OBJECTIVE: To explore whether hydrocortisone can improve the prognosis of patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (sCAP) by Meta-analysis. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial (RCT) on hydrocortisone in the treatment of sCAP were extracted from the database including PubMed, Cochrane library, Web of Science, and Embase, and the search time was up to April 29, 2023. The patients in the standard treatment group received standard treatment such as antibiotics and supportive care, while those in the hydrocortisone group received hydrocortisone treatment on the basis of standard treatment. Meta-analysis was used to compare the mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation, mechanical ventilation rate and incidence of adverse reactions (hyperglycemia, gastrointestinal bleeding, secondary infection) between the two groups. The risk of literature bias was assessed. The studies that might have publication bias were corrected by the subtraction and complementation method. At the same time, trial sequential analysis (TSA) was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 5 RCTs involving 1 031 patients were finally enrolled, including 494 patients in the standard treatment group and 537 patients in the hydrocortisone group. Among the 5 studies, the research site of 2 studies was in the mixed ward. Considering the inclusion characteristics of the study population, there was doubt whether its research object was sCAP patients, which might have a certain impact on the results and introduce potential bias. Meta-analysis showed that the mortality in the hydrocortisone group was significantly lower than that in the standard treatment group [6.0% vs. 14.0%; odds ratio (OR) = 0.38, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.25-0.59, P < 0.01; I² = 9%]. The studies that were asymmetric were corrected by the reduction and supplementation method. Even after filling the missing studies, hydrocortisone could still reduce the death risk of the patient (OR = 0.49, 95%CI was 0.32-0.73, P < 0.01; I² = 31%). TSA showed that the average mortality of the standard treatment group was about 14.0%, and that of the hydrocortisone group was about 6.0%, with a relative risk reduction (RRR) = 57%. The calculated sample size was 699 cases, and the actual sample size was 1 031 cases. The actual sample size exceeded the required sample size, and the Z-curve crossed the O'Brien-Fleming boundary and the curve corresponding to P = 0.05, it meant that hydrocortisone could effectively reduce the mortality of sCAP. Compared with the standard treatment group, no statistical difference in the duration of mechanical ventilation was found in the hydrocortisone group [mean difference (MD) = -3.26, 95%CI was -6.72-0.21, P = 0.07; I² = 0%], but the 8-day mechanical ventilation rate was significantly lowered (19.5% vs. 55.4%; OR = 0.24, 95%CI was 0.12-0.45, P < 0.01; I² = 0%), and also no significantly difference was found in the incidence of hyperglycemia (54.3% vs. 44.6%, OR = 1.26, 95%CI was 0.56-2.84, P = 0.58; I² = 61%), gastrointestinal bleeding (2.5% vs. 3.6%; OR = 0.70, 95%CI was 0.34-1.46, P = 0.34; I² = 0%) and secondary infection (9.2% vs. 11.5%; OR = 0.46, 95%CI was 0.06-3.35, P = 0.45; I² = 53%). CONCLUSION Hydrocortisone can reduce the mortality rate of sCAP patients, decrease their need for mechanical ventilation, and does not increase the risk of hyperglycemia, gastrointestinal bleeding, or secondary infections.
