Alcohol and mortality after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury: a meta-analysis of observational studies

Mastering the brain in critical conditions: an update

Acute brain injuries, such as traumatic brain injury and ischemic and hemorragic stroke, are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. While characterized by clearly distict primary events-vascular damage in strokes and biomechanical damage in traumatic brain injuries-they share common secondary injury mechanisms influencing long-term outcomes. Growing evidence suggests that a more personalized approach to optimize energy substrate delivery to the injured brain and prognosticate towards families could be beneficial. In this context, continuous invasive and/or non-invasive neuromonitoring, together with clinical evaluation and neuroimaging to support strategies that optimize cerebral blood flow and metabolic delivery, as well as approaches to neuroprognostication are gaining interest. Recently, the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine organized a 2-day course focused on a practical case-based clinical approach of acute brain-injured patients in different scenarios and on future perspectives to advance the management of this population. The aim of this manuscript is to update clinicians dealing with acute brain injured patients in the intensive care unit, describing current knowledge and clinical practice based on the insights presented during this course.

Outcome and survival of surgically treated acute subdural hematomas and postcraniotomy hematomas - A retrospective cohort study

Background

The morbidity and mortality of acute subdural hematoma (aSDH) remains high. Several factors have been reported to affect the outcome and survival of these patients. In this study, we explored factors potentially associated with the outcome and survival of surgically treated acute subdural hematoma (aSDH), including postcraniotomy hematomas (PCHs).

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a single tertiary university hospital between 2008 and 2012 and all aSDH patients that underwent surgical intervention were included. A total of 132 cases were identified for collection of demographics, clinical, laboratory, and imaging data. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to assess factors associated with three-month Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and survival at one- and five-year.

Results

In this study, PCH (n = 14, 10.6%) was not associated with a worse outcome according to the 3- month GOS (p = 0.37) or one (p = 0.34) and five-year (p = 0.37) survival. The multivariable analysis showed that the volume of initial hematoma (p = 0.009) and Abbreviated Injury Scale score (p = 0.016) were independent predictors of the three-month GOS. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score (p < 0.001 and p = 0.037) and age (p = 0.048 and p = 0.003) were predictors for one and five-year survival, while use of antiplatelet drug (p = 0.030), neuroworsening (p = 0.005) and smoking (p = 0.026) were significant factors impacting one year survival. In addition, blood alcohol level on admission was a predictor for five-year survival (p = 0.025).

Conclusions

These elucidations underscore that, although PCHs are pertinent, a comprehensive appreciation of multifarious variables is indispensable in aSDH prognosis. These findings are observational, not causal. Expanded research endeavors are advocated to corroborate these insights.

Association between axial spondyloarthritis and temporomandibular disorders: A systematic review

This study aimed to assess the frequency of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) compared with the healthy individuals. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Google Scholar databases from their inception until 2022, without language restriction. A standardized dataset was used to extract data from the observational studies. Patients were required to have axial spondyloarthritis and clinical and/or radiographic evidence of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Meta-analysis was performed with a random effects model. A systematic review was registered under number CRD42020206283. We identified seven relevant studies, which provided data for 745 patients and 216 temporomandibular disorders events. The combined odds ratio (OR) showed that the risk of temporomandibular disorders in individuals with axial spondyloarthritis was higher than the control group (pooled OR = 5.26, 95% CI 2.50-11, 06; p < 0.02; I2  = 58%). Also, these individuals do not appear to refer possible temporomandibular joint symptoms to the rheumatologist or dentist. The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that patients with axial spondyloarthritis have an increased frequency of temporomandibular disorders. TMDs seem to be secondary to postural alterations rather than direct involvement of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs).

Alcohol intake before injury and functional and survival outcomes after traumatic brain injury: Pan-Asian trauma outcomes study (PATOS)

There are controversies about the effects of alcohol intake shortly before injury on prognosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. We investigated the association between alcohol intake and functional/survival outcomes in TBI patients, and whether this effect varied according to age and sex. This was a prospective international multicenter cohort study using the Pan-Asian trauma outcomes study registry in Asian-Pacific countries, conducted on adult patients with TBI who visited participating hospitals. The main exposure variable was alcohol intake before injury, and the main outcomes were poor functional recovery (modified Rankin Scale score, 4-6) and in-hospital mortality. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the effects of alcohol intake on study outcomes. Interaction analysis between alcohol intake and age/sex were also performed. Among the study population of 12,451, 3263 (26.2%) patients consumed alcohol before injury. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, alcohol intake was associated with lower odds for poor functional recovery [4.4% vs 6.6%, a odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 0.68 (0.56-0.83)] and in-hospital mortality (1.9% vs 3.1%, 0.64 [0.48-0.86]). The alcohol intake had interaction effects with sex for poor functional recovery: 0.59 (0.45-0.75) for male and 0.94 (0.60-1.49) for female (P for-interaction < .01), whereas there were no interaction between alcohol intake and age. In TBI patients, alcohol intake before injury was associated with lower odds of poor functional recovery and in-hospital mortality, and these effects were maintained in the male group in the interaction analyses.

Prognostic Value of Different Computed Tomography Scoring Systems in Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Undergoing Decompressive Craniectomy

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we investigate the preoperative and postoperative computed tomography (CT) scores in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy (DC) and compare their predictive accuracy.

METHODS

Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the relationship between CT score (preoperative and postoperative) and mortality at 30 days after injury. The discriminatory power of preoperative and postoperative CT score was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

RESULTS

Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for the established predictors of TBI outcomes showed that preoperative Rotterdam CT score (odds ratio [OR], 3.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-11.50; P = 0.030), postoperative Rotterdam CT score (OR, 4.17; 95% CI, 1.63-10.66; P = 0.003), preoperative Stockholm CT score (OR, 3.41; 95% CI, 1.42-8.18; P = 0.006), postoperative Stockholm CT score (OR, 4.50; 95% CI, 1.60-12.64; P = 0.004), preoperative Helsinki CT score (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.03-2.02; P = 0.031), and postoperative Helsinki CT score (OR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.32-4.95; P = 0.005) were significantly associated with mortality. The performance of the postoperative Rotterdam CT score was superior to the preoperative Rotterdam CT score (AUC, 0.82-0.97 vs 0.71-0.91). The postoperative Stockholm CT score was superior to the preoperative Stockholm CT score (AUC, 0.76-0.94 vs 0.72-0.92). The postoperative Helsinki CT score was superior to the preoperative Helsinki CT score (AUC, 0.88-0.99 vs 0.65-0.87).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, assessing the CT score before and after DC may be more precise and efficient for predicting early mortality in severe TBI patients who undergo DC.

