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OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe rates and characteristics of non-elective 30-day readmission among patients hospitalized for adrenal insufficiency and to assess predictors of readmission. DESIGN We analysed the 2018 National Readmission Database. Adrenal insufficiency hospitalizations were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revisions, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes for principal diagnostic codes of primary adrenal insufficiency, Addisonian crisis, drug-induced adrenocortical insufficiency, and other and unspecified adrenocortical insufficiency. PATIENTS During the study period, 7738 index hospitalizations were identified as patients with AI who met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 7691 were discharged alive. MEASUREMENTS We utilized chi-squared tests to compare baseline characteristics between readmissions and index hospitalizations. Multivariate Cox regression was used to identify independent predictors of readmission. RESULTS The 30-day all-cause readmission rate for AI was 17.3%. About 1 in 5 readmissions was for AI. Other reasons for readmission included sepsis (10.8%), unspecified pneumonia (3.1%) and acute renal failure unspecified (1.6%). Readmission was associated with significantly higher odds of inpatient mortality. Independent predictors of 30-day all-cause readmissions included index hospitalizations with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) ≥3 (adjusted hazards ratio (aHR): 2.53, 95% CI: 1.85-3.46, p

Clostridium difficile is a gram-positive anaerobic spore forming bacillus that can cause infection in a setting of antibiotic use. Pneumonia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in an inpatient setting and is frequently associated with significant antibiotic administration. This study aims to compare the outcomes of C. difficile infection (CDI) with and without pneumonia to determine the impact of pneumonia in hospitalized patients with CDI. This population-based retrospective observational propensity matched analysis study uses data from the National Inpatient Sample database for the years 2016 and 2017. The primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, total hospital charges, and mean length of stay. Secondary outcomes were the rates of sepsis, septic shock, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), acute renal failure, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. In-hospital mortality was noted to be higher in patients with pneumonia than those without (6.5% vs 1.2%, adjusted OR (aOR) 3.85; 95% CI 2.90 to 5.11, p

Background There is a paucity of contemporary national estimates for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) hospitalizations by age group, sex, and region in the US population. Also, there is lack of contemporary national statistics on CDI hospitalizations with comorbidities. Methods We analyzed the 2017 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) to determine the population-based rates of CDI hospitalizations, characteristics of hospitalizations with CDI, and the rates of comorbidities associated with CDI hospitalizations. Results There were 329,460 CDI-related hospitalizations in 2017 (almost 1% of all hospitalizations). The average age for patients admitted with CDI as a principal or secondary diagnosis was 64.7 years (almost 20 years older when compared with all other hospitalizations). Patients 85 years and older had the highest rate of CDI hospitalizations (716 per 100,000 hospitalizations), and patients less than 18 years of age had the lowest rate (12 per 100,000 hospitalizations). There was a progressive increase in the CDI hospitalization rates with each successive age group. The hospitalization rates were higher in females (114 per 100,000 hospitalizations) than males (88 per 100,000 hospitalizations). The CDI hospitalization rate was highest in the Northeast (109 per 100,000 hospitalizations) and lowest in the West (84 per 100,000 hospitalizations). Fluid and electrolyte disturbance (63.3%) and renal failure (33.4%) were the two most common comorbidities associated with CDI hospitalizations. When CDI is a secondary diagnosis, major loss of function, extreme likelihood of dying, septicemia, and septic shock were more common in comparison to CDI as a principal diagnosis. Conclusions CDI hospitalization rates were highest in the elderly over 85 years old and declined with successive decreases in age. Women had higher CDI hospitalization rates than men, and fluid and electrolyte disturbances and renal failure were the most common comorbid conditions. The presence of CDI as a comorbid condition at the time of hospitalization for other principal diagnoses or development of CDI during a hospitalization for other principal diagnoses significantly increases the risk of in-hospital morbidity and mortality.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19) pandemic has placed a tremendous burden on healthcare systems globally. Therapeutics for treatment of the virus are extremely inconsistent due to the lack of time evaluating drug efficacy in clinical trials. Currently, there is a deficiency of published literature that comprehensively discusses all therapeutics being considered for the treatment of COVID-19. A review of the literature was performed for articles related to therapeutics and clinical trials in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic. We used PubMed, Google Scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov to search for articles relative to the topic of interest. We used the following keywords: “COVID-19”, “therapeutics”, “clinical trials”, “treatment”, “FDA”, “ICU”, “mortality”, and “management”. In addition, searches through the references of retrieved articles was also performed. In this paper, we have elaborated on the therapeutic strategies that have been hypothesized or trialed to-date, the mechanism of action of each therapeutic, the clinical trials finished or in-process that support the use of each therapeutic, and the adverse effects associated with each therapeutic. Currently, there is no treatment that has been proven to provide significant benefit in reducing morbidity and mortality. There are many clinical trials for numerous different therapeutic agents currently underway. By looking back and measuring successful strategies from previous pandemics in addition to carrying out ongoing research, we provide ourselves with the greatest opportunity to find treatments that are beneficial.

