Influence of Overweight on ICU Mortality

Obesity Surgery Mortality Risk Score as a Predictor for Intensive Care Unit Admission in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery

Background: Laparoscopic bariatric surgery provides many benefits including lower postoperative pain scores, reduced opioid consumption, shorter hospital stays, and improved quality of recovery. However, the anaesthetic management of obese patients requires caution in determining postoperative risk and in planning adequate postoperative pathways. Currently, there are no specific indications for intensive care unit (ICU) admission in this surgical population and most decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. The aim of this study is to investigate whether Obesity Surgery Mortality Risk Score (OS-MRS) is able to predict ICU admission in patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery (LBS). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of patients who underwent LBS during a 2-year period (2017-2019). The collected data included demographics, comorbidities and surgery-related variables. Postoperative ICU admission was decided via bariatric anaesthesiologists' evaluations, based on the high risk of postoperative cardiac or respiratory complications. Anaesthesia protocol was standardized. Logistic regression was used for statistical analysis. Results: ICU admission was required in 2% (n = 15) of the 763 patients. The intermediate risk group of the OS-MRS was detected in 84% of patients, while the American Society of Anaesthesiologists class III was reported in 80% of patients. A greater OS-MRS (p = 0.01), advanced age (p = 0.04), male gender (p = 0.001), longer duration of surgery (p = 0.0001), increased number of patient comorbidities (p = 0.002), and previous abdominal surgeries (p = 0.003) were predictive factors for ICU admission. Conclusions: ICU admission in obese patients undergoing LBS is predicted by OS-MRS together with age, male gender, number of comorbidities, previous abdominal surgeries, and duration of surgery.

Underweight predicts extubation failure after planned extubation in intensive care units

BACKGROUND

Body weight is associated with different physiological changes and the association between weight and mortality in critical care setting had been discussed before. In this study, we investigated the linkage between underweight and post-extubation failure in mechanical ventilated patients in critical setting.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study including patients who were admitted to medical or surgical intensive care units (ICU) between June 2016 and July 2018 and had received endotracheal intubation for more than 72 hours. Those who passed spontaneous breathing trial and underwent a planned extubation were enrolled. Extubation failure was defined as those who required reintubation within the first 72 hours for any reasons. The probability of extubation failure was calculated. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. Multivariate logistic regression models were then used to determine the potential risk factors associated with extubation failure.

RESULTS

Overall, 268 patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in our study for analysis. The median age of included patients was 67 years (interquartile range, 55-80 years) with 65.3% being male; 63.1% of the patients were included from medical ICU. The proportion of extubation failure in our cohort was 7.1% (19/268; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.3-10.9%). Overall, underweight patients had the highest risk of extubation failure (8/50), as compared with normoweight (9/135) and overweight patients (2/83). In the multivariate analysis, being underweight (adjust OR [aOR], 3.80, compared to normoweight; 95% CI, 1.23-11.7) and lower maximal inspiratory airway pressure (aOR per one cmH2O decrease, 1.05; 95% CI 1.00-1.09) remained significantly associated with extubation failure.

CONCLUSION

In our study, being underweight and lower maximal inspiratory airway pressure was associated with post-extubation respiratory failure after a planned extubation.

Intensive care unit burden is associated with increased mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients

BACKGROUND

Traditional models to predict intensive care outcomes do not perform well in COVID-19. We undertook a comprehensive study of factors affecting mortality and functional outcome after severe COVID-19.

METHODS

In this prospective multicentre cohort study, we enrolled laboratory-confirmed, critically ill COVID-19 patients at six ICUs in the Skåne Region, Sweden, between May 11, 2020, and May 10, 2021. Demographics and clinical data were collected. ICU burden was defined as the total number of ICU-treated COVID-19 patients in the region on admission. Surviving patients had a follow-up at 90 days for assessment of functional outcome using the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE), an ordinal scale (1-8) with GOSE ≥5 representing a favourable outcome. The primary outcome was 90-day mortality; the secondary outcome was functional outcome at 90 days.

RESULTS

Among 498 included patients, 74% were male with a median age of 66 years and a median body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² . Invasive mechanical ventilation was employed in 72%. Mortality in the ICU, in-hospital and at 90 days was 30%, 38% and 39%, respectively. Mortality increased markedly at age 60 and older. Increasing ICU burden was independently associated with a two-fold increase in mortality. Higher BMI was not associated with increased mortality. Besides age and ICU burden, smoking status, cortisone use, P_a CO₂ >7 kPa, and inflammatory markers on admission were independent factors of 90-day mortality. Lower GOSE at 90 days was associated with a longer stay in the ICU.

CONCLUSION

In critically ill COVID-19 patients, the 90-day mortality was 39% and increased considerably at age 60 or older. The ICU burden was associated with mortality, whereas a high BMI was not. A longer stay in the ICU was associated with unfavourable functional outcomes at 90 days.

The effect of body mass index on the development of acute kidney injury and mortality in intensive care unit: is obesity paradox valid?

BACKGROUND

The conflicting results of studies on intensive care unit (ICU) mortality of obese patients and obese patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) reveal a paradox within a paradox. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of body mass index and obesity on AKI development and ICU mortality.

METHODS

The 4,459 patients treated between January 2015 and December 2019 in the ICU at a Tertiary Care Center in Turkey were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

AKI developed more in obese patients with 69.8% (620). AKI development rates were similar in normal-weight (65.1%; 1172) and overweight patients (64.9%; 1149). The development of AKI in patients who presented with cerebrovascular diseases was higher in obese patients (81; 76.4%) than in normal-weight (158; 62.7%) and overweight (174; 60.8%) patients (p < 0.05). The risk of developing AKI was approximately 1.4 times (CI 95% = 1.177-1.662) higher in obese patients than in normal-weight patients. Dialysis was used more frequently in obese patients (24.3%, p < 0.001), who stayed longer in the ICU (p < 0.05). It was determined that the development of AKI in normal-weight and overweight patients increased mortality (p < 0.001) and that there was not a difference in mortality rates between obese patients with and without AKI.

CONCLUSION

The risk of AKI development was higher in obese patients but not in those who were in serious conditions. Another paradox was that the development of AKI was associated with a higher mortality rate in normal-weight and overweight patients, but not in obese patients. Cerebrovascular diseases as a cause of admission pose additional risks for AKI.

Urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein variation as a predictive value of short-term mortality in intensive care unit patients

BACKGROUND

Predicting the prognosis of intensive care unit (ICU) patients is crucial because it may lead to patient stratification that would in turn help in appropriately distributing limited medical resources. This study, therefore, aimed to investigate the use of the urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) semi-quantitative kit in rapidly predicting the prognosis of patients admitted to the ICU.

METHODS

We conducted a single-center, prospective, observational study wherein 100 consecutive patients admitted to the ICU with an indwelling bladder catheter were enrolled between April and October 2020. Urine specimens were collected at the time of admission (T1) and after 6 h (T2), and urinary L-FABP levels were semi-quantitatively measured. Based on the results, an L-FABP variation was defined as the change in L-FABP (negative, weakly positive, or strongly positive) from T1 to T2. Patients were divided into three groups (L-FABP decreased group, unchanged group, or increased group), following which we compared their 14-day mortality.

RESULTS

Finally, a total of 79 patients were included in the analysis. In multivariate analysis, urinary L-FABP variation [Odds ratio (OR) = 14.327, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.819-112.868, p = 0.01] and lactate (OR = 1.234, 95%CI = 1.060-1.437, p = 0.01) were significantly associated with 14-day mortality.

CONCLUSION

Urinary L-FABP variation at 6 h after admission was significantly associated with 14-day mortality.

