Tag: pubmed

Thorac Res Pract. 2023 Mar;24(2):103-108. doi: 10.5152/ThoracResPract.2023.22087.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate 109 rifampicin-resistant or multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients who are treated in Izmir Chest Diseases MDR Tuberculosis Centre.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patient profile, side effects, treatment success, and mortality of rifampicin-resistant or multidrugresistant tuberculosis patients who were followed up and treated in our hospital’s tuberculosis service between 2010 and 2018 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS: Of the rifampicin-resistant or multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients, 83 (76.1%) were male and the mean age was 46.3 ± 16.3 years. Of the cases 13 (11.9%) had rifampicin resistance without isoniazid. Since 5 out of 109 patients diagnosed with multidrugresistant tuberculosis emigrated to other countries, the treatment results of 104 patients were evaluated. As a result of the treatment, the cure was achieved in 81 (77.9%) patients and treatment was completed in 13 (12.5%). Treatment success was found as 90.4%. No patient experienced recurrence. The mortality rate was determined as 9.6%. The cure rate of patients treated with ≥6 drugs (90.9%) was statistically significantly (P = .029) higher than the group treated with ≤5 drugs (71.8%).

CONCLUSIONS: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment is a long-term, financially burdensome practice that may cause serious side effects and complications, and it requires strict discipline. The fight against tuberculosis can be successful with tuberculosis control programs that are pursued with determination.

PMID:37503647 | DOI:10.5152/ThoracResPract.2023.22087

Thorac Res Pract. 2023 May;24(3):165-169. doi: 10.5152/ThoracResPract.2023.22171.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: It is known that inpatient hospital costs are much higher than outpatient services. It was aimed to investigate the effect of pneumococcal vaccination on hospitalizations.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The direct hospitalization costs, length of stay, and factors of the vaccinated and unvaccinated patients in the same hospital during the 12-month follow-up of the patients who received pneumococcal vaccine between November 15, 2018, and November 15, 2020, in 3 chest diseases and thoracic surgery training and research hospitals were analyzed by obtaining Hospital Information Management System records. Data were collected with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23 program (IBM Corp.; Armonk, NY, USA) , and statistical evaluation was made.

RESULTS: The mean age of 800 hospitalized patients, of whom 400 were unvaccinated and 400 were vaccinated, was 68.48 ± 11.97. There was no significant difference in the mean age of vaccinated and unvaccinated patients (P > .05). Five hundred sixty-six patients (70.8%) were aged 65 and over. Two hundred eighty (51.2%) of men were vaccinated and 120 (47.2%) of women were vaccinated, and there was no significant difference (P > .05). The mean hospital stay of these patients was 11.01 days, and those in the vaccinated group had an average mean hospital stay of 9.11 days and those in the unvaccinated group had a mean hospital stay less than 12.91 days (P < .001). Total 1-year hospitalization costs were $501.653.53 and the cost per person was calculated as $627.07. The cost per capita for the vaccinated group was $550.52, which was lower than the average cost of the unvaccinated group ($703.62) (P < .05). When comparing the status of being vaccinated, comorbidity, mortality, mean length of stay, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and heart disease were found to be statistically significant (P < .05).

CONCLUSION: In our study, it was revealed that vaccination of patients hospitalized in chest disease hospitals with the pneumococcal vaccine reduced the average length of hospital stay by 41.7% and the cost of hospitalization by 27.8%.

PMID:37503619 | DOI:10.5152/ThoracResPract.2023.22171

Public Health Rep. 2023 Jul 28:333549231185625. doi: 10.1177/00333549231185625. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater surveillance has emerged as a powerful tool used by public health authorities to track SARS-CoV-2 infections in communities. In May 2020, the Houston Health Department began working with a coalition of municipal and academic partners to develop a wastewater monitoring and reporting system for the city of Houston, Texas. Data collected from the system are integrated with other COVID-19 surveillance data and communicated through different channels to local authorities and the general public. This information is used to shape policies and inform actions to mitigate and prevent the spread of COVID-19 at municipal, institutional, and individual levels. Based on the success of this monitoring and reporting system to drive public health protection efforts, the wastewater surveillance program is likely to become a standard part of the public health toolkit for responding to infectious diseases and, potentially, other disease-causing outbreaks.

