Palliative and end-of-life care needs, experiences, and preferences of LGBTQ+ individuals with serious illness: A systematic mixed-methods review.

BACKGROUND: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals experience discrimination throughout the care continuum, including during serious illness and at end of life. High-quality palliative care requires that health professionals deliver individualized services that reflect the needs, experiences, and preferences of LGBTQ+ persons. AIM: To identify and appraise existing evidence related to the needs, experiences, and preferences for palliative and end of life care among LGBTQ+ individuals with serious illness. DESIGN: Data-based convergent synthesis design reported per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus from January 1, 2010 to November 6, 2020. RESULTS: Of 4875 results captured, 69 articles underwent full-text review and 13 were retained for analysis. Most studies were from North America with trans individuals represented in 10 of 13 studies. Needs (n = 6) included increased social support, institutional safety, economic and legal supports, and advocacy to mitigate health barriers.Experiences (n = 12) were driven by fear and worry associated with discrimination/stigma,providers' hetero-/cisnormative assumptions, homophobia and transphobia, social isolation, and an undignified death. Preferences (n = 6) pertained to inclusion of chosen families in decision-making, disclosure of LGBTQ+ identity based on safety of the clinical environment, and a desire to maintain autonomy. CONCLUSIONS: The robustness of the science has improved regarding the needs, experiences, and preferences of trans individuals. Actionable, inclusive policies coupled with sustained and integrated cultural sensitivity training for health workers are mandatory. Interventional research is critical to enhance tailored palliative care for LGBTQ+ people and their chosen families.

Challenges in healthcare financing for surgery in sub-Saharan Africa.

One-third of the global burden of disease is attributed to surgical conditions yet, 5 billion people globally, lack access to surgery. The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery, Obstetrics, and Anesthesia (LCOGS) published guidelines for improving access by reducing catastrophic health expenditures (CHEs) by 2030. This is especially important in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where 90% of the extreme poor reside. In this paper, we provide a narrative review of four studies on CHEs for surgical care in SSA published since 2015. We discuss healthcare financing in the countries and summarize the authors' key findings of out-of-pocket payments (OOP) and CHEs. Briefly, the studies enrolled 130 to 300 patients and collected direct OOPs via chart review of health costs or patient interviews. Indirect costs were calculated from lost wages and transportation costs. CHEs were defined as health costs exceeding 10% of the GDP per capita or the household income. Despite healthcare being reported as free in all studies, 60%-90% of surgical patients had CHEs with all costs considered. OOPs persists for medicines and anesthesia that should be covered under any health insurance scheme. In some cases, indirect costs associated with transportation and wages were major drivers of CHEs for surgery. Without addressing these gaps in coverage, more people will risk impoverishment in seeking surgical care in SSA.

The ritual use of ayahuasca during treatment of severe physical illnesses: a qualitative study.

Diseases that threaten life raise existential questions that can be a source of psychological distress. Studies with psychedelics demonstrate therapeutic effects for anxiety and depression associated with life-threatening illnesses. Ayahuasca has been proposed as a possible therapeutic agent in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Preliminary studies suggest that ayahuasca could promote therapeutic effects for people with physical illnesses. The aim of this study was to explore how the ritual use of ayahuasca during the treatment of severe physical illnesses (SPI) may influence the way people understand and relate to their illness, using qualitative methods to assess the participants' perspectives. Participants who consumed ayahuasca ritualistically during the period of treatment for SPI were purposely chosen. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis was performed with 14 individuals. The ritual experience with ayahuasca acted on the participants' illness understanding through multiple psychological mechanisms, including introspection, self-analysis, emotional processing and catharsis, recall of autobiographical memories subjectively related to illness origin, illness resignification, and perspective changes. This study suggests that the experience with ayahuasca may facilitate illness acceptance through an influence on the meanings of the illness, life, and death. These changes may favor a more balanced relationship with illness and treatment.