Obesity and Critical Illness in COVID-19: Respiratory Pathophysiology

OBJECTIVE

Recent cohort studies have identified obesity as a risk factor for poor outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To further explore the relationship between obesity and critical illness in COVID-19, the association of BMI with baseline demographic and intensive care unit (ICU) parameters, laboratory values, and outcomes in a critically ill patient cohort was examined.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, the first 277 consecutive patients admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital ICUs with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were examined. BMI class, initial ICU laboratory values, physiologic characteristics including gas exchange and ventilatory mechanics, and ICU interventions as clinically available were measured. Mortality, length of ICU admission, and duration of mechanical ventilation were also measured.

RESULTS

There was no difference found in respiratory system compliance or oxygenation between patients with and without obesity. Patients without obesity had higher initial ferritin and D-dimer levels than patients with obesity. Standard acute respiratory distress syndrome management, including prone ventilation, was equally distributed between BMI groups. There was no difference found in outcomes between BMI groups, including 30- and 60-day mortality and duration of mechanical ventilation.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort of critically ill patients with COVID-19, obesity was not associated with meaningful differences in respiratory physiology, inflammatory profile, or clinical outcomes.

Association between admission body mass index and outcomes in critically ill children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The association between nutritional status at pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission with clinical outcomes remains unclear. We conducted this systematic review to summarize the overall impact of PICU admission body mass index (BMI) on clinical outcomes.

METHODS

We searched the following medical databases from inception through May 2020: PubMed, Excerpta Medica database (Embase), Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. We included studies on patients ≤18 years old admitted to a PICU that investigated the effect of BMI on mortality, PICU or hospital length of stay (LOS), or duration of mechanical ventilation (MV). Classification of underweight, overweight, and obese were based on each study's criteria.

RESULTS

There was a total of 21,558 patients from 20 included studies. 12,936 (60.0%), 2965 (13.8%), 2182 (10.1%), 3348 (15.5%) were normal weight, underweight, overweight, and obese patients, respectively. Relative to normal weight patients, underweight (OR 1.32, 95% CI 0.89-1.98; p = 0.171) and overweight/obese patients (OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.86-1.42; p = 0.446) did not have an increase risk in mortality. There was also no difference in duration of MV, PICU and hospital LOS between all three weight categories. Included studies were heterogeneous and lacked standardized nutritional categorization. Sensitivity analysis including only studies that used BMI z-scores as nutritional classification (n = 5) revealed that underweight patients had higher odds of mortality compared to patients with normal weight (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.35-1.92; p < 0.001); studies that used percentiles as classification did not reveal any differences in mortality. Sensitivity analysis including only studies containing mixed PICU cohorts (i.e., excluding specialized cohorts e.g., congenital heart surgeries, burns) revealed higher mortality odds in underweight patients (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.25-1.87; p < 0.001) and overweight/obese patients (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.14-2.01; p = 0.004) relative to normal weight patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our systematic review did not reveal any association between PICU admission BMI status and outcomes in critically ill children. Further investigation with standardized nutrition status classification on admission, stratified by patient subgroups, is needed to clarify the association between nutritional status and clinical outcomes of PICU patients.

Obesity is Associated with Worse Outcomes Among Abdominal Trauma Patients Undergoing Laparotomy: A Propensity-Matched Nationwide Cohort Study

Introduction

Obesity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in abdominal trauma patients. The characteristics of abdominal trauma patients with poor outcomes related to obesity require evaluation. We hypothesize that obesity is related to increased mortality and length of stay (LOS) among abdominal trauma patients undergoing laparotomies.

Methods

Abdominal trauma patients were identified from the National Trauma Data Bank between 2013 and 2015. Patients who received laparotomies were analyzed using propensity score matching (PSM) to evaluate the mortality rate and LOS between obese and non-obese patients. Patients without laparotomies were analyzed as a control group using PSM cohort analysis.

Results

A total of 33,798 abdominal trauma patients were evaluated, 10,987 of them received laparotomies. Of these patients, the proportion of obesity in deceased patients was significantly higher when compared to the survivors (33.1% vs. 26.2%, p < 0.001). Elevation of one kg/m² of body mass index independently resulted in 2.5% increased odds of mortality. After a well-balanced PSM, obese patients undergoing laparotomies had significantly higher mortality rates [3.7% vs. 2.4%, standardized difference (SD) = 0.241], longer hospital LOS (11.1 vs. 9.6 days, SD = 0.135), and longer intensive care unit LOS (3.5 vs. 2.3 days, SD = 0.171) than non-obese patients undergoing laparotomies.

Conclusions

Obesity is associated with increased mortality in abdominal trauma patients who received laparotomies versus those who did not. Obesity requires a careful evaluation of alternatives to laparotomy in injured patients.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00268-019-05268-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Comorbidities and the risk of severe or fatal outcomes associated with coronavirus disease 2019: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Existing findings regarding the relationship between comorbidities and the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are inconsistent and insufficient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between different comorbidities and the severity of COVID-19.

METHODS

The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched to identify studies reporting the rates of comorbidities in COVID-19 patients with severe/fatal outcomes. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to disease severity and the country of residence. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using random-effects models.

RESULTS

A total of 34 eligible studies were identified. In patients with severe/fatal COVID-19, the most prevalent chronic comorbidities were obesity (42%, 95% CI 34-49%) and hypertension (40%, 95% CI 35-45%), followed by diabetes (17%, 95% CI 15-20%), cardiovascular disease (13%, 95% CI 11-15%), respiratory disease (8%, 95% CI 6-10%), cerebrovascular disease (6%, 95% CI 4-8%), malignancy (4%, 95% CI 3-6%), kidney disease (3%, 95% CI 2-4%), and liver disease (2%, 95% CI 1-3%). In order of the prediction, the pooled ORs of the comorbidities in patients with severe or fatal COVID-19 when compared to patients with non-severe/fatal COVID-19 were as follows: chronic respiratory disease, OR 3.56 (95% CI 2.87-4.41); hypertension, OR 3.17 (95% CI 2.46-4.08); cardiovascular disease, OR 3.13 (95% CI 2.65-3.70); kidney disease, OR 3.02 (95% CI 2.23-4.08); cerebrovascular disease, OR 2.74 (95% CI 1.59-4.74); malignancy, OR 2.73 (95% CI 1.73-4.21); diabetes, OR 2.63 (95% CI 2.08-3.33); and obesity, OR 1.72 (95% CI 1.04-2.85). No correlation was observed between liver disease and COVID-19 aggravation (OR 1.54, 95% CI 0.95-2.49).

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic comorbidities, including obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, respiratory disease, kidney disease, and malignancy are clinical risk factors for a severe or fatal outcome associated with COVID-19, with obesity being the most prevalent and respiratory disease being the most strongly predictive. Knowledge of these risk factors could help clinicians better identify and manage the high-risk populations.

Impact of Chest Trauma and Overweight on Mortality and Outcome in Severely Injured Patients

The morbidity and mortality of severely injured patients are commonly affected by multiple factors. Especially, severe chest trauma has been shown to be a significant factor in considering outcome. Contemporaneously, weight-associated endocrinological, haematological, and metabolic deviations from the norm seem to have an impact on the posttraumatic course. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the influence of body weight on severely injured patients by emphasizing chest trauma. A total of 338 severely injured patients were included. Multivariate regression analyses were performed on patients with severe chest trauma (AIS ≥ 3) and patients with minor chest trauma (AIS < 3). The influence of body weight on in-hospital mortality was evaluated. Of all the patients, 70.4% were male, the median age was 52 years (IQR 36–68), the overall Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 24 points (IQR 17–29), and a median BMI of 25.1 points (IQR 23–28) was determined. In general, chest trauma was associated with prolonged ventilation, prolonged ICU treatment, and increased mortality. For overweight patients with severe chest trauma, an independent survival benefit was found (OR 0.158; p = 0.037). Overweight seems to have an impact on the mortality of severely injured patients with combined chest trauma. Potentially, a nutritive advantage or still-unknown immunological aspects in these patients affecting the intensive treatment course could be argued.

