Sex differences in symptoms experienced, knowledge about symptoms, symptom attribution, and perceived urgency for treatment seeking among acute coronary syndrome patients in Karachi Pakistan

Risk factors for mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients across five waves in Pakistan

This retrospective cohort study aims to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes and assess risk factors for mortality across the epidemic waves in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in a major tertiary-care center in Pakistan. A total of 5368 patients with COVID-19, hospitalized between March 2020 and April 2022 were included. The median age was 58 years (IQR: 44-69), 41% were females, and the overall mortality was 12%. Comparative analysis of COVID-19 waves showed that the proportion of patients aged ≥ 60 years was highest during the post-wave 4 period (61.4%) and Wave 4 (Delta) (50%) (p < 0.001). Male predominance decreased from 65.2% in Wave 2 to 44.2% in Wave 5 (Omicron) (p < 0.001). Mortality rate was lowest at 9.4% in wave 5 and highest at 21.6% in the post-wave 4 period (p = 0.041). In multivariable analysis for risk factors of mortality, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was most strongly associated with mortality (aOR 22.98, 95% CI 15.28-34.55, p < 0.001), followed by need for mechanical ventilation (aOR 6.81, 95% CI 5.13-9.05, p < 0.001). Other significant risk factors included acute kidney injury (aOR 3.05, 95% CI 2.38-3.91, p < 0.001), stroke (aOR 2.40, 95% CI 1.26-4.60, p = 0.008), pulmonary embolism (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.28-3.35, p = 0.003), and age ≥ 60 years (aOR 2.45, 95% CI 1.95-3.09, p < 0.001). Enoxaparin use was associated with lower mortality odds (aOR 0.45, 95% CI 0.35-0.60, p < 0.001. Patients hospitalized during Wave 4 (aOR 2.22, 95% CI 1.39-3.56, p < 0.001) and the post-wave 4 period (aOR 2.82, 95% CI 1.37-5.80, p = 0.005) had higher mortality odds compared to other waves. The study identifies higher mortality risk in patients admitted in Delta wave and post-wave, aged ≥ 60 years, and with respiratory and renal complications, and lower risk with anticoagulation during COVID-19 waves.

Number of comorbidities and the risk of delay in seeking treatment for coronary heart disease: a longitudinal study in Bogor City, Indonesia

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the number of patient comorbidities and the delays in seeking treatment for coronary heart disease (CHD).

METHODS

This longitudinal study utilized secondary data from the Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factor (NCDRF) cohort study conducted in Bogor City. Individuals who participated in the NCDRF cohort study and were diagnosed with CHD within the 6-year study period met the inclusion criteria. Respondents who were not continuously monitored up to the 6th year were excluded. The final sample included data from respondents with CHD who participated in the NCDRF cohort study and were monitored for the full 6-year duration. The final logistic regression analysis was conducted on data collected from 812 participants.

RESULTS

Among the participants with CHD, 702 out of 812 exhibited a delay in seeking treatment. The risk of a delay in seeking treatment was significantly higher among individuals without comorbidities, with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.735-7.036; p<0.001). Among those with a single comorbidity, the risk of delay in seeking treatment was still notable (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.259-5.418; p=0.010) when compared to those with 2 or more comorbidities. These odds were adjusted for age, sex, education level, and health insurance status.

CONCLUSION

The proportion of patients with CHD who delayed seeking treatment was high, particularly among individuals with no comorbidities. Low levels of comorbidity also appeared to correlate with a greater tendency to delay in seeking treatment.

Cognitive predictors and decision-making in the experience of coronary syndrome symptoms

OBJECTIVE

To determine the predictive value of Cognitive Assessment, Symptom Severity, Personal Control and Self-Efficacy on decision making in the experience of Acute Coronary Syndrome symptoms.

METHOD

Quantitative study of cross-sectional analytical design, a probabilistic sampling was carried out for 256 participants diagnosed with coronary syndrome in three health institutions. The effects between the independent variables Cognitive Assessment, Symptom Severity, Personal Control, Self-Efficacy and the dependent Decision-Making were analyzed. Using inferential statistics, a Generalized Linear Regression Model was carried out, which allowed establishing the causal relationships between the variables.

RESULTS

Two predictive models were obtained between decision making and cognitive evaluation, in which personal control, severity of symptoms, sex and context were significant. Self-efficacy was not reported as a predictor variable. The values ​​of the independent variables showed a behavior directly proportional to the Decision Making score.