Caracterización del estado y soporte nutricional en pacientes pediátricos graves / Characterization of nutritional status and support in critically-ill pediatric patients

RESUMEN Introducción: la alimentación y nutrición asumen una función relevante en la recuperación del paciente enfermo grave. Un estado nutricional no óptimo es la causa más frecuente de la mala evolución de los pacientes hospitalizados y de la calidad de vida. Objetivo: caracterizar el estado y soporte nutricional en los pacientes graves hospitalizados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos del Hospital Pediátrico "Pepe Portilla" de Pinar del Río, de mayo 2016- mayo 2018. Métodos: se realizó una investigación observacional, descriptiva y transversal en 51 pacientes que requirieron intervención nutricional, en los cuales se utilizaron nutrientes enterales y/o parenterales. La información se obtuvo de la revisión documental. Resultados: la terapia de soporte nutricional prevaleció en pacientes de cero a cuatro años para un 47,1 %, el 62,7 % fueron del sexo masculino. Predominó la nutrición enteral en los ingresados por insuficiencia respiratoria (44 %), sepsis (16 %) y enfermedades oncológicas (13 %). Recibieron soporte nutricional parenteral el 68,4 % de las enfermedades quirúrgicas. Las complicaciones digestivas fueron las más frecuentes (54,8 %) seguida de las metabólicas (13,7 %). Conclusiones: los pacientes desnutridos o en riesgo de estarlo, requirieron soporte nutricional, con predominio de la edad de cero a cuatro años, esto se relacionó a las causas quirúrgicas, enfermedades respiratorias y sepsis. Fueron utilizados nutrientes enterales y parenterales con complicaciones digestivas como vómitos y diarreas.

ABSTRACT Introduction: food and nutrition presuppose a relevant role in the recovery of the critically-ill patient. A non-optimal nutritional status continues to be the most frequent cause of poor evolution of hospitalized patients and quality of life. Objective: to characterize the nutritional status and support in critically-ill patients hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit at Pepe Portilla Pediatric Hospital of Pinar del Rio, from May 2016- May 2018. Methods: an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional research was conducted in 51 patients who required nutritional intervention, in which enteral and/or parenteral nutrients were used. Information was collected from a documentary review. Results: nutritional support therapy prevailed in patients aged zero to four years, representing 47,1 %; 62,7 % were male. Enteral nutrition predominated in patients admitted for respiratory failure (44 %), sepsis (16 %) and cancer diseases (13 %). Parenteral nutritional support was given to 68,4 % of surgical diseases. Digestive complications were the most frequent (54,8 %) followed by metabolic complications (13,7 %). Conclusions: malnourished patients or at risk of malnutrition required nutritional support, predominantly in patients from zero to four years old, related to surgical causes, respiratory diseases and sepsis. Enteral and parenteral nutrients were used with digestive complications such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Statin Use Improves Overall Survival of Patients with Gastric Cancer after Surgery and Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Taiwan: A Nationwide Matched Cohort Study.

Background: Numerous studies have revealed that statins have antitumor effects in vivo and in vitro. However, few studies have explored the relationship between statin use and the mortality of gastric cancer (GC) patients after treatments. This study examines the relationship between statin use and the overall survival (OS) of GC patients after surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy, using data from the nationwide cohort database of Taiwan. Methods: All patients newly diagnosed with GC from 1999 to 2008 in Taiwan were identified from the Registry of Catastrophic Illness Patients Database. Through propensity score matching, statin users were matched to statin non-users at a 1:4 ratio. The relationship between statin use and the OS of patients with GC was estimated through Cox regression models. Results: The study cohort included 1835 patients with GC who had received therapies during the study period. The death numbers among statin users (defined as those who used more than 28 cumulative defined daily doses (cDDDs)) and statin non-users were 138 and 895, respectively. A dose-response association was noted between statin use and the OS of patients with GC after treatments. The adjusted hazard ratios were 0.62 (95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.50-0.78) and 0.34 (95% CI, 0.26-0.45) for statin users administered 28-167 cDDDs and >168 cDDDs, respectively, compared with no statin use (<28 cDDDs). Conclusions: This study highlights that statin use may dose-dependently improve the OS of patients with GC after surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy in Taiwan. Additional studies are required to confirm the efficacy and safety of statin use.