What factors predict length of stay in the intensive care unit? Systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Studies have shown that a small percentage of ICU patients have prolonged length of stay (LoS) and account for a large proportion of resource use. Therefore, the identification of prolonged stay patients can improve unit efficiency. In this study, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to understand the risk factors of ICU LoS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, Embase and Scopus databases from inception to November 2018. The searching process focused on papers presenting risk factors of ICU LoS. A meta-analysis was performed for studies reporting appropriate statistics.

RESULTS

From 6906 citations, 113 met the eligibility criteria and were reviewed. A meta-analysis was performed for six factors from 28 papers and concluded that patients with mechanical ventilation, hypomagnesemia, delirium, and malnutrition tend to have longer stay, and that age and gender were not significant factors.

CONCLUSIONS

This work suggested a list of risk factors that should be considered in prediction models for ICU LoS, as follows: severity scores, mechanical ventilation, hypomagnesemia, delirium, malnutrition, infection, trauma, red blood cells, and PaO2:FiO2. Our findings can be used by prediction models to improve their predictive capacity of prolonged stay patients, assisting in resource allocation, quality improvement actions, and benchmarking analysis.

Under-Recognizing Malnutrition in Hospitalized Obese Populations: The Real Paradox

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Obesity and malnutrition are frequently encountered in the hospitalized population. Although malnutrition associated with low or normal body mass index (BMI) is easily identified, malnutrition in obese patients goes frequently unrecognized as their fat mass masks underlying muscle mass deterioration. The purpose of this review is to explore if malnutrition has been studied in the obese hospitalized population and if that may be one of the reasons for the variable results in the obesity outcome data.

RECENT FINDINGS

Various studies have shown a conflicting association between obesity and outcomes in hospitalized patient population. Most prior studies used BMI alone as an indicator of obesity and although some recent studies have included body fat percentage, muscle mass, and functional status, they still showed variable outcomes. Unfortunately, there are not many studies that looked into nutrition status specifically in obese patients to study the outcomes. Studies evaluating clinical outcomes in obese patients showed a wide range of outcomes; some showed a protective effect while others were neutral. We explored recent data about obesity, malnutrition, and outcomes, where researchers more precisely defined malnutrition and obesity to determine health outcomes.

Effect of high-protein nutrition in critically ill patients: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Early provision of a high-protein nutrition improves the prognosis of patients in intensive care units (ICUs). However, high protein intake increases blood urea nitrogen (BUN). No study has compared outcomes according to protein intake, and the clinical significance of changes in BUN (ΔBUN) in ICU patients is unclear. Here, we investigated the association of high protein intake with outcomes and BUN and assessed the clinical significance of ΔBUN.

METHODS

This was a single-center retrospective cohort study. Between 1 January 2016 and 30 September 2019, 295 ICU patients received enteral nutrition for at least 3 days while undergoing mechanical ventilation. After applying the exclusion criteria of an age of <18 years, gastrointestinal disease, maintenance dialysis, renal replacement therapy after admission, kidney transplantation, and death within 7 days of commencing enteral nutrition, 206 patients remained.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants were divided into those receiving >1.2 g/kg/day of protein (high-protein group; n = 111) and those receiving ≤1.2 g/kg/day of protein (non-high-protein group; n = 95). The groups were balanced by propensity score matching. The primary endpoint was 28-day mortality, and the secondary endpoints were 90-day mortality, length of ICU stay, number of ventilator-free days in the first 28 days, and ΔBUN.

RESULTS

The high-protein group had significantly lower 28- and 90-day mortality and significantly greater ΔBUN, including after propensity score matching. ΔBUN might not be associated with outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Provision of >1.2 g/kg/day of protein may be associated with lower mortality of tube-fed and mechanically ventilated patients. Furthermore, while high protein intake may be associated with higher BUN, these changes may not be adversely associated with outcomes.

Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Body Mass Index on Mortality in the Intensive Care Unit

INTRODUCTION

Both low and high body mass index (BMI) are associated with mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU). Although many studies have been done to determine the relationship between BMI and risk of mortality in the ICU, their results were inconsistent. This study aimed to conduct a dose-response meta-analysis of published observational studies to assess the effect of BMI on the risk of mortality in patients admitted to the ICU.

METHODS

PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched to identify articles up to May 2019. A total of 31 relevant articles, with 238,961 patients and a follow-up period of 1 month to 11 years, were analyzed.

RESULTS

Linear analysis showed a 0.6% decrease in mortality rate per unit (kg/m² ) increase in BMI (odds ratio: 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98-0.99). In addition, nonlinear analysis showed a decrease in risk of mortality for a BMI of 35 (P < .001) and then increased the risk of mortality with a BMI > 35 (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

This dose-response meta-analysis revealed that a BMI ≤ 35 can be a protective agent against mortality, but a BMI > 35 is a life-threatening factor in patients admitted to the ICU.

Medical Versus Surgical ICU Obese Patient Outcome: A Propensity-Matched Analysis to Resolve Clinical Trial Controversies

OBJECTIVES

To determine the short- and long-term mortality of obese ICU patients following medical as opposed to surgical admission and the relation between obesity and mortality.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data, using a propensity score-matched analysis of patients with medical or surgical admission.

SETTING

One French mixed medical-surgical ICU.

PATIENTS

Critically ill obese patients (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m) and nonobese patients admitted during a 14-year period.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Seven-hundred ninety-one obese patients and 4,644 nonobese patients were included, 338 (43%) and 2,367 (51%) medical and 453 (57%) and 2,277 (49%) surgical obese and nonobese patients, respectively. Mortality was significantly higher in medical than in surgical obese patients in ICU (25% vs 12%; p < 0.001) and up to 365 days (36% vs 18%; p < 0.001) post ICU admission. One-to-one propensity score matching generated 260 pairs with well-balanced baseline characteristics. After matching on propensity score, mortality was still significantly higher in medical patients both in the ICU (21% vs 13%; p = 0.03) and up to 365 days (30% vs 20%; p = 0.01) post ICU admission. Obesity was not significantly associated with mortality both in univariate analysis (140 obese patients [15%] in the dead group vs 651 [14%] in the alive group; p = 0.72) and multivariate analysis (odds ratio, 1.09 [95% CI, 0.86-1.38]; p = 0.49) after adjustment for Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, age, category of admission, history of cardiac disease, and history of respiratory disease.

CONCLUSIONS

After careful matching, the data suggest that ICU mortality in obese population was higher in the medical group than in the surgical group and remains significantly higher 365 days post ICU admission.

The paradox prevails: Outcomes are better in critically ill obese patients regardless of the comorbidity burden

During critical illness, obese patients have better outcomes compared to patients with normal BMI, and this is known as the obesity paradox. The difference in comorbidity burden have been implied to be responsible for the paradox. We performed a retrospective review from 2001 to 2012 of critically ill patients from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care database. We included 11,433 patients and classified them according to body mass index (BMI) and comorbidity burden (Elixhauser comorbidity measure). The odds of inpatient mortality were lower in obese patients compared to patients with normal BMI; in group with the least comorbidity score (Elixhauser <0) [OR: 0.47, CI (0.28-0.80), p-value 0.006] and higher comorbidity scores, (Elixhauser 1-5) [(OR: 0.66, CI (0.46-0.95), p-value 0.02)] and (Elixhauser 6-13) [OR: 0.69, CI (0.53-0.92), p-value 0.01]. 30-day mortality was also significantly lower in obese patients, in groups with the lowest (Elixhauser <0) [OR:49, CI (0.31-0.77), p-value 0.002] as well as the highest comorbidity burden (Elixhauser >14) [OR:0.59, CI (0.45-0.77), p-value <.001]. Subgroup analysis in patients with various comorbidities showed better outcomes in obese patients. These findings show that the decreased odds of mortality in critically ill obese patients is independent of the comorbidity burden or type of comorbidity.

Is Obesity Protective in Thoracoabdominal Penetrating Trauma?

