Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Use of Telemedicine for Postdischarge Assessment of the Surgical Wound: International Cohort Study, and Systematic Review With Meta-analysis

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether remote wound reviews using telemedicine can be safely upscaled, and if standardized assessment tools are needed. // Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common complication of surgery worldwide, and frequently occurs after hospital discharge. Evidence to support implementation of telemedicine during postoperative recovery will be an essential component of pandemic recovery. // Methods: The primary outcome of this study was SSI reported up to 30 days after surgery (SSI), comparing rates reported using telemedicine (telephone and/or video assessment) to those with in-person review. The first part of this study analyzed primary data from an international cohort study of adult patients undergoing abdominal surgery who were discharged from hospital before 30 days after surgery. The second part combined this data with the results of a systematic review to perform a meta-analysis of all available data conducted in accordance with PRIMSA guidelines (PROSPERO:192596). // Results: The cohort study included 15,358 patients from 66 countries (8069 high, 4448 middle, 1744 low income). Of these, 6907 (45.0%) were followed up using telemedicine. The SSI rate reported using telemedicine was slightly lower than with in-person follow-up (13.4% vs 11.1%, P<0.001), which persisted after risk adjustment in a mixed-effects model (adjusted odds ratio: 0.73, 95% confidence interval: 0.63–0.84, P<0.001). This association was consistent across sensitivity and subgroup analyses, including a propensity-score matched model. In 9 eligible nonrandomized studies identified, a pooled mean of 64% of patients underwent telemedicine follow-up. Upon meta-analysis, the SSI rate reported was lower with telemedicine (odds ratio: 0.67, 0.47–0.94) than in-person (reference) follow-up (I2=0.45, P=0.12), although there a high risk of bias in included studies. // Conclusions: Use of telemedicine to assess the surgical wound postdischarge is feasible, but risks underreporting of SSI. Standardized tools for remote assessment of SSI must be evaluated and adopted as telemedicine is upscaled globally

Multimodality Imaging Demonstrating an Apical Variant Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in an Uncommon Pentad

A 79-year-old man was admitted for a transcatheter aortic valve replacement due to severe aortic stenosis. A preoperative chest computed tomography with angiography revealed an apical variant hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with a prominent apical pouch. In addition, there was near-complete obliteration of the left ventricle in the mid to apical aspect during systole suggesting a midventricular gradient. Postoperative transthoracic echocardiography confirmed the apical variant hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with an apical aneurysm and a gradient with a peak velocity of 2 m/s, and mid-cavitary gradient with a peak velocity of 3 m/s. It also revealed a fusiform aneurysmal dilatation of the ascending aorta. </jats:p

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Presenting as Anterior Nasal Mass and Epistaxis

Lung malignancy presentation with an uncommon metastatic site is a diagnostic challenge and often associated with poor prognosis. Nasal cavity is a rare metastatic site for any type of lung cancer. We report an unusual case of poorly differentiated adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung with widespread metastasis presenting as a right vestibular nasal mass with epistaxis. A 76-year-old male patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 80 pack-year smoking history presented with spontaneous epistaxis. He reported a new rapidly growing right-sided nasal vestibular mass first noticed 2 weeks prior. Physical examination showed fleshy mass with crusting in right nasal vestibule along with a left nasal domus mass. Imaging revealed an ovoid mass in the right anterior nostril and a large mass in the right upper lobe of the lung (RULL) along with thoracic vertebral sclerotic metastasis and large left frontal lobe hemorrhagic lesion with severe vasogenic edema. Positron emission tomography scan showed large right upper lobe mass and suspected to be the primary malignancy along with widespread metastasis. Biopsy of the nasal lesion revealed poorly differentiated non-small cell carcinoma with squamous and glandular features. The diagnosis of very poorly differentiated adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung with widespread metastasis was made. In conclusion, unusual metastatic sites with unknown primary lesions require a thorough diagnostic workup involving biopsy and extensive imaging. Lung cancer with unusual metastatic sites is inherently aggressive and associated with poor prognosis. Multidisciplinary treatment modalities should be employed keeping in view the functional status and comorbidities of the patient. </jats:p

