ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics of epileptics with pregnancy and then provide reference for standardized management of epileptics with pregnancy. MethodsFrom June 2012 to June 2021, epileptics with pregnancy who delivered in Jinan Central Hospital were selected as the research subjects. The clinical data such as the application of Antiseizure medications (ASMs) during pregnancy, seizure frequency, pregnancy outcomes, delivery ways, offspring feeding ways and the incidence of complications were investigated and analyzed. ResultsAmong 36 epileptics with pregnancy, 20 cases (55.56%) were treated with ASMs alone, 5 cases (13.88%) were treated with combined medication, and 11 cases (30.56%) were treated without ASMs during pregnancy. 15 cases (41.67%) adhered to systematic application of ASMs, 17 cases (47.22%) did not adhere to systematic application of ASMs, and 4 cases (11.11%) had unknown medication history. The frequency of seizures increased in 5 cases, decreased in 7 cases and unchanged in 24 cases during pregnancy. Pregnancy outcomes: full-term delivery in 33 cases (91.67%), preterm delivery in 1 case (2.78%) and abortion in 2 cases (5.56%). Delivery mode: cesarean section in 31 cases (91.18%), vaginal delivery in 3 cases (8.82%). After delivery, 4 cases (11.76%) were fed with milk powder and 30 cases (88.24%) were breast-fed. Complications: There were 6 cases complicated with anemia (16.67%), 5 cases complicated with gestational hypertension (13.89%), 3 cases complicated with gestational diabetes (8.33%), 4 cases complicated with premature rupture of membranes (11.11%), 2 cases complicated with fetal growth restriction (5.56%), 2 cases complicated with oligohydramnios (5.56%), 3 cases complicated with fetal distress (8.33%) and 3 cases complicated with neonatal asphyxia (8.33%). ConclusionsThe proportion of epileptics with pregnancy who were systematically treated with ASMs was low and the seizures were poorly controlled. There is a lack of standardized management for such patients in clinical practice.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of cerebral hemorrhage in young and elderly patients, to provide evidences for individual clinical diagnosis and treatment, and lay a foundation for building a predictive model of prognosis in cerebral hemorrhage.MethodsPatients with spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage in the Third People’s Hospital of Chengdu were recruited prospectively and continuously from January 2014 to January 2019. They were divided into the youth group (≤50 years old) and the elderly group (>50 years old), and their risk factors, disease characteristics, etiology, and prognosis were analyzed.ResultsA total of 757 patients were recruited. There were 160 cases (21.1%) in the youth group, including 120 males and 40 females, aged from 17 to 50 years, with an average age of (42.06±7.62) years old; 597 cases (78.9%) in the elderly group, including 361 males and 236 females, aged from 51 to 96 years, with an average age of (69.34±10.56) years old. The incidences of hypertension (74.2% vs. 51.2%), diabetes (15.1% vs. 4.4%), coronary heart disease (12.1% vs. 1.3%), and the level of blood glucose at admission [7.1 (5.8, 8.4) vs. 6.3 (5.3, 8.1) mmol/L] in the elderly group were higher than those in the youth group (P<0.05), respectively. However, the proportions of males (60.5% vs. 75.0%), smoking (24.5% vs. 36.9%), and the diastolic blood pressure at admission [(92.37±18.50) vs. (100.95±25.25) mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)] in the elderly group were lower than those in the youth group (P<0.05), respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups in systolic blood pressure at admission, Glasgow Coma Score, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, initial hematoma volume, hematoma enlargement, brain hernia, location of hemorrhage, midline shift, hydrocephalus, combined subarachnoid hemorrhage, or intraventricular extension (P>0.05). Hypertension was the most common etiology in the two groups. There was a significant difference in the etiology of cerebral hemorrhage between the two groups (P<0.05), the difference was mainly reflected in cerebral amyloid angiopathy, cavernous hemangioma, and arteriovenous malformation. The fatality rate during hospitalization (9.4% vs. 20.9%), 3 months after discharge (10.3% vs. 26.3%), and at 1 year follow-up (19.0% vs. 37.6%) in the youth group was lower than that in the elderly group (P<0.05), respectively. The disability rate 3 months after discharge and at 1 year follow-up in the youth group was lower than that in the elderly group (32.1% vs. 44.2%, 16.9% vs. 34.4%; P<0.05), respectively.ConclusionsThe education of healthy lifestyles should be strengthened to reduce the adverse effects of smoking in young patients. Young patients should choose antihypertensives that can control diastolic blood pressure better. There are more structural abnormalities in young patients, so routine vascular examination is reasonable. It is necessary to focus on whether the original underlying diseases are stable in elderly patients. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy is an important cause of cerebral hemorrhage in elderly patients, and is a risk factor of recurrence. Anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy should be cautious.
