Medications and dosages used in medical assistance in dying: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

There is little evidence describing the technical aspects of medical assistance in dying (MAiD) in Canada, such as medications, dosages and complications. Our objective was to describe clinical practice in providing MAiD in Ontario and Vancouver, Canada, and explore relations between medications used, time until death and complications.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of a sample of adult (age ≥ 18 yr) patients who received MAiD in Ontario between 2016 and 2018, and patients who received MAiD in 1 of 3 Canadian academic hospitals (in Hamilton and Ottawa, Ontario, and Vancouver, British Colombia) between 2019 and 2020. We used de-identified data for 2016-2018 from the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario MAiD Database and chart review data for 2019-2020 from the 3 centres. We used multivariable parametric survival analysis to identify relations between medications, dosages and time from procedure start until death.

RESULTS

The sample included 3557 patients (1786 men [50.2%] and 1770 women [49.8%] with a mean age of 74 [standard deviation 13] yr). The majority of patients (2519 [70.8%]) had a diagnosis of cancer. The medications most often used were propofol (3504 cases [98.5%]), midazolam (3251 [91.4%]) and rocuronium (3228 [90.8%]). The median time from the first injection until death was 9 (interquartile range 6) minutes. Standard-dose lidocaine (40-60 mg) and high-dose propofol (> 1000 mg) were associated with prolonged time until death (prolonged by a median of 1 min and 3 min, respectively). Complications occurred in 41 cases (1.2%), mostly related to venous access or need for administration of a second medication.

INTERPRETATION

In a large sample of patients who died with medical assistance, certain medications were associated with small differences in time from injection to death, and complications were rare. More research is needed to identify the medication protocols that predict outcomes consistent with patient and family expectations for a medically assisted death.

Paradigms in chronic subdural hematoma pathophysiology: Current treatments and new directions

ABSTRACT

Chronic subdural hematomas (CSDHs) are an increasingly common pathology encountered in a neurosurgical trauma practice. Although the operative and nonoperative management of CSDH has been studied extensively, the recurrence rate of CSDH remains high, with no significant decrease in recent years. We undertook a detailed assessment of the known pathophysiological mechanisms by which CSDHs recur to improve our ability to treat patients with this disease successfully. In this review of the literature from the PubMed and Scopus databases, we used the search terms "(pathophysiology) AND chronic subdural hematoma [tiab]" to identify pertinent reviews and articles in English. The results demonstrated a complex inflammatory response to subdural blood, which begins with the formation of a collagen neomembrane around the clot itself. Proinflammatory mediators, such as vascular endothelial growth factor, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tissue necrosis factor α, matrix metalloproteinases, and basic fibroblast growth factor, then contribute to chronic microbleeding by promoting the formation of fragile, leaky blood vessels, and widening of gap junctions of existing vessels. It is evident that the lack of improvement in recurrence rate is due to pathological factors that are not entirely alleviated by simple subdural evacuation. Targeted approaches, such as middle meningeal artery embolization and anti-inflammatory therapies, have become increasingly common and require further prospective analysis to aid in the determination of their efficacy.

Chronic-Care-Management Programs for Multimorbid Patients with Diabetes in Europe: A Scoping Review with the Aim to Identify the Best Practice

AIM

This scoping review is aimed at providing a current descriptive overview of care programs based on the chronic care model (CCM) according to E. H. Wagner. The evaluation is carried out within Europe and assesses the methodology and comparability of the studies.

METHODS

A systematic search in the databases PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE via OVID was conducted. In the beginning, 2309 articles were found and 48 full texts were examined, 19 of which were incorporated. Included were CCM-based programs from Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. All 19 articles were presented descriptively whereof 11 articles were finally evaluated in a checklist by Rothe et al. (2020). In this paper, the studies were tabulated and evaluated conforming to the same criteria.

RESULTS

Due to the complexity of the CCM and the heterogeneity of the studies in terms of setting and implementation, a direct comparison proved difficult. Nevertheless, the review shows that CCM was successfully implemented in various care situations and also can be useful in single practices, which often dominate the primary care sector in many European health systems. The present review was able to provide a comprehensive overview of the current care situation of chronically ill patients with multimorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

A unified nomenclature concerning the distinction between disease management programs and CCM-based programs should be aimed for. Similarly, homogeneous quality standards and a Europe-wide evaluation strategy would be necessary to identify best practice models and to provide better care for the steadily growing number of chronically multimorbid patients.