O processo de tomada de decisão médica em tempos de pandemia por coronavírus / The medical decision-making process in the time of the coronavirus pandemic

RESUMO A pandemia causada pelo novo coronavírus tem provocado mudanças significativas no processo de tomada de decisão médica diante do paciente grave. Repentinamente, aumentaram as admissões em unidades de tratamento intensivo, porém, muitos desses casos não apresentam quadros relacionados à infecção viral, mas à exacerbação de doenças preexistentes. Nesse contexto, precisamos evitar que o processo decisório intuitivo e a insegurança nos levem a exaurir a disponibilidade de leitos críticos, antes do momento em que eles sejam realmente necessários, mesmo reconhecendo a importância do método decisório rápido em situações emergências. Uma das melhores formas de atingir esse propósito talvez seja por meio da prática da metacognição e da estruturação de formas de feedback regulares aos profissionais envolvidos em processos decisórios inerentemente rápidos.

ABSTRACT The disease pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus has triggered significant changes in the medical decision-making process relating to critically ill patients. Admissions to intensive care units have suddenly increased, but many of these patients do not present with clinical manifestations related to the viral infection but rather exacerbation of preexisting diseases. In this context, we must prevent intuitive decision-making and insecurity from leading us to exhaust the available critical-care beds before they are truly necessary, while still recognizing the importance of rapid decision-making in emergency situations. One of the best ways to achieve this goal may be by practicing metacognition and establishing ways for regular feedback to be provided to professionals engaged in inherently rapid decision-making processes.

Intensive care utilization in patients with end-stage liver disease: A population-based comparative study of cohorts with and without comorbid hepatocellular carcinoma in taiwan.

BACKGROUND: End-of-life intensive care may be futile and can be a cause of distress to both patients and their families. This study aimed to understand the utilization of intensive care and its associated factors in patients with End-stage liver disease (ESLD) during terminal hospitalization. METHODS: Population-based retrospective cohort study using the National Health Institute Research Database of Taiwan. All adult patients with ESLD who died during their hospitalization in 2010-2013 were included. FINDINGS: Of the 14,247 patients with ESLD, the majority (60·8%) was comorbid with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients with ESLD only were younger, more deprived, more alcohol-related, and less likely to receive palliative care prior to terminal hospitalization (6·0% vs 29·2% with HCC). Compared to patients with comorbid HCC, relatively more patients without HCC were admitted to ICU (59·6% vs 22·3%), receiving CPR (11·1% vs 4·3%) and mechanical ventilation (36·3% vs 12·5%) during terminal hospitalization. Etiology of alcoholic hepatitis, esophageal varices, septicemia, pneumonia and respiratory failure, and renal failure were associated with a higher probability of ICU admission (adjusted rate ratio (aRR) range: 1·09-2·09). Prior palliative care was associated with lower probability of ICU admission (aRR range: 0·24-0·38). INTERPRETATION: The intensive care utilization by patients with ESLD in their terminal hospitalization was substantial in Taiwan. Those who are not comorbid with HCC need more attention, especially in terms of their palliative care needs, choices regarding intensive care, and their healthcare utilization. FUNDING: National Institute of Health Research Health Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South London.

Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome following the introduction of rivaroxaban.

Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome is the most severe complication of antiphospholipid syndrome. Vitamin K antagonists are the reference treatment for preventing relapsing thrombotic complications in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome. Direct oral anticoagulants are nonetheless sometimes used in this setting. We report two cases of women who were triple-positive for antiphospholipid antibodies and developed catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome in the week after the introduction of rivaroxaban. The first patient, who had had a previous thrombotic event, had multiorgan failure 3 days after vitamin K antagonists was replaced by rivaroxaban, and the second developed a similar clinical presentation 7 days after introduction of the same treatment. Both catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome episodes were successfully treated with heparin followed by vitamin K antagonists, corticosteroids, and plasmapheresis. These two cases highlight for the inefficacy of rivaroxaban preventing severe thrombotic events such as catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome and thus provide further support for recommendations that vitamin K antagonists must remain the reference anticoagulant in patients with triple-positive antiphospholipid antibodies.

