Yan-Ren Lin

Post-resuscitative clinical features in the first hour after achieving sustained ROSC predict the duration of survival in children with non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

AIM OF THE STUDY Although sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) can be initially established after resuscitation from non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in some children, many of the children lose spontaneous circulation during hospital stay and do not survive to discharge. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical features during the first hour after ROSC that may predict survival to hospital discharge. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 228 children who presented to the emergency department without spontaneous circulation following non-traumatic OHCA during the period January 1996 to December 2008. Among these children, 80 achieved sustained ROSC for at least 20 min. The post-resuscitative clinical features during the first hour after achieving sustained ROSC that correlated with survival, median duration of survival, and death were analyzed. RESULTS Among the 80 children who achieved sustained ROSC for at least 20 min, 28 survived to hospital discharge and 6 had good neurologic outcomes (PCPC scale=1 or 2). Post-resuscitative clinical features associated with survival included sinus cardiac rhythm (p=0.012), normal heart rate (p=0.008), normal blood pressure (p<0.001), urine output>1 ml/kg/h (p=0.002), normal skin color (p=0.016), lack of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)-induced rib fracture (p=0.044), initial Glasgow Coma Scale score>7 (p<0.001), and duration of in-hospital CPR<or=10 min (p<0.001). Furthermore, these variables were also significantly associated with the duration of survival (all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The most important predictors of survival to hospital discharge in children with OHCA who achieve sustained ROSC are a normal heart rate, normal blood pressure, and an initial urine output>1 ml/kg/h.

First Attack of Acute Urticaria in Pediatric Emergency Department

BACKGROUND Management of a first attack of acute urticaria in children is dependent on the etiology of the disease. Knowledge of the various etiologies of urticaria will help primary physicians to perform appropriate clinical assessments. In this study, we analyzed the etiologies and their prevalence in first-attack acute urticaria in infants, children and adolescents in central Taiwan. METHODS This was a retrospective study of 953 children who were admitted to the emergency department (ED) with a first attack of acute urticaria from January 2000 to December 2006. All patients were followed in the ED or outpatient department until their symptoms subsided. Patient demographics and detailed etiologies of the first attack of acute urticaria were analyzed. Furthermore, the prevalence of various etiologies in different age groups, as well as the etiologic trends of acute urticaria in children during the previous 7 years, was determined. RESULTS The most common etiologies of a first attack of acute urticaria in children were various infections (48.4%), foods (23.5%), idiopathic causes (13.2%), and medications (11.5%). Among the three major etiologies above, upper respiratory tract infections (nasopharyngitis), seafood (shrimp) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen) were the most frequent causes. Moreover, the etiologies differed significantly with patient age (p < 0.001). Overall, infections were the major cause in infants (56.5%), whereas food (36.6%) and medications (26.8%) were the most common etiologies in adolescents. The prevalence of various infections dropped as the age of the children increased (56.5% in infants, 51.2% in preschool-aged children, 42.1% in school-aged children and 17.1% in adolescents). The etiologies of foods and medications were more prevalent in adolescents than in younger children. CONCLUSION Detailed etiologies of first-attack urticaria in children in central Taiwan were analyzed. Most importantly, we found that there was a decrease in the prevalence of various infections as causative factors as the age of the children increased. The etiologies of foods and medications were more prevalent in adolescents than in younger children.

Increased Risk of Major Depression in the Three Years following a Femoral Neck Fracture–A National Population-Based Follow-Up Study

Femoral neck fracture is common in the elderly, and its impact has increased in aging societies. Comorbidities, poor levels of activity and pain may contribute to the development of depression, but these factors have not been well addressed. This study aims to investigate the frequency and risk of major depression after a femoral neck fracture using a nationwide population-based study. The Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database was used in this study. A total of 4,547 patients who were hospitalized for femoral neck fracture within 2003 to 2007 were recruited as a study group; 13,641 matched non-fracture participants were enrolled as a comparison group. Each patient was prospectively followed for 3 years to monitor the occurrence of major depression. Cox proportional-hazards models were used to compute the risk of major depression between members of the study and comparison group after adjusting for residence and socio-demographic characteristics. The most common physical comorbidities that were present after the fracture were also analyzed. The incidences of major depression were 1.2% (n = 55) and 0.7% (n = 95) in the study and comparison groups, respectively. The stratified Cox proportional analysis showed a covariate-adjusted hazard ratio of major depression among patients with femoral neck fracture that was 1.82 times greater (95% CI, 1.30–2.53) than that of the comparison group. Most major depressive episodes (34.5%) presented within the first 200 days following the fracture. In conclusion, patients with a femoral neck fracture are at an increased risk of subsequent major depression. Most importantly, major depressive episodes mainly occurred within the first 200 days following the fracture.

