Tag Archives: mortality

Outcomes of Patients Transferred to Tertiary Center by Life-Saving System in Saudi Arabia. A Propensity Score Matching Observational Study

Mohammed Soliman1, Hanan Alenzi1, Rehab Alfenaikh1, Ahmed Aletreby2, Malak Alenzi1, Hend Alenzi1, Jennifer Gano1, Rana Alrashed1, Yasmeen Altaymani3, Mohammed Al-Odat1, Waleed Aletreby1

1 King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, Ar Riyad, Saudi Arabia
2 Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
3 Imam Abdulrahman Alfaisal Hospital, Riyad, Saudi Arabia

DOI: 10.2478/jccm-2024-0038

Background: Inter-hospital transfer is intended to provide access to centralized special care for critically ill patients, when resources in their hospitals are not available. However, an empirical gap exists in available evidence, as outcomes of transferred patients to higher centers are inconsistent.
Method: Single center propensity score matching retrospective observational study. Life-Saving transfers during 2023 were matched to direct admissions to the ICU. Hospital mortality, ICU length of stay, and costs of both groups were compared.
Results: During the study period, 328 Life-Saving transfers were matched to 656 direct admissions. Propensity score matching eliminated all imbalances between groups. Hospital mortality was not different between groups, there were 114 (34.8%) hospital mortalities of Life-Saving transfers, while there were 216 (32.9%) hospital mortalities of direct admissions, with a percent difference of 1.9% (95% CI: -4.5%, 8.4%); p value = 0.6, this result persisted in the sensitivity analysis. There were no differences in mortality risks for all the studied subgroups except pediatric patients. ICU length of stay of direct admissions and Life-Saving transfers were 10 ± 13.1 and 11.6 ± 12.4 days respectively, mean difference was statistically significant (-1.6 [95% CI: -3.2, 0.1]; p = 0.005). Life-Saving transfers entailed significantly higher costs per admission by 28,200 thousand SAR (95% CI: 26,400 – 30,000; p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Our study shows no difference in hospital mortality between Life-Saving transfers and direct admissions to ICU, however, Life-Saving transfers had a longer ICU length of stay, and higher costs per admission.

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Outcome and Determining Characteristics of ICU Patients with Acute Kidney Injury in a Low-Income Country, a Multicenter Experience

Abubakar Ballah1, Jika Mohammed2, Gyadale Abdulhamid Njidda2, Halima Bidemi Yahaya3, Nwokorie Mabong Rosemary4, Ibrahim Naziru2, Adamu Yusuf Baffah2, Hassan Ali Maina5, Hajara Galadima2, Abdullahi Maryam Mohammed6, Franklin Andibanbang7, Adam Ibrahim Abdullahi8

1 Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria
2 Federal Medical Centre Gombe, Gombe, Nigeria
3 Airdale NHS Foundation Trust, Steeton, England
4 Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
5 Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria
6 Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria
7 Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health, Fayfa, Saudi Arabia
8 Bauchi State University Gadau, Bauchi, Nigeria