CONCLUSION

A verification of the conceptual model for the management of symptoms was carried out.

Accuracy of perceived glaucoma risk by patients in a clinical setting

Objective

To determine whether patients attending the ophthalmology department underestimate their glaucoma risks.

Method

We conducted a cross-sectional survey with a final study population of 1203 individuals from two medical centers in Taiwan during January 1–June 30, 2019. The “High concern” group was defined as the set of patients who rated themselves as having low risk but who had been rated by physicians as having medium or high risk of developing glaucoma over the next year.

Results

Approximately 12% of the respondents belonged to the “High concern” group. For those with education at the college level or higher, the interaction term was estimated to be 0.294 (95% CI = 0.136–0.634). Marginal effect calculations revealed significant sex-based differences in the effect of knowledge at specific age intervals.

Conclusions

A considerable proportion of patients attending the ophthalmology department underestimate their glaucoma risks. Misjudgment of glaucoma risks can lead to delays in seeking of medical attention. Glaucoma education should be designed according to each patient’s education level and sex, as its effect is not consistent across different education and sex clusters.

Acute coronary syndrome treatment delay in low to middle-income countries: A systematic review

Although morbidity and mortality rates are declining for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in most high-income countries, it is rising at an alarming pace for low to middle income countries (LMICs). A major factor that is contributing to the poor clinical outcomes among LMICs is largely due to prehospital treatment delays. This systematic review was conducted to determine the mean length of time from symptom onset to treatment in LMICs and the sociodemographic, clinical and health system characteristics that contribute to treatment delays. We conducted a comprehensive review of the relevant literature published in English between January 1990 through May 2020 using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Twenty-nine studies were included and time to treatment was defined from ACS symptom onset to first medical contact and dichotomized further as less than or >12-hours. The mean time from symptom onset to first medical contact was 12.7 h which ranged from 10-minutes to 96 h. There was consensus among studies that being older, female, illiterate, living in a rural area, and financially limited was associated with longer treatment delays. Lack of a developed emergency transportation system, poor communication and organization between community facilities and interventional facilities were also cited as major contributors for ACS treatment delays. Findings from this systematic review provide future directions to potentially reduce prehospital delays in LMICs and improve ACS outcomes.

The Effect of Continuity of Care and Provider Volume on Late Presentation of Glaucoma: A Nested Case-Control Study

PRCIS

Glaucoma late presentation is not associated with continuity of care. However, it is associated with frequency of physician visits and physician volume.

PURPOSE

Late presentation of glaucoma often causes blindness. Continuity of care (COC) has been the central element in primary care. We investigated whether COC, frequency of visits to ophthalmology departments, and provider experience can reduce late presentation.

METHODS

We conducted a nested case-control study on patients aged above 20 years with confirmed glaucoma diagnosis. Claims data from the Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database during 2007 to 2016 were linked to the Disability Registry (n=231,330) to identify patients with glaucoma late presentation. Physician experience was proxied using service volume. Logistic regression was estimated using matched samples.

RESULTS

A total of 111 patients satisfied the definition of late presentation. Patients with a low frequency of visits had lower odds of being in the late-presentation group (odds ratio=0.39, 95% confidence interval=0.18-0.81). COC index did not statistically affect late presentation. Old age and lower socioeconomic status were significantly associated with higher odds of late presentation. A statistically significant negative association was observed between physician volume and odds of late presentation.

CONCLUSION

Late presentation for glaucoma can be reduced by promoting more frequent physician visits. However, enhancement from the provider-side, such as spreading awareness and offering routine tests, also play essential role in reducing late presentation.

Unusual Fatigue and Failure to Utilize EMS Are Associated With Prolonged Prehospital Delay for Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Rapid reperfusion reduces infarct size and mortality for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but efficacy is time dependent. The aim of this study was to determine if transportation factors and clinical presentation predicted prehospital delay for suspected ACS, stratified by final diagnosis (ACS vs. no ACS).

METHODS

A heterogeneous sample of emergency department (ED) patients with symptoms suggestive of ACS was enrolled at 5 US sites. Accelerated failure time models were used to specify a direct relationship between delay time and variables to predict prehospital delay by final diagnosis.