Fast Maturation of Splenic Dendritic Cells Upon TBI Is Associated With FLT3/FLT3L Signaling

The consequences of systemic inflammation are a significant burden after traumatic brain injury (TBI), with almost all organs affected. This response consists of inflammation and concurrent immunosuppression after injury. One of the main immune regulatory organs, the spleen, is highly interactive with the brain. Along this brain–spleen axis, both nerve fibers as well as brain-derived circulating mediators have been shown to interact directly with splenic immune cells. One of the most significant comorbidities in TBI is acute ethanol intoxication (EI), with almost 40% of patients showing a positive blood alcohol level (BAL) upon injury. EI by itself has been shown to reduce proinflammatory mediators dose-dependently and enhance anti-inflammatory mediators in the spleen. However, how the splenic immune modulatory effect reacts to EI in TBI remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated early splenic immune responses after TBI with and without EI, using gene expression screening of cytokines and chemokines and fluorescence staining of thin spleen sections to investigate cellular mechanisms in immune cells. We found a strong FLT3/FLT3L induction 3 h after TBI, which was enhanced by EI. The FLT3L induction resulted in phosphorylation of FLT3 in CD11c+ dendritic cells, which enhanced protein synthesis, maturation process, and the immunity of dendritic cells, shown by pS6, peIF2A, MHC-II, LAMP1, and CD68 by immunostaining and TNF-α expression by in-situ hybridization. In conclusion, these data indicate that TBI induces a fast maturation and immunity of dendritic cells which is associated with FLT3/FLT3L signaling and which is enhanced by EI prior to TBI.

Alcohol is not associated with increased mortality in adolescent traumatic brain injury patients

PURPOSE

Compared to adults, there is a paucity of data regarding the association of a positive alcohol screen (PAS) and outcomes in adolescent patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). We hypothesize adolescent TBI patients with a PAS on admission to have increased mortality compared to patients with a negative alcohol screen.

METHODS

The 2017 Trauma Quality Improvement Program database was queried for patients aged 13-17 years presenting with a TBI and serum alcohol screen. Patients with missing information regarding midline shift on imaging and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score were excluded. A multivariable logistic regression analysis for mortality was performed.

RESULTS

From 2553 adolescent TBI patients with an alcohol screen, 220 (8.6%) had a PAS. Median injury severity scores and rates of penetrating trauma (all p > 0.05) were similar between alcohol positive and negative patients. Patients with a PAS had a similar mortality rate (13.2% vs. 12.1%, p = 0.64) compared to patients with a negative screen. Multivariate logistic regression controlling for risk factors associated with mortality revealed a PAS to confer a similar risk of mortality compared to alcohol negative patients (p = 0.40).

CONCLUSION

Adolescent TBI patients with a PAS had similar associated risk of mortality compared to patients with a negative alcohol screen.

Differential effect of ethanol intoxication on peripheral markers of cerebral injury in murine blunt traumatic brain injury

Background

Blood-based biomarkers have proven to be a reliable measure of the severity and outcome of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in both murine models and patients. In particular, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), neurofilament light (NFL) and S100 beta (S100B) have been investigated in the clinical setting post-injury. Ethanol intoxication (EI) remains a significant comorbidity in TBI, with 30–40% of patients having a positive blood alcohol concentration post-TBI. The effect of ethanol on blood-based biomarkers for the prognosis and diagnosis of TBI remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of EI on NSE, NFL and S100B and their correlation with blood–brain barrier integrity in a murine model of TBI.

Methods

We used ultra-sensitive single-molecule array technology and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods to measure NFL, NSE, S100B and claudin-5 concentrations in plasma 3 hours post-TBI.

Results

We showed that NFL, NSE and S100B were increased at 3 hours post-TBI. Interestingly, ethanol blood concentrations showed an inverse correlation with NSE but not with NFL or S100B. Claudin-5 levels were increased post-injury but no difference was detected compared to ethanol pretreatment. The increase in claudin-5 post-TBI was correlated with NFL but not with NSE or S100B.

Conclusions

Ethanol induces an effect on biomarker release in the bloodstream that is different from TBI not influenced by alcohol. This could be the basis of investigations into humans.

Substance use and suicide outcomes among self-injured trauma patients

BACKGROUND

Research indicates alcohol (AUD) or substance (SUD) use disorders and acute alcohol or drug use serve as risk factors for suicidal behaviors and death both distally and proximally to a suicidal event. However, limited research has investigated these relationships among medically serious suicide attempters at the time of injury without relying on cohorts of substance users only or by examining suicide decedent characteristics.

METHODS

Data were collected from the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) for 2017. The sample comprised patients who engaged in suicidal and self-injurious acts that were medically serious enough to require trauma admission and were tested for alcohol (N = 9,196) or drug (N = 8,121) exposure upon admission. Logistic regression determined relationships between acute alcohol/substance use, presence of AUDs and SUDs and suicide mortality risk, while linear regression evaluated substance conditions and injury severity and length of stay (LOS).

RESULTS

AUDs (OR = 0.59[0.42-0.83]) and SUDs (OR = 0.66[0.48-0.90]) had reduced odds of death but increased LOS (β = 1.7, p < .001; β = 0.82, p = .024). Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was positively associated with reduced odds of death (OR = 0.20[0.06-0.61]), injury severity (β = -5.3, p < .001), and LOS (β = -7.5, p < .001). Presence of cocaine (β = -0.80, p = .044) and opioids (β = -1.4, p < .001) were associated lower injury severity, while MDMA (β = 3.6, p = .016) and methamphetamine (β = 1.5, p = .025) were associated with increased injury severity.

CONCLUSIONS

While higher BAC may be associated with lower odds of mortality during a single high-risk suicide event, substance users may be at increased risk for worse outcomes over time. Targeted interventions should be considered to interrupt and develop healthy alternatives for survivors with substance use conditions.

Incidence of neurobehavioral side effects associated with levetiracetam compared to phenytoin in traumatic brain injury patients

Background: Phenytoin is recommended for seizure prophylaxis in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Levetiracetam has been proposed as an alternative agent. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a difference in the incidence of neurobehavioral side effects in patients with TBI receiving levetiracetam compared to those receiving phenytoin for seizure prophylaxis.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at a level 1 trauma center from June 2008 to April 2014. Patients with TBI aged 16 years and older who received levetiracetam or phenytoin for seizure prophylaxis were evaluated and incidence of neurobehavioral side effects were compared for the two groups.Results: Of the 200 patients who met inclusion criteria, 95 (47.5%) received phenytoin and 105 (52.5%) received levetiracetam. Incidence of neurobehavioral side effects was not statistically different between groups (76 [80%] vs. 75 [71.4%], p = .189). The two groups were well matched.Conclusion: In patients with TBI, receipt of levetiracetam for seizure prophylaxis did not appear to be associated with increased neurobehavioral side effects compared to receipt of phenytoin.

