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Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) involves the central and peripheral nervous system in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is essential to specify the problems faced by patients with NPSLE because it causes diverse disabilities and impairs quality of life. After performing a comprehensive evaluation, tailored management should be provided for the patient's specific problems. We report here the case of a 30-year-old female with SLE who experienced serious neuropsychiatric symptoms cerebral infarction followed by posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and peripheral polyneuropathy. We systemically assessed the patient using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health model as a clinical problemsolving tool and provided comprehensive rehabilitation by focusing on her problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to provide intensive, repetitive, and task-oriented training, and game-based therapy can enhance patients' motivation and enjoyment. Objective: The objective of the present study was to develop a mobile game-based upper extremity VR program for patients who have experienced stroke, and to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the program. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, controlled trial included 24 patients with ischemic stroke. The intervention group (n = 12) received 30 min of conventional occupational therapy (OT) and 30 min of the mobile upper extremity rehabilitation program using a smartphone and a tablet PC (MoU-Rehab). The controls (n = 12) received conventional OT alone for 1 h per day. Rehabilitation consisted of 10 sessions of therapy, 5 days per week, for 2 weeks. The outcome measures (Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the upper extremity [FMA-UE], Brunnström stage [B-stage] for the arm and the hand, manual muscle testing [MMT], modified Barthel index [MBI], EuroQol-5 Dimension [EQ-5D], and Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]) were assessed at the beginning and end of treatment, and at 1 month. User satisfaction was evaluated by a questionnaire. Results: A greater improvement in the FMA-UE, B-stage, and MMT was found after treatment with the MoU-Rehab than with conventional therapy. The extent of improvements in the MBI, EQ-5D, and BDI was not significantly different between the two groups. Patients in the experimental group completed the 2-weeks treatment without adverse effects, and they were generally satisfied with MoU-Rehab. Conclusion: This mobile game-based VR rehabilitation program appears to be feasible and effective for promoting upper limb recovery after ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intensive speech therapy improves language function in patients with chronic aphasia, although treatment in the acute phase is more effective than in the chronic phase. Unfortunately, most patients with stroke go untreated due to socioeconomic problems. This study was performed to develop and test a speech therapy-based telerehabilitation program (iAphasia), suitable for use on a mobile device platform, which would expand access to therapy to patients who frequently go untreated. Subjects and Methods: We enrolled 8 patients with chronic poststroke aphasia to receive therapy via our iPad® (Apple, Cupertino, CA)-based telespeech therapy program, iAphasia. Participants received 4 weeks of telespeech therapy using iAphasia, which generates six domains with six levels of difficulty. We compared pre- and posttreatment scores on the Korean version of the Western Aphasia Battery (K-WAB) to evaluate effectiveness. Additionally, a 1-month follow-up assessment was performed. Results: We investigated user satisfaction using a questionnaire to assess the feasibility of iAphasia. After the 4-week treatment, language function as measured by the K-WAB improved significantly. The improvement was persistent at the 1-month follow-up visit. The degree of improvement was strongly associated with usage time, regardless of participants' age and severity of aphasia. Overall, satisfaction with iAphasia was rated high. Conclusions: The results from this study suggest it to be an effective and feasible treatment method for chronic aphasia, although follow-up studies with more subjects and a control group are needed for a more thorough assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyanide intoxication results in severe metabolic acidosis and catastrophic prognosis with conventional treatment. Indications of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) are expanding to poisoning cases. A 50-year-old male patient arrived in the emergency room due to mental change after ingestion of cyanide as a suicide attempt 30 minutes prior. He was comatose, and brain stem reflexes were absent. Initial laboratory analysis demonstrated severe metabolic acidosis with increased lactic acid of 25 mM/L. Shock and acidosis were not corrected despite a large amount of fluid resuscitation with high-dose norepinephrine and continuous renal replacement therapy. We decided to apply ECMO and CRRT to allow time for stabilization of hemodynamic status. After administration of antidote infusion, although the patient had the potential to progress to brain death status, vital signs were improved with correction of acidosis. We considered the evaluation for organ donation. We report a male patient who showed typical cyanide intoxication as lethal metabolic acidosis and cardiac impairment, and the patient recovered after antidote administration during vital organ support through ECMO and CRRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a serious and life-threatening complication in elderly (older than 65 years) patients undergoing hip fracture surgery (HFS). However, few have reported on the influences of VTE on postoperative rehabilitation in these patients. This study was performed to determine whether VTE affects clinical outcomes in patients who underwent HFS. