Objective To explore the clinical and imaging features of patients with acute dizziness and assess their associations with 3-month prognosis. Methods We enrolled adult patients with a chief complaint of acute dizziness, who were admitted to the Neurological Clinic at the Emergency Department of West China Hospital, Sichuan University between January 1st and May 31st 2022. We collected clinical and imaging features at baseline for each patient. The primary outcome was recurrent dizziness within 3 months after index dizziness. Secondary outcome was stroke within 3 months after index dizziness. Results A total of 1 322 patients who visited the Neurological Clinic were included, of which 617 (46.7%) had a chief complaint of acute dizziness. Among 222 patients who performed emergent brain and neck CT angiography, 1 patient presented with intracerebral haemorrhage. Among the remaining 221 patients, 206 patients completed 3-month follow-up, with 76 patients reported recurrent dizziness and 7 patients had stroke (6 ischaemic, 1 hemorrhagic). The multivariate logistic regression showed that chronic dizziness duration and parenchymal hypodensity on brain CT were each associated with a higher risk of recurrent dizziness. Compared with those who did not report stroke, the stroke patients were more likely to present with hypertension, headache symptoms, and exhibit parenchymal hypodensity on baseline CT (P<0.05). Conclusions In patients with acute dizziness, those with chronic dizziness duration and parenchymal hypodensity on baseline CT were associated with a higher risk of 3-month recurrent dizziness. Acute dizziness patients experiencing 3-month stroke often have hypertension, headache symptoms, and parenchymal hypodensity on baseline CT.
ObjectiveTo study the clinical features, short-term prognosis and risk factors of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (P.aeruginosa) infection in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). MethodsThis study enrolled patients hospitalized for AECOPD in ten tertiary hospitals of China from September 2017 to July 2021. AECOPD patients with P.aeruginosa infection were included as case group, AECOPD patients without P.aeruginosa infection were randomly selected as control group from the same hospitals and same hospitalization period as the patients in case group, at a ratio of 2∶1. The differences in basic conditions, complications, clinical manifestations on admission and in-hospital prognosis between the two groups were compared, and the risk factors of P.aeruginosa infection were analyzed. ResultsA total of 14007 inpatients with AECOPD were included in this study, and 338 patients were confirmed to have P.aeruginosa infection during hospitalization, with an incidence rate of 2.41%. The in-hospital prognosis of AECOPD patients with P.aeruginosa infection was worse than that of the control group, which was manifested in higher hospital mortality (4.4% vs. 1.9%, P=0.02) and longer hospital stay [13.0 (9.0, 19.25)d vs. 11.0 (8.0, 15.0)d, P=0.002]. In terms of clinical features, the proportions of patients with cough, expectoration, purulent sputum, dyspnea in the case group were higher than those in the control group, and the inflammatory indicators (neutrophil ratio, erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood gas were higher than those in the control group, while the serum albumin was significantly lower than that in the control group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Parkinson's disease [odds ratio (OR)=5.14, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.43 to 18.49, P=0.012], bronchiectasis (OR=4.97, 95%CI: 3.70 to 6.67, P<0.001), invasive mechanical ventilation (OR=2.03, 95%CI: 1.23 to 3.36, P=0.006), serum albumin<35 g/L (OR=1.40, 95%CI: 1.04 to 1.88, P=0.026), partial pressure of carbon dioxide ≥45 mm Hg (OR=1.38, 95%CI: 1.01 to 1.90, P=0.046) were independent risk factors for P.aeruginosa infection in AECOPD patients. ConclusionsP.aeruginosa infection has a relative high morbidity and poor outcome among AECOPD inpatients. Parkinson’s disease, bronchiectasis, invasive mechanical ventilation, serum albumin below 35 g/L, partial pressure of carbon dioxide ≥45 mm Hg are independent risk factors of P.aeruginosa infection in AECOPD inpatients.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics and genetic phenotype of mitochondrial myopathy associated with lactic acidemia and stroke-like seizure syndrome (MELAS) in DNA A3243G mutation, and to improve the clinical understanding and diagnosis.MethodsThe clinical data and imaging characteristics of 4 patients with DNA A3243G mutation-related MELAS syndrome who were diagnosed and treated in the Department of Pediatric Neurology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital from June 2017 to June 2018 were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsOf the 4 patients, 3 were caused by convulsions, 1 was caused by dizziness, and the MELAS syndrome caused by mitochondrial DNA A3243G mutation was confirmed by genetic testing. The patients were treated with anti-epilepsy drugs. The patients were followed up for at least 1 year, and 2 of 4 patients were stable, 1 patient still had seizures, and 1 patient did not improved.ConclusionsThe clinical phenotypic heterogeneity of patients with DNA A3243G mutation-related MELAS syndrome is caused by the " heterogeneity” and " threshold effect” of DNA mutation. The mutation rate of DNA A3243G is as high as 80%. In the era of promoting precision medicine, genes examination can help early diagnosis and early treatment of MELAS syndrome as well as improve the quality of life of patients and improve the prognosis.
