Objectives:The aim is to analyze the cost structure and coefficient of variation for hospitalized patients with malnutrition based on Diagnosis-Related Groups(DRG),providing a reference for the further application and promotion of DRG.Method:Data were collected from patients admitted to Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region People's Hospital between March 2023 and August 2023.A diagnostic system based on artificial intelligence was used to identify malnourished patients.The composition of hospitalization costs for these individuals was described and analyzed,as was the coefficient of variation for various costs within DRG groupings.A multivariate regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors that influence patient hospitalization costs.Results:The average age of hospitalized patients with malnutrition was(68.12±16.43)years,with an average length of stay of(14.55±8.47)days,with an average hospitalization cost of(32 128.89±35 345.61)yuan.Among patients within the same DRG group,the coefficient of variation for various costs was found to be lower in the malnutrition group than in the normal group.This suggests that when assessed individually,the malnutrition group exhibited a higher degree of homogeneity in their cost structures.The factors influencing total hospitalization costs were found to be:length of hospital stay(P=0.001),nutritional monitoring fees(P=0.020),number of chronic diseases(P=0.003),and Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)score(P=0.038).Hospitalization costs were positively correlated with both length of stay and nutritional assessment fees,but negatively correlated with the number of chronic diseases and KPS scores.Conclusions:Malnutrition has a profound impact on health outcomes,medical expenses,length of hospital stay,and disease severity.The implementation of the DRG system aims to standardize and improve the nutritional diagnosis and treatment process by categorizing different stages of malnutrition.This approach can minimize variations within DRG groups,making it easier to allocate medical resources more precisely and efficiently.Furthermore,it is a valuable reference tool for promoting DRG payment reform in different regions.

Objective To analyze the caregiver presence needs and their influencing factors among hospitalized elderly non-surgical patients and provide a basis for formulating relevant policies.Methods A descriptive qualitative study method was adopted.Through purposive sampling,semi-structured interviews were conducted on elderly non-surgical patients and their families and medical staff in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from September to October 2023.MAXQDA 2020 and the 7-step phenomenological analysis method of Colaizzi were used to classify and code the interview contents and identify themes.Results The categories of caregiver presence needs of elderly non-surgical patients included basic living assistance needs,disease monitoring needs,psychological support needs,as well as the needs for family members to provide economic support and participate in treatment decision-making.The influencing factors included advanced age,frailty,the lack of self-care ability in patients with comorbidities,the susceptibility of patients to sudden situations during the disease exacerbation period,the increased risk of unexpected events in patients with psychological distress,and patients' concerns about social support and medical decision-making.Conclusion The caregiver presence needs of elderly non-surgical patients during hospitalization are high and influenced by multiple factors.
Humans ; Caregivers/psychology* ; Aged ; Hospitalization ; Social Support ; Male ; Qualitative Research ; Female

Varicocele (VC) is a common cause of male infertility, yet there is a lack of molecular information for VC-associated male infertility. This study investigated alterations in the seminal plasma metabolomic and lipidomic profiles of infertile male VC patients. Twenty infertile males with VC and twenty-three age-matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited from Peking Union Medical College Hospital (Beijing, China) between October 2019 and April 2021. Untargeted metabolite and lipid profiles from seminal plasma were analyzed using mass spectrometry. Four hundred and seventy-six metabolites and seventeen lipids were significantly different in infertile male VC patients compared to HCs. The top enriched pathways among these significantly different metabolites are protein digestion and absorption, aminoacyl-transfer RNA (tRNA) biosynthesis, and biosynthesis of amino acids. Different key lipid species, including triglyceride (TG), diacylglycerol (DG), ceramides (Cer), and phosphatidylserine (PS), varied between VC and HC groups. The distinct metabolites and lipids were moderately correlated. DL-3-phenyllactic acid is a potential diagnostic biomarker for VC-related male infertility (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.893), positively correlating with sperm count, concentration, and motility. Furthermore, DL-3-phenyllactic acid is the only metabolite shared by all four comparisons (VC vs HC, VC-induced oligoasthenospermia [OAS] vs VC-induced asthenospermia [AS], OAS vs HC, and AS vs HC). DL-3-phenyllactic acid significantly decreased in OAS than AS. Metabolite-targeting gene analysis revealed carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9) might be the strongest candidate associated with the onset and severity of VC. The seminal plasma metabolite and lipid profiles of infertile males with VC differ significantly from those of HCs. DL-3-phenyllactic acid could be a promising biomarker.
Humans ; Male ; Varicocele/complications* ; Infertility, Male/etiology* ; Semen/metabolism* ; Lipidomics ; Adult ; Metabolomics ; Case-Control Studies ; Biomarkers/metabolism*

