scholarly journals COVID-19 critical illness in Sweden: characteristics and outcomes at a national population level

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 312-320
Author(s):  
Johan Mårtensson ◽  
◽  
Lars Engerström ◽  
Sten Walther ◽  
Jonathan Grip ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, baseline demographics and comorbidities of patients with COVID-19 have been presented, but there are limited data on outcomes of severely ill patients. We aimed to examine the association between patient characteristics and 30-day mortality among patients with COVID-19 treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. SETTING: ICUs in Sweden. Participants: All consecutive patients with COVID-19 admitted to Swedish ICUs from 6 March to 5 April 2020. Main outcome measures: The primary outcome was 30day mortality after ICU admission. Patient demographics, comorbidities and clinical characteristics were also retrieved. RESULTS: A total of 604 patients were included. The median age was 61 years (interquartile range [IQR], 52–70 years) and 458 patients (76%) were males. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (35.9%) and diabetes (25.7%), whereas 36.4% of patients had no comorbidities. Median Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) 3 was 53 (IQR, 46–60). Of 573 patients with available respiratory support data, 487 (85.0%) received invasive mechanical ventilation. Among 518 patients with available data, 117 (22.6%) received renal replacement therapy. Median length of stay was 13 days (IQR, 6–20 days). Mortality at 30 days was 32.6%. In the multivariable Cox regression model, age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.06; 95% CI, 1.04–1.07 per year), the presence of one or more comorbidities (HR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.20–2.68), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.12–2.50), hypertension (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.01–1.99), and acute illness severity (SAPS 3 excluding age and comorbidity) (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.04– 1.09) were associated with 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based cohort study presents 30-day mortality of 604 ICU patients with COVID-19. The higher mortality was explained by older age, the presence chronic illness, and acute illness severity.

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi-Kuei Hsu ◽  
Chih-Cheng Lai ◽  
Kun Wang ◽  
Likwang Chen

This large-scale, controlled cohort study estimated the risks of lung cancer in patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Taiwan. We conducted this population-based study using data from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan during the period from 1997 to 2010. Patients with GERD were diagnosed using endoscopy, and controls were matched to patients with GERD at a ratio of 1:4. We identified 15,412 patients with GERD and 60,957 controls. Compared with the controls, the patients with GERD had higher rates of osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, bronchiectasis, depression, anxiety, hypertension, dyslipidemia, chronic liver disease, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and coronary artery disease (all P < .05). A total of 85 patients had lung cancer among patients with GERD during the follow-up of 42,555 person-years, and the rate of lung cancer was 0.0020 per person-year. By contrast, 232 patients had lung cancer among patients without GERD during the follow-up of 175,319 person-years, and the rate of lung cancer was 0.0013 per person-year. By using stepwise Cox regression model, the overall incidence of lung cancer remained significantly higher in the patients with GERD than in the controls (hazard ratio, 1.53; 95% CI [1.19–1.98]). The cumulative incidence of lung cancer was higher in the patients with GERD than in the controls (P = .0012). In conclusion, our large population-based cohort study provides evidence that GERD may increase the risk of lung cancer in Asians.


Author(s):  
Gregory L. Hundemer ◽  
Haris Imsirovic ◽  
Anand Vaidya ◽  
Nicholas Yozamp ◽  
Rémi Goupil ◽  
...  

Primary aldosteronism is a common, yet highly underdiagnosed, cause of hypertension that leads to disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease. Hypertension plus hypokalemia is a guideline-recommended indication to screen for primary aldosteronism, yet the uptake of this recommendation at the population level remains unknown. We performed a population-based retrospective cohort study of adults ≥18 years old in Ontario, Canada, with hypertension plus hypokalemia (potassium <3.5 mEq/L) from 2009 to 2015 with follow-up through 2017. We measured the proportion of individuals who underwent primary aldosteronism screening via the aldosterone-to-renin ratio based upon hypokalemia frequency and severity along with concurrent antihypertensive medication use. We assessed clinical predictors associated with screening via Cox regression. The cohort included 26 533 adults of which only 422 (1.6%) underwent primary aldosteronism screening. When assessed by number of instances of hypokalemia over a 2-year time window, the proportion of eligible patients who were screened increased only modestly from 1.0% (158/15 983) with one instance to 4.8% (71/1494) with ≥5 instances. Among individuals with severe hypokalemia (potassium <3.0 mEq/L), only 3.9% (58/1422) were screened. Among older adults prescribed ≥4 antihypertensive medications, only 1.0% were screened. Subspecialty care with endocrinology (hazard ratio [HR], 1.52 [95% CI, 1.10–2.09]), nephrology (HR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.07–1.91]), and cardiology (HR, 1.39 [95% CI, 1.14–1.70]) were associated with an increased likelihood of screening, whereas age (HR, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.94–0.96]) and diabetes (HR, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.50–0.89]) were inversely associated with screening. In conclusion, population-level uptake of guideline recommendations for primary aldosteronism screening is exceedingly low. Increased education and awareness are critical to bridge this gap.


