Analysis of the flow-volume curve in children and adolescents with allergic rhinitis without asthma

Introducción. Existen evidencias epidemiológicas, funcionales y patológicas que vinculan las vías aéreas superior e inferior, reconocidas clínicamente como una vía aérea única. Los pacientes con rinitis alérgica sin asma podrían presentar anormalidades espirométricas subclínicas. Objetivos. Describir los resultados de las curvas fujo-volumen en un grupo de pacientes con rinitis alérgica sin asma y analizar las posibles asociaciones entre las variables antropométricas, clínicas y bioquímicas con los resultados anormales de las pruebas espirométricas. Población y métodos. Estudio observacional descriptivo, en el que se incluyeron niños y adolescentes de entre 6 y 18 años con síntomas de rinitis alérgica sin asma. Se estableció la edad, el sexo, el índice de masa corporal y la duración de la rinitis por la historia clínica. Se realizaron pruebas cutáneas con alérgenos, espirometría por curva fujo-volumen, determinación de eosinóflos en la sangre y la secreción nasal, e IgE sérica total. Resultados. Se estudiaron 84 pacientes; 21 (25%; IC 95% 15,1 a 34,8) presentaron alguna variable espirométrica alterada. El índice FEV1/FVC fue el más afectado (10/84; 12% IC 95% 4,3 a 19,4). El análisis de regresión logística múltiple determinó que la alteración espirométrica se asoció con el número de eosinóflos en la sangre (OR 1,00229; IC 95% 1,00022 a 1,00436; p= 0,03) y el índice de masa corporal (OR 1,31282; IC 95% 1,08611 a 1,58685; p= 0,0049). Conclusiones. Los resultados muestran la presencia de alteraciones espirométricas en un importante porcentaje de niños y adolescentes con rinitis alérgica sin asma. El recuento absoluto de eosinóflos en la sangre y el índice de masa corporal estarían asociados a la alteración subclínica de la función pulmonar.Fil: Ianero, Luciano. Universidad Catolica de Cordoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Saranz, Ricardo J.. Universidad Catolica de Cordoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Lozano, Natalia I.. Universidad Catolica de Cordoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Lozano, Alejandro. Universidad Catolica de Cordoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Sasia, Laura. Universidad Catolica de Cordoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Ramirez, Maximiliano. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Cuestas, Eduardo. Universidad Catolica de Cordoba. Facultad de Medicina; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

impact of frequency and severity of rhinitis on lung function in children and adolescents without asthma