Effect of the catastrophic medical insurance on household catastrophic health expenditure: evidence from China.

OBJECTIVE: China launched an innovative program of catastrophic medical insurance (CMI) to protect households from catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and impoverishment. This article assesses the effect of CMI on relieving CHE and impoverishment from catastrophic illnesses in urban and rural China. METHOD: In total, 8378 cases are included in the analysis. We employed descriptive statistical analysis to compare the incidence and intensity of CHE at five health expenditure levels, from 1 June 2014 to 31 May 2015. To illustrate the different protection of the policy, we analyzed the data in two lines, the covered medical expenses and the total medical expenses. RESULTS: CMI drop down CHE incidence from 4.8% to 0.1% and the mean catastrophic payment gap from 7.9% to zero when only considering covered medical expenses. CMI drop down CHE incidence from 15.5% to 7.9% and the mean catastrophic payment gap from 31.2% to 14.7% when considering total medical expenses. If CMI reimburse uncovered medical expenses at 30%, the mean catastrophic payment gap could be 7.9% and insured person's annual premium will increase US$2.19. CONCLUSIONS: China CMI perfectly meet the pursued policy objectives when only considering the covered medical expenses. However, when considering the total medical expenses, the CMI is only partially effective in protecting households from CHE. The considerable gap is the result of the limitation of CMI list.

How to face the rising costs of healthcare?

In view of the uncontrolled increase in the costs of therapeutic innovations, the health systems face serious difficulties in maintaining the sustainability of their funding sources. In Argentina, one alternative is the implementation of a reinsurance for "low incidence and high cost" diseases classified as "catastrophic". So far, the healthcare systems managed by trade unions and compulsory social insurance have only implemented this reinsurance for specifically-defined diseases and treatments. The cost estimate of a universal reinsurance premium for all forms of coverage requires very complex calculations, whose structure is exemplified. Another approach is the analysis of the scientific consistency of therapeutic innovations, as performed by health technology assessment agencies, whose examples in Europe and Latin America are mentioned. However, the prospects are difficult for all countries, in view of the demands for legalization expected to be presented by beneficiaries of protection systems and the arguments interposed by those responsible for providing the claimed benefits.

Frente al incontenible incremento en los costos de las innovaciones terapéuticas, los sistemas de salud enfrentan graves dificultades para mantener la sustentabilidad de sus fuentes de financiamiento. Una de las modalidades posibles en Argentina es la implementación de un reaseguro para enfermedades de "baja incidencia y alto costo", calificadas como "catastróficas". Hasta el momento ese reaseguro solo ha sido implementado para enfermedades y tratamientos taxativamente definidos en las obras sociales sindicales o seguros sociales obligatorios. Los costos de la prima de un reaseguro universal para todas las formas de cobertura requieren estimaciones muy complejas, cuya estructura es ejemplificada. Otra modalidad de análisis consiste en evaluar la consistencia científica de las innovaciones terapéuticas. A tal fin existen agencias de evaluación de tecnologías sanitarias, cuyos ejemplos en Europa y América Latina son mencionados. Pero la perspectiva futura es difícil para todos los países, que se encuentran ante la judicialización que pueden presentar los beneficiarios de sistemas de protección y los argumentos interpuestos por los responsables de brindar los beneficios reclamados.

An in vitro model to mimic the thrombotic occlusion of small vessels in catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS).