End-Stage Renal Disease: Medical Management

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is diagnosed when kidney function is no longer adequate for long-term survival without kidney transplantation or dialysis. Primary care clinicians should refer people at risk of ESRD to nephrology to optimize disease management. Kidney transplantation typically yields the best patient outcomes, although most patients are treated with dialysis. The decision to initiate dialysis is best made through shared decision-making. Because most patients with ESRD elect to receive hemodialysis, the preservation of peripheral veins is important for those with stage III to V chronic kidney disease. A palliative approach to ESRD is a reasonable alternative to dialysis, particularly for individuals with limited life expectancy, with severe comorbid conditions, or who wish to avoid medical interventions. For patients with ESRD, vaccination against seasonal influenza, tetanus, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus (through 26 years of age), and Streptococcus pneumoniae is advised. Routine cancer screening for patients not receiving kidney transplantation is discouraged. Controlling blood pressure in patients receiving dialysis improves mortality. Volume control through adequate dialysis and sodium restriction can help optimize hypertension treatment in these patients. Insulin is the preferred treatment for patients with ESRD and diabetes mellitus requiring medication. Patients should be monitored for signs of protein-energy wasting and malnutrition. Clinicians must be aware of the many medical complications associated with ESRD.

A 56-Year-Old Man With Emphysema, Rash, and Arthralgia

CASE PRESENTATION

A 56-year-old man presented to the pulmonary clinic with dyspnea and hypoxemia on exertion. He was an avid biker and skier who had noticed a significant decrease in high-level physical activity over the past 3 years. He reported dyspnea, desaturations at altitudes higher than 9,000 feet, dry cough, tachycardia, and palpitations with exercise. Review of systems was also notable for gluten-intolerance, Raynaud's phenomenon, recurrent skin lesions and joint swelling, pain, and stiffness in the areas overlying the jaw, wrists, knees, and ankles (after capsaicin exposure). He denied fever, chills, anorexia, weight loss, hair loss, ocular symptoms, jaw claudication, chest pain, or lower extremity swelling. He had a five pack-year smoking history, no history of prematurity, childhood asthma, recurrent infections, or environmental and occupational exposure. Based on pulmonary function tests from an outside provider, he had received a diagnosis of exercise-induced asthma and had been prescribed an albuterol inhaler to use on an as-needed basis, which failed to improve his symptoms. He was later prescribed a mometasone-formoterol inhaler, still with no symptomatic improvement.

Recent-Onset Altered Mental Status: Evaluation and Management

Potential precipitating factors for the recent onset of altered mental status (AMS) include primary central nervous system insults, systemic infections, metabolic disturbances, toxin exposure, medications, chronic systemic diseases, and psychiatric conditions. Delirium is also an important manifestation of AMS, especially in older people who are hospitalized. Clinicians should identify and treat reversible causes of the AMS, some of which require urgent intervention to minimize morbidity and mortality. A history and physical examination guide diagnostic testing. Laboratory testing, chest radiography, and electrocardiography help diagnose infections, metabolic disturbances, toxins, and systemic conditions. Neuroimaging with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging should be performed when the initial evaluation does not identify a cause or raises concern for intracranial pathology. Lumbar puncture and electroencephalography are also important diagnostic tests in the evaluation of AMS. Patients at increased risk of AMS benefit from preventive measures. The underlying etiology determines the definitive treatment. When intervention is needed to control patient behaviors that threaten themselves or others, nonpharmacologic interventions are preferred to medications. Physical restraints should rarely be used and only for the shortest time possible. Medications should be used only when nonpharmacologic treatments are ineffective.

