Neurodevelopmental outcomes following preterm birth and the association with postmenstrual age at discharge

Objective: To 1) define the prevalence of motor, cognitive, and language delays in preterm infants born < 32 weeks estimated gestational age (EGA) and 2) identify the relationship between the timing of discharge from the NICU and neurodevelopmental outcome in early childhood. Study Design: This retrospective study of 176 preterm infants born < 32 weeks EGA and hospitalized in a level IV NICU captured medical factors, including timing of discharge, from the NICU stay. Standardized developmental testing at 1-2 years corrected age was conducted in the newborn follow-up clinic. Results: At 1-2 years corrected age, the sample had an average cognitive composite score of 91.5 ± 17.4, language composite score of 84.5 ± 17.3, and motor composite score of 88.9 ± 18.4. Lower EGA at birth, necrotizing enterocolitis, patent ductus arteriosus, and oxygen requirement for > 28 days were independently associated with higher postmenstrual age (PMA) at NICU discharge. After controlling for known risk factors, higher PMA at discharge was associated with poorer cognitive outcome [p < 0.001, (-0.16, -0.07), β = -0.35], poorer language outcome [p = 0.049 (-0.10, 0.00), β = -0.15] and poorer motor outcome [p < 0.001, (-0.14, -0.05), β = -0.30]. Conclusion: Poorer cognitive, language, and motor outcomes were associated with longer hospitalization, even after controlling for medical risk factors known to be associated with poorer outcome. This provides further evidence for the potential role of the environment that may be impacting the developmental outcomes of infants hospitalized in the NICU.

Scuba diving-related fatalities in New Zealand, 2007 to 2016

Introduction: New Zealand (NZ) diving-related fatalities have been reported since the 1960s. The aim is to identify contributing risk factors, including medical, and to inform appropriate preventative strategies. Methods: NZ scuba diving fatalities from 2007 to 2016 were searched from multiple sources – the National Coronial Information System (NCIS); the NZ Chief Coroner’s office; Water Safety NZ Drownbase™ and the NZ Police National Dive Squad records. For inclusion, a victim must have been wearing a scuba set (which may include a rebreather). A key word search of the NCIS was made and the results matched to the other databases. An Excel® database was created and a chain of events analysis (CEA) conducted. Results: Forty-eight scuba diving fatalities were identified, 40 men and eight women, average age 47 years (range 17−68), 20 of Māori ethnicity. Thirty-five were classified as overweight (14) or obese (21). Pre-existing medical risk factors were identified, either pre dive or at autopsy, in 37 divers, the commonest being ischaemic heart disease (IHD, 20), left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH, 18) and hypertension (seven). IHD, LVH and obesity were variously associated with each other. The likely commonest disabling conditions, identified in 32 cases, were asphyxia (15), cardiac (nine) and pulmonary barotrauma/cerebral arterial gas embolism (five). Multiple environmental and diving practice breaches and poor planning were identified in the CEA, similar to those seen in other studies. Thirty-eight divers had not released their weight belt. Information on resuscitation was limited. Conclusions: Obesity and cardiovascular disease were common and Māori appear to be over-represented, both as previously reported.

Investigation of the Adherence to Prescribed Treatment of the Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

The purpose of the study was to investigate the adherence to secondary prevention medications among patients with coronary heart disease and identify factors associated with it. Materials and methods. We examined 40 patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease of more than 50 years old, who were prescribed with optimal medication for 1 year during hospitalization. Patients` adherence was defined according to MMS-8 Morisky values for secondary prevention medications prescribed by doctors. Also, questionnaires about individual reasons of non-compliance and for individual patient`s opinion about importance and usefulness of knowledge according to risk factors of the increase of cardiovascular mortality were designed and proposed to the patients. Simple descriptive statistics were used to elucidate the characteristics of the patient population and results from individual adherence tools. Final score was analyzed and correlation between patients’ data and level of adherence to prescribed treatment were identified. A correlation matrix (using Spearman’s coefficient) was reviewed for any evidence of collinearity. Results and discussion. Our study demonstrated higher level of non-adherence with secondary prevention medications in patients with coronary heart disease (60.0%). This fact can be explained by the socioeconomic reasons, less informative strategies from the medical staff to the patients. Severe regress of adherence was demonstrated after discharge from the hospital due to subjective improvement of the patients` condition with absence of supervision by out-patient specialists. Demographic characteristics of the patients suggested that some non-modified factors can affect compliance with the prescribed treatment. Better adherence was demonstrated by female married patients with higher educational level, with family history about cardiovascular death. Also, too much prescribed medications with difficult regime of usage with non-adequate out-patient supervision may significantly decrease adherence causing development of complications which may lead to re-hospitalizations and cardiovascular death. Our investigation demonstrated also non-complete information of the patients about lifestyle and medical risk factors of the cardiovascular mortality increase. Conclusion. The results of our study can provide useful practical information on the prevalence and severity of non-adherence among patients with coronary heart disease. Analysis of the factors influencing the adherence demonstrated the main reasons from patients and healthcare professionals affecting the level of compliance with the prescribed treatment. The step towards improving adherence can be initiated by the healthcare professional to overcome the patient's concerns about the prescribed medication. It is important to continue personal monitoring of patients by healthcare professionals in the form of regular inspections of intentional and unintentional non-adherence, including factors and reasons that may change and lead to such behavior