Platelet activation and decrease in platelet count characterize the development of the most feared form of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), i.e. catastrophic APS (CAPS). We aimed to assess if immuno-affinity purified anti-ß2-glycoprotein I (aß2GPI) antibodies enhance platelet activation inducing a significant flow obstruction in a platelet function analyzer (PFA). Affinity purified aß2GPI antibodies were obtained from 13 triple positive patients with a strong lupus anticoagulant (LA) and high titers of IgG anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and IgG aß2GPI. Platelet activation stimulated by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) in the presence or absence of aß2GPI was measured by the expression of P-selectin on platelet surface using flow cytometry. P-selectin expression remained close to baseline when normal whole blood was incubated with aß2GPI alone. When stimulated using aß2GPI combined with ADP, P-selectin expression (28.42 ± 5.15% vs. 20.98 ± 3.94%, p = 0.0076) was significantly higher than ADP alone. Closure time of normal whole blood passed through the PFA was significantly shorter using affinity purified aß2GPI than control IgG both in Col/ADP (160.1 ± 62.1 s vs. 218.6 ± 43.8 s; p = 0.021) and Col/EPI cartridges (149.5 ± 26.7 s vs. 186.9 ± 45.5 s; p = 0.030). Thus, platelet activation is enhanced by aß2GPI antibodies with a consequent premature closure in a PFA, possibly resembling that in microcirculation in patients with CAPS.

Short-Term Proton Pump Inhibitor Use and Hepatic Encephalopathy Risk in Patients with Decompensated Cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE: A window period of approximately 3-6 months is usually adopted in studies that evaluate hepatic encephalopathy (HE) risk in proton pump inhibitor (PPI) users. However, HE risk after short-term PPI exposure remains unclear. We explored the effect of short-term PPI exposure using a case-crossover study design. DESIGN: Records of patients with decompensated cirrhosis who had received an HE diagnosis were retrieved from the National Health Insurance Research Database. PPI use rates were compared for case and control with window periods of 7, 14, and 28 days. The adjusted self-matched odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) from a conditional logistic regression model were used to determine the association between PPI use and HE risk. RESULTS: Overall, 13 195 patients were analyzed. The adjusted OR for HE risk after PPI exposure was 3.13 (95% CI = 2.33-4.20) for the 7-day window, 4.77 (95% CI = 3.81-5.98) for the 14-day window, and 5.60 (95% CI = 4.63-6.78) for the 28-day window. All PPI categories, except omeprazole and pantoprazole, were associated with an increased HE risk. Irrespective of other precipitating factors, such as recent gastrointestinal bleeding or infection, PPI significantly increased HE risk. CONCLUSION: Short-term PPI use is significantly associated with HE in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Physicians should use PPI in these patients for appropriate indications, and carefully monitor signs of HE even after short-term exposure. Owing to the limitations of retrospective design in the current study, further study is warranted to confirm our findings.

Determinants of Household Catastrophic Health Expenditure: A Systematic Review.

The World Health Organization estimates that annually 150 million people experience severe (catastrophic) financial difficulties as a result of healthcare payments. Therefore, a systematic review was carried out to identify the determinants of household catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) in low-to high-income countries around the world. Both electronic and manual searches were conducted. The main outcome of interest was the determinants of CHE due to healthcare payments. Thirty eight studies met the inclusion criteria for review. The analysis revealed that household economic status, incidence of hospitalisation, presence of an elderly or disabled household member in the family, and presence of a family member with a chronic illness were the common significant factors associated with household CHE. The crucial finding of the current study is that socioeconomic inequality plays an important role in the incidence of CHE all over the world, where low-income households are at high risk of financial hardship from healthcare payments. This suggests that healthcare financing policies should be revised in order to narrow the gap in socioeconomic inequality and social safety nets should be implemented and strengthened for people who have a high need for health care.

