A Retrospective Study

Publisher Copyright: © 2022, The Author(s).Diabetes is a risk factor for greater severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) is an independent predictor of critical illness, and it is reported to have a stronger association than absolute hyperglycemia. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of absolute hyperglycemia and SHR with the severity of COVID-19, since there are no studies investigating SHR in patients with COVID-19. We conducted a retrospective observational study on hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in the first months of the pandemic, regarding absolute hyperglycemia, SHR, and severity outcomes. Of the 374 patients, 28.1% had a previous diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Absolute hyperglycemia (64.8% versus 22.7%; p < 0.01) and SHR [1.1 (IQR 0.9–1.3) versus 1.0 (IQR 0.9–1.2); p < 0.001] showed a statistically significant association with previous diabetes. Absolute hyperglycemia showed a significant association with clinical severity of COVID-19 (79.0% versus 62.7%; p < 0.001), need for oxygen therapy (74.8% versus 54.4%; p < 0.001), invasive mechanical ventilation (28.6% versus 11.6%; p < 0.001), and intensive care unit (30.3% versus 14.9%; p = 0.002), but not with mortality; by contrast, there was no statistically significant association between SHR and all these parameters. Our results are in agreement with the literature regarding the impact of absolute hyperglycemia on COVID-19 severity outcomes, while SHR was not a significant marker. We therefore suggest that SHR should not be evaluated in all patients admitted in the hospital for COVID-19, and we encourage the standard measures at admission of blood glucose and HbA1c levels.publishersversionepub_ahead_of_prin

Absolute hyperglycemia versus stress hyperglycemia ratio for the prognosis of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in the first months of the pandemic: a retrospective study

Diabetes is a risk factor for the greater severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) is an independent predictor of critical illness, and it is reported to have a stronger association than absolute hyperglycemia. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between absolute hyperglycemia and SHR with the severity of COVID-19 since there are no studies investigating SHR in patients with COVID-19. We conducted a retrospective observational study on hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in the first months of the pandemic, regarding absolute hyperglycemia, SHR, and severity outcomes. Of the 374 patients, 28.1% had a previous diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Absolute hyperglycemia (64.8% versus 22.7%; p < 0.01) and SHR [1.1 (IQR 0.9-1.3) versus 1.0 (IQR 0.9-1.2); p < 0.001] showed a statistically significant association with previous diabetes. Absolute hyperglycemia showed a significant association with the clinical severity of COVID-19 (79.0% versus 62.7%; p < 0.001), need for oxygen therapy (74.8% versus 54.4%; p < 0.001), invasive mechanical ventilation (28.6% versus 11.6%; p < 0.001), and intensive care unit (30.3% versus 14.9%; p = 0.002), but not with mortality; by contrast, there was no statistically significant association between SHR and all these parameters. Our results are in agreement with the literature regarding the impact of absolute hyperglycemia on COVID-19 severity outcomes, while SHR was not a significant marker. We, therefore, suggest that SHR should not be evaluated in all patients admitted to the hospital for COVID-19, and we encourage the standard measures at the admission of blood glucose and HbA1c levels.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Does the hyperglycemia impact on COVID-19 outcomes depend upon the presence of diabetes? An observational study

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has emerged as a major risk factor for COVID-19 severity and SARS-CoV-2 infection can worsen glycemic control and may precipitate new-onset diabetes. At-admission hyperglycemia (AH) is a known predictor for worse outcomes in many diseases and seems to have a similar effect in COVID-19 patients. In this study, we aimed to assess the impact of AH regardless of pre-existing diabetes mellitus and new-onset diabetes diagnosis in the clinical severity of COVID-19 inpatients in the first months of the pandemic. A retrospective monocentric study on 374 COVID-19 inpatients (209 males) was developed to assess associations between AH (blood glucose levels in the Emergency Department or the first 24 h of hospitalization greater than 140 mg/dL) and severity outcomes (disease severity, respiratory support, admission to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and mortality) in patients with and without diabetes. Considering diabetic patients with AH (N = 68;18.1%) there was a correlation with COVID-19 severity (p = 0.03), invasive mechanical ventilation (p = 0.008), and ICU admission (p = 0.026). No correlation was present with any severity outcomes in diabetic patients without AH (N = 33; 8.8%). All of the New-onset Diabetes patients (N = 15; 4%) had AH, and 12 had severe COVID-19; additionally, five patients were admitted to the ICU and three patients died. However, severity outcomes did not reach statistical correlation significance in this group. In nondiabetic patients with AH (N = 51; 13.6%), there was a statistically significant association with the need for oxygen therapy (p = 0.001), invasive mechanical ventilation (p = 0.01), and ICU admission (p = 0.03). Our results support data regarding the impact of AH on severity outcomes. It also suggests an effect of AH on the prognosis of COVID-19 inpatients, regardless of the presence of pre-existing diabetes or new-onset diabetes. We reinforce the importance to assess at admission glycemia in all patients admitted with COVID-19.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dificuldades e estratégias na integração ao cuidado da pessoa em situação crítica: uma scoping review