The incidence of obesity has been increasing in the United States, and the medical care of obese patients after injury is complex. Obesity has been linked to increased morbidity after blunt trauma. Whether increased girth protects abdominal organs from penetrating injury or complicates management from obesity-associated medical comorbidities after penetrating injury has not been well defined. All patients admitted with penetrating injury between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2013, at a university-affiliated Level I center trauma center were reviewed. Primary endpoints for analysis were the presence of significant injuries requiring operative intervention and outcomes, including inpatient complications. Logistic regression, chi-squared tests, and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare groups. Five hundred patients were included in the study; 225 with stabs and 275 with gunshot wounds (GSWs). In each group, there was no major difference between obese and nonobese patients in regard to injury location, operative approach, or postoperative outcomes. Unadjusted odds ratios comparing both overweight and obese individuals to normal BMI patients did not suggest a decreased rate of therapeutic operations for either population after stabs or GSWs. In obese or overweight patients, there is no difference in the rate of operative intervention for significant injuries after penetrating axial trauma compared with a normal BMI population. On the other hand, obesity was not associated with prolonged length of stay, increased complications, or death after penetrating injuries.

High-fat diet modifies cytokine gene expression and exacerbates the effects of acute pancreatitis in the liver of rats

BACKGROUND

Obese patients have a higher risk of developing different metabolic syndromes (MeS), including acute pancreatitis (AP). Although obese individuals are more prone to MeS and more susceptible to local and systemic inflammation in response to AP, thus causing long-lasting hospitalization, higher morbidity and mortality, their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between obesity and the outcomes of AP in the rat model of AP.

METHODS

To assess the link between obesity and AP, 40 male albino rats were divided into two groups: control and those given a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. This was followed by the injection of a single dose of L-arginine (250 mg/100 gm) in half of each group to induce AP.

RESULTS

Data evaluation was done using 2-way ANOVA. Values were considered significant when p≤0.05. Markers of AP were evaluated in the serum and ascitic fluid. Moreover, the systemic inflammatory markers, such as IL-6, TNF-α, HMGB1 and TLR4, were quantified in the liver of all groups. Results showed that the OAP group had the highest levels of liver enzymes and amylase aside from several signs of liver damage, such as fat necrosis and steatosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The inflammatory cytokine levels are synchronized, creating an early responsive stage and late inflammatory stage to realize the best defense mechanism. Results also indicate that obesity is a main determinant of the severity of AP at the late stage.

Prolonged dexmedetomidine infusion in critically ill adult patients: a retrospective analysis of a large clinical database Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care III

Background

There is no conclusive evidence for the effects of prolonged infusion of dexmedetomidine in critically ill patients. We aimed to investigate the safety of long-term dexmedetomidine infusion in a large critically ill patients cohort from the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) database.

Methods

We retrospectively extracted records from MIMIC-III database. Dexmedetomidine administration time was the basis for group. Variables were compared by chi-square tests, and Mann-Whitney U test as appropriate. We used logistic regression model for multivariate analysis. Contour maps were drawn to measure rebound of heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP).

Results

We finally got 1,946 records including 1,368 distinct individuals. Age, body mass index (BMI), length of stay in hospital, accumulated doses of dexmedetomidine and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score were independent risk factors of in-hospital mortality (P<0.05). But prolonged dexmedetomidine infusion (≥24 h) and abrupt cessation did not increase in-hospital mortality. Furthermore, the rebound of HR and BP was more likely to occur in patients with prolonged infusion of dexmedetomidine.

Conclusions

Prolonged dexmedetomidine infusion is not related to an increased in-hospital mortality, but it is associated with the rebound effect of HR and BP. Further prospective studies are needed.

Body Mass Index as a Predictor of Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill Patients: A Retrospective Single-Center Study

Background

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients in intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods

Data of patients admitted to medical ICU from December 2011 to May 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were classified into three groups according to their BMI: underweight (<18.5 kg/m²), normal (18.5–24.9 kg/m²), and overweight (≥25 kg/m²). The incidence of AKI was compared among these groups and factors associated with the development of AKI were analyzed. AKI was defined according to the Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of kidney function, and End-stage (RIFLE) kidney disease criteria.

Results

A total of 468 patients were analyzed. Their mean BMI was 21.5±3.9 kg/m², including 102 (21.8%) underweight, 286 (61.1%) normal-weight, and 80 (17.1%) overweight patients. Overall, AKI occurred in 82 (17.5%) patients. The overweight group had significantly (p<0.001) higher incidence of AKI (36.3%) than the underweight (9.8%) or normal group (15.0%). In addition, BMI was significantly higher in patients with AKI than that in those without AKI (23.4±4.2 vs. 21.1±3.7, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that BMI was significantly associated with the development of AKI (odds ratio, 1.893; 95% confidence interval, 1.224–2.927).

Conclusion

BMI may be associated with the development of AKI in critically ill patients.

Is body mass index associated with outcomes of mechanically ventilated adult patients in intensive critical units? A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Obesity paradox refers to lower mortality in subjects with higher body mass index (BMI), and has been documented under a variety of condition. However, whether obesity paradox exists in adults requiring mechanical ventilation in intensive critical units (ICU) remains controversial.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, China Biology Medicine disc (CBM) and CINAHL electronic databases were searched from the earliest available date to July 2017, using the following search terms: "body weight", "body mass index", "overweight" or "obesity" and "ventilator", "mechanically ventilated", "mechanical ventilation", without language restriction. Subjects were divided into the following categories based on BMI (kg/m2): underweight, < 18.5 kg/m2; normal, 18.5-24.9 kg/m2; overweight, BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2; obese, 30-39.9 kg/m2; and severely obese > 40 kg/m2. The primary outcome was mortality, and included ICU mortality, hospital mortality, short-term mortality (<6 months), and long-term mortality (6 months or beyond). Secondary outcomes included duration of mechanical ventilation, length of stay (LOS) in ICU and hospital. A random-effects model was used for data analyses. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale.

RESULTS

A total of 15,729 articles were screened. The final analysis included 23 articles (199,421 subjects). In comparison to non-obese patients, obese patients had lower ICU mortality (odds ratio (OR) 0.88, 95% CI 0.0.84-0.92, I2 = 0%), hospital mortality (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.74-0.93, I2 = 52%), short-term mortality (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.74-0.88, I2 = 0%) as well as long-term mortality (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.60-0.79, I2 = 0%). In comparison to subjects with normal BMI, obese patients had lower ICU mortality (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.82-0.93, I2 = 5%). Hospital mortality was lower in severely obese and obese subjects (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.53-0.94, I2 = 74%, and OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.73-0.89, I2 = 30%). Short-term mortality was lower in overweight and obese subjects (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.75-0.90, I2 = 0%, and, OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.66-0.84, I2 = 8%, respectively). Long-term mortality was lower in severely obese, obese and overweight subjects (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.18-0.83, and OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.46-0.86, I2 = 56%, and OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.57-0.77, I2 = 0%). All 4 mortality measures were higher in underweight subjects than in subjects with normal BMI. Obese subjects had significantly longer duration on mechanical ventilation than non-obese group (mean difference (MD) 0.48, 95% CI 0.16-0.80, I2 = 37%), In comparison to subjects with normal BMI, severely obese BMI had significantly longer time in mechanical ventilation (MD 1.10, 95% CI 0.38-1.83, I2 = 47%). Hospital LOS did not differ between obese and non-obese patients (MD 0.05, 95% CI -0.52 to 0.50, I2 = 80%). Obese patients had longer ICU LOS than non-obese patients (MD 0.38, 95% CI 0.17-0.59, I2 = 70%). Hospital LOS and ICU LOS did not differ significantly in subjects with different BMI status.

CONCLUSIONS

In ICU patients receiving mechanical ventilation, higher BMI is associated with lower mortality and longer duration on mechanical ventilation.