Humans ; Hydrocortisone/therapeutic use* ; Community-Acquired Infections/drug therapy* ; Pneumonia/drug therapy* ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Respiration, Artificial ; Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Objectives:Fluid resuscitation is an important treatment for sepsis. However, the optimal choice of fluid is still controversial. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Sodium Bicarbonate Ringer’s Solution on the outcome of patients with sepsis.Methods:This was a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled clinical study, From July 2021 to June 2023, adult patients with Sepsis who met the diagnostic criteria of Sepsis 3.0 admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine of Jiangdu People's Hospital of Yangzhou were randomly assigned to the sodium bicarbonate ringer’s solution group or the normal saline group according to the random number table. Patients received either sodium bicarbonate ringer’s solution or normal saline as fluid for resuscitation and maintenance therapy. Clinicians determined the amount and rate of infusion based on volume assessment. The 30-day mortality, the degradation of endothelial glycocalyx degradation products at multiple time points, the mortality in intensive care unit (ICU), the incidence of major adverse renal events (MAKE30) within 30 days, and other clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. Enzyme-Linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the concentration of endothelial glycocalyx coating degradation products in peripheral blood. The count data were analyzed by χ 2 test, and the measurement data were analyzed by independent sample t test. Results:A total of 67 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled during the study (32 patients in the sodium bicarbonate ringer’s solution group and 35 patients in the normal saline group). There were no significant differences in baseline data such as age, gender, underlying diseases, and SOFA score at enrollment between the two groups ( P>0.05).The 30-day mortality (28.1% vs. 40.0%), ICU mortality (15.6% vs. 20.0%) and MAKE30 (31.2% vs. 42.9%) in the sodium bicarbonate ringer’s solution group were lower than those in the normal saline group, but the differences were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The levels of SCD-1(1317.3±206.9) pg/mL, HA (75.1±24.9) ng/mL and HS (75.6±13.8) ng/mL in the sodium bicarbonate ringer’s solution group were significantly lower than those in the normal saline group [(1514.6±264.9) pg/mL, (96.5±25.4) ng/mL, (85.8±15.8) ng/mL] on the third day (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Although the use of sodium bicarbonate ringer’s solution for resuscitation in sepsis patients cannot significantly reduce the 30-day mortality rate, but significantly reduce the degradation of polysaccharide coating, decrease the occurrence of hyperchloremia and acidosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of hemoglobin (Hb) level with prognosis of elderly patients diagnosed as sepsis. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Information on the cases of elderly patients with sepsis in the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV (MIMIC-IV), including basic information, blood pressure, routine blood test results [the Hb level of a patient was defined as his/her maximum Hb level from 6 hours before admission to intensive care unit (ICU) and 24 hours after admission to ICU], blood biochemical indexes, coagulation function, vital signs, severity score and outcome indicators were extracted. The curves of Hb level vs. 28-day mortality risk were developed by using the restricted cubic spline model based on the Cox regression analysis. The patients were divided into four groups (Hb < 100 g/L, 100 g/L ≤ Hb < 130 g/L, 130 g/L ≤ Hb < 150 g/L, Hb ≥ 150 g/L groups) based on these curves. The outcome indicators of patients in each group were analyzed, and the 28-day Kaplan-Meier survival curve was drawn. Logistic regression model and Cox regression model were used to analyze the relationship between Hb level and 28-day mortality risk in different groups. RESULTS: A total of 7 473 elderly patients with sepsis were included. There was a "U" curve relationship between Hb levels within 24 hours after ICU admission and the risk of 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis. The patients with 100 g/L ≤ Hb < 130 g/L had a lower risk of 28-day mortality. When Hb level was less than 100 g/L, the risk of death decreased gradually with the increase of Hb level. When Hb level was ≥ 130 g/L, the risk of death gradually increased with the increase of Hb level. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that the mortality risks of patients with Hb < 100 g/L [odds ratio (OR) = 1.44, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 1.23-1.70, P < 0.001] and Hb ≥ 150 g/L (OR = 1.77, 95%CI was 1.26-2.49, P = 0.001) increased significantly in the model involving all confounding factors; the mortality risks of patients with 130 g/L ≤ Hb < 150 g/L increased, while the difference was not statistically significant (OR = 1.21, 95%CI was 0.99-1.48, P = 0.057). The multivariate Cox regression analysis suggested that the mortality risks of patients with Hb < 100 g/L [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.27, 95%CI was 1.12-1.44, P < 0.001] and Hb ≥ 150 g/L (HR = 1.49, 95%CI was 1.16-1.93, P = 0.002) increased significantly in the model involving all confounding factors; the mortality risks of patients with 130 g/L ≤ Hb < 150 g/L increased, while the difference was not statistically significant (HR = 1.17, 95%CI was 0.99-1.37, P = 0.053). Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the 28-day survival rate of elderly septic patients in 100 g/L ≤ Hb < 130 g/L group was significantly higher than that in Hb < 100 g/L, 130 g/L ≤ Hb < 150 g/L and Hb ≥ 150 g/L groups (85.26% vs. 77.33%, 79.81%, 74.33%; Log-Rank test: χ² = 71.850, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Elderly patients with sepsis exhibited low mortality risk if their 100 g/L ≤ Hb < 130 g/L within 24 hours after admission to ICU, and both higher and lower Hb levels led to increased mortality risks.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis/diagnosis* ; Critical Care ; Intensive Care Units ; Prognosis ; Hemoglobins ; ROC Curve