Coagulopathy and its effect on treatment and mortality in patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

The role of coagulopathy in patients with traumatic brain injury has remained elusive. In the present study, we aim to assess the prevalence of coagulopathy in patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage, their clinical features, and the effect of coagulopathy on treatment and mortality.

METHODS

An observational, retrospective single-center cohort of consecutive patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage treated at Helsinki University Hospital between 01 January and 31 December 2010. We compared clinical and radiological parameters in patients with and without coagulopathy defined as drug- or disease-induced, i.e., antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication at a therapeutic dose, thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100 E9/L), international normalized ratio > 1.2, or thromboplastin time < 60%. Primary outcome was 30-day all-cause mortality. Logistic regression analysis allowed to assess for factors associated with coagulopathy and mortality.

RESULTS

Of our 505 patients (median age 61 years, 65.5% male), 206 (40.8%) had coagulopathy. Compared to non-coagulopathy patients, coagulopathy patients had larger hemorrhage volumes (mean 140.0 mL vs. 98.4 mL, p < 0.001) and higher 30-day mortality (18.9% vs. 9.7%, p = 0.003). In multivariable analysis, older age, lower admission Glasgow Coma Scale score, larger hemorrhage volume, and conservative treatment were independently associated with mortality. Surgical treatment was associated with lower mortality in both patients with and without coagulopathy.

CONCLUSIONS

Coagulopathy was more frequent in patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage presenting larger hemorrhage volumes compared to non-coagulopathy patients but was not independently associated with higher 30-day mortality. Hematoma evacuation, in turn, was associated with lower mortality irrespective of coagulopathy.

Blood Alcohol Concentration Is Associated With Improved AIS Motor Score After Spinal Cord Injury

Objective

To investigate the relationship between blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and neurologic recovery after traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) using standardized outcome measures from the International Standards for the Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) examination.

Method

This is a retrospective review of merged, prospectively collected, multicenter data from the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Database and institutional trauma databases from five academic medical centers across the United States. Patients with SCI and a documented BAC were analyzed for American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) motor score, FIM, sensory light touch score, and sensory proprioception score upon admission and discharge from rehabilitation. Linear regression was used for the analysis.

Results

The study identified 210 patients. Mean age at injury was 47 ± 20.5 years, 73% were male, 31% had an AIS grade A injury, 56% had ≥1 comorbidity, mean BAC was 0.42 ± 0.9 g/dL, and the mean Glasgow Coma Score upon arrival was 13.27 ± 4.0. ISNCSCI motor score gain positively correlated with higher BAC (4.80; confidence interval [CI], 2.39-7.22; p < .0001). FIM motor gain showed a trend toward correlation with higher BAC, although it did not reach statistical significance (3.27; CI, -0.07 to 6.61; p = .055). ISNCSCI sensory light touch score gain and sensory proprioception score gain showed no correlation with BAC (p = .44, p = .09, respectively).

Conclusion

The study showed a positive association between higher BAC and neurologic recovery in patients with SCI as measured by ISNCSCI motor score gain during rehabilitation. This finding has not been previously reported in the literature and warrants further study to better understand possible protective physiological mechanisms underlying the relationship between BAC and SCI.

Risk of Cancers in Patients with Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the risk of the development of cancers in patients with pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

STUDY DESIGN

A computerized literature search was performed. The primary outcome was the pooled incidence of cancer in studies reporting the risk as a standardized incidence ratio. The secondary outcomes were the pooled incidence rates of all cancers and site-specific cancers including colorectal cancer and hematologic cancers.

RESULTS

Sixty-six studies reporting outcomes in 38 092 patients were included. The pooled standardized incidence ratio for cancer was 2.39 (P < .0001, 95% CI 2.00-2.86) in IBD. The pooled incidence rates for cancer in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) were 0.014 (95% CI 0.0087-0.021) and 0.031 (95% CI 0.018-0.052), respectively. The pooled incidence rate of colorectal cancer in CD and UC were 0.0075 (95% CI 0.0049-0.011) and 0.020 (95% CI 0.012-0.034), respectively. The pooled rates of hematologic cancers in CD and UC were 0.0061 (95% CI 0.0040-0.0090) and 0.0045 (95% CI 0.0026-0.0079), respectively. Cumulative meta-analyses showed a decreasing trend in the incidence of these cancers in both CD and UC.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with pediatric-onset IBD had an increased risk of cancer development compared with the general population, however, incidence appeared to be decreasing in recent years.

The combined effects of alcohol and marijuana use prior to traumatic brain injury on mortality

Background

Alcohol (ETOH) intoxication is a common comorbidity in traumatic brain injury (TBI), and marijuana (THC) has been implicated as a major risk factor for trauma. The objective this study was to investigate the combined effects of ETOH and THC on mortality after TBI.

Materials and methods

A retrospective review of patient data was performed to assess adult (>18 years) patients with brain injuries between January 2012 and December 2018. Included patients sustained TBI (Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS 1-6)) and were divided into two groups: No Substances and THC + ETOH.

Results

1085 (median age 52 years [range: 18–97 years]; 33.5% female (364/1085)) patients met the inclusion criteria. Significant differences for mortality at discharge were found between groups (p = 0.0025) with higher mortality in the No Substances group. On multiple logistic regression, a positive test for both ETOH + THC was found not to independently predict mortality at discharge, while age, Glasgow Coma Scale, intensive care unit stay, Injury Severity Score, length of hospital stay, and days on ventilator were independent predictors.

Conclusions

After controlling for confounding variables, positive ETOH + THC screens were not found to be independent predictors of mortality at discharge. Therefore, our results indicated no survival benefit for TBI patients with concomitant ETOH and THC use prior to injury.

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No survival benefit of alcohol and marijuana for all traumatic brain injury levels

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Glasgow Coma Scale predicts mortality for all traumatic brain injury levels

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Length of stay predicts mortality for all traumatic brain injury levels

Pre-injury health status and excess mortality in persons with traumatic brain injury: A decade-long historical cohort study

An increasing number of patients are able to survive traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) with advanced resuscitation. However, the role of their pre-injury health status in mortality in the following years is not known. Here, we followed 77,088 consecutive patients (59% male) who survived the TBI event in Ontario, Canada for more than a decade, and examined the relationships between their pre-injury health status and mortality rates in excess to the expected mortality calculated using sex- and age-specific life tables. There were 5792 deaths over the studied period, 3163 (6.95%) deaths in male and 2629 (8.33%) in female patients. The average excess mortality rate over the follow-up period of 14 years was 1.81 (95% confidence interval = 1.76-1.86). Analyses of follow-up time windows showed different patterns for the average excess rate of mortality following TBI, with the greatest rates observed in year one after injury. Among identified pre-injury comorbidity factors, 33 were associated with excess mortality rates. These rates were comparable between sexes. Additional analyses in the validation dataset confirmed that these findings were unlikely a result of TBI misclassification or unmeasured confounding. Thus, detection and subsequent management of pre-injury health status should be an integral component of any strategy to reduce excess mortality in TBI patients. The complexity of pre-injury comorbidity calls for integration of multidisciplinary health services to meet TBI patients' needs and prevent adverse outcomes.