DOI: 10.2478/jccm-2024-0037

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a disease that affects millions of people globally making it a major public health concern. It is defined as an abrupt decrease in kidney function that occurs within ours affecting both the structure and functionality of the kidneys.
The outcome of AKI and the determinants in Nigeria are largely unknown. This study aimed to describe the determining factors of the outcome of AKI patients admitted into the ICU of three tertiary health institutions in Northeast Nigeria.
Methods: The study is a prospective multicentered observational study of the patients admitted into the ICU in three tertiary health institutions from January 2022 to December 2023. KDIGO criteria was used to define AKI. The outcome of the study was to determine survivors among the patients admitted into the ICU with AKI or developed AKI while in ICU and also the determinants of mortality. A chi-square test was done to determine the association between the dependent variable (patient outcome) and the independent variables. To determine the predictors of patient outcomes, a regression analysis was done. The sociodemographic data of the patients admitted during these periods were studied in addition to Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), Average length of stay in the ICU, Admitting/referring ward (Obstetrics, Gynae, Medical, Surgical or Emergency unit), Ability to afford care (out of pocket payment, social welfare or through Health insurance Scheme, Co-morbidity (presence or absence of comorbidity), Interventions done while in ICU (use of vasopressors and inotropes, mechanical ventilation (MV) support and renal replacement therapy (RRT) and outcome (discharge to the wards or mortality).
Results: Of 1494 patient records screened, 464 met the inclusion criteria. The overall incidence of AKI was 57%. About 53% were females, the mean age was 42.2 years, and 81% of the patients had a normal BMI (18.5 – 24.9). About 40% of the patients had APACHE II scores ≥ 29%. More than three-quarters (79.5%) of the patients paid for their health care expenditure out-of-pocket. Most patients (72%) were from the Medical and Gynae/Ward. Mortality was highest (54.2%) among patients who were brought into the ICU from the Medical ward. Most patients admitted were KDIGO I (44.3%) followed by KDIGO II (35.1%). Among the patients, 61.2% present with one or more comorbidity. Mortality was higher (50%) among those with comorbidity compared to 13.6% among those without comorbidity. Mortality was lowest among patients who stayed in the ICU between 8-14 days compared to those who stayed > 2 weeks. Most of the patients (72%) were from the Medical and Gynae/Ward. Mortality was highest (54.2%) among patients who were brought into the ICU from the Medical ward followed by those brought in from the Obstetric and Gynecological ward (20.4%). An association was found between the intervention received in the ICU and the outcome, which was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). A regression analysis was done to determine the predictors of patients’ outcomes admitted in the ICU. The results showed that APACHE II score greater than 10 (p-value < 0.001), presence of comorbidities (p = 0.031) and intervention which included a combination of Vasopressors, mechanical ventilation and RRT (p < 0.01) are the predictors of patients’ outcome. The regression model is valid (X2 = 469.894, df = 24, p < 0.001) and it fits the sample as shown by the Hosmer and Lemeshow test (X2 = 7.749, p = 0.45, df = 8,). It also shows that the predictors account for 92% of patients’ outcomes (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.92).
Conclusions: Our study revealed that the presence of comorbidity, high APACHE II score, and the need for interventional supports including both mechanical ventilatory and ionotropic, were found to be strong mortality predictors in patients with AKI.

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Awake Prone Decubitus Positioning in COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review and MetaAnalysis

Agustin García1, Rita Galeiras1, Sonia Pertega-Díaz2

1 A Coruna University Hospital, A Coruña, Spain
2 University of A Coruna, A Coruña, Spain

DOI: 10.2478/jccm-2023-0014

To date, recommendations for the implementation of awake prone positioning in patients with hypoxia secondary to SARSCoV2 infection have been extrapolated from prior studies on respiratory distress. Thus, we carried out a systematic review and metaanalysis to evaluate the benefits of pronation on the oxygenation, need for endotracheal intubation (ETI), and mortality of this group of patients. We carried out a systematic search in the PubMed and Embase databases between June 2020 and November 2021. A randomeffects metaanalysis was performed to evaluate the impact of pronation on the ETI and mortality rates. A total of 213 articles were identified, 15 of which were finally included in this review. A significant decrease in the mortality rate was observed in the group of pronated patients (relative risk [RR] = 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.480.99; p = 0.044), but no significant effect was observed on the need for ETI (RR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.631.00; p = 0.051). However, a subgroup analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) did reveal a significant decrease in the need for this intervention (RR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.710.97). Prone positioning was found to significantly reduce mortality, also diminishing the need for ETI, although this effect was statistically significant only in the subgroup analysis of RCTs. Patients’ response to awake prone positioning could be greater when this procedure is implemented early and in combination with noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) or highflow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy.