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 330 HFSs in 325 consecutive patients, which were performed from January 2009 to June 2010. From chart review, we identified 15 patients with symptomatic VTE. We compared Geriatric depression scale, Modified Barthel index and Berg balance scale scores as well as 10 meter gait speed at discharge and hospital stay between a symptomatic VTE group and a non-VTE group. Results: No significant difference in clinical outcomes at discharge between the two groups was found, although hospital stay was longer in patients with symptomatic VTE (p=0.012). Conclusion: East Asian patients have a low incidence of symptomatic VTE after HFS, and the clinical outcomes of patients with symptomatic VTE were similar to patients without VTE, although there was a longer rehabilitation period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) in children has become a standard tool in emergency settings, but no national PSA guidelines have been developed for the emergency department (ED) in Korea. Therefore, we investigated the practice of PSA and the level of adherence to institutional PSA guidelines in EDs of teaching hospitals. Methods This study was a cross-sectional, web-based survey. The study subjects were the faculty of EDs from 96 teaching hospitals. The questionnaire was posted on an internet site, and the participants were requested that the questionnaire be answered by email and telephone in May 2009. Results The questionnaires were completed by 67.7% of the participants. Only 20% of EDs had institutional PSA guidelines, 21.5% of those had discharge criteria and 13.8% of EDs had a discharge instruction form. Residents were administered PSA at 76.9% of EDs. The airway rescue equipment was near the area where PSA was performed in 76.9% of EDs. The most commonly used medication for both diagnostic imaging and painful procedure was oral chloral hydrate (87.7%, 61.5%). In 64.6% of EDs, patients were monitored. In only 21 cases, EDs (50.0%) monitored the patients to recovery after PSA or discharge. Conclusions Current PSA for paediatric patients have not been appropriately applied in Korea. Unified PSA guidelines were rare in the hospitals surveyed, and many patients were not monitored over an appropriate duration, nor did they receive adequate medications for sedation by the best trained personnel. Therefore, the national PSA guidelines must be developed and implemented as early as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of a system for online glucose monitoring of type 2 diabetes patients. The software automatically filtered the self-monitored blood glucose data to reduce physicians' time. In the control group, the physicians had to contact the patients manually. We measured the time spent by physicians for online management in a 24-week study. Seventy-nine patients were recruited. The frequency of physicians' online monitoring of the patients was decreased by 55% in patients with HbA1c ≤ 6.5% and by 29% when HbA1c > 6.5% (P < 0.01). Physicians' log-in time was reduced by 67% and 55% in patients with HbA1c ≤ 6.5% and .6.5%, respectively (P < 0.05). HbA1c levels were maintained at <6.5% during the study period in both groups. The study showed the efficacy and safety of the software for online communication in diabetes management. The results suggest that it could improve the cost-effectiveness of online communication systems and form the basis of future clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pemetrexed is a recognized active agent for the second-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical benefits of pemetrexed and to identify patient characteristics that predict response to pemetrexed. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with histologically proven stage IIIB or IV NSCLC who were treated with pemetrexed after the failure of prior chemotherapy. The objective response rate for the 99 enrolled patients was 13.1% and 22 patients achieved stable disease (SD)—a disease control rate of 35.4%. Progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) were 1.8 months (95% CI, 1.32–2.28) and 7.6 months (95% CI, 6.23–8.97), respectively. The patients who achieved SD and pemetrexed-responders showed similar OSs (14.6 vs. 14.8 months, P = 0.55). However, a squamous cell carcinoma histology showed no significant OS difference between those that achieved disease control or progression (8.1 vs. 5.6 months, P = 0.07). Subgroup analysis of OS revealed that histology and response to first-line therapy predicted response to pemetrexed. Pemetrexed has comparable survival benefits in NSCLC patients that show objective response or stable disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The breast is a rare extranodal site of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and primary breast lymphoma (PBL) has been arbitrarily defined as disease localized to one or both breasts with or without regional lymph nodes involvement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and breast involvement, and to find the criteria of PBL reflecting the outcome and prognosis. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 68 patients, newly diagnosed with DLBCL and breast involvement at 16 Korean institutions between January 1994 and June 2009. Results: Median age at diagnosis was 48 years (range, 20-83 years). Forty-three (63.2%) patients were PBL according to previous arbitrary criteria, sixteen (23.5%) patients were high-intermediate to high risk of international prognostic index. The patients with one extranodal disease in the breast (OED) with or without nodal disease were 49 (72.1%), and those with multiple extranodal disease (MED) were 19 (27.9%). During median follow-up of 41.5 months (range, 2.4- 186.0 months), estimated 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 53.7 ± 7.6%, and overall survival (OS) was 60.3 ± 7.2%. The 5-year PFS and OS was significantly higher for patients with the OED group than those with the MED group (5-year PFS, 64.9 ± 8.9% vs. 27.5 ± 11.4%, p = 0.001; 5-year OS, 74.3 ± 7.6% vs. 24.5 ± 13.0%, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, MED (hazard ratio [HR], 3.