Introducción. Se han observado alteraciones espirométricas en pacientes con rinitis, sin asma, proporcionales al grado clínico de la rinitis establecido por la guía Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA). Recientemente se ha validado una nueva clasificación de la rinitis como ARIA modificada (ARIAm), que disocia la forma moderada de la grave. Se desconoce el impacto de la rinitis sobre la función pulmonar considerando su frecuencia y gravedad por separado. Objetivos. Determinar las posibles alteraciones de la función pulmonar y su potencial reversibilidad al broncodilatador en niños y adolescentes con rinitis alérgica y no alérgica sin asma, de acuerdo a su frecuencia (intermitente y persistente) y gravedad (leve, moderada y grave) establecida según ARIAm. Población y métodos. Estudio observacional, analítico de corte transversal, que incluyó pacientes de ambos sexos, entre 5 y 18 años, con rinitis alérgica y no alérgica, sin asma. Se realizó espirometría por curva flujo-volumen y se analizó la existencia de anormalidades en la función pulmonar y la respuesta broncodilatadora en relación con el grado de rinitis por ARIAm ajustando un modelo logístico. Se consideró un valor de p<0,05 para establecer significación estadística. Resultados. Se incluyeron 189 pacientes. En 42 (22,2%) se observó al menos un parámetro alterado en la función pulmonar. Los pacientes con rinitis persistente exhibieron mayor afectación de la función pulmonar que los de grado intermitente (p=0,0257). El defecto funcional fue más frecuente en las formas grave y moderada que en el grado leve (p=0,0052) y fue independiente de la condición de atopia (p=0,1574 para frecuencia y p =0,5378 para gravedad). No se encontró diferencia en la reversibilidad al broncodilatador entre los grupos (p=0,1859 y p=0,0575, respectivamente). Conclusiones. La alteración de la función pulmonar se asoció con rinitis persistente. Fue más prevalente en las formas moderada y grave pero no existieron diferencias significativas entre ambas. El defecto funcional se demostró tanto en rinitis alérgica como no alérgica.Background: Subclinical spirometric abnormalities have been observed in patients with rhinitis without asthma, proportional to the clinical grade established by Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guideline. Recently has been validated a new criteria of rhinitis classification designed as ARIA modified (ARIAm), which allow to discrimination moderate to severe grades. Rhinitis impact on lung function according to frequency and severity considering separately is unknown. Objectives: To investigate possible subclinical alterations in lung function and bronchodilator reversibility in children and adolescents with allergic and non-allergic rhinitis without asthma, according to the frequency and severity criteria of rhinitis classified by ARIAm. Methods: In an observational cross sectional study we included children and adolescents aged 5 to 18 years with symptoms of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis without asthma. Spirometry was performed by flow-volume curve and we analyzed the abnormalities in respiratory function and bronchodilator response in relation to clinical grade of rhinitis by ARIAm using an adjusted logistic model. A p value Results: We studied 189 patients; 42 (22.2%) had some spirometric abnormalities. Patients with persistent rhinitis had greater impairment of lung function compared to intermittently grade (p = 0.0257). The functional defect was more frequent in rhinitis severe and moderate than mild grade (p = 0.0052) and was independent of atopy status both frequency (p = 0.1574) and severity (p=0.5378). There was no difference in bronchodilator reversibility between groups (p = 0.1859 and p = 0.0575 respectively). Conclusion: Impaired lung function was associated with persistent rhinitis. It was more prevalent in moderate and severe rhinitis, but there wasn’t a significant difference between them. The functional defect was demonstrated in both allergic and nonallergic rhinitis.Fil: Saranz, Ricardo J.. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clínica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Lozano, Alejandro. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clínica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Lozano, Natalia A.. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clínica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Bovina Martijena, María del Pilar. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clínica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Sasia, Laura V.. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clínica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Berardi, Yanina V.. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clínica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Agresta, María Fernanda. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Ianiero, Luciano. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Ponzio, Marina Flavia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Fisiología Humana y Física Biomédica. Cátedra de Fisiología Humana; Argentin

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Pediatric trauma and emergency surgery: an international cross-sectional survey among WSES members

Background: In contrast to adults, the situation for pediatric trauma care from an international point of view and the global management of severely injured children remain rather unclear. The current study investigates structural management of pediatric trauma in centers of different trauma levels as well as experiences with pediatric trauma management around the world. Methods: A web-survey had been distributed to the global mailing list of the World Society of Emergency Surgery from 10/2021-03/2022, investigating characteristics of respondents and affiliated hospitals, case-load of pediatric trauma patients, capacities and infrastructure for critical care in children, trauma team composition, clinical work-up and individual experiences with pediatric trauma management in response to patients´ age. The collaboration group was subdivided regarding sizes of affiliated hospitals to allow comparisons concerning hospital volumes. Comparable results were conducted to statistical analysis. Results: A total of 133 participants from 34 countries, i.e. 5 continents responded to the survey. They were most commonly affiliated with larger hospitals (&gt; 500 beds in 72.9%) and with level I or II trauma centers (82.0%), respectively. 74.4% of hospitals offer unrestricted pediatric medical care, but only 63.2% and 42.9% of the participants had sufficient experiences with trauma care in children ≤ 10 and ≤ 5 years of age (p = 0.0014). This situation is aggravated in participants from smaller hospitals (p &lt; 0.01). With regard to hospital size (≤ 500 versus &gt; 500 in-hospital beds), larger hospitals were more likely affiliated with advanced trauma centers, more elaborated pediatric intensive care infrastructure (p &lt; 0.0001), treated children at all ages more frequently (p = 0.0938) and have higher case-loads of severely injured children &lt; 12 years of age (p = 0.0009). Therefore, the majority of larger hospitals reserve either pediatric surgery departments or board-certified pediatric surgeons (p &lt; 0.0001) and in-hospital trauma management is conducted more multi-disciplinarily. However, the majority of respondents does not feel prepared for treatment of severe pediatric trauma and call for special educational and practical training courses (overall: 80.2% and 64.3%, respectively). Conclusions: Multi-professional management of pediatric trauma and individual experiences with severely injured children depend on volumes, level of trauma centers and infrastructure of the hospital. However, respondents from hospitals at all levels of trauma care complain about an alarming lack of knowledge on pediatric trauma management

