Does sex affect 30-day mortality in Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia?

Background: Sex-related differences in complications and mortality of infection were examined with conflicting results. Further studies are required to bring new light in this topic in Staphylococcus aureus infections.

Objective: We examined the outcomes of S.

Looking beyond polypharmacy: quantification of medication regimen complexity in the elderly.

Background: Polypharmacy has been shown to influence outcomes in elderly patients. However, the impact of medication regimen complexity, quantified by the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI), on health outcomes after discharge of elderly patients has not been studied.

Objective: Our aim was to test the convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity of the MRCI in older hospitalized patients with varying functional and cognitive levels.

Healthcare-associated vs. hospital-acquired Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.

Objective: To analyze clinical features and outcomes of patients with hospital-acquired (HA) and healthcare-associated (HCA) Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted from 1988 to 2007. We compared patients with clinically significant HA with those with HCA S.

Validity of the Medication-based Disease Burden Index compared with the Charlson Comorbidity Index and the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for geriatrics: a cohort study.

Background: Co-morbidity is common in older people. A co-morbidity index reduces coexisting illnesses and their severity to a single numerical score, allowing comparison with scores from other patients. Recently, the Medication-Based Disease Burden Index (MDBI) was developed.

Antibiotic prophylaxis in cardiac surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended in cardiac surgery. Current debate concerns the type of antibiotic(s), dosing and the duration of prophylaxis.

Methods: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials comparing one antibiotic regimen versus another in cardiac surgery.

[Atosiban treatment for preterm labor--financial considerations and savings by implementing clinical guidelines].

Introduction: Preterm delivery is a significant cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Pregnant women, with symptoms and signs consistent with preterm labor, can be treated with various tocolytic drugs. Atosiban is one of many drugs indicated to arrest imminent preterm labor.

Thrombocytopenia in Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: risk factors and prognostic importance.

Objective: To identify risk factors and outcomes associated with thrombocytopenia at sepsis onset in Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.

Patients And Methods: This single-center, retrospective, cohort study consists of all adult patients with a first episode of clinical S aureus bacteremia between April 1, 1988, and September 30, 1994, and between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2007. Thrombocytopenia was defined as a platelet count less than 150 × 10(9)/L.

PCR using blood for diagnosis of invasive pneumococcal disease: systematic review and meta-analysis.

The use of molecular-based methods for the diagnosis of bacterial infections in blood is appealing, but they have not yet passed the threshold for clinical practice. A systematic review of prospective and case-control studies assessing the diagnostic utility of PCR directly with blood samples for the diagnosis of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) was performed. A broad search was conducted to identify published and unpublished studies.

Is there an association between inappropriate prescription drug use and adherence in discharged elderly patients?

Background: Inappropriate prescription drug (IPD) use is very common among older patients. However, its impact on medication continuity and adherence after hospitalization has not been researched, with little known regarding readmissions and mortality.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of patients discharged with IPDs and examine whether use of these drugs is related to medication continuity and adherence 1 month postdischarge as well as to readmissions and mortality 3 months postdischarge.

Continuity and adherence to long-term drug treatment by geriatric patients after hospital discharge: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Increased life expectancy is associated with an increased prevalence of chronic diseases and drug consumption. Changes often occur in the medication regimen after hospitalization. The extent and nature of these changes and the adherence of elderly patients have not yet been fully investigated.

Relationship of in-hospital medication modifications of elderly patients to postdischarge medications, adherence, and mortality.

Background: Medication regimens are constantly modified and updated during a patient's hospitalization. These modifications and those made after discharge might increase the risk for nonadherence, polypharmacy, and poor outcomes among elderly patients.

Objectives: To investigate the extent of in-hospital modification of medication regimens of elderly patients and its relationship to medication adherence as well as one-month postdischarge drug regimen modifications and to examine the relationship of the modifications, adherence, and polypharmacy to mortality and readmissions 3 months postdischarge.