A machine learning-based model for 1-year mortality prediction in patients admitted to an Intensive Care Unit with a diagnosis of sepsis.

INTRODUCTION: Sepsis is associated to a high mortality rate, and its severity must be evaluated quickly. The severity of illness scores used are intended to be applicable to all patient populations, and generally evaluate in-hospital mortality. However, patients with sepsis continue to be at risk of death after hospital discharge. OBJECTIVE: To develop a model for predicting 1-year mortality in critical patients diagnosed with sepsis. PATIENTS: The data corresponding to 5650 admissions of patients with sepsis from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-III) database were evaluated, randomly divided as follows: 70% for training and 30% for validation. DESIGN: A retrospective register-based cohort study was carried out. The clinical information of the first 24h after admission was used to develop a 1-year mortality prediction model based on Stochastic Gradient Boosting (SGB) methodology. Variable selection was addressed using Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and SGB variable importance methodologies. The predictive power was evaluated using the area under the ROC curve (AUROC). RESULTS: An AUROC of 0.8039 (95% confidence interval (CI): [0.8033 0.8045]) was obtained in the validation subset. The model exceeded the predictive performances obtained with traditional severity of disease scores in the same subset. CONCLUSION: The use of assembly algorithms, such as SGB, for the generation of a customized model for sepsis yields more accurate 1-year mortality prediction than the traditional scoring systems such as SAPS II, SOFA or OASIS.

In vivo lamellar keratoplasty using platelet-rich plasma as a bioadhesive.

PURPOSE: The use of standard sutures has been replaced by platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a bioadhesive agent, in several surgical procedures. This prompted us to test PRP efficacy in experimental lamellar keratoplasty. METHODS: After lamellar anterior keratoplasty, PRP with a mean concentration of 807,564 platelets/mm(3) was used to attach the corneal flap to the stromal surface in 12 New Zealand white rabbits. 10-0 nylon sutures were used in one control group of 12 animals and no suture was used in a second control group of six rabbits. Animals were killed at days 2, 7, 30, and 90 for histological and smooth muscle actin (SMA) immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: The PRP group showed a tight corneal graft from the first postoperative hours until they were killed. A transparent cornea was seen at 30 days and remained clear until the end of the protocol. Histological specimens showed no signs of ocular inflammation in any animal within the PRP group. Electron microscopy showed normal morphological features on the flap and stromal bed, and a clear interface zone without cells or debris. The number of stromal myofibroblasts was lower than that seen in the suture group at 3 months postsurgery. The sutured group showed an attached cornea with signs of inflammation around the knots. All flaps without PRP or sutures were completely detached in the immediate postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: PRP was useful for attaching the corneal flap and it was well tolerated by the rabbit corneal tissue. Corneal healing was satisfactory. Further studies on PRP adhesiveness in grafts with donor corneas should be performed before considering its use in patients.

Perinatal factors associated with retinopathy of prematurity.

The etiology of retinopathy of prematurity appears to be multifactorial. Introduction of new treatments in neonatal care may add new risk factors. We have analyzed the relationship between 42 perinatal factors and the development of retinopathy of prematurity in 78 infants with a birth weight < 1501 g and/or gestational age < 33 weeks. We have also applied a chronological analysis of the maximum and minimum pO2 and pCO2 values. Retinopathy of prematurity was seen in 37 of 78 infants (47.4%). Nineteen factors were found to be related to the development of retinopathy of prematurity. However, when step-wise logistic regression analysis was used, only birth weight, number of days of oxygen therapy and use of beta-blocking agents by the mother before birth were found to be associated with the development of retinopathy of prematurity. The results suggest that medication with beta blockers immediately before birth should be used cautiously.

Compromiso articular y extraarticular en enfermedades inflamatorias intestinales / Articular and extraarticular involvement in inflammatory bowel diseases