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Early Lactate Clearance as a Determinant of Survival in Patients with Sepsis: Findings from a Low-resource Country

Fazal Rehman1, Saad Bin Zafar1, Adil Aziz1, Abdul Aziz1, Pirbhat Shams Memon1, Taymmia Ejaz1, Summaira Aziz2

1 Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
2 Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan

DOI: 10.2478/jccm-2023-0005

Background: Single lactate measurements have been reported to have prognostic significance, however, there is a lack of data in local literature from Pakistan. This study was done to determine prognostic role of lactate clearance in sepsis patients being managed in our lower-middle income country.
Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted from September 2019-February 2020 at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. Patients were enrolled using consecutive sampling and categorized based on their lactate clearance status. Lactate clearance was defined as decrease by 10% or greater in repeat lactate from the initial measurement (or both initial and repeat levels <=2.0 mmol/L).
Results: A total 198 patients were included in the study, 51% (101) were male. Multi-organ dysfunction was reported in 18.6% (37), 47.7% (94) had single organ dysfunction, and 33.8% (67) had no organ dysfunction. Around 83% (165) were discharged and 17% (33) died. There were missing data for 25.8% (51) of the patients for the lactate clearance, whereas 55% (108) patients had early lactate clearance and 19.7% (39) had delayed lactate clearance.On univariate analysis, mortality rate was higher in patients with delayed lactate clearance (38.4% vs 16.6%) and patients were 3.12 times (OR = 3.12; [95% CI: 1.37-7.09]) more likely to die as compared with early lactate clearance. Patients with delayed lactate clearance had higher organ dysfunction (79.4% vs 60.1%) and were 2.56 (OR = 2.56; [95% CI: 1.07-6.13]) times likely to have organ dysfunction. On multivariate analysis, after adjusting for age and co-morbids, patients with delayed lactate clearance were 8 times more likely to die than patients with early lactate clearance [aOR = 7.67; 95% CI:1.11-53.26], however, there was no statistically significant association between delayed lactate clearance [aOR = 2.18; 95% CI: 0.87-5.49)] and organ dysfunction.
Conclusion: Lactate clearance is a better determinant of sepsis and septic shock effective management. Early lactate clearance is related to better outcomes in septic patients.

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Characteristics and risk factors for mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19 receiving invasive mechanical ventilation: the experience of a private network in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Eduardo Atsushi Osawa, Alexandre Toledo Maciel

Imed Group, Research Department, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Adult Intensive Care Unit, São Camilo Hospital, Brazil

DOI: 10.2478/jccm-2022-0015

Introduction: The use of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in COVID-19 represents in an incremental burden to healthcare systems.
Aim of the study: We aimed to characterize patients hospitalized for COVID-19 who received IMV and identify risk factors for mortality in this population.
Material and Methods: A retrospective cohort study including consecutive adult patients admitted to a private network in Brazil who received IMV from March to October, 2020. A bidirectional stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors for mortality.
Results: We included 215 patients, of which 96 died and 119 were discharged from ICU. The mean age was 62.7 ± 15.4 years and the most important comorbidities were hypertension (62.8%), obesity (50.7%) and diabetes (40%). Non-survivors had lower body mass index (BMI) (28.3 [25.5; 31.6] vs. 31.2 [28.3; 35], p<0.001, and a shorter duration from symptom onset to intubation (8.5 [6.0; 12] days vs. 10 [8.0; 12.5] days, p = 0.005). Multivariable regression analysis showed that the risk factors for mortality were age (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.1, p < 0.001), creatinine level at the intubation date (OR: 3.28, 95% CI: 1.47 to 7.33, p = 0.004), BMI (OR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.84 to 0.99, p = 0.033), lowest PF ratio within 48 hours post-intubation (OR: 0.988, 95% CI: 0.979 to 0.997, p = 0.011), barotrauma (OR: 5.18, 95% CI: 1.14 to 23.65, p = 0.034) and duration from symptom onset to intubation (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.76 to 0.95, p = 0.006).
Conclusion: In our retrospective cohort we identified the main risk factors for mortality in COVID-19 patients receiving IMV: age, creatinine at the day of intubation, BMI, lowest PF ratio 48-hours post-intubation, barotrauma and duration from symptom onset to intubation.

