Publications
147 results found
Elneima O, McAuley HJC, Leavy OC, et al., 2024, Cohort Profile: Post-Hospitalisation COVID-19 (PHOSP-COVID) study, International Journal of Epidemiology, Vol: 53, ISSN: 0300-5771
Stewart S-J, Pandolfo A, Moon Z, et al., 2024, UK clinicians’ attitudes towards the application of molecular diagnostics to guide antibiotic use in ICU patients with pneumonias: a quantitative study, Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Vol: 79, Pages: 123-127, ISSN: 0305-7453
Background: Molecular diagnostic tests may improve antibiotic prescribing by enabling earlier tailoring of antimicrobial therapy. However, clinicians’ trust and acceptance of these tests will determine their application in practice. Objectives: To examine ICU prescribers’ views on the application of molecular diagnostics in patients with suspected hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonias (HAP/VAP). Methods: Sixty-three ICU clinicians from 5 UK hospitals completed a cross-sectional questionnaire between May-July 2020 assessing attitudes towards using molecular diagnostics to inform initial agent choice and to help stop broad-spectrum antibiotics early.Results: Attitudes towards using molecular diagnostics to inform initial treatment choices and to stop broad-spectrum antibiotics early were nuanced. Most (83%) were positive about molecular diagnostics, agreeing that using results to inform broad-spectrum antibiotics prescribing is good practice. However, many (58%) believed sick patients are often too unstable to risk stopping broad-spectrum antibiotics based on a negative result. Conclusions: Positive attitudes towards the application of molecular diagnostics to improve antibiotic stewardship were juxta-positioned against the perceived need to initiate and maintain broad-spectrum antibiotics to protect unstable patients.
Milton-Jones H, Soussi S, Davies R, et al., 2023, An international RAND/UCLA expert panel to determine the optimal diagnosis and management of burn inhalation injury, Critical Care (UK), Vol: 27, ISSN: 1364-8535
BACKGROUND: Burn inhalation injury (BII) is a major cause of burn-related mortality and morbidity. Despite published practice guidelines, no consensus exists for the best strategies regarding diagnosis and management of BII. A modified DELPHI study using the RAND/UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) Appropriateness Method (RAM) systematically analysed the opinions of an expert panel. Expert opinion was combined with available evidence to determine what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate judgement in the diagnosis and management of BII. METHODS: A 15-person multidisciplinary panel comprised anaesthetists, intensivists and plastic surgeons involved in the clinical management of major burn patients adopted a modified Delphi approach using the RAM method. They rated the appropriateness of statements describing diagnostic and management options for BII on a Likert scale. A modified final survey comprising 140 statements was completed, subdivided into history and physical examination (20), investigations (39), airway management (5), systemic toxicity (23), invasive mechanical ventilation (29) and pharmacotherapy (24). Median appropriateness ratings and the disagreement index (DI) were calculated to classify statements as appropriate, uncertain, or inappropriate. RESULTS: Of 140 statements, 74 were rated as appropriate, 40 as uncertain and 26 as inappropriate. Initial intubation with ≥ 8.0 mm endotracheal tubes, lung protective ventilatory strategies, initial bronchoscopic lavage, serial bronchoscopic lavage for severe BII, nebulised heparin and salbutamol administration for moderate-severe BII and N-acetylcysteine for moderate BII were rated appropriate. Non-protective ventilatory strategies, high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, high-frequency percussive ventilation, prophylactic systemic antibiotics and corticosteroids were rated inappropriate. Experts disagreed (DI ≥ 1) on six statements, classified uncertain: the use of
Singh S, Nurek M, Mason S, et al., 2023, WHY STOP? A prospective observational vignette-based study to determine the cognitive-behavioural effects of rapid diagnostic PCR-based point-of-care test results on antibiotic cessation in ICU infections., BMJ Open, Vol: 13