PMID:37503606 | DOI:10.1177/00333549231185625

Circ Heart Fail. 2023 Jul 28:e010462. doi: 10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.122.010462. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data regarding epidemiology, temporal trends, and outcomes of patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) and end-stage renal disease (chronic kidney disease stage V on hemodialysis).

METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study using the United States Renal Data System database from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2019. We analyzed trends of CS, percutaneous mechanical support (intraaortic balloon pump, percutaneous ventricular assist device [Impella and Tandemheart], and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) utilization, index mortality, 30-day mortality, and 1-year all-cause mortality in end-stage renal disease patients.

RESULTS: A total of 43 825 end-stage renal disease patients were hospitalized with CS (median age, 67.8 years [IQR, 59.4-75.8] and 59.1% men). From 2006 to 2019, the incidence of CS increased from 275 to 578 per 100 000 patients (P_trend<0.001). The index mortality rate declined from 54.1% in 2006 to 40.8% in 2019 (P_trend=0.44), and the 1-year all-cause mortality decreased from 63% in 2006 to 61.8% in 2018 (P_trend=0.73), but neither trend was statistically significant. There was a significantly decreased utilization of intra-aortic balloon pumps from 17 832 to 7992 (P_trend<0.001), increased utilization of percutaneous ventricular assist device from 137 to 5201 (P_trend<0.001) and increase in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use from 69 to 904 per 100 000 patients (P_trend<0.001). After adjusting for covariates, there was no significant difference in index mortality between CS patients requiring percutaneous mechanical support versus those not requiring percutaneous mechanical support (odds ratio, 0.97 [CI, 0.91-1.02]; P=0.22). On multivariable regression analysis, older age, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, and time on dialysis were independent predictors of higher index mortality.

CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of CS in end-stage renal disease patients has doubled without significant change in the trend of index mortality despite the use of percutaneous mechanical support.

PMID:37503601 | DOI:10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.122.010462

Thorac Res Pract. 2023 Jan;24(1):40-44. doi: 10.5152/ThoracResPract..

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the maximum diameters of the pulmonary artery and ascending aorta and their ratio to each other to enable early diagnosis and treatment of possible pulmonary hypertension and to prevent possible complications in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 120 patients aged 40 years and older, 60 patients (30 females and 30 males) with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and 60 individuals (30 females and 30 males), were included in this retrospective study. Maximum pulmonary artery and maximum ascending aorta diameters were measured at the level of bifurcatio trunci pulmonalis in the transverse axial plane by computed tomography, and their ratios to each other were determined.

RESULTS: Our study revealed a statistically significant increase in maximum pulmonary artery and maximum ascending aorta diameters in both genders in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 compared to the control group and a statistically significant increase was found in the maximum pulmonary artery-maximum ascending aorta ratio in women with coronavirus disease 2019 compared to the control group (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS: Knowing the diameters of maximum pulmonary artery and maximum ascending aorta and the maximum pulmonary artery-maximum ascending aorta ratio in hospitalized severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-infected patients is a valuable predictive marker of pulmonary hypertension and a guide in determining the appropriate treatment. These data, which are easy to calculate from thorax computed tomography, may be beneficial in the prognosis of the disease.

PMID:37503598 | DOI:10.5152/ThoracResPract.

Thorac Res Pract. 2023 Jan;24(1):34-39. doi: 10.5152/ThoracResPract.2023.22100.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: External reporting is frequently used due to the significant increase in computed tomography examinations in recent years and the insufficient number of personnel in internal reporting. We aimed to evaluate the adequacy of outsourcing reporting.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients who were seen or hospitalized as a consultation by thoracic surgeons with thoracic computed tomography between January 2021 and January 2022 were included in the study retrospectively. Computed tomography results reported by radiologists working in our hospital were grouped as “internal reports,” and the results reported externally by a company were grouped as “outsourcing reports.” The total number of computed tomography examinations taken during the same period and the number of examinations reported by a daily average radiologist were also determined. False-negative findings in internal and outsourcing reports were evaluated and statistically compared between groups.

