Current medical research and opinion
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It is unclear whether uric acid (UA) has a negative or positive effect on anemia, and this may vary depending on the presence or absence of chronic disease such as hypertension (HTN). The present study was conducted to assess the relationship between anemia and hyperuricemia in Korean adults with or without hypertension. ⋯ Hyperuricemia was positively associated with anemia in men and women with HTN. Hyperuricemia was inversely associated with anemia in women without HTN but not in men without HTN.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Antimicrobial use for the management of varicella in Thailand: a retrospective observational study.
To describe the clinical characteristics of varicella patients seeking medical consultation and the use of antimicrobials for their management in Thailand in the absence of universal varicella vaccination (UVV). ⋯ A considerable number of varicella patients, both children and adults, seeking medical consultation in Thai hospitals are prescribed antibiotics and antivirals, with one-fifth of patients being prescribed an antibiotic and almost half prescribed an antiviral. The study may be of interest to policymakers in Thailand and other Asia-Pacific countries considering UVV implementation.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Impact of atrial fibrillation and anticoagulation on the risk of death, thromboembolic disease and bleeding in patients with COVID-19: the ACO-VID Registry.
To describe the clinical profile, risk of complications and impact of anticoagulation in COVID-19 hospitalized patients, according to the presence of atrial fibrillation (AF). ⋯ Among patients hospitalized with COVID-19, patients with AF were older, had more comorbidities and had a higher risk of major bleeding. Age and elevated transaminases during hospitalization, but not AF nor anticoagulant treatment increased the risk of all-cause death.
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A world-wide immunization project was launched at the peak of COVID-19 pandemic to contain and minimize the adverse effects of SARS-CoV-2 virus. We carried out a series of statistical analyses in this paper to determine, confirm and quantify the impact of the vaccinations on COVID-19 cases and mortalities, amidst critical confounding factors-temperature and solar irradiance. ⋯ Results show that the world-wide vaccination against COVID-19 project had a significant impact in reducing mortalities and minimizing the adverse effects due to COVID-19 globally, in all five (5) major continents of the world and the countries studied in this work, however, temperature and solar irradiance still had effects on COVID-19 response in the vaccination eras.
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Chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia (FN) is a medical emergency that may occur in patients with malignancies receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy. FN requires early therapeutic intervention since it is associated with increased hospitalizations and high mortality risk of 5%-20%. FN-related hospitalizations are higher in patients with myeloid malignancies than in those with solid tumors due to the myelotoxicity of chemotherapy regimens and the compromised bone marrow function. ⋯ Subsequently, the device was approved in the United States (US), European Union, Latin America, and Japan, with studies and a postmarketing commitment demonstrating device reliability. A recent prospective observational study conducted in the US demonstrated that the OBI substantially improved the adherence to and compliance with clinically recommended pegfilgrastim therapy; patients receiving pegfilgrastim via the OBI experienced a lower incidence of FN than those receiving alternatives for FN prophylaxis. This review discusses the evolution of G-CSFs leading to the development of the OBI, current recommendations for G-CSF prophylaxis in the clinic, continued evidence supporting next-day pegfilgrastim administration, and improvements in patient care made possible with the OBI.