Associations of microvascular complications with all-cause death in patients with diabetes and COVID-19:the CORONADO, ABCD Covid-19 audit and AMERICADO study groups

AIM: To provide a detailled analysis of the microvascular burden in patients with diabetes hopitalized for COVD‐19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed data from the French CORONADO initiative and the UK Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) COVID‐19 audit, two nationwide multicentre studies, and the AMERICADO, a multicentre study conducted in New York area. We assessed the association between risk of all‐cause death during hospital stay and the following microvascular complications in patients with diabetes hospitalized for COVID‐19: diabetic retinopathy and/or diabetic kidney disease and/or history of diabetic foot ulcer. RESULTS: Among 2951 CORONADO, 3387 ABCD COVID‐19 audit and 9327 AMERICADO participants, microvascular diabetic complications status was ascertained for 1314 (44.5%), 1809 (53.4%) and 7367 (79.0%) patients, respectively: 1010, 1059 and 1800, respectively, had ≥1 severe microvascular complication(s) and 304, 750 and 5567, respectively, were free of any complications. The patients with isolated diabetic kidney disease had an increased risk of all‐cause death during hospital stay: odds ratio [OR] 2.53 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.66‐3.83), OR 1.24 (95% CI 1.00‐1.56) and OR 1.66 (95% CI 1.40‐1.95) in the CORONADO, the ABCD COVID‐19 national audit and the AMERICADO studies, respectively. After adjustment for age, sex, hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD), compared to those without microvascular complications, patients with microvascular complications had an increased risk of all‐cause death during hospital stay in the CORONADO, the ABCD COVID‐19 diabetes national audit and the AMERICADO studies: adjusted OR ((adj)OR) 2.57 (95% CI 1.69‐3.92), (adj)OR 1.22 (95% CI 1.00‐1.52) and (adj)OR 1.33 (95% CI 1.15‐1.53), respectively. In meta‐analysis of the three studies, compared to patients free of complications, those with microvascular complications had an unadjusted OR for all‐cause death during hospital stay of 2.05 (95% CI 1.42‐2.97), which decreased to 1.62 (95% CI 1.19‐2.119) after adjustment for age and sex, and to 1.50 (1.12‐2.02) after hypertension and CVD were further added to the model. CONCLUSION: Microvascular burden is associated with an increased risk of death in patients hospitalized for COVID‐19

Ensuring fidelity: key elements to consider in disseminating a diabetes telemanagement program for underserved Hispanic/Latinos living with type 2 diabetes

BackgroundThe Hispanic/Latino population has greater risk (estimated >50%) of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) and developing it at a younger age. The American Diabetes Association estimates costs of diagnosed diabetes in 2017 was $327 billion; with medical costs 2.3x higher than patients without diabetes. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the methodology utilized in a randomized controlled trial aimed at evaluating the efficacy of a diabetes telemanagement (DTM) program for Hispanic/Latino patients with T2D. The intent is to provide information for future investigators to ensure that this study can be accurately replicated.MethodsThis study was a randomized controlled trial with 240 participants. Eligible patients (Hispanic/Latino, aged 18+, living with T2D) were randomized to Comprehensive Outpatient Management (COM) or DTM. DTM was comprised of usual care, including routine clinic visits every three months, as well as: Biometrics (a tablet, blood glucose meter, blood pressure monitor, and scale); Weekly Video Visits (facilitated in the patient’s preferred language); and Educational Videos (including culturally congruent diabetes self-management education and quizzes). COM consisted of usual care including routine clinic visits every three months. For this study, COM patients received a glucometer, glucose test strips, and lancets. Establishing a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship was a fundamental component of our study for both groups. First contact (post-enrollment) centered on ensuring that patients and caregivers understood the program, building trust and rapport, creating a non-judgmental environment, determining language preference, and establishing scheduling availability (including evenings and weekends). DTM were provided with a tablet which allowed for self-paced education through videos and weekly video visits. The research team and Community Advisory Board identified appropriate educational video content, which was incorporated in diabetes educational topics. Video visits allowed us to assess patient involvement, motivation, and nonverbal communication. Communicating in Spanish, and awareness of diverse Hispanic/Latino backgrounds was critical, as using relevant and commonly-used terms can increase adherence and improve outcomes. Shared decision-making was encouraged to make realistic health care choices.ConclusionKey elements discussed above provide a framework for future dissemination of an evidence-based DTM intervention to meet the needs of underserved Hispanic/Latino people living with T2D

Perceptions of a longitudinal standardized patient experience by standardized patients, medical students, and faculty

Background: Longitudinal standardized patient (LSP) experiences mimic clinical practice by allowing students to interact with standardized patients (SPs) over time. LSP cases facilitate practice, assessment, and feedback in clinical skills and foster an appreciation for the continuum of care. Objective: We sought to characterize the nature of relationship-building, feedback, and continuity among all stakeholders participating in a single LSP program. Design: We developed and implemented a novel LSP program. Students encountered two LSP characters six times each during the first 2 years of medical school, though continuity pairings of students, SPs, and faculty were frequently not possible. Focus groups were held with second-year medical students (N = 15), core faculty who coached these students in LSP encounters (N = 8), and SPs who had played the role of either LSP character (N = 10) participated. Results were analyzed thematically using a template analysis approach. Results: The longitudinal nature of the experience reinforced the importance of student growth over time, the key role of faculty and SPs in providing feedback, and the tension between feedback and assessment. Students reported that LSP cases encouraged practice and feedback. SPs felt wedded to the longitudinal characters. Continuity pairings were recommended by all stakeholders to increase authenticity and promote relationship-building. Conclusion: Stakeholders observed that the LSP cases brought some sense of continuity missing in other clinical skills encounters which helped prepare students for patient care. Continuity pairings of students, faculty, and SPs were recommended to enhance relationship-building and feedback