The effects of alcohol and marijuana on survival after severe traumatic brain injury: A retrospective cohort study

Background

Alcohol (ETOH) and marijuana (THC) use have previously shown to improve outcomes after Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). However, whether TBI severity impacts outcomes among patients tested positive for both ETOH and THC remains unclear.

Materials and methods

A retrospective review from the Northern Ohio Regional Trauma Registry, which includes deidentified data from six regional hospitals, including three Level 1 and three Level 3 trauma centers, was performed to assess adult (>18 years) patients with severe TBI (head Abbreviated Injury Score ≥ 3) between January 2012 and December 2018 having an alcohol and drug toxicology screen and data regarding outcome at discharge. Patients were divided into two groups: 1) patients with a negative ETOH and drug test, and 2) patients positive for ETOH + THC. Mortality at discharge was the primary outcome measure and multiple logistic regression was used to assess predictors of mortality at discharge.

Results

A total of 854 (median age: 51 years [range: 18–72]; 34.4% female [294/854]) patients were included. On multiple logistic regression, age (p = 0.003), days in intensive care unit (ICU) (p < 0.001), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) (p < 0.001), Injury Severity Score (ISS) (p < 0.001), length of stay (LOS) (p < 0.001), and days on ventilator support (p = 0.032) were significant predictors of mortality at discharge. Blood alcohol content (BAC), cause of TBI, drug class, and sex were not significant predictors of mortality at discharge.

Conclusions

After severe TBI, positive THC and BAC screening did not predict mortality at discharge after controlling for confounding variables, indicating no survival benefit for patients with severe TBI.

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No survival benefit of alcohol and marijuana for severe traumatic brain injury.

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Glasgow Coma Scale predict mortality for severe traumatic brain injury.

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Injury Severity Score predict mortality for severe traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury and alcohol intoxication: effects on injury patterns and short-term outcome

Purpose

A significant number of patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are diagnosed with elevated blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Recent literature suggests a neuroprotective effect of alcohol on TBI, possibly associated with less morbidity and mortality. Our goal is to analyze the association of different levels of BAC with TBI characteristics and outcome.

Methods

Adult patients with moderate to severe TBI (AIS ≥ 2) and measured BAC admitted to the Trauma Centre West (TCW), during the period 2010–2015, were retrospectively analyzed. Data included injury severity (AIS), length of hospitalization, admittance to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and in-hospital mortality. The association of BAC with ICU admittance and in-hospital mortality was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression analysis with correction for potentially confounding variables.

Results

BACs were available in 2,686 patients of whom 42% had high, 26% moderate, 6% low and 26% had normal levels. Patients with high BAC’s were predominantly male, were younger, had lower ISS scores, lower AIS-head scores and less concomitant injuries compared to patients in the other BAC subgroups. High BACs were associated with a lower risk for in-hospital mortality (AOR 0.36, 95% CI 0.14–0.97). Also, patients with moderate and high BACs were less often admitted to the ICU (respectively, AOR 0.36, 95% CI 0.25–0.52 and AOR 0.40, 95% CI 0.29–0.57).

Conclusion

The current study suggests that in patients with moderate to severe TBI, increasing BACs are associated with less severe TBI, less ICU admissions and a higher survival. Further research into the pathophysiological mechanism is necessary to help explain these findings.

Substance use on admission toxicology screen is associated with peri-injury factors and six-month outcome after traumatic brain injury: A TRACK-TBI Pilot study

Substance use is commonly associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI). We investigate associations between active substance use, peri-injury factors, and outcome after TBI across three U.S. Level I trauma centers. TBI subjects from the prospective Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in Traumatic Brain Injury Pilot (TRACK-TBI Pilot) with Marshall computed tomography (CT) score 1-3, no neurosurgical procedure/operation, and admission urine toxicology screen (tox+/-) were extracted. Associations between tox+/-, comorbidities, hospital variables, and six-month functional (GOSE) and neuropsychiatric (PCL-C, BSI18, RPQ-13, SWLS) outcomes were analyzed. Multivariable regression was performed for associations significant on univariate analysis with odds ratios (mOR) presented. Significance assessed at p < 0.05. In 133 subjects, tox+/tox- were 29.1%/72.9%. Tox+ was younger (35.5/43.6-years, p = 0.018), trended toward male sex (80.6%/63.9%, p = 0.067), was associated with history of seizures (27.8%/10.3%, p = 0.012), self-reported substance use (44.4%/17.5%, p = 0.001), prior TBI (58.8%/34.1%, p = 0.009), GCS < 15 (69.4%/48.4%, p = 0.031) and blood alcohol level >0.08-mg/dl (55.6%/30.8%, p = 0.022). In CT-negative subjects, tox+ was associated with increased hospital admission (95.7%/66.7%, p = 0.034). At six-months, tox+ was associated with screening positive for post-traumatic stress disorder (PCL-C: 40.0%/15.9%; mOR = 8.24, p = 0.022) and psychiatric symptoms (BSI18: 40.0%/14.3%, mOR = 11.06, p = 0.023). Active substance use in TBI may confound GCS assessment, triage to higher level of care, and be associated with increased six-month neuropsychiatric symptoms. Substance use screening should be integrated into standard emergency/acute care TBI protocols to optimize management and resource utilization. Clinicians should be vigilant in providing education, counselling, and follow-up for TBI patients with substance use.

Intubation in acute alcohol intoxications at the emergency department

BACKGROUND

Guidelines recommend endotracheal intubation in trauma patients with a Glasgow coma scale (GCS) < 9 because of the loss of airway reflexes and consequential risk of airway obstruction. However, in patients with acute alcohol intoxication guidelines are not clear. Thus, we aimed to determine the proportional incidence of intubation in alcohol intoxication and compare the clinical characteristics of intubated and non-intubated patients, as well as reasons for intubation in all patients and in the subgroup of patients with reduced GCS (< 9) but without traumatic brain injury.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of all consultations to an urban ED in Switzerland that presented with an acute alcohol intoxication between 1st June 2012 and 31th Mai 2017. Patient and emergency consultations' characteristics, related injuries, intubation and reason for intubations were extracted. As a subgroup analysis, we analysed the patients with a GCS < 9 without a traumatic brain injury.