Determinants of Household Catastrophic Health Expenditure: A Systematic Review

@#The World Health Organization estimates that annually 150 million people experience severe (catastrophic) financial difficulties as a result of healthcare payments. Therefore, a systematic review was carried out to identify the determinants of household catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) in low- to high-income countries around the world. Both electronic and manual searches were conducted. The main outcome of interest was the determinants of CHE due to healthcare payments. Thirty eight studies met the inclusion criteria for review. The analysis revealed that household economic status, incidence of hospitalisation, presence of an elderly or disabled household member in the family, and presence of a family member with a chronic illness were the common significant factors associated with household CHE. The crucial finding of the current study is that socioeconomic inequality plays an important role in the incidence of CHE all over the world, where low-income households are at high risk of financial hardship from healthcare payments. This suggests that healthcare financing policies should be revised in order to narrow the gap in socioeconomic inequality and social safety nets should be implemented and strengthened for people who have a high need for health care.

Asociación entre el nivel de incertidumbre y el tipo de enfermedad en pacientes hospitalizados en UCI / Association between the level of uncertainty and the type of illness in patients hospitalized in ICU

Resumen Objetivo: determinar la asociación entre el nivel de incertidumbre y el tipo de enfermedad en pacientes hospitalizados en unidades de cuidado intensivo de Cartagena, Colombia. Materiales y métodos: estudio observacional de corte transversal. La muestra estuvo constituida por 72 pacientes a quienes les fue aplicada la escala de incertidumbre de Merle Mishel. Se estimaron las asociacio nes entre el tipo de enfermedad y la incertidumbre mediante la prueba no paramétrica Kruskal-Wallis. Resultados: la edad promedio de los participantes fue 58,3 años (DE = 19,4), con predominio del sexo femenino en el 54,2 %, la mediana de estancia hospitalaria correspondió a seis días. El 27,8 % presentó enfermedades cardiovasculares, seguidas de las metabólicas en un 19,4 %. El nivel de incertidumbre fue regular en el 63,9 % y alto en el 34,7 %. Respecto a la asociación entre variables, no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los puntajes promedios de la escala según tipo de enfermedad (Prob. de Kruskal-Wallis > 0,05). Conclusión: la complejidad de la situación, las expectativas relacionadas con el compromiso de la salud, la presentación de los síntomas y los tratamientos médicos o quirúrgicos instaurados originaron incertidumbre independiente del tipo de enfermedad.

Resumo Objetivo: determinar a associação entre o nível de incerteza e o tipo de enfermidade em pacientes hospitalizados em unidades de terapia intensiva de Cartagena, Colômbia. Materiais e métodos: estudo observacional de corte transversal. A amostra esteve constituída por 72 pacientes aos quais se aplicou a escala de incerteza de Merle Mishel. Estimaram-se as associações entre o tipo de enfermidade e a incerteza mediante o teste não paramétrico Kruskal-Wallis. Resultados: a idade média dos participantes foi 58,3 anos (DE = 19,4), com predomínio do sexo feminino em 54,2 %, a mediana de permanência hospitalar correspondeu a seis dias. Entre os participantes 27,8 % apresentaram enfermidades cardiovasculares, seguidas das metabólicas em 19,4 %. O nível de incerteza foi regular em 63,9 % e alto em 34,7 %. Com relação à associação entre variáveis, não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre as pontuações médias da escala segundo o tipo de enfermidade (teste de Kruskal-Wallis > 0,05). Conclusão: a complexidade da situação, as expectativas relacionadas com o compromisso da saúde, a apresentação dos sintomas e os tratamentos médicos ou cirúrgicos instaurados originaram incerteza independente do tipo de enfermidade.

Abstract Objective: to determine the association between the level of uncertainty and the type of disease in patients hospitalized in intensive care units of Cartagena. Materials and methods: cross-sectional observational study. The sample consisted of 72 patients to whom the Merle Mishel uncertainty scale was applied. Associations between the type of disease and uncertainty were estimated using the Kruskall Wallis nonparametric test. Results: the average age of the participants was 58.3 years (SD = 19.4), with a predominance of females in 54.2 %, the median length of hospital stay was 6 days. 27.8 % had cardiovascular diseases, followed by metabolic diseases in 19.4 %. The level of uncertainty was regular at 63.9 % and high at 34.7 %. Regarding the association between variables, no significant differences were found between the average scores of the scale according to the type of disease (Kruskall Wallis prob. > 0.05). Conclusion: the complexity of the situation, the expectations related to the commitment to health, the presentation of symptoms and the medical or surgical treatments established originated uncertainty independent of the type of disease.

