Epidemiology, clinical profile, management, and two-year risk complications among patients with chronic kidney disease in Spain

OBJECTIVES

To describe the epidemiology, clinical profile, treatments, and to determine cardiovascular and renal outcomes after two years of follow-up in a contemporary chronic kidneay disease (CKD) population in Spain. This was also analyzed among the DAPA-CKD-like population (patients who met most inclusion criteria of DAPA-CKD trial).

METHODS

Observational, retrospective, population-based study using BIG-PAC database. The CKD population was defined as patients ≥18 years, with at least one diagnostic code of CKD prior to the index date (January 1st, 2018). CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60mL/min/1.73m2 (CKD-EPI), or albuminuria >30mg/g.

RESULTS

We identified 56,435 CKD patients after exclusions (76.4 years, 52.2% men, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio 390.8mg/g, eGFR 49.7mL/min/1.73m2). CKD prevalence was 4.91% and incidence 2.10 per 1000 patient-years. Regarding treatments, 69.2% were taking renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (only 4.2% at maximal doses) and 3.5% of diabetic patients SGLT-2 inhibitors. During the two years of follow-up, rates of heart failure, all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and CKD were 17.9, 12.1, 7.2, 6.3, and 5.9 events per 100 patient-years, respectively. During this period, 44% of patients were hospitalized, and 6.8% died during hospitalization. Cardiovascular outcomes were more common in the DAPA-CKD-like population.

CONCLUSIONS

In Spain, CKD population is older and comorbidities, including diabetes and heart failure, are common. Cardiovascular and renal outcomes are frequent. There is room for improvement in CKD management, particularly through the use of drugs with proven cardiovascular and renal benefit.

Recommendations on the comprehensive, multidimensional assessment of hospitalized elderly people. Position of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine

This position paper describes the most relevant and essential aspects of a comprehensive, multidimensional assessment of hospitalized elderly people. The change in demographic patterns and the epidemiological profiles of diseases makes it necessary for internal medicine departments to adapt in order to take into account the vulnerabilities of the elderly in this context. A comprehensive, multidimensional assessment and the multidisciplinary development of a care plan during hospitalization can have an impact in terms of preventing mortality, disability, and institutionalization at discharge. It is necessary for all internists to acquire skills to improve the hospitalization experience in the elderly and obtain better health outcomes in our patients. This document has been developed by the Focus Group on Aging and the Polypathological and Advanced Age Working Group and endorsed by the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine.

Recommendations on the comprehensive, multidimensional assessment of hospitalized elderly people. Position of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine

This position paper describes the most relevant and essential aspects of a comprehensive, multidimensional assessment of hospitalized elderly people. The change in demographic patterns and the epidemiological profiles of diseases makes it necessary for internal medicine departments to adapt in order to take into account the vulnerabilities of the elderly in this context. A comprehensive, multidimensional assessment and the multidisciplinary development of a care plan during hospitalization can have an impact in terms of preventing mortality, disability, and institutionalization at discharge. It is necessary for all internists to acquire skills to improve the hospitalization experience in the elderly and obtain better health outcomes in our patients. This document has been developed by the Focus Group on Aging and the Polypathological and Advanced Age Working Group and endorsed by the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine.

Simplified glycaemic management for patients with type 2 diabetes admitted for acute decompensated heart failure using linagliptin

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Hyperglycaemia in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes is preferably managed with insulin. We aimed to analyse the glycaemic efficacy, treatment simplicity, and safety of our hospital's antihyperglycemic regimens (linagliptin-basal insulin versus basal-bolus insulin) in patients with type 2 diabetes admitted for heart failure decompensation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this real-world study, we included patients with mild-to-moderate hyperglycaemia managed with our antihyperglycemic regimens between 2016 and 2018. To match patients who started one of the regimens, a propensity matching analysis was used.

RESULTS

After propensity matching, 146 patients were included in each group. There were no differences in mean blood glucose levels (163.6±21.2 vs 159.6±19.2mg/dl, p=.210). Patients on the linagliptin-basal insulin regimen had a lower total number of hypoglycaemic episodes (36 vs 64, p<.001), lower total insulin dose (24.1±5.3 vs 32.0±5.6 units, p<.001), and lower number of daily injections (2.4±.8 vs 4.0±.0, p<.001) than those on the basal-bolus regimen.

