Objective To describe the disease characteristics of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who experiencing prolonged glucocorticoid (GC) exposure. Methods Between January 2016 and June 2019, 449 SLE patients meeting the criteria were recruited from multiple centers. Hip MRI examinations were performed during screening and regular follow-up to determine the occurrence of ONFH. The cohort was divided into ONFH and non-ONFH groups, and the differences in demographic baseline characteristics, general clinical characteristics, GC medication information, combined medication, and hip clinical features were compared and comprehensively described. ResultsThe age at SLE diagnosis was 29.8 (23.2, 40.9) years, with 93.1% (418 cases) being female. The duration of GC exposure was 5.3 (2.0, 10.5) years, and the cumulative incidence of SLE-ONFH was 9.1%. Significant differences (P<0.05) between ONFH and non-ONFH groups were observed in the following clinical characteristics: ① Demographic baseline characteristics: ONFH group had a higher proportion of patients with body mass index (BMI)<20 kg/m2 compared to non-ONFH group. ② General clinical characteristics: ONFH group showed a higher proportion of patients with cutaneous and renal manifestations, positive antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) and anticardiolipin antibodies, severe SLE patients [baseline SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) score ≥15], and secondary hypertension. Fasting blood glucose in ONFH group was also higher. ③ GC medication information: ONFH group had higher initial intravenous GC exposure rates, duration, cumulative doses, higher cumulative GC doses in the first month and the first 3 months, higher average daily doses in the first 3 months, and higher proportions of average daily doses ≥15.0 mg/d and ≥30.0 mg/d, as well as higher full-course average daily doses and proportion of full-course daily doses ≥30.0 mg/d compared to non-ONFH group. ④ Combined medications: ONFH group had a significantly higher rate of antiplatelet drug use than non-ONFH group. ⑤ Hip clinical features: ONFH group had a higher proportion of hip discomfort or pain and a higher incidence of hip joint effusion before MRI screening than non-ONFH group. Conclusion The incidence of ONFH after GC exposure in China’s SLE population remains high (9.1%), with short-term (first 3 months), medium-to-high dose (average daily dose ≥15 mg/d) GC being closely associated with ONFH. Severe SLE, low BMI, certain clinical phenotypes, positive aPLs, and secondary hypertension may also be related to ONFH.
Objective To investigate the etiology, symptoms, diagnosis, surgical treatment, and outcomes of acute necrotizing mediastinitis (ANM) in order to guide future diagnosis and treatment of ANM. Methods The clinical data of patients with ANM referred to West China Hospital, Sichuan University from March 2012 to April 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The etiology, clinical manifestations, demographic characteristics, bacterial culture results, surgical approach and prognostic factors of these patients were summarized. ResultsA total of 176 patients were enrolled in this study. The median age was 60 ( 0-84) years. There were 124 (70.5%) males and 52 (29.5%) females. The most common origin of infection was neck (n=66, 37.5%). The most common symptom was fever (n=85, 48.3%). Streptococcus constellatus represented the most common pathogens in secretion culture. Surgical treatment was administered to 119 (67.6%) patients through different approaches, including 54 (30.7%) patients of cervical approach, 9 (5.1%) patients of thoracotomy, 18 (10.2%) patients of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), 7 (4.0%) patients of cervical combined with thoracotomy, 30 (17.0%) patients of cervical combined with VATS, and 1 (0.6%) patient of subxiphoid approach. Among this cohort, 144 (81.8%) patients were cured, while 32 (18.1%) patients died. Age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (OR=2.95, P=0.022), perioperative sepsis (OR=2.84, P=0.024), and non-surgical treatment (OR=2.41, P=0.043) were identified as independent predictors of poor outcomes. Conclusion For patients with corresponding history and manifestations of ANM, it is crucial to go through imaging examination to confirm the presence of an abscess and guide the selection of surgical approach. Once the diagnosis of ANM is made, it is imperative to promptly perform surgical intervention for effective drainage. Our study highlights the significance of age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index, perioperative sepsis and surgical treatment in predicting patients’ outcomes.