Objective To investigate and analyze the clinical features of primary pulmonary malignant melanoma. Methods The medical records, imaging examinations, pathological results, treatment and prognosis of four primary pulmonary malignant melanoma (PMML) patients were retrospectively collected. In combination with 96 cases reported in the literature, a total of 100 patients with PMML were analyzed. Results Among the 100 PMML patients, there were 60 males (60.0%) and 40 females (40.0%), with an average age of 56.9±10.3 years. Common clinical symptoms were cough (60.0%), chest tightness or pain (18.0%), hemoptysis (16.0%), and dyspnea (11.0%). Distant metastasis was found in 30 cases (30.0%) at the time of consultation. The clinical stage of the first diagnosis and evaluation of the patients was stage Ⅰ in 7 cases (7.0%), stage Ⅱ in 24 cases (24.0%), stage Ⅲ in 13 cases (13.0%), stage Ⅳ in 39 cases (39.0%), and 17 cases (17.0%) did not mention a clear tumor stage. Thirty patients (30.0%) received comprehensive anti-tumor therapy, 53 patients (53.0%) received surgical resection, and 17 patients among them (17.0%) received postoperative adjuvant comprehensive therapy. The overall median survival time of PMML patients was 8.0 (2.0 - 14.4) months. The median survival time of stage Ⅳ PMML patients was 5.0 (3.1 - 6.9) months, which was significantly lower than 24.0 (6.0 - 32.0) months of stage Ⅱ patients (P<0.05) and 15.0 (0.6 - 29.4) months of stage Ⅲ patients (P<0.05). Further analysis showed that different treatment regimens had no significant effect on the median survival time of patients with stage Ⅳ PMML (P>0.05). Conclusions PMML has a high degree of malignancy and no specific clinical symptoms. It is mainly diagnosed by pathology. Surgical resection, postoperative adjuvant chemoradiotherapy or immunotherapy are the main treatment methods, but its overall prognosis is poor.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical features and influencing factors for new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) early after coronary artery bypass grafting.MethodsThe clinical data of 339 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting in our hospital from January 2012 to January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 267 males and 72 females with an average age of 37-83 (58.03±8.90) years. The clinical features and influencing factors for new-onset AF after surgery were investigated.ResultsThere were 234 patients of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG), with 36 (15.4%) new-onset AF patients after operation, among whom 16.1% were males and 12.5% were females. There were 105 patients of on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), with 39 (37.1%) new-onset AF patients, among whom 40.7% were males and 25.0% were females. The incidence was higher after the CABG surgery than that after the OPCABG surgery (37.1% vs. 15.4%, P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the incidence rate between males and females (P>0.05). The incidence of new-onset AF after surgery was higher in ≥60 years patients for both operations (18.9% and 45.8%), which was significantly higher than that in <45 years patients (P<0.05). For both operations, the incidence of new-onset AF after surgery was high on the second day (24-48 h) after surgery, and most of the AF lasted for 1 day (P<0.05). The hypertension (OR=4.983, P=0.036), frequent premature atrial contraction or atrial tachycardia (OR=17.682, P=0.002), postoperative creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CKMB) (OR=0.152, P=0.042), left anterior and posterior diameters (OR=17.614, P<0.001) and preoperative ejection fraction (OR=7.094, P=0.011) were influencing factors for new-onset AF after OPCABG. Diabetes (OR=11.631, P=0.020), other cardiac malformations (OR=29.023, P=0.002), frequent premature ventricular contraction or ventricular tachycardia (OR=0.047, P=0.001), and postoperative CKMB (OR=3.672, P=0.040) were influencing factors for new-onset AF after CABG.ConclusionThe incidence of new-onset AF after CABG is higher than that after OPCABG, and it increases with age increasing. There is no difference in the incidence between males and females. The influencing factors for the two operations are different.