CONCLUSIONS

Linagliptin-basal insulin was a safe, simple, and efficacious regimen and could be considered standard of care for these vulnerable, high complex patients to simplify in-hospital management.

Hospitalization and Mortality from COVID-19 of Patients with Rheumatic Inflammatory Diseases in Andalusia

OBJECTIVE

To describe whether rheumatic inflammatory diseases (RID) are associated with a higher risk of hospitalization and/or mortality from COVID-19 and identify the factors associated with hospitalization and mortality in RID and COVID-19 in different Hospitals in Andalusia.

METHODS

Design: Multicentre observational case-control study.

PATIENTS

RID and COVID-19 from different centres in Andalusia.

CONTROLS

patients without RIS matched by sex, age and CRP-COVID. Protocol A list of patients with PCR for COVID-19 was requested from the microbiology service from March 14 to April 14, 2020. The patients who had RID were identified and then consecutively a paired control for each case. Variables The main outcome variable was hospital admission and mortality from COVID-19. Statistical analysis Bivariate followed by binary logistic regression models (DV: mortality/hospital admission).

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty-six patients were included, 78 with RID and COVID-19 and 78 without RID with COVID-19. The patients did not present characteristics of COVID-19 disease different from the general population, nor did they present higher hospital admission or mortality. The factor associated with mortality in patients with RID was advanced age (OR [95% CI], 1.1 [1.0-1.2]; p = 0.025), while the factors associated with hospitalization were advanced age (OR [95% CI], 1.1 [1.0-1.1]; p = 0.007) and hypertension (OR [95% CI], 3.9 [1.5-6.7]; p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Mortality and hospital admission due to COVID-19 do not seem to increase in RID. Advanced age was associated with mortality in RID and, in addition, HTN was associated with hospital admission.

Characteristics of Patients With Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases Hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 Infection

BACKGROUND

Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) predispose to a higher infection risk by modifying the host's immune response, which acts as a key factor in SARS-CoV-2 infection resolution. Recent publications show that IMID patients and its treatments do not worsen the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with IMID who required hospital admission due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Secondly, to compare clinical characteristics and outcomes between patients who required hospital admission due to SARS-CoV-2 infection with IMID and those who were not affected.

METHODS

We performed an observational retrospective cohort study, including admitted patients with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection, treated according to medical criteria and local protocols based on the best available scientific evidence. Clinical data were collected from their electronical clinical history. Statistical analysis determined the differences in the characteristics and clinical outcome of the infection in IMID patients.

RESULTS

Of a total number of 612 revised patients, 23 had an IMID and 9 of them were positive for the SARS-CoV-2 infection. We did not observe a correlation between these two disorders. There was a higher frequency of obesity and cardiovascular disease among IMID patients, but without statistical significance. The clinical outcomes were no different between hospitalized IMID and non IMID patients.

CONCLUSION

IMID and its treatments do not determine the outcome of patients admitted with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

COVID-19 impact on the emergency and hospitalization of a tertiary hospital. Management lessons learned

INTRODUCTION

The objective is to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pediatric emergencies and hospital admissions.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of patients treated in a tertiary hospital, from March 14 to April 26, 2020, compared to the same period of the previous 3 years.

RESULTS

A notable overall reduction in emergency room visits and admissions is observed in all pediatric areas, maintaining care in neonatology and scheduled admissions in oncology.

DISCUSSION

The reduction in global activity in pediatric emergencies is not only explained by the decrease in contagious diseases. The decrease in inadequate demand and inappropriate income may have contributed. The availability of pediatric beds would make the reduction of programmed surgical activity unnecessary and would allow the redistribution of resources to areas with greater healthcare pressure.

Mathematical model optimized for prediction and health care planning for COVID-19

OBJECTIVE

The COVID-19 pandemic has threatened to collapse hospital and ICU services, and it has affected the care programs for non-COVID patients. The objective was to develop a mathematical model designed to optimize predictions related to the need for hospitalization and ICU admission by COVID-19 patients.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Province of Granada (Spain).

POPULATION

COVID-19 patients hospitalized, admitted to ICU, recovered and died from March 15 to September 22, 2020.

STUDY VARIABLES

The number of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and hospitalized or admitted to ICU for COVID-19.