ObjectiveTo analyze the microbiological characteristics of airway bacteria in adult patients with bronchiectasis and to analyze their correlation with the clinical features. MethodsPatients diagnosed with bronchiectasis in the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of West China Hospital of Sichuan University from October 2017 to April 2018 were classified into the bronchiectasis group, while the control group was those who were found to have pulmonary nodules (diameter less than 10 mm) requiring bronchoscopy by physical examination. All subjects in both groups had not used antibiotics or hormones within 4 weeks and had no other respiratory diseases. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from the lesion site of the branchial expansion group was collected, and BALF from the basal segment of the contralateral inferior bronchial lobe of the pulmonary nodule was collected in the control group. Bacterial culture and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were performed in both groups. ResultsSeventeen cases and six controls were enrolled in this study and the BALF specimens were collected. Eight cases were in stable period and nine cases were in acute period. The case group was divided into the bacteria-positive group and negative group based on bacterial culture of BALF. Shannon index in the bacteria-positive group was significantly lower than the bacteria-negative group and the control group. And Shannon index showed a negative correlation with positive bacterial culture in BALF. When Shannon index ≤4.5 was used to predict positive bacterial culture, the sensitivity and specificity were 83.3% and 90.9% respectively. The average relative abundance of bacteria was higher and the average sample distribution uniformity was lower in patients with acute period, compared with those in patients with stable period. Shannon index was negatively correlated with the acute exacerbation in patients. When Shannon index <5.0 was used to predict acute exacerbation, the sensitivity and specificity were 77.8% and 100.0%, respectively. ConclusionsShannon index in 16S rRNA gene sequencing results has certain predictive value for acute exacerbation stage. 16S rRNA gene sequencing combined with bacterial culture results can help guide clinicians to provide more precise treatment plans.
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis with acute kidney injury (AKI) as the first manifestation, and provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of this disease. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 144 patients diagnosed with ANCA-associated vasculitis in Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University between August 2013 and March 2020. The patients were divided into AKI group and non-AKI group according to whether they were complicated with AKI at admission, and the differences in clinical characteristics were analyzed. The risk factors were screened by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results Among the 144 patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis, 30 cases (20.8%) were complicated with AKI at admission, and 70 cases (48.6%) died by the end of follow-up. There were 16 death cases (53.3%) in the AKI group, and 54 death cases (47.4%) in the non-AKI group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Single-factor analyses showed that in the AKI group, the pre-admission incidence of hematuria, neutrophil count, serum creatinine, systolic blood pressure, and Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score were higher than those in the non-AKI group, while the red blood cell count and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were lower than those in the non-AKI group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the neutrophil count [odds ratio (OR)=1.172, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.003, 1.371), P=0.046] and eGFR [OR=0.942, 95%CI (0.907, 0.979), P=0.002] were independent influencing factors for AKI. Conclusions Elevated neutrophil count is an independent risk factor for ANCA-associated vasculitis complicated with AKI. It has certain guiding significance for clinical work. Early identification and intervention of these patients may contribute to reduce the case fatality rate and improve prognosis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of resectable esophageal small cell carcinoma after surgical resection.MethodsA retrospective study of patients with resectable esophageal small cell carcinoma undergoing surgical resection from January 2009 to June 2015 in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Provincial Fourth People's Hospital and Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University was performed. Survival analysis was conducted by Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test. Cox regression model was used for identifying independent prognostic factors.ResultsA total of 53 patients with resectable esophageal small cell carcinoma were included for analysis. The mean age was 58.4 ± 8.3 years and there were 42 male patients and 11 female patients. Forty-two patients were diagnosed as pure esophageal small cell carcinoma while 11 patients were diagnosed with mixed esophageal small cell carcinoma, who were all mixed with squamous cell carcinoma. Most of the esophageal small cell carcinomas were located in the middle (58.5%) and lower (32.1%) segments of the esophagus. Thirty patients (56.6%) were found to have lymph node metastasis, and 7 patients (13.2%) were found to have lymphovascular invasion. According to the 2009 TNM staging criteria for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, there were 12 patients with stage Ⅰ disease, 19 patients with stage Ⅱ disease, and 22 patients with stage Ⅲ disease. Most of the patients underwent left thoracotomy with two-field lymphadenectomy. Postoperatively, only twenty-two patients (41.5%) received adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The median survival time of these patients was 20.1 months, and the 1- and 3-year survival rate was 75.5% and 33.1%, respectively. For prognosis, age, gender, pathological type, tumor location, and lymphovascular invasion had no significant impact on long-term survival of these patients. However, TNM stage (1 year survival rate: stage Ⅰ: 91.7%; stage Ⅱ: 78.9%; stage Ⅲ: 63.6%; P=0.004) and postoperative adjuvant therapy (1 year survival rate: 81.8% vs. 71.0%; P=0.005) had significant impact on the survival of patients with esophageal small cell carcinoma. In multivariate analysis, TNM stage and postoperative adjuvant therapy were independent prognostic factors for long-term prognosis of patients with esophageal small cell carcinoma.ConclusionEsophageal small cell carcinoma is very rare, with high malignancy and poor prognosis. For patients with resectable esophageal small cell carcinoma, the TNM staging system of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma can be used to direct the choice of treatment options. For early stage esophageal small cell carcinoma (stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ), surgery plus postoperative adjuvant chemoradiotherapy can be the prior therapeutic choice, while for locally advanced esophageal small cell carcinoma (stage Ⅲ), chemoradiotherapy should be the preferred treatment.