Las enfermedades inflamatorias idiopáticas del intestino abarcan básicamente la colitis ulcerosa y la enfermedad de Crohn. Ambas patologías son de natureza crónica y de etiología desconocida presentando durante su evolución manifestaciones extraintestinales en una alta proporción de casos. En este trabajo estudiamos 18 pacientes con diagnóstico de enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (14 colitis ulcerosa, 2 enfermedad de Crohn, 1 pancolitis, 1 protitis ulcerativa) y buscamos la presencia de manifestaciones extraintestinales con particular atención en el compromiso osteoarticular y ocular. El tiempo de evolución de la enfermedad intestinal fue de x1 a 24 años (X7 años) y de la enfermedad articular de 1 aa 8 años (X 3,2 años) siendo posterior al inicio de la enfermedad intestinal. Los síntomas articulares más frecuentes fueron: artralgias 94,44// (17/18), lumbalgia 39// (7/18), talalgia 16,7// (3/18) y artitis periférica en 5,55// (1/18). El compromiso radiológico sacroilíaco se presentó en 10/18 pacientes de los cuales 7 era sintomáticos y 3 pacientes se encotraban asintomáticos. Las manifestaciones extraarticulares observadas fueron: altas orales en 26// (5/18), eritema nodoso 16,7// (3/18), iridociclitis aguda recidivante 5,6// (1/18), trombosis venosa profunda 5,6// (1/18) y colangitis esclerosante 5,6// (1/18). La elevada frecuencia de manifestaciones articulares, muchas de ellas asintomáticas, obligan a evaluar periódicamente a estos enfermos a fin de poder detectar compromiso articular subclínico (especialmente de esqueleto axial) e inicial una rehabilitación precoz para evitar el deterioro de la capacidad funcional del paciente (AU)

Compromiso articular y extraarticular en enfermedades inflamatorias intestinales / Articular and extraarticular involvement in inflammatory bowel diseases

Las enfermedades inflamatorias idiopáticas del intestino abarcan básicamente la colitis ulcerosa y la enfermedad de Crohn. Ambas patologías son de natureza crónica y de etiología desconocida presentando durante su evolución manifestaciones extraintestinales en una alta proporción de casos. En este trabajo estudiamos 18 pacientes con diagnóstico de enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (14 colitis ulcerosa, 2 enfermedad de Crohn, 1 pancolitis, 1 protitis ulcerativa) y buscamos la presencia de manifestaciones extraintestinales con particular atención en el compromiso osteoarticular y ocular. El tiempo de evolución de la enfermedad intestinal fue de x1 a 24 años (X7 años) y de la enfermedad articular de 1 aa 8 años (X 3,2 años) siendo posterior al inicio de la enfermedad intestinal. Los síntomas articulares más frecuentes fueron: artralgias 94,44// (17/18), lumbalgia 39// (7/18), talalgia 16,7// (3/18) y artitis periférica en 5,55// (1/18). El compromiso radiológico sacroilíaco se presentó en 10/18 pacientes de los cuales 7 era sintomáticos y 3 pacientes se encotraban asintomáticos. Las manifestaciones extraarticulares observadas fueron: altas orales en 26// (5/18), eritema nodoso 16,7// (3/18), iridociclitis aguda recidivante 5,6// (1/18), trombosis venosa profunda 5,6// (1/18) y colangitis esclerosante 5,6// (1/18). La elevada frecuencia de manifestaciones articulares, muchas de ellas asintomáticas, obligan a evaluar periódicamente a estos enfermos a fin de poder detectar compromiso articular subclínico (especialmente de esqueleto axial) e inicial una rehabilitación precoz para evitar el deterioro de la capacidad funcional del paciente

Low-grade myopia in children with regressed retinopathy of prematurity.

Myopia is a frequent sequelae of retinopathy of prematurity. The mechanism for myopia development in children born preterm is not well understood. From a group of 33 myopic preterm children we selected those who had regressed retinopathy and myopic values < or = 5 D. Seventeen children met our criteria. Of them, 10 patients could be re-examined. Factors related to myopia development were analyzed and compared to a control group of 12 children born fullterm with emmetropia or low hypermetropia, as well as another group of 10 fullterm children with myopic values < or = 5 D. The age of children ranged from 9 to 14 years in all groups. The mean birth weight in myopic premature children was 1249.3 g. Higher keratometric diopter values were found in myopic premature children than in emmetropic fullterm children (p < 0.05) and myopic fullterm children (p < 0.05). Increased axial length values were observed in myopic fullterm children when compared to myopic premature children (p < 0.05) In children born preterm the corneal refractive power seems to play a major role in myopia development.

Regressed retinopathy of prematurity in children aged 5-10 years.

Regressed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and its sequelae has been analysed in pre-term born children with a birth weight < 1500 g and/or < 33 weeks of gestational age, born in Stockholm during 1976-81. At the age of 5-10 years, we found that 134 of 528 preterm born children (25.4%) had been at departments of ophthalmology in Stockholm for various reasons. These children were re-examined and a good eye fundus information could be obtained in 105. Moderate and severe regressed ROP was found in 48 and 13 children, respectively. In the Stockholm area the frequency of children with severe ROP (earlier called cicatricial ROP) was 2.5% out of the above risk group of 528. Two children were blind from ROP (0.4%). Ten children had a visual acuity < or = 0.3 in the worse eye (1.9%) and 7 of them had ROP changes. Children with a birth weight < 1000 g had the highest frequency of ROP (severe 11.6% and moderate 18.6%) and ocular complications. The results show that preterm born children often present ocular complications, and therefore they need a close follow-up.