The ongoing outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 [SARS-CoV-2, or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)] was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. Worldwide, more than 65 million people have been infected with this SARS-CoV-2 virus, and over 1.5 million people have died due to the viral illness. Although a tremendous amount of medical progress has been made since its inception, there continues to be ongoing research regarding the pathophysiology, treatments, and vaccines. While a vast majority of those infected develop only mild to moderate symptoms, about 5% of people have severe forms of infection resulting in respiratory failure, myocarditis, septic shock, or multi-organ failure. Despite maximal cardiopulmonary support and invasive mechanical ventilation, mortality remains high. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains a valid treatment option when maximal conventional strategies fail. Utilization of ECMO in the pandemic is challenging from both resource allocation and ethical standpoints. This article reviews the rationale behind its use, current status of utilization, and future considerations for ECMO in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Introduction:Patients often present to the hospital with a well-known complication of diabetes mellitus, namely diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). In this study, we assess the clinical outcomes of DKA ho...

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a known complication of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), but less common in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients admitted to the hospital with DKA in T1DM versus T2DM. This was a population-based, retrospective, cohort study using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. The group of patients hospitalized for DKA was divided based on a secondary diagnosis of either T1DM or T2DM. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality, and the secondary outcomes were rate of complications, length of hospital stay (LOS) and total hospital charge (THC). The inpatient mortality for DKA was 0.27% (650 patients). In T2DM, the adjusted OR (aOR) for mortality was 2.13 (95% CI 1.38 to 3.28, p=0.001) with adjusted increase in mean THC of $6035 (95% CI 4420 to 7652, p

Marijuana use is on the rise in the United States. By the end of 2019, 33 states have legalized marijuana use and marijuana byproduct use for medical purposes. However, marijuana use does not come without side effects. This manuscript reviews the increasing usage of marijuana and the different forms (natural and synthetic) that patients may use when presenting to clinicians. It also addresses the biochemical and behavioral changes observed with marijuana use, including the location and changes associated with cannabinoid receptors (abbreviated CB1 and CB2). These two topics lead into an extensive review of the side effects of marijuana use. This manuscript discusses gastrointestinal side-effects, such as Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, pancreatitis, and hepatotoxicity. It also briefly reviews cardiovascular, neurologic, and pulmonary side effects. This article provides an overview of therapeutic effects of marijuana including the antiemetic effect, its medical utility as an appetite stimulant, and usefulness in cancer patients post-chemotherapy. A thorough social history pertaining to marijuana use is an important consideration for clinicians in patients presenting with a variety of symptoms, including those effecting the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, or neurologic systems.