RESULTS: A total of 84 702 computed tomography scans were taken in 2021. In external reporting, 1 physician reported an average of 202.83 computed tomography scans per day (74 033 per year). A total of 350 thorax computed tomography reports were evaluated. A total of 304 (86.9%) thorax computed tomography examinations were reported with external reporting and 46 (13.1%) with internal reporting. False-negative findings other than those reported were found in 81 reports (23.1%). A significantly higher deficiency was observed in external reporting (77/304) compared to internal reporting (4/46). (P = .013).

CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of external reporting was found to be lower than internal reporting due to a possible lack of communication and audit problems. In order to minimize the errors and related liability arising from external reporting, primarily a legal standardization is required with realistic reporting numbers of external reporting.

PMID:37503597 | DOI:10.5152/ThoracResPract.2023.22100

Thorac Res Pract. 2023 Jan;24(1):29-33. doi: 10.5152/ThoracResPract.2022.22045.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: It is accepted that the only way to end severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 epidemic is through community vaccination. The frequency and clinical features of infection after vaccination are not known clearly. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency and clinical features of coronavirus disease 2019 seen after either the first or second dose of CoronaVac vaccination in healthcare workers and their relatives.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional retrospective survey study. The study was carried out in 2013 volunteers, including 1903 (94.5%) healthcare workers and 110 (5.5%) relatives of healthcare workers. The frequency and clinical features of coronavirus disease 2019 before and after the first or second dose of CoronaVac vaccination were retrospectively evaluated using an online questionnaire conducted in July 2021.

RESULTS: A total of 2013 people, 1312 women and 701 men, participated in the study. Of these individuals, 245 (12.1%) were polymerase chain reaction positive for coronavirus disease 2019 before vaccination. Of this group, 185 (75.5% of polymerase chain reaction positives and 9.1% of the whole population) received home-based therapy, while 38 (15.5%) received hospital admission. Asymptomatic polymerase chain reaction positivity before vaccination was seen in 22 (9%) individuals. There were 177 (8.8%) participants who developed polymerase chain reaction positivity at any time after vaccination. In 129 (72.8%) of these participants, polymerase chain reaction positivity occurred 21 days after the second dose of vaccine. While the number of patients hospitalized before vaccination was 38 (15.5% of the polymerase chain reaction positivity group and 1.89% of the general population), the number of patients hospitalized after the vaccination was 17 (10.1% of the polymerase chain reaction positivity group and 0.80% of the general population). The decrease in hospitalization proportion was statistically significant (P = .002).

CONCLUSION: The frequency of coronavirus disease 2019, severe illness, and hospitalization rates were found to be lower in postvaccination period. The vaccine is effective in preventing coronavirus disease 2019 and severe disease.

PMID:37503596 | DOI:10.5152/ThoracResPract.2022.22045

Thorac Res Pract. 2023 Jan;24(1):14-21. doi: 10.5152/ThoracResPract.2023.22058.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Telemedicine has been defined as a valuable tool in delivering care for COVID-19 patients. However, clinicians and policymakers should be convinced that traditional and new technological methods of clinical management may be equally effective. The purpose of this study was to generate some initial recommendations based on the clinical utility of videoconference consultation in forward triage and follow-up for COVID-19 patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated the medical records of 100 COVID-19 patients consulted using a videoconference program (Skype), from September 1, 2020, to February 3, 2021. The data were analyzed on demographic characteristics, disease history, the need for physical examination after videoconference consultation, pre-diagnostics and diagnostics, treatment decisions, number of videoconference consultation sessions in follow-up, duration of sessions, and final outcome.