Bapineuzumab for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a globally prevalent neurodegenerative condition, clinically characterized by progressive memory loss and gradual impairment of cognitive functions. Bapineuzumab is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to neurotoxic amyloid proteins in the brain, enhancing their clearance. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the safety and efficacy of bapineuzumab in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Methods We performed a web-based literature search of PubMed, Ovid, EBSCO, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and web of science using the relevant keywords. Data were extracted from eligible records and pooled as mean difference (MD) or risk ratio (RR) values with their 95% confidence interval (CI), using Review Manager software (version 5.3 for windows). Heterogeneity was measured by Chi-square and I-square tests. Result The pooled effect estimate from six randomized clinical trials (n = 2380) showed that bapineuzumab significantly reduced the cerebrospinal fluid concentration of phosphorylated tau proteins (Standardized MD = −5.53, 95% CI [−8.29, −2.76]). However, the bapineuzumab group was not superior to the placebo group in terms of change from baseline in Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale (ADAS)-Cog11 (MD = 0.14, 95% CI [−0.72, 0.99]), disability assessment for dementia (DAD) scale (MD = 1.35, 95% CI [−1.74, 4.43]), and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores (MD = 0.08, 95% CI [−0.31, 0.47]). Regarding safety, bapineuzumab increased the risk of serious treatment-emergent adverse events (RR = 1.18, 95% CI [1.02, 1.37]) and cerebral vasogenic edema (RR = 40.88, 95% CI [11.94, 135.95]). All bapineuzumab doses (0.15, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg) were similar to placebo in terms of change from baseline in ADAS-cog11, DAD, and MMSE scores, except for the 0.15 mg/kg dose, which caused a significant worsening on the ADAS-cog11 scale (MD = 5.6, 95% CI [0.22, 10.98]). Conclusions Considering the lack of clinical efficacy, combined with the significant association with serious adverse events, bapineuzumab should not be used to treat patients with mild to moderate AD. Future studies should investigate the effect of combining bapineuzumab with other therapeutic strategies and reevaluate the efficacy of targeting amyloid β proteins in AD therapy

The impact of personal and outdoor temperature exposure during cold and warm seasons on lung function and respiratory symptoms in COPD

Rationale Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients often report aggravated symptoms due to heat and cold, but few studies have formally evaluated this. Methodology We followed 30 Boston-based former smokers with COPD for four non-consecutive 30-day periods over 12 months. Personal and outdoor temperature exposure were measured using portable and Boston-area outdoor stationary monitors. Participants recorded daily morning lung function measurements as well as any worsening breathing (breathlessness, chest tightness, wheeze) and bronchitis symptoms (cough, sputum colour and amount) compared to baseline. Using linear and generalised linear mixed-effects models, we assessed associations between personal and outdoor temperature exposure (1-3-day moving averages) and lung function and symptoms, adjusting for humidity, smoking pack-years and demographics. We also stratified by warm and cold season. Results Participants were on average 71.1 +/- 8.4 years old, with 54.4 +/- 30.7 pack-years of smoking. Each 5 degrees C increase in personal temperature exposure was associated with 1.85 (95% CI 0.99-3.48) higher odds of worsening breathing symptoms. In the warm season, each 5 degrees C increase in personal and outdoor temperature exposure was associated with 3.20 (95% CI 1.05-9.72) and 2.22 (95% CI 1.41-3.48) higher odds of worsening breathing symptoms, respectively. Each 5 degrees C decrease in outdoor temperature was associated with 1.25 (95% CI 1.04-1.51) higher odds of worsening bronchitis symptoms. There were no associations between temperature and lung function. Conclusions Our findings suggest that higher temperature, including outdoor exposure during the warm season and personal temperature exposure year-round, may worsen dyspnoea, while colder outdoor temperature may trigger cough and phlegm symptoms among COPD patients

The impact of personal and outdoor temperature exposure during cold and warm seasons on lung function and respiratory symptoms in COPD

RationaleChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients often report aggravated symptoms due to heat and cold, but few studies have formally evaluated this.MethodologyWe followed 30 Boston-based former smokers with COPD for four non-consecutive 30-day periods over 12 months. Personal and outdoor temperature exposure were measured using portable and Boston-area outdoor stationary monitors. Participants recorded daily morning lung function measurements as well as any worsening breathing (breathlessness, chest tightness, wheeze) and bronchitis symptoms (cough, sputum colour and amount) compared to baseline. Using linear and generalised linear mixed-effects models, we assessed associations between personal and outdoor temperature exposure (1–3-day moving averages) and lung function and symptoms, adjusting for humidity, smoking pack-years and demographics. We also stratified by warm and cold season.ResultsParticipants were on average 71.1±8.4 years old, with 54.4±30.7 pack-years of smoking. Each 5°C increase in personal temperature exposure was associated with 1.85 (95% CI 0.99–3.48) higher odds of worsening breathing symptoms. In the warm season, each 5°C increase in personal and outdoor temperature exposure was associated with 3.20 (95% CI 1.05–9.72) and 2.22 (95% CI 1.41–3.48) higher odds of worsening breathing symptoms, respectively. Each 5°C decrease in outdoor temperature was associated with 1.25 (95% CI 1.04–1.51) higher odds of worsening bronchitis symptoms. There were no associations between temperature and lung function.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that higher temperature, including outdoor exposure during the warm season and personal temperature exposure year-round, may worsen dyspnoea, while colder outdoor temperature may trigger cough and phlegm symptoms among COPD patients.</jats:sec