Validation of POSSUM-physiological Score as Predictors of Post-operative Morbidity and Mortality after Emergency Operation for Peptic Ulcer Complications

The effects of adjuvant immunoglobulin M-enriched immunoglobulin therapy on mortality rate and renal function in sepsis-induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome: retrospective analysis of intensive care unit patients

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of immunoglobulin (Ig)M-enriched Ig therapy on mortality rate and renal function in sepsis-induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), using the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score.

METHODS

Retrospective study of patients with sepsis-induced MODS treated with standard antibiotic plus supportive therapy (control group) or IgM-enriched Ig therapy adjuvant to control group therapy (IVIg group). Total length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), overall mortality rate and 28-day case fatality rate (CFR), as well as APACHE II scores and renal function parameters at day 1 and day 4 of therapy, were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 118 patients were included (control group, n = 62; IVIg group, n = 56). In both groups, day 4 APACHE II scores decreased significantly compared with day 1 scores; the effect of treatment on renal function was minimal. Length of ICU stay, overall mortality rate and 28-day CFR were significantly lower in the IVIg group compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Adding IgM-enriched Ig therapy to standard therapy for MODS improved general clinical conditions and significantly reduced APACHE II scores, overall mortality rate and 28-day CFR, although effects on renal function were minimal.

The epidemiology and cost of surgical site infections in Korea: a systematic review

PURPOSE

To conduct a systematic literature review of the epidemiological and economic burden of surgical site infection (SSI) in Korea.

METHODS

A search of the EMBASE, Medline and KoreaMed databases for English and Korean language publications was conducted. Searches for epidemiological and economic studies were conducted separately and limited to 1995 to 2010 to ensure the pertinence of the data.

RESULTS

Twenty-six studies were included. The overall incidence of SSI in Korea was 2.0 to 9.7%. The National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance risk index was positively correlated with the risk of developing an SSI. Specific risk factors for SSI, identified through multivariate analyses included; diabetes, antibiotic prophylaxis and wound classification. SSIs were associated with increased hospitalisation cost, with each episode of SSI estimated to cost about an additional ₩2,000,000. A substantial portion of the increased cost was attributed to hospital room costs and the need for additional medication. Studies also found that post-operative stays for patients with SSIs were 5 to 20 days longer, while two studies reported that following cardiac surgery, patients with SSIs spent an additional 5 to 11 days in the intensive care unit, compared to patients without SSIs.

CONCLUSION

Data from the included studies demonstrate that SSI represents a significant clinical and economic burden in Korea. Consequently, the identification of high-risk patient populations and the development of strategies aimed at reducing SSI may lead to cost-savings for the healthcare system.