A differential therapeutic consideration for use of corticosteroids according to established COVID-19 clinical phenotypes in critically ill patients / Una consideración terapéutica diferencial para el uso de corticoesteroides en COVID-19 según los diferentes fenotipos clínicos establecidos en pacientes críticos

bjective To determine if the use of corticosteroids was associated with Intensive Care Unit (ICU) mortality among whole population and pre-specified clinical phenotypes. Design A secondary analysis derived from multicenter, observational study. Setting Critical Care Units. Patients Adult critically ill patients with confirmed COVID-19 disease admitted to 63 ICUs in Spain. Interventions Corticosteroids vs. no corticosteroids. Main variables of interest Three phenotypes were derived by non-supervised clustering analysis from whole population and classified as (A: severe, B: critical and C: life-threatening). We performed a multivariate analysis after propensity optimal full matching (PS) for whole population and weighted Cox regression (HR) and Fine-Gray analysis (sHR) to assess the impact of corticosteroids on ICU mortality according to the whole population and distinctive patient clinical phenotypes. Results A total of 2017 patients were analyzed, 1171 (58%) with corticosteroids. After PS, corticosteroids were shown not to be associated with ICU mortality (OR: 1.0; 95% CI: 0.98–1.15). Corticosteroids were administered in 298/537 (55.5%) patients of “A” phenotype and their use was not associated with ICU mortality (HR=0.85 [0.55–1.33]). A total of 338/623 (54.2%) patients in “B” phenotype received corticosteroids. No effect of corticosteroids on ICU mortality was observed when HR was performed (0.72 [0.49–1.05]). Finally, 535/857 (62.4%) patients in “C” phenotype received corticosteroids. In this phenotype HR (0.75 [0.58–0.98]) and sHR (0.79 [0.63–0.98]) suggest a protective effect of corticosteroids on ICU mortality. Conclusion Our finding warns against the widespread use of corticosteroids in all critically ill patients with COVID-19 at moderate dose. Only patients with the highest inflammatory levels could benefit from steroid treatment (AU)

Objetivo Evaluar si el uso de corticoesteroides (CC) se asocia con la mortalidad en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) en la población global y dentro de los fenotipos clínicos predeterminados. Diseño Análisis secundario de estudio multicéntrico observacional. Ámbito UCI. Pacientes Pacientes adultos con COVID-19 confirmado ingresados en 63 UCI de España. Intervención Corticoides vs. no corticoides. Variables de interés principales A partir del análisis no supervisado de grupos, 3 fenotipos clínicos fueron derivados y clasificados como: A grave, B crítico y C potencialmente mortal. Se efectuó un análisis multivariado después de un propensity optimal full matching (PS) y una regresión ponderada de Cox (HR) y análisis de Fine-Gray (sHR) para evaluar el impacto del tratamiento con CC sobre la mortalidad en la población general y en cada fenotipo clínico. Resultados Un total de 2.017 pacientes fueron analizados, 1.171 (58%) con CC. Después del PS, el uso de CC no se relacionó significativamente con la mortalidad en UCI (OR: 1,0; IC 95%: 0,98-1,15). Los CC fueron administrados en 298/537 (55,5%) pacientes del fenotipo A y no se observó asociación significativa con la mortalidad (HR=0,85; 0,55-1,33). Un total de 338/623 (54,2%) pacientes del fenotipo B recibieron CC sin efecto significativo sobre la mortalidad (HR=0,72; 0,49-1,05). Por último, 535/857 (62,4%) pacientes del fenotipo C recibieron CC. En este fenotipo, se evidenció un efecto protector de los CC sobre la mortalidad HR (0,75; 0,58-0,98). Conclusión Nuestros hallazgos alertan sobre el uso indiscriminado de CC a dosis moderadas en todos los pacientes críticos con COVID-19. Solamente pacientes con elevado estado de inflamación podrían beneficiarse con el tratamiento con CC (AU)