When dealing with infectious disease-related deaths, it is important to handle the remains of the deceased in a respectful and safe manner. There is no known evidence of SARS-CoV-2 transmission through handling of COVID-19 victim remains. However, guidelines recommend appropriate precautions to ensure safety from any potential risk. Discussions of safe and dignified postmortem care in COVID-19 cases can guide future decision making to encourage safety, dignity, and respect for all.

A narrative review was conducted to examine the current state of the utilisation of telemedicine amid the current COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate the benefits of continuing telemedicine usage in the future. A literature review was performed for articles related to telemedicine. Databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library and Ovid MEDLINE were searched. Three reviewers independently performed article selection based on relevance to our topic. We included all articles between 1990 and 2020 related to telemedicine using the following keywords: ‘telemedicine’, ‘telehealth’, ‘policy’, ‘COVID-19’, ‘regulation’, ‘rural’, ‘physical examination’, ‘future’. A total of 60 articles were identified, and through careful selection we narrowed the final number of articles to 42 based on relevance to our topic. Telemedicine has been rapidly evolving over the past several decades. Issues with regulation and reimbursement have prevented its full immersion into the healthcare system. During the current pandemic, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services have expanded access to telemedicine services. The advantages of telemedicine moving forward include its cost-effectiveness, ability to extend access to specialty services and its potential to help mitigate the looming physician shortage. Disadvantages include lack of available technological resources in certain parts of the country, issues with security of patient data, and challenges in performing the traditional patient examination. It is critically important that changes are made to fully immerse telemedicine services into the healthcare landscape in order to be prepared for future pandemics as well as to reap the benefits of this service in the future.

Caroli disease is a rare congenital disorder resulting from the dilation of large intrahepatic bile ducts. Patients affected with Caroli disease are at increased risk of complications resulting from bile stasis and stone formation. We report the case of a 37-year-old woman with a past surgical history of cholecystectomy who presented to the emergency room with a chief complaint of abdominal pain and nausea. The pain was characteristic of acute pancreatitis but she was hemodynamically stable. Total bilirubin was 4.1 mg/dL with a direct fraction of 3.1 mg/dL, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were 850 IU/L and 1025 IU/L, respectively. Serum amylase and lipase were elevated at 581 IU/L and 1328 IU/L, respectively. CT scan of abdomen/pelvis without contrast showed common bile duct (CBD) measuring 1.6 cm with intrahepatic biliary system dilation and mild peripancreatic fat stranding. She was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. On the second day, she developed a temperature of 99.6°F. Hepatitis immunity panel was negative for acute hepatitis. The patient was started on antibiotics (IV ciprofloxacin and metronidazole) for suspicion of acute cholangitis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was done which showed mild dilated intrahepatic ducts and CBD dilation of 1.6 cm, and a choledochal cyst at CBD. Sphincterotomy was done and good bile drainage was reported. She was later discharged in a stable condition. Caroli disease affects males and females equally and most are diagnosed before the age of 30 years correlated with the onset of symptoms. By far, the most commonly reported symptom is acute cholangitis but pancreatitis occurs rarely. Recurrent bouts of infection lead to portal hypertension, fibrosis of the liver and ultimately end up with an orthotopic liver transplant (OLT). Regular follow-ups are important for disease surveillance and monitoring.

Introduction Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) are a leading cause of neurological disability and mortality in older adults, with ischemic cerebrovascular accidents (ICVAs) accounting for around 80% of all CVAs. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of ICVAs in patients with obesity. Methods This is a population-based retrospective observational study using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Hospitalizations involving ICVAs were studied with and without obesity. The primary outcome was inpatient hospital mortality. Results The in-hospital mortality for hospitalizations with ICVAs was 4.1%. Patients with obesity had lower adjusted odds of in-hospital mortality (aOR: 0.85, 95% CI 0.79–0.93, p Conclusions Patients who are admitted with ICVAs and obesity had lower in-hospital mortality compared to Patients without obesity. This adds to the body of knowledge for the obesity paradox among inpatient outcomes.