Objective To retrospectively analyze the clinical features of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in intensive care unit (ICU), so as to improve the level of clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods A total of 81 patients diagnosed as IPA from March, 2017 to March, 2022 in the ICU of The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China were selected as infection group. A total of 81 non-IPA patients with pulmonary infection and Aspergillus negative sputum culture were selected as the control group. The host factors, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Assessment Ⅱ score at admission, underlying diseases, clinical symptoms and signs, relevant laboratory test results, and lung CT findings were compared between the two groups. Univariate analysis and multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis were used to identify the risk factors for the occurrence of pulmonary aspergillosis in IPA patients in ICU. At the same time, the types of aspergillus in the IPA group and the outcomes of the two groups at 28 days after ICU admission were analyzed. Results Of the 81 IPA patients, 4 were proven diagnosed and 77 were putative diagnosed. IPA patients were mainly infected with Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus. Symptoms and signs such as fever, cough and expectoration, dyspnea and pulmonary rales occurred in both groups. The level of procalcitonin in IPA group was higher than that in non-IPA group, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.016). The positive rate of serum galactomannan antigen test (GM test) in the IPA group was higher than that in the non-IPA group, and the differences was statistically significant (P=0.000). The incidence of pulmonary imaging cavities in IPA group was higher than that in non-IPA group, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.022). Univariate analysis showed that central venous catheterization, septic shock, complete parenteral nutrition, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and immunosuppression were risk factors for IPA (P<0.05); Multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis showed that complete parenteral nutrition, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and immunosuppression were independent risk factors for IPA (P<0.05). The 28-day fatality rate in IPA group was higher than that in non-IPA group (55.6% vs. 34.6%, P=0.007). Conclusions IPA patients have no specific clinical symptoms and signs, and are mainly infected with Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus; GM test has guiding significance for the diagnosis of IPA. Serum GM test and pulmonary imaging have cavity findings that are helpful for the diagnosis of IPA. Patients with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunosuppression, or complete parenteral nutrition need to be on high alert for the possibility of IPA during ICU stay.
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and death risk factors of patients with community acquired pneumonia and sepsis. Methods Data of 350 patients with community-acquired pneumonia and sepsis admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2015 to October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, and their basic characteristics, laboratory results and treatment were analyzed. Results The absolute value of white blood cell, neutrophil ratio, absolute value of neutrophil, inflammatory index, liver and kidney function, coagulation function, cardiac enzymology, lactic acid and sequential organ failure evaluation score of patients with community acquired pneumonia sepsis in the non-survival group were higher than those in the survival group. Logistic regression analysis showed that respiratory rate, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, blood oxygen saturation, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, lactic acid, creatinine and lymphocyte ratio may be independent risk factors for 28-day death in patients with community-acquired pneumonia and sepsis.The receiver operating characteristic curve shows that the combination of the above indicators to predict the risk of death of patients has the best sensitivity, specificity and maximum area under the curve, which is superior to the prediction value of individual variables. Conclusions Patients in the non-survivor group of community-acquired pneumonia sepsis had more severe inflammatory response and organ function impairment. Respiratory rate, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, blood oxygen saturation, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, lactic acid, creatinine, lymphocyte ratio and other indicators are independent risk factors for death of patients with community-acquired pneumonia and sepsis, which have better prognostic value when combined.
