Assessing outcomes of intravenous insulin therapy in non-intensive care patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of using intravenous insulin infusion (IVII) therapy for managing hyperglycemia in a non-intensive care unit (ICU) versus an ICU setting. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis on patients who received IVII for hyperglycemia. The analysis compared variables associated with hypoglycemic events while on IVII, and point-of-care blood glucose control and insulin regimens at discharge. Insulin administration errors occurring on IVII were determined. RESULTS: Between November 2020 and August 2022, 881 patients received 1,106 IVIIs (780 in ICU and 326 non-ICU). A cumulative 468 days were spent on IVII in the non-ICU setting and 1564 in the ICU (total 2,032 days). The frequency of hypoglycemia on IVII was higher when provided in the non-ICU vs ICU (1.4% vs 0.7%), p < 0.01). Non-ICU patients had significantly higher average blood glucose during the last 24 h of the hospital stay (185 mg/dL vs 160 mg/dL, non-ICU vs. ICU, Pp < 0.01) and were more likely discharged with basal-bolus insulin therapy (p < 0.01). After adjusting for other variables, the probability of having hypoglycemia (OR 2.35; 95% CI 1.62-3.42; p < 0.001) was higher for the non-ICU cohort. In addition, patients who received IVII in the non-ICU settings had mean glucose levels nearly 26 mg/dL higher (95% CI 19.40-32.9, p < 0.001) at discharge vs. ICU. Seven cases of insulin errors were reported while on IVII in the non-ICU settings, compared to one in the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: A large number (468) of ICU days were avoided by providing IVII in the non-ICU setting. Of the more than 400 days of IVII therapy provided in the non-ICU, only 7 medication errors occurred. Further studies are needed to optimize IVII strategy for non-ICU patients.

Risk factors for hospitalization and mortality due to dengue fever in a Mexican population: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Identify risk factors associated with increased hospital admission and mortality due to dengue fever (DF), and estimate the risk magnitude associated with each individual variable. METHODS: Records of patients diagnosed with dengue were obtained from the Mexican National Epidemiological Surveillance System. Descriptive statistics were performed in all variables. Demographic characteristics and comorbidities were compared between patients based on type of care and mortality. Multivariable analysis was done with a logistic regression model, using two different outcomes: hospitalization and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 24,495 patients were included in the analysis, with a DF case fatality rate of 0.58%. Patients younger than 10 and older than 60, were found to have a greater risk of both hospitalization and mortality due to DF. Comorbidities associated with a higher risk for hospital admission include cirrhosis, CKD, immunosuppression, diabetes, and hypertension. For mortality, CKD, diabetes, and hypertension were identified as risk factors, along with pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Identification of risk factors associated with increased hospitalization and mortality due to DF can help categorize patients that require close monitoring and inpatient care. Early identification of warning signs and patients at increased risk is key to avoiding delay of supportive care.

U-shaped-aggressiveness of SARS-CoV-2: Period between initial symptoms and clinical progression to COVID-19 suspicion. A population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Early identification of different COVID-19 clinical presentations may depict distinct pathophysiological mechanisms and guide management strategies. OBJECTIVE: To determine the aggressiveness of SARS-CoV-2 using symptom progression in COVID-19 patients. DESIGN: Historic cohort study of Mexican patients. Data from January-April 2020 were provided by the Health Ministry. SETTING: Population-based. Patients registered in the Epidemiologic Surveillance System in Mexico. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects who sought medical attention for clinical suspicion of COVID-19. All patients were subjected to RT-PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2. MEASUREMENTS: We measured the Period between initial symptoms and clinical progression to COVID-19 suspicion (PISYCS) and compared it to the primary outcomes (mortality and pneumonia). RESULTS: 65,500 patients were included. Reported fatalities and pneumonia were 2176 (3.32%), and 11568 (17.66%), respectively. According to the PISYCS, patients were distributed as follows: 14.89% in <24 hours, 43.25% between 1-3 days, 31.87% between 4-7 days and 9.97% >7 days. The distribution for mortality and pneumonia was 5.2% and 22.5% in <24 hours, 2.5% and 14% between 1-3 days, 3.6% and 19.5% between 4-7 days, 4.1% and 20.6% >7 days, respectively (p<0.001). Adjusted-risk of mortality was (OR [95% CI], p-value): <24 hours = 1.75 [1.55-1.98], p<0.001; 1-3 days = 1 (reference value); 4-7 days = 1.53 [1.37-1.70], p<0.001; >7 days = 1.67 [1.44-1.94], p<0.001. For pneumonia: <24 hours = 1.49 [1.39-1.58], p<0.001; 1-3 days = 1; 4-7 days = 1.48 [1.41-1.56], p<0.001; >7 days = 1.57 [1.46-1.69], p<0.001. LIMITATIONS: Using a database fed by large numbers of people carries the risk of data inaccuracy. However, this imprecision is expected to be random and data are consistent with previous studies. CONCLUSION: The PISYCS shows a U-shaped SARS-CoV-2 aggressiveness pattern. Further studies are needed to corroborate the time-related pathophysiology behind these findings.