Outcomes of chronic subdural hematoma in patients with liver cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE: Burr hole craniostomy is an effective and simple procedure for treating chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). However, the surgical outcomes and recurrence of CSDH in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) remain unknown. METHODS: A nationwide population-based cohort study was retrospectively conducted using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. The study included 29,163 patients who underwent first-time craniostomy for CSDH removal between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2013. In total, 1223 patients with LC and 2446 matched non-LC control patients were eligible for analysis. All-cause mortality, surgical complications, repeat craniostomy, extended craniotomy, and long-term medical costs were analyzed. RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality rate (8.7% vs 3.1% for patients with LC and non-LC patients, respectively), frequency of hospital admission, length of ICU stay, number of blood transfusions, and medical expenditures of patients with LC who underwent craniostomy for CSDH were considerably higher than those of non-LC control patients. Patients with LC tended to require an extended craniotomy to remove subdural hematomas in the hospital or during long-term follow-up. The surgical outcome worsened with an increase in the severity of LC. CONCLUSIONS: Even for simple procedures following minor head trauma, LC remains a serious comorbidity with a poor prognosis.

Utilización de servicios de salud por enfermedades catastróficas o de alto costo en Antioquia / Use of Health Services for Catastrophic or High-Cost Illnesses in Antioquia / Utilização de serviços de saúde por doenças catastróficas ou de alto custo em Antioquia

Resumen Las enfermedades catastróficas o de alto costo (EAC) causan alta morbimortalidad y demandan atención permanente, compleja y costosa. Objetivo: caracterizar la utilización de servicios de salud por enfermedades de alto costo. Método: estudio descriptivo transversal. Se analizó información de los registros individuales de prestación de servicios para ocho EAC, usando codificación CIE-10. La utilización se analizó según variables sociodemográficas y características de la oferta. Resultados: el 16 % de la utilización de servicios fue atribuible a pacientes con EAC. Esta fue más frecuente en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica y precursoras (ERC-P), enfermedades huérfanas y epilepsia, mujeres mayores de 50 años y personas del régimen contributivo (con variaciones según la enfermedad). Entre 66 y 83 % de la utilización se produjo en instituciones privadas y predominó la atención por medicina general, con escasa participación de otras áreas de salud. Conclusión: se encontraron diferencias inaceptables de utilización entre regímenes de afiliación y variables de oferta, afines a las políticas privatizadoras.

Abstract Catastrophic or high-cost illnesses (HCI) cause high morbidity and mortality, and demand permanent, complex, and expensive care. Objective: to characterize the use of health services due to high cost illnesses. Method: cross-sectional descriptive study. We analyzed information from individual service rendering records for eight HCIs, using CIE-10 coding. The use was analyzed according to sociodemographic variables and characteristics of the offer. Results: 16% of the service use was attributable to patients with HCI. This was more frequent in patients with chronic renal disease and precursors (ERC-P), orphan diseases, and epilepsy; women over 50 years of age and people in the contributory regime (with variations depending on the disease). Between 66 and 83 percent of the use occurred in private institutions and care through general medicine was prevailing, with little participation of other health areas. Conclusion: unacceptable differences of use were found between affiliation regimes and supply variables, related to privatization policies.