2012 ◽  
Vol 167 (3) ◽  
pp. 409-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chin-Hsiao Tseng

ObjectiveA retrospective cohort study, using a population-based reimbursement database, was conducted for investigating the relationship between diabetes and colon cancer and assessing whether metformin had a protective effect.MethodsOverall, 493 704 men and 502 139 women, covered by the National Health Insurance, without colon cancer were followed from 2003 to 2005. Cox regression evaluated the adjusted relative risk (RR), considering confounders and detection examinations.ResultsEven though diabetes patients had a significantly higher probability of receiving examinations that could lead to the detection of colon cancer, they had a significantly higher risk (24%) of this cancer after adjustment. Metformin users had a significantly lower risk (27%) of colon cancer. While comparing patients with diabetes for <1, 1–3, and ≥3 years to nondiabetes individuals, the adjusted RR (95% confidence interval) was 1.308 (1.020–1.679), 1.087 (0.900–1.313), and 1.185 (1.055–1.330) respectively. The higher risk among those with diabetes for <1 year suggested a possible reverse causality or a link with prediabetes. However, diabetes still might play some role in the development of colon cancer in those with diabetes for ≥3 years. The duration of metformin use showed an inverse trend, with a significant RR of 0.643 (0.490–0.845) in users for ≥3 years, when compared with nonusers. In addition, metformin may reduce colon cancer risk associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (a surrogate for smoking).ConclusionsFollowing adjustment for potential detection bias and other covariates, diabetes remains a significant risk factor for colon cancer. Metformin may protect against colon cancer.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e041875
Author(s):  
Mette Nørgaard ◽  
Bianka Darvalics ◽  
Reimar Wernich Thomsen

ObjectiveTo assess whether metformin use affects risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by comparing the risk of BPH in men with type 2 diabetes who initiated first-line treatment with either metformin or sulfonylurea monotherapy between 2000 or 2006 in Northern Denmark. In this period, sulfonylurea and metformin were both frequently used as first-line glucose-lowering drug (GLD) treatment.DesignA population-based cohort study.SettingNorthern Denmark.ParticipantsAll men who filled at least two prescriptions for metformin or for sulfonylurea, respectively, during their first 6 months of GLD treatment. Follow-up started 6 months after treatment start.Primary outcome measuresRates of subsequent BPH, identified based on community prescriptions for BPH-related treatment or hospital BPH diagnoses, and rates of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Rates in metformin and sulfonylurea users were compared overall and stratified by 6-month haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) using Cox regression and an intention-to-treat (ITT) approach and an as-treated analysis.ResultsDuring follow-up, less than five persons were lost to follow-up due to emigration. In 3953 metformin initiators with a median follow-up of 10 years, the 10-year cumulative BPH incidence was 25.7% (95% CI 24.2 to 27.1). Compared with 5958 sulfonylurea users (median follow-up 8 years, 10-year cumulative incidence 27.4% (95% CI 26.2 to 28.6)), the crude HR for BPH was 0.83 (95% CI 0.77 to 0.89) and adjusted HR in the ITT analyses was 0.97 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.06). For TURP, the adjusted HR was 0.96 (95% CI 0.63 to 1.46). In the as-treated analysis, adjusted HR for BPH was 0.91 (95% CI 0.81 to 1.02).ConclusionsCompared with sulfonylurea, metformin did not substantially reduce the incidence of BPH in men with diabetes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 175883592110109
Author(s):  
Binhua Dong ◽  
Huachun Zou ◽  
Xiaodan Mao ◽  
Yingying Su ◽  
Hangjing Gao ◽  
...  

Background: China’s Fujian Cervical Pilot Project (FCPP) transitioned cervical cancer screening from high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) nongenotyping to genotyping. We investigated the clinical impact of this introduction, comparing performance indicators between HR-HPV genotyping combined with cytology screening (HR-HPV genotyping period) and the previous HR-HPV nongenotyping combined with cytology screening (HR-HPV nongenotyping period). Methods: A retrospective population-based cohort study was performed using data from the FCPP for China. We obtained data for the HR-HPV nongenotyping period from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2013, and for the HR-HPV genotyping period from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2016. Propensity score matching was used to match women from the two periods. Multivariable Cox regression was used to assess factors associated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of grade 2 or worse (CIN2+). The primary outcome was the incidence of CIN2+ in women aged ⩾25 years. Performance was assessed and included consistency, reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and cost. Results: Compared with HR-HPV nongenotyping period, in the HR-HPV genotyping period, more CIN2+ cases were identified at the initial screening (3.06% versus 2.32%; p < 0.001); the rate of colposcopy referral was higher (10.87% versus 6.64%; p < 0.001); and the hazard ratio of CIN2+ diagnosis was 1.64 (95% confidence interval, 1.43–1.88; p < 0.001) after controlling for health insurance status and age. The total costs of the first round of screening (US$66,609 versus US$65,226; p = 0.293) were similar during the two periods. Higher screening coverage (25.95% versus 25.19%; p = 0.007), higher compliance with age recommendations (92.70% versus 91.69%; p = 0.001), lower over-screening (4.92% versus 10.15%; p < 0.001), and reduced unqualified samples (cytology: 1.48% versus 1.73%, p = 0.099; HR-HPV: 0.57% versus 1.34%, p < 0.001) were observed in the HR-HPV genotyping period. Conclusions: Introduction of an HR-HPV genotyping assay in China could detect more CIN2+ lesions at earlier stages and improve programmatic indicators. Evidence suggests that the introduction of HR-HPV genotyping is likely to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer in China.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsung-Kun Lin ◽  
Jing-Yang Huang ◽  
Lung-Fa Pan ◽  
Gwo-Ping Jong