Body Mass Index and Intensive Care Unit Outcomes in African American Patients

PURPOSE

We sought to determine whether body mass index (BMI) is associated with worse intensive care unit (ICU) outcomes among Black patients.

METHODS

Patients admitted to the medical ICU during 2012 were categorized into six BMI groups based on the World Health Organization criteria. ICU mortality, ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS), need for and duration of mechanical ventilation and organ failure rate were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 605 patients with mean age 58.9 ± 16.0 years were studied. Compared with those with normal BMI, obese patients had significant higher rates of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea diagnoses (P<.001 for all). A total of 100 (16.5%) patients died during their ICU stay. Obesity was not associated with increased odds of ICU mortality (OR=.58; 95% CI, .16-2.20). Moreover, improved survival was observed for class II obese patients (OR, .031; 95% CI, .001-.863). There were no differences in the need for and duration of mechanical ventilation between the BMI groups. However, ICU and hospital LOS were significantly longer in patients with obesity.

CONCLUSION

Obesity was not associated with increased ICU mortality; however, obesity was associated with increased comorbid illness and with significant longer ICU and hospital length of stay.

Clinical outcomes for the obese hospital inpatient: An observational study

OBJECTIVES

The prevalence of obesity presents a burden for Australian health care. The aim of this study was to determine whether severely obese hospital inpatients have worse outcomes.

METHODS

This is an observational cohort study, using data from all adult patients admitted to hospital for all elective and emergency admissions of patients aged over 18 years to two large Australian urban hospitals. We measured their length of stay, intensive care unit admission rate, intensive care unit length of stay, mortality and readmission rates within 28 days of discharge and compared these outcomes in the severely obese and non-severely obese subjects using t-test or chi-square test as appropriate.

RESULTS

Between February 2008 and February 2012, 120,872 were admitted to hospital 193,800 times; 2701 patients were identified as severely obese (2.23%) and 118,171 patients were non-severely obese. If admitted as an emergency, severely obese patients have worse outcomes and consume more resources than other patients. These outcomes are still worse, but less so, if the obese patient is admitted as an elective patient suggesting that anticipation of any obesity-specific problems can have a beneficial effect.

CONCLUSION

Upon admission or discharge of severely obese hospital inpatients, health care plans should be even more carefully laid than usual to reduce the risk of readmission.

Association of Massive Transfusion for Resuscitation in Gastrointestinal Bleeding with Transfusion-related Acute Lung Injury

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

This study aimed to understand the use of massive transfusion (MT) for gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients admitted to our medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with GIB for the type of bleeding, quantity of blood products transfused, and risk of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) and death. MT was defined as transfusion of 10 or more units of red blood cell (RBC) within a 24-h period in a 1-unit RBC: 1-unit fresh frozen plasma: and 1-unit platelet ratio. TRALI was defined as development of acute lung injury (ALI), within 6 h of transfusion, with new bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, absence of circulatory overload, or other explanation for ALI.

RESULTS

In a 43-month interval, 169 patients were admitted to the ICU with GIB and received blood products, of whom 13 received MT. Ten patients developed TRALI, of whom 7 (70%) had received MT. MT was associated with an increased risk of TRALI (odds ratio [OR]: 17.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.9-111.2, P = 0.002) after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, baseline vitals, and laboratory data. Death was predicted by MT (OR: 5.6, 95% CI: 1.6-19.7, P = 0.007), TRALI (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.1-4.6, P = 0.02), and Acute Physiologic Chronic Health Evaluation II score (OR: 1.17 per unit increase, 95% CI: 1.09-1.26, P < 0.001) after adjusting for age and sex.

CONCLUSIONS

MT for GIB is associated with an increased risk of TRALI and death. Prospective studies assessing the use of MT in this population are needed to understand and improve outcomes.

Impact of Norepinephrine Weight-Based Dosing Compared With Non–Weight-Based Dosing in Achieving Time to Goal Mean Arterial Pressure in Obese Patients With Septic Shock

Background: Currently, a lack of standardization exists in norepinephrine dosing units, the first-line vasopressor for septic shock. Timely achievement of goal mean arterial pressure (MAP) is dependent on optimal vasopressor dosing. Objective: To determine if weight-based dosing (WBD) of norepinephrine leads to earlier time to goal MAP compared with non-WBD in obese patients with septic shock. Methods: This was a retrospective, multicenter cohort study. Patients had a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 and received norepinephrine for septic shock with either a non-WBD strategy (between December 2009 and January 2013) or WBD strategy (between January 2013 and December 2015). The primary outcome was time to goal MAP. Secondary outcomes were norepinephrine duration, dose requirements, and development of treatment-related complications. Results: A total of 287 patients were included (WBD 144; non-WBD 143). There was no difference in median time to goal MAP (WBD 58 minutes, interquartile range [IQR] = 16.8-118.5, vs non-WBD 60 minutes, IQR = 17.5-193.5; P = 0.28). However, there was a difference in median cumulative norepinephrine dose (WBD 12.6 mg, IQR = 4.9-45.9, vs non-WBD 10.5 mg, IQR = 3.9-25.6; P = 0.04) and time to norepinephrine discontinuation (WBD 33 hours, IQR = 15-69, vs non-WBD 27 hours, IQR = 12-51; P = 0.03). There was no difference in rates of atrial fibrillation (WBD 15.3% vs non-WBD 23.7%; P = 0.07) or mortality (WBD 23.6% vs non-WBD 23.1%; P = 0.92). Conclusion: WBD of norepinephrine does not achieve time to goal MAP earlier in obese patients with septic shock. However, WBD may lead to higher norepinephrine cumulative dose requirements and prolonged time until norepinephrine discontinuation.

Influence of body mass index on the prognosis of patients successfully resuscitated from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest treated by therapeutic hypothermia

BACKGROUND

Obesity prevalence has dramatically increased over recent years and is associated with cardiovascular diseases, but data are lacking on its prognostic impact in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients.

METHODS

Data of all consecutive OHCA patients admitted in two cardiac arrest centers from Paris and suburbs between 2005 and 2012 were prospectively collected. Patients treated by therapeutic hypothermia (TH) were included in the analysis. Logistic and Cox regression analyses were used to quantify the association between body mass index (BMI) at hospital admission and day-30 and 1-year mortality respectively.

RESULTS

818 patients were included in the study (median age 60.9 [50.8-72.7] year, 70.2% male). Obese patients (BMI>30kgm^-2) were older, more frequently male and evidenced more frequently cardiovascular risk factors than normally (18.5<BMI<25kgm^-2) or overweight patients (25<BMI<30kgm^-2). Post-resuscitation shock and therapeutic hypothermia failure were more frequent in obese patients. Overall mortality at day-30 and one-year was 63.8 and 67.2%, respectively. After multivariate adjustment, BMI>30kgm^-2 was independently associated with day-30 mortality (Odds ratio [OR] in comparison with normally weight patients 2.45; 95% confidence interval [95%CI: 1.32-4.56; p<0.01]). Obesity was not associated with one-year mortality (Hazard ratio [HR] 0.99, 95%CI 0.21,4.67; p=0.99) while underweight was associated with one-year mortality in this subgroup of patients (Hazard ratio [HR] 3.94, 95%CI 1.11,14.01; p=0.03).

CONCLUSION

In the present study, obesity was independently associated with day-30 mortality in successfully resuscitated ICU TH OHCA patients. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms that underpin this finding.

