European journal of internal medicine
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Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Jun 2020
Multicenter Study Observational StudyHigh prevalence of malnutrition in Internal Medicine wards - a multicentre ANUMEDI study.
Disease-related malnutrition is a significant problem in hospitalized patients, with high prevalence rates depending on the studied population. Internal Medicine wards are the backbone of the hospital setting. However, prevalence and determinants of malnutrition in these patients remain unclear. We aimed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in Internal Medicine wards and to identify and characterize malnourished patients. ⋯ Prevalence of malnutrition in the Internal Medicine population is very high, with the majority of patients having critical need for multidisciplinary intervention. Low education level, admissions during previous year, and multiple comorbidities increase the odds of being malnourished.
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Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Jun 2020
Why optional inferior vena cava filters are not always retrieved? A real world 19 years experience in a Swiss tertiary care university hospital.
inferior vena cava filters (IVCF) are widely used to prevent thromboembolic events in patients not suitable for anticoagulation (AC). Although new generations of filters are optional and therefore retrievable, most of them become permanent. Aim of our study was to evaluate real life IVCF management in a tertiary hospital including retrieval rates and reasons for permanent filtering. ⋯ In a real life setting, optional IVCF are still too often left in place indefinitely. Need for a systematic follow-up to ensure prompt filter retrieval is warranted. IVCF are not retrieved mostly in chronically and more severely ill patients, likely accounting for higher mortality in these subjects.
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Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Jun 2020
Off-label use of tocilizumab for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in Milan, Italy.
Tocilizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody, targets IL-6 receptors blocking downstream pro-inflammatory effects of IL-6. In preliminary reports it was suggested to be beneficial in patients with severe COVID-19. ⋯ Tocilizumab exerts a rapidly beneficial effect on fever and inflammatory markers, although no significant impact on the clinical outcome can be inferred by our results. Critically ill patients seem to have a high risk of serious infections with this drug.