RESULTS

Enrolled were 609 (62.5%) men and 366 (37.5%) women, predominantly white (69.1%), with a mean age of 60.32 (±14.07) years. Median delay time was 6.68 (confidence interval 1.91, 24.94) hours; only 26.2% had a prehospital delay of 2 hours or less. Patients presenting with unusual fatigue [time ratio (TR) = 1.71, P = 0.002; TR = 1.54, P = 0.003, respectively) or self-transporting to the ED experienced significantly longer prehospital delay (TR = 1.93, P < 0.001; TR = 1.71, P < 0.001, respectively). Predictors of shorter delay in patients with ACS were shoulder pain and lightheadedness (TR = 0.65, P = 0.013 and TR = 0.67, P = 0.022, respectively). Predictors of shorter delay for patients ruled out for ACS were chest pain and sweating (TR = 0.071, P = 0.025 and TR = 0.073, P = 0.032, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Patients self-transporting to the ED had prolonged prehospital delays. Encouraging the use of EMS is important for patients with possible ACS symptoms. Calling 911 can be positively framed to at-risk patients and the community as having advanced care come to them because EMS capabilities include 12-lead ECG acquisition and possibly high-sensitivity troponin assays.

Sex Differences in Symptom Presentation in Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background Timely recognition of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is important for successful treatment. Previous research has suggested that women with ACS present with different symptoms compared with men. This review assessed the extent of sex differences in symptom presentation in patients with confirmed ACS. Methods and Results A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane up to June 2019. Two reviewers independently screened title-abstracts and full-texts according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% CI of a symptom being present were calculated using aggregated and cumulative meta-analyses as well as sex-specific pooled prevalences for each symptom. Twenty-seven studies were included. Compared with men, women with ACS had higher odds of presenting with pain between the shoulder blades (OR 2.15; 95% CI, 1.95-2.37), nausea or vomiting (OR 1.64; 95% CI, 1.48-1.82) and shortness of breath (OR 1.34; 95% CI, 1.21-1.48). Women had lower odds of presenting with chest pain (OR 0.70; 95% CI, 0.63-0.78) and diaphoresis (OR 0.84; 95% CI, 0.76-0.94). Both sexes presented most often with chest pain (pooled prevalences, men 79%; 95% CI, 72-85, pooled prevalences, women 74%; 95% CI, 72-85). Other symptoms also showed substantial overlap in prevalence. The presence of sex differences has been established since the early 2000s. Newer studies did not materially change cumulative findings. Conclusions Women with ACS do have different symptoms at presentation than men with ACS, but there is also considerable overlap. Since these differences have been shown for years, symptoms should no longer be labeled as "atypical" or "typical."

Prehospital and in-hospital delays to care and associated factors in patients with STEMI: an observational study in 101 non-PCI hospitals in China

OBJECTIVES

To describe the prehospital and in-hospital delays to care and factors associated with the delays among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in non-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) hospitals in China.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

We analysed data from a large registry-based quality of care improvement trial conducted from 2011 to 2014 among 101 non-PCI hospitals in China. A total of 7312 patients with STEMI were included. Prehospital delay was defined as time from symptom onset to hospital arrival >120 min, first ECG delay as time from arrival to first ECG >10 min, thrombolytic therapy delay as time from first ECG to thrombolytic therapy >10 min and in-hospital delay as time from arrival to thrombolytic therapy >30 min. Logistic regressions with generalised estimating equations were preformed to identify the factors associated with each delay.

RESULTS

The rates of prehospital delay, first ECG delay, thrombolytic therapy delay and in-hospital delay were 67.1%, 31.4%, 85.8% and 67.8%, respectively. Patients who were female, older than 65 years old, illiterate, farmers, onset during late night and forenoon, had heart rate ≥100 beats/m at admission were more likely and patients who had history of myocardial infarction, hypertension or SBP <90 mm Hg at admission were less likely to have prehospital delay. First ECG delay was more likely to take place in patients arriving on regular hours. Thrombolytic therapy delay rate was lower in patients who had prehospital delay or first ECG delay but higher in those with heart rate ≥100 beats/m at admission. In-hospital delay rate was lower in patients with a history of dyslipidaemia and those who arrived during regular hours.

CONCLUSION

Chinese patients with STEMI in low medical resource areas suffered severe prehospital and in-hospital delays to care. Future efforts should be made to improve the prehospital delay among vulnerable populations with low socioeconomic status.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT01398228; Post-results.