The impact of body habitus on outcomes after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a Nationwide Inpatient Sample analysis

OBJECTIVE Although the prevalence of obesity is increasing rapidly both nationally and internationally, few studies have analyzed outcomes among obese patients undergoing cranial neurosurgery. The goal of this study, which used a nationwide data set, was to evaluate the association of both obesity and morbid obesity with treatment outcomes among patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH); in addition, the authors sought to analyze how postoperative complications for obese patients with SAH differ by the treatment modality used for aneurysm repair. METHODS Clinical data for adult patients with SAH who underwent microsurgical or endovascular aneurysm repair were extracted from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). The body habitus of patients was classified as nonobese (body mass index [BMI] < 30 kg/m²), obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² and ≤ 40 kg/m²), or morbidly obese (BMI > 40 kg/m²). Multivariable logistic regression analyzed the association of body habitus with in-hospital mortality rate, complications, discharge disposition, and poor outcome as defined by the composite NIS-SAH outcome measure. Covariates included patient demographics, comorbidities (including hypertension and diabetes), health insurance status, the NIS-SAH severity scale, treatment modality used for aneurysm repair, and hospital characteristics. RESULTS In total, data from 18,281 patients were included in this study; the prevalence of morbid obesity increased from 0.8% in 2002 to 3.5% in 2011. Obese and morbidly obese patients were significantly younger and had a greater number of comorbidities than nonobese patients (p < 0.001). Mortality rates for obese (11.5%) and morbidly obese patients (10.5%) did not significantly differ from those for nonobese patients (13.5%); likewise, no differences in neurological complications or poor outcome were observed among these 3 groups. Morbid obesity was associated with significantly increased odds of several medical complications, including venous thromboembolic (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.01-2.30, p = 0.046) and renal (OR 1.64, 95% CI: 1.11-2.43, p = 0.01) complications and infections (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.08-1.67, p = 0.009, attributable to greater odds of urinary tract and surgical site infections). Moreover, morbidly obese patients had higher odds of a nonroutine hospital discharge (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.03-1.71, p = 0.03). Patients with milder obesity had decreased odds of some medical complications, including cardiac, pulmonary, and infectious complications, primarily among patients who had undergone coil embolization. CONCLUSIONS In this study involving a nationwide administrative database, milder obesity was not significantly associated with increased mortality rates, neurological complications, or poor outcomes after SAH. Morbid obesity, however, was associated with increased odds of venous thromboembolic, renal, and infectious complications, as well as of a nonroutine hospital discharge. Notably, milder obesity was associated with decreased odds of some medical complications, primarily in patients treated with coiling.

Obesity and Sepsis

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions over the last few decades. Obesity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and cancer and is feared to decrease overall life expectancy over the next few decades. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that obesity is a chronic inflammatory disease. Obesity is becoming a cause of concern in critically ill patients as well. Sepsis is the number one cause of morbidity and mortality in noncoronary artery disease critical care units all over the world and is associated with a high cost of care. An increase in morbidity in obese septic patients compared with lean people is a cause of growing concern. Laboratory evidence suggests that there is exaggeration in the inflammatory and prothrombogenic phenotype assumed by obese compared with lean septic animals. The exact mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are unknown. This article reviews some of the pathophysiological processes responsible for the underlying inflammation in obesity and sepsis and reviews the literature for the association of the two.

Obesity in the intensive care unit: risks and complications

The steady growing prevalence of critically ill obese patients is posing diagnostic and management challenges across medical and surgical intensive care units. The impact of obesity in the critically ill patients may vary by type of critical illness, obesity severity (obesity distribution) and obesity-associated co-morbidities. Based on pathophysiological changes associated with obesity, predominately in pulmonary reserve and cardiac function, critically ill obese patients may be at higher risk for acute cardiovascular, pulmonary and renal complications in comparison to non-obese patients. Obesity also represents a dilemma in the management of other critical care areas such as invasive mechanical ventilation, mechanical ventilation liberation, hemodynamic monitoring and pharmacokinetics dose adjustments. However, despite higher morbidity associated with obesity in the intensive care unit (ICU), a paradoxical lower ICU mortality ("obesity paradox") is demonstrated in comparison to non-obese ICU patients. This review article will focus on the unique pathophysiology, challenges in management, and outcomes associated with obesity in the ICU.

Impact of Obesity on Outcomes in a Multiethnic Cohort of Medical Intensive Care Unit Patients

PURPOSE

To examine the association of obesity with in-hospital mortality and complications during critical illness.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of a multiethnic cohort of 699 patients admitted to medical intensive care unit between January 2010 and May 2011 at Mount Sinai St. Luke's and Mount Sinai West Hospitals, tertiary care centers in New York City. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30] and in-hospital mortality. Subgroup analysis was performed in elderly patients (age ≥65 years).

RESULTS

Compared to normal BMI, obese patients had lower in-hospital mortality (24.4% vs 17.6%, P = .04). On multivariate analysis, obesity was independently associated with lower in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.27-0.89, P = .018). There was no significant difference in rates of mechanical ventilation, reintubation, and vasopressor requirement across BMI categories. In subgroup analysis, elderly obese patients did not display lower in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.40-1.82, P = .68).

CONCLUSION

Our study supports the hypothesis that obesity is associated with decreased mortality during critical illness. However, this finding was not observed among elderly obese patients. Further studies should explore the interaction between age, obesity, and outcomes in critical illness.

Obese patients who fall have less injury severity but a longer hospital stay than normal-weight patients

Background

The effects of obesity on injury severity and outcome have been studied in trauma patients but not in those who have experienced a fall. The aim of this study was to compare injury patterns, injury severities, mortality rates, and in-hospital or intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) between obese and normal-weight patients following a fall.

Methods

Detailed data were retrieved for 273 fall-related hospitalized obese adult patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m² and 2357 normal-weight patients with a BMI <25 kg/m² but ≥18.5 kg/m² from the Trauma Registry System of a Level I trauma center between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2013. We used the Pearson’s chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact test, the Mann Whitney U test, and independent Student’s t-test to analyze differences between the two groups.

Results

Analysis of AIS scores and AIS severity scaling from 1 to 5 revealed no significant differences in trauma regions between obese and normal-weight patients. When stratified by injury severity (Injury Severity Score [ISS] of <16, 16–24, or ≥25), more obese patients had an ISS of <16 compared to normal-weight patients (90.5 % vs. 86.0 %, respectively; p = 0.041), while more normal-weight patients had an ISS between 16 and 24 (11.0 % vs. 6.6 %, respectively; p = 0.025). Obese patients who had experienced a fall had a significantly lower ISS (median (range): 9 (1–45) vs. 9 (1–50), respectively; p = 0.015) but longer in-hospital LOS than did normal-weight patients (10.1 days vs. 8.9 days, respectively; p = 0.049). Even after taking account of possible differences in comorbidity and ISS, the obese patients have an average 1.54 day longer LOS than that of normal-weight patients. However, no significant differences were found between obese and normal-weight patients in terms of the New Injury Severity Score (NISS), Trauma-Injury Severity Score (TRISS), mortality, percentage of patients admitted to the ICU, or LOS in the ICU.

Conclusion

Obese patients who had experienced a fall did not have different injured body regions than did normal-weight patients. However, they had a lower ISS but a longer in-hospital LOS than did normal-weight patients.

Management of the Open Abdomen in Obese Trauma Patients

Obesity incidence in the trauma population is increasing. Abdominal compartment syndrome has poor outcomes when left untreated. Surgeons may treat obese patients differently because of concern for increased morbidity and mortality. We studied the effects of body mass index (BMI) on resource utilization and outcome. An Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective review of trauma patients requiring temporary abdominal closure (TAC) was performed. Patients were stratified as follows: Group 1-BMI = 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2, Group 2-BMI = 25 to 29.9 kg/m2, Group 3-BMI = 30 to 39.9 kg/m2, Group 4-BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2. Demographic data, illness severity as defined by Injury Severity Score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Score Version II and Simplified Acute Physiology Score Version II scores, resource utilization, fascial closure rate, and survival were collected. About 380 patients required TAC. Median age of Group 1 was significantly lower than Groups 2 and 3 ( P = 0.001). Severity of illness did not differ. Group 4 had a longer intensive care unit stay compared with Groups 1 and 2 ( P = 0.005). Group 4 required mechanical ventilation longer than Group 1 ( P = 0.027). Hospital stay, fascial closure, and survival were equivalent. Obese trauma patients with TAC have a longer intensive care unit stay and more ventilator days, but there is no difference in survival or type of closure. TAC can be used safely in trauma patients with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2.

