Predictors of mortality in COVID-19 patients treated with convalescent plasma therapy.

Several options to treat hospitalized severe COVID-19 patients have been suggested. The study aimed to describe survival in patients treated with convalescent COVID plasma (CCP) and to identify in-hospital mortality predictors. This prospective cohort study examined data from 112 severe COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the Corona Departments in an acute care hospital who received two units of CCP (at least one of them high-titer).

The prognostic role of functional dependency in older inpatients with COVID-19.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic infection with substantial risk of death, especially in elderly persons. Information about the prognostic significance of functional status in older patients with COVID-19 is scarce.

Methods: Demographic, clinical, laboratory and short-term mortality data were collected of 186 consecutive patients aged ≥ 65 years hospitalized with COVID-19.

Delayed versus classic orthostatic hypotension: clinical and prognostic implications.

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common disorder, especially among hospitalised patients. Classic OH is defined as occurring 3 or less minutes of orthostatic stress, and delayed OH as occurring after 3 min of stress. We aimed to compare clinical characteristics and prognosis between inpatients with classic vs.

Platelet distribution width: a novel prognostic marker in an internal medicine ward.

: Platelet distribution width (PDW) has demonstrated clinical significance in populations with specific disorders; its prognostic significance in internal medicine wards has not been investigated. : Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected prospectively for 1036 internal medicine inpatients. The primary outcome was 90-day mortality, secondary outcomes were: treatment with mechanical ventilation, prolonged hospital stay, in-hospital death, and all-cause mortality following discharge.

High compression leg bandaging prevents seated postural hypotension among elderly hospitalized patients.

Postural hypotension (PH) is a very common and often symptomatic disorder among elderly hospitalized patients. Little is known about measures for preventing previously unknown PH in this population. We evaluated the effectiveness of high compression leg bandaging in preventing seated PH during the initial phase of ambulation, among elderly inpatients without a history of PH.

Orthostatic hypotension: definition, classification and evaluation.

Purpose: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common and clinically important disorder. Published papers vary regarding the definitions of OH and methodologies of evaluation. Moreover, substantial gaps in the skills and knowledge required for assessment of OH have been reported by clinicians.

Orthostatic hypotension in internal medicine wards.

Objectives: Most studies of orthostatic hypotension (OH) have focused on community-dwelling and institutionalized patient populations. Less is known about OH in hospitalized patients. Moreover, a comprehensive review of OH in internal medicine wards has not been published in the English literature.

A rise in mean platelet volume during hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia predicts poor prognosis: a retrospective observational cohort study.

Background: Clinical characteristics and the prognostic significance of changes in mean platelet volume (MPV) during hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) have not been investigated.

Methods: Among 976 adults hospitalized for CAP, clinical characteristics, in-hospital outcomes (transfer to the intensive care unit, treatment with mechanical ventilation, prolonged hospital stay and death), and all-cause mortality following discharge, were compared according to ΔMPV (MPV on discharge minus MPV on admission): groups A (no rising MPV, ΔMPV < 0.6 fL) and B (rising MPV, ΔMPV ≥ 0.

Changes in Red Cell Distribution Width During Hospitalization for Community-Acquired Pneumonia: Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Significance.

Purpose: We investigated outcomes of patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) according to the changes in red cell distribution width (RDW).

Methods: For 980 adults, clinical characteristics, outcomes during hospitalization for CAP (transfer to the intensive care unit, treatment with mechanical ventilation, prolonged hospital stay, and death), and all-cause mortality following discharge were compared: according to RDW changes versus stable RDW during hospitalization, and according to normal (≤14.7 %) versus high (>14.

Prognostic significance of platelet count changes during hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia.

The prognostic significance of platelet count (PC) changes during hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) has not been investigated. For 976 adults, clinical data during hospitalization for CAP and all-cause mortality following discharge were compared according to ΔPC (PC on discharge minus PC on admission): groups A (declining PC, ΔPC < -50 × 10/l), B (stable PC, ΔPC ± 50 × 10/l), and C (rising PC, ΔPC >50 × 10/l), and according to the presence of thrombocytopenia, normal PC, and thrombocytosis on admission/discharge. Groups A, B, and C comprised 7.

Prognostic significance of changes in red cell distribution width in an internal medicine ward.

Background: The prognostic significance of red cell distribution width (RDW) during hospitalization in internal medicine wards was not sufficiently investigated.

Methods: Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics were collected from 586 internal medicine inpatients. Following discharge, all-cause mortality was recorded.

[Cutis verticis gyrata as an early rare presenting sign of acromegaly].

Cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) is a descriptive term for a dermal sign in which deep furrows and convoluted ridges are seen upon the scalp. They are formed due to thickening of the skin folds of the scalp and produce an appearance that resembles the gyri of the brain. The condition is classified primary when the etiology is unknown or neurologically based.

Clinical characteristics and prognostic significance of changes in platelet count in an internal medicine ward.