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Predictive Value of Systemic Immune-inflammation Index in Determining Mortality in COVID-19 Patients

Tahsin Karaaslan1, Esra Karaaslan2

1 Medeniyet University Göztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
2 Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey

DOI: 10.2478/jccm-2022-0013

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) could predict mortality in patients with novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) disease.
Methods: This two-center, retrospective study included a total of 191 patients with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 via nucleic acid test (NAT). The SII was calculated based on the complete blood parameters (neutrophil × platelet/lymphocyte) during hospitalization. The relationship between the SII and other inflammatory markers and mortality was investigated.
Results: The mortality rate was 18.3%. The mean age was 54.32±17.95 years. The most common symptoms were fever (70.7%) and dry cough (61.3%), while 8 patients (4.2%) were asymptomatic. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (37.7%), diabetes (23.0%), chronic renal failure (14.7%), and heart failure (7.9%) which all significantly increased the mortality rate (p<0.001). There was a highly positive correlation between the SII and polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PNL), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (r=0.754, p<0.001; r=0.812, p<0.001; r=0.841, p<0.001, respectively), while a moderate, positive correlation was found between the SII and C-reactive protein (CRP) (r=0.439, p<0.001). There was a significant correlation between the SII and mortality (U=1,357, p<0.001). The cut-off value of SII was 618.8 (area under the curve=0.751, p<0.001) with 80.0% sensitivity and 61.5% specificity. A cut-off value of >618.8 was associated with a 4.68-fold higher mortality.
Conclusion: Similar to NLR and PLR, the SII is a proinflammatory marker of systemic inflammation and can be effectively used in independent predicting COVID-19 mortality .

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Renal Manifestations and their Association with Mortality and Length of Stay in COVID-19 Patients at a Safety-net Hospital

Sandra Gomez-Paz1, Eric Lam2, Luis Gonzalez-Mosquera2, Diana Cardenas-Maldonado2, Joshua Fogel3, Ellen Gabrielle Kagan2, Sofia Rubinstein1

1 Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York, USA
2 Department of Internal Medicine, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York, USA
3 Department of Business Management, Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, New York, USA

DOI: 10.2478/jccm-2022-0010

Background: Renal involvement in COVID-19 leads to severe disease and higher mortality. We study renal parameters in COVID-19 patients and their association with mortality and length of stay in hospital. Methods: A retrospective study (n=340) of confirmed COVID-19 patients with renal involvement determined by the presence of acute kidney injury. Multivariate analyses of logistic regression for mortality and linear regression for length of stay (LOS) adjusted for relevant demographic, comorbidity, disease severity, and treatment covariates. Results: Mortality was 54.4% and mean LOS was 12.9 days. For mortality, creatinine peak (OR:35.27, 95% CI:2.81, 442.06, p<0.01) and persistent renal involvement at discharge (OR:4.47, 95% CI:1.99,10.06, p<0.001) were each significantly associated with increased odds for mortality. Increased blood urea nitrogen peak (OR:0.98, 95%CI:0.97,0.996, p<0.05) was significantly associated with decreased odds for mortality. For LOS, increased blood urea nitrogen peak (B:0.001, SE:<0.001, p<0.01), renal replacement therapy (B:0.19, SE:0.06, p<0.01), and increased days to acute kidney injury (B:0.19, SE:0.05, p<0.001) were each significantly associated with increased length of stay. Conclusion: Our study emphasizes the importance in identifying renal involvement parameters in COVID-19 patients. These parameters are associated with LOS and mortality, and may assist clinicians to prognosticate COVID-19 patients with renal involvement.

