ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and the severity of acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis in elderly patients.MethodsThe clinical data of 216 elderly patients with acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis admitted from January 2015 to October of 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. The severity of acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis in the elderly was evaluated by bronchiectasis severity index (BSI) score. Meanwhile, 50 elderly people receiving qualified medical examination were collected as a healthy control group in the same period. The distributions of BSI score, RDW, procalcitonin (PCT), neutrophil percentage (NEU%) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were described in the patients with different risk degree. The severity of acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis in the elderly was evaluated by BSI. The patients were divided into three groups by BSI score: a low risk group, a middle risk group, and a high risk group. The indexes were described including the distribution of stratified BSI score, RDW, PCT, NEU%, CRP at different risk levels. The correlation of each index was analyzed by Spearman correlation. The threshold value of RDW was calculated by general linear regression, and the influencing factors of BSI score were analyzed by multivariate linear regression analysis.ResultsThe higher the risk stratification, the higher the BSI score, RDW, PCT, NEU% and CRP were. RDW was positively correlated with PCT, NEU% and CRP (r values were 0.425, 0.311, 0.177, respectively, P<0.05). BSI score was positively correlated with RDW, PCT, NEU%, and CRP (r values were 0.425, 0.394, 0.650, 0.578, respectively, P<0.05). RDW was positively correlated with PSI score (r=0.425, P<0.05). The thresholds of RDW were 11.45% and 14.03%. Multiple linear regression showed that RDW, PCT, NEU% and CRP were all influential factors of BSI score and explained 52.3% of the total mutation rate.ConclusionRDW is related to the severity of acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis in the elderly, and can predict the severity of acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis in the elderly.
ObjectiveTo investigate correlation of bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis(BISAP) and computed tomography severity index(CTSI), modified computed tomography severity index(MCTSI), or extra-pancreatic inflammation on CT(EPIC) score, respectively, in assessing severity of acute pancreatitis. MethodsForty-five patients confirmed SAP from July 2015 to November 2015 in West China Hospital of Sichuan University were prospectively included into this study. Contrast-enhanced multi-detector-row CT scan was performed for all the patients. The abnormal imaging features, such as pancreatic and peri-pancreatic inflammatory changes, involvement of other organs and local complications, were observed and used to calculate three CT severity indexes(CTSI, MCTSI, and EPIC). The clinical data were also colle-cted to calculate BISAP and as compared with CT severity indexes. Correlation between the CT indexes points and BISAP score was estimated using the Spearman test. Interobserver agreement for CTSI, MCTSI or EPIC was calculated using the Kappa statistic. ResultsThe results of BISAP score were as follows: 4 cases gradeⅠ, 22 cases gradeⅡ, 19 cases gradeⅢ. The results of CTSI score were as follows: 6 cases gradeⅠ, 22 cases gradeⅡ, 17 cases gradeⅢ. The results of MCTSI score were as follows: 1 case gradeⅠ, 13 cases gradeⅡ, 31 cases gradeⅢ. The results of EPIC score were as follows: 6 cases gradeⅠ, 11 cases gradeⅡ, 28 cases gradeⅢ. The score of BISAP, CTSI, MCIST, or EPIC was 2.41±0.82, 6.02±1.96, 7.91± 2.11, and 5.57±1.52, respectively. Interobserver agreements for CTSI, MCTSI, and EPIC were good(CTSI: Kappa=0.748, 95% CI 0.000-0.076, P < 0.01; MCTSI: Kappa=0.788, 95% CI 0.000-0.076, P < 0.01; EPIC: Kappa=0.768, 95% CI 0.000-0.076, P < 0.01). Spearman statistic showed there was a positive correlation between CTSI score(rs=0.439, P=0.003), MCTSI score(rs=0.640, P=0.000), or EPIC(rs=0.503, P=0.001) and BISAP score. ConclusionThere is a positive correlation between MCTSI or EPIC and BISAP score, and MCTSI is more strongly correlated with BISAP as compared with EPIC.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the predictive value of the high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE). MethodsIn a retrospective cohort study,272 consecutive patients with APE were reviewed and the 30-days death and in-hospital adverse events were evaluated. The patients were classified according to hs-cTnI value into a high hs-cTnI group and a low hs-cTnI group. The simple pulmonary embolism severity index (sPESI) was used for clinical risk determination. The adverse event was defined as intravenous thrombolytic therapy,noninvasive ventilator support to maintain oxygen saturation >90% and suffered with severe complications. The correlations of hs-cTnI with sPESI score,30-days adverse events and mortality were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test were used to compare time-to-event survival. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis models were used to determine the incremental prognostic value of sPESI score and hs-cTnI. ResultsThe incidence of 30-day death (6.1%),renal failure (14.6%),bleeding (13.4%) and thrombolytic therapy (7.9%) were higher in the high hs-cTnI group than those in the low hs-cTnI group (P values were 0.009,<0.001,0.018 and 0.003,respectively). The patients with sPESI ≥1 and low hs-cTnI had greater free adverse events survival (P=0.005). hs-cTnI provided incremental predictive value for in-hospital adverse events,beyond the sPESI score (P<0.001). Conclusionhs-cTnI has excellent negative predictive value of APE prognosis,especially when used combined with sPESI score.