This study aimed to investigate the associations between the post-wash total progressively motile sperm count (TPMSC) in the first intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycle and pregnancy outcomes of the second IUI cycle. Data were retrieved from the clinical database at the Reproductive Center of Peking University Third Hospital (Beijing, China) between January 2011 and December 2022. Couples were included in this retrospective cohort study if they had unexplained or mild male factor infertility and were treated with IUI for two consecutive cycles using the same protocol. A total of 8290 couples were included in the analysis. The mean ± standard deviation (s.d.) age of women was 32.0 ± 3.5 years. We categorized groups based on the post-wash TPMSC (×10 6 ) levels in the first IUI cycle: group 1 (0 < TPMSC < 1, n = 1290), group 2 (1 ≤ TPMSC < 2, n = 863), group 3 (2 ≤ TPMSC < 3, n = 800), group 4 (3 ≤ TPMSC < 4, n = 783), group 5 (4 ≤ TPMSC < 5, n = 1541), group 6 (5 ≤ TPMSC < 6, n = 522), group 7 (6 ≤ TPMSC < 7, n = 547), group 8 (7 ≤ TPMSC < 8, n = 175), group 9 (8 ≤ TPMSC < 9, n = 556), group 10 (9 ≤ TPMSC < 10, n = 192), and group 11 (TPMSC ≥ 10), n = 1021). The primary outcome was live birth rate of the second IUI cycle. Live birth rates were 7.9%, 5.8%, 7.6%, 7.4%, 7.3%, 8.4%, 7.5%, 7.4%, 8.8%, 8.9%, and 7.6% in each group, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in clinical pregnancy rates or live birth rates between any groups and those with the post-wash TPMSC <1 × 10 6 . In an IUI program for unexplained and mild male factor infertility, the post-wash TPMSC in the first IUI cycle was not significantly associated with the live birth rate in the second IUI cycle.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Sperm Count ; Pregnancy Rate ; Sperm Motility/physiology* ; Insemination, Artificial/methods* ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Infertility, Male/therapy* ; Insemination, Artificial, Homologous ; Live Birth

BACKGROUND: Low serum albumin levels are established predictors of adverse outcomes in various cardiovascular conditions. However, the role of serum albumin in mortality among elderly patients with chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aims to assess the relationship between serum albumin levels and mortality in this specific patient population. METHODS: Our analysis included 873 elderly AR patients from the China Valvular Heart Disease study, with baseline serum albumin measured at enrollment. Mortality outcomes were monitored for two years post-enrollment, employing a Cox proportional hazards model with a two-piecewise Cox proportional hazards framework to investigate the nonlinear relationship between serum albumin levels and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: During the 2-year follow-up period, we observed 63 all-cause deaths. The association between serum albumin levels and all-cause mortality displayed an approximating L-shaped curve, indicating a mortality threshold at 35 g/L. For serum albumin levels below 35 g/L, each 1 g/L decrease was associated with a 25% higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.07-1.45). In contrast, no significant change in mortality risk was observed when serum albumin levels were greater than or equal to 35 g/L. Moreover, when serum albumin is classified as hypoproteinemia (serum albumin < 35 g/L), the higher risks of all-cause death were observed in hypoproteinemic patients (HR = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.50-5.74). More importantly, the association between serum albumin and death was significantly stronger in overweight/obese patients (≥ 24 kg/m² vs. < 24 kg/m², P _interaction = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS In elderly patients with AR, serum albumin levels showed an approximating L-shaped relationship with all-cause death, with thresholds of 35 g/L. Body mass index was significant effect modifiers of the association. These results suggest that serum albumin, as an inexpensive and readily available biochemical marker, may further improve the stratified risk of mortality in older AR patients.

