Increased mortality after kidney transplantation in mildly frail recipients

Background

Physical Frailty Phenotype (PFP) is the most used frailty instrument among kidney transplant recipients, classifying patients as pre-frail if they have 1–2 criteria and as frail if they have ≥3. However, different definitions of robustness have been used among renal patients, including only those who have 0 criteria, or those with 0–1 criteria. Our aim was to determine the impact of one PFP criterion on transplant outcomes.

Methods

We undertook a retrospective study of 296 kidney transplant recipients who had been evaluated for frailty by PFP at the time of evaluating for transplantation.

Results

Only 30.4% of patients had 0 criteria, and an additional 42.9% showed one PFP criterion. As PFP score increased, a higher percentage of women and cerebrovascular disease were found. Recipients with 0–1 criteria had lower 1-year mortality after transplant than those with ≥2 (1.8% vs 10.1%), but this difference was already present when we only considered those who scored 0 (mortality 1.1%) and 1 (mortality 2.4%) separately. The multivariable analysis confirmed that one PFP criterion was associated to a higher risk of patient death after kidney transplantation [hazard ratio 3.52 (95% confidence interval 1.03–15.9)].

Conclusions

Listed kidney transplant candidates frequently show only one PFP frailty criterion. This has an independent impact on patient survival after transplantation.

Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing a Multidisciplinary Intervention by a Geriatrician and a Cardiologist to Usual Care after a Heart Failure Hospitalization in Older Patients: The SENECOR Study

Background: The prognosis of older patients after a heart failure (HF) hospitalization is poor. Methods: In this randomized trial, we consecutively assigned 150 patients 75 years old or older with a recent heart failure hospitalization to follow-up by a cardiologist (control) or follow-up by a cardiologist and a geriatrician (intervention). The primary outcome was all-cause hospitalization at a one-year follow-up. Results: All-cause hospitalization occurred in 47 of 75 patients (62.7%) in the intervention group and in 58 of 75 patients (77.3%) in the control group (hazard ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.46 to 0.99; p = 0.046). The number of patients with at least one HF hospitalization was similar in both groups (34.7% in the intervention group vs. 40% in the control group, p = 0.5). There were a total of 236 hospitalizations during the study period. The main reasons for hospitalization were heart failure (38.1%) and infection (14.8%). Mortality was 24.7%. Heart failure was the leading cause of mortality (54.1% of all deaths), without differences between groups. Conclusions: A follow-up by a cardiologist and geriatrician in older patients after an HF hospitalization was superior to a cardiologist’s follow-up in reducing all-cause hospitalization in older patients. (Funded by Beca Primitivo de la Vega, Fundación MAPFRE. ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03555318).

Severe Hypoalbuminemia at Admission Is Strongly Associated with Worse Prognosis in Older Adults with SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Serum albumin levels have been associated with prognosis in several conditions among older adults. The aim of this study is to assess the prognostic value in mortality of serum albumin in older adults with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods. Cohort observational study with consecutive older-adults (≥65 years old), with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to a university hospital between March–May 2020. A logistic regression model was fitted to assess the impact of albumin levels on in-hospital mortality adjusted by potential confounders. Results. Among a total of 840 patients admitted to the hospital, 405 (48%) were older adults with a total of 92 deaths (23%) among them. Those who died were older, had more comorbidities, higher inflammation status and lower levels of serum albumin at admission [3.10 g/dL (0.51) vs. 3.45 g/dL (0.45); p < 0.01. Serum albumin levels at admission were negatively correlated with inflammatory markers such as C-Reactive protein (Pearson Coeff −0.4634; p < 0.001) or IL-6 (Pearson’s Coeff −0.244; p = 0.006) at admission but also to other clinical outcomes such time to clinical stability (Pearson’s Coeff −0.259; p < 0.001). Severe hypoalbuminemia associated with increased risk of mortality was defined as ≤3 g/dL at admission according to the AUC/ROC analysis (0.72 95% CI 0.63–0.81) In a multivariate logistic regression model adjusting by age, inflammation, comorbidities and severity at admission severe hypoalbuminemia was a strong predictor of in-hospital mortality (OR 2.18 95% CI 1.03–4.62; p = 0.039). Conclusion. Severe hypoalbuminemia with ≤3 g/dL is an independent risk factor for mortality among older adults with SARS-CoV-2 infection. There is a consistent correlation between albumin levels and inflammatory biomarkers. Further studies are needed to determine whether the supplementation of albumin as coadjuvant treatment will have a positive impact on the prognosis of this infection.