OBJECTIVES: Point-of-care tests (POCTs) for infection offer accurate rapid diagnostics but do not consistently improve antibiotic stewardship (ASP) of suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia. We aimed to measure the effect of a negative PCR-POCT result on intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians' antibiotic decisions and the additional effects of patient trajectory and cognitive-behavioural factors (clinician intuition, dis/interest in POCT, risk averseness). DESIGN: Observational cohort simulation study. SETTING: ICU. PARTICIPANTS: 70 ICU consultants/trainees working in UK-based teaching hospitals. METHODS: Clinicians saw four case vignettes describing patients who had completed a course of antibiotics for respiratory infection. Vignettes comprised clinical and biological data (ie, white cell count, C reactive protein), varied to create four trajectories: clinico-biological improvement (the 'improvement' case), clinico-biological worsening ('worsening'), clinical improvement/biological worsening ('discordant clin better'), clinical worsening/biological improvement ('discordant clin worse'). Based on this, clinicians made an initial antibiotics decision (stop/continue) and rated confidence (6-point Likert scale). A PCR-based POCT was then offered, which clinicians could accept or decline. All clinicians (including those who declined) were shown the result, which was negative. Clinicians updated their antibiotics decision and confidence. MEASURES: Antibiotics decisions and confidence were compared pre-POCT versus post-POCT, per vignette. RESULTS: A negative POCT result increased the proportion of stop decisions (54% pre-POCT vs 70% post-POCT, χ2(1)=25.82, p<0.001, w=0.32) in all vignettes except improvement (already high), most notably in discordant clin worse (49% pre-POCT vs 74% post-POCT). In a linear regression, factors that significantly reduced clinicians' inclination to stop antibiotics were a worsening trajectory (b=-0.73 (-1.33, -0.14), p=0.015), initia
C-MOREPHOSP-COVID Collaborative Group, 2023, Multiorgan MRI findings after hospitalisation with COVID-19 in the UK (C-MORE): a prospective, multicentre, observational cohort study, The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, Vol: 11, Pages: 1003-1019, ISSN: 2213-2600
INTRODUCTION: The multiorgan impact of moderate to severe coronavirus infections in the post-acute phase is still poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate the excess burden of multiorgan abnormalities after hospitalisation with COVID-19, evaluate their determinants, and explore associations with patient-related outcome measures. METHODS: In a prospective, UK-wide, multicentre MRI follow-up study (C-MORE), adults (aged ≥18 years) discharged from hospital following COVID-19 who were included in Tier 2 of the Post-hospitalisation COVID-19 study (PHOSP-COVID) and contemporary controls with no evidence of previous COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antibody negative) underwent multiorgan MRI (lungs, heart, brain, liver, and kidneys) with quantitative and qualitative assessment of images and clinical adjudication when relevant. Individuals with end-stage renal failure or contraindications to MRI were excluded. Participants also underwent detailed recording of symptoms, and physiological and biochemical tests. The primary outcome was the excess burden of multiorgan abnormalities (two or more organs) relative to controls, with further adjustments for potential confounders. The C-MORE study is ongoing and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04510025. FINDINGS: Of 2710 participants in Tier 2 of PHOSP-COVID, 531 were recruited across 13 UK-wide C-MORE sites. After exclusions, 259 C-MORE patients (mean age 57 years [SD 12]; 158 [61%] male and 101 [39%] female) who were discharged from hospital with PCR-confirmed or clinically diagnosed COVID-19 between March 1, 2020, and Nov 1, 2021, and 52 non-COVID-19 controls from the community (mean age 49 years [SD 14]; 30 [58%] male and 22 [42%] female) were included in the analysis. Patients were assessed at a median of 5·0 months (IQR 4·2-6·3) after hospital discharge. Compared with non-COVID-19 controls, patients were older, living with more obesity, and had more comorbidities. Multiorgan abnormalities on MR
Singh S, 2023, Respiratory symptoms and signs, Medicine (United Kingdom), Vol: 51, Pages: 684-692, ISSN: 1357-3039
