An Integrative Index for Predicting Extubation Outcomes After Successful Completion of a Spontaneous Breathing Trial in an Adult Medical Intensive Care Unit.

BACKGROUND: Among respiratory predictors, rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) has been a commonly used respiratory parameter to predict extubation outcomes. However, the outcome of prediction remains inconsistent. Regarding nonrespiratory predictors, serum albumin, hemoglobin, bicarbonate, and patients' alertness have been reported to be associated with successful weaning or extubation. We aimed to develop an integrative index combining commonly used predictors in the adult medical intensive care units (MICUs) and to compare the predictability of the index with RSBI. METHODS: This prospective observational study with retrospective data collection of planned extubations was conducted in a 14-bed adult MICU. We enrolled patients who received mechanical ventilation via an endotracheal tube in the adult MICU for >24 hours and passed a 2-hour spontaneous breathing trial and underwent extubation. Extubation failure was defined as reinstitution of invasive mechanical ventilation within 48 hours of extubation. Respiratory parameters and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores of patients were recorded prospectively. Nonrespiratory parameters were recorded retrospectively. Logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors of extubation outcomes. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients comprising 70 extubations were enrolled. Extubation failure was significantly and positively associated with lower serum albumin (albumin < 2.6 g/dL, odds ratio [OR] = 5.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-24.66), lower hemoglobin (hemoglobin < 10.0 g/dL, OR = 10.8; 95% CI, 2.00-58.04), and lower GCS scores (GCS score ≤ 8, OR = 6.1; 95% CI = 1.15-32.34). By using an integrative index combining the 3 parameters together, the sensitivity and specificity to predict extubation outcomes were 78.6% and 75.9%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the index was significantly higher than RSBI (0.84 vs 0.61, P = .026). CONCLUSION: The integrative index combining serum albumin, hemoglobin, and GCS scores could predict extubation outcomes better than RSBI in an adult MICU.

Differences in Mortality and Clinical Manifestations of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever in Taiwan in Different Years: A Comparison for Cases in 2014 and 2015 Epidemics.

People in southern Taiwan experienced two major dengue outbreaks in 2014 and 2015. The mortality and clinical features were very different between these 2 years. Dengue virus serotype 1 (DENV-1) caused epidemic outbreak in 2014 and DENV-2 was predominant in 2015. The characteristics of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) cases in the 2 years was analyzed. We conducted a retrospective chart review to analyze the clinical and laboratory features of 206 adult patients with DHF in southern Taiwan in 2014 and 2015. The mortality rate of DHF cases in 2015 was higher than that of cases in 2014 (38.7% versus 12.4%, P < 0.0001). Compared with cases in 2014, DHF cases in 2015 had more complications, such as gastrointestinal bleeding (78.5% versus 61.9%, P = 0.01), severe hepatitis (30.1% versus 8%, P < 0.0001), and myocarditis (14% versus 0.9%, P < 0.0001). Among the mortality cases, diabetes, chronic renal failure, proton-pump inhibitors using, platelet transfusion, and Charlson comorbidity index score (Charlson score) were also higher in 2015. Multivariate analysis for the mortality cases revealed that the risk factors were Charlson score ≥ 5 (P = 0.02, odds ratio [OR] = 4.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.244-13.307), severe hepatitis (P < 0.0001, OR = 11.97, 95% CI = 3.831-37.396), and acute renal failure (P < 0.0001, OR = 98.76, 95% CI = 10.847-899.22). DHF cases in 2015 had higher mortality and more complications, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, severe hepatitis, and myocarditis, than in 2014 in southern Taiwan. In the 2-year DHF case series, Charlson score ≥ 5, severe hepatitis, and acute renal failure were independent significant variables for mortality.

Clinical manifestations of Kikuchi's disease in southern Taiwan.

Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, or Kikuchi's disease (KD), is a self-limiting cervical lymphadenitis of unknown origin. The diagnosis of KD is problematic due to the lack of specific laboratory tests. This study reviewed the clinical characteristics of 58 patients with KD. Clinical manifestations were of considerable diversity. The mean age of patients was 24.88 +/- 7.44 years and there was a female predominance (1.76:1). The most frequent clinical findings were enlarged tender lymph nodes (50%), fever (43%), sore throat (21%), non-productive cough (12%), headache (10%), chills (9%) and rhinorrhea (9%). The most common initial laboratory abnormalities were leukopenia (29%), elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (14%), liver function impairment (14%), elevated C-reactive protein level (12%), and anemia (10%). Most patients had unilateral lymph node involvement (79%), which was usually located in the posterior triangle of the cervical lymph nodes (90%). Most patients had no comorbid disease (93%). No recurrence occurred. KD should be included in the differential diagnosis of fever with cervical lymphadenopathy.