Prevalence and Prognostic Value of Myocardial Injury in the Initial Presentation of SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Older Adults

Myocardial involvement during SARS-CoV-2 infection has been reported in many prior publications. We aim to study the prevalence and the clinical implications of acute myocardial injury (MIN) during SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly in older patients. The method includes a longitudinal observational study with all consecutive adult patients admitted to a COVID-19 unit between March-April 2020. Those aged ≥65 were considered as older adult group. MIN was defined as at least 1 high-sensitive troponin (hs-TnT) concentration above the 99th percentile upper reference limit with different sex-cutoff. Results. Among the 634 patients admitted during the period of observation, 365 (58%) had evidence of MIN, and, of them, 224 (61%) were older adults. Among older adults, MIN was associated with longer time to recovery compared to those without MIN (13 days (IQR 6-21) versus 9 days (IQR 5-17); p < 0.001, respectively. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in older adults with MIN at admission versus those without it (71 (31%) versus 11 (12%); p < 0.001). In a logistic regression model adjusting by age, sex, severity, and Charlson Comorbidity Index, the OR for in-hospital mortality was 2.1 (95% CI: 1.02-4.42; p = 0.043) among those older adults with MIN at admission. Older adults with acute myocardial injury had greater time to clinical recovery, as well as higher odds of in-hospital mortality.

Serum albumin is a strong predictor of sepsis outcome in elderly patients

The incidence of sepsis is disproportionately higher in elderly adults, and age is an independent predictor of mortality. Retrospective analysis was conducted among patients admitted to the emergency department in a tertiary teaching hospital from January 2016 to June 2017. To study the prognosis determinants of sepsis among elderly patients attended in the emergency room of a tertiary care hospital. As secondary objectives, we aimed to describe the causes of sepsis, the general outcome, and the general characteristics of these patients. Two hundred thirty-five episodes data of patients admitted throughout the 15-month study period who were diagnosed with sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock, were included. Throughout the study cohort, 51 patients (21.7%) fulfilled the criteria of severe sepsis or septic shock. All-cause mortality was 11 patients (4.7%) on day 14 and 27 (11.5%) on day 30. Prognosis factors associated with 30-day mortality were the following: albumin level < 2.6 g/dl (first quartile of the overall population), odds ratio (OR 3.26, 95% CI 12-9.41; p = 0.029), Charlson comorbidity index (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.04-1.45; p = 0.012), C-reactive protein on admission (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.99-1.08; p = 0.062), and non-adequacy of the initial antimicrobial therapy (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.06-10.4; p = 0.039). Among elderly patients with sepsis, strong predictors of mortality such as albumin could be considered as part of prognosis and future potential interventions. Adequacy of antimicrobial therapy at admission must be one of the objectives in the treatment of sepsis, also in the elderly, since it is an independent predictor of mortality.

Cytotoxic peptide–PNA conjugates obtained by RNA-programmed peptidyl transfer with turnover

A RNA triggered chemical peptidyl transfer reaction leads to a cytotoxic peptide conjugate that requires turnover in RNA for bioactivity.

[Changes in the incidence of falls in an intermediate and long-term care center]

INTRODUCTION

The characteristics of falls in older patients admitted to an institution in 2 different periods.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed a prospective study of falls among inpatients admitted to an intermediate and long-term care center. Age, sex, Barthel index, main diagnoses, medication at the time of the fall, place, the shift when the fall occurred, lighting, characteristics of the floor, the use of walking aids and/or restraints, the kind of shoes worn, and activity at the moment of the fall were registered. During the first 2-year study period (period A), there were 332 beds (intermediate care and rehabilitation unit, long-term care unit, palliative care unit, psychogeriatric unit and assisted residential home). During the second 2-year period (period B), the palliative and intermediate care units were moved to another center (255 beds remaining).

RESULTS

Period A: there were 647 falls in 227 patients; the total number of patients admitted was 1387 (accumulated incidence of falls: 46.6%). Period B: there were 539 falls in 191 patients; the total number of patients admitted was 908 (accumulated incidence of falls: 59.3%). Significant differences between the two periods were found in age (79.8+/-10.6 versus 81.3 10.2) (p<0.02), the percentage of women (55.2% versus 66.4%) (p<0.001), neurological diagnoses (26.7% versus 36.1%) (p< 0.001), antidepressants (12.6% versus 16.4%), neuroleptics (10.3% versus 15.2%) (p<0.001), falls in the bedroom (39.7% versus 41.6%) (p<0.001), falls when moving from bed to chair (41.3% versus 30.8%) (p<0.001), and the use of walking aids (65.8% versus 40.5%) (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

a) the incidence of falls increased in the second period of the study; b) in period A, risk factors for falls related to rehabilitation (moving from bed to chair, use of walking aids) were more frequent. In period B, risk factors related to the characteristics of psychogeriatric patients were predominant (neurological illness, use of psychotropic drugs, and c) the difference in the incidence of falls between the two study periods may be related to the distinct characteristics of the patients (case mix).

