End-of-life decision-making in critically ill old patients with and without coronavirus disease 2019.

Background: There are few studies on the differences in end-of-life decisions making in critically ill patients with and without coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to investigate the independent factors that predicted the decision to withdraw or withhold life-sustaining treatments (LST) in critically ill patients and if these decisions were based on different variables for critically ill patients with COVID-19 compared to those for critically ill patients with other diagnoses in a Swedish intensive care unit.

Methods: This observational pilot study was performed at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Age, SAPS 3 and female sex are associated with decisions to withdraw or withhold intensive care.

Background: Intensive care treat critically ill patients. When intensive care is not considered beneficial for the patient, decisions to withdraw or withhold treatments are made. We aimed to identify independent patient variables that increase the odds for receiving a decision to withdraw or withhold intensive care.

Altered rectal perception in irritable bowel syndrome is associated with symptom severity.

Background & Aims: Diverging results exist regarding the connection between altered visceral perception and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, as well as the effects of psychological status on visceral sensitivity. We sought to investigate different aspects of rectal perception in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and the association with GI and psychological symptoms.

Methods: We included 109 patients with IBS meeting Rome II criteria (77 women; age range, 20-71 years) and 29 healthy controls (21 women; age range, 20-68 years).