A differential therapeutic consideration for use of corticosteroids according to established COVID-19 clinical phenotypes in critically ill patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the use of corticosteroids was associated with Intensive Care Unit (ICU) mortality among whole population and pre-specified clinical phenotypes. DESIGN: A secondary analysis derived from multicenter, observational study. SETTING: Critical Care Units. PATIENTS: Adult critically ill patients with confirmed COVID-19 disease admitted to 63 ICUs in Spain. INTERVENTIONS: Corticosteroids vs. no corticosteroids. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Three phenotypes were derived by non-supervised clustering analysis from whole population and classified as (A: severe, B: critical and C: life-threatening). We performed a multivariate analysis after propensity optimal full matching (PS) for whole population and weighted Cox regression (HR) and Fine-Gray analysis (sHR) to assess the impact of corticosteroids on ICU mortality according to the whole population and distinctive patient clinical phenotypes. RESULTS: A total of 2017 patients were analyzed, 1171 (58%) with corticosteroids. After PS, corticosteroids were shown not to be associated with ICU mortality (OR: 1.0; 95% CI: 0.98-1.15). Corticosteroids were administered in 298/537 (55.5%) patients of "A" phenotype and their use was not associated with ICU mortality (HR=0.85 [0.55-1.33]). A total of 338/623 (54.2%) patients in "B" phenotype received corticosteroids. No effect of corticosteroids on ICU mortality was observed when HR was performed (0.72 [0.49-1.05]). Finally, 535/857 (62.4%) patients in "C" phenotype received corticosteroids. In this phenotype HR (0.75 [0.58-0.98]) and sHR (0.79 [0.63-0.98]) suggest a protective effect of corticosteroids on ICU mortality. CONCLUSION: Our finding warns against the widespread use of corticosteroids in all critically ill patients with COVID-19 at moderate dose. Only patients with the highest inflammatory levels could benefit from steroid treatment.

Liberal red blood cell transfusions impair quality of life after cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: The optimal blood management after cardiac surgery remains controversial. Moreover, blood transfusions may have an impact on long-term outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to characterize the impact of liberal red blood cell transfusions on Health-Related Quality of life (HRQoL) after cardiac surgery. METHODS: We studied a cohort of 205 consecutive patients after ICU discharge. Baseline characteristics and clinical data were recorded, and HRQoL was assessed using the EuroQoL-5D instrument, applied 6 months after ICU discharge. A specific question regarding the improvement in the quality of life after the surgical intervention was added to the HRQoL questionnaire. Risk factors related to impaired quality of life were identified using univariate comparisons and multivariate regression techniques. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range, IQR) of transfused red blood cells was 3 (1-4). Among 205 patients, 178 were studied 6 months after discharge. Impairment in at least one dimension of the EuroQoL-5D questionnaire was observed in 120 patients, with an overall score of 0.8 (IQR 0.61-1). The number of red blood cell transfusions was related to an impaired HRQoL (OR 1.17 per additional unit, 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.36, p=0.03), a trend to lower visual analog scale score (coefficient -0.75 per additional unit, 95% confidence interval -1.61 to 0.1, p=0.09) and an absence of improvement in HRQoL after surgery compared to the previous status (OR 1.13, 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.25, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Liberal red blood cell transfusions increase the risk of impaired HRQoL after cardiac surgery.

Qualidade de vida e atividade física em profi ssionais de terapia intensiva do sub médio São Francisco / Calidad de vida y actividad física de la profesionales en cuidados intensivos del promedio San Francisco / Quality of life and physical activity in intensive care professionals from middle São Francisco

Objetivo: o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o nível de atividade física (NAF) e a qualidade de vida (QV) dos profissionais que trabalham em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI). Método: tratou-se de um estudo transversal realizado em UTIs clínicas adultos, onde o NAF foi avaliado pelo questionário internacional de atividade física (IPAQ) e a QV através do questionário Medical Outcomes Study 36 (SF-36). Resultados: estavam ativos 50,85% de 59 profissionais, sendo os técnicos de enfermagem considerados os mais ativos (60,6%). A QV dos profissionais ativos foi melhor quando comparados aos inativos, com diferenças estatísticas para os domínios limitação por aspectos físicos, aspecto social e saúde mental. A jornada de trabalho estava acima do recomendado, sendo a dos médicos maiores que as dos fisioterapeutas, enfermeiros e técnicos de enfermagem (p = 0,04). Conclusão: profissionais de UTI fisicamente ativos apresentaram maior qualidade de vida provavelmente por possuírem uma menor jornada de trabalho e consequentemente mais tempo livre para realizar atividades físicas. .

Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el nivel de actividad física (NAF) y la calidad de vida (QOL) de los profesionales que trabajan en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI). Método: este fue un estudio transversal realizado en clínicas UCI de adultos, donde el NAF fue evaluado por el Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física (IPAQ) y la calidad de vida a través del Medical Outcomes Study 36 (SF-36). Resultados: los activos fueron 50,85% de 59 profesionales, técnicos y enfermeras consideran los más activos (60,6%). La calidad de vida de los profesionales en activo fue mejor en comparación con los inactivos, con diferencias estadísticas para los dominios limitados por aspecto físico, social y de salud mental. La jornada de trabajo estaba por encima de los niveles recomendados, son más grandes que las de los fisioterapeutas médicos, enfermeras y auxiliares de enfermería (p = 0,04). Conclusión: profesionales físicamente activos en la UCI ha mejorado la calidad de vida, probablemente porque tienen una carga de trabajo más pequenos y por lo tanto más tiempo libre para participar en actividades físicas. .

Objective: the objective was to assess the level of physical activity (LPA) and the quality of life QL of the professionals who work in ICU. Method: this was a cross-sectional study carried out in Adult ICUs. LPA was assessed by the International Questionnarie of Physical Activity - short form (IQPA-SF) and the QL by the Medical Outcomes Study 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Results: it was classified active 50.89% out of a total of 59 professionals. Nursing technicians were considered the most active with 60.6%. The QL of the professionals who were considered active were better when compared to inactives, with statistical differences to the category of physical aspects limitation, social aspects and mental health. The working hours were higher than recommend, the physicians were higher than the physical therapist, nurses and technicians nurses (p = 0.046). Conclusion: physically active professionals who work in ICU had higher quality of life probably why have lower hours of work and consequently more free time to engage in physical activity. .

Terminalidade da vida infantil: percepções e sentimentos de enfermeiros / Terminally child life: perceptions and feelings of nurses

Compreender as percepções e sentimentos do profissional enfermeiro diante do processo de morte e morrer infantil. Metodologia qualitativa e exploratória, pautada por categorias temáticas. Participaram da pesquisa sete enfermeiros da unidade de terapia intensiva mista neonatal e pediátrica de um hospital geral da região noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul. Dados coletados por meio de pergunta aberta, no período de fevereiro a março de 2013, e submetidos a análise por classificação, ordenação e análise final. Resultados além da difícil aceitação, enfrentamento e assimilação da finitude da vida infantil por parte dos enfermeiros, observou-se que o cuidado de enfermagem é fundamental nesse momento. Conclusão os resultados evidenciam o despreparo emocional dos enfermeiros e a insuficiência de subsídio, seja em sua formação acadêmica, seja em sua educação continuada, bem como a falta de suporte terapêutico nas instituições de saúde para lidar com a situação...

To understand the perceptions and feelings of professional nurses towards death and the dying process of children. Methodology qualitative and exploratory, based on thematic categories. The participants were seven nurses of the Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of a general hospital in the Northwest region of the Rio Grande do Sul (One of the Brazilian States). Data were collected through open questions in the period from February to March 2013 and were submitted to analysis by rating, sorting and final data analysis. Results There has been difficulty for nurses to accept, confront and assimilate the finiteness of child life. It was also observed that nurse care is fundamental in those moments of end-of-life. Conclusion The results show the lack of emotional preparedness of nurses and the lack of assistance, be it in the academic training or in continued education, as well as the lack of therapeutical support to deal with the situation in health care institutions...

Comprender las percepciones y sentimientos del profesional enfermero ante el proceso de muerte y morir infantil. Metodología cualitativa y exploratoria, basada en categorías temáticas. Participaron de la investigación siete enfermeros de la unidad de terapia intensiva mixta neonatal y pediátrica de un hospital general de la región noroeste de Rio Grande do Sul. Los datos fueron recogidos a través de preguntas abiertas en el período de febrero a marzo de 2013 y fueron sometidos a análisis por clasificación, ordenamiento y análisis final. Resultados además de la difícil aceptación, afrontamiento y asimilación de la finitud de la vida infantil por parte de los enfermeros, se observó que el cuidado que proporciona la enfermería es fundamental en este momento. Conclusión los resultados evidencian la falta de preparación emocional de los enfermeros y la insuficiencia de herramientas, tanto en su formación académica y en su formación continua, así como también la falta de apoyo terapéutico en las instituciones de salud para hacer frente a esta situación...