[Double vascular pedicle iliac crest flap]

INTRODUCTION

The iliac crest flap is commonly used in reconstructions of the head and neck. The vascularisation of this region depends on the deep circumflex iliac artery and vein (ACIP/VCIP). The present study describes for the first time, the simultaneous use of the deep and superficial circumflex iliac systems to obtain an iliac crest flap for head and neck reconstructions.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Ten inguinal regions were dissected in five cadavers in the Human Anatomy and Embryology Unit of the Faculty of Medicine of the Rovira i Virgili University. In the period 2005-2007, three patients required mandibular reconstruction with a microvascularised iliac crest osteocutaneous flap at the Maxillofacial Surgery Unit of the Joan XXIII University Hospital.

RESULTS

The 3 cases showed a favourable outcome. This "supercharging" variation guarantees the perfusion to the skin flap, provides a better three-dimensional arrangement of the soft tissue and lowers the morbidity at the donor site, as much less internal oblique muscle cuff is harvested.

CONCLUSIONS

This technique may be of great interest in the reconstruction of complex maxillofacial defects instead of having to carry out a vascular dissection and its extra anastomosis.

Using the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) among older adult inpatients with varying cognitive function

BACKGROUND

High rates of missing, non-applicable items and insufficient reliability have been frequently reported as limitations of the generic Quality of Life questionnaires for older patients. The Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) might be more suitable as it contains easy to respond (yes/no) items covering moderate-to-severe health deterioration.

OBJECTIVES

To assess feasibility, reliability and validity of the NHP in disabled, older patients.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Acute care hospital.

SUBJECTS

134 inpatients aged >or=65 with severe disability, abnormal cognitive function, or other persistent health problems precluding their discharge.

METHODS

The (interviewer-administered) NHP, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Barthel Index, and diagnostic information were recorded.

RESULTS

Completion rates varied from 98% of the 49 patients with normal cognition (MMSE >or=21) and 86.3% of the 51 with moderate cognitive impairment (MMSE 10-20), to 5.9% of the 34 with severe cognitive impairment (MMSE<10). Cronbach's alpha of the total NHP score was near 0.9 (0.82 and 0.87 for patients with MMSE >or= 21 and 10-20, respectively; p = 0.291). The correlation between 'Physical Mobility' of the NHP and Barthel Index was also similar in both cognitive groups (0.39 and 0.40).

CONCLUSION

Interviewer-administered NHP is suitable, reliable and valid, even in patients with moderate cognitive function.

[Testicular granulocytic sarcoma as a form of relapse in a patient with acute megakaryoblastic leukemia]

Granulocytic sarcoma (GS) is a rare extramedullary tumor composed of myeloblasts and other granulocytic precursors. GS is mostly associated with myeloproliferative disorders, myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukaemia. These tumors arise in the absence of leukaemia, at its initial diagnosis or at the time of recurrence. The most common sites of involvement are bone, skin, soft tissue and lymph node. Reports of GS in testis are very rare. We report an unusual case of GS in a patient with megakaryoblastic leukaemia arising in the left testis after four months in complete remission attained with low doses of Ara-C and granulomonocytic stimulating factor.

[Hyperglycemia of the dehydrated infant]

Hyperglycemia and glucosuria are frequently seen during the acute phase of dehydration secondary to gastroenteritis. In this paper, 33 patients in hypovolemic shock due to diarrhea were studied. Serum glucose resulted above 140 mg/100 ml. in 14 patients (41%); it was below 27 mg/100 ml. in 2 more patients (5.8%). Despite high glucose concentration, only 4 out of the 14 hyperglycemic patients had serum insulin concentration above that observed in normal fasting children. Plasma cortisol was significantly higher in the group with hyperglycemia (54 +/- 24 micrograms/100 ml.) in comparison with the group with normal glucose levels (15 +/- 6.4 micrograms/100). No correlation was found between serum glucose and the concentrations of sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, growth hormone nor with plasma osmolarity. All disturbances observed turned normal after rehydration. Hyperglicemia is explained as a response to stress and is probably due to the gluconeogenic action of cortisol and the inhibitory effect of catecholamines upon insulin secretion.