RESULTS

The data reported by hospitals was used to develop a mathematical model that reflects the flow of the population among the different interest groups in relation to COVID-19. This tool allows to analyse different scenarios based on socio-health restriction measures, and to forecast the number of people infected, hospitalized and admitted to the ICU.

CONCLUSIONS

The mathematical model is capable of providing predictions on the evolution of the COVID-19 sufficiently in advance as to anticipate the peaks of prevalence and hospital and ICU care demands, and also the appearance of periods in which the care for non-COVID patients could be intensified.

Implementation of an Integrated Care Model for Frequent-Exacerbator COPD Patients: A Controlled Prospective Study

INTRODUCTION

Frequent-exacerbator COPD (fe-COPD) associated with frequent hospital admissions have high morbidity, mortality and use of health resources. These patients should be managed in personalized integrated care models (ICM). Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of a fe-COPD ICM on emergency room (ER) visits, hospital admissions, days of hospitalization, mortality and improvement of health status.

METHODS

Prospective-controlled study with analysis of a cohort of fe-COPD patients assigned to ICM and followed-up for maximally 7 years that were compared to a parallel cohort who received standard care. All patients had a confirmed diagnosis of COPD with a history of ≥2 hospital admissions due to exacerbations in the year before enrollment. The change in CAT score and mMRC dyspnea scale, hospital admissions, ER visits, days of hospitalization, and mortality were analyzed.

RESULTS

141 patients included in the ICM were compared to 132 patients who received standard care. The ICM reduced hospitalizations by 38.2% and ER visits by 69.7%, with reduction of hospitalizations for COPD exacerbation, ER visits and days of hospitalization (p<0.05) compared to standard care. Further, health status improved among the ICM group after 1 year of follow-up (p=0.001), effect sustained over 3 years. However, mortality was not different between groups (p=0.117). Last follow-up CAT score>17 was the strongest independent risk factor for mortality and hospitalization among ICM patients.

CONCLUSIONS

An ICM for fe-COPD patients effectively decreases ER and hospital admissions and improves health status, but not mortality.

Frequency, profile and results of patients with acute heart failure transferred directly to home hospitalisation from emergency departments

OBJECTIVE

To describe the frequency, clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with acute heart failure (AHF) transferred directly from emergency departments to home hospitalisation (HH) and to compare them with those hospitalised in internal medicine (IM) or short-stay units (SSU).

METHOD

We included patients with AHF transferred to HH by hospitals that considered this option during the Epidemiology of Acute Heart Failure in Spanish Emergency Departments (EAHFE) 4-5-6 Registries and compared them with patients admitted to IM or SSU in these centres. We compared the adjusted all-cause mortality at 1 year and adverse events 30 days after discharge.

RESULTS

The study included 1473 patients (HH/IM/SSU: 68/979/384). The HH rate was 4.7% (95% CI, 3.8-6.0%). The patients in HH had few differences compared with those hospitalised in IM and SSUs. The HH mortality was 1.5%, and the HH median stay was 7.5 days (IQR, 4.5-12), similar to that of IM (median stay, 8 days; IQR, 5-13; p=.106) and longer than that of SSU (median stay, 4 days; IQR, 3-7; p<.001). The all-cause mortality at 1 year for HH did not differ from that of IM (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.73-1.14) or SSU (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.46-1.27); however, the emergency department readmission rate during the 30 days postdischarge was lower than that of IM (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.25-0.97) and SSU (HR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.19-0.74). There were no differences in the need for new hospitalisations or in the 30-day mortality rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Direct transfer from the emergency department to HH is infrequent despite being a safe option for a certain patient profile with AHF.

Frequency, profile, and outcomes of patients with acute heart failure transferred directly to home hospitalization from emergency departments

OBJECTIVE

To describe the frequency, clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with acute heart failure (AHF) transferred directly from emergency departments to home hospitalisation (HH) and to compare them with those hospitalised in internal medicine (IM) or short-stay units (SSU).

METHOD

We included patients with AHF transferred to HH by hospitals that considered this option during the Epidemiology of Acute Heart Failure in Spanish Emergency Departments (EAHFE) 4-5-6 Registries and compared them with patients admitted to IM or SSU in these centres. We compared the adjusted all-cause mortality at 1 year and adverse events 30 days after discharge.