Introduction: The nurses’ integration in specialized care provision to critically ill patients is an increasing concern in the context of hiring and mobilizing nursing professionals. An adequate integration is crucial for the nurses’ success and adaptation to the new service, as well as to ensure the quality and safety of the provided care. Objective: To map the existing knowledge on the difficulties experienced by nurses, as well as on the strategies that facilitate their integration in specialized care provision to the critically ill. Method: A scoping review was conducted, following the method proposed in the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers’ Manual 2015. The following were used as inclusion criteria: Population - nurses; Concept - the experienced difficulties and the strategies employed to facilitate the nurses’ integration; Context - the provision of care to the critically ill. A total of 13 articles, published until May 2020, were included. Results: The following difficulties were reported: communication issues with the team, as well as with the patients and/or their relatives; overall stress; dealing with complex health conditions, as well as with intricate procedures and/or techniques; work overload; high staff turnover rate between services; dealing with a patient’s death and/or with organ donation planning. The following were pointed out as facilitating strategies: simulated practice; performing teamwork; assignment of a nursing supervisor/tutor; receiving feedback; developing resilience mechanisms. Conclusion: As regards care provision, the nurses’ integration process requires planning and the inclusion of facilitating strategies is crucial. Simulated practice leads to the acquisition of fundamental skills, as does the assignment of a nursing supervisor/tutor and receiving feedback on the conducted tasks. In addition to overcoming the difficulties experienced, these strategies also allow developing resilience and coping mechanisms, which help prevent burnout and the adverse effects caused by the high staff turnover rate between services.Introdução: A integração do enfermeiro no cuidado à pessoa em situação crítica constitui uma preocupação cada vez maior devido à mobilização e contratação de profissionais de enfermagem. Uma integração adequada é crucial para o sucesso e adaptação do enfermeiro ao novo serviço, garantindo a qualidade e segurança do cuidado. Objetivo: Mapear o conhecimento relativamente às dificuldades sentidas pelo enfermeiro e estratégias que podem facilitar a sua integração no cuidado à pessoa em situação crítica. Método: Foi realizada uma Scoping Review, com base no Joanna Briggs Institute. Critérios de inclusão: População - enfermeiro; Conceito - dificuldades sentidas e as estratégias facilitadoras na integração; Contexto - cuidado à pessoa em situação crítica. Foram incluídos 13 artigos, publicados até maio de 2020. Resultados: Dificuldades sentidas pelos enfermeiros: comunicação com a equipa, pessoa em situação crítica e/ou familiares; stress; complexidade da situação de saúde, técnicas e/ou procedimentos realizados; sobrecarga de trabalho; rotatividade de enfermeiros entre serviços; lidar com a morte e/ou a doação de órgãos. Estratégias facilitadoras: simulação de situações reais; trabalho em equipa; enfermeiro de referência/tutor; transmissão de feedback; estratégias de resiliência. Conclusão: O processo de integração requer planeamento, sendo crucial o desenvolvimento de estratégias que o facilitem. O treino através da simulação de práticas leva à aquisição de competências fundamentais para o cuidado, tal como a atribuição de um enfermeiro tutor e feedback sobre o trabalho desenvolvido. Isto permite colmatar as dificuldades sentidas através da construção da resiliência e estratégias de coping, prevenindo o burnout e a rotatividade dos profissionais entre serviços.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Relatório estágio profissional