Sleep Abnormalities in Schizophrenia: State of the Art and Next Steps

Sleep disturbances are commonly observed in schizophrenia, including in chronic, early-course, and first-episode patients. This has generated considerable interest, both in clinical and research endeavors, in characterizing the relationship between disturbed sleep and schizophrenia. Sleep features can be objectively assessed with EEG recordings. Traditionally, EEG studies have focused on sleep architecture, which includes non-REM and REM sleep stages. More recently, numerous studies have investigated alterations in sleep-specific rhythms, including EEG oscillations, such as sleep spindles and slow waves, in individuals with schizophrenia compared with control subjects. In this article, the author reviews state-of-the-art evidence of disturbed sleep in schizophrenia, starting from the relationship between sleep disturbances and clinical symptoms. First, the author presents studies demonstrating abnormalities in sleep architecture and sleep-oscillatory rhythms in schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders, with an emphasis on recent work demonstrating sleep spindles and slow-wave deficits in early-course and first-episode schizophrenia. Next, the author shows how these sleep abnormalities relate to the cognitive impairments in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and point to dysfunctions in underlying thalamocortical circuits, Ca+ channel activity, and GABA-glutamate neurotransmission. Finally, the author discusses some of the next steps needed to further establish the role of altered sleep in schizophrenia, including the need to investigate sleep abnormalities across the psychotic spectrum and to establish their relationship with circadian disturbances, which in turn will contribute to the development of novel sleep-informed treatment interventions.

Telemedicine for adult congenital heart disease patients during the first wave of COVID-19 era: a single center experience

AIM

To summarize our experience on the implementation of a telemedicine service dedicated to adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients during the lockdown for the first wave of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

METHODS

This is a prospective study enrolling all ACHD patients who answered a questionnaire dedicated telematic cardiovascular examination.

RESULTS

A total of 289 patients were enrolled, 133 (47%) were male, 25 (9%) were affected by a genetic syndrome. The median age was 38 (29-51) years, whereas the median time interval between the last visit and the telematic follow-up was 9.5 (7.5-11.5) months. Overall, 35 patients (12%) reported a worsening of fatigue in daily life activity, 17 (6%) experienced chest pain, 42 (15%) had presyncope and 2 (1%) syncope; in addition, 28 patients (10%) presented peripheral edema and 14 (5%) were orthopneic. A total of 116 (40%) patients reported palpitations and 12 had at least one episode of atrial fibrillation and underwent successful electrical (8) or pharmacological (4) cardioversion. One patient was admitted to the emergency department for uncontrolled arterial hypertension, five for chest pain, and one for heart failure. Two patients presented fever but both had negative COVID-19 nasal swab.

CONCLUSION

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of telemedicine dramatically increased and here we report a positive experience in ACHD patients. The postpandemic role of telemedicine will depend on permanent regulatory solutions and this early study might encourage a more systematic telematic approach for ACHD patients.

Pericarditis in patients with COVID-19: a systematic review

AIMS

We performed a systematic review to summarize the clinical features, diagnostic methods, treatment, and outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with pericarditis.

METHODS

We searched electronic databases from inception to 17 December 2020. Studies that reported clinical data on patients with COVID-19 and pericarditis were included. Descriptive statistics were used for categorical and continuous variables [mean ± standard deviation or median (interquartile range)]. As an exploratory analysis, differences between patients with acute pericarditis and myopericarditis were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 33 studies (32 case reports and 1 case series) involving 34 patients were included. The mean age was 51.6 ± 19.5 years and 62% of patients were men. Sixty-two percentage of patients were diagnosed with myopericarditis. The most frequent electrocardiographic pattern (56%) was diffuse ST-elevation and PR depression. Pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade were reported in 76 and 35% of cases, respectively. The median values of C-reactive protein [77 mg/dl (12-177)] and white blood cells [12 335 cells/μl (5625-16 500)] were above the normal range. Thirty-eight percent and 53% of patients were treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and colchicine, respectively. These drugs were more frequently used in patients with acute pericarditis compared with myopericarditis. The in-hospital mortality was 6% without a significant difference between both groups.

CONCLUSION

Our review shows that COVID-19 patients with pericarditis had similar clinical features to other viral cardiotropic infections. However, NSAIDs and colchicine were used in half or less of the cases. Overall, the short-term prognosis was good across groups.

Frequency of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and associated uveitis in pediatric rheumatology clinics in Turkey: A retrospective study, JUPITER

BACKGROUND

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), is the most common pediatric rheumatologic disorder with unknown etiology. Currently, no population-based data are available regarding the distribution of categories and frequency of uveitis in patients with JIA in Turkey. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of JIA-associated uveitis (JIAU) and distribution of JIA categories in a Turkish JIA cohort.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of 500 randomized patients in four pediatric rheumatology clinics in Turkey.