Carney complex (CNC) is a rare autosomal dominant syndrome, characterized by pigmented lesions of the skin and mucosa, cardiac, cutaneous and other myxomas and multiple endocrine tumors. The disease is caused by inactivating mutations or large deletions of the PRKAR1A gene located at 17q22–24 coding for the regulatory subunit type Ⅰ alpha of protein kinase A (PKA) gene. Most recently, components of the complex have been associated with defects of other PKA subunits, such as the catalytic subunits PRKACA (adrenal hyperplasia) and PRKACB (pigmented spots, myxomas, pituitary adenomas). We reviewed CNC’s clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and molecular etiology.
Objective To analyze the clinical data of monkeypox (mpox) cases in Chengdu, to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with mpox complicated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods Mpox patients admitted to Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu between June 29 and August 8, 2023 were continuously included. Patients were divided into an observation group and a control group based on whether they were complicated with HIV/AIDS. The clinical characteristics of two groups of patients were observed and compared. Results A total of 56 patients were included, all of whom were male; Age range from 19 to 51 years old, with an average of (31.6±5.9) years old; There were 23 cases in the observation group and 33 cases in the control group. Except for age, perianal lesions with infection, number of rashes, diarrhea, CD4+ lymphocyte count, CD4/CD8 ratio, syphilis, chest CT abnormalities, rash duration, and length of hospital stay (P<0.05), there was no statistically significant difference in epidemiological data, clinical features, auxiliary examinations, treatment, and intensive care unit admission between the two groups of patients (P>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the Ct values of throat swab nucleic acid and blister fluid nucleic acid in the total population [(30.1±4.4) vs. (23.4±3.8); t=5.462, P<0.001]. Conclusions Mpox patients complicated with HIV/AIDS are prone to persistent, diverse, and severe lesions due to relatively lower CD4+ lymphocyte counts. Therefore, it is necessary to actively provide symptomatic treatment and prevent complications for patients.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical features and prognosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.MethodsA total of 379 confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu from January 16 to November 30, 2020 were divided into two groups including an elderly group (42 patients, ≥60 years) and a non-elderly group (337 patients, <60 years) by age. The epidemiology, clinical features, laboratory tests, treatment and prognosis of the two groups were compared.ResultsAmong the 379 patients, 286 (75.5%) were males and 93 (24.5%) were females, aged from 2 months to 87 years, with an average age of 41.2 years. The average age of the elderly group was 69.5 years, and 61.9% of them were females. They were imported from Wuhan or local secondary patients (73.8%), mainly common or critical type (88.1%). While, the average age of the non-elderly group was 37.8 years, and males were more common (80.1%). There were mostly from foreign input (75.7%), mainly mild or ordinary type (95.0%). A total of 179 patients (47.2%) had one or more underlying diseases. Hypertension (15 patients, 35.7%) and diabetes (11 patients, 26.2%) were more common in the elderly group, while non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (132 patients, 39.2%) was more frequent in the non-elderly group. The most common clinical manifestations were fever (138 patients, 36.4%) and cough (129 patients, 34.0%). Fever, cough, dyspnea, and fatigue were more common in the elderly group than those in the non-elderly group (P<0.05). Compared with the non-elderly group, the elderly group had lower total lymphocyte count, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell count, higher level of myocardial injury or inflammation markers (P<0.05). Abnormal echocardiography in 139 patients (36.7%) was mainly caused by decreased left ventricular diastolic function (22.7%) and heart valve regurgitation (14.0%), and the rate in the elderly group was significantly higher than that in the non-elderly group (85.7% vs. 30.6%, P<0.05). After treatment, 3 patients in the elderly group died, and the others were cured and discharged. The hospitalization duration of the elderly group was longer than that of the non-elderly group (22.1 d vs. 18.8 d, P=0.033).ConclusionsElderly COVID-19 patients are mainly imported from Wuhan or secondary to the local population, mainly common or critical type, often associated with basic diseases such as hypertension or diabetes. While, non-elderly COVID-19 patients are mainly imported from abroad, mainly mild or common type, often associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. After treatment, most of the patients have a good prognosis.