Relatório final do estágio profissionalizante do 6.º an

Adrenal Vein Sampling in the Management of Primary Aldosteronism: The Added Value of Intraprocedural Cortisol Assessment

Introduction. Primary aldosteronism is the most common cause of secondary hypertension. Adrenal vein sampling is the gold standard for subtyping primary aldosteronism. However, this procedure is technically challenging and often has a low success rate. Our center is one of the very few performing this technique in our country with an increasing experience. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the cortisol intraprocedural assay in improving the performance of adrenal vein sampling. Design. We enrolled all of the patients with primary aldosteronism that underwent adrenal vein sampling from February 2016 to April 2023. The cortisol intraprocedural assay was introduced in October 2021. Methods. We enrolled a total of 50 adrenal vein samplings performed on 43 patients with the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism. In this sample, 19 patients and 24 patients underwent adrenal vein sampling before and after intraprocedural cortisol measurement, respectively. The procedure was repeated in seven patients (one before and six after intraprocedural cortisol measurement), given the unsuccess of the first exam. Selectivity of the adrenal vein sampling was assumed if the serum cortisol concentration from the adrenal vein was at least five times higher than that of the inferior vena cava. Lateralization was assumed if the aldosterone to cortisol ratio of one adrenal vein was at least four times the aldosterone to cortisol ratio of the contralateral side. Results. The mean age of the patients that underwent adrenal vein sampling (N = 43) was 55.2 ± 8.9 years, and 53.5% (n = 23) were female. The mean interval between the diagnosis of hypertension and the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism was 9.8 years (±9.9). At diagnosis, 62.8% of the patients (n = 27) had hypokalemia (mean value of 3 mmol/L (±0.34)), 88.4% (n = 38) had adrenal abnormalities on preprocedural CT scan, and 67.4% (n = 29) described as unilateral nodules. There were no statistically significant differences in the patients’ baseline characteristics between the two groups (before and after intraprocedural cortisol measurement). Before intraprocedural cortisol measurement, adrenal vein sampling selectivity was achieved in 35% (n = 7) patients. Selectivity increased to 100% (30/30) after intraprocedural cortisol measurement (p<0.001). With the exception of one patient who refused it, all patients with lateralized disease underwent unilateral adrenalectomy with normalization of the aldosterone to renin ratio postoperatively. Conclusions. The lack of effective alternatives in subtyping primary aldosteronism highlights the need to improve the success rate of adrenal vein sampling. In this study, intraprocedural cortisol measurement allowed a selectivity of 100%. Its addition to this procedure protocol should be considered, especially in centers with a low success rate

Pituitary metastasis as the first manifestation of lung carcinoma

Abstract Pituitary metastases are rare. Clinical presentation could range from asymptomatic to panhypopituitarism or local symptoms. We present a case report of a 43‐year‐old male patient with a new onset headache, visual disturbances, and panhypopituitarism. The investigation led to the diagnosis of pituitary metastasis as the first manifestation of underlying lung cancer

Metastatic pituitary neuroendocrine neoplasms: A case report of a malignant prolactinoma

Key Clinical Message We report a rare clinical case of a malignant prolactinoma in which the exponential increase of prolactin levels with minimal tumor growth and no response to treatment led to diagnosis of abdominal, thoracic, and vertebral metastases

Difficulties and strategies associated with nurse integration in critical care provision: a scoping review

