Arpana Jain

Perioperative glycemic control and postoperative complications in patients undergoing emergency general surgery: What is the role of Plasma Hemoglobin A1c?

BACKGROUND Plasma hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) reflects quality of glucose control in diabetic patients. Literature reports that patients undergoing surgery with an elevated HbA1c level are associated with increased postoperative morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of HbA1c level on outcomes after emergency general surgery (EGS). METHODS We performed a 3-year analysis of our prospectively maintained EGS database. Patients who had HbA1c levels measured within 3 months before surgery were included. Patients were divided into two groups (HbA1c < 6 and HbA1c ≥ 6). Our primary outcome measures included in-hospital complications (major and minor complications), hospital and intensive care unit length of stay, and mortality. Secondary outcomes measures were 30-day complications, readmissions, and mortality. Multivariate and linear regressions were performed. RESULTS Of the 402 study patients, mean age was 61 ± 12 years, 53% were females, and 63.8% were diabetics. Overall, 49% had an HbA1c ≥ 6%; the mortality rate was 6%. Those with hypertension, history of coronary artery disease, and body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or greater were more likely to have HbA1c of 6.0% or greater. 7.9% patients experienced major complications. Patients with HbA1c of 6% or greater had a higher complication rate (36% vs 11%, p < 0.001) than those with HbA1c less than 6%. However there was no difference in mortality between two groups (p = 0.09). After controlling for confounders, HbA1c ≥ 6.0% (odds ratio [OR], 2.9; p < 0.01) and a postoperative random blood sugar (RBS) of 200 mg/dL or greater (OR, 2.3; p < 0.01) were independent predictors of major complications. Patients with both HbA1c of 6.0% or greater and postoperative RBS of 200 or greater had higher odds (OR, 4.2; p < 0.01) of developing major complication. After adjusting for confounders, a higher HbA1c was independently correlated with a higher postoperative RBS (b = 0.494, [19.7–28.4], p = 0.02), but there was no correlation with the preoperative RBS. CONCLUSION Patients with HbA1c of 6.0% or greater and a postoperative RBS of 200 mg/dL or greater have a four times higher risk of developing major complications after EGS. A preoperative HbA1c can stratify patients prone to develop postoperative hyperglycemia, regardless of their preoperative RBS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic, level III.

How does marijuana affect outcomes after trauma in ICU patients? A propensity-matched analysis

INTRODUCTION In the United States, marijuana abuse and dependence are becoming more prevalent among adult and adolescent trauma patients. Unlike several studies that focus on the effects of marijuana on the outcomes of diseases, our aim was to assess the relationship between a positive toxicology screen for marijuana and mortality in such patients. METHODS A 5-year (2008–2012) analysis of adult trauma patients (older than 18 years old) in Arizona State Trauma Registry. We included patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with a positive toxicology screen for marijuana. We excluded patients with positive alcohol or other substance screening. Outcome measures were mortality, ventilator days, ICU, and hospital length of stay. We matched patients who tested positive for marijuana (marijuana positive) to those who tested negative (marijuana negative) using propensity score matching in a 1:1 ratio controlling for age, injury severity score, and Glasgow Coma Scale. RESULTS We included a total of 28,813 patients, of which 2,678 were matched (1,339, marijuana positive; 1,339, marijuana negative). The rate of positive screening for marijuana was 7.4% (2,127/28,813). Mean age was 31 ± 9 years, and injury severity score was 13 (8–20). There was no difference between the two groups in hospital (6.4 days vs. 5.4 days, p = 0.08) or ICU (3 days vs. 4 days, p = 0.43) length of stay. Of the marijuana-positive patients, 55.3% received mechanical ventilation, while 32% of marijuana-negative patients received mechanical ventilation (p < 0.001). On subanalysis of patients who received mechanical ventilation, the marijuana-positive patients had a higher number of ventilator days (2 days vs. 1 day, p = 0.02) and a lower mortality rate (7.3% vs. 16.1%, p < 0.001) than those who were marijuana negative. CONCLUSION A positive marijuana screen is associated with decreased mortality in adult trauma patients admitted to the ICU. This association warrants further investigation of the possible physiologic effects of marijuana in trauma patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic studies, level III.

The burden of firearm violence in the United States: stricter laws result in safer states

Abstract: Background: Increasing firearm violence has resulted in a strong drive for stricter firearm legislations. Aim of this study was to determine the relationship between firearm legislations and firearm-related injuries across states in the United States. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients with trauma related hospitalization using the 2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample database. Patients with firearm-related injury were identified using E-codes. States were dichotomized into strict firearm laws [SFL] or non-strict firearm laws [Non-SFL] states based on Brady Center score. Outcome measures were the rate of firearm injury and firearm mortality. Linear Regression and correlation analysis were used to assess outcomes among states. Results: 1,277,250 patients with trauma related hospitalization across 44 states were included of which, 2,583 patients had firearm-related injuries. Ten states were categorized as SFL and 34 states as Non-SFL. Mean rate of firearm related injury per 1000 trauma patients was lower in SFL states (1.3±0.5 vs. 2.1±1.4; p=0.006) and negatively correlated with Brady score (R2 linear=-0.07; p=0.04). SFL states had a 28% lower incidence of firearm related injuries compared to Non-SFL states (Beta coefficient, -0.28; 95% CI, -1.7- -0.06; p=0.04). Firearm related mortalities resulted in overall 9,722 potential life years lost and more so in the non-SFL states (p=0.001). Conclusions: States without SFL have higher firearm related injury rates, higher firearm related mortality rate, and significant potential years of life lost compared to SFL states. Further analysis of differences in the legislation between SFL and non-SFL states may help reduce firearm related injury rate.

Thoracic Ultrasonography in the Critically Ill

One of the many possible applications for portable ultrasonography in an intensive care unit is in the rapid detection and bedside treatment of thoracic pathology. Traditionally, a majority of critically ill patients still undergo portable diagnostic chest radiographs, often daily. The addition of thoracic ultrasonography to the patient’s care can improve both diagnostic and therapeutic abilities.