Clinical factors in predicting acute renal failure caused by rhabdomyolysis in the ED

PURPOSE This study aimed to determine the clinical factors in predicting acute renal failure (ARF) in rhabdomyolysis and investigate the potential risk of renal replacement therapy (RRT). BASIC PROCEDURES From 2006 to 2011, we retrospectively analyzed 202 patients 65 years or younger with a definite diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis and serum creatinine phosphokinase levels greater than 1000 IU/L. The related clinical factors were analyzed in the patients with ARF caused by rhabdomyolysis. In addition, receiver operating characteristic curves were used to establish the appropriate cutoff values of serum biomarkers in predicting ARF. MAIN FINDINGS The most common causes of rhabdomyolysis were trauma (n = 54; 26.7%) and infections (n = 37; 18.3%). Of the 202 patients, 29 (14.4%) developed ARF, and RRT was indicated for 5 of these 29 patients. Predictive factors for ARF were dark urine, initial and peak serum myoglobin level, rhabdomyolysis caused by body temperature change, and an elevated serum potassium level. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the best cutoff value of initial serum myoglobin level for predicting ARF was 597.5 ng/mL. Risk factors for RRT in patients with ARF were etiologies of rhabdomyolysis, peak blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, and the creatinine phosphokinase level on the third day as rhabdomyolysis developed. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS Age, dark urine, etiologies, serum levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and potassium, and initial and peak serum myoglobin levels may serve as important factors in predicting ARF in patients with rhabdomyolysis. We suggest that the appropriate cutoff value of initial serum myoglobin for predicting ARF is 600 ng/mL.

Significant factors associated with severity and outcome of an initial episode of acute urticaria in children

Liu T‐H, Lin Y‐R, Yang K‐C, Tsai Y‐G, Fu Y‐C, Wu T‐K, Wu H‐P. Significant factors associated with severity and outcome of an initial episode of acute urticaria in children.
Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: 1043–1051.
© 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Poison exposure and outcome of children admitted to a pediatric emergency department

BackgroundThis paper reports the characteristics, outcomes and clinical features of children with poisoning treated at an emergency department (ED).MethodsThis retrospective study at an emergency department consisted of 140 children with poison exposure who were aged under 18 years. Their characteristics were analyzed in order to understand the differences between accidental and non-accidental poisoning. The poisonous materials were divided into two major categories (pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceuticals) and their associations with patient outcomes were analyzed. Furthermore, the association was analyzed between the incidence of poison exposure and the season in which the poison exposure occurred.ResultsThe incidence of poison exposure was highest among adolescents and pre-school age children. Nonaccidental poisoning was more common in older girls and accidental poisoning was more common in younger boys (P<0.001). Neurological system agents were the most common cause of poisoning in the pharmaceutical group and cleansing products were the most common cause of poisoning in the non-pharmaceutical group. Neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms were the most common clinical presentations for the pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical groups, respectively. Furthermore, poisoning due to cleansing products and analgesics were associated with the longest duration of hospitalization. March was the highest risk month for pediatric poisoning (P=0.018).ConclusionsCleansing products and analgesics were associated with the longest duration of hospitalization and intentional poison was more common in girls.

Pharmaceutical Poisoning Exposure and Outcome Analysis in Children Admitted to the Pediatric Emergency Department

BACKGROUND Pharmaceuticals involved in childhood poisoning vary, and treatment of poison exposure can be a challenge for primary physicians when children are unconscious or histories are lacking. Knowledge of the clinical manifestations and prognosis of poisoning will help primary physicians perform appropriate clinical assessments. In this study, we aim to report on patient characteristics, outcomes, and clinical features of pediatric poisoning in the emergency department. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 87 children younger than 18 years of age and presented to the emergency department with pharmaceutical poisoning (2001-2008). The detailed categories of pharmaceutical were reported, and their associations with patient outcomes were analyzed. Furthermore, children were divided into two groups, based on the reasons for poison exposure (accidental or intentional poisoning). Clinical features and outcomes between accidental or intentional poisoning were analyzed, and the cut-off age for high risk of intentional poisoning was also calculated. RESULTS Age groups of adolescents (48.3%) and preschool age (32.2%) children were the major representation. Neurologic system agents (48.3%) and analgesics (18.4%) were the most common causes of poisoning. Among the two major agents above, anxiolytic/hypnotic drugs (lorazepam) and acetaminophen were the most frequent causes. Of all children, 70.1% had duration of major symptoms for ≤1 day, and intentional poisoning caused significantly longer duration of hospital stay than accidental poisoning did (p=0.008). Moreover, female gender (p<0.001), older age (p<0.001), and analgesics (p=0.008) were more predominantly associated with intentional poisoning in children, and the cut-off age for high risk of intentional poisoning was over 10.5 years. CONCLUSION Neurologic system agents and analgesics were responsible for the majority of cases. Intentional poisoning caused longer hospital length of stay than accidental poisoning, and the factors associated with intentional poisoning were older age, female, and neurologic system agents.