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-12.2) and fewer than four cycles of systemic chemotherapy with or without local treatments (HR, 4.47; 95% CI, 1.54-12.96) were independent prognostic factors for worse OS. Twenty-five (36.8%) patients experienced progression, and the cumulative incidence of progression in multiple extranodal sites or other than breasts and central nervous system was significantly different between the OED group and the MED group (5-year cumulative incidence, 9.7 ± 5.4% vs. 49.0 ± 15.1%, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Our results show that the patients included in OED group, reflecting different treatment outcome, prognosis and pattern of progression, should be considered as PBL in the future trial. Further studies are warranted to validate our suggested criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE -- To investigate the long-term effectiveness of the Internet-based glucose monitoring system (IBGMS) on glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS -- We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled trial in 80 patients with type 2 diabetes for 30 months. The intervention group was treated with the IBGMS, while the control group made conventional office visits only. HbA1c (A1C) was performed at 3-month intervals. For measuring of the stability of glucose control, the SD value of A1C levels for each subject was used as the A1C fluctuation index (HF1). RESULTS -- The mean A1C and HF1 were significantly lower in the intervention group (n = 40) than in the control group (n = 40). (A1C [mean ± SD] 6.9 ± 0.9 vs. 7.5 ± 1.0%, P = 0.009; HFI 0.47 ± 0.23 vs. 0.78 ± 0.51, P = 0.001; intervention versus control groups, respectively). Patients in the intervention group with a basal A1C ≥7% (n = 27) had markedly lower A1C levels than corresponding patients in the control group during the first 3 months and maintained more stable levels throughout the study (P = 0.022). Control patients with a basal A1C <7% (n = 15) showed the characteristic bimodal distribution of A1C levels, whereas the A1C levels in the intervention group remained stable throughout the study with low HF1. CONCLUSIONS -- Long-term use of the IBGMS has proven to be superior to conventional diabetes care systems based on office visits for controlling blood glucose and achieving glucose stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Biliary tract infection (BTI) is a common cause of bacteremia and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, studies on screening tools to predict disease severity in BTI patients are lacking. This study aimed to comparatively validate CRB, CRB-65, quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA), and Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) in predicting the clinical outcomes of BTI patients. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients with BTI who visited the emergency department of a medical center between February 2018 and March 2020. Baseline patient data were compared to assess the prevalence of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and in-hospital mortality. The effectiveness of CRB, CRB-65, qSOFA, and SIRS scores as indicators of ICU admission and in-hospital mortality was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve. Results: This study included 745 patients, of whom 111 (14.8%) were admitted to the ICU and 20 (2.7%) died in-hospital. AUROC values (95% CI) for predicting ICU admission and in-hospital mortality were as follows: CRB, 0.774 and 0.707 (0.742 - 0.803 and 0.673 - 0.739); CRB - 65, 0.816 and 0.735 (0.786 - 0.843 and 0.0.702 - 0.766); qSOFA, 0.779 and 0.724 (03747 - 0.808 and 0.690 - 0.755); and SIRS, 0.686 and 0.659 (0.651 - 0.719 and 0.623 - 0.693), respectively. Conclusions: CRB-65 can be used as useful screening tools to predict ICU admission in patients with BTI on presentation to the emergency department. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), used to screen for prehospital frailty in patients aged >65 years, is simple, time-efficient, and has been validated in emergency departments (EDs). In this study, we analyzed whether the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS) classification by level in older patients determined to have frailty based on the Korean version of the CFS increases the triage performance of the current KTAS. Materials and Methods: The primary outcome was 30-day in-hospital mortality, and secondary outcomes were hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. This study retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data from three ED centers. Patients with a CFS score ranging from five (mildly frail) to nine (terminally ill) were categorized into the frailty group. We upgraded the KTAS classification of the frailty group by one level of urgency and defined this as the CFS-KTAS. Results: The cutoff values for predicting admission were three and two for the KTAS and CFS-KTAS, respectively. A significant difference was observed in the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve between the KTAS and CFS-KTAS. To predict ICU admission, the cutoff score was two for both scales. A significant difference was observed in the AUROC curve between the KTAS and CFS-KTAS. For predicting in-hospital mortality, the cutoff score was two for both scales. A significant difference was observed in the AUROC curve between the KTAS and CFS-KTAS. Conclusions: This study showed that the CFS-adjusted KTAS has a more useful prognostic value than the KTAS alone for predicting hospital outcomes in older patients.