Reducing Your Risk of Alzheimer’s Dementia: Building a Better Brain as We Age

Alzheimer’ dementia is a large and growing public health problem. Of utmost importance for limiting the impact of the disease on society is the prevention of dementia, that is, delay onset either by years whereby death ensues prior to dementia onset. The Religious Orders Study and the Rush Memory and Aging Project are two harmonized cohort studies of aging and dementia that include organ donation at death. Ongoing since 1994 and 1997, respectively, we published on the association of numerous experiential, psychological, and medical risk factors for dementia, many of which are potentially modifiable. Here, selected findings are reviewed based on a presentation at the 2020 National Academy of Neuropsychology given virtually in Chicago in October of 2020.

Primary prevention of acute coronary events through the adoption of a Mediterranean-style diet

We evaluated the role of a Mediterranean-style diet in preventing acute coronary syndromes [ACS]. Data from CARDIO2000, a multi-centre retrospective case-control study investigating the association between ACS and demographic, nutritional, lifestyle and medical risk factors were used. We studied 661 patients hospitalized for a first ACS event and 661 matched controls without clinical suspicion of cardiovascular disease. The Mediterranean diet significantly reduced [by 16%] the risk of developing ACS. The association remained significant in the presence of hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes mellitus or a combination of two of these cardiovascular risk factors. Our findings illustrate the importance of the Mediterranean diet in the primary prevention of acute coronary events

Risk factors and mortality of acute kidney injury within 1 month after lung transplantation

After lung transplantation (LT), some patients are at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI), which is associated with worse outcomes and increased mortality. Previous studies focused on AKI development from 72 h to 1 week within LT, and reported main risk factors for AKI such as intraoperative hypotension, need of ECMO support, ischemia time or longer time on waiting list. However, this period interval rarely reflects medical risk factors probably happen in longer post-operative period. So, in this study we aimed to describe the incidence and risk factor of AKI within post-operative 1 month, which is longer follow up duration. Among 161 patients who underwent LT at Severance hospital in Seoul, Korea from October 2012 to September 2017, 148 patients were retrospectively enrolled. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models were utilized. Among 148 patients, 59 (39.8%) developed AKI within 1-month after LT. Stage I or II, and stage III AKI were recorded in 26 (17.5%) and 33 (22.2%), respectively. We also classified AKI according to occurrence time, within 1 week as early AKI, from 1 week within 1 month was defined as late AKI. AKI III usually occurred within 7 days after transplantation (early vs. late AKI III, 72.5% vs 21.1%). Risk factor for AKI development was pre-operative anemia, higher units of red blood cells transfused during surgery, colistin intravenous infusion for treating multi drug resistant pathogens were independent risk factors for AKI development. Post-operative bleeding, grade 3 PGD within 72 h, and sepsis were more common complication in the AKI group. Patients with AKI III ([24/33] 72.7%) had significantly higher 1-year mortality than the no-AKI ([18/89] 20.2%), and AKI I or II group ([9/26] 34.6%), log-rank test, P < 0.001). AKI was associated with worse post-operative outcome, 3-month, and 1-year mortality after LT. Severity of AKI was usually determined in early post op period (ex. within 7 days) after LT, so optimal post-operative management as well as recipients selection should be considered.