ObjectiveTo summarize and analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with acute diffuse lung changes and respiratory failure.MethodsThe clinical data of patients in the Department of Critical Care Medicine, Dazhou Central Hospital between January 2016 and December 2018 were retrospectively collected, whose main clinical manifestation was acute respiratory distress syndrome with acute onset (<3 weeks) and main imaging manifestation was diffuse changes in both lungs. The clinical characteristics of patients were summarized, and the causes of the disease were explored.ResultsA total of 65 patients with acute diffuse lung changes and respiratory failure were enrolled, including 42 males (64.6%) and 23 females (35.4%). The average age was (57.1±18.4) years, the average time from onset to treatment was (7.5±5.9) d, and the average length of stay in the intensive care unit was (8.9±4.1) d. A total of 23 cases died, with a case-fatality rate of 35.4%. Among the 65 patients, there were 50 case (76.9%) of infectious diseases, including 36 cases of bacterial infections (including 4 cases of tuberculosis), 8 cases of viral infections (all were H1N1 infections), and 6 cases of fungal infections (including 1 case of pneumocystis infection); and there were 15 cases (23.1%) of non-infectious diseases, including 4 cases of acute left heart failure, 2 cases of interstitial pneumonia, 2 cases of vasculitis, 1 case of myositis dermatomyositis, 1 case of aspiration pneumonia, 1 case of acute pulmonary embolism, 1 case of acute drug lung injury, 1 case of neurogenic pulmonary edema, 1 case of drowning, and 1 case of unknown origin.ConclusionsInfectious diseases are the main cause of acute diffuse lung changes and respiratory failure, while among non-infectious diseases, acute heart failure and immune system diseases are common causes.
Pulmonary endometriosis (PEM) is a rare disease with diverse clinical manifestations, most commonly presenting as hemoptysis, while patients presenting solely with pulmonary nodules are less common. Here, we report three female patients (aged 32, 19, and 46 years, respectively). One patient sought medical attention due to hemoptysis during menstruation, while the other two had no obvious symptoms and were found to have pulmonary nodules during routine physical examinations. Two patients had a history of cesarean section, and one had a history of miscarriage. Pathologically, one patient of PEM showed extensive hemorrhage in the alveolar spaces, with fragmented endometrial glandular epithelium observed within the hemorrhagic foci. The other two patients exhibited proliferative endometrial glands and stroma, surrounded by old hemorrhage. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the endometrial glands and stroma in all three patients were positive for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and vimentin, with CD10 positivity in the endometrial stroma. All three patients were definitively diagnosed as PEM by pathology and underwent thoracoscopic pulmonary wedge resection. Follow-up periods were 18, 31, and 49 months, respectively, with no recurrence observed in any of the patients.