Predictive factors of the duration of a first-attack acute urticaria in children.

PURPOSES This studys aim was to determine the predictive factors of the duration of first-attack acute urticaria in children. BASIC PROCEDURES The sample included 1075 children admitted to the emergency department with first-attack acute urticaria. Variables comprising the clinical features and past histories of children with duration of disease of 3 days or less, 4 to 7 days, 8 to 14 days, and 15 days or more were compared to determine the predictors of duration of acute urticaria. MAIN FINDINGS Age, various etiologies, clinical presentations, coexistent pyrexia or angioedema, and personal histories of allergic diseases were significant factors (all P < .05). Among allergic diseases, atopic dermatitis was the most significant predictor of duration of acute urticaria, and those with multiple allergic diseases had longer durations of urticaria (both P < .05). Oral plus injection forms of antihistamine or steroid were related to shorter duration of disease (P < .05). PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS Etiologies and personal allergy history may be the most important predictors of the duration of a first attack of acute urticaria.

Increased risk of major depression subsequent to a first-attack and non-infection caused urticaria in adolescence: a nationwide population-based study

BackgroundNon-infection caused urticaria is a common ailment in adolescents. Its symptoms (e.g., unusual rash appearance, limitation of daily activities, and recurrent itching) may contribute to the development of depressive stress in adolescents; the potential link has not been well studied. This study aimed to investigate the risk of major depression after a first-attack and non-infection caused urticaria.MethodsThis study used the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database. A total of 5,755 adolescents hospitalized for a first-attack and non-infection caused urticaria from 2005 to 2009 were recruited as the study group, together with 17,265 matched non-urticarial enrollees who comprised the control group. Patients who had any history of urticaria or depression prior to the evaluation period were excluded. Each patient was followed for one year to identify the occurrence of depression. Cox proportional hazards models were generated to compute the risk of major depression, adjusting for the subjects’ sociodemographic characteristics. Depression-free survival curves were also analyzed.ResultsThirty-four (0.6%) adolescents with non-infection caused urticaria and 59 (0.3%) non-urticarial control subjects suffered a new-onset episode of major depression during the study period. The stratified Cox proportional analysis showed that the crude hazard ratio (HR) of depression among adolescents with urticaria was 1.73 times (95% CI, 1.13-2.64) than that of the control subjects without urticaria. Moreover, the HR were higher in physical (HR: 3.39, 95% CI 2.77-11.52) and allergy chronic urticaria (HR: 2.43, 95% CI 3.18-9.78).ConclusionIndividuals who have a non-infection caused urticaria during adolescence are at a higher risk of developing major depression.

Demographics and Clinical Features of Postresuscitation Comorbidities in Long-Term Survivors of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A National Follow-Up Study

The outcome of patients suffering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is very poor, and postresuscitation comorbidities increase long-term mortality. This study aims to analyze new-onset postresuscitation comorbidities in patients who survived from OHCA for over one year. The Taiwan National Health Insurance (NHI) Database was used in this study. Study and comparison groups were created to analyze the risk of suffering from new-onset postresuscitation comorbidities from 2011 to 2012 (until December 31, 2013). The study group included 1,346 long-term OHCA survivors; the comparison group consisted of 4,038 matched non-OHCA patients. Demographics, patient characteristics, and risk of suffering comorbidities (using Cox proportional hazards models) were analyzed. We found that urinary tract infections (n = 225, 16.72%), pneumonia (n = 206, 15.30%), septicemia (n = 184, 13.67%), heart failure (n = 111, 8.25%) gastrointestinal hemorrhage (n = 108, 8.02%), epilepsy or recurrent seizures (n = 98, 7.28%), and chronic kidney disease (n = 62, 4.61%) were the most common comorbidities. Furthermore, OHCA survivors were at much higher risk (than comparison patients) of experiencing epilepsy or recurrent seizures (HR = 20.83; 95% CI: 12.24–35.43), septicemia (HR = 8.98; 95% CI: 6.84–11.79), pneumonia (HR = 5.82; 95% CI: 4.66–7.26), and heart failure (HR = 4.88; 95% CI: 3.65–6.53). Most importantly, most comorbidities occurred within the first half year after OHCA.