C-reactive protein and albumin association with mortality of hospitalised SARS-CoV-2 patients: A tertiary hospital experience

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to study hospitalised COVID-19 patients' mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) admission with covariates of interest (age, gender, ethnicity, clinical presentation, comorbidities and admission laboratory findings).

METHODS

Logistic regression analyses were performed for patients admitted to University Hospital, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, between 24 January 2020 - 13 April 2020.

RESULTS

There were 321 patients hospitalised. Median age was 73 years and 189 (59%) were male. Ethnicity was divided between Caucasian (77%), and black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) groups (23%). Commonest symptoms were dyspnoea (62.9%), fever (59.1%) and cough (56%). Gastrointestinal symptoms amounted to 11.8%.Forty-four patients (13.7%) received ICU care. ICU male to female ratio was 3:1 (p=0.027; odds ratio (OR) 2.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-4.9), BAME (p=0.008; OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.3-4.9), age >65 years (p=0.026; OR 0.28; 95% CI 0.09-0.93), heart disease (p=0.009; OR 0.2; 95% CI 0.1-0.6) and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP; p<0.001; OR 1.004; 95% CI 1.002-1.008) were associated with ICU admission.One-hundred and four patients (32.4%) died. Age >65 years (p=0.011; OR 5; 95% CI 1.6-21.9), neutrophils (p=0.047), neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (NLR; p=0.028), CRP (p<0.001) and albumin (p=0.002) were associated with mortality. When analysis adjusted for age, CRP (p<0.001; OR 1.006; 95% CI 1.004-1.008) and albumin (p=0.005; OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.90-0.98) remained associated with mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

COVID-19 has high mortality. BAME and male patients were associated with ICU admission. High CRP and low albumin (after correcting for age) were associated with mortality.

Attitudes to out-of-programme experiences, research and academic training of gastroenterology trainees between 2007 and 2016

OBJECTIVE

Academic medical training was overhauled in 2005 after the Walport report and Modernising Medical Careers to create a more attractive and transparent training pathway. In 2007 and 2016, national web-based surveys of gastroenterology trainees were undertaken to determine experiences, perceptions of and perceived barriers to out-of-programme research experience (OOP-R).

DESIGN SETTING AND PATIENTS

Prospective, national web-based surveys of UK gastroenterology trainees in 2007 and 2016.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Attitudes to OOP-R of two cohorts of gastroenterology trainees.

RESULTS

Response rates were lower in 2016 (25.8% vs 56.7%) (p<0.0001), although female trainees' response rates increased (from 28.8% to 37.6%) (p=0.17), along with higher numbers of academic trainees. Over 80% of trainees planned to undertake OOP-R in both surveys, with >50% having already undertaken it. Doctor of Philosophy/medical doctorate remained the most popular OOP-R in both cohorts. Successful fellowship applications increased in 2016, and evidence of gender inequality in 2007 was no longer evident in 2016. In the 2016 cohort, 91.1% (n=144) felt the development of trainee-led research networks was important, with 74.7% (n=118) keen to get involved.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of gastroenterology trainees who responded expressed a desire to undertake OOP-R, and participation rates in OOP-R remain high. Despite smaller absolute numbers responding than in 2007, 2016 trainees achieved higher successful fellowship application rates. Reassuringly more trainees in 2016 felt that OOP-R would be important in the future. Efforts are needed to tackle potential barriers to OOP-R and support trainees to pursue research-active careers.

Emerging role of thalidomide in the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding

Thalidomide was initially synthesised in 1954 and marketed as a sedative and antiemetic for morning sickness. It was withdrawn in 1961 due to the realisation that it was teratogenic with over 10 000 children born with congenital abnormalities. Since then it has been used for treatment of dermatological and oncological conditions, including myeloma. In 1994, it was found to have a potent antiangiogenic effect via downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This has led to its use in gastrointestinal bleeding, as vascular abnormalities such as angiodysplasia have been found to have elevated VEGF levels. This article will review the current evidence of the use of thalidomide in bleeding associated with gastrointestinal vascular malformations, including angiodysplasia, gastric cancer and radiation-induced proctitis.

An approach to acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is a common problem that can be treated via a number of endoscopic, radiological and surgical approaches. Although traditionally managed by the colorectal surgeons, surgery should be considered a last resort given the variety of endoscopic and radiological approaches available. This article provides an overview on the common causes of acute LGIB and the various techniques at our disposal to control it.

Review article: proton pump inhibitors with clopidogrel--evidence for and against a clinically-important interaction

BACKGROUND

The treatment of acute coronary syndromes involves a combination of antiplatelet therapies. Proton pump inhibitors are frequently recommended for patients receiving clopidogrel in addition to aspirin, to minimise the risk of bleeding. Several studies have shown that proton pump inhibitors can affect the platelet inhibitory effects of clopidogrel. However, the data on whether this has an effect on clinical outcomes are conflicting and a definitive answer is still awaited.

AIM

To provide an overview of the evidence for the pharmacological interaction between proton pump inhibitors and clopidogrel and to discuss whether this interaction translates into adverse clinical outcomes. Despite recent developments, clear consensus is lacking.

METHODS

A search of the published literature combined with the authors' knowledge of the field.

RESULTS

There is evidence to show that proton pump inhibitors can influence the pharmacodynamics of clopidogrel, but the data suggesting clinical effects are weak and conflicting. Supporting a clinically important interaction are four retrospective studies including over 11,000 patients prescribed both clopidogrel and a proton pump inhibitor. Evidence against a clinically important interaction is derived from over 18,000 patients from seven studies, including the only prospective trial to examine the potential interaction. Confounding variables are relevant and prospective clinical evidence is lacking.

CONCLUSIONS

Proton pump inhibitors offer clear protection and the concern over clinically relevant interactions with clopidogrel is biologically plausible, but not yet proven.