[Unexplained anemia in the elderly, what advances?] / Anémie inexpliquée chez la personne âgée : quelles avancées?

Prevalence of anemia in the elderly is high, increases with age and is most often mild. Etiological diagnosis is made in about 70 % of cases, leaving 30 % of unexplained anemia. The unexplained cases are probably multifactorial in relation to usual etiologies of anemia but not detected due to inappropriate diagnosis criteria for advanced age. Recent studies show other potential etiologies for unexplained anemia with new perspectives for treatments.

La prévalence de l'anémie chez la personne âgée est élevée, augmente avec l'âge et est le plus souvent légère. Le diagnostic étiologique est possible dans environ 70 % des cas, laissant 30 % d'anémie inexpliquée. Les causes de l'anémie inexpliquée sont probablement multifactorielles en lien avec des étiologies habituelles de l'anémie mais non détectées en raison de critères diagnostiques inappropriés pour l'âge avancé. Des études récentes montrent également d'autres étiologies potentielles à l'anémie inexpliquée avec de nouvelles perspectives de traitements.

[Anaphylaxis: an update]. / Anaphylaxie : mise à jour.

Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of acute systemic allergic reaction and can be fatal in the absence of adequate treatment with adrenaline. We propose to review the different mechanisms underlying anaphylaxis, as well as the diagnostic criteria and its management regarding the 2020 guidelines of the World Allergy Organization (WAO).

L'anaphylaxie est la forme la plus sévère de réaction allergique aiguë systémique et peut être fatale en l'absence d'un traitement adéquat par adrénaline. Nous proposons de revoir les différents mécanismes sous-jacents à l'anaphylaxie, ses critères diagnostiques ainsi que sa prise en charge à la lumière des directives 2020 de la World Allergy Organization (WAO).

Erythema nodosum as a cutaneous manifestation of COVID-19 infection.

Erythema nodosum (EN) is a common dermatological manifestation with many different aetiologies. Often however, the aetiology remains unidentified. We present here a 42-year-old male patient with an EN that is due to an acute COVID-19 infection. Most of the usual aetiologies were excluded by laboratory testing and imaging studies. This case is, to our knowledge, the first report of this cutaneous manifestation in the context of a COVID-19 infection. The EN was successfully treated with the disappearance of the COVID-19 infection and topical corticosteroids.

Characteristics, comorbidities, 30-day outcome and in-hospital mortality of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in a Swiss area - a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Since its first description in December 2019, coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has spread worldwide. There is limited information about presenting characteristics and outcomes of Swiss patients requiring hospitalisation. Furthermore, outcomes 30 days after onset of symptoms and after hospital discharge have not been described. AIMS: To describe the clinical characteristics, outcomes 30 days after onset of symptoms and in-hospital mortality of a cohort of patients hospitalised for COVID-19 in a Swiss area. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we included all inpatients hospitalised with microbiologically confirmed COVID-19 between 1 March and 12 April 2020 in the public hospital network of a Swiss area (Fribourg). Demographic data, comorbidities and outcomes were recorded. Rate of potential hospital-acquired infection, outcomes 30 days after onset of symptoms and in-hospital mortality are reported. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-six patients were included in the study. In our population, 119 (61%) were male and the median age was 70 years. Forty-nine patients (25%) were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The rate of potential hospital-acquired infection was 7%. Overall, 30 days after onset of symptoms 117 patients (60%) had returned home, 23 patients (12%) were in a rehabilitation facility, 18 patients (9%) in a medical ward, 6 patients (3%) in ICU and 32 (16%) patients had died. Among patients who returned home within 30 days, 73 patients (63%) reported persistent symptoms. The overall in-hospital mortality was 17%. CONCLUSION: We report the first cohort of Swiss patients hospitalised with COVID-19. Thirty days after onset of the symptoms, 60% had returned home. Among them, 63% still presented symptoms. Studies with longer follow-up are needed to document long-term outcomes in patients hospitalised with COVID-19.