The role of an electronic alert system to detect acute kidney injury in hospitalized patients: DETECT-H Project

Background and aims: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with higher mortality and length of stay (LOS) for hospitalized patients. To improve outcomes, an electronic detection system could be a useful tool for early diagnosis. Methods: A fully automated real-time system for detecting decreased glomerular filtration rate in adult patients was developed in our hospital, DETECT-H project. AKI was established according to KDIGO guidelines. Results: In six months, 1241 alerts from 11,022 admissions were issued. Overall incidence of AKI was 7.7%. Highest AKI stage reached was: stage 1 (49.8%), 2 (24.5%) and 3 (25.8%), in-hospital mortality was 10.9%, 22.7%, 33.9% respectively and 57.1% in AKI requiring dialysis; mortality in stable CKD was 4.3%. Median LOS was 8 days versus 5 days for all patients. AKI was associated with a mortality of 3.18 (95% CI 1.80–5.59) and a LOS 1.52 (1.11–2.08) times as high as that for admissions without AKI. Multivariate analysis indicated that a LOS higher than 8 days was associated with AKI. Previous CKD was noted in 31.9% and AKI in 45.3% at discharge. As compared to the use of the detect system, only one third of CKD patients and half of AKI episodes were identified. Conclusions: CKD and in-hospital AKI are under-recognized entities. Mortality and LOS are increased in-hospital patients with renal dysfunction. AKI severity was associated with higher mortality and LOS. An automated electronic detection system for identifying renal dysfunction would be a useful tool to improve renal outcomes. Resumen: Introducción y objetivos: El fracaso renal agudo (FRA) aumenta la mortalidad y la estancia hospitalarias (EH). El empleo de sistemas de detección electrónica podría ser una herramienta beneficiosa para mejorar estos resultados. Métodos: Se desarrolló un sistema de detección automático a tiempo real de pacientes ingresados con función renal alterada, denominado proyecto DETECT-H. El FRA se estableció de acuerdo con las guías KDIGO. Resultados: En 6 meses, 1.241 alertas fueron recogidas de 11.022 ingresos. La incidencia global del FRA fue del 7,7%. La distribución en función del estadio máximo del FRA alcanzado fue: estadio 1: 49,8%, estadio 2: 24,5% y estadio 3: 25,8%; con una mortalidad hospitalaria del 10,9, 22,7 y 33,9%, respectivamente. En el caso del FRA con necesidad de diálisis fue del 57,1%. La mortalidad en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) estable fue del 4,3%. La mediana de EH en pacientes detectados fue 8 vs. 5 días para todos los pacientes hospitalizados. El FRA se asoció con una mortalidad 3,18 (1,8-5,59) y una EH 1,52 (1,11-2,08) veces superior que aquellos ingresos sin FRA. El análisis multivariante indicó que el FRA se asociaba con la EH > 8 días.En los informes de alta, la presencia de ERC previa solo fue registrada en el 31,9% de los pacientes con ERC y el FRA hospitalario en el 45,3%. Conclusiones: La ERC y el FRA intrahospitalario son entidades infradiagnosticadas. La mortalidad y la EH están aumentadas en pacientes con disfunción renal. La gravedad del FRA se asoció con mayor mortalidad y EH. Un sistema de detección automático para identificarlos podría ser útil para mejorar estos resultados. Keywords: Acute kidney injury, Automated electronic detection system, Chronic kidney disease, Diagnosis, Health information technology, Mortality, Palabras clave: Fracaso renal agudo, Sistema de detección electrónica automática, Enfermedad renal crónica, Diagnóstico, Tecnología de información de la salud, Mortalida

Effects of Dry Needling in Teres Major Muscle in Elite Handball Athletes. A Randomised Controlled Trial

Objective: To determine the effects of dry needling (DN) in active myofascial trigger points in the teres major muscle compared to an untreated control group in pain during throwing actions, shoulder range of motion (ROM), strength, and extensibility of the tissues in professional handball (HB) athletes. Methods: A randomised, single-blinded, controlled clinical trial was designed. Thirty HB athletes with shoulder pain were randomly assigned to the DN group (n = 15) or control group (n = 15). The DN group received a single session of ultrasound-guided DN technique in the teres major muscle. The control group received no intervention. Pain intensity during throwing actions (Numeric Pain Rating Score), shoulder ROM (inclinometer), isometric strength (hand-held dynamometer), and extensibility (inclinometer) were measured before and after treatment. Results: DN group showed statistically significant improvements with large effect sizes for pain intensity (p < 0.001; E.S: 1.3), internal rotation ROM (p < 0.001; E.S: 3.0) and extensibility (p < 0.001; E.S: 2.9) compared to the control group. No statistically significant differences were found for isometric strength (p > 0.05). Conclusion: A single session of DN in the teres major muscle was effective for improving pain intensity during throwing actions, internal rotation ROM and extensibility in HB athletes with shoulder pain