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Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Patients Requiring Invasive Mechanical Ventilation in a Lower Middle-Income Country

Taymmia Ejaz, Fazal Rehman, Arslan Ahmed, Safia Akhlaq, Sheema Saadia, Adil Aziz, Erfan Hussain

The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan

DOI: 10.2478/jccm-2021-0044

Background: Covid-19 related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requires intensive care, which is highly expensive in lower-income countries. Outcomes of COVID-19 patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation in Pakistan have not been widely reported. Identifying factors forecasting outcomes will help decide optimal care levels and prioritise resources.
Methods: A single-centre, retrospective study on COVID-19 patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation was conducted from 1st March to 31st May 2020. Demographic variables, physical signs, laboratory values, ventilator parameters, complications, length of stay, and mortality were recorded. Data were analysed in SPSS ver.23.
Results: Among 71 study patients, 87.3% (62) were males, and 12.7% (9) were females with a mean (SD) age of 55.5(13.4) years. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension were the most common comorbidities in 54.9% (39) patients. Median(IQR) SOFA score on ICU admission and at 48 hours was 7(5-9) and 6(4-10), and median (IQR) APACHE-II score was 15 (11-24) and 13(9-23), respectively. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 57.7%; 25% (1/4), 55.6% (20/36) and 64.5% (20/31) in mild, moderate, and severe ARDS, respectively. On univariate analysis; PEEP at admission, APACHE II and SOFA score at admission and 48 hours; Acute kidney injury; D-Dimer>1.5 mg/L and higher LDH levels at 48 hours were significantly associated with mortality. Only APACHE II scores at admission and D-Dimer levels> 1.5 mg/L were independent predictors of mortality on multivariable regression (p-value 0.012 & 0.037 respectively). Admission APACHE II scores, Area under the ROC curve for mortality was 0.80 (95%CI 0.69-0.90); sensitivity was 77.5% and specificity 70% (cut-off ≥13.5).
Conclusion: There was a high mortality rate in severe ARDS. The APACHE II score can be utilised in mortality prediction in COVID-19 ARDS patients. However, larger-scale studies in Pakistan are required to assess predictors of mortality.

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Mortality Rate and Predictors among Patients with COVID-19 Related Acute Respiratory Failure Requiring Mechanical Ventilation: A Retrospective Single Centre Study

Christophe de Terwangne1, Antonio Sorgente2, Redente Tortora3, Diana Cheung3, Frederic Duprez3, Sammy Place1, Jerome R. Lechien4, Lucio Capulzini2, Michael De Cubber2, Sven Saussez4, Fabio Silvio Taccone5, Shahram Mashayekhi3

1 Department of Internal Medicine, Centre Hospitalier EpiCURA Hornu, Hornu, Belgium
2 Department of Cardiology, Centre Hospitalier EpiCURA, Hornu, Belgium
3 Department of Intensive Care, Centre Hospitalier EpiCURA, Hornu, Belgium
4 Department of Human Anatomy and Experimental Oncology, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
5 Department of Intensive Care, Hopital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium

DOI: 10.2478/jccm-2020-0043

Aim: The objective of the study was to assess mortality rates in COVID-19 patients suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who also requiring mechanical ventilation. The predictors of mortality in this cohort were analysed, and the clinical characteristics recorded.
Material and method: A single centre retrospective study was conducted on all COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit of the Epicura Hospital Center, Province of Hainaut, Belgium, between March 1st and April 30th 2020.
Results: Forty-nine patients were included in the study of which thirty-four were male, and fifteen were female. The mean (SD) age was 68.8 (10.6) and 69.5 (12.6) for males and females, respectively. The median time to death after the onset of symptoms was eighteen days. The median time to death, after hospital admission was nine days. By the end of the thirty days follow-up, twenty-seven patients (55%) had died, and twenty–two (45%) had survived. Non-survivors, as compared to those who survived, were similar in gender, prescribed medications, COVID-19 symptoms, with similar laboratory test results. They were significantly older (p = 0.007), with a higher co-morbidity burden (p = 0.026) and underwent significantly less tracheostomy (p < 0.001). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, no parameter significantly predicted mortality.
Conclusions: This study reported a mortality rate of 55% in critically ill COVID-19 patients with ARDS who also required mechanical ventilation. The results corroborate previous findings that older and more comorbid patients represent the population at most risk of a poor outcome in this setting.

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