The impact of a palliative care unit on mortality rate and length of stay for medical intensive care unit patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the impact of a 10-bed inpatient palliative care unit (PCU) on medical intensive care unit (MICU) mortality and length of stay (LOS) for terminally ill patients following the opening of an inpatient PCU. We hypothesized that MICU mortality and LOS would be reduced through the creation of a more appropriate location of care for critically ill MICU patients who were dying. METHOD: We performed a retrospective electronic database review of all MICU discharges from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2009 (5,035 cases). Data collected included MICU mortality, MICU LOS, and mean age. The PCU opened on January 1, 2008. We compared location of death for MICU patients during the 2-year period before and the 2-year period after the opening of the PCU. RESULTS: Our data showed that the mean MICU mortality and MICU LOS both significantly decreased following the opening of the PCU, from 21 to 15.8% (p = 0.003), and from 4.6 to 4.0 days (p = 0.014), respectively. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The creation of an inpatient PCU resulted in a statistically significant reduction in both MICU mortality rate and MICU LOS, as terminally ill patients were transitioned out of the MICU to the PCU for end-of-life care. Our data support the hypothesis that a dedicated inpatient PCU, capable of providing care to patients requiring mechanical ventilation or vasoactive agents, can protect terminally ill patients from an ICU death, while providing more appropriate care to dying patients and their loved ones

Metformin therapy and postoperative atrial fibrillation in diabetic patients after cardiac surgery

Abstract Background Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) commonly occurs in cardiac surgery patients. Studies suggest inflammation and oxidative stress contribute to postoperative AF development in this patient population. Metformin exerts an anti-inflammatory effect that reduces oxidative stress and thus may play a role in preventing postoperative AF. Methods We conducted a matched, retrospective cohort study of diabetic patients’ age ≥18 undergoing a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and/or cardiac valve surgery from January 1, 2009, to November 30, 2014. We extracted data from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Adult Cardiac Surgery Database. Primary exposure was ongoing metformin use at a dose of ≥ 500 mg in effect before cardiac surgery as captured before admission. Primary study outcome was postoperative AF incidence. Matching was used to reduce selection bias between metformin and non-metformin groups. Comparison between the groups after matching was accomplished using the McNemar test or paired t test. Results Out of the 4177 patients with cardiac surgery (CABG and/or valve surgery), 1283 patients met our study criteria. These patients were grouped into metformin [n = 635 (49.5%)] and non-metformin [n = 648 (50.5%)] users. Pre-matching, postoperative AF was found in 149 (23.5%) patients in the metformin group and 172 (26.5%) in the non-metformin group (p = 0.2088). Matching resulted in a total of 114 patients in each group (metformin vs. non-metformin). We found no statistically significant difference for postoperative AF between the two groups after matching (p = 0.8964). Conclusions Prior use of metformin therapy in diabetic patients undergoing cardiac surgery was not associated with decreased rate of postoperative AF

Paget-Schroetter syndrome in the absence of common predisposing factors: a case report

Abstract Background Paget-Schrotter Syndrome (PSS) also known as “effort thrombosis” is a form of primary thrombosis in the subclavian vein at the costoclavicular junction is usually seen in younger patients after repeated strenuous activity of the shoulders and arms. When occurring in younger patients, PSS presents itself with predisposing factors such as unilateral dull, aching pain in the shoulder or axilla and swelling of the arm and hand. Case Presentation We report a rare case of unusual left axillo-subclavian vein thrombosis in absence of clear risk factors and a negative hypercoagulable workup in a 36-year-old Hispanic woman who presented with 2 days duration of left upper extremity pain and swelling after a week of heavy exercise in aerobic class. Very few documented cases of primary or spontaneous ASVT in absence of clear factors and in such anatomical location have been previously reported. The patient was started on strict precautions of left upper extremity immobilization, analgesics in the form of Tylenol 650 mg every 6 h for pain as well as cold compresses. Lovenox 90 mg subcutaneous twice daily (1 mg/kg BID) was started together with warfarin to keep INR 2–3. Conclusion In addition to the unusual location in the left upper extremity in our case, the absence of common etiologic factors makes our case of Paget-Schroetter Syndrome a very unique one. Presently, there is a lack of guided management of rare conditions such as our case, or consensus among the sources. Physicians should be aware of this rare disease since untreated conditions may be debilitating for the patient and very costly especially if diagnosed with a delay

Palliative medicine consultation impacts DNR designation and length of stay for terminal medical MICU patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a palliative medicine consultation on medical intensive care unit (MICU) and hospital length of stay, Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) designation, and location of death for MICU patients who died during hospitalization. METHOD: A comparison of two retrospective cohorts in a 17-bed MICU in a tertiary care university-affiliated hospital was conducted. Patients admitted to the MICU between January 1, 2003 and June 30, 2004 (N = 515) were compared to MICU patients who had had a palliative medicine consultation between January 1, 2005 and June 1, 2009 (N = 693). To control for disease severity, only patients in both cohorts who died during their hospitalization were considered for this study. RESULTS: Palliative medicine consultation reduced time until death during the entire hospitalization (log-rank test, p \u3c 0.01). Time from MICU admission until death was also reduced (log-rank test, p \u3c 0.01), further demonstrating the impact of the palliative care consultation on the duration of dying for hospitalized patients. The intervention group contained a significantly higher percentage of patients with a DNR designation at death than did the control group (86% vs. 68%, χ2 test, p \u3c 0.0001). SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Palliative medicine consultation is associated with an increased rate of DNR designation and reduced time until death. Patients in the intervention group were also more likely to die outside the MICU as compared to controls in the usual care group