2016 marked the 200th anniversary of Laennec's invention of the stethoscope, with his subsequent publication on auscultatory sounds for clinical diagnosis (1819). Combined with percussion, the ‘inventum novum’ developed by Auenbrugger and described in 1761 formatively improved the diagnosis of thoracic diseases through clinical signs. Today, history and examination remain pivotal to accurate diagnosis. The key symptoms of respiratory disease are breathlessness, chest pain, wheeze, cough and associated sputum production, although non-respiratory conditions can also produce these symptoms. Other symptoms directly representative of respiratory disease, or associated with the consequences, include haemoptysis, fever, fatigue, air hunger and decreased exertional tolerance. A systematic approach to history-taking should include all primary symptoms, with their time-course, characteristics, severity and trajectory. A review of non-respiratory associations and pharmaceutical and historical aspects of respiratory symptoms should precede a thorough review of clinical signs. Further questioning or examination for clarification then leads to an assimilation of the information, synthesis with clinico-pathophysiological knowledge of respiratory diseases, and formulation of a differential diagnosis. From meta-analyses, auscultation of the lungs has a low to intermediate diagnostic sensitivity for various pathologies, increasing as the prevalence does. However, it has very good specificity. Lung imaging (i.e. chest radiography, lung ultrasound, computed tomography) and lung function testing underpin the post-test diagnostic likelihood from the elicited clinical features. On examination, based on the model of inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation, there are a few classical patterns of the most important focal abnormalities. There can, however, be an absence of clinical signs. This article reviews the key features of respiratory symptoms and signs and tips on
Chowdary P, Agarwal B, Peralta MR, et al., 2023, Nebulized Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator (rt-PA) for Acute COVID-19-Induced Respiratory Failure: An Exploratory Proof-of-Concept Trial, JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE, Vol: 12
Dawson C, Clunie G, Evison F, et al., 2023, Prevalence of swallow, communication, voice and cognitive compromise following hospitalisation for COVID-19: the PHOSP-COVID analysis, BMJ Open Respiratory Research, Vol: 10, ISSN: 2052-4439
Objective: Identify prevalence of self-reported swallow, communication, voice and cognitive compromise following hospitalisation for COVID-19.Design: Multicentre prospective observational cohort study using questionnaire data at visit 1 (2–7 months post discharge) and visit 2 (10–14 months post discharge) from hospitalised patients in the UK. Lasso logistic regression analysis was undertaken to identify associations.Setting: 64 UK acute hospital Trusts.Participants: Adults aged >18 years, discharged from an admissions unit or ward at a UK hospital with COVID-19.Main outcome measures: Self-reported swallow, communication, voice and cognitive compromise.Results: Compromised swallowing post intensive care unit (post-ICU) admission was reported in 20% (188/955); 60% with swallow problems received invasive mechanical ventilation and were more likely to have undergone proning (p=0.039). Voice problems were reported in 34% (319/946) post-ICU admission who were more likely to have received invasive (p<0.001) or non-invasive ventilation (p=0.001) and to have been proned (p<0.001). Communication compromise was reported in 23% (527/2275) univariable analysis identified associations with younger age (p<0.001), female sex (p<0.001), social deprivation (p<0.001) and being a healthcare worker (p=0.010). Cognitive issues were reported by 70% (1598/2275), consistent at both visits, at visit 1 respondents were more likely to have higher baseline comorbidities and at visit 2 were associated with greater social deprivation (p<0.001).Conclusion: Swallow, communication, voice and cognitive problems were prevalent post hospitalisation for COVID-19, alongside whole system compromise including reduced mobility and overall health scores. Research and testing of rehabilitation interventions are required at pace to explore these issues.
Singh S, 2023, Oxford Textbook of Respiratory Critical Care, Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA, ISBN: 9780198766438
This is an indispensable guide for clinicians, researchers and nurses working in Critical Care, Anaesthesia, Respiratory Medicine, Acute Medicine, and Emergency Medicine.