RESULTS: The male COVID-19 patients constituted 54% of the total sample. The median age was 51 (42-61) years. The median duration of the initial videoconference consultation session was 16 (12-21) minutes. Following the initial videoconference consultation session, 14 patients required follow-up with all face-to-face visits; the remaining patients were primarily followed with videoconference consultation sessions. For 25 patients, it was sufficient to provide only videoconference consultation sessions; they were not required to be in the hospital for physical examination or any subsequent investigation at all. A total of 14 patients were hospitalized. There was no statistically significant difference between the high-risk group and the other patients according to the components of the disease management process via videoconference consultation.

CONCLUSION: Videoconference consultation enables a holistic assessment regardless of the patient’s characteristics and allows for more time to be spent on each patient, particularly during the pandemic period without risk of contagion. It can be used as a forward triage and follow-up tool to identify patients in need of emergency hospitalization and continuous health care.

PMID:37503594 | DOI:10.5152/ThoracResPract.2023.22058

Eur J Orthod. 2023 Jul 28:cjad036. doi: 10.1093/ejo/cjad036. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this trial was to investigate the effect of mastic mouthwash on halitosis using as a proxy the levels of the Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSCs), and the effect on plaque and gingival indices in adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed conventional labial appliances.

SUBJECTS/METHODS: The study was a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial. Thirty patients with fixed orthodontic appliances were randomly allocated at a 1:1 ratio, to either the mastic-mouthwash or the placebo-mouthwash group. Eligibility criteria included ages between 13 and 18, active orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances, good general health, and total initial VSCs levels above 150 ppb. The primary outcome was the objective hydrogen sulfide (H2S) level, measured with the Oral ChromaTM device. The secondary outcomes were (1.) the methyl-mercaptan (CH3SH) and (2.) dimethyl sulfide [(CH3)2S] levels, measured with the same device, (3.) the subjective perception of the own malodour via questionnaires, and (4.) the oral hygiene assessed with the use of the Modified Silness and Löe Plaque Index (PI-M) and the Silness and Löe Gingival Index (GI) at baseline (T0) and after 2 weeks (T1). Stratified randomization by gender was used, and allocation was concealed with opaque numbered sealed envelopes.

RESULTS: H2S level dropped from 221.00 ppb (T0) to 125.00 ppb (T1), and the difference between treatment groups was statistically significant in favour of the mastic group (coef: 72.34, 95% CI: 8.48, 136.27, P = 0.03). The levels of the other VSCs, the subjective measurements of oral malodour, and the oral hygiene indices did not differ between treatment arms.

LIMITATIONS: The objective organoleptic assessment by a calibrated examiner was not performed.

CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Mastic mouthwashes could be an alternative treatment for adolescent patients suffering from halitosis during orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances.

REGISTRATION: The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT05647369).

PMID:37503575 | DOI:10.1093/ejo/cjad036

J Dermatolog Treat. 2023 Dec;34(1):2240455. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2023.2240455.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common skin disease. Fire needle is a method of quickly piercing the local skin lesions with red-hot needles for AV. This work aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fire needle combined with chemical peels for AV.

METHODS: Eight databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Internet, Wanfang, Sinomed, and VIP databases were searched to enrolled randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing fire needle therapy combined with chemical peels with chemical peels alone. The risk of bias was evaluated by the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool. Statistical analysis was completed by RevMan 5.3 and Stata 14.0.

RESULTS: Altogether 18 studies including 1213 patients were enrolled. Compared with chemical peels alone, fire needle adjuvant chemical peels therapy improved the total effective rate (RR = 1.37,95% CI [1.26,1.48], p < 0.00001) and skin lesions (MD = -2.11, 95% CI [-2.74, -1.47], p < 0.00001), and reduced the recurrence rate (RR = 0.50,95% CI [0.33,0.76], p = 0.0009).The application of fire needle was associated with few adverse reactions, all of which were well tolerated and transient.

CONCLUSION: Fire needle adjuvant chemical peels therapy is effective and safe for AV. Nevertheless, more large-scale, well-designed clinical studies are warranted to provide evidence-based medical support.

PMID:37503565 | DOI:10.1080/09546634.2023.2240455