ICU mortality rate was 47.5% and three-month mortality rate was 55.1%. The reliability and validity of MOS SF-36 were satisfactory. Among the 53 survivors at follow-up, the subscales of MOS SF-36 decreased significantly at 3 months after ICU stay except the "Bodily Pain". The physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS) decreased also significantly. The independent factors strongly associated with PCS and its variations were: age (ß = -1.56, p = 0.001), prior functional status (ß = -22.10, p = 0.002) and SAPSII (ß = -0.16, p = 0.04). For MCS, these factors were: live alone (ß = 16.50, p = 0.006), previous functional status (ß = -9.09, p = 0.008) and existence of education level (ß = 2.98, p = 0.037). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated a fall in the physical and psychical aspects of HRQoL 3 months after ICU discharge in the elderly patients. In addition to factors such as age, prior functional status and severity of illness, family status and educational level seem decisive in the post-ICU HRQoL. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Zeggwagh Z, Abidi K, Kettani MNZ, Iraqi A, Dendane T, Zeggwagh AA. Health-related Quality of Life Evaluated by MOS SF-36 in the Elderly Patients 1 Month before ICU Admission and 3 Months after ICU Discharge. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(7):531-538.

Inter-country variability over time in the mortality of mechanically ventilated patients.

PURPOSE: Variations in clinical characteristics and management and in the mortality of mechanically ventilated patients have not been sufficiently evaluated. We hypothesized that mortality shows a variability associated with country after adjustment for clinical characteristics and management. METHODS: Analysis of four studies carried out at 6-year intervals over an 18-year period. The studies included 26,024 patients (5183 in 1998, 4968 in 2004, 8108 in 2010, and 7765 in 2016) admitted to 1253 units from 38 countries. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. We performed analyses using multilevel logistic modeling with mixed-random effects, including country as a random variable. To evaluate the effect of management strategies on mortality, a mediation analysis was performed. RESULTS: Adjusted 28-day mortality decreased significantly over time (first study as reference): 2004: odds ratio 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.72-0.93); 2010: 0.63 (95% CI 0.53-0.75); 2016: 0.49 (95% CI 0.39-0.61). A protective ventilatory strategy and the use of continuous sedation mediated a moderate fraction of the effect of time on mortality in patients with moderate hypoxemia and without hypoxemia, respectively. Logistic multilevel modeling showed a significant effect of country on mortality: median odds ratio (MOR) in 1998: 2.02 (95% CI 1.57-2.48); in 2004: 1.76 (95% CI 1.47-2.06); in 2010: 1.55 (95% CI 1.37-1.74), and in 2016: 1.39 (95% CI 1.25-1.54). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that country could contribute, independently of confounder variables, to outcome. The magnitude of the effect of country decreased over time. Clinical trials registered with http://www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02731898).

Easy prognostic assessment of concomitant organ failure in critically ill patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening disease. We evaluated the prognostic utility of Model for End-stage Liver Disease excluding INR (MELD-XI) score for predicting mortality in a cohort of critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation. METHODS: In total, 11,091 mechanically ventilated patients were included in our post-hoc retrospective analysis, a subgroup of the VENTILA study (NCT02731898). Evaluation of associations with mortality was done by logistic and Cox regression analysis, an optimal cut-off was calculated using the Youden Index. We divided the cohort in two sub-groups based on their MELD-XI score at the optimal cut-off (12 score points). RESULTS: Peak-, plateau- and positive end-expiratory pressure were higher in patients with MELD-XI>12. Patients with MELD-XI>12 had higher driving pressures (14 ±â€¯6 cmH2O versus 13 ±â€¯6; p < 0.001). MELD-XI was associated with 28-day mortality after correction for relevant cofounders including SAPS II and ventilation pressures (HR 1.04 95%CI 1.03-1.05; p < 0.001. Patients with MELD-XI>12 evidenced both increased hospital (46% versus 27%; p < 0.001) and 28-day mortality (39% versus 22%). CONCLUSIONS: MELD-XI is independently associated with mortality and constitutes a useful and easily applicable tool for risk stratification in critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02731898, registered 4 April 2016.