Garfield BE, Bianchi P, Arachchillage DJ, et al., 2023, A comparison of long-term outcomes in patients managed with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.., Critical Care Medicine, Vol: 51, Pages: 1064-1073, ISSN: 0090-3493
OBJECTIVES: Early studies of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in COVID-19 have revealed similar outcomes to historical cohorts. Changes in the disease and treatments have led to differences in the patients supported on venovenous ECMO in the first and second waves. We aimed to compare these two groups in both the acute and follow-up phase. DESIGN: Retrospective single-center cohort study comparing mortality at censoring date (November 30, 2021) and decannulation, patient characteristics, complications and lung function and quality of life (QOL-by European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 3 Level Version) at first follow-up in patients supported on venovenous ECMO between wave 1 and wave 2 of the COVID-19 pandemic. SETTING: Critical care department of a severe acute respiratory failure service. PATIENTS: Patients supported on ECMO for COVID-19 between wave 1 (March 17, 2020, to August 31, 2020) and wave 2 (January 9, 2020, to May 25, 2021). INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: One hundred twenty-three patients were included in our analysis. Survival at censoring date (χ2, 6.35; p = 0.012) and decannulation (90.4% vs 70.0%; p < 0.001) was significantly lower in the second wave, while duration of ECMO run was longer (12.0 d [18.0-30.0 d] vs 29.5 d [15.5-58.3 d]; p = 0.005). Wave 2 patients had longer application of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) prior to ECMO and a higher frequency of barotrauma. Patient age and NIV use were independently associated with increased mortality (odds ratio 1.07 [1.01-1.14]; p = 0.025 and 3.37 [1.12-12.60]; p = 0.043, respectively). QOL and lung function apart from transfer coefficient of carbon monoxide corrected for hemoglobin was similar at follow-up across the waves. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with COVID-19 supported on ECMO in both waves survived in the short and longer term. At follow-up patients had similar lung function and QOL across the two waves. This suggests that ECMO has an ongoing role in
McAuley HJC, Evans RA, Bolton CE, et al., 2023, Prevalence of physical frailty, including risk factors, up to 1 year after hospitalisation for COVID-19 in the UK: a multicentre, longitudinal cohort study., EClinicalMedicine, Vol: 57, Pages: 1-13, ISSN: 2589-5370
BACKGROUND: The scale of COVID-19 and its well documented long-term sequelae support a need to understand long-term outcomes including frailty. METHODS: This prospective cohort study recruited adults who had survived hospitalisation with clinically diagnosed COVID-19 across 35 sites in the UK (PHOSP-COVID). The burden of frailty was objectively measured using Fried's Frailty Phenotype (FFP). The primary outcome was the prevalence of each FFP group-robust (no FFP criteria), pre-frail (one or two FFP criteria) and frail (three or more FFP criteria)-at 5 months and 1 year after discharge from hospital. For inclusion in the primary analysis, participants required complete outcome data for three of the five FFP criteria. Longitudinal changes across frailty domains are reported at 5 months and 1 year post-hospitalisation, along with risk factors for frailty status. Patient-perceived recovery and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were retrospectively rated for pre-COVID-19 and prospectively rated at the 5 month and 1 year visits. This study is registered with ISRCTN, number ISRCTN10980107. FINDINGS: Between March 5, 2020, and March 31, 2021, 2419 participants were enrolled with FFP data. Mean age was 57.9 (SD 12.6) years, 933 (38.6%) were female, and 429 (17.7%) had received invasive mechanical ventilation. 1785 had measures at both timepoints, of which 240 (13.4%), 1138 (63.8%) and 407 (22.8%) were frail, pre-frail and robust, respectively, at 5 months compared with 123 (6.9%), 1046 (58.6%) and 616 (34.5%) at 1 year. Factors associated with pre-frailty or frailty were invasive mechanical ventilation, older age, female sex, and greater social deprivation. Frail participants had a larger reduction in HRQoL compared with before their COVID-19 illness and were less likely to describe themselves as recovered. INTERPRETATION: Physical frailty and pre-frailty are common following hospitalisation with COVID-19. Improvement in frailty was seen between 5 and 12 months although
Dintakurti SH, Kamath S, Mahon C, et al., 2023, Pulmonary hypertension: the hallmark of acute COVID-19 microvascular angiopathy?, ERJ Open Research, Vol: 9, Pages: 1-4, ISSN: 2312-0541
Enne V, Stirling S, Barber J, et al., 2022, LB2304. INHALE WP3: Results of a multi-centre randomised controlled trial (INHALE) testing the utility of rapid multiplex PCR at point-of-care for the antibiotic management of hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia in critical care., Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Vol: 9