Objective To investigate the risk factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) combined with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its relationship with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Methods Clinical data of 216 COPD patients with OSA were retrospectively chosen in the period from January 2016 to December 2019 in our hospital. All patients were divided into different groups according to with or without OSA and the clinical features of patients with and without OSA were compared. Multivariate analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of COPD with OSA and the correlation between AHI and COPD with OSA was also evaluated. Results ① The age, body mass index (BMI), neck circumference, smoking index, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), FEV1% predicted (FEV1pred), the ratio of FEV1 to the forced vital capacity of the lungs (FEV1/FVC), COPD assessment test (CAT) score, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) score, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score, sleep apnea clinical score (SACS) score and proportion of patients with essential hypertension in OSA group were significantly higher than non-OSA group (P<0.05). The course of disease and the proportion of severe COPD and GOLD grade 4 in OSA group were significantly less than non-OSA group (P<0.05). ② AHI was positively correlated with age, BMI, neck circumference, smoking index, FEV1%pred, FEV1%pred<50%, CAT score, ESS score, CCI score and SACS score (P<0.05); and negatively correlated with FEV1%pred<50% (P<0.05). ③ Multivariate analysis showed that BMI, FEV1%pred<50%, CAT score and ESS score were the independent factors of COPD patients with OSA (P<0.05). ④ The proportion of AHI<5 times/h in GOLD grade 4 was significantly higher than GOLD grade 1-3 (P<0.05). The proportion of AHI> 30 times/h in GOLD grade 4 was significantly lower than GOLD grade 1-3 (P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence of COPD with OSA was independently correlated with BMI, FEV1%pred, CAT score and ESS score; patients with severe COPD possess lower OSA risk.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of hospitalized avian influenza A (H7N9) virus infections in Hunan province from 2013 to 2017, and provide evidences for control, diagnosis and treatment of this disease.MethodsNinety-one hospitalized patients were confirmed with H7N9 infection in Hunan. Excluding 2 patients less than 18 years old and 10 with missing data, 79 patients with H7N9 infection were analyzed.ResultsMost confirmed cases were affected in the second and fifth epidemic wave and number of patients in the fifth wave was more than the sum in prior 4 waves. Epidemiological characteristics, clinical symptoms and case fatality did not change significantly. Administration of antiviral drugs was more active in the fifth wave [from illness onset to antiviral drug: (6.3±2.4)d vs. (7.6±2.4)d, P=0.047]. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that shock (OR=4.683, 95%CI 1.136–19.301, P=0.033) was the independent risk factor of H7N9 infections. There were no significant differences in case fatality among group oseltamivir, group oseltamivir+peramivir, and group peramivir.ConclusionsPatients with avian influenza A (H7N9) increased in the fifth wave but clinical characteristics changed little. Antiviral treatment should be more active. Shock is an independent risk factor of H7N9 infections. Oseltamivir-peramivir biotherapy can not reduce case fatality compared with oseltamivir or peramivir monotherapy.
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.
ObjectiveTo elucidate the clinical and pathological features and review the progress of diagnosis and treatment in patients with brain metastasis (BM) from colorectal cancer (CRC), so as to provide a reference for the whole process management for patients with BM from CRC in China.MethodThe latest research results and previous literatures about patients with BM from CRC were reviewed.ResultsThe prognosis of BM from CRC was poor, its molecular pathological mechanism was complex and diverse, and some risk factors associated with the occurrence of BM had been identified. Typical imaging features of BM from CRC were helpful to the diagnosis of patients. At present, radiotherapy was still the main treatment. Bevacizumab treatment or immunotherapy combined with radiotherapy was expected to improve the survival of BM from CRC.ConclusionScientific and standardized prevention, diagnosis, and treatment are beneficial to reduce incidence of BM from CRC and improve survival.
Objective To study the differences of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS)-related indexes between Uyghur and Han, and to provide evidence for the development of individualized treatment measures for different ethnic groups. Methods 224 Han OSAHS patients were collected from Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, and 178 Uygur OSAHS patients were collected from The First People’s Hospital of Kashi between January 2018 and December 2019. The collected data information included age, sex, nationality, body mass index (BMI), apnea hypopnea index (AHI), lowest oxygen saturation (LSaO2), OSAHS stage, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc). After using propensity matching scores to reduce confounding factors, differences in above indicators between different nationalities were compared. Results The mean values of MCHC, TC and HDL in Uygur OSAHS patients were lower than those in Han patients at the same stage, and the mean values of LSaO2 and LDL in mild and severe Uygur OSAHS patients were lower than those in Han patients at the same stage, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in AHI, TG, FBG or HbAlc between Uygur and Han patients with OSAHS. Conclusion There are significant differences in LSaO2, LDL, MCHC, TC and HDL between Uygur and Han Chinese patients with OSAHS.
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.