ObjectiveTo explore the predictive value of acute pancreatitis related indicators on its severity, and to establish a prediction model based on machine learning algorithm on the severity of acute pancreatitis. MethodsA retrospective review was conducted of medical records from 262 patients hospitalized for acute pancreatitis at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between October 2022 and February 2024. Patients were classified according to the 2012 Atlanta Classification into mild cases (n=146) and non-mild cases (n=116). LASSO analysis was employed to identify predictors for non-mild acute pancreatitis. Six machine learning algorithms Extreme Gradient Boosting, Random Forest, Logistic Regression, Decision Tree, Support Vector Machine, and K-Nearest Neighbors were integrated to construct predictive models. Model performance was evaluated by comparing the following metrics: area under the curve sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, F1 score, calibration curves, and decision curves. ResultsThrough LASSO regression analysis, six feature variables “heart rate, white blood cell count, neutrophil count, C-reactive protein, albumin, and calcium ion” were selected to train and test machine learning models. Results showed that Extreme Gradient Boosting achieved the highest AUC value of 0.93 on the test set, making it the optimal model. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, Brier score, and F1 score of the Extreme Gradient Boosting model were 0.97, 0.70, 0.85, 0.108, and 0.84. ConclusionsThe prediction model developed using extreme gradient boosting has high clinical utility value, helps to predict the severity of acute pancreatitis at an early stage and is valuable in guiding clinical decision-making.
ObjectiveCurrently, simple triage and rapid transport (START) is widely used as a method to evaluate the severity of mass casualty events in a disaster. Modified physiological triage tool (MPTT) and modified physiological triage tool-24 (MPTT-24) are newly introduced triage methodologies that may offer improvements over START. However, the feasibility and accuracy of these two methods cannot be adequately assessed without sufficient data support, whether in earthquakes or other disasters. Our study aimed to analyze the value of the three triage methodologies in mass casualty events due to earthquakes.MethodsA total of 36 604 injured patients from the West China Hospital database were evaluated using START, MPTT and MPTT-24, respectively. The triage methodologies were then evaluated based on death and ICU acceptance, using the area under the receiver-operator curve (AUC). The sensitivity and specificity of the three methodologies were compared under different standards and correlations with the injury severity score (ISS) were analyzed. ResultsFor deaths, the AUCs for the triage methodologies were 0.711, 0.775 and 0.686 for START, MPTT, and MPTT-24, respectively. For ICU acceptance, the AUCs of the triage methodologies after correction for bias were 0.579, 0.618 and 0.603. The correlation coefficients of the triage methodologies and ISS score were 0.041, 0.087, and 0.115.ConclusionsMPTT is superior to START and MPTT-24 in the evaluation of critically ill patients in mass casualty events caused by earthquakes.