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Background</jats:title> <jats:p>The FilmArray Pneumonia Panel (bioMérieux) is a rapid multiplex PCR aiming to increase speed and sensitivity in the microbiological diagnosis of pneumonia. This offers potential for improved antimicrobial stewardship and evidence-based antibiotic prescribing. Whether such gains can be realised in practise is uncertain, thus, we conducted a randomized controlled trial to examine this.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Methods</jats:title> <jats:p>Adults and children in ICU with suspected hospital-acquired or ventilator-associated pneumonia were randomized to standard care or a FilmArray Pneumonia Panel PCR test at the point of care supported by an optional prescribing algorithm. Participants were followed for 28 days. FilmArray tests were run retrospectively in the control-arm but results were not provided to treating clinicians. Antimicrobial therapy was adjudged by a committee of blinded, independent microbiologists for ‘activity’ and ‘proportionality’ vs. pathogens detected in each arm regardless of the time and method by which they were found. Clinical cure was not blinded and judged by site PI according to defined clinical parameters.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Results</jats:title> <jats:p>Between July 2019 and August 2021, 556 participants were randomized at 13 hospitals; 545 met eligibility criteria; 92 were children and 183 had COVID-19 at enrolment. Baseline characteristics were well balanced between study arms. In the intervention arm 76.5% of participants were judged to have received active and proportionate antibiotics at 24h vs. 55.9%
Enne V, Aydin A, Baldan R, et al., 2022, Multicentre evaluation of two multiplex PCR platforms for the rapid microbiological investigation of nosocomial pneumonia in UK ICUs: the INHALE WP1 study, Thorax, Vol: 77, Pages: 1220-1228, ISSN: 0040-6376
Background Culture-based microbiological investigation of hospital-acquired or ventilator-associated pneumonia (HAP or VAP) is insensitive, with aetiological agents often unidentified. This can lead to excess antimicrobial treatment of patients with susceptible pathogens, while those with resistant bacteria are treated inadequately for prolonged periods. Using PCR to seek pathogens and their resistance genes directly from clinical samples may improve therapy and stewardship.Methods Surplus routine lower respiratory tract samples were collected from intensive care unit patients about to receive new or changed antibiotics for hospital-onset lower respiratory tract infections at 15 UK hospitals. Testing was performed using the BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia Panel (bioMérieux) and Unyvero Pneumonia Panel (Curetis). Concordance analysis compared machine and routine microbiology results, while Bayesian latent class (BLC) analysis estimated the sensitivity and specificity of each test, incorporating information from both PCR panels and routine microbiology.Findings In 652 eligible samples; PCR identified pathogens in considerably more samples compared with routine microbiology: 60.4% and 74.2% for Unyvero and FilmArray respectively vs 44.2% by routine microbiology. PCR tests also detected more pathogens per sample than routine microbiology. For common HAP/VAP pathogens, FilmArray had sensitivity of 91.7%–100.0% and specificity of 87.5%–99.5%; Unyvero had sensitivity of 50.0%–100.0%%, and specificity of 89.4%–99.0%. BLC analysis indicated that, compared with PCR, routine microbiology had low sensitivity, ranging from 27.0% to 69.4%.Interpretation Conventional and BLC analysis demonstrated that both platforms performed similarly and were considerably more sensitive than routine microbiology, detecting potential pathogens in patient samples reported as culture negative. The increased sensitivity of detection realised by PCR offers potential
George PM, Reed A, Desai SR, et al., 2022, A persistent neutrophil-associated immune signature characterizes post-COVID-19 pulmonary sequelae., Science Translational Medicine, Vol: 14, Pages: 1-16, ISSN: 1946-6234
Interstitial lung disease and associated fibrosis occur in a proportion of individuals who have recovered from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection through unknown mechanisms. We studied individuals with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after recovery from acute illness. Individuals with evidence of interstitial lung changes at 3 to 6 months after recovery had an up-regulated neutrophil-associated immune signature including increased chemokines, proteases, and markers of neutrophil extracellular traps that were detectable in the blood. Similar pathways were enriched in the upper airway with a concomitant increase in antiviral type I interferon signaling. Interaction analysis of the peripheral phosphoproteome identified enriched kinases critical for neutrophil inflammatory pathways. Evaluation of these individuals at 12 months after recovery indicated that a subset of the individuals had not yet achieved full normalization of radiological and functional changes. These data provide insight into mechanisms driving development of pulmonary sequelae during and after COVID-19 and provide a rational basis for development of targeted approaches to prevent long-term complications.
