20 research outputs found

    Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

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    Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

    Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

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    Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

    One-Year Changes in Optic Nerve Head Parameters in Recovered COVID-19 Patients

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    Peripapillary Vascular Density in Childhood Glaucoma: A Pilot Comparative Study with Age and Sex Matched Healthy Subjects

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    Purpose: The aim of this study concerns the evaluation of peripapillary vessel indices in childhood glaucoma (CG) and healthy subjects. Material and Methods: In this prospective, unicenter, observational cross-sectional study, patients with CG and age and sex-matched healthy subjects were included. We compared retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) measurements in optical coherence tomography (OCT), peripapillary vessel density (PVD), and the flux index (FI) of the superficial vascular plexus from OCT angiography (OCT-A) between CG patients and control groups. Results: We included 39 patients (68 eyes) with CG and 50 (95 eyes) healthy subjects. The peripapillary RNFL thickness, vessel density, and flux index were significantly lower in the CG group than in the control group. The mean PVD of CG patients was 0.52 ± 0.043%, compared with 0.55 ± 0.014%, p p p p 0.00037), p 0.012.Conclusions: PVD and FI show lower values in CG and correlate with RNFL thickness measurement but have lower diagnostic ability than RNFL thickness measurement. Our results reveal possible differences in the pathogenesis of microvascular compromise in childhood glaucoma patients

    The Impact of Vaping on the Ocular Surface: A Systematic Review of the Literature

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    Background: The use of electronic cigarettes has become increasingly popular in recent years. However, the impact that electronic cigarettes have on the ocular surface is not well known. Therefore, the aim of this review is to explore the current literature on the acute and chronic sequelae of electronic cigarettes on the ocular surface. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was undertaken by keyword searching on the Embase, Medline, and Web of Science databases. Articles identified through the search underwent title/abstract screening, full-text screening, and data extraction. Results: A total of 18 studies were included in this review. Non-intended ocular surface exposures and intended exposures on the ocular surface were found to be associated with the use of electronic cigarettes. Conclusions: The impact of vaping on the ocular surface is not benign. There are significant risks that vaping can pose to the ocular surface. Hence, it is necessary to develop appropriate risk communication tools given the increasing popularity of this activity. Additionally, future long-term studies are needed to better understand the long-term impacts of vaping on the ocular surface given the lack of current data.Medicine, Faculty ofMedicine, Department ofOphthalmology and Visual Sciences, Department ofReviewedFacultyResearche

    Aqueous Humor Cytokine Profile in Primary Congenital Glaucoma

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    Background: Cytokine profile in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) differs from that in healthy controls. Due to the different pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the genesis of primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and POAG, it is possible that the cytokine profile could also differ. The main objective of this study was to compare the concentrations of cytokines in the aqueous humor of patients with PCG with those of POAG patients and a control group. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Aqueous humor samples were taken from PCG and POAG patients eligible for glaucoma or cataract surgery and from patients undergoing cataract surgery. Twenty-seven cytokines were analyzed using the Human Cytokine 27-Plex Immunoassay Kit (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA, USA). Results: A total of 107 subjects were included: patients with PCG (n = 19), patients with POAG (n = 54), and a control group (CG) of patients undergoing cataract surgery (n = 34). Most cytokines measured in aqueous humor in PCG presented decreased values compared with POAG and controls. A statistically significant difference was observed in IL-1ra, IL-2, IL-5, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-15, IL-17A, Eotaxin, FGF basic, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, MIP-1α, PDGF-bb, MIP-1β, RANTES, TNF-α, and VEGF. Conclusion: PCG patients have a cytokine profile in aqueous humor different from POAG patients and patients without glaucoma, characterized by lower concentrations of multiple cytokines
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