Objective To systematic investigate whether phase angle of bioelectrical impedance is associated with the functionality, severity, and prognosis of individuals afflicted with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Relevant literature from the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, CNKI, and WanFang databases was retrieved, and literature screening and data extraction in accordance with standardized methods were conducted. Literature quality was assessed by utilizing Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Subsequently, data pertaining to the results was extracted for summarization and induction, and descriptive analyzed through qualitative synthesis. Results A total of 11 studies, encompassing 2189 subjects, were included in this review, and the overall quality of the literature was deemed relatively high. Of these studies, three examined the correlation between phase angle and the severity of COPD, eight studies examined the correlation between phase angle and pulmonary and physical function in COPD, and seven studies reported the association between phase angle and adverse outcomes such as hospitalization time, nutritional risk, acute exacerbation and mortality in COPD. The collective findings suggestted that reduced levels of phase angle are linked to severe illness, diminished function, and unfavorable prognosis among individuals with COPD. Phase angle emerged as an independent predictor of lung function, physical exercise endurance, acute exacerbation and mortality in COPD patients. Conclusion The phase angle level of COPD patients is associated with their disease severity, function, and prognosis, and is an potential available indicator for clinical management of COPD patients.
Objective To explore the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and disease severity in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3). Methods Patients who visited the Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University with a confirmed diagnosis of SCA3 between July 2022 and August 2023 were selected as a case group, and healthy individuals between June 2024 and October 2024 were selected as a control group, and the BMI levels of the two groups were compared. Patient demographics and clinical statistics were collected, the severity of ataxia in SCA3 patients was assessed using the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxi, and the relationship between BMI and disease severity was evaluated. Results A total of 101 patients and 101 healthy individuals were included. The BMI levels of SCA3 patients were significantly lower than those of normal controls (t=?2.370, P=0.019). The results of the multiple linear regression model showed that the BMI, disease duration and smoking history had an effect on the disease severity of SCA3 patients (P<0.05), and disease duration and disease severity had a significant effect on the disease progression in SCA3 patients (P<0.05). Conclusion There may be a correlation between BMI and disease severity in SCA3 patients, and controlling the BMI level may help to control the disease in SCA3 patients.
ObjectiveTo compare the value of the acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ (APACHEⅡ) scores, the pneumonia severity index (PSI) scores), the CURB-65 scores, and serum procalcitonin (PCT) concentration in prediction of prognosis for inpatients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and discuss the influence factors.MethodsRetrospective analysis was conducted based on the APACHEⅡ scores, the CURB-65 scores, the PSI scores and PCT concentration of hospitalized CAP patients admitted in the Department of Respiratory Medicine of First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University between January 2015 and December 2016, and within 24 hours of their admission. The end point of this study was the clinical outcome of hospitalization (recovery, improvement, exacerbation or death). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and binary logistic regression models were used to assess the ability of prognostic evaluation and determine the boundary value, to screen risk factors that influence deterioration and death in CAP patients.ResultsTwo hundred and thirty-five CAP patients were enrolled with 146 males and 89 females at an average age of (60.4±18.1) years old. All patients were divided into 2 groups: improving recovery group had 205 cases, and deteriorating group had 30 cases. The rank of areas under the ROC curve for predicting the deterioration and death risk of CAP, from big to small were APACHEⅡ(0.889), PSI (0.850), CURB-65 (0.789), and PCT (0.720). APACHEⅡ score over 11 points and PSI score over 91 points were optimal cut-off values for the prognostic assessment. Moreover, the logistic regression analysis revealed that APACHEⅡ score and PCT were independent risk factors of deterioration and death in CAP patients.ConclusionsThe better predictability of clinic outcome of CAP is APACHEⅡ score, PSI score, CURB-65 score, and PCT respectively in order, while the APACHEⅡ score and PCT concentration were independent risk factors for exacerbation and mortality in CAP patients. The predictive ability of a single PCT measurement is limited. The combination of APACHEⅡ score and PCT may increase specificity, but reduce sensitivity.