Singh S, Ark R, Tatlock J, et al., 2022, Evaluating the long-term impact of an antimicrobial stewardship programme in a central London mixed medical and surgical intensive care unit, JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance, Vol: 4, ISSN: 2632-1823
Background:Antimicrobial overuse causes increased antimicrobial resistance in ICUs; antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) aim to optimize usage. Following an MDR Acinetobacter baumannii (MRAb) outbreak in 2008, an ASP was implemented at a London ICU, and then continued as a long-term programme. This study aimed to determine long-term changes in antimicrobial prescribing 9 years on.Methods:Data were collected from ICU patients in 2008 immediately before ASP implementation, and thereafter for 6 month cohort periods in 2010–2011, 2012 and 2017. Antimicrobial usage in DDD per 1000 occupied bed days (OBD) were compared. Multivariate linear regression models for antimicrobial days were fitted, adjusting for APACHE II score and patient days. Antimicrobial resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (as an indicator organism) was compared across cohort periods.Findings:Across 400 patients over 9 years, antimicrobial use changed significantly (P < 0.011) and remained lower in all post-ASP cohorts compared with pre-ASP [(2008; 1827 DDD/1000 OBD), (2010; 1264 DDD/1000 OBD), (2012; 1270 DDD/1000 OBD) and (2017; 1566 DDD/1000 OBD)]. There was reduction in usage of all antimicrobial classes except β-lactams (where there was no significant increase nor decrease, P = 0.178) and aminoglycosides (where there was a significant increase in usage, P < 0.0001). The latter was temporally associated with restrictions on specific carbapenems. There was an increase in carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa in 2012 only (P = 0.028) but not subsequently.Conclusions:Following ASP implementation after an outbreak of MRAb, reduced antimicrobial prescribing was maintained 9 years on. We identify several factors influencing successful long-term maintenance of ASPs in ICUs.
Price LC, Garfield B, Bloom C, et al., 2022, Persistent isolated impairment of gas transfer following COVID-19 pneumonitis relates to perfusion defects on dual-energy computed tomography, ERJ Open Research, Vol: 8, Pages: 1-5, ISSN: 2312-0541
Singh S, Moore LSP, Mughal N, et al., 2022, Novel inhaled antifungal for pseudomembranous Aspergillus tracheobronchitis complicating connective tissue disease, Thorax, Vol: 78, Pages: 110-111, ISSN: 0040-6376
Leahy TA, Chauhan A, Nicholas V, et al., 2022, Responder status and long term outcomes of critically ill patients with ARDS receiving high dose steroids as rescue therapy in a specialist acute respiratory failure centre, Publisher: EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY SOC JOURNALS LTD, ISSN: 0903-1936
Charles WN, Collins D, Mandalia S, et al., 2022, Impact of inhalation injury on outcomes in critically ill burns patients: 12-year experience at a regional burns centre, BURNS, Vol: 48, Pages: 1386-1395, ISSN: 0305-4179
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 4
Evans RA, Leavy OC, Richardson M, et al., 2022, Clinical characteristics with inflammation profiling of long COVID and association with 1-year recovery following hospitalisation in the UK: a prospective observational study, The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, Vol: 10, Pages: 761-775, ISSN: 2213-2600
BackgroundNo effective pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions exist for patients with long COVID. We aimed to describe recovery 1 year after hospital discharge for COVID-19, identify factors associated with patient-perceived recovery, and identify potential therapeutic targets by describing the underlying inflammatory profiles of the previously described recovery clusters at 5 months after hospital discharge.MethodsThe Post-hospitalisation COVID-19 study (PHOSP-COVID) is a prospective, longitudinal cohort study recruiting adults (aged ≥18 years) discharged from hospital with COVID-19 across the UK. Recovery was assessed using