International Analgesia, Sedation, and Delirium Practices: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: While understanding of critical illness and delirium continue to evolve, the impact on clinical practice is often unknown and delayed. Our purpose was to provide insight into practice changes by characterizing analgesia and sedation usage and occurrence of delirium in different years and international regions. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of two multicenter, international, prospective cohort studies. Mechanically ventilated adults were followed for up to 28 days in 2010 and 2016. Proportion of days utilizing sedation, analgesia, and performance of a spontaneous awakening trial (SAT), and occurrence of delirium were described for each year and region and compared between years. RESULTS: A total of 14,281 patients from 6 international regions were analyzed. Proportion of days utilizing analgesia and sedation increased from 2010 to 2016 (p < 0.001 for each). Benzodiazepine use decreased in every region but remained the most common sedative in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Performance of SATs increased overall, driven mostly by the US/Canada region (24 to 35% of days with sedation, p < 0.001). Any delirium during admission increased from 7 to 8% of patients overall and doubled in the US/Canada region (17 to 36%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Analgesia and sedation practices varied widely across international regions and significantly changed over time. Opportunities for improvement in care include increasing delirium monitoring, performing SATs, and decreasing use of sedation, particularly benzodiazepines.

Severe hypercapnia and outcome of mechanically ventilated patients with moderate or severe acute respiratory distress syndrome.

PURPOSE: To analyze the relationship between hypercapnia developing within the first 48 h after the start of mechanical ventilation and outcome in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of three prospective non-interventional cohort studies focusing on ARDS patients from 927 intensive care units (ICUs) in 40 countries. These patients received mechanical ventilation for more than 12 h during 1-month periods in 1998, 2004, and 2010. We used multivariable logistic regression and a propensity score analysis to examine the association between hypercapnia and ICU mortality. MAIN OUTCOMES: We included 1899 patients with ARDS in this study. The relationship between maximum PaCO2 in the first 48 h and mortality suggests higher mortality at or above PaCO2 of ≥50 mmHg. Patients with severe hypercapnia (PaCO2 ≥50 mmHg) had higher complication rates, more organ failures, and worse outcomes. After adjusting for age, SAPS II score, respiratory rate, positive end-expiratory pressure, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, driving pressure, pressure/volume limitation strategy (PLS), corrected minute ventilation, and presence of acidosis, severe hypercapnia was associated with increased risk of ICU mortality [odds ratio (OR) 1.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32 to 2.81; p = 0.001]. In patients with severe hypercapnia matched for all other variables, ventilation with PLS was associated with higher ICU mortality (OR 1.58, CI 95% 1.04-2.41; p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Severe hypercapnia appears to be independently associated with higher ICU mortality in patients with ARDS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier, NCT01093482.

Association between ventilatory settings and development of acute respiratory distress syndrome in mechanically ventilated patients due to brain injury.

PURPOSE: In neurologically critically ill patients with mechanical ventilation (MV), the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality, but the role of ventilatory management has been scarcely evaluated. We evaluate the association of tidal volume, level of PEEP and driving pressure with the development of ARDS in a population of patients with brain injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of a prospective, observational study on mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: We included 986 patients mechanically ventilated due to an acute brain injury (hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke or brain trauma). Incidence of ARDS in this cohort was 3%. Multivariate analysis suggested that driving pressure could be associated with the development of ARDS (odds ratio for unit increment of driving pressure 1.12; confidence interval for 95%: 1.01 to 1.23) whereas we did not observe association for tidal volume (in ml per kg of predicted body weight) or level of PEEP. ARDS was associated with an increase in mortality, longer duration of mechanical ventilation, and longer ICU length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of brain-injured patients the development of ARDS was not common. Driving pressure was associated with the development of this disease.

