Risk factors for recurrence and death after bacteraemia: A population-based study

Although most bacteraemic outcome studies have focused on mortality, a repeated episode(s) is another important outcome of bacteraemia. We sought to characterize patient factors and microbial species associated with recurrence and death from bacteraemia. Population-based surveillance for bacteraemia was conducted in a Canadian health region during 2000-2008. Episodes of bacteraemia were extracted and characterized. Transition intensities of both recurrence and death were estimated by separate multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. We identified 9713 patients with incident episodes of bacteraemia. Within 1year: 892 (9.2%) had recurrent bacteraemia, 2401 (24.7%) had died without a recurrent episode and 330 (3.4%) had died after a recurrent episode. Independent risk factors for recurrence within 1year (hazard ratio; 95% confidence interval) were: increasing Charlson comorbidity scores (score 1-2: 2.2; 1.8-2.7 and score 3+: 3.4; 2.8-4.2), origin of infection (nosocomial: 2.1; 1.8-2.6 and healthcare-associated: 2.4; 2.0-2.8), microorganism (polymicrobial: 1.5; 1.2-2.0 and fungal: 2.8; 1.9-4.2) and focus of infection (verified urogenital: 0.4; 0.3-0.6). Independent risk factors for death within 1year included: a recurrent bacteraemic episode 3.6 (3.1-4.0), increasing age and different foci of infection. This study identifies patient groups at risk of having a recurrent episode and dying from these infections. It adds recurrent bacteraemia as an independent risk factor of death within 1year and may help to target patients for prevention or changes in management.</p

Nitric oxide mediates fluid accumulation during cardiopulmonary bypass

AbstractFluid accumulation during cardiopulmonary bypass may be related to the production of endogenous vasoactive substances. We investigated the role of nitric oxide in mediating fluid accumulation during cardiopulmonary bypass. Normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass was carried out for 3 hours in male Sprague-Dawley rats with constant, nonpulsatile flow and hemodilution. Fluid accumulation (rate of change of external reservoir volume) was measured under three experimental conditions: saline solution control ( n = 8), l-arginine infusion ( n = 6), and N -nitro-l-arginine methyl ester infusion ( n = 6). At the end of the experiments, body weight and organ wet/dry ratios were examined. Percentage weight gain was 77% greater in the N -nitro-l-arginine methyl ester group and 23% less in the l-arginine group compared with control values. Fluid accumulation was increased with N -nitro-l-arginine methyl ester after 30 minutes ( p < 0.01) and reduced with l-arginine after 120 minutes ( p < 0.01) compared with control animals. Water content was significantly decreased in the heart, lung, skin, muscle and peritoneum in rats receiving l-arginine. These data suggest that endogenous nitric oxide plays an important role in minimizing fluid accumulation during cardiopulmonary bypass. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1996;112:168-74

GPs’ prescription patterns, experience, and attitudes towards medicinal cannabis—a nationwide survey at the early stage of the Danish test scheme

Abstract Background On 1 January 2018 a four-year test scheme concerning use of medicinal cannabis (MC) was enacted. It has recently been extended for four more years by the Danish Parliament permitting all Danish physicians to prescribe MC to their patients. Previous studies have shown that general practitioners (GPs) have varying prescription experience, little knowledge, and mixed attitudes about MC. However, the present evidence is still limited, and no studies exist about Danish GPs’ prescription experience, knowledge, and attitudes towards MC. Therefore, our aim was to examine Danish GPs’ prescription experience, knowledge, and attitudes towards MC. Methods A national online survey-based study addressing Danish GPs was performed from September 2018 to July 2019. We performed separate multivariable logistic regression analyses including GPs’ prescription experience, knowledge, and attitudes towards MC as outcome variables. Results A total of 427 (38.4%) of 1112 GPs completed the questionnaire. Of these, 37 (8.7%) had experience in prescribing MC. The majority had little or no knowledge about MC (80.6%) as well as a negative view on prescription of MC (71.4%) to patients. Factors associated with prescribing MC to patients were: Single-handed practices (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.1;1.8) and perception of having quite some knowledge about MC (OR = 4.8, 95% CI 2.2;10.4). Factors associated with having quite some knowledge about MC were: having a positive attitude towards prescribing MC (OR = 5.2, 95% CI 1.9;14.0), being male (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.4;1.8), and being at least 60 years of age (OR = 2.8, 95% CI 1.3;6.0). Factors associated with having a positive attitude towards prescribing MC were: having quite some knowledge about MC (OR = 5.2, 95% CI 2.2;12.5) and GPs being male (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.1;1.9). Conclusion In this first study on prescription experience, knowledge, and attitudes about MC among Danish GPs, conducted one year after the Danish test scheme was enacted, we find a very low proportion of prescribers, little knowledge, and an overall negative attitude towards MC. Among the prescribing GPs, four in ten have little to no knowledge and a negative attitude towards MC. We stress that prescribing patterns, knowledge, and attitudes may change throughout the remaining time of the test scheme

Impact of appropriate empirical antibiotic treatment on recurrence and mortality in patients with bacteraemia:a population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND: Data on the impact of empirical antibiotic treatment (EAT) on patient outcome in a population-based setting are sparse. We assessed the association between EAT and the risk of recurrence within one year, short-term- (2–30 days) and long-term (31–365 days) mortality in a Danish cohort of bacteraemia patients. METHODS: A cohort study including all patients hospitalized with incident bacteraemia during 2007–2008 in the Copenhagen City and County areas and the North Denmark Region. EAT was defined as the antibiotic treatment given at the 1(st) notification of a positive blood culture. The definition of recurrence took account of pathogen species, site of infection, and time frame and was not restricted to homologous pathogens. The vital status was determined through the civil registration system. Association estimates between EAT and the outcomes were estimated by Cox and logistic regression models. RESULTS: In 6483 eligible patients, 712 (11%) had a recurrent episode. A total of 3778 (58%) patients received appropriate EAT, 1290 (20%) received inappropriate EAT, while EAT status was unrecorded for 1415 (22%) patients. The 2–30 day mortality was 15.1%, 17.4% and 19.2% in patients receiving appropriate EAT, inappropriate EAT, and unknown EAT, respectively. Among patients alive on day 30, the 31–365 day mortality was 22.3% in patients given appropriate EAT compared to 30.7% in those given inappropriate EAT. Inappropriate EAT was independently associated with recurrence (HR 1.25; 95% CI = 1.03–1.52) and long-term mortality (OR 1.35; 95% CI = 1.10–1.60), but not with short-term mortality (OR 0.85; 95% CI = 0.70–1.02) after bacteraemia. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that appropriate EAT is associated with reduced incidence of recurrence and lower long-term mortality following bacteraemia. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-017-2233-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users