Resumo As doenças catastróficas ou de alto custo (EAC) ocasionam alta morbimortalidade e demandam atenção permanente, complexa e custosa. Objetivo: caracterizar a utilização de serviços de saúde por doenças de alto custo. Método: estudo descritivo transversal. Analizou-se informação dos registros individuais de prestação de serviços para oito EAC, usando codificação CIE-10. A utilização analizou-se segundo variáveis sociodemográficas e características da oferta. Resultados: o 16 % da utilização de serviços foi atribuível a pacientes com EAC. Esta foi mais frequente em pacientes com doença renal crónica e precursoras (ERC-P), doenças orfanas e epilepsia, mulheres maiores de 50 anos e pessoas do régime contributivo (com variações segundo a doença). Entre 66 e 83 % da utilização produziu-se em instituições privadas e predominou o atendimento por medicina geral, com escassa participação de outras áreas da saúde. Conclusão: verificaram-se diferenças inaceitáveis de utilização entre regímenes de afiliação e variáveis de oferta, afins às políticas privatizadoras.

Multiple sclerosis increases the risk of venous thromboembolism: a nationwide cohort analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of multiple sclerosis (MS) on the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) development. METHODS: We identified patients diagnosed with MS in Taiwan between 1998 and 2010 using the National Health Insurance Research Database and the Catastrophic Illness Patient Database (RCIPD). Each MS patient was frequency matched to 4 controls according to age, sex and the year of MS registration to the RCIPD. Patients with a history of VTE and incomplete information of age and sex were excluded. All patients were followed up from the index year until VTE diagnosis, loss to follow-up or the end of 2010. We calculated the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of VTE in the MS and comparison cohorts using Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS: We followed up 1238 MS patients and 4952 comparison patients for approximately 6437 and 27 595 person-years, respectively. After adjusting for age, sex and comorbidities, the MS patients exhibited a 6·87-fold increased risk of VTE compared with the control patients. Women with MS were associated with an 11·1-fold increased risk of VTE development compared with the non-MS women (95% CI: 2·70-45·5). The MS patients aged < 50 years exhibited a 14·8-fold increased risk of developing VTE compared with age-matched patients in the comparison cohort (95% CI: 2·99-73·4). The risk of VTE development increased with the duration of hospitalization stay. CONCLUSION: MS patients are associated with significantly greater risk of developing VTE compared with non-MS patients.

Anticorpos antifosfolipídeos em pacientes gravemente enfermos / Antiphospholipid antibodies in critically ill patients

Os anticorpos antifosfolipídeos são responsáveis por um amplo espectro de manifestações clínicas. A trombose venosa, arterial e microvascular, e casos graves e catastróficos são responsáveis por importante morbidade/mortalidade. Por meio da conexão dos sistemas imune, inflamatório e hemostático, é possível que esses anticorpos contribuam para o desenvolvimento de disfunções orgânicas e sejam associados com um pior prognóstico, tanto em curto quanto em longo prazos, em pacientes gravemente enfermos. Realizamos uma pesquisa do período entre janeiro de 2000 e fevereiro de 2013, utilizando a base de dados PubMed/MedLine, para avaliar a frequência de anticorpos antifosfolipídeos em pacientes gravemente enfermos e seu impacto nos desfechos desses pacientes. Encontramos apenas oito estudos originais envolvendo pacientes gravemente enfermos. Contudo, o desenvolvimento de anticorpos antifosfolipídeos parece ser frequente em pacientes gravemente enfermos, sendo porém necessários mais estudos para esclarecer seu papel patogênico e suas implicações na prática clínica.

Antiphospholipid antibodies are responsible for a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Venous, arterial and microvascular thrombosis and severe catastrophic cases account for a large morbidly/mortality. Through the connection between the immune, inflammatory and hemostatic systems, it is possible that these antibodies may contribute to the development of organ dysfunction and are associated with poor short and long-term prognoses in critically ill patients. We performed a search of the PubMed/MedLine database for articles written during the period from January 2000 to February 2013 to evaluate the frequency of antiphospholipid antibodies in critically ill patients and their impact on the outcomes of these patients. Only eight original studies involving critically ill patients were found. However, the development of antiphospholipid antibodies in critically ill patients seems to be frequent, but more studies are necessary to clarify their pathogenic role and implications for clinical practice.