RESULTS

The study included 1473 patients (HH/IM/SSU:68/979/384). The HH rate was 4.7% (95% CI 3.8-6.0%). The patients in HH had few differences compared with those hospitalised in IM and SSUs. The HH mortality was 1.5%, and the HH median stay was 7.5 days (IQR, 4.5-12), similar to that of IM (median stay, 8 days; IQR, 5-13; p = .106) and longer than that of SSU (median stay, 4 days; IQR, 3-7; p < .001). The all-cause mortality at 1 year for HH did not differ from that of IM (HR, 0.91; 95% CI 0.73-1.14) or SSU (HR, 0.77; 95% CI 0.46-1.27); however, the emergency department readmission rate during the 30 days postdischarge was lower than that of IM (HR, 0.50; 95% CI 0.25-0.97) and SSU (HR, 0.37; 95% CI 0.19-0.74). There were no differences in the need for new hospitalisations or in the 30-day mortality rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Direct transfer from the emergency department to HH is infrequent despite being a safe option for a certain patient profile with AHF.

Characteristics of adults with Down syndrome hospitalised in Spanish internal medicine departments during 2005-2014

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The clinical problems of adults with Down syndrome seem to differ from those of the general population. To better understand these differences, we list the demographic and clinical characteristics of adults with Down syndrome admitted to Spanish internal medicine departments during 2005-2014.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted an observational retrospective study using data collected from the minimum basic data set on hospitalisation episodes of adults with Down syndrome in the internal medicine departments of Spain's National Health System from 2005 to 2014. We analysed the patients' epidemiological, clinical and societal data.

RESULTS

A total of 7548 hospitalisation episodes from 3786 patients were recorded. Some 56.6% of the patients were male with a mean age (±SD) of 47±13 years, and 715 of the patients died (18.9%). The age-adjusted mortality was 26.6%, and the mean stay was 9.6±12 days. The hospitalisation was for respiratory disease in 3684 episodes (48.8%) and for cardiac origin in 760 (10%). The most common comorbidities were hypothyroidism (27.1%, 2043 episodes), epilepsy (24.1%, 1819 episodes) and dementia (15.4%, 1162 episodes).

CONCLUSIONS

The hospitalisation of adults with Down syndrome in internal medicine departments has increased in the past decade. Although the reasons for hospitalisation, mean stay and cost per episode for this population are similar to those of the general population treated by internal medicine departments, the age-adjusted hospital mortality was significantly greater.

[Prevalence, impact on quality of life and variables associated with urinary incontinence in a hospitalization unit.]

To determine the prevalence of Urinary Incontinence (UI) in a hospitalization unit. METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study, with patients in a hospitalization unit in Ferrol. The prevalence, the type of UI, the UI assessment and the impact of UI on daily life were estimated with the questionnaires: IU-4 (by sex), the severity tool ICIQ-SF and the IIQ. RESULTS: 302 patients participated in the study. The prevalence of UI was 41.4%. Regarding the type of incontinence, 35% suffer stress UI, 27% urge UI, 14.6% mixed UI, 8.8% functional UI and 2.2% Reflex UI. We can affirm that being a woman is a risk factor for UI [p<0.001; OR 5.0-95% CI (2.8-8.9)] . On the other hand, medium physical activity is objectified as a protective factor to suffer UI (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: The impact on the quality of life of the UI is high. Establishing more real data of predictive factors may help to identify patients. Using standardized methods of study such as validated questionnaires when assessing our patients is also of interest. The need to manage UI should be reinforced as a priority for nursing professionals, not only during hospital admissions, but also at the community level or in emergencies, due to the high prevalence described.

Reasons for Hospitalisation in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a University Hospital in Buenos Aires

OBJECTIVE

To determine the reasons for hospitalisation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) admitted to the Hospital de Clínicas «José de San Martín» Buenos Aires, Argentina.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed the clinical histories of SLE patients (SLICC 2012) during or prior to hospitalisation, from 1-2014 to 12-2017. Demographic data, reasons for hospitalisation, treatments, SLEDAI-2K and comorbid conditions.