RESULTS

Oligoarticular JIA (oJIA) was the most common JIA disease category in this study cohort (38.8%). The frequencies of the other categories were as follows: enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA), 23.2%; rheumatoid factor (RF)-negative polyarthritis, 15.6%; systemic arthritis, 12.2%; juvenile psoriatic arthritis, 5.2%; undifferentiated arthritis, 2.8%; and RF-positive polyarthritis, 2.2%. JIA-associated uveitis was observed in 6.8% of patients at a mean (Standard Deviation, SD) age of 9.1 (3.8) years over a mean JIA disease duration of 4 (1.9) years. Uveitis developed after joint disease, with a mean (SD) duration of 1.8 (1.9) years. Patients with oJIA had the highest rate of uveitis (12.9%) followed by patients with ERA (5.2%) and polyarticular RF-negative disease (3.8%). Compared with persistent oJIA, the extended oJIA category had a > 3-fold higher risk of uveitis (11.3% vs 27.7%; odds ratio, 3.38 [95% Confidence Interval, 1.09-10.4]). The most frequently administered drug after development of uveitis was tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors (38.2%). Five patients (14.7%) had uveitis-related complications that required surgical intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Turkish pediatric patients with JIA experience a lower frequency of oJIA and higher frequency of ERA than their white European counterparts; the occurrence of uveitis is also somewhat lower than expected. Geographic and ethnic factors may affect these differences and need further investigation.

Outcomes of a Mobile App to Monitor Patient-Reported Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effects of a smartphone application (app) to monitor longitudinal electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) on patient satisfaction and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

We conducted a 6-month randomized controlled trial of care coordination along with an app (intervention) versus care coordination alone (control) in 191 RA patients. Participants in the intervention group were prompted to provide information daily using ePROs. In both the intervention and control groups, a care coordinator contacted participants at 6 and 18 weeks to assess for flares. The main outcome measures were the global satisfaction score from the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM), the score from the Perceived Efficacy in Patient-Physician Interactions (PEPPI) Questionnaire, and the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score.

RESULTS

Groups were similar at baseline. The median TSQM score at 6 months was 83.3 in both groups, and the median PEPPI score at 6 months was 50 in both groups. The median CDAI score at 6 months was 8 in the intervention group versus 10 in the control group. No statistically significant group differences in the medians of TSQM, PEPPI, or CDAI scores at 6 months were detected. Of the 67 intervention participants who completed the exit survey, 90% rated their likelihood of recommending the app as ≥7 of 10. Of the 11 physicians who completed the exit survey, 73% agreed/strongly agreed that they wanted to continue offering the app to patients.

CONCLUSION

A mobile app designed to collect ePRO data on RA symptoms did not significantly improve patient satisfaction or disease activity compared to care coordination alone. However, both patients and physicians reported positive experiences with the app.

Incidence and Mortality Rate of Hip Fractures in Different Age Groups during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had enormous impact on many aspects of our society, including huge medical, social, and economic challenges.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related movement restrictions on the incidence of hip fractures in different age groups.

METHODS

This single center retrospective observational study included all patients over 60 years old admitted to our hospital with the diagnosis of hip fracture during March and April 2020. Exclusion criteria were periprosthetic or pathologic fractures and multitrauma. We collected the same data on all patients with hip fractures admitted during March and April of 2018 and 2019.

RESULTS

Mean patient age increased from 81.7 to 85.0 years. Only two of 49 patients tested positive for COVID-19. The data show a decrease of 38% in fracture load, but a striking decrease of 85% and 59% among sexagenarians and septuagenarian, respectively. There was no decrease among nonagenarians. Early mortality, both at 30 days and 90 days, was twice as common during the pandemic. However, stratification by age group demonstrated that the risks of early mortality were the same as previous years. Mean waiting time for surgery decreased from 27.5 to 18.9 hours. Patient discharge to home over a rehabilitation facility increased from 9% to 17.

CONCLUSIONS

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the epidemiology of hip fractures in the elderly. The incidence of fractures and age distribution were significantly different from other years. Discharge destinations were also affected. The management of hip fracture patients was not compromised.