patient-reported outcome measures, physical performance, and organ function at 5 months and 1 year after hospital discharge, and stratified by both patient-perceived recovery and recovery cluster. Hierarchical logistic regression modelling was performed for patient-perceived recovery at 1 year. Cluster analysis was done using the clustering large applications k-medoids approach using clinical outcomes at 5 months. Inflammatory protein profiling was analysed from plasma at the 5-month visit. This study is registered on the ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN10980107, and recruitment is ongoing.Findings2320 participants discharged from hospital between March 7, 2020, and April 18, 2021, were assessed at 5 months after discharge and 807 (32·7%) participants completed both the 5-month and 1-year visits. 279 (35·6%) of these 807 patients were women and 505 (64·4%) were men, with a mean age of 58·7 (SD 12·5) years, and 224 (27·8%) had received invasive mechanical ventilation (WHO class 7–9). The proportion of patients reporting full recovery was unchanged between 5 months (501 [25·5%] of 1965) and 1 year (232 [28·9%] of 804). Factors associated with being less likely to report full recovery at 1 year were female sex (odds ratio 0·68 [95% CI 0·46–0·99]), obes
Bleakley C, de Marvao A, Morosin M, et al., 2022, Utility of echocardiographic right ventricular subcostal strain in critical care, EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL-CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING, Vol: 23, Pages: 820-828, ISSN: 2047-2404
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 1
Singh S, Nurek M, Mason S, et al., 2022, WHY STOP: A Behavioural Approach to Study the Factors Influencing Antibiotic Stop Decisions in ICU. The Impact of Point of Care Tests (POCT) on Decision Making, International Conference of the American-Thoracic-Society, Publisher: AMER THORACIC SOC, ISSN: 1073-449X
Ward PA, Collier JM, Weir J, et al., 2022, Histological findings of tracheal samples from COVID-19 positive critically ill mechanically ventilated patients., Clin Otolaryngol, Vol: 47, Pages: 131-137
OBJECTIVES: This study examines the histological findings of tracheal tissue samples obtained from COVID-19 positive mechanically ventilated patients, to assess the degree of tracheal inflammation/ulceration present. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective single-centre observational cohort study. All patients admitted to Adult Intensive Care Unit (AICU) with COVID-19 infection, requiring mechanical ventilation and surgical tracheostomy between 1 April and 1 May 2020, were included (Group 1). Tracheal windows excised at tracheostomy underwent histological analysis. Comparison was made with: tracheal windows from COVID-19 positive AICU ventilated patients admitted between 1 January and 1 March 2021 (Group 2); tracheal windows from COVID-19 negative AICU ventilated patients (Group 3); and, tracheal autopsy samples from COVID-19 positive patients that died without undergoing prolonged mechanical ventilation (Group 4). RESULTS: Group 1 demonstrated mild/moderate inflammation (tracheitis) in nearly all samples (15/16, 93.8%), with infrequent micro-ulceration (2/16, 12.5%). Group 2 demonstrated similar mild/moderate inflammation in all samples (17/17, 100%), with no ulceration. Histological findings of Groups 1 and 2 COVID-19 positive patients were similar to Group 3 COVID-19 negative patients, which demonstrated mild/moderate inflammation (5/5, 100%), with uncommon superficial erosion (1/5, 20%). Group 4 demonstrated mild chronic inflammation or no significant inflammation, with uncommon micro-ulceration (1/4, 25%). CONCLUSIONS: Severe tracheal inflammation was not demonstrated in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 positive patients at the level of the second/third tracheal rings, at the stage of disease patients underwent tracheostomy. Histological findings were similar between mechanically ventilated COVID-19 positive and negative patients. Tracheal ulceration may be a feature of early or severe COVID-19 disease.