RESULTS

121 hospitalisations corresponding to 72 patients, 25 patients (34.7%) were hospitalised more than once. Females (83.3%), the median length of disease until admission was 5 years. There was more than one reason for hospitalisation in 32, a total of 164 reasons. The main reason was relapse of disease (52.4%). The most frequent manifestations were renal involvement, serositis and pulmonary involvement. Infections were the second reason for hospitalisation (26.8%); urinary tract, pneumonia and soft tissue. Cardiovascular involvement 4.9%. Hospitalisation in a closed unit 14.05%, mortality 2.48%.

CONCLUSION

Relapse of disease and infections were the main reasons for hospitalisation; admission secondary to infection was higher than that reported in other series.

[Trends in psychiatric admissions in adults over 65 years old]

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to analyse the trend in the percentages of elderly patients admitted to hospital for psychiatric reasons. An additional aim was to analyse the characteristics of the elderly population admitted to a psychiatric hospitalisation unit.

MATERIAL AN METHODS

An analysis was made of the trends in the percentages of discharges in elderly population at the national level and in the Mental Health Hospitalisation Unit (MHHU) of the Regional University Hospital of Malaga for a period of at least 18years using segmented regression. For the study of the characteristics of the elderly population, all patients (N=5,925) and consecutive episodes of admission (N=15,418) were compared between 1999 and 2017 in the MHHU.

RESULTS

At the national level, there was an increase in hospital discharges in elderly patients with a significant mean annual percent change of 2.0%. In the study unit, the elderly population were more frequently female, involuntarily admitted, and had a longer hospital stay. They had been diagnosed more frequently with organic and depressive mental disorders, and less frequently with schizophrenia, substance use, and personality disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a growing trend in the percentage of elderly psychiatric patients admitted to hospitals during the study period. These results point to the increase in elderly psychiatric admissions and thus the need to adapt psychiatric units to the characteristics of this population.

Implementation experience of a guideline on fall prevention in Centres Committed to Excellence in Care®

AIM

To describe the progress of implementing the «Preventing falls» Guideline of the Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO®) Programme and fall outcomes in Centres Committed to Excellence in Care (CCEC®).

METHOD

A Quasi-experimental study pre-post test from a multicentric approach carried out between 2012-2018. The study is focused on patients aged 65 or older, discharged from guideline implementation units, analysing sociodemographic variables (sex, age, hospitalization days; fall risk assessment on admission and patient in risk; fall prevention plan; incidence of falls. Data was compared from CCEC® programme indicators measured over the periods: baseline (T1), candidate during the first three years (T2), and sustainability (T3). Descriptive and inferential analysis was performed.

RESULTS

31,486 patients were evaluated in 7 centres (T1=465; T2=14,255; T3=16,766). Of the patients, 51.87% were men and average age was 79.06 years. Hospitalization was 8.15 days. Fall risk assessment on admission was performed in 81.96% of patients (T1=44.30%, T2=81.11%, T3=83.73%) and 52.31% patients had high risk. A prevention falls plan was registered in 47.75% of patients (T1=24.73%, T2=42.43%, T3=52.90%). Four hundred and twenty-three falls were recorded, 62.17% without injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the differences between hospitals, such as structural characteristics, strategies, assessment tools and data progression pace; adherence to recommendations is proving successful, improving widely. Guideline implementation has allowed fall problems to be addressed, producing positive changes in the process and encouraging the implementation and sustainability of evidence-based nursing practice.

[Effectiveness of flu vaccine in the prevention of severe cases. Season 2018-2019]

OBJECTIVE

To know the effectiveness of the 2018/2019 flu vaccine for the prevention of severe cases of flu in a tertiary hospital.

METHOD

Case-control study. We included all patients hospitalized with influenza confirmed by laboratory during 2018/2019 season. Those who met the criteria of severe case of influenza (pneumonia, multiorgan failure, septic shock, ICU admission or death) were considered as cases. Non severe cases of influenza were included in the control group. We calculated the effectiveness of the raw and adjusted vaccine (to prevent severe cases of influenza) and its 95% confidence interval using formula VE=(1-odds ratio)×100.

RESULTS

Effectiveness of flu vaccine adjusted by age group and comorbidities was 60.7% (20.5-80.5). In the analysis adjusted and restricted to each sex, age group and presence of comorbidities, the influenza vaccine had a positive effect in all groups and categories, with effectiveness in the age group 65 years or more being 55.0% (2.6-79.2).