Recognition and Management of Cutaneous Connective Tissue Diseases

Connective tissue diseases (CTDs) encompass a broad spectrum of clinical presentations that involve multidisciplinary management. Cutaneous findings are common in CTD and careful examination of these features aids in appropriate diagnosis and subsequent evaluation. Thorough work-up of CTD is crucial to properly identify disease subtypes and systemic involvement. Management plans can be developed based on diagnosis and systemic manifestations of disease. Disease management often requires treatment with pharmacotherapies with potential for toxicities, further underscoring the importance of diagnostic accuracy in this patient population. Evolving research strives to better elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of CTDs allowing for more targeted treatment modalities.

The Management of Restless Legs Syndrome: An Updated Algorithm

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common disorder. The population prevalence is 1.5% to 2.7% in a subgroup of patients having more severe RLS with symptoms occurring 2 or more times a week and causing at least moderate distress. It is important for primary care physicians to be familiar with the disorder and its management. Much has changed in the management of RLS since our previous revised algorithm was published in 2013. This updated algorithm was written by members of the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of the RLS Foundation based on scientific evidence and expert opinion. A literature search was performed using PubMed identifying all articles on RLS from 2012 to 2020. The management of RLS is considered under the following headings: General Considerations; Intermittent RLS; Chronic Persistent RLS; Refractory RLS; Special Circumstances; and Alternative, Investigative, and Potential Future Therapies. Nonpharmacologic approaches, including mental alerting activities, avoidance of substances or medications that may exacerbate RLS, and oral and intravenous iron supplementation, are outlined. The choice of an alpha₂-delta ligand as first-line therapy for chronic persistent RLS with dopamine agonists as a second-line option is explained. We discuss the available drugs, the factors determining which to use, and their adverse effects. We define refractory RLS and describe management approaches, including combination therapy and the use of high-potency opioids. Treatment of RLS in pregnancy and childhood is discussed.

Osteoporosis care amidst the prolonged pandemic

As SARS-CoV-2 stunned and overtook everyone's lives, multiple daily briefings, protocols, policies and incident command committees were mobilized to provide frontline staff with the tools, supplies and infrastructure needed to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical resources were immediately shifted. In light of the necessity for self-isolation, telemedicine was expanded, although there has been concern than non-pandemic disorders were being ignored. Ambulatory care services such as bone densitometry and osteoporosis centered clinics came to a near halt. Progress with fracture prevention has been challenged. Despite the prolonged pandemic and the consequent sense of exhaustion, we must re-engage with chronic bone health concerns and fracture prevention. Creating triaging systems for bone mineral testing and in person visits, treating individuals designated as high risk of fracture using fracture risk assessment tools such as FRAX, maintaining telemedicine, leveraging other bone health care team members to monitor and care for osteoporotic patients, and re-engaging our primary care colleagues will remain paramount but challenging. The pandemic persists. Thus, we will summarize what we have learned about COVID-19 and bone health and provide a framework for osteoporosis diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up with the extended COVID-19 pandemic. The goal is to preserve bone health, with focused interventions to sustain osteoporosis screening and treatment initiation/maintenance rates.

A case report of malignant hyperthermia in a patient with myotonic dystrophy type I: A CARE-compliant article

RATIONALE

Several hereditary myopathies that can predispose to malignant hyperthermia (MH) are reported. However, the risk of MH in myotonic dystrophy type I (DM1) has been suggested equal to general population, although the evidence is limited to only a few case reports.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We encountered a rare case of MH during anesthesia induction with sevoflurane in a male adolescent with previously undiagnosed DM1.

DIAGNOSES

After the event, genetic testing revealed the presence of a previously unknown heterozygous missense mutation in ryanodine receptor 1 (RYR1) associated with MH (c.6898T > C; p.ser2300Pro). Concomitantly, the patient was diagnosed with DM1 with abnormal cytosine-thymine-guanine triplet expansion in the DMPK gene.

INTERVENTIONS

Dantrolene was administered to treat the hypermetabolic manifestations in 20 minutes after the identification of MH.

OUTCOMES

The patient was successfully treated and discharged without any complications. Laboratory abnormalities were recovered to baseline at postoperative 4 days.

LESSONS

The authors suggest that possible MH susceptibility in DM1 patients may be refocused. Genetic testing can be a screening tool for MH susceptibility in these population, prior to receiving general anesthesia.