Practices and perceived barriers regarding pain management among Emergency Department physicians: a nationwide multicenter survey in Moroccan hospitals.

Aim: To describe pain management practices in Moroccan emergency departments, and to identify perceived barriers among emergency department physicians regarding pain management. Methods: Eleven Moroccan emergency departments participated in the study. A nationwide survey was administered to physicians. The questionnaire covered physicians' characteristics, practices regarding pain management, and the perceived barriers to pain control. Results: A total of 86 questionnaires were analyzed. The participants' mean age was 41±7 years and 59.3% had more than 10 years working experience in emergency departments. The majority of participants were general physicians (87.2%) with no pain education (73.3%). Pain assessment in emergency departments was carried out by 59.3% of the physicians. Simple interrogatory assessment was the main tool (88.3%) with poor use of algometric scales (11.7%). Pain assessment results were not recorded in clinical charts in 93% of cases. Pain reassessment after treatment was carried out by 23.2% of respondents. Physicians had opiophobia in 80.2% of cases. None of the Moroccan emergency departments participating in the study have a written protocol for pain management. Barriers relating to medical staff and the health care system were the most commonly encountered hindrances that preclude emergency department physicians from proper pain management. Conclusions: Despite the availability of international guidelines, pain management practices are still sub-optimal in Moroccan emergency departments.

Impact of sedation and analgesia during noninvasive positive pressure ventilation on outcome: a marginal structural model causal analysis.

PURPOSE: There are limited data available about the role of sedation and analgesia during noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV). The objective of study was to estimate the effect of analgesic or sedative drugs on the failure of NPPV. METHODS: We studied patients who received at least 2 h of NPPV as first-line therapy in a prospective observational study carried out in 322 intensive care units from 30 countries. A marginal structural model (MSM) was used to analyze the association between the use of analgesic or sedative drugs and NPPV failure (defined as need for invasive mechanical ventilation). RESULTS: 842 patients were included in the analysis. Of these, 165 patients (19.6%) received analgesic or sedative drugs at some time during NPPV; 33 of them received both. In the adjusted analysis, the use of analgesics (odds ratio 1.8, 95% confidence interval 0.6-5.4) or sedatives (odds ratio 2.8, 95% CI 0.85-9.4) alone was not associated with NPPV failure, but their combined use was associated with failure (odds ratio 5.7, 95% CI 1.8-18.4). CONCLUSIONS: Slightly less than 20% of patients received analgesic or sedative drugs during NPPV, with no apparent effect on outcome when used alone. However, the simultaneous use of analgesics and sedatives may be associated with failure of NPPV.

Factors associated to unrelieved pain in a Morrocan Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND: In the light of the impact that pain has on patients, emergency department (ED) physicians need to be well versed in its management, particularly in its acute presentation. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of unrelieved acute pain during ED stay in a Moroccan ED, and to identify risk factors of unrelieved pain. METHODS: Prospective survey of patients admitted to the emergency department of Ibn Sina teaching university hospital in Rabat (Morocco). All patients with acute pain over a period of 10 days, 24 hours each day were included. From each patient, demographic and clinical data, pain characteristics, information concerning pain management, outcomes, and length of stay were collected. Pain intensity was evaluated both on arrival and before discharge using Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Comparison between patient with relieved and unrelieved pain, and factors associated with unrelieved pain were analyzed using stepwise forward logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 305 patients who complained of acute pain, we found high levels of intense to severe pain at ED arrival (91.1%). Pain intensity decreased at discharge (46.9%). Unrelieved pain was assessed in 24.3% of cases. Patients with unrelieved pain were frequently accompanied (82.4% vs 67.1%, p = 0.012), and more admitted daily than night (8 am-20 pm: 78.4% vs 64.9%; 21 pm-7 am: 21.6% vs 35.1%, p = 0.031), and complained chiefly of pain less requently (56.8% vs 78.8%, p<0.001). They had progressive pain (73% vs 44.2%, p<0.001), and had a longer duration of pain before ED arrival (72-168 h: 36.5% vs 16.9%; >168 h: 25.5% vs 17.7%, p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, predictor factors of unrelieved pain were: accompanied patients (OR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.28- 5.76, p = 0.009), pain as chief complaint (OR = 2.32, 95% CI = 1,25-4.31, p = 0.007), cephalic site of pain (OR = 6.28, 95% CI = 2.26-17.46, p<0.001), duration of pain before admission more than 72 hours (72-168 h (OR = 7.85, 95% CI = 3.13-25.30, p = 0.001), and >168 h (OR = 4.55, 95% CI = 1.77-14.90, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: This study reported high levels of intense to severe pain at ED arrival. However, one quarter patients felt on discharge from the ED that their pain had not been relieved. The relief of pain in ED depend both sociodemographic, clinical, and pain characteristics factors.