CONCLUSIONS

Flu vaccination reduced the severity of influenza in hospitalized patients. These findings should be taken into account to improve vaccination strategies and achieve better vaccination coverage in the high-risk population in order not only to decrease flu cases, but also their severity.

C-Reactive Protein Concentration in Steady-State Bronchiectasis: Prognostic Value of Future Severe Exacerbations. Data From the Spanish Registry of Bronchiectasis (RIBRON)

BACKGROUND

Both systemic inflammation and exacerbations have been associated with greater severity of bronchiectasis. Our objective was to analyze the prognostic value of the peripheral concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) for the number and severity of exacerbations in patients with bronchiectasis.

METHODS

Patients from the Spanish Bronchiectasis Registry (RIBRON) with valid data on their CRP value (in a clinically stable phase) and valid data on exacerbations during the first year of follow-up were included. A logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the prognostic value of the CRP concentration (divided into tertiles) with the presence of at least one severe exacerbation or at least two mild-moderate exacerbations during the first year of follow-up.

RESULTS

802 patients (mean age: 68.1 [11.1 years], 65% female) were included. Of these, 33.8% and 13%, respectively, presented ≥2 mild-moderate exacerbations or at least one severe exacerbation during the first year of follow-up. The mean value of the CRP was 6.5 (17.6mg/L). Patients with a CRP value between 0.4 and 2.7mg/L (second tertile) and ≥2.7mg/L (third tertile) presented a 2.9 (95%CI: 1.4-5.9) and 4.2 (95%CI: 2.2-8.2) times greater probability, respectively, of experiencing a severe exacerbation than those with <0.4mg/L (control group), regardless of bronchiectasis severity or a history of previous exacerbations. However, the CRP value did not present any prognostic value for the number of mild-moderate exacerbations.

CONCLUSIONS

The CRP value was associated with a greater risk of future severe exacerbations but not with mild or moderate exacerbations in patients with steady-state bronchiectasis.

Use of antihyperglycaemic therapy with cardiovascular benefit in patients with type 2 diabetes who require hospitalisation: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use of therapy with cardiovascular benefit in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus admitted to internal medicine departments.

METHODS

One day, cross-sectional study of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus hospitalised in internal medicine departments. We recorded demographic and anthropometric variables, laboratory data and use of antihyperglycaemic drugs. The endpoint was the proportion and determinants of the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA).

RESULTS

We included 928 patients belonging to 74 hospitals, with a mean age of 78.9 years (SD, 10.86 years), 50% of whom were men. A total of 557 (60%) patients had ischaemic heart disease, 189 (20.4%) had cerebrovascular disease, 293 (31.6%) had heart failure, 274 (29.5%) had chronic kidney disease, and 129 (13.9%) had peripheral arterial disease. Prior to their hospital admission, the patients were taking sulfonylureas (5.7%), biguanides (49.1%), alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (0.2%), pioglitazone (0%), dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (39%), SGLT2i (5.8%), GLP1-RA (2.6%) and basal insulin analogues (24%). An age over 75 years was the main determinant for not taking SGLT2i (adjusted OR, 0.28; 95% CI 0.10-0.74; P=.039) or GLP1-RA (adjusted OR, 0.09; 95% CI 0.02-0.46; P=.006).

DISCUSSION

A large proportion of elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at very high cardiovascular risk are not treated with antihyperglycemic drugs with proven cardiovascular benefit. The most commonly used drugs were metformin and DPP4i. There is room for improvement in the treatment of this very high-risk population.

[Effectiveness of interventions based on telemedicine on health outcomes in patients with multimorbidity in Primary Care: A systematic review]

Objetivo

Evaluar la efectividad de intervenciones basadas en telemedicina para mejorar resultados en salud en pacientes con multimorbilidad en atención primaria.

Diseño

Revisión sistemática.

Fuentes de datos

INAHTA, Guía Salud, NICE, Cochrane Library, Medline/PubMed y EMBASE hasta abril de 2018.