Abstract Background Some observational studies have found a significant association between the use of statin and a reduced risk of dementia. However, the results of these studies are unclear in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study is to determine the association between the use of statins and the incidence of dementia according to sex and age-related differences in patients with RA. Methods We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study using the Taiwan Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database (2003–2016). The primary outcome assessed was the risk of dementia by estimating hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Multiple Cox regression was used to estimate the adjusted hazard ratio of new-onset dementia. Subgroup analysis was also conducted. Results Among the 264,036 eligible patients with RA aged > 40 years, statin users were compared with non-statin users by propensity score matching at a ratio of 1:1 (25,764 in each group). However, no association was found between the use of statins and the risk of new-onset dementia (NOD) in patients with RA (HR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.97–1.06). The subgroup analysis identified the use of statin as having a protective effect against developing NOD in male and older patients. Conclusion No association was observed between the use of a statin and the risk of NOD in patients with RA, including patients of both genders and aged 40–60 years, but these parameters were affected by gender and age. The decreased risk of NOD in patients with RA was greater among older male patients. Use of a statin in older male (> 60 years) patients with RA may be needed in clinical practice to prevent dementia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang Yeop Lee ◽  
Hun Lee ◽  
Ji Sung Lee ◽  
Sol Ah Han ◽  
Yoon Jeon Kim ◽  
...  

AbstractThis population-based, retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the association between glaucoma surgery and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among Korean elderly patients with glaucoma. A total of 16210 elderly patients (aged ≥ 60 years) diagnosed with glaucoma between 2003 and 2012 were included, and their insurance data were analyzed. The participants were categorized into a glaucoma surgery cohort (n = 487), which included individuals who had diagnostic codes for open angle glaucoma (OAG) or angle closure glaucoma (ACG) and codes for glaucoma surgery, and a glaucoma diagnosis cohort (n = 15,723), which included patients who had codes for OAG and ACG but not for glaucoma surgery. Sociodemographic factors, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, and ocular comorbidities were included as covariates. Cox regression models were used to assess the association between glaucoma surgery and mortality. The incidence of all-cause mortality was 34.76/1,000 person-years and 27.88/1,000 person-years in the glaucoma surgery and diagnosis groups, respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality associated with glaucoma surgery was 1.31 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05–1.62, P = 0.014). The adjusted HR for mortality due to a neurologic cause was significant (HR = 2.66, 95% CI 1.18–6.00, P = 0.018). The adjusted HRs for mortality due to cancer (HR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.07–3.83, P = 0.029) and accident or trauma (HR = 4.00, 95% CI 1.55–10.34, P = 0.004) associated with glaucoma surgery for ACG were significant as well. Glaucoma surgery was associated with an increase of mortality in elderly patients with glaucoma. In particular, the risk of mortality associated with glaucoma surgery due to neurologic causes was significant.


2017 ◽  
Vol 145 (6) ◽  
pp. 1203-1209 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. RÖCKERT TJERNBERG ◽  
J. BONNEDAHL ◽  
M. INGHAMMAR ◽  
A. EGESTEN ◽  
G. KAHLMETER ◽  
...  

SUMMARYSevere infections are recognized complications of coeliac disease (CD). In the present study we aimed to examine whether individuals with CD are at increased risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). To do so, we performed a population-based cohort study including 29 012 individuals with biopsy-proven CD identified through biopsy reports from all pathology departments in Sweden. Each individual with CD was matched with up to five controls (n = 144 257). IPD events were identified through regional and national microbiological databases, including the National Surveillance System for Infectious Diseases. We used Cox regression analyses to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for diagnosed IPD. A total of 207 individuals had a record of IPD whereas 45/29 012 had CD (0·15%) and 162/144 257 were controls (0·11%). This corresponded to a 46% increased risk for IPD [HR 1·46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·05–2·03]. The risk estimate was similar after adjustment for socioeconomic status, educational level and comorbidities, but then failed to attain statistical significance (adjusted HR 1·40, 95% CI 0·99–1·97). Nonetheless, our study shows a trend towards an increased risk for IPD in CD patients. The findings support results seen in earlier research and taking that into consideration individuals with CD may be considered for pneumococcal vaccination.


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