The outcome of acute respiratory distress syndrome in relation to body mass index and diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

To determine the 28 day mortality of patients with ARDS in relation to body mass index (BMI) and presence diabetes mellitus (DM).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study of patients enrolled in the ARDS Network randomized controlled trials.

RESULTS

2914 patients were enrolled in these trials. 112 patients were underweight (BMI < 18.5), 948 patients were normal range (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25.0), 801 patients were overweight (25.0 ≤ BMI < 30.0), 687 patients were obese (30.0 ≤ BMI < 40.0), and 175 patients were severely obese (BMI ≥ 40.0). 469 patients had DM. There was no significant difference in the 28 day mortality in relation to BMI or presence of DM (underweight adjusted OR, 1.217; 95% CI, 0.749-1.979; overweight adjusted OR, 0.887; 95% CI, 0.696-1.131; obese adjusted OR, 0.812; 95% CI, 0.624-1.056; severely obese adjusted OR, 1.102; 95% CI, 0.716-1.695; and DM adjusted OR, 0.938; 95% CI, 0.728-1.208).

CONCLUSIONS

The short term mortality in patients with ARDS is not affected by BMI or the presence of DM.

Influence of body mass index and age on functional outcomes in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have highlighted the obesity paradox where patients with obesity have a greater chance of survival than patients with normal weight.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and age with severity of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and functional outcome.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 274 consecutive patients admitted with SAH between June 2008 and June 2012. Data collected included patient demographic features (age, sex, BMI), severity of SAH at admission (Fisher grade, Hunt and Hess grade, Glasgow Coma Scale score, and the World Federation of Neurosurgeons Scale score), as well as functional outcome measured by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) by death or discharge.

RESULTS

The median age was 57 years (range, 18-99), and 62% were female; the median BMI was 27 (range, 14.3-55.1). On multivariate analysis adjusting for age and sex, there was no evidence of an association between BMI and Hunt and Hess grade, Fisher grade, World Federation of Neurosurgeons Scale score, Glasgow Coma Scale score, or mRS score (all P≥.17). On multivariate analysis adjusting for BMI and sex, there was evidence of a higher mRS score (P<.001) and lower WFNS grade (P=.016) in older patients, with no significant association observed between age and the remaining 3 measures of SAH severity (all P≥.10).

CONCLUSION

The results of our study indicate that BMI is not noticeably associated with severity of bleeding or functional outcome in patients with SAH. This finding was discovered after performing a multivariate analysis adjusting for age where older age was associated with worsened severity and outcome.

A retrospective cohort study examining the association between body mass index and mortality in severe sepsis

Body mass index (BMI) is an easily calculated indicator of a patient's body mass including muscle mass and body fat percentage and is used to classify patients as underweight or obese. This study is to determine if BMI extremes are associated with increased 28-day mortality and hospital length of stay (LOS) in emergency department (ED) patients presenting with severe sepsis. We performed a retrospective chart review at an urban, level I trauma center of adults admitted with severe sepsis between 1/2005 and 10/2007, and collected socio-demographic variables, comorbidities, initial and most severe vital signs, laboratory values, and infection sources. The primary outcome variables were mortality and LOS. We performed bivariable analysis, logistic regression and restricted cubic spline regression to determine the association between BMI, mortality, and LOS. Amongst 1,191 severe sepsis patients (median age, 57 years; male, 54.7%; median BMI, 25.1 kg/m(2)), 28-day mortality was 19.9% (95% CI 17.8-22.4) and 60-day mortality was 24.4% (95% CI 21.5-26.5). Obese and morbidly obese patients were younger, less severely ill, and more likely to have soft tissue infections. There was no difference in adjusted mortality for underweight patients compared to the normal weight comparator (OR 0.74; CI 0.42-1.39; p = 0.38). The obese and morbidly obese experienced decreased mortality risk, vs. normal BMI; however, after adjustment for baseline characteristics, this was no longer significant (OR 0.66; CI 0.42-1.03; p = 0.06). There was no significant difference in LOS across BMI groups. Neither LOS nor adjusted 28-day mortality was significantly increased or decreased in underweight or obese patients with severe sepsis. Morbidly obese patients may have decreased 28-day mortality, partially due to differences in initial presentation and source of infection. Larger, prospective studies are needed to validate these findings related to BMI extremes in patients with severe sepsis.

The association between obesity and outcomes in critically ill patients

BACKGROUND

Obesity rates are increasing worldwide, particularly in North America. The impact of obesity on the outcome of critically ill patients is unclear.

METHODS

A prospective observational cohort study of consecutive patients admitted to a tertiary critical care unit in Canada between January 10, 2008 and March 31, 2009 was conducted. Exclusion criteria were age <18 years, admission <24 h, planned cardiac surgery, pregnancy, significant ascites, unclosed surgical abdomen and brain death on admission. Height, weight and abdominal circumference were measured at the time of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Coprimary end points were ICU mortality and a composite of ICU mortality, reintubation, ventilator-associated pneumonia, line sepsis and ICU readmission. Subjects were stratified as obese or nonobese, using two separate metrics: body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m(2) and a novel measurement of 75th percentile for waist-to-height ratio (WHR).

RESULTS

Among 449 subjects with a BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m(2), both BMI and WHR were available for comparative analysis in 348 (77.5%). Neither measure of obesity was associated with the primary end points. BMI ≥ 3 0 kg/m(2) was associated with a lower odds of six-month mortality than the BMI <30 kg/m(2) group (adjusted OR 0.59 [95% CI 0.36 to 0.97]; P=0.04) but longer intubation times (adjusted RR 1.56 [95% CI 1.17 to 2.07]; P=0.003) and longer ICU length of stay (adjusted RR 1.67 [95% CI 1.21 to 2.31]; P=0.002). Conversely, measurement of 75th percentile for WHR was associated only with decreased ICU readmission (OR 0.23 [95% CI 0.07 to 0.79]; P=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity was not necessarily associated with worse outcomes in critically ill patients.

Intensive care unit and hospital mortality in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

INTRODUCTION

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder affecting between 5% and 24% of men and women. The prevalence of OSA in the intensive care unit (ICU) population is unknown. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of OSA in patients admitted to the ICU and to determine if OSA is an independent predictor of mortality.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study using an Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III database cross-referenced to a comprehensive clinical database to identify patients with and without OSA admitted to medical, surgical, and mixed ICUs at a large academic medical center.

RESULTS

Between January 2003 and December 2005, 15077 patients were admitted to the ICUs; and of these, 1183 (7.8%) had a physician-documented diagnosis of OSA. Eight hundred thirty-five (71%) patients had polysomnographic testing at our institution with a documented apnea-hypopnea index more than 5 per hour. Patients with OSA were younger (59.1 ± 14.0 vs 62.3 ± 18.0), male (58.9% vs 53.7%), and had lower Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III scores (45.3 ± 24.1 vs 54.9 ± 27.7). Predicted mortality (10.3% ± 16.4% vs 16.3 ± 21.7), median ICU length of stay (1.13 vs 1.50 days), ICU mortality (2.4% vs 6.2%), and hospital mortality (3.9% vs 11.4%) were all reduced in patients with OSA, P values < .001. When adjusted for the severity of illness, OSA was independently associated with decreased hospital mortality, (0.408; 95% confidence interval, 0.298-0.557).

CONCLUSIONS

Obstructive sleep apnea is common in patients admitted to the ICU. Obstructive sleep apnea was associated with a reduction in both ICU and hospital mortality.