During aging, proteostasis capacity declines and distinct proteins become unstable and can accumulate as protein aggregates inside and outside of cells. Both in disease and during aging, proteins selectively aggregate in certain tissues and not others. Yet, tissue-specific regulation of cytoplasmic protein aggregation remains poorly understood. Surprisingly, we found that the inhibition of 3 core protein quality control systems, namely chaperones, the proteasome, and macroautophagy, leads to lower levels of age-dependent protein aggregation in Caenorhabditis elegans pharyngeal muscles, but higher levels in body-wall muscles. We describe a novel safety mechanism that selectively targets newly synthesized proteins to suppress their aggregation and associated proteotoxicity. The safety mechanism relies on macroautophagy-independent lysosomal degradation and involves several previously uncharacterized components of the intracellular pathogen response (IPR). We propose that this protective mechanism engages an anti-aggregation machinery targeting aggregating proteins for lysosomal degradation.

Purpose: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the second most common infectious disease among older adults. It is important that the treatment strategy used for older patients with UTIs in the emergency department (ED) be adequate. The effectiveness of an initial single dose of intravenous antibiotics in the ED for treating UTIs has not been extensively studied. Therefore, we investigated the clinical outcomes of single-dose intravenous antibiotic administration before discharge from the ED in elderly patients with UTIs. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted among patients who visited two academic tertiary hospitals in Seoul, South Korea. We included all patients older than 65 years of age with UTI who visited the ED and were directly discharged between 1 January and 31 December 2019 (n = 429). The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they received a single dose of intravenous antibiotics before ED discharge. Results: Patients who received intravenous antibiotics had a higher 72-hour revisit rate (43 [15.4%] vs 10 [6.7%], p = .009) and a longer mean duration of therapy (total days of antibiotics use) (11 [4.00 – 15.00] vs 5 [3.00 – 11.00], p < .001) than patients who received only oral antibiotics. However, the rate of admission after revisits did not differ significantly between the groups (27 [62.8%] vs 5 [50.0%], p = .492). Conclusion: Older patients with severe UTIs were prescribed intravenous antibiotics in the ED. Decisions on admission or discharge should be made carefully for older patients with UTIs who are prescribed intravenous antibiotics in the ED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective High-quality intensive care, including targeted temperature management (TTM) for patients with postcardiac arrest syndrome, is a key element for improving outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We aimed to assess the status of postcardiac arrest syndrome care, including TTM and 6-month survival with neurologically favorable outcomes, after adult OHCA patients were treated with TTM, using data from the Korean Hypothermia Network prospective registry. Methods We used the Korean Hypothermia Network prospective registry, a web-based multicenter registry that includes data from 22 participating hospitals throughout the Republic of Korea. Adult comatose OHCA survivors treated with TTM between October 2015 and December 2018 were included. The primary outcome was neurological outcome at 6 months. Results Of the 1,354 registered OHCA survivors treated with TTM, 550 (40.6%) survived 6 months, and 413 (30.5%) had good neurological outcomes. We identified 839 (62.0%) patients with preClinsumed cardiac etiology. A total of 937 (69.2%) collapses were witnessed, shockable rhythms were demonstrated in 482 (35.6%) patients, and 421 (31.1%) patients arrived at the emergency department with prehospital return of spontaneous circulation. The most common target temperature was 33°C, and the most common target duration was 24 hours. Conclusion The survival and good neurologic outcome rates of this prospective registry show great improvements compared with those of an earlier registry. While the optimal target temperature and duration are still unknown, the most common target temperature was 33°C, and the most common target duration was 24 hours.