RESULTS

Of 3003 consultations included from 01.06.2012 to 31.05.2017, 68 were intubated, leading to a proportional incidence of 2.3% intubations in alcohol-intoxication. Intubated patients had a lower blood alcohol concentration (1.3 g/kg [IQR 1.0-2.2] vs. 1.6 g/kg [IQR1.1-2.2], p = 0.034) and less often suffered from chronic alcohol abuse (1183 [39.4%] patients vs. 14 [20.6%], p = 0.001) than non-intubated patients. Patients with trauma were intubated more often (33 patients [48.5%] vs. 742 [25.3%], p < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, 110/145 patients (74.3%) were not intubated; again, more intubated patients had a history of trauma (9 patients [25.7%] vs. 10 [9.1%], p = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONS

Intubation in alcohol-intoxicated patients is rare and, among intoxicated patients with GCS < 9, more than two thirds were not intubated in our study - without severe complications. Trauma in general, independent of the history of a traumatic brain injury, and a missing history of chronic alcohol abuse are associated with intubation, but not with blood alcohol concentration. Special caution is required for intoxicated patients with trauma or other additional intoxications or diseases.

An updated systematic review and meta-analysis about the safety and efficacy of infliximab biosimilar, CT-P13, for patients with inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of infliximab biosimilar, CT-P13, for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Scopus, Ovid, and Web of Science for relevant clinical trials discussing CT-P31 administration for IBD patients either naïve to biological therapy or switched from IFX therapy. Data of the rates of clinical response, clinical remission, and adverse events were extracted and pooled in a random effect model meta-analysis using CMA version 2.

RESULTS

Thirty-two studies with a total of 3464 IBD patients treated with CT-P13 were identified. The pooled rates of clinical response among Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) at 8-14 weeks were 0.81 (95% CI = 0.72 to 0.87) and 0.68 (95% CI = 0.63 to 0.72), respectively, and at 48-63 weeks were 0.69 (95% CI = 0.48 to 0.85) and 0.54 (95% CI = 0.45 to 0.63) respectively. After switching from IFX to CT-P13, the pooled rates of sustained clinical response among CD and UC at 30-32 weeks were 0.84 (95% CI = 0.57 to 0.96) and 0.96 (95% CI = 0.58 to 0.99), respectively, and at 48-63 weeks were 0.51 (95% CI = 0.22 to 0.79) and 0.83 (95% CI = 0.19 to 0.99) respectively. Moreover, adverse events were reported (CD = 0.10, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.22; UC = 0.18, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.15).

CONCLUSION

CT-P13 is effective and well tolerated in short and long-term periods. Switching to CT-P13 is recommended for the management of IBD.

Alcohol in Traumatic Brain Injury: Toxic or Therapeutic?

BACKGROUND

Alcohol (EtOH) poses a challenge in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) given its metabolic and neurologic impact. Studies have had opposing results regarding mortality and complication rates in the intoxicated TBI patient. We hypothesized that trauma mechanism, brain injury severity, and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) would influence the impact of EtOH on mortality in TBI.

METHODS

We performed a single-institution retrospective review of consecutive adult trauma patients tested for EtOH and a diagnosis of TBI. The primary outcome was mortality, and secondary outcomes included infectious complications. The primary analysis included univariate and multivariate regression comparing mortality between intoxicated and sober patients, at different values of BAC, different brain injury severities, and among mechanisms of trauma.

RESULTS

Admission EtOH was assessed in 583 patients with TBI, with 256 testing positive for EtOH and 327 testing negative. Overall, EtOH was associated with lower mortality on univariate analysis (4.7% versus 8.9%, P = 0.05) but not on multivariate analysis (P = 0.21). There was no effect of EtOH on mortality when patients were stratified by brain injury severity or among penetrating trauma victims. However, EtOH was associated with lower overall infectious complications on univariate and multivariate regression. Finally, EtOH was predictive of mortality with an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of 0.83.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that EtOH is not associated with mortality in the patient with TBI, suggesting no causative effect. However, EtOH showed some predictability of mortality based on a receiver operator characteristic analysis. Interestingly, EtOH was associated with lower infectious complications, suggesting an immunomodulatory effect of EtOH in TBI.

Risk of Fractures in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Studies assessing the risk of fractures in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have shown controversial results.

GOALS

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the risk of fractures in IBD.

STUDY

Electronic databases were searched for cohort studies assessing the risk of fractures in IBD. The outcomes were the risk of overall fractures and at specific sites, and the association between the risk of fractures and the proportion of patients with corticosteroid use or osteoporosis.

RESULTS

Ten studies including 470,541 patients were identified. The risk of overall fractures in IBD patients was similar to controls [odds ratio (OR), 1.08; P=0.70; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.72-1.62) with moderate heterogeneity (I=74.4%) which appeared to be due to the variable power and outcomes among the studies. The OR of fractures at the spine was significantly elevated at 2.21 (P<0.0001; 95% CI, 1.39-3.50) with low heterogeneity (I=26.1%). Meta-regression showed a correlation with the proportion of patients with steroid use. Risks of fractures at other sites (hip, rib, and wrist) were not elevated. Patients with fractures were more commonly on steroids compared with those without fractures (OR, 1.47; P=0.057; 95% CI, 0.99-2.20; I<0.0001%), but there was no correlation with osteoporosis.

CONCLUSIONS

IBD patients had no increased risk of overall fractures, but were at significantly increased risk of fractures at the spine, which was associated with steroid use. Strict surveillance and prevention of spine fractures are indicated in patients with IBD.

Does alcohol play the role of confounder or neuroprotective agent in acute carbon monoxide poisoning?

Objectives: This study investigated whether alcohol influences the predictive value of initial blood lactate concentration and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at presentation for the severity of acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and neurologic outcome in patients with acute CO poisoning. Additionally, whether alcohol has a neuroprotective effect after acute CO poisoning was evaluated.Methods: This retrospective study included 158 patients who presented with acute CO poisoning between January 2017 and July 2018 and had an available blood alcohol content (BAC) at presentation. The baseline characteristics, clinical course during hospitalization and neurologic status at 30 days after acute CO poisoning were collected and compared according to BAC. To account for possible confounding or neuroprotective effects of alcohol, BAC was introduced as a continuous variable and a stratified categorical variable in the analysis.Results: The mean and maximum BAC at presentation were 56.8 mg/dl and 408 mg/dl, respectively, in 158 patients presented at a mean of 1.0 hour after acute CO poisoning. Lactate, adjusted for previously suggested predictors, was not associated with acute CO poisoning severity; however, after additional adjustment with BAC variables, lactate was associated with CO poisoning severity. Initial GCS score was associated with CO poisoning severity during hospitalization and neurologic outcome at 30 days after acute CO poisoning, regardless of BAC adjustment. BAC variables were negatively associated with CO poisoning severity but not neurologic outcome at 30 days.Discussion and conclusion: The severity of CO poisoning should never be predicted based on serum lactate alone without adjusting for BAC. However, the initial GCS score can be used as a predictor of CO poisoning severity and the neurologic outcome at 30 days after acute CO poisoning, regardless of alcohol consumption history. Alcohol does not have a neuroprotective effect on acute CO poisoning. Further study is needed to validate these results.

Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Association between chronic kidney disease and colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear.

GOALS

To assess the risk of CRC in patients with various chronic kidney diseases before and after kidney transplantation.

STUDY

Electronic databases were searched for cohort studies assessing the risk of CRC in patients with chronic kidney diseases. The primary outcome was the risk of CRC among studies that reported the risk as standardized incidence rate (SIR).

RESULTS

Fifty-four studies, including 1,208,767 patients that reported the incidence of CRC in chronic kidney diseases were identified. SIR of CRC were obtained from 17 retrospective cohort studies. Among the 3 studies (4 reports) that included chronic kidney disease patients without kidney transplantation, there was a significant increased risk of CRC (pooled SIR 1.18) (95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.37; P=0.033). High heterogeneity was seen (I=85.6%), and metaregression showed that there were positive correlations between the risk of CRC and the proportions of males, age and follow-up period. Among the 15 studies (17 reports) that included postkidney transplant patients, the pooled SIR was significantly increased at 1.40 (95% confidence interval, 1.15-1.71; P=0.00080). High heterogeneity was seen (I=88.9%), and metaregression showed that the follow-up period correlated with the risk of CRC.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present systematic review and meta-analysis, we demonstrated that patients with chronic kidney disease, regardless of a history of transplant, have a significant increased risk of CRC. A more intensive surveillance for CRC is required in this population.

Factors associated with the progression of conservatively managed acute traumatic subdural hemorrhage

PURPOSE

Traumatic subdural hemorrhage (SDH) is associated with high mortality, yet many patients are not managed surgically. We sought to understand what factors might be associated with SDH enlargement to contribute to the triage of these conservatively managed patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A consecutive series of 117 patients admitted to our institution's level 1 trauma center for SDH between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010 were evaluated. Volumetric measurement of SDHs was performed on initial and follow-up head computed tomography (CT) scans with recording of initial midline shift and classification by location. Multimodel analysis quantified associations with change in SDH volume.

RESULTS

Systolic blood pressure, presence of subarachnoid hemorrhage, and initial SDH volume demonstrated positive associations with change in SDH volume, while initial midline shift and transfusion of platelets demonstrated negative associations. Initial convexity SDH volume demonstrated positive association with change in convexity SDH volume, while initial midline shift and transfusion of platelets demonstrated negative associations. Anticoagulant/antiplatelet use demonstrated positive association with change in tentorial SDH volume, while time between CT scans demonstrated negative association.

CONCLUSIONS

Platelet transfusion, anticoagulation, and hypertension have significant associations with expansion in non-surgical cases of SDH. Monitoring these factors may assist triaging these patients.

The Neuroprotective Effect of Ethanol Intoxication in Traumatic Brain Injury Is Associated with the Suppression of ErbB Signaling in Parvalbumin-Positive Interneurons

Ethanol intoxication (EI) is a frequent comorbidity of traumatic brain injury (TBI), but the impact of EI on TBI pathogenic cascades and prognosis is unclear. Although clinical evidence suggests that EI may have neuroprotective effects, experimental support is, to date, inconclusive. We aimed at elucidating the impact of EI on TBI-associated neurological deficits, signaling pathways, and pathogenic cascades in order to identify new modifiers of TBI pathophysiology. We have shown that ethanol administration (5 g/kg) before trauma enhances behavioral recovery in a weight-drop TBI model. Neuronal survival in the injured somatosensory cortex was also enhanced by EI. We have used phospho-receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) arrays to screen the impact of ethanol on TBI-induced activation of RTK in somatosensory cortex, identifying ErbB2/ErbB3 among the RTKs activated by TBI and suppressed by ethanol. Phosphorylation of ErbB2/3/4 RTKs were upregulated in vGlut2⁺ excitatory synapses in the injured cortex, including excitatory synapses located on parvalbumin (PV)-positive interneurons. Administration of selective ErbB inhibitors was able to recapitulate, to a significant extent, the neuroprotective effects of ethanol both in sensorimotor performance and structural integrity. Further, suppression of PV interneurons in somatosensory cortex before TBI, by engineered receptors with orthogonal pharmacology, could mimic the beneficial effects of ErbB inhibitors. Thus, we have shown that EI interferes with TBI-induced pathogenic cascades at multiple levels, with one prominent pathway, involving ErbB-dependent modulation of PV interneurons.

Risk of gastrointestinal cancers in patients with cystic fibrosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The management and life expectancy of patients with cystic fibrosis have improved substantially in the past three decades, which has resulted in an increased number of these patients being diagnosed with malignancies. Our aim was to assess the risk of gastrointestinal cancers in patients with cystic fibrosis.

METHODS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane databases with no language restrictions for studies published from inception of the databases to Aug 1, 2017, assessing the risk of gastrointestinal cancers in patients with cystic fibrosis. We also searched abstracts from scientific meetings and the bibliographies of identified articles for additional references. Studies were included if they reported the standardised incidence ratio (SIR) or incidence ratio per person-years. No exclusion criteria with regard to patient characteristics (age, sex, comorbidities, cystic fibrosis mutation type), study setting (location and time period), or method of reporting cancer diagnoses were applied. The primary outcome was risk of gastrointestinal cancer and site-specific gastrointestinal cancers in patients with cystic fibrosis compared with the general population. Pooled summary estimates were calculated using a random-effects model, and subgroup analyses were done to establish whether risk of gastrointestinal cancer varied according to patient lung transplant status. The study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42017075396.

