Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a highly prevalent condition affecting about 347 million people worldwide. In addition to its numerous clinical implications, DM also exerts a negative effect on patient's sleep quality. Impaired sleep quality disrupts the adequate glycemic control regarded as corner stone in DM management and also lead to many deleterious effects causing a profound impact on health related quality of life. This article outlines various factors leading to impaired sleep quality among diabetics and delineates how individual factor influences sleep. The article also discusses potential interventions and lifestyle changes to promote healthy sleep among diabetics.
28 September 2018 in Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and statins may potentially benefit patients with viral infections and pneumonia. Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of ACE inhibitors and statins on the rates of intubation and death in viral pneumonia. We retrospectively studied 1055 adult patients admitted to a tertiary care center in central Texas with a positive respiratory viral polymerase chain reaction test. Of these, 539 had clinical presentation and imaging consistent with pneumonia. We collected information on demographic characteristics, microbiology, comorbid conditions, medication use, and outcomes. ACE inhibitors given prior to admission were associated with an increased risk of death or intubation (odds ratio [OR] = 3.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30–7.01), whereas statin use prior to admission did not change rates of death or intubation. Lower rates of death and intubation were noted with continued use of ACE inhibitors (OR =0.25; 95% CI, 0.09–0.64) and statins (OR =0.26; 95% CI, 0.08–0.81) throughout the hospital stay. We added further evidence of the beneficial effect of continued use of ACE inhibitors and statins in viral pneumonia.
Airway complications continue to be an important source of morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation (LTx). Different approaches have been used for their nonsurgical management. We describe our experience using self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) in patients with airway complications post-LTx. We present a retrospective analysis of stent related-data of all the LTx patients who received SEMSs to treat postoperative airway complications. Between January 1992 and December 2001, 36 of 253 patients (14.2%) developed post-LTx airway complications involving 40 of 348 anastomoses (11.5%). A total of 15 SEMSs were placed in 12 patients (mean age 47.3+/-9.6 years) for tracheobronchomalacia, stenosis, and anastomotic dehiscence, including one patient referred from an outside hospital. Mean follow-up was 20.1+/-19.5 months (range 1.2-58 months). Patency and symptom improvement were achieved in 11 of 12 patients. Stenting of the airway led to successful weaning of two patients who were on prolonged mechanical ventilation. Suture dehiscence was effectively managed in two patients who were not candidates for surgical repair. Overall, the complication rate was 0.040 complications per patient per month (total number of complications and total number of months using the stent). Bacterial bronchitis (four patients) and obstructive granulomas (three patients) were the most frequent complications. The survival of LTx patients with airway SEMSs was similar when compared with the survival of all other LTx patients (P=0.74). SEMSs are safe and effective in the management of airway complications in selected patients post-LTx. Weaning from mechanical ventilation and management of anastomotic dehiscence are the unique attributes of this device.
1 March 2019 in Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management
Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) is an eosinophilic lung disease that is typically diagnosed by a triad of clinical symptoms including pulmonary symptoms, eosinophilia and characteristic radiographic abnormalities. It requires a high index of suspicion given its overlap with other eosinophilic conditions and lack of a specific diagnostic test. The diagnosis is made after careful consideration of other secondary causes of eosinophilia, such as infectious, drugs, or toxic etiologies. CEP generally responds rapidly to treatment, which primarily consists of corticosteroid therapy, but relapses are common. Novel therapies are being explored as more information is being discovered about the pathophysiology of eosinophilic disease processes. Close follow-up is important given the difficulty in weaning patients from glucocorticoids with many patients developing sequelae of chronic glucocorticoid therapy. Therefore, exploring alternative treatments is of upmost importance.
Background: Influenza circulation during the 2022–2023 season in the United States largely returned to pre–coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-pandemic patterns and levels. Influenza A(H3N2) viruses were detected most frequently this season, predominately clade 3C.2a1b.2a, a close antigenic match to the vaccine strain. Methods: To understand effectiveness of the 2022–2023 influenza vaccine against influenza-associated hospitalization, organ failure, and death, a multicenter sentinel surveillance network in the United States prospectively enrolled adults hospitalized with acute respiratory illness between 1 October 2022, and 28 February 2023. Using the test-negative design, vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates against influenza-associated hospitalization, organ failures, and death were measured by comparing the odds of current-season influenza vaccination in influenza-positive case-patients and influenza-negative, SARS-CoV-2–negative control-patients. Results: A total of 3707 patients, including 714 influenza cases (33% vaccinated) and 2993 influenza- and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)–negative controls (49% vaccinated) were analyzed. VE against influenza-associated hospitalization was 37% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 27%–46%) and varied by age (18–64 years: 47% [30%–60%]; ≥65 years: 28% [10%–43%]), and virus (A[H3N2]: 29% [6%–46%], A[H1N1]: 47% [23%–64%]). VE against more severe influenza-associated outcomes included: 41% (29%–50%) against influenza with hypoxemia treated with supplemental oxygen; 65% (56%–72%) against influenza with respiratory, cardiovascular, or renal failure treated with organ support; and 66% (40%–81%) against influenza with respiratory failure treated with invasive mechanical ventilation. Conclusions: During an early 2022–2023 influenza season with a well-matched influenza vaccine, vaccination was associated with reduced risk of influenza-associated hospitalization and organ failure.