Contrasting effects of preexisting hyperglycemia and higher body size on hospital mortality in critically ill patients: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Obesity and diabetes mellitus are well-defined risk factors for cardiovascular mortality. The impact of antecedent hyperglycemia and body size on mortality in critical ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) may vary across their range of values. Therefore, we prospectively analyzed the relationship between in-hospital mortality and preexisting hyperglycemia and body size in critically ill ICU patients to understand how mortality varied among normal, overweight, and obese patients and those with low, intermediate, and high glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels.

METHODS

Medical history, weight, height, physiologic variables, and HbA1c were obtained during the first 24 h for patients who were consecutively admitted to the high complexity ICU of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil, from April to August 2011. The relationships between mortality and obesity and antecedent hyperglycemia were prospectively analyzed by cubic spline analysis and a Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

The study comprised 199 patients. The overall hospital mortality rate was 43.2% during a median 16 (8-28) days of follow-up. There was a progressive risk of in-hospital mortality with higher HbA1c levels, with the relationship becoming significant at HbA1c >9.3% compared with lower levels (hazard ratio 1.74; 95% confidence interval with Bonferroni correction 1.49-2.80). In contrast, mean body mass index (BMI) was higher in survivors than in nonsurvivors (27.2 kg/m2 ± 7.3 vs. 24.7 kg/m2 ± 5.0 P = 0.031, respectively). Cubic spline analysis showed that these relationships differed nonlinearly through the spectrum of BMI values. In a Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score and HbA1c, the risk of in-hospital mortality progressively decreased with increasing BMI (BMI <20 vs. 20-23.9 kg/m2, P = 0.032; BMI <20 vs. 24-34.9 kg/m2, P = 0.010; BMI <20 vs. ≥35 kg/m2, P = 0.032).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that significant hyperglycemia prior to ICU admission is a risk factor for in-hospital mortality. Conversely, increasing BMI may confer an advantageous effect against mortality in critical illness independently of previous glycemic control.

Body mass index and mortality in Korean intensive care units: a prospective multicenter cohort study

Background

The level of body mass index (BMI) that is associated with the lowest mortality in critically ill patients in Asian populations is uncertain. We aimed to examine the association of BMI with hospital mortality in critically ill patients in Korea.

Methods

We conducted a prospective multicenter cohort study of 3,655 critically ill patients in 22 intensive care units (ICUs) in Korea. BMI was categorized into five groups: <18.5, 18.5 to 22.9, 23.0 to 24.9 (the reference category), 25.0 to 29.9, and ≥30.0 kg/m².

Results

The median BMI was 22.6 (IQR 20.3 to 25.1). The percentages of patients with BMI<18.5, 18.5 to 22.9, 23.0 to 24.9, 25.0 to 29.9, and ≥30.0 were 12, 42.3, 19.9, 22.4, and 3.3%, respectively. The Cox-proportional hazard ratios with exact partial likelihood to handle tied failures for hospital mortality comparing the BMI categories <18.5, 18.5 to 22.9, 25.0 to 29.9, and ≥30.0 with the reference category were 1.13 (0.88 to 1.44), 1.03 (0.84 to 1.26), 0.96 (0.76 to 1.22), and 0.68 (0.43 to 1.08), respectively, with a highly significant test for trend (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

A graded inverse association between BMI and hospital mortality with a strong significant trend was found in critically ill patients in Korea.

Comparative evaluation of hemodynamic and respiratory parameters during mechanical ventilation with two tidal volumes calculated by demi-span based height and measured height in normal lungs

Background:

Appropriate determination of tidal volume (VT) is important for preventing ventilation induced lung injury. We compared hemodynamic and respiratory parameters in two conditions of receiving VTs calculated by using body weight (BW), which was estimated by measured height (HBW) or demi-span based body weight (DBW).

Materials and Methods:

This controlled-trial was conducted in St. Alzahra Hospital in 2009 on American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I and II, 18-65-years-old patients. Standing height and weight were measured and then height was calculated using demi-span method. BW and VT were calculated with acute respiratory distress syndrome-net formula. Patients were randomized and then crossed to receive ventilation with both calculated VTs for 20 min. Hemodynamic and respiratory parameters were analyzed with SPSS version 20.0 using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results:

Forty nine patients were studied. Demi-span based body weight and thus VT (DTV) were lower than Height based body weight and VT (HTV) (P = 0.028), in male patients (P = 0.005). Difference was observed in peak airway pressure (PAP) and airway resistance (AR) changes with higher PAP and AR at 20 min after receiving HTV compared with DTV.

Conclusions:

Estimated VT based on measured height is higher than that based on demi-span and this difference exists only in females, and this higher VT results higher airway pressures during mechanical ventilation.

The effect of obesity on outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients in a medical intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

The effect of obesity on outcomes in critically ill patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation in a medical intensive care unit (ICU) is uncertain.

OBJECTIVES

This study was intended to further explore the relationship between outcomes and obesity in patients admitted to a medical ICU who required invasive mechanical ventilation.

METHODS

All adult patients admitted to the medical ICU at Washington Hospital Center requiring intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation for at least 24 h between January 1 and December 31, 2009, were retrospectively studied. Patients were categorized as nonobese (BMI <30) and obese (BMI ≥30). The primary outcome measure was 30-day mortality following intubation. Secondary outcomes included ICU length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS and duration of mechanical ventilation.

RESULTS

There were 504 eligible patients: 306 nonobese and 198 (39%) obese. Obese patients had significantly higher rates of diabetes (43 vs. 30%, p = 0.004), hyperlipidemia (32 vs. 24%, p = 0.04), asthma (16 vs. 8%, p = 0.004) and obstructive sleep apnea requiring continuous positive airway pressure treatment (12 vs. 1%, p < 0.001). Nonobese patients had a significantly higher rate of HIV infection (10 vs. 5%, p = 0.05) and malignancy (21 vs. 13%, p = 0.03). There were no significant differences in mortality up to 30 days following intubation and secondary outcomes between obese and nonobese patients. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression showed no significant relationship between mortality rate at 30 days following intubation and obesity. Outcomes were similar for the black obese (n = 153) and nonobese (n = 228) patients and the obese (n = 85) and very obese (n = 113) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity did not influence outcomes in critically ill patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation in a medical ICU. Black obese patients had similar outcomes to black nonobese patients, and very obese patients also had similar outcomes to obese patients.

Mild obesity is protective after severe burn injury

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of obesity on morbidity and mortality in severely burned patients.

BACKGROUND

Despite the increasing number of people with obesity, little is known about the impact of obesity on postburn outcomes.

METHODS

A total of 405 patients were prospectively enrolled as part of the multicenter trial Inflammation and the Host Response to Injury Glue Grant with the following inclusion criteria: 0 to 89 years of age, admitted within 96 hours after injury, and more than 20% total body surface area burn requiring at least 1 surgical intervention. Body mass index was used in adult patients to stratify according to World Health Organization definitions: less than 18.5 (underweight), 18.5 to 29.9 (normal weight), 30 to 34.9 (obese I), 35 to 39.9 (obese II), and body mass index more than 40 (obese III). Pediatric patients (2 to ≤18 years of age) were stratified by using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization body mass index-for-age growth charts to obtain a percentile ranking and then grouped as underweight (<5th percentile), normal weight (5th percentile to <95th percentile), and obese (≥95th percentile). The primary outcome was mortality and secondary outcomes were clinical markers of patient recovery, for example, multiorgan function, infections, sepsis, and length of stay.

RESULTS

A total of 273 patients had normal weight, 116 were obese, and 16 were underweight; underweight patients were excluded from the analyses because of insufficient patient numbers. There were no differences in primary and secondary outcomes when normal weight patients were compared with obese patients. Further stratification in pediatric and adult patients showed similar results. However, when adult patients were stratified in obesity categories, log-rank analysis showed improved survival in the obese I group and higher mortality in the obese III group compared with obese I group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, obesity was not associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Subgroup analysis revealed that patients with mild obesity have the best survival, whereas morbidly obese patients have the highest mortality. (NCT00257244).