Objective To analyze the clinical features and etiologic of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) among the elderly aged 80 and over, and provide evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods The clinical characteristics and etiology of the elderly CAP (≥80 years old) were analyzed by collecting and comparing the clinical characteristics and etiology between the very elderly CAP group (≥80 years old, 94 cases) and control group (65 to 79 years old, 100 cases). Results On clinical symptoms, there were statistical differences in dyspnea and gastrointestinal symptoms, systemic symptoms, and mental status (P<0.05) between the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference in upper respiratory tract symptoms, fever, cough, sputum, hemoptysis and chest pain between the two groups (P>0.05). On the complications, the very elderly CAP group was more prone to respiratory failure, sepsis, urinary tract infection and electrolyte metabolism than the control group (P<0.05). On the experimental indicators, anemia and abnormal renal function in the elderly CAP group were high (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference between the two groups of inflammation indicators (white blood count, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, neutrophil alkaline phosphatase score). The pneumonia severity index score and CURB-65 score of the very elderly CAP group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.001). On pathogen analysis, in the very elderly CAP group the number of bacterial infections (23/94), viral infections (21/94) and bacterial mixed virus infections (21/94) were probably equivalent, and the proportion of bacterial infections of two or more types accounted for 17.0% (16/94); The bacteria detection rate was Streptococcus pneumoniae (22.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19.4%), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (16.4%), Staphylococcus aureus (14.9%). Viral infection mainly focused on influenza A virus (23/94) and human cytomegalovirus (21/94). Bacterial mixed virus infection was mainly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza A virus infection. Comparing the two groups, the most common bacterial pathogen both of them was Streptococcus pneumoniae, but the overall proportion was dominated by gram-negative bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae were more common; the gram-positive bacteria in the two groups were mainly Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. There was no significant difference in the detection rate of above Gram-positive bacteria between the two groups (P>0.05). The two groups of virus infections were mainly influenza A virus, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The two groups of single bacteria rate, single virus infection rate, double virus infection rate and bacterial mixed virus infection rate were similar, the difference had not been found (P>0.05). Conclusions The elderly (aged 80 and over) CAP group is prone to dyspnea, often presents with extrapulmonary atypical symptoms such as digestive tract symptoms, systemic symptoms and psychiatric symptoms, and usually accompanied with many complications. The etiological treatment mainly covers gram-negative bacteria, and we must pay attention to the possibility of combined virus infection.
ObjectiveTo study the clinical characteristics of overseas imported and related local COVID-19 patients in Chengdu.MethodsFifty overseas imported patients who were Chinese and 14 related local patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu from November to December 2020 were selected. The epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, auxiliary examination, treatment and prognosis were summarized and analyzed.ResultsThe local group were older, and they were mostly elderly and females (P≤0.05). Compared with the imported group, the proportion of the local group was higher in heart disease and tumor. More patients had cough, fever and expectoration symptoms (P≤0.05). C-reactive protein, fasting blood glucose and fibrinogen were higher, and the lymphocyte count, blood platelet count, CD3+ T lymphocyte count, CD4+ T lymphocyte count, CD8+ T lymphocyte count were lower. The positive rate of novel coronavirus total antibody, IgG antibody and IgM antibody in the imported group were higher than those in the local group (P≤0.05). The negative conversion time of the median nucleic acid was shorter than that of local patients (P≤0.05).ConclusionThere are differences in sex ratio, age, complications, clinical manifestations, lymphocyte measurement value, T lymphocyte count and negative conversion time of nucleic acid between overseas imported and local COVID-19 patients in Chengdu. The local patients are mostly elderly and have more complicated conditions, but all of them have good prognosis.