[Articular and extraarticular involvement in inflammatory bowel diseases]. / Compromiso articular y extraarticular en enfermedades inflamatorias intestinales.

Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease include basically two disorders: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Both diseases are chronic and of unknown etiology and extraintestinal manifestations are seen in a high number of these patients. We studied 18 patients (7 female, 11 male) with previous diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (14 ulcerative colitis, 2 Crohn's disease, 1 pancolitis, 1 ulcerative proctitis) in order to search for extraintestinal manifestations with emphasis on osteoarticular and ocular involvement. The mean age at the time of diagnosis of the inflammatory bowel disease was 44 years (range 20 to 71 years). Mean time duration of the inflammatory bowel disease was 7 years (range 1 to 24 years) and of the articular manifestations 3.2 years (range 1 to 8 years). The osteoarticular manifestations developed after the diagnosis of the bowel disease in all but one patient (simultaneously) 17/18 patients had artralgias, 7/18 lumbalgia, 3/18 talalgia, 1/18 knee arthritis. (table I) Only six of the 17 patients with orteoarticular involvement has simultaneous activity of the underlying bowel disease. All the 18 patients were taking 2 g/day of sulfasalazine. Radiographic screening in all patients revealed sacroiliitis in 10. (table II) Of the 10 radiographic sacroiliitis 4 were grade I (confirmed by technetium phosphate scans, 2 were grade II and 4 grade III-IV. Three of the ten patients with radiographic sacroiliitis were asymptomatic (table II). Axial computed tomography was performed done in two patients: a) in one case to exclude osteitis condensens ilii, and b) in the other case to exclude septic arthritis. The severity of the sacroiliac damage was related with a longer duration of the inflammatory bowel disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Compromiso articular y extraarticular en enfermedades inflamatorias intestinales. / [Articular and extraarticular involvement in inflammatory bowel diseases]

Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease include basically two disorders: ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease. Both diseases are chronic and of unknown etiology and extraintestinal manifestations are seen in a high number of these patients. We studied 18 patients (7 female, 11 male) with previous diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (14 ulcerative colitis, 2 Crohns disease, 1 pancolitis, 1 ulcerative proctitis) in order to search for extraintestinal manifestations with emphasis on osteoarticular and ocular involvement. The mean age at the time of diagnosis of the inflammatory bowel disease was 44 years (range 20 to 71 years). Mean time duration of the inflammatory bowel disease was 7 years (range 1 to 24 years) and of the articular manifestations 3.2 years (range 1 to 8 years). The osteoarticular manifestations developed after the diagnosis of the bowel disease in all but one patient (simultaneously) 17/18 patients had artralgias, 7/18 lumbalgia, 3/18 talalgia, 1/18 knee arthritis. (table I) Only six of the 17 patients with orteoarticular involvement has simultaneous activity of the underlying bowel disease. All the 18 patients were taking 2 g/day of sulfasalazine. Radiographic screening in all patients revealed sacroiliitis in 10. (table II) Of the 10 radiographic sacroiliitis 4 were grade I (confirmed by technetium phosphate scans, 2 were grade II and 4 grade III-IV. Three of the ten patients with radiographic sacroiliitis were asymptomatic (table II). Axial computed tomography was performed done in two patients: a) in one case to exclude osteitis condensens ilii, and b) in the other case to exclude septic arthritis. The severity of the sacroiliac damage was related with a longer duration of the inflammatory bowel disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Regressed retinopathy of prematurity: the relationship between clinical risk factors of the newborn period and regressed retinopathy of prematurity severity in a preterm born population of Stockholm county 1976-81.

In a retrospective study, clinical risk factors of the neonatal period were correlated with the severity of regressed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in a population of preterm infants (bw less than 1500 g and or gestational age less than 33 weeks). At the age of 5-11 years 134 out of 528 preterm born infants (25.4%) were found to be under ophthalmic care. Reliable information on eye fundus status could be obtained in 105 of them. Regressed ROP was found in 61, the moderate form in 48 (9.1%) and the severe form in 13 (2.5%) patients. Twelve patients (2.3%) had visual acuity of less than 0.3 on the worst eye and two (0.4%) of these patients were blind from ROP. Twenty-four clinical factors of the newborn period were correlated with the severity of regressed ROP. The results suggest that long oxygen exposure in combination with other factors interfering with retinal vasotonus are associated with the degree of the disease developed.