Somasundram K, Agbontaen K, Singh S, 2021, Pneumomediastinum in COVID-19: Merely a Matter of Lung Frailty?, RESPIRATION, Vol: 100, Pages: 1251-1255, ISSN: 0025-7931
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 6
Morton S, Lamont H, Silvey N, et al., 2021, Adult intensive care unit admissions with severe COVID-19 infection following emergency Caesarean section deliveries: a case series, Journal of the Intensive Care Society, Vol: 22, Pages: 288-299, ISSN: 1751-1437
BackgroundUK data suggest 6% of COVID-19 hospital admissions are either currently pregnant or immediately post-partum. However, the current literature suggests that if COVID-19 occurs in pregnancy, or post-partum, symptoms are mostly mild.MethodsAll COVID-19 admissions to one acute London National Health Service Foundation trust were reviewed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to 1 May 2020 to establish whether there were any pregnant or immediately post-partum admissions. Data were extracted from hospital electronic records and anonymised. Any patients admitted to adult intensive care unit had their case notes reviewed in detail and comparison made to a local risk-assessment guideline identifying patients at-risk of thromboembolic events or cytokine storms. Local hospital guidelines were followed. Patients admitted to adult intensive care unit gave written consent.ResultsA total of 24 pregnant or immediately post-partum patients with COVID-19 were admitted. Three patients required long adult intensive care unit admissions for severe single-organ respiratory failure after emergency C-sections. Two of these patients required proning (three times and eight times, respectively). All were considered medium risk for thromboembolic events but had rising D-dimers following adult intensive care unit admission, resulting in increased dosing of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis throughout their admission. All were considered low risk for a cytokine storm, and none had any significant cardiovascular or renal involvement. One patient developed a super-imposed fungal lung infection. All three patients developed delirium following cessation of sedation.ConclusionPregnant or immediately post-partum women can develop severe COVID-19 symptoms requiring prolonged adult intensive care unit admission. It is likely to be single-organ failure, but patients are at a high risk of a thromboembolic event and delirium.
Desai S, Devaraj A, Dintakurti S, et al., 2021, INFLUENZA AND COVID-19 PNEUMONIA: THE DIFFERENCE IS PULMONARY HYPERTENSION, Publisher: BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP, Pages: A117-A118, ISSN: 0040-6376
Singh S, Gorog DA, Mahon CF, et al., 2021, Optimal Management of Thrombotic Complications in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Reply, CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE, Vol: 49, Pages: E1190-E1191, ISSN: 0090-3493
Evans RA, McAuley H, Harrison EM, et al., 2021, Physical, cognitive, and mental health impacts of COVID-19 after hospitalisation (PHOSP-COVID): a UK multicentre, prospective cohort study, The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, Vol: 9, Pages: 1275-1287, ISSN: 2213-2600
BACKGROUND: The impact of COVID-19 on physical and mental health and employment after hospitalisation with acute disease is not well understood. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of COVID-19-related hospitalisation on health and employment, to identify factors associated with recovery, and to describe recovery phenotypes. METHODS: The Post-hospitalisation COVID-19 study (PHOSP-COVID) is a multicentre, long-term follow-up study of adults (aged ≥18 years) discharged from hospital in the UK with a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19, involving an assessment between 2 and 7 months after discharge, including detailed recording of symptoms, and physiological and biochemical testing. Multivariable logistic regression was done for the primary outcome of patient-perceived recovery, with age, sex, ethnicity, body-mass index, comorbidities, and severity of acute illness as covariates. A post-hoc cluster analysis of outcomes for breathlessness, fatigue, mental health, cognitive impairment, and physical performance was done using the clustering large applications k-medoids approach. The study is registered on the ISRCTN Registry (ISRCTN10980107). FINDINGS: We report findings for 1077 patients discharged from hospital between March 5 and Nov 30, 2020, who underwent assessment at a median of 5·9 months (IQR 4·9-6·5) after discharge. Participants had a mean age of 58 years (SD 13); 384 (36%) were female, 710 (69%) were of white ethnicity, 288 (27%) had received mechanical ventilation, and 540 (50%) had at least two comorbidities. At follow-up, only 239 (29%) of 830 participants felt fully recovered, 158 (20%) of 806 had a new disability (assessed by the Washington Group Short Set on Functioning), and 124 (19%) of 641 experienced a health-related change in occupation. Factors associated with not recovering were female sex, middle age (40-59 years), two or more comorbidities, and more severe acute illness. The magnitude of the persistent health bur
Finney LJ, Doughty R, Lovage S, et al., 2021, Lung function deficits and symptom burden in survivors of COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation, Annals of the American Thoracic Society, Vol: 18, Pages: 1740-1743, ISSN: 1546-3222
This data is extracted from the Web of Science and reproduced under a licence from Thomson Reuters. You may not copy or re-distribute this data in whole or in part without the written consent of the Science business of Thomson Reuters.