Selección de estudios

Criterios de inclusión: pacientes (adultos con 2 o más enfermedades crónicas o índice de Charlson mayor de 3); intervención (programa de telemedicina desarrollada en atención primaria); comparador (práctica habitual); resultados (mortalidad, ingresos hospitalarios, consultas a urgencias, calidad de vida relacionada con la salud y satisfacción); diseño (guía de práctica clínica, revisión sistemática, metaanálisis, ensayo clínico controlado aleatorizado o cuasiexperimental). Publicación en inglés o español. Se localizaron 236 referencias.

Extracción de datos

Exclusión de duplicados; valoración de criterios de selección sobre título, resumen y texto completo; valoración crítica; extracción y análisis cualitativo. Dos revisores y un tercero para discrepancias.

Resultados

Se incluyeron 5 artículos de 3 estudios, 2 ensayos clínicos controlados aleatorizados y un cuasiexperimental. No se observaron resultados significativos en la reducción de la mortalidad o mejora de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. La efectividad de la telemedicina sobre el número de ingresos hospitalarios o consultas a urgencias mostró resultados contradictorios. La satisfacción no fue medida en los estudios incluidos.

Conclusiones

El escaso número de estudios, la relativa heterogeneidad y limitaciones metodológicas no permiten confirmar la efectividad de las intervenciones basadas en telemedicina en pacientes con multimorbilidad en atención primaria, sobre la mejora de la mortalidad, el número de ingresos hospitalarios o consultas a urgencias y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud, respecto a la práctica habitual.

Validation of CIPA nutritional screening through prognostic clinical variables in hospitalized surgical patients

INTRODUCTION

CIPA (Control of Food Intake, Protein, and Anthropometry) nutritional screening is positive when one of the following conditions is met: Control of Food Intake for 48-72h <50%; Albumin <3g/dL, Body Mass Index <18.5kg/m² or Arm Circumference ≤22.5cm. Following its validation in non-surgical inpatients, the same process was performed with surgical inpatients.

OBJECTIVES

Validity of the CIPA screening tool in surgical inpatients by comparison with Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and analysis of clinical outcomes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective study of hospitalized surgical patients, evaluating the prevalence or risk of malnutrition through CIPA and SGA. Analysis of hospital malnutrition according to CIPA screening and association with the clinical outcomes of median length of stay, mortality and early readmission. Concordance between both screening methods by Kappa Index (κ), sensitivity (S) and specificity (SP).

RESULTS

A total of 226 patients were analysed. The prevalence of malnutrition or risk of malnutrition was identified by CIPA in 35.40% and by SGA in 30.08%. CIPA is capable of detecting patients at a greater risk of mortality during hospitalization (5% vs. 0%, P=.006), unlike the SGA (2.94% vs. 1.27%, P=.385). CIPA also detected patients with higher median length of stay (21 days [IQR 14-34 days] vs. 14.5 days [IQR 9-27 days], P=.002) and rate of early readmissions (25.3% vs. 8.2%, P<.001). S and SP of CIPA vs. SGA was 70.59% and 79.75%, respectively; Kappa index was 0.479 (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Using CIPA nutritional screening, the prevalence and risk of malnutrition in surgical patients is high, and they present poorer clinical outcomes, making CIPA valid and effective in this type of patients.

Evaluation of the effect of hospitalization on mortality in patients with heart failure followed in primary care

Background

Heart failure (HF) is a serious health-care problem. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the first acute episode of decompensated HF that requires a hospitalization on the survival of newly diagnosed cases of HF with follow-up for 5 years in primary care (PC).

Methods

This was a longitudinal observational study of a retrospective cohort of patients with information extracted from electronic medical records of PC. Incident cases of HF from 2006 to 2010 or until death were studied through a survival analysis with Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards multivariate regression, after applying the propensity score matching technique (PSM).

Results

A total of 3061 new cases of HF were identified. The PSM analysis was performed with 529 couples, with a total of 1058 patients. 5-year survival was 65% in no hospitalized and 53% in hospitalized patients. Factors with an increased risk of mortality were having prescribed nitrates (heart rate [HR] = 1.56; 1.08-2.24). Factors with protective effect were having received the annual influenza vaccine (HR = 0.04; 0.01-0.15) and having been indicated X-rays by PC physician (HR = 0.76; 0.67-0.88).

Conclusions

The findings indicate that hospitalizations are associated with a significant increase in mortality in patients recently diagnosed with HF. It is important to reinforce the need for the prevention of acute decompensated HF and for strategies to improve post-discharge outcomes.