Objective To compare the clinical characteristics and treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the year of 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Methods A cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted on patients with stable COPD from 13 hospitals of China south area in year of 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. The demographic data, pulmonary function, COPD assessment test (CAT), exacerbation in the past year and treatment regimens were collected. Results The CAT scores of the COPD patients in the year of 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 were (16.5±6.7), (14.5±6.7), (14.1±6.2) and (13.4±6.6), respectively. The CAT scores decreased year by year (P<0.05). The forced expiratory volume in one second percentage predicted value (FEV1%pred) of the COPD patients in the year of 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 were (52.8±21.4)%, (51.3±19.2)%, (53.4±21.5)% and (56.6±21.7)%, respectively. Compared with year of 2018, the patients in 2019, 2020 and 2021 had higher FEV1%pred. Compared with year of 2019 and 2020, the patients 2021 had higher FEV1%pred (P<0.05). The median of exacerbation in the past year of the COPD patients in the year of 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 were 1, 1, 0 and 0, respectively. Compared with year of 2018 and 2019, the median of exacerbation in the past year in 2020 and 2021 were lower (P<0.05). The proportion of double [long-acting β2-agonist (LABA)+long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA)] and triple inhaled [LAMA+LABA+ inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)] drugs were 0%, 0.7%, 3.5% and 17.0%, as well as 47.9%, 41.2%, 27.8% and 26.0%. Compared with year of 2018 and 2019, the proportion of double inhaled drugs in 2020 and 2021 was higher, while triple inhaled drugs was lower (P<0.05). In addition, the proportion of influenza vaccine/pneumonia vaccine was 0%, 0.1%, 3.5% and 4.3%, respectively. Compared with year of 2018 and 2019, the proportion of influenza vaccine/pneumonia vaccine in year of 2020 and 2021 was higher (P<0.05). Conclusions Symptoms and exacerbation burden of patients with COPD tend to be less in China in recent years and the time of patients visited hospital tends to move forward. Furthermore, the proportion of patients with double inhaled drugs (LABA+LAMA) increased, while triple inhaled (LAMA+LABA+ICS) decreased. In addition, the proportion of patients vaccinated with influenza/pneumonia is increased but the overall proportion is still low.
Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of antimitochondrial antibody (AMA)-associated cardiac injury. Methods AMA positive patients admitted to West China Hospital of Sichuan University between June 2008 and November 2023 were retrospectively selected. They were categorized into the simple cardiac involvement group and the cardiac and skeletal muscle involvement group according to the presence of skeletal muscle injury. Differences in demographic characteristics, serologic indices, cardiac structure and function, and arrhythmias were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 55 AMA-M2 positive patients with myocardial injury were enrolled. There were 18 cases in the simple cardiac involvement group and 37 cases in the cardiac and skeletal muscle involvement group among them. The age (P=0.002) and mortality rate (P=0.031) of the simple cardiac involvement group were higher than those of the cardiac and skeletal muscle involvement group. There were significant differences in biochemical indicators such as lactate dehydrogenase and α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase between the two groups, and the levels of myocardial enzymes such as creatine kinase isoenzyme, myoglobin and troponin T in the cardiac involvement group were lower than those in the cardiac with skeletal muscle involvement group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, there were significant differences in the incidence of atrial premature beats, atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias between the two groups (P<0.05). In terms of treatment modalities, glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants were used more frequently in the cardiac combined skeletal muscle involvement group than in the cardiac involvement alone group, whereas β-blockers and diuretics were more prevalent in the cardiac involvement alone group (P<0.05). Conclusion Patients with cardiac involvement alone may have a more insidious or rapid progression of the disease, which requires clinicians to pay higher attention to and provide timely and effective treatment, thus improving the overall prognosis and quality of life of the patients.
Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of the Guang’an Omicron epidemic and summarize the management experiences and practices in pandemic prevention and control of major infectious diseases.Methods Retrospective analysis was performed on patients infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19), afterwards treated and observed in the isolation ward of Guang’an People’s Hospital and the shelter of Guang’an City from May 9 to June 26, 2022. The characteristics of patients at different age stages and the related factors affecting the severity, re-positive and negative conversion was analyzed. Results Finally 1 278 patients were collected, including 508 males and 770 females, with an average age of 41.3±22.6 years. Among them, 1 054 patients were asymptomatic carriers. The overall severe rate was 0.86%, the severe rate of the high-risk group was 3.06%. The median negative conversion time was 10.0 days and re-positive rate was 7.36%. Patients aged＞60 years were 2.589 times more likely to have a longer negative conversion time than those aged≤60 years (95%CI 1.921-3.489, P＜0.001). Conclusion The clinical characteristics of Guang’an COVID-19 epidemic are mainly that the elderly with high risk factors are more likely to develop severe cases, have longer clearance time, and re-positve is more likely to occur.