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative sars-cov-2 infection: An international cohort study

Background The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (740%) had emergency surgery and 280 (248%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (261%) patients. 30-day mortality was 238% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (512%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 380% (219 of 577), accounting for 817% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 175 [95% CI 128-240], p&lt;00001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (230 [165-322], p&lt;00001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3-5 versus grades 1-2 (235 [157-353], p&lt;00001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (155 [101-239], p=0046), emergency versus elective surgery (167 [106-263], p=0026), and major versus minor surgery (152 [101-231], p=0047). Interpretation Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Diversity and ethics in trauma and acute care surgery teams: results from an international survey

Background: Investigating the context of trauma and acute care surgery, the article aims at understanding the factors that can enhance some ethical aspects, namely the importance of patient consent, the perceptiveness of the ethical role of the trauma leader, and the perceived importance of ethics as an educational subject. Methods: The article employs an international questionnaire promoted by the World Society of Emergency Surgery. Results: Through the analysis of 402 fully filled questionnaires by surgeons from 72 different countries, the three main ethical topics are investigated through the lens of gender, membership of an academic or non-academic institution, an official trauma team, and a diverse group. In general terms, results highlight greater attention paid by surgeons belonging to academic institutions, official trauma teams, and diverse groups. Conclusions: Our results underline that some organizational factors (e.g., the fact that the team belongs to a university context or is more diverse) might lead to the development of a higher sensibility on ethical matters. Embracing cultural diversity forces trauma teams to deal with different mindsets. Organizations should, therefore, consider those elements in defining their organizational procedures. Level of evidence: Trauma and acute care teams work under tremendous pressure and complex circumstances, with their members needing to make ethical decisions quickly. The international survey allowed to shed light on how team assembly decisions might represent an opportunity to coordinate team member actions and increase performance

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Global overview of the management of acute cholecystitis during the COVID-19 pandemic (CHOLECOVID study)

Background: This study provides a global overview of the management of patients with acute cholecystitis during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: CHOLECOVID is an international, multicentre, observational comparative study of patients admitted to hospital with acute cholecystitis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on management were collected for a 2-month study interval coincident with the WHO declaration of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and compared with an equivalent pre-pandemic time interval. Mediation analysis examined the influence of SARS-COV-2 infection on 30-day mortality. Results: This study collected data on 9783 patients with acute cholecystitis admitted to 247 hospitals across the world. The pandemic was associated with reduced availability of surgical workforce and operating facilities globally, a significant shift to worse severity of disease, and increased use of conservative management. There was a reduction (both absolute and proportionate) in the number of patients undergoing cholecystectomy from 3095 patients (56.2 per cent) pre-pandemic to 1998 patients (46.2 per cent) during the pandemic but there was no difference in 30-day all-cause mortality after cholecystectomy comparing the pre-pandemic interval with the pandemic (13 patients (0.4 per cent) pre-pandemic to 13 patients (0.6 per cent) pandemic; P = 0.355). In mediation analysis, an admission with acute cholecystitis during the pandemic was associated with a non-significant increased risk of death (OR 1.29, 95 per cent c.i. 0.93 to 1.79, P = 0.121). Conclusion: CHOLECOVID provides a unique overview of the treatment of patients with cholecystitis across the globe during the first months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The study highlights the need for system resilience in retention of elective surgical activity. Cholecystectomy was associated with a low risk of mortality and deferral of treatment results in an increase in avoidable morbidity that represents the non-COVID cost of this pandemic