BACKGROUND: Based on the China-VHD database, this study sought to develop and validate a Valvular Heart Disease- specific Age-adjusted Comorbidity Index (VHD-ACI) for predicting mortality risk in patients with VHD. METHODS & RESULTS: The China-VHD study was a nationwide, multi-centre multi-centre cohort study enrolling 13,917 patients with moderate or severe VHD across 46 medical centres in China between April-June 2018. After excluding cases with missing key variables, 11,459 patients were retained for final analysis. The primary endpoint was 2-year all-cause mortality, with 941 deaths (10.0%) observed during follow-up. The VHD-ACI was derived after identifying 13 independent mortality predictors: cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary artery hypertension, low body weight, anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, renal insufficiency, moderate/severe hepatic dysfunction, heart failure, cancer, NYHA functional class and age. The index exhibited good discrimination (AUC, 0.79) and calibration (Brier score, 0.062) in the total cohort, outperforming both EuroSCORE II and ACCI (P < 0.001 for comparison). Internal validation through 100 bootstrap iterations yielded a C statistic of 0.694 (95% CI: 0.665-0.723) for 2-year mortality prediction. VHD-ACI scores, as a continuous variable (VHD-ACI score: adjusted HR (95% CI): 1.263 (1.245-1.282), P < 0.001) or categorized using thresholds determined by the Yoden index (VHD-ACI ≥ 9 vs. < 9, adjusted HR (95% CI): 6.216 (5.378-7.184), P < 0.001), were independently associated with mortality. The prognostic performance remained consistent across all VHD subtypes (aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid valve disease, mixed aortic/mitral valve disease and multiple VHD), and clinical subgroups stratified by therapeutic strategy, LVEF status (preserved vs. reduced), disease severity and etiology. CONCLUSION The VHD-ACI is a simple 13-comorbidity algorithm for the prediction of mortality in VHD patients and providing a simple and rapid tool for risk stratification.

Objective To explore the application value of CT-based radiomics in differentiating pneumonia-type mucinous adenocarcinoma(PTMA)from organizing pneumonia(OP).Methods A total of 52 PTMA patients and 102 OP patients were retrospectively included and randomly divided into training set(n=124)and test set(n=30)in an 8∶2 ratio.Eight PTMA patients and 22 OP patients from another hospital during the same period were included as external validation set(n=30).Clinical characteristics and CT signs of the patients were selected to construct the clinical model.Radiomics features were extracted and dimensionality reduction was performed through the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)algorithm.A radiomics model was constructed and the Radiomics score(Radscore)was calculated.The Radscore was combined with clinical factors to establish the combined model and a nomogram was illustrated.The models' fitting degree was analyzed by the calibration curve,while their efficacy was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and decision curve analysis(DCA).Results The clinical model,established based on the border,cystic space and bronchial leafless tree sign,achieved area under the curve(AUC)of 0.850,0.782,and 0.759 in the training set,test set,and external validation set,respectively.Thirteen features were obtained to construct the radiomics model,with AUC of 0.925,0.865,and 0.830,respectively.The AUC of the combined model were 0.970,0.905,and 0.864,respectively,in which the calibration curve demonstrated good model fitting.DCA indicated that the combined model had the greatest clinical net benefit.Conclusion The combined model based on CT radiomics can effectively distinguish PTMA from OP.

Cervical spinal cord injury without fracture-dislocation (CSCIWFD) is referred to as a special type of cervical spinal cord injury characterized by traumatic spinal cord dysfunction and no significant bony structural abnormalities on imagines. Duo to the high risk of missed diagnosis during the initial consultation, CSCIWFD may lead to progressive neurological deterioration or even complete paralysis, severely impacting patients′