Arch Med Sci
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Particulate matter exposure has been associated with the appearance and severity of several diseases, including viral infections. The aim of this study was to investigate whether coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and deaths across Italian regions and provinces in March 2020 were linked to past exposure to fine and coarse particulate matter (namely, PM2.5 and PM10, respectively). ⋯ Exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 is associated with COVID-19 cases and deaths, suggesting that particulate matter pollution may play a role in the COVID-19 outbreak and explain the heterogeneous distribution of COVID-19 in Italian regions and provinces.
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The aging of modern societies increases the general healthcare burden due to the growing demand for inpatient services, which lack adequate financing. ⋯ The mean hospitalization costs of patients aged 65 years and older in Poland are higher than for younger patients due to longer LOS and more complex and expensive treatment, especially laboratory and radiologic diagnostics, which is increasingly common in the oldest age groups. This demands an urgent systemic solution, especially in terms of adjusted financing of elderly patients' hospital treatment.
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Gender-related differences in the treatment of patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) have been reported in many previous studies despite the fact that an equal approach is recommended in all current guidelines. The aim of the study was to investigate whether gender-related discrepancies in the management of NSTEMI patients have changed. ⋯ In comparison with previous reports on NSTEMI patients, gender-related disparities in the treatment and outcomes were radically reduced. Unadjusted mortality rates were still higher in women as a consequence of their older age. After the age adjustment, mortality ratios were similar in both genders. The long-term prognosis seems to be even better in women.
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The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH) and prevalence of cardiovascular disease in treated hypertensive patients. ⋯ The MUCH is independently associated with prevalent cardiovascular disease in treated hypertensive patients. Future studies are needed to evaluate whether correction of MUCH can improve patients' outcomes.
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Data on the early and late outcome following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in obese patients are limited. We investigated whether TAVI may be superior to SAVR in obese patients. ⋯ In obese patients, both SAVR and TAVI are valid treatment options, although in the long term SAVR exhibited higher survival rates.