Marwan S. Abougergi

Intravenous Immunoglobulin for the Treatment of Clostridium difficile Infection: A Review

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has increased sharply in incidence, mortality rate, and burden on the healthcare system over the past decade. Therefore, novel treatment modalities have been developed, including intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). The level of immune response to Clostridium difficile colonization is the major determinant of the magnitude and duration of clinical manifestations. This effect is mediated predominantly by serum IgG anti-toxin A antibodies. Based on this finding, anti-toxin A and B antibodies were successfully used in multiple in vitro and in vivo experimental settings to passively immunize hamsters in CDI models. In humans, IVIG was used as the source of those antibodies. Fifteen small, mostly retrospective and non-randomized reports documented IVIG’s success in the treatment of protracted, recurrent, or severe CDI. Diarrhea resolution rates were higher in the former patient group, but the recurrence rates were similar. IVIG mechanism of action is neutralization of mainly toxin A through IgG anti-toxin A antibodies. Purified anti-toxin A and B antibodies were successfully used to decrease CDI recurrence rates among patients with no or one previous CDI episodes. In conclusion, the efficacy of IVIG for CDI treatment in animal models has been convincingly demonstrated. However, only few small non-randomized, mostly uncontrolled reports have been published on human subjects. A phase II trial results support the use of purified anti-toxin A and B antibodies to decrease CDI recurrence rates. Therefore, IVIG should currently only be used as adjunct therapy until results from large, randomized controlled trials are available.

The AIMS65 score compared with the Glasgow-Blatchford score in predicting outcomes in upper GI bleeding

INTRODUCTION We previously derived and validated the AIMS65 score, a mortality prognostic scale for upper GI bleeding (UGIB). OBJECTIVE To validate the AIMS65 score in a different patient population and compare it with the Glasgow-Blatchford risk score (GBRS). DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. PATIENTS Adults with a primary diagnosis of UGIB. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS PRIMARY OUTCOME inpatient mortality. SECONDARY OUTCOMES composite clinical endpoint of inpatient mortality, rebleeding, and endoscopic, radiologic or surgical intervention; blood transfusion; intensive care unit admission; rebleeding; length of stay; timing of endoscopy. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was calculated for each score. RESULTS Of the 278 study patients, 6.5% died and 35% experienced the composite clinical endpoint. The AIMS65 score was superior in predicting inpatient mortality (AUROC, 0.93 vs 0.68; P < .001), whereas the GBRS was superior in predicting blood transfusions (AUROC, 0.85 vs 0.65; P < .01) The 2 scores were similar in predicting the composite clinical endpoint (AUROC, 0.62 vs 0.68; P = .13) as well as the secondary outcomes. A GBRS of 10 and 12 or more maximized the sum of the sensitivity and specificity for inpatient mortality and rebleeding, respectively. The cutoff was 2 or more for the AIMS65 score for both outcomes. LIMITATIONS Retrospective, single-center study. CONCLUSION The AIMS65 score is superior to the GBRS in predicting inpatient mortality from UGIB, whereas the GBRS is superior for predicting blood transfusion. Both scores are similar in predicting the composite clinical endpoint and other outcomes in clinical care and resource use.

A Prospective, Multicenter Study of the AIMS65 Score Compared With the Glasgow-Blatchford Score in Predicting Upper Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage Outcomes.

Background: The AIMS65 score and the Glasgow-Blatchford risk score (GBRS) are validated preendoscopic risk scores for upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGIH). Goals: To compare the 2 scores’ performance in predicting important outcomes in UGIH. Study: A prospective cohort study in 2 tertiary referral centers and 1 community teaching hospital. Adults with UGIH were included. The AIMS65 score and GBRS were calculated for each patient. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality. Secondary outcomes were 30-day mortality, in-hospital rebleeding, 30-day rebleeding, length of stay, and a composite endpoint of in-hospital mortality, transfusions, or need for intervention (endoscopic, radiologic, or surgical treatment). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was calculated for each score and outcome. Results: A total of 298 patients were enrolled. The AIMS65 score was superior to the GBRS in predicting in-hospital mortality (AUROC, 0.85 vs. 0.66; P<0.01) and length of stay (Somer’s D, 0.21 vs. 0.13; P=0.04). The scores were similar in predicting 30-day mortality (AUROC, 0.74 vs. 0.65; P=0.16), in-hospital rebleeding (AUROC, 0.69 vs. 0.62; P=0.19), 30-day rebleeding (AUROC, 0.63 vs. 0.63; P=0.90), and the composite outcome (AUROC, 0.57 vs. 0.59; P=0.49). The optimal cutoffs for predicting in-hospital mortality were an AIMS65 score of 3 and a GBRS score of 10. For predicting rebleeding, the optimal cutoffs were 2 and 10, respectively. Conclusions: The AIMS65 score is superior to the GBRS for predicting in-hospital mortality and hospital length of stay for patients with UGIH. The AIMS65 score and GBRS are similar in predicting 30-day mortality, rebleeding, and a composite endpoint.

ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Mortality Among Patients With Liver Cirrhosis: A Nationwide Analysis Across a Decade.

Background: Mortality from ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is decreasing nationwide, but no report to date examined STEMI mortality among patients with cirrhosis. Goals: Determine mortality rates and investigate possible disparities in cardiovascular interventions for patients with and without cirrhosis admitted with STEMI across a decade using a national database. Study: We included all urgent/emergent admissions with STEMI to acute care hospitals across the United States in 1999 and 2009. Exclusion criteria were age less than 18 years or prior liver transplantation. Confounders were accounted for using multivariable regression analyses. Results: A total of 325,857 and 182,491 patients with STEMI were included in 1999 and 2009, respectively, 741 and 541 of whom had cirrhosis, respectively. In-hospital mortality rate was 31% and 11% for patients with and without cirrhosis in 1999, and 17% and 9% in 2009. The adjusted mortality odds ratio was 2.54 (1.52 to 4.24) in 1999 and 1.45 (0.73 to 2.86) in 2009. Stent placement rate was 11% and 26% for patients with and without cirrhosis in 1999, and increased to 47% and 61% in 2009, respectively. Thrombolytic medication injection rate was 3% and 10% for patients with and without cirrhosis in 1999, and 0% and 2% in 2009, respectively. Coronary artery bypass graft surgery rate was 3% and 9% for patients with and without cirrhosis in 1999, and was 6% and 7% in 2009, respectively. Conclusions: STEMI mortality in patients with cirrhosis is higher compared with patients without cirrhosis. However, this mortality difference declined from 1999 to 2009, likely because of higher coronary artery stent utilization for patients with cirrhosis.

Impact of weekend admission on mortality and other outcomes among patients with burn injury: A nationwide analysis

OBJECTIVE To study the relationship between day of admission and important outcomes among patients with burn injuries. METHODS The 2014 National Inpatient Sample database was used. Inclusion criterion was a principal diagnosis of burn injury. Exclusion criteria were age <18years, superficial burn, and non-urgent admission. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were morbidity (septic shock and prolonged mechanical ventilation), treatment metrics (time to surgery and parenteral or enteral nutrition (P/E-nutrition)) and resource utilization (length of stay (LOS) and total hospitalization charges and costs). Confounders were adjusted for using multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 21,665 patients were included, 29% of whom were admitted on weekends. Weekend admission was an independent predictor of mortality only among patients >65years old (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.66 (1.13-4.51), p=0.02). Although rates of septic shock were similar for both groups (aOR): 1.25 (0.74-2.09, p=0.40), weekends were associated with higher odds of prolonged mechanical ventilation (aOR: 1.28 (1.06-1.55), p=0.01). Time to surgery (adjusted mean difference (amDiff): 0.91 (-0.07 to 1.88) days, p=0.07) and time to P/E-nutrition (amDiff: 0.40 (-3.51 to 4.30) days, p=0.80) were similar for both groups. Finally, LOS was longer for weekend admission (amDiff: 1.36 (0.09-2.63) days, p=0.04), but total charges and costs were similar for both groups (amDiff:

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: Trends in Aggressive Inpatient Care at the End of Life for Patients With Stage IV Lung Cancer

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Differences in healthcare outcomes between teaching and non teaching hospitals for patients with delirium: a retrospective cohort study

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Validation of Risk Score in Predicting Early Readmissions in Decompensated Cirrhotic patients: A Model Based on the Administrative Database

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Epidemiology of Upper Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage in the USA: Is the Bleeding Slowing Down?

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Impact of primary payer status on outcomes among patients with burn injury: A nationwide analysis

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