Transesophageal echocardiography detection of air embolism during endoscopic surgery and validity of hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Case report

INTRODUCTION

Air embolism has the potential to be serious and fatal. In this paper, we report 3 cases of air embolism associated with endoscopic medical procedures in which the patients were treated with hyperbaric oxygen immediately after diagnosis by transesophageal echocardiography. In addition, we systematically review the risk factors for air embolism, clinical presentation, treatment, and the importance of early hyperbaric oxygen therapy efficacy after recognition of air embolism.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We present 3 patients with varying degrees of air embolism during endoscopic procedures, one of which was fatal, with large amounts of gas visible in the right and left heart chambers and pulmonary artery, 1 showing right heart enlargement with increased pulmonary artery pressure and tricuspid regurgitation, and 1 showing only a small amount of gas images in the heart chambers.

DIAGNOSES

Based on ETCO2 and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), diagnoses of air embolism were made.

INTERVENTIONS

The patients received symptomatic supportive therapy including CPR, 100% O2 ventilation, cerebral protection, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and rehabilitation.

OUTCOMES

Air embolism can causes respiratory, circulatory and neurological dysfunction. After aggressive treatment, one of the 3 patients died, 1 had permanent visual impairment, and 1 recovered completely without comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

While it is common for small amounts of air/air bubbles to enter the circulatory system during endoscopic procedures, life-threatening air embolism is rare. Air embolism can lead to serious consequences, including respiratory, circulatory, and neurological impairment. Therefore, early recognition of severe air embolism and prompt hyperbaric oxygen therapy are essential to avoid its serious complications.

Clinical outcomes of hospitalised COVID-19 patients at Mthatha Regional Hospital, Eastern Cape, South Africa: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a public health crisis that threatens the current health system. The sudden expansion in the need for inpatient and intensive care facilities raised concerns about optimal clinical management and resource allocation. Despite the pressing need for evidence to make context-specific decisions on COVID-19 management, evidence from South Africa remained limited. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 hospitalised patients.

METHODS

A retrospective cross-sectional study design was used to evaluate the clinical outcomes of hospitalised adult patients (≥ 18 years old) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 illness at Mthatha Regional Hospital (MRH), Eastern Cape.

RESULTS

Of the 1814 patients tested for COVID-19 between 20 March 2020 and 31 July 2020 at MRH, two-thirds (65.4%) were female. About two-thirds (242) of the 392 patients (21.6%) who tested positive for this disease were hospitalised and one-third (150) were quarantined at home. The mean age of the patients tested for COVID-19 was 42.6 years and there was no difference between males and females. The mean age of hospitalised patients was 55.5 years and the mean age of hospitalised patients who died (61.3 years) was much higher than recovered (49.5 years). Overall, 188 (77.6%) hospitalised patients had clinical comorbidity on admission. Diabetes (36.8%) and hypertension (33.1%) were the most common comorbidities amongst COVID-19 hospitalised patients.

CONCLUSION

The majority of the patients who were hospitalised for COVID-19 were elderly and had high baseline comorbidities. Advance age and underlying comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension and HIV) were associated with high mortality in hospitalised COVID-19 patients.

The TIMI Study Group's Contributions to the Advancement of Cardiology -With Focus on Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality across the world, warranting continuous research in this field. The elucidation of the atherogenesis mechanism is considered one of the most relevant scientific accomplishments of the last century. This has led to the clinical development of various novel therapeutic interventions for patients with or at risk of ASCVD, in which randomized clinical trials played a crucial role.The Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) Study Group was initially established to conduct a clinical trial studying thrombolysis for treatment of myocardial infarction. However, over the years, the TIMI Study Group has expanded their research interests to include antithrombotic therapy, lipid lowering, anti-diabetes, anti-obesity, and even heart failure. By leading large-scale, international, randomized, controlled trials of novel therapeutics, the TIMI Study Group has helped shape the very practice of cardiovascular medicine for over a quarter of a century, and decades of research continue to provide future promise for further advancement. Through a mutual goal to improve the care of ASCVD patients, the Japanese scientific community has become one of the important contributors to the TIMI Study Group's clinical research.In this review article, the authors aim to summarize major research lead by the TIMI Study Group in the ASCVD field.