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with transilluminated powered phlebectomy (TIPP) vs. high ligation and stripping (HLS) combined with TIPP in patients with varicose veins of lower limbs.MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 190 patients (206 limbs) of varicose veins of lower limbs who underwent surgical treatment in our hospital from December 2017 to July 2018, of them 88 patients (96 limbs) in RFA combined with TIPP group and other 102 patients (110 limbs) in HLS combined with TIPP group. The treatment effectiveness and quality of life was assessed with venous clinical severity score (VCSS) and chronic venous insufficiency questionnaire (CIVIQ-14) in three months and one year after surgery. Doppler ultrasound was used to evaluate the closure of great saphenous vein.ResultsBaseline characteristics were similar between the two groups (P>0.05). The RFA combined with TIPP group was better than the HLS combined with TIPP group in operation time, intraoperative bleeding, hospital stay time, postoperative bed time, resumption time of activities, as well as incidences of skin induration and limb numb (P<0.05). Occlusion rates of great saphenous vein in 3 months was 93.8% (90/96) in the RFA combined with TIPP group and 97.3% (107/110) in the HLS combined with TIPP group, and in one year was 91.7% (88/96) and 97.3% (107/110) respectively, there was no significant difference between the two groups at the same time point (P>0.05). The VCSS scores and CIVIQ-14 scores also improved significantly in two groups in 3 months and 1 year follow up (P<0.05), but there was no significant differences between the two groups at the same time point (P>0.05).ConclusionsRFA combined with TIPP is an effective method for the treatment of varicose veins of lower limbs. Compared with HLS, RFA has the same good effectiveness and quality of life, but it has the advantages of short operation time, rapid postoperative recovery, and less postoperative complications.
ObjiectiveTo obtain reliable evidence of diagnosis and treatment through evaluating the validity of pneumonia severity index (PSI), CURB-65 and acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ) scores in predicting risk stratification, severity evaluation and prognosis in elderly community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients.MethodsClinical and demographic data were collected and retrospectively analyzed in 125 in-hospital patients with CAP admitted in Shanghai Dahua Hospital from January 2012 to April 2015. The severity of pneumonia was calculated with PSI, CURB-65 and APACHEⅡgroups during 1 to 3 days after admission. Mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates were evaluated among patients in each scores and was categorized into three classes, namely mild, moderate and severe groups during 1 to 3 days after admission. Mortality and ICU admission rates were evaluated among patients in each severity level. Through evaluating the sensitivity, specificity, the predicting values and the area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) among PSI, CURB-65 and APACHEⅡ, the validity and consistency of these three scoring systems were assessed.ResultsUsing PSI, CURB-65 and APACHEⅡ scoring systems, the patients were categorized into mild severity (48.8%, 64.0% and 52.8%, respectively), moderate severity (37.6%, 23.2% and 32.0%, respectively) and severe severity (13.6%, 12.8% and 15.2%, respectively). In PSI, CURB-65 and APACHEⅡ systems, the mortality in high risk groups was 41.3%, 62.5% and 47.4%, respectively; The ICU-admission rate in high risk groups was 88.3%, 100.0% and 94.7%, respectively. The sensitivity of PSI, CURB-65 and APACHEⅡ was 50.0%, 71.4% and 64.3% in predicting mortality, and was 46.8%, 50.0% and 59.3% in predicting ICU-admission, respectively. PSI, CURB-65 and APACHEⅡ showed similar specificity (approximately 90%) in predicting mortality and ICU admission. ROC was conducted to evaluate the sensitivity of PSI, APACHEⅡ and CURB-65 in predicting mortality and ICU admission. The AUC had no significant difference among these three scoring systems. The AUC of PSI, CURB-65 and APACHEⅡwas 0.893, 0.871, 0.880, respectively for predicting mortality, and was 0.949, 0.837, 0.949, respectively for predicting ICU admission. There was no significant difference among these three scoring in predicting mortality and ICU admission (all P>0.05).ConclusionsPSI, CURB-65 and APACHEⅡ performed similarly and achieved high predictive values in elderly patients with CAP. The three scoring systems are consistent in predicting mortality risk in elderly CAP patients. The CURB-65 is more sensitive in predicting the risk of death, and more early in identifing patients with high risk of death. The APACHEⅡ is more sensitive in predicting the risk of ICU admission, and has good value in identifying severe patients and choosing the right treatment sites.