Determination of functional prognosis in hospitalized patients following an intensive care admission

Delirium incidence, predictors and outcomes in the intensive care unit: A prospective cohort study

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of delirium in intensive care units.

BACKGROUND

Delirium is a common complication in intensive care units. In developing countries, it can be misdiagnosed or unrecognised.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study reported according to the strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology criteria.

METHODS

We included patients who were conscious, >18 years old, and admitted to the intensive care units for at least 8 h between December 2019 and February 2020. Patients with a Richmond score of -4 or -5, mental disability, receptive aphasia and/or visual or auditory impairment were excluded from the study. Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU), whereas the functional outcome was assessed by the Katz Activity of Daily Living Index.

RESULTS

This study included 111 patients with a delirium incidence of 31.5%. The severity of illness was the only significant predictor of delirium. Patients with delirium had longer intensive care unit and in-hospital stays in contrast to those without delirium. Delirium was associated with in-hospital and 4-month mortality but not the activities of daily living.

CONCLUSIONS

Delirium is associated with increased length of stay and mortality. Further investigation to determine whether delirium management can improve outcomes is warranted.

Association of Functional Characteristics and Physiotherapy with COVID-19 Mortality in Intensive Care Unit in Inpatients with Cardiovascular Diseases

Background and Objectives: To estimate the association between admission functional outcomes and exposure to physiotherapy interventions with mortality rate in intensive care unit (ICU) inpatients with cardiovascular diseases and new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort including 100 ICU inpatients (mean (standard deviation), age 75 (16) years) split into COVID-19+ or COVID-19−. The association of in-ICU death with admission functional outcomes and physiotherapy interventions was investigated using univariable and multivariable regression models. Results: In total, 42 (42%) patients tested positive for COVID-19. In-ICU mortality rate was 37%, being higher for the COVID-19+ group (odds ratio, OR (95% CI): 3.15 (1.37−7.47), p = 0.008). In-ICU death was associated with lower admission ICU Mobility Scale score (0.81 (0.71−0.91), p = 0.001). Restricted mobility (24.90 (6.77−161.94), p < 0.001) and passive kinesiotherapy (30.67 (9.49−139.52), p < 0.001) were associated with in-ICU death, whereas active kinesiotherapy (0.13 (0.05−0.32), p < 0.001), standing (0.12 (0.05−0.30), p < 0.001), or walking (0.10 (0.03−0.27), p < 0.001) were associated with in-ICU discharge. Conclusions: In-ICU mortality was higher for inpatients with cardiovascular diseases who had COVID-19+, were exposed to invasive mechanical ventilation, or presented with low admission mobility scores. Restricted mobility or passive kinesiotherapy were associated with in-ICU death, whereas active mobilizations (kinesiotherapy, standing, or walking) were associated with in-ICU discharge in this population.

Quantification of changes in functional capacity and muscle strength in patients: a burn intensive care unit cohort study

BACKGROUND

Regular functional status and muscle strength assessments should be performed with burn victims.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the functionality and peripheral muscle strength of burn patients admitted to the hospital.

METHODS

A longitudinal and prospective study was conducted from March to November 2019, including adult burn victims who were admitted to the ICU and discharged from the hospital. Patients were assessed on admission, every 10 days, at discharge from the ICU and from the hospital. Functionality was assessed using the Chelsea Critical Care Physical Assessment (CPAx) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Muscle strength was assessed using the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale and handgrip dynamometry.

RESULTS

41 patients were included, 27 men and 14 women, with a median age of 41 (IQR [28-56]) years, mean TBSA of 19 (SD ± 12) percent, mean Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) of 6 (SD ± 2) and the mean ICU time was 29 (SD ± 9) days. The CPAx, FIM and MRC evaluations improved (P < 0.0001) when compared to admission to the ICU and at hospital discharge, while the dynamometry showed no statistical difference. The ABSI only showed an association with the length of stay.

CONCLUSION

The CPAX scale was sensitive to changes in functionality throughout the hospital stay in severely burned patients, in the present study. The assessment of global muscle strength was more sensitive than handgrip strength and the ABSI was associated with length of stay in this population.

Good tolerance and benefits should make early exercises a routine in patients with acute brain injury

Abstract Introduction: The negative impact of prolonged immobilization results a physical decline during hospitalization in patients with acute brain injury. Objective: To investigate the benefits of early exercises on the mobility of patients with acute brain injury assisted at an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Methods: This is a prospective, single-blind, controlled clinical trial. A total of 303 patients were assessed. Due to eligibility criteria, exercise protocol was applied in 58 participants, 32 with brain injury caused by traumatic event and 26 with brain injury caused by cerebrovascular event. Exercise began 24 hours after patients’ admission at the ICU. Participants were submitted to passive and active mobilization protocols, performed according to level of sedation, consciousness and collaboration. Statistical analysis was conducted with repeated measures analysis of variance. Significance was set at 5%. Results: The group of patients with traumatic brain injuries was younger (p = 0.001) and with more men (p = 0.025) than the group of patients with clinical events. Most exercise sessions were performed in sedated patients. By the end of the protocol, participants with traumatic and clinical brain injury were able to do sitting and standing exercises. Both groups were similar on ICU discharge (p = 0.290). The clinical group presented better improvement on level of consciousness than the traumatic group (p = 0.005). Conclusion: Participants with an acute brain injury presented at the time of discharge from the ICU good mobility and improvement in the level of consciousness.

Tradução e adaptação cultural para a língua portuguesa falada no Brasil da Canadian survey of mobilization of ICU patients

RESUMO Este estudo teve como objetivo traduzir e adaptar culturalmente o questionário Canadian survey of mobilization of intensive care unit patients para a língua portuguesa falada no Brasil. Este instrumento avalia profissionais de unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) em relação aos conhecimentos sobre a mobilização precoce (MP) e sua importância, as percepções sobre barreiras e as práticas de reabilitação com o paciente crítico. O protocolo incluiu as etapas: autorização e cessão de direitos de uso; tradução do instrumento para a língua portuguesa; reconciliação; retrotradução para a língua original; revisão e harmonização da retrotradução; aprovação da autora principal do questionário original; revisão da versão em português; desdobramento cognitivo; e reconciliação e elaboração da versão final. Devido a algumas diferenças conceituais e culturais entre os dois países, algumas dúvidas foram discutidas com a autora principal do instrumento, a qual concordou com as alterações sugeridas. No desdobramento cognitivo, os 10 profissionais selecionados testaram a clareza, compreensão e aceitabilidade do questionário, e demonstraram suas dificuldades quanto ao conteúdo deste. Muitos entrevistados evidenciaram que o instrumento desperta reflexões importantes sobre as práticas diárias e os benefícios com a realização da MP. O questionário intitulado Pesquisa de mobilização de pacientes em unidade de terapia intensiva: conhecimento, perspectivas e práticas atuais encontra-se traduzido e adaptado culturalmente para a língua portuguesa falada no Brasil, podendo ser utilizado para avaliar aspectos da MP por profissionais que participam deste processo em UTIs adulto e pediátricas. Estudos futuros utilizando esta versão serão necessários para verificar se o questionário fornece medidas reprodutíveis e válidas.