FINDINGS

Our search identified 95 681 records, of which six cohort studies including 99 925 patients (544 695 person-years) were eligible for the meta-analysis. The overall risk of gastrointestinal cancer was significantly higher in patients with cystic fibrosis than in the general population (pooled SIR 8·13, 95% CI 6·48-10·21; p<0·0001; log SIR 2·10, 95% CI 1·87-2·32; p<0·0001, I²=93·93%). Subgroup analyses showed that the risk of gastrointestinal cancer among patients with cystic fibrosis who had a lung transplant was increased compared with that of patients who did not receive a transplant (pooled SIR 21·13, 95% CI 14·82-30·14; p<0·0001; log SIR 3·05, 95% CI 2·70-3·41; p<0·0001, I²=28·52% vs pooled SIR 4·18, 3·10-5·62; p<0·0001; log SIR 1·43, 1·13-1·73; p<0·0001, I²=22·66%). The risk for the following site-specific cancers was also significantly increased in patients with cystic fibrosis compared with the general population: small bowel cancer (pooled SIR 18·94, 95% CI 9·37-38·27; p<0·0001; log SIR 2·94, 95% CI 2·24-3·64; p<0·0001, I²=38·61%), colon cancer (10·91, 8·42-14·11; p<0·0001; log SIR 2·39, 2·13-2·65; p<0·0001, I²=88·09%), biliary tract cancer (17·87, 8·55-37·36; p<0·0001; log SIR 2·88, 2·15-3·62; p<0·0001, I²=10·16%), and pancreatic cancer (6·18, 1·31-29·27; p=0·022; log SIR 1·82, 0·27-3·38; p<0·0001, I²=62·57%).

INTERPRETATION

Our study suggests that patients with cystic fibrosis had a significantly increased risk of gastrointestinal cancer compared with the general population, including small bowel, colon, biliary tract, and pancreatic cancers. These findings highlight the need to develop individualised screening strategies for site-specific gastrointestinal cancers in patients with cystic fibrosis.

FUNDING

None.

Efficiency and Limitations of Decompressive Craniectomy in Patients after Traumatic Brain Injury – Preliminary Results

Introduction: Decompressive craniectomy (DC) has been recently proven effective tier II therapeutic procedure in the treatment of refractory posttraumatic intracranial hypertension. However, its full potential and effectivity is yet to be described and this surgery remains controversial. The goals of our study include analysis of efficiency of DC and description of risk factors associated with unfavourable outcome.

Methods: 24 patients who underwent DC at the Clinic of Neurosurgery, JFM CU in Martin, during years 2015–2016 were prospectively observed. Selected demographic, clinical, and radiographic factors were analysed and compared with patient’s GOS (Glasgow Outcome Scale) at the time of their first ambulatory control (after 3.5 months in average).

Results: We observed mortality of 29.17 %. Good outcome (GOS 4–5) was achieved by 29.17 % of the patients as well. Preoperative GCS ≤ 5 (p = 0.049), intraventricular bleeding (p = 0.0268), midline shift ≥ 15 mm (p = 0.0067), and the volume of intracranial lesion (R = −0.41, p = 0.046), especially its extracerebral component (R = −0.46, p = 0.02), were identified as statistically significant negative prognostic factors.

Conclusion: DC is effective in the management of patients with traumatic brain injury. Good outcome is achieved by 29.17 % of the patients. Described negative prognostic factors (preoperative GCS ≤ 5, intraventricular bleeding, midline shift ≥ 15 mm, and increasing the volume of traumatic mass lesion) could help in targeting this surgery only to patients who are expected to benefit from it.

Neuroprotective effect of acute ethanol intoxication in TBI is associated to the hierarchical modulation of early transcriptional responses

Ethanol intoxication is a risk factor for traumatic brain injury (TBI) but clinical evidence suggests that it may actually improve the prognosis of intoxicated TBI patients. We have employed a closed, weight-drop TBI model of different severity (2cm or 3cm falling height), preceded (-30min) or followed (+20min) by ethanol administration (5g/Kg). This protocol allows us to study the interaction of binge ethanol intoxication in TBI, monitoring behavioral changes, histological responses and the transcriptional regulation of a series of activity-regulated genes (immediate early genes, IEGs). We demonstrate that ethanol pretreatment before moderate TBI (2cm) significantly reduces neurological impairment and accelerates recovery. In addition, better preservation of neuronal numbers and cFos+cells was observed 7days after TBI. At transcriptional level, ethanol reduced the upregulation of a subset of IEGs encoding for transcription factors such as Atf3, c-Fos, FosB, Egr1, Egr3 and Npas4 but did not affect the upregulation of others (e.g. Gadd45b and Gadd45c). While a subset of IEGs encoding for effector proteins (such as Bdnf, InhbA and Dusp5) were downregulated by ethanol, others (such as Il-6) were unaffected. Notably, the majority of genes were sensitive to ethanol only when administered before TBI and not afterwards (the exceptions being c-Fos, Egr1 and Dusp5). Furthermore, while severe TBI (3cm) induced a qualitatively similar (but quantitatively larger) transcriptional response to moderate TBI, it was no longer sensitive to ethanol pretreatment. Thus, we have shown that a subset of the TBI-induced transcriptional responses were sensitive to ethanol intoxication at the instance of trauma (ultimately resulting in beneficial outcomes) and that the effect of ethanol was restricted to a certain time window (pre TBI treatment) and to TBI severity (moderate). This information could be critical for the translational value of ethanol in TBI and for the design of clinical studies aimed at disentangling the role of ethanol intoxication in TBI.

Acute ethanol administration results in a protective cytokine and neuroinflammatory profile in traumatic brain injury

Ethanol intoxication is a common comorbidity in traumatic brain injury. To date, the effect of ethanol on TBI pathogenic cascades and resulting outcomes remains debated. A closed blunt weight-drop murine TBI model has been implemented to investigate behavioral (by sensorimotor and neurological tests), and neuro-immunological (by tissue cytokine arrays and immuno-histology) effects of ethanol intoxication on TBI. The effect of the occurrence of traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage was also studied. The results indicate that ethanol pretreatment results in a faster and better recovery after TBI with reduced infiltration of leukocytes and reduced microglia activation. These outcomes correspond to reduced parenchymal levels of GM-CSF, IL-6 and IL-3 and to the transient upregulation of IL-13 and VEGF, indicating an early shift in the cytokine profile towards reduced inflammation. A significant difference in the cytokine profile was still observed 24h post injury in the ethanol pretreated mice, as shown by the delayed peak in IL-6 and by the suppression of GM-CSF, IFN-γ, and IL-3. Seven days post-injury, ethanol-pretreated mice displayed a significant decrease both in CD45+ cells infiltration and in microglial activation. On the other hand, in the case of traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage, the cytokine profile was dominated by KC, CCL5, M-CSF and several interleukins and ethanol pretreatment did not produce any modification. We can thus conclude that ethanol intoxication suppresses the acute neuro-inflammatory response to TBI, an effect which is correlated with a faster and complete neurological recovery, whereas, the presence of traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage overrides the effects of ethanol.