Abstract Background Serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) could be used as a predictive marker of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) who are managed with targeted temperature management (TTM). However, the NGAL measurement timepoints vary from immediately after ROSC to several days later. The primary objective of this study was to determine an association between AKI and NGAL, both immediately (ROSC-NGAL) and 3 h after ROSC (3 h-NGAL), in OHCA patients with TTM. The secondary objective was to ascertain the association between NGAL levels in the early post-ROSC phase and the neurologic outcomes at discharge. Methods This prospective observational study was conducted between January 2016 and December 2018 and enrolled adult OHCA patients (≥18 years) with TTM after ROSC. The serum NGAL level was measured both immediately and 3 h after ROSC. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the associations between AKI, poor neurologic outcome, and NGAL. Results Among 861 OHCA patients, 89 patients were enrolled. AKI occurred in 48 (55.1%) patients. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, 3 h-NGAL was significantly associated with AKI (odds ratio [OR] 1.022; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.009–1.035; p = 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 3 h-NGAL for AKI was 0.910 (95% CI 0.830–0.960), and a cut-off value of 178 ng/mL was identified. Both ROSC-NGAL and 3 h-NGAL were not significantly associated with poor neurologic outcome on multivariate logistic regression analysis (ROSC-NGAL; OR 1.017; 95% CI 0.998–1.036; p = 0.084, 3 h-NGAL; OR 0.997; 95% CI 0.992–1.001; p = 0.113). Conclusions The serum NGAL concentration measured 3 h after ROSC is an excellent early predictive marker for AKI in OHCA patients treated with TTM. Future research is needed to identify the optimal measurement timepoint to establish NGAL as a predictor of neurologic outcome and to validate the findings of this research.

Abstract In patients with back or scapular pain, if there is evidence of neurological symptoms, fever, chills, malaise, or other signs of infection, the work‐up should consider the possibility of a spinal‐esophageal fistula.

Abstract Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a well-known predictor for mortality. However, the natural course of AKI including recovery rate after OHCA is uncertain. This study investigated the clinical course of AKI after OHCA and determined whether recovery from AKI impacted the outcomes of OHCA. Methods This retrospective multicentre cohort study included adult OHCA patients treated with targeted temperature management (TTM) between January 2016 and December 2017. AKI was diagnosed using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria. The primary outcome was the recovery rate after AKI and its association with survival and good neurological outcome at discharge. Results A total of 3697 OHCA patients from six hospitals were screened and 275 were finally included. AKI developed in 175/275 (64%) patients and 69/175 (39%) patients recovered from AKI. In most cases, AKI developed within three days of return of spontaneous circulation [155/175 (89%), median time to AKI development 1 (1–2) day] and patients recovered within seven days of return of spontaneous circulation [59/69 (86%), median time to AKI recovery 3 (2–7) days]. Duration of AKI was significantly longer in the AKI non-recovery group than in the AKI recovery group [5 (2–9) vs. 1 (1–5) days; P

Background: Development of acute kidney injury (AKI) after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is associated with mortality and poor neurological outcome. However, the effect of recovery from AKI after OHCA is uncertain. This study investigates whether recovery from AKI was associated with the rate of survival and neurological outcome at 30 days after OHCA. Methods: This is a prospective multicentre observational cohort study of adult OHCA patients treated with targeted temperature management (TTM) across five hospitals in South Korea between February 2019 and July 2020. AKI was diagnosed using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria. The primary outcome was the rate of survival at 30 days, and the secondary outcome was the rate of survival with a favourable neurological outcome at 30 days, defined by a score of 3 or less on the modified Rankin scale. Results: Among the 2,018 patients with OHCA, 79 were treated with TTM. After excluding two patients with incomplete data on outcomes, 77 were analysed. AKI developed in 43 (56%) patients. Among them, 22 (51%) recovered from AKI. Although the rate of survival at 30 days for the recovery group was superior to the non-recovery group (82% vs. 24%, P < 0.001), the rate of survival with a favourable neurological outcome at 30 days for the recovery group was not different than that for the non-recovery group (32% vs. 10%, P = 0.132). Recovery from AKI was an independent predictor of survival at 30 days after OHCA in the multivariate analysis (adjusted odds ratio, 22.737; 95% confidence interval, 3.814-135.533; P = 0.001); however, it was not associated with a favourable neurological outcome at 30 days after OHCA in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Recovery from AKI was an independent predictor of survival at 30 days only after OHCA who were treated by TTM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background There has been a steady increase in the aging population and an increase in the need for long-term care beds in institutions and hospitals (LTCHs) in Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate prognosis and to identify factors contributing to mortality of critically ill patients with respiratory problems who were directly transferred to intensive care units (ICU) from LTCHs. Methods Following a retrospective review of clinical data and radiographic findings between July 2009 and September 2016, we included 111 patients with respiratory problems who had visited the emergency room (ER) transferred from LTCHs due to respiratory symptoms and who were then admitted to the ICU. Results The mean age of the 111 patients was 79 years, and 71 patients (64%) were male. Pneumonia developed in 98 patients (88.3%), pulmonary thromboembolism in 4 (3.6%) and pulmonary tuberculosis in 3 (2.7%). Overall mortality was 19.8% (22/111). Multiple-drug-resistant (MDR) pathogens (odds ratio [OR], 17.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.96–155.40) and serum albumin levels