Acute gastroenteritis due to norovirus in patients with hospital care: a cross-sectional study

Background

Because of the availability of molecular techniques in clinical care, acute gastroenteritis (AGE) due to norovirus has returned to importance as a causative agent of hospitalization. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features and evolution of patients less than 16 years hospitalized for AGE associated with norovirus.

Methods

Retrospective study. Clinical information of the patients attended from November 1, 2016 to February 28, 2018 by AGE with detection of norovirus (genotype I and II) in faeces by means of polymerase chain reaction with reverse transcriptase was collected.

Results

We studied 103 patients; 96 (93.2%; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 86.6-96.7%) with genotype II detection and seven (6.8%; 95% CI: 5.3-8.7%) genotype I; 76 (73.8%) ≤5 years. 48.5% attended during the winter. The evolution was to self-limitation in less than 7 days in all with hydro electrolytic management. There were no differences in the severity and symptoms according to the viral group; in both cases the vomiting predominated (82%). Only one patient had intestinal perforation due to co-infection with Shigella sp.; three patients (3.1%) manifested seizures (two febrile and one epileptic convulsions).

Conclusions

Despite causing a meritorious disease of hospitalization, GEA by norovirus has a favorable prognosis with rapid self-limitation. Its timely detection by rapid tests in feces could avoid the unjustified prescription of antibiotics.

[Impact of hospital admission on centenarians admitted due to an acute illness. A description of a series of 165 cases and comparison with the literature]

INTRODUCTION

The number of centenarians is increasing with the aging of the Spanish population. This age group might present different clinical features from younger groups. This study was carried out to determine the impact hospital admission on centenarians with an acute disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective observational study was conducted that included patients ≥100 years-old admitted from 1995 to 2016 to a third level university hospital and attended by the Geriatrics department in the acute ward, the Orthogeriatric ward, and by request. An analysis was made using the clinical-administrative databases containing information about the demographics, clinical, functional and cognitive features, length of hospital length, as well as discharge destination.

RESULTS

The study included 165 patients with a mean age of 101.6 ± 1.7 (range 100-109) years, of whom 140 (85%) were female. The mean hospital stay was 10.3 ± 7.4 days. Respiratory infections (41%) were the most common cause of admission to the Acute Geriatric Unit (AGU). The overall in-hospital mortality was 16%, but mortality in AGU reached up to 31%. There was an increase on moderate-severe functional disability (51% to 96%), and on the inability to walk independently (52% to 99%) from baseline to admission. There was a reduction in people living in their own home from 71% prior to admission to 29% at hospital discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Centenarians who required hospital admission showed a high rate of mortality, a significant deterioration in their functional capacity, and a decrease in their chances of going back to their own home at discharge.

Mirror image study (10 years of follow-up and 10 of standard pre-treatment) of psychiatric hospitalizations of patients with severe schizophrenia treated in a community-based, case-managed programme

OBJECTIVES

To determine the psychiatric hospitalizations of patients with severe schizophrenia before (standard treatment in mental health centres) and during treatment in a comprehensive, community-based, case- managed programme, as well as the role played by antipsychotic medication (oral or long-acting injectable).

METHOD

Observational, mirror image study of ten years of follow-up and ten retrospectives ('pre-treatment': standard), of patients with severe schizophrenia in a community-based programme, with pharmacological and psychosocial integrated treatment and intensive case management (n=344). Reasons for discharge from the programme and psychiatric hospital admissions (and whether they were involuntary) were recorded ten years before and during treatment, as well as the antipsychotic medication prescribed.

RESULTS

The retention achieved in the programme was high: after 10 years only 12.2% of the patients were voluntary discharges vs 84.3% on previous standard treatment. The number of patients with hospital admissions, and number of admissions due to relapses decreased drastically after entering the programme (p<0,0001), as well the involuntary admissions (p<0,001). Being on long-acting injectable antipsychotic medication was related with these results (p<0,0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of patients with severe schizophrenia in a comprehensive, community-based and case-managed programme achieved high retention rates, and was effective in drastically reducing psychiatric hospitalizations compared to the previous standard treatment in mental health units. Undergoing treatment with long-acting injectable antipsychotics was clearly linked to these outcomes.