Acute Alcohol Exposure and Risk of Mortality of Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

After traumatic brain injury (TBI), patients usually live with significant disability and socioeconomic burdens. Acute exposure to alcohol is considered a major risk factor for TBI. Numerous studies have examined whether alcohol exposure is related to the risk of mortality in patients with TBI, yet the results remain inconsistent. We performed a meta-analysis to assess whether acute alcohol exposure affects the mortality rate of TBI patients. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library up to November 2015 for relevant studies. We screened studies based on their inclusion criteria and selected the studies that reported mortality rate, which included 18 observational studies. We used R to analyze the included data. An initial result showed that the presence of a positive blood alcohol concentration (BAC) had no significant relation with mortality rate (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.83 to 1.01), but there was notable heterogeneity along with variable results according to sensitivity analysis. For the BAC-positive population, low BAC (1 to 100 mg/dl) carried a higher risk of mortality than moderate BAC (100 to 230 mg/dl) (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.09 to 1.81), moderate and high BAC as a single category (>100 mg/dl) (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.28 to 1.94), or high BAC (>230 mg/dl) (OR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.34 to 2.30). However, moderate BAC did not increase the mortality risk when compared with high BAC (OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.89 to 1.63). Whether positive BAC at the time of admission after TBI reduces mortality rate compared with the rate under negative BAC remains unknown. In addition, low BAC (1 to 100 mg/dl) poses a risk of mortality compared with higher BAC. Further studies assessing the effect of alcohol between the BAC-positive group and the BAC-negative group are still needed.

Risk of colorectal cancer in chronic liver diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in various chronic liver diseases compared with the general population remains unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the risk of CRC in patients with chronic liver diseases before and after liver transplantation.

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched for studies assessing the risk of CRC in patients with chronic liver diseases. The primary outcome was the pooled risk of CRC among studies that reported the risk as standardized incidence rate (SIR).

RESULTS

Fifty studies that included 55,991 patients were identified. Among studies that included hepatitis and cirrhotic patients, the pooled SIR was 2.06 (P < .0001; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.46-2.90) with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 49.2%), which appeared to be because of the difference between subgroup of diseases and the power of studies. Three studies reported an increased risk of CRC in primary sclerosing cholangitis patients (pooled SIR 6.70; P < .0001; 95% CI, 3.48-12.91) with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 36.3%), which appeared to be because of the difference between the power of studies. Among studies that included post-transplant patients, the pooled SIR was 2.16 (P < .0001; 95% CI, 1.59-2.94) with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 56.4%). Meta-regression showed a correlation between the proportion of autoimmune-related liver diseases and the risk of CRC.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with chronic liver diseases had an increased risk of CRC compared with the general population, which persisted after liver transplantation. A more intensive surveillance for CRC is warranted in this population.

Mortality-Associated Characteristics of Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, Rwanda

OBJECTIVE

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability. Patients with TBI in low and middle-income countries have worse outcomes than patients in high-income countries. We evaluated important clinical indicators associated with mortality for patients with TBI at University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda.

METHODS

A prospective consecutive sampling of patients with TBI presenting to University Teaching Hospital of Kigali Accident and Emergency Department was screened for inclusion criteria: reported head trauma, alteration in consciousness, headache, and visible head trauma. Exclusion criteria were age <10 years, >48 hours after injury, and repeat visit. Data were assessed for association with death using logistic regression. Significant variables were included in a multivariate logistic regression model and refined via backward elimination.

RESULTS

Between October 7, 2013, and April 6, 2014, 684 patients were enrolled; 14 (2%) were excluded because of incomplete data. Of patients, 81% were male with mean age of 31 years (range, 10-89 years; SD 11.8). Most patients (80%) had mild TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score 13-15); 10% had moderate (GCS score 9-12) and 10% had severe (GCS score 3-8) TBI. Multivariate logistic regression determined that GCS score <13, hypoxia, bradycardia, tachycardia, and age >50 years were significantly associated with death.

CONCLUSIONS

GCS score <13, hypoxia, bradycardia, tachycardia, and age >50 years were associated with mortality. These findings inform future research that may guide clinicians in prioritizing care for patients at highest risk of mortality.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: the efficacy and safety of CT-P13, a biosimilar of anti-tumour necrosis factor-α agent (infliximab), in inflammatory bowel diseases

BACKGROUND

Biosimilars of anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α agents have now become clinically available for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

AIM

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of biosimilars of anti-TNF-α agents in patients with IBD.

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched. The outcomes were the pooled rates of clinical response or remission, sustained clinical response or remission, and adverse events in patients with IBD induced with or switched to biosimilars of anti-TNF-α agents.

RESULTS

Eleven observational studies reporting outcomes in 829 patients treated with biosimilar of infliximab (CT-P13) were identified. The pooled rates of clinical response among Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) at 8-14 weeks were 0.79 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.65-0.88) and 0.74 (95% CI = 0.65-0.82), respectively, and at 24-30 weeks were 0.77 (95% CI = 0.63-0.86) and 0.77 (95% CI = 0.67-0.85) respectively. Adverse events were rare (CD, 0.08 (95% CI = 0.02-0.26); UC, 0.08 (95% CI = 0.03-0.17)). The pooled rates of sustained clinical response among CD and UC after switching from infliximab to CT-P13 at 30-32 weeks were 0.85 (95% CI = 0.71-0.93) and 0.96 (95% CI = 0.58-1.00), respectively, and at 48-63 weeks were 0.75 (95% CI = 0.44-0.92) and 0.83 (95% CI = 0.19-0.99) respectively. Adverse events were rare (CD, 0.10, 95% CI = 0.02-0.31; UC, 0.22, 95% CI = 0.04-0.63).

CONCLUSIONS

CT-P13 was associated with excellent clinical efficacy and safety profile, supporting its use in the treatment of IBD.

Impact of day-of-injury alcohol consumption on outcomes after traumatic brain injury: A meta-analysis

Although a known risk factor for traumatic brain injury (TBI), alcohol has been found to both promote and protect against secondary brain damage. However, it is presently unclear whether the cognitive, psychological and medical/functional outcomes of adults who have consumed alcohol prior to sustaining a TBI differ from those who have not. This meta-analysis examined the outcomes of groups that differed in terms of their day-of-injury (DOI) blood alcohol levels (BALs) by comparing positive with zero BAL (BAL⁺/BAL^-) and high with low BAL (BAL^high/BAL^low) samples. The PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and Scopus databases were searched from inception until the end of March 2015. Hedge's g effects (continuous data) and odds ratios (categorical data) were calculated for 27 studies that compared either the outcomes of BAL⁺ and BAL^- groups or BAL^high and BAL^low groups. BAL⁺ was associated with significantly poorer cognitive outcomes (overall and on general tests) and higher levels of disability, and BAL^high was associated with shorter stays in intensive care. More generally, however, most effect sizes were small to low-moderate in size, non-significant and inconsistent in their direction. Although DOI alcohol consumption increases the risk of sustaining a TBI, it is not consistently associated with better or worse outcomes, other than subtle cognitive deficits; the source of which remains to be determined.