Regressed retinopathy of prematurity and its sequelae in children aged 5-10 years.

Regressed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and its sequelae were studied in children born prematurely (less than 1501 g birth weight and/or less than 33 weeks gestational age) in Stockholm county during 1976-81. Through various searches of the records at the different eye departments and other sources in Stockholm county we found that 134 out of a total of 528 premature babies (25.4%) had needed ophthalmic care for different reasons. They were re-examined and reliable information on the fundus could be obtained for 105 of them. The frequency of regressed ROP was 45.5%. Severe forms with vitreoretinal scarring and retinal traction were seen in 9.7% of cases and moderate forms with pigmentary changes and/or vitreoretinal interphase changes in 35.8%. The sequelae of regressed ROP were mainly reduction of visual acuity and myopia. Children with a birth weight below 1000 g and a gestational age less than 30 weeks presented the highest rate of regressed ROP (68.5% and 61.9%) and ocular abnormalities.

A population-based study of ocular abnormalities in premature children aged 5 to 10 years.

We studied the prevalence of ocular abnormalities in 528 children born prematurely (less than 1,501-g birth weight, less than 33 weeks' gestational age, or both) in Stockholm County from 1976 to 1981. The control group consisted of 1,047 randomly selected full-term children. Through various searches of the ophthalmic records from the period of 1981 to 1986 of Stockholm County, we found that 134 of the 528 premature children (25.4%) and 121 of the 1,047 full-term children (11.5%) had needed ophthalmic care for different reasons. The prevalence of ocular abnormalities was much higher in premature children than in full-term children: reduced visual acuity of 20/33 or worse in the best eye (21 of 528 [4.0%] and one of 1,047 [0.1%]); myopia (33 of 528 [6.3%] and 18 of 1,047 [1.8%]); anisometropia of 1 diopter or greater (31 of 528 [5.9%] and 15 of 1,047 [1.5%]); strabismus (52 of 528 [9.9%] and 22 of 1,047 [2.1%]); and nystagmus (13 of 528 [2.4%] and one of 1,047 [0.1%]). Children with birth weight less than 1,000 g had the highest rates of ocular abnormalities. We conclude that visual and oculomotor development of premature children should be carefully examined.

Neuro-ophthalmological evaluation of patients with myelomeningocele and Chiari malformations.

Twenty-eight patients (14 females and 14 males aged between four and 34 years) with myelomeningocele and Chiari malformations were examined neuro-ophthalmologically. All patients had been under proper neurosurgical care and no reduction of visual function was found that could be related to optic atrophy or other changes in the visual pathways. However, ocular motility disorders, including strabismus, were common, although no case of down-beat nystagmus was observed. Manifest strabismus was found in 11 patients. Esotropia with or without A-pattern was seen in nine patients. Spontaneous or gaze-related nystagmus and abnormal optokinetic nystagmus represented the most common disturbances of ocular motility. Abnormalities of horizontal eye-movements were more common than those of vertical eye-movements. Strabismus of the manifest type was combined with other ocular motility disturbances in most cases.

Neuro-ophthalmological findings in relation to CNS lesions in patients with myelomeningocele.

Twenty-eight patients (14 male, 14 female; aged four to 34 years) with myelomeningocele were studied. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine the correlation between disturbances of ocular motility and the degree of hydrocephalus, tectal plate deformity and dislocation of the cerebellum and medulla oblongata. All patients had Chiari malformations. Strabismus and spontaneous nystagmus were strongly related mainly to the degree of hydrocephalus and to some extent to the amount of lower brainstem deformities. Ocular motility defects with regard to oblique muscle functions and horizontal and vertical gaze and saccadic control often correlated with lower brainstem lesions. Convergence defects correlated with deformities of the upper brainstem. However, these correlations were not valid in the individual patient; some had no strabismus and normal ocular motility, in spite of advanced hydrocephalus and Chiari malformations.

Prevalence of refractive errors and ocular motility disorders in 5- to 10-year-old Swedish children born prematurely or at full-term.

Knowledge of the occurrence of visual and ocular problems in children is important when eye health care systems are designed. We have studied the prevalence of ocular changes in all children born prematurely during 1976-1981 in Stockholm county and compared the findings with those obtained in a random sample of full-term children from the same period and area.