Influence of radiologic pattern and the presence of diffuse parenchymal lung disease on outcome in ventilated patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: impact on prognosis.

Background: Suspected organising pneumonia (OP) is a common finding in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but the impact on outcomes of the radiological patterns of diffuse parenchymal lung disease on outcome of these patients is still uncertain.

Aims: Investigate the presence of radiological images compatible with OP and its association with clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 submitted to invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV).

Methods: Retrospective, unicentric cohort study composed of patients who required IMV and underwent chest computerized tomography to investigate secondary complications of COVID-19.

Elevated red blood cell distribution width at ICU discharge is associated with readmission to the intensive care unit.

Background: Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a predictor of mortality in critically ill patients. Our objective was to investigate the association between the RDW at ICU discharge and the risk of ICU readmission or unexpected death in the ward.

Methods: A secondary analysis of prospectively collected data study was conducted including patients discharged alive from the ICU to the ward.

Mortality in chronically critically ill patients: Expanding the use of the ProVent score.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to look at the performance of the Prognosis for Prolonged Ventilation (ProVent) score with a short-term outcome as well as when used earlier during the course of prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study was performed in a tertiary public hospital from August 2011 to August 2012. All patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) during this period were included in the study.

Inflammatory and perfusion markers as risk factors and predictors of critically ill patient readmission.

Objective: To assess the performance of central venous oxygen saturation, lactate, base deficit, and C-reactive protein levels and SOFA and SWIFT scores on the day of discharge from the intensive care unit as predictors of patient readmission to the intensive care unit.

Methods: This prospective and observational study collected data from 1,360 patients who were admitted consecutively to a clinical-surgical intensive care unit from August 2011 to August 2012. The clinical characteristics and laboratory data of readmitted and non-readmitted patients after discharge from the intensive care unit were compared.

Clostridium difficile infection in Brazil: a neglected problem?

The epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection is virtually unknown in Brazil. In this prospective study, 8.3% of patients with nosocomial diarrhea were found to have toxigenic strains of C difficile in their feces.

High prevalence of depression amongst mothers of children with asthma.

Objective: To compare the prevalence of depression among mothers of children with asthma and mothers of children without asthma and to investigate the influence of severity and duration of childhood asthma on maternal depression.

Method: A cross-sectional study including 80 mothers of children with asthma and 160 mothers of children without asthma who attended the pediatric outpatient clinics of a teaching hospital in Southern Brazil. The main outcome measure was the presence of depression in these mothers, measured by the Beck Depression Inventory.