Objective:To explore the value of Sepsis-3 standard in diagnosis of patients with sepsis.Methods:Patients who were infected or suspected of infection in intensive care unit (ICU) of six hospitals in Jiangsu Province from September 2017 to August 2018 were enrolled. They were divided into four groups: group A was in accordance with Sepsis-1 and Sepsis-3, group B only met the Sepsis-1 standard, group C only met the Sepsis-3 standard, and both Sepsis-1 and Sepsis-3 standard did not match in group D. The age, gender, underlying disease, diagnosis and source of infection, vital signs within 24 hours of ICU, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) score, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ) score, quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) score, the length of ICU stay, total hospitalization time, 28-day mortality rate, etc. were recorded. The above collected data were compared and analyzed in groups, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of each scoring standard were drawn and calculated. The area under the ROC curve (AUC), and the Youden index of each score was calculated to predict the optimal cut-off value of 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis and its corresponding sensitivity and specificity. Results:A total of 527 patients with infection or suspected infection were enrolled in the study, including 324 patients in group A, 113 patients in group B, 22 patients in group C, 68 patients in group D, and 28-day mortality were 38.9%, 17.7%, 31.8%, and 11.8%, respectively, and there was statistically significant difference among four groups ( P < 0.05). The SIRS scores of the A, B, C, D groups were 3 (1), 2 (1), 1 (0), 1 (0), APACHEⅡ scores were 17 (10), 11 (10), 15 (8), 12 (8), qSOFA score were 2 (1), 1 (1), 1 (1), 1 (2), SOFA scores were 8 (6), 1 (0), 7 (4), 1 (0), respectively, there were statistically significant differences among four group (all P < 0.05). Values of SOFA, qSOFA and SIRS scores were evaluated by ROC to predict the value of 28-day mortality. The results showed that AUC and 95% confidence interval of SOFA score was superior to qSOFA score and SIRS score [0.71 (0.66-0.76) vs. 0.59 (0.55-0.64), 0.57 (0.51-0.62), both P < 0.01]. According to the Youden index, the best cut-off values for the 28-day mortality of SOFA, qSOFA and SIRS scores for sepsis were 7, 2 and 2, respectively, and the sensitivity was 69.4%, 60.1%, 53.6%, the specificity was 61.8%, 76.2%, 51.1%, respectively. Conclusions:The Sepsis-3 standard is superior to the Sepsis-1 standard in the diagnosis and prediction of 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis. qSOFA can be used as an early tool for rapid screening of patients with high-risk sepsis in the ICU bedside.

Sepsis is the main cause of higher morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Rapid recognition of sepsis as the cause of deterioration is desirable, so effective treatment can be initiated rapidly. More than 170 different biomarkers have been assessed for potential use in sepsis, more for prognosis than for diagnosis. None have sufficient specificity or sensitivity to be routinely employed in clinical practice. Therefore, it is essential for clinicians to seek more specific and sensitive biomarkers to early identify and diagnosis of sepsis patients, and further assess the severity and predict prognosis. Thus, combined biomarkers may be more effective than a single biomarker. This article focused on the current novel biomarkers of sepsis and their potential use at the bedside to guide clinical decision-making.
Biomarkers ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sepsis/diagnosis*

Objective To compare the effect of 0.9％ NaCl solution, Ringer solution, and acetate sodium potassium magnesium calcium glucose solution (ASPMCG solution) on internal environment in patients with septic shock receiving early fluid resuscitation.Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. From June 2016 to January 2018, a total of 280 patients with septic shock admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital were enrolled. All eligible patients were randomly divided into 0.9％ NaCl solution group (group N), Ringer solution group (group L) and ASPMCG solution group (group P) with random number table. In all patients, catheters were placed in the right internal jugular vein or subclavian vein and were infused with 30 mL/kg of corresponding crystalloid within 3 hours after admission. According to fluid responsiveness, the rehydration rate and fluid volume were determined by the researcher within 6 hours. Other treatments were based on the 2012 Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) guidelines during the study. In this study, 6-hour or 24-hour fluid volume and 7-day exogenous insulin use were recorded. The changes in arterial blood pH, base excess (BE), blood glucose (Glu), lactic acid (Lac), and serum Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca2+ were observed at 0, 3, 6, 24 hours, and 3 days and 7 days of resuscitation.Results In this study, a total of 1082 patients were admitted to the ICU, and patients who did not meet the diagnostic criteria for septic shock, death or discharge within 24 hours of ICU admission were excluded. Finally, 280 patients with septic shock were enrolled in the analysis, with 94 patients in group N, 94 patients in group L and 92 patients in group P. There was [Abstract] Objective To compare the effect of 0.9％ NaCl solution, Ringer solution, and acetate sodium potassium magnesium calcium glucose solution (ASPMCG solution) on internal environment in patients with septic shock receiving early fluid resuscitation.Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. From June 2016 to January 2018, a total of 280 patients with septic shock admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital were enrolled. All eligible patients were randomly divided into 0.9％ NaCl solution group (group N), Ringer solution group (group L) and ASPMCG solution group (group P) with random number table. In all patients, catheters were placed in the right internal jugular vein or subclavian vein and were infused with 30 mL/kg of corresponding crystalloid within 3 hours after admission. According to fluid responsiveness, the rehydration rate and fluid volume were determined by the researcher within 6 hours. Other treatments were based on the 2012 Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) guidelines during the study. In this study, 6-hour or 24-hour fluid volume and 7-day exogenous insulin use were recorded. The changes in arterial blood pH, base excess (BE), blood glucose (Glu), lactic acid (Lac), and serum Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca2+ were observed at 0, 3, 6, 24 hours, and 3 days and 7 days of resuscitation.Results In this study, a total of 1082 patients were admitted to the ICU, and patients who did not meet the diagnostic criteria for septic shock, death or discharge within 24 hours of ICU admission were excluded. Finally, 280 patients with septic shock were enrolled in the analysis, with 94 patients in group N, 94 patients in group L and 92 patients in group P. There was no significant difference in the amount of crystalloid, colloidal fluid, total fluid within 6 hours or 24 hours or exogenous insulin dose within 7 days among the three groups. After fluid resuscitation, blood Cl- concentration in the three groups was increased in different degrees, peaked at 24 hours, but it in group N was significantly higher than that in group L and group P (mmol/L: 107.5±5.6 vs. 106.1±4.8, 105.1±4.2, bothP ﹤ 0.05). Moreover, blood Ca2+concentration also showed an increased tendency, it was significantly lower at 3 hours and 6 hours in group N than that in group L and group P (mmol/L: 1.10±0.08 vs. 1.15±0.09, 1.12±0.10 at 3 hours, 1.12±0.10 vs. 1.16±0.08, 1.15±0.09 at 6 hours, all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in blood Cl- or Ca2+between groups L and P (bothP > 0.05). Arterial blood pH, BE, Glu, Lac, Na+, or K+at each time point during fluid resuscitation also showed no difference among the three groups.Conclusion Among patients with septic shock receiving early fluid resuscitation, compared with Ringer solution and ASPMCG solution, 0.9％ NaCl solution may cause hyperchloremia and hypocalcemia, but has no significant effect on acid-base balance.Clinical Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-IOR-16009176.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE)gene insertion/deletion(I/D)polymorphism and cerebrovascular diseases in Naxi population in Lijiang,Yunnan province.Methods Fifty-eight Naxi patients with cerebral infarction,32 Naxi patients with intracerebral hemorrhage,and 50 sex- and age-matched Naxi healthy controls were recruited.Polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragments length polymorphism was used to detect the ACE gene polymorphism and perform bidirectional sequencing Results The DD genotype and the D allele frequency in the cerebral infarction group were significantly higher than those in the healthy control group(32.8% vs.16.0%,P = 0.045 and 54.3% vs.39.0%,P =0.025);while there were no significant differences in the DD genotype and the D allele frequency between the intracerebral hemorrhage group and the control group.The different types of cerebral infarction carried different allele frequencies,they were in order of cerebral embolism ＜ cerebral thrombosis ＜ lacunar infarction.The DD genotype in patients with lacunar infarction(40.0% vs.30.0%,P = 0.481 )and the D allele frequencies(63.3% vs.51.2%,P =0.257)were all higher than those in patients with cerebral thrombosis,but there were no significant differences.Conclusions The ACE DD genotype carriers were susceptible to cerebral infarction in Naxi poulation in Yunan province.

Objective To investigate the correlation between apolipoprotein E (ApoE)polymorphisms and cerebral infarction in Dali Bai populations in Yunnan province.Methods A total of 40 Dali Bai patients with cerebral infarction (female.23,male 17) and 43 Dali Bai normal controls (female 18,male 25) were included in the study.Polymerase chain reactionrestriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis was used to detect APoE genotype,meanwhile the lipid levels were detected,and finally,ApoE gene sequencing was conducted.The correlation between the APoE gene polymorphism and the types of cerebral infarction were further studied.Results The frequencies of genotype ε3/ε4 (22.5% vs.4.7%,P ＜0.05) and ε4 (12.5% vs.3.5%,P ＜0.05) in the Dali Bai cerebral infarction group were significantly higher than those in Dali Bai normal control group,and the frequencies of genotype