Introducción: La integración del enfermero en el cuidado de la persona en situación crítica es una preocupación creciente debido a la movilización y contratación de profesionales. Una integración adecuada es fundamental para el éxito y adaptación del enfermero al servicio nuevo, garantizando la calidad y seguridad del cuidado. Objetivo: Mapear el conocimiento sobre las dificultades del enfermero y las estrategias que pueden facilitar su integración en el cuidado de las personas en situación crítica. Método: Se realizó una revisión de alcance, basada en el Instituto Joanna Briggs. Criterios de inclusión: Población - Enfermero; Concepto - dificultades experimentadas y estrategias que facilitan la integración; Contexto - Cuidado a la persona en situación crítica. Se incluyeron 13 artículos, publicados hasta mayo de 2020. Resultados: Dificultades experimentadas por los enfermeros: comunicación con el equipo, personas en situación crítica y/ o familiares; estrés; complejidad de la situación de salud, técnicas y/ o procedimientos realizados; sobrecarga de trabajo; rotación de enfermeros entre servicios; afrontar la muerte y/ o la donación de órganos. Estrategias facilitadoras: simulación de situaciones reales; trabajo en equipo; enfermero/ tutor de referencia; transmisión de informaciones de retorno; estrategias de resiliencia. Conclusión: El proceso de integración requiere planificación y el desarrollo de estrategias que lo hagan más sencillo es fundamental. La formación a través de la simulación de prácticas conduce a la adquisición de habilidades fundamentales para el cuidado, como la asignación de un enfermero tutor e información de retorno sobre el trabajo desarrollado. Esto permite subsanar las dificultades experimentadas a través de la resiliencia y estrategias de afrontamiento, evitando el bounout y la rotación de profesionales entre servicios.Introdução: A integração do enfermeiro no cuidado à pessoa em situação crítica constitui uma preocupação cada vez maior devido à mobilização e contratação de profissionais de enfermagem. Uma integração adequada é crucial para o sucesso e adaptação do enfermeiro ao novo serviço, garantindo a qualidade e segurança do cuidado. Objetivo: Mapear o conhecimento relativamente às dificuldades sentidas pelo enfermeiro e estratégias que podem facilitar a sua integração no cuidado à pessoa em situação crítica. Método: Foi realizada uma Scoping Review, com base no Joanna Briggs Institute. Critérios de inclusão: População - enfermeiro; Conceito - dificuldades sentidas e as estratégias facilitadoras na integração; Contexto - cuidado à pessoa em situação crítica. Foram incluídos 13 artigos, publicados até maio de 2020. Resultados: Dificuldades sentidas pelos enfermeiros: comunicação com a equipa, pessoa em situação crítica e/ou familiares; stress; complexidade da situação de saúde, técnicas e/ou procedimentos realizados; sobrecarga de trabalho; rotatividade de enfermeiros entre serviços; lidar com a morte e/ou a doação de órgãos. Estratégias facilitadoras: simulação de situações reais; trabalho em equipa; enfermeiro de referência/tutor; transmissão de feedback; estratégias de resiliência. Conclusão: O processo de integração requer planeamento, sendo crucial o desenvolvimento de estratégias que o facilitem. O treino através da simulação de práticas leva à aquisição de competências fundamentais para o cuidado, tal como a atribuição de um enfermeiro tutor e feedback sobre o trabalho desenvolvido. Isto permite colmatar as dificuldades sentidas através da construção da resiliência e estratégias de coping, prevenindo o burnout e a rotatividade dos profissionais entre serviços.Introduction: The nurses’ integration in specialized care provision to critically ill patients is an increasing concern in the context of hiring and mobilizing nursing professionals. An adequate integration is crucial for the nurses’ success and adaptation to the new service, as well as to ensure the quality and safety of the provided care. Objective: To map the existing knowledge on the difficulties experienced by nurses, as well as on the strategies that facilitate their integration in specialized care provision to the critically ill. Method: A scoping review was conducted, following the method proposed in the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers’ Manual 2015. The following were used as inclusion criteria: Population - nurses; Concept - the experienced difficulties and the strategies employed to facilitate the nurses’ integration; Context - the provision of care to the critically ill. A total of 13 articles, published until May 2020, were included. Results: Thefollowing difficulties were reported: communication issues with the team, as well as with the patients and/or their relatives; overall stress; dealing with complex health conditions, as well as with intricate procedures and/or techniques; work overload; high staff turnover rate between services; dealing with a patient’s death and/or with organ donation planning. The following were pointed out as facilitating strategies: simulated practice; performing teamwork; assignment of a nursing supervisor/tutor; receiving feedback; developing resilience mechanisms. Conclusion: As regards care provision, the nurses’ integration process requires planning and the inclusion of facilitating strategies is crucial. Simulated practice leads to the acquisition of fundamental skills, as does the assignment of a nursing supervisor/tutor and receiving feedback on the conducted tasks. In addition to overcoming the difficulties experienced, these strategies also allow developing resilience and coping mechanisms, which help prevent burnout and the adverse effects caused by the high staff turnover rate between services