Severe oral and intravenous insecticide mixture poisoning with diabetic ketoacidosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The widespread use of pesticides in public health protection and agricultural pest control has caused severe environmental pollution and health hazards, especially in developing countries, including cases of severe acute and chronic human poisoning. Diabetic ketoacidosis is an uncommon manifestation of acute pesticide poisoning. Suicidal pesticide poisoning by injection is also an unusual way to take poison. We report a severe pesticide mixture poisoning case with diabetic ketoacidosis in an adult with improved outcome after supportive treatment and large doses of atropine. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old unmarried Moroccan Arab male with a previous history of active polysubstance abuse and behavior disorders had ingested and self injected intravenously into his forearm an unknown amount of a mixture of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin. He developed muscarinic and nicotinic symptoms with hypothermia, inflammation in the site of the pesticide injection without necrosis. Red blood cell cholinesterase and plasma cholinesterase were very low (<10%). By day 3, the patient developed stroke with hypotension (80/50 mmHg) and tachycardia (143 pulses /min). Laboratory tests showed severe hyperglycemia (4.49 g/dL), hypokaliemia (2.4 mEq/L), glycosuria, ketonuria and low bicarbonate levels (12 mEq/L) with improvement after intensive medical treatment and treatment by atropine. CONCLUSION: Suicidal poisonings with self-injection of insecticide were rarely reported but could be associated with severe local and systemic complications. The oxidative stress caused by pyrethroids and organophosphates poisoning could explain the occurrence of hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis.

Preventability of death in a medical intensive care unit at a university hospital in a developing country.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and characteristics of preventable in-ICU deaths. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A one-year observational study was conducted in a medical ICU of a teaching hospital. All patients who died in medical ICU beyond 24 h were analyzed and reviewed during daily medical meeting. A death was considered preventable when it would not have occurred if the patient had received ordinary standards of care appropriate for the time of study. Preventability of death was classified by using a 1-6 point preventability scale. The types of medical errors causing preventable in-ICU deaths and the contributory factors to deaths were identified. RESULTS: 120 deaths (47 ± 19 years, 57 months-63 weeks) were analyzed (mortality: 23%; 95% confidence interval (CI):15-31%). At admission, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score was 18 ± 7.6 and Charlson comorbidity index was 1.3 ± 1.6. The main diagnosis was infectious disease (57%) and respiratory disease (23%). The median period between the ICU admission and death was 5 days. The rate of preventable in-ICU deaths was 14.1% (17/120). The most common medical errors related to occurrence of preventable in-ICU deaths were therapeutic error (52.9%) and inappropriate technical procedure (23.5%). The preventable in-ICU deaths were associated with inadequate training or supervision of clinical staff (58.8%), no protocol (47.1%), inadequate functioning of hospital departments (29.4%), unavailable equipment (23.5%), and inadequate communication (17.6%). CONCLUSION: According to our study, one to two in-ICU deaths would be preventable per month. Our results suggest that the implementation of supervision and protocols could improve outcomes for critically ill patients.