Background: The clinical characteristics and prognostic significance of changes in platelet count (PC) during hospitalization in internal medicine wards have not been well investigated.

Methods: Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected from 345 patients admitted to an internal medicine ward. Following discharge, all-cause mortality was recorded.

Factors associated with prevention of postural hypotension by leg compression bandaging.

Aim: We evaluated the eventual effects of leg compression on seating-induced postural hypotension (PH) in the context of various relevant clinical variables.

Methods: Included were 73 hospitalized patients with various acute conditions, aged ≥ 60 years, bedridden for ≥ 8 h, with diagnosed PH [≥ 20 mmHg systolic and/or ≥ 10 mmHg diastolic blood pressure (BP) falls] at the first seating. BP, heart rhythm, dizziness and palpitations were recorded before and during 5 min of sitting.

Clinical characteristics and prognostic significance of serum albumin changes in an internal medicine ward.

Background: The prognostic significance of hypoalbuminemia and the dynamic changes in serum albumin during hospitalization in internal medicine wards has not been sufficiently investigated.

Methods: Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected from 276 patients admitted to our internal medicine ward for a variety of acute disorders. Following discharge, all-cause mortality was recorded.

Atrial Fibrillation at an Internal Medicine Ward: Clinical and Prognostic Implications.

Little is known about atrial fibrillation (AF) appearing during hospitalization in an Internal Medicine ward. We aimed to investigate characteristics and prognostic significance of in-hospital onset AF. We studied 249 consecutive unselected patients admitted to this medical department with paroxysmal or persistent AF (out-of-hospital group) or AF developed during hospitalization (in-hospital group).

Shortened erythrocyte sedimentation rate evaluation is applicable to hospitalised patients.

Background: Westergren method, commonly used for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) determination, is simple and inexpensive. However, the 60 min required for the test are disadvantageous, especially for those departments/facilities where prompt evaluation is necessary. We investigated the possibility that earlier ESR recordings might correlate with standard 60-minute ESR and/or be predictive of the latter.

Anemia in diabetic patients at an internal medicine ward: clinical correlates and prognostic significance.

Background: Characteristics and prognostic significance of anemia in hospitalized diabetic patients are unknown.

Methods: We studied 3145 unselected patients admitted to two Internal Medicine Departments, 872 (27.7%) of whom were diabetic.

Application of HRV-CD for estimation of life expectancy in various clinical disorders.

Background: Low heart rate variability (HRV) was found in various medical conditions including heart failure and acute myocardial infarction. Decreased HRV in these conditions predicted poor prognosis.

Methods: HRV was estimated in 133 unselected inpatients with relevant clinical bedside conditions by non-linear analysis derived from chaos theory, which calculates the correlation dimension (CD) of the cardiac electrophysiologic system (HRV-CD).

Clinical variables affecting survival in patients with decompensated diastolic versus systolic heart failure.

Background: The impact of various clinical variables on long-term survival of patients with acutely decompensated diastolic heart failure (DHF) compared to systolic heart failure (SHF) has not been sufficiently investigated.

Methods: Clinical, laboratory, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic data were collected and analyzed for all-cause mortality in 473 furosemide-treated patients aged >or=60 years, hospitalized for acutely decompensated HF.

Results: Diastolic heart failure patients (n = 183) were more likely to be older, female, hypertensive, obese, with shorter preexisting HF duration, atrial fibrillation, lower New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, lower maintenance furosemide dosages, and to receive calcium antagonists.

Splenic vein thrombosis following abdominal compression and vibration: a case report.

The authors describe a 46-year-old man with isolated splenic vein thrombosis (SVT) that developed after concrete drilling, which caused significant compression and vibration of the abdominal wall. Methyltetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency-related hyperhomocysteinemia, which was subsequently diagnosed, predisposed him to this event. To the best of the knowledge of authors, this is the first report of isolated splenic vein thrombosis caused by compression and vibration of the abdomen.

Magnesium and C-reactive protein in heart failure: an anti-inflammatory effect of magnesium administration?

Background: Little is known about the relationship between serum magnesium (Mg) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in heart failure (HF).

Aim Of The Study: To investigate the relationship, if any, between serum Mg and CRP in HF patients and, concomitantly, to test a hypothesis that Mg supplementation might affect serum CRP levels.

Methods: Serum Mg and CRP were evaluated in 68 patients with chronic systolic HF leading to hospital admission and 65 patients requiring hospitalization for other causes.

Patient-dependent variables affecting treatment and prediction of acute coronary syndrome are age-related. A study performed in Israel.

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) prevails in older patients and is associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Little is known about patient-related variables that may affect course and treatment of ACS in older vs. younger with acute chest pain.

Heart failure in diabetes mellitus: clinical features and prognostic implications.

We defined the prevalence and impact on survival of clinical bedside variables in 385 patients with symptomatic congestive heart failure (CHF), of whom there were 176 with and 209 without diabetes mellitus. Patients were consecutively hospitalized and admitted for various acute conditions. Following discharge all-cause mortality was recorded.