Internal and emergency medicine
-
There is little known about the differences, from the point of view of healthcare resource utilization, between non-fatal versus fatal firearm-related injuries. We undertook this research project utilizing the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database to address this critical knowledge gap. Our aims for this study were to describe the patterns of FRI in the United States during the period of 2016-2019 and to evaluate the patient-centered outcomes in the survivor (non-fatal injuries) versus the non-survivor (fatal injuries) groups. ⋯ We found that the individuals from the lowest quartile of annual household income, males, young Americans, and racial minorities were disproportionally affected The non-survivor (fatal injuries) group had a shorter length of stay in the hospital by 5.1 days (95% CI - 5.64 to - 4.58, p value = < 0.01), the higher median cost of hospitalization by $8903 (95% confidence interval $311.9 to $17,494.2, p value = 0.04), and a higher median cost of hospitalization per day by $41,576.74 (95% confidence interval $ 40,333.1 to $42,820.3, p value = < 0.01). In conclusion, the individuals from the lowest quartile of annual household income, males, young Americans and racial minorities were disproportionally affected. Firearm-related injuries pose a persistent healthcare cost burden with the cumulative and per day cost of hospitalization for fatal injuries being significantly higher than the non-fatal injuries despite a shorter hospital LOS.
-
This study aimed to provide up-to-date and comprehensive estimates on the global alcohol cardiomyopathy (ACM) from 1990 to 2019. Detailed data on the prevalence, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), deaths,percentage change in the number of cases and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) of ACM worldwide from 1990 to 2019 were obtained or calculated from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2019. Globally, the estimated prevalent cases of ACM in 2019 were 707,652 [95% uncertainty interval (UI): 545,182-924,392], with a 35.4% (28.2-44.2) increase from 522,616 (95% UI: 394,118-683,206) in 1990, while the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) was slightly decreased with an overall EAPC of - 1.30 (- 1.38 - - 1.22). ⋯ Although the ASPR, age-standardized DALYs rate and ASDR slightly decreased from 1990 to 2019, the absolute number of prevalent cases, DALYs cases and deaths significantly increased. This showed that the burden of ACM remains an important global public health concern. Public health policy and decision-makers should develop and implement more effective strategies specific to geographical location to combat and reduce the burden of ACM in the future.
-
Spontaneous resolution is common in patients with classic fever of unknown origin (FUO). Identifying predictors of spontaneous resolution could reduce the usage of unnecessary, invasive tests or empirical therapy, and furthermore reduce patient anxiety. Identify predictors associated with spontaneous resolution of FUO. ⋯ Variables that were associated with spontaneous resolution of FUO on multivariable analysis included: no anemia, no hypoalbuminemia and no pathological FDG uptake on PET-CT. In 17.8% (15/84) of studies, PET-CT yielded false-positive results that led to additional unnecessary, invasive investigation. Patients without anemia or hypoalbuminemia, and those without uptake on PET-CT are more likely to have spontaneous resolution of classical FUO.
-
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF) mutually increase the risk of being present in the same patient, especially if older. Whether or not this coexistence may be associated with a worse prognosis is debated. Therefore, employing data derived from the REPOSI register, we evaluated the clinical features and outcomes in a population of elderly patients admitted to internal medicine wards and having COPD, HF or COPD + HF. ⋯ In this real-life cohort of hospitalized elderly patients, the coexistence of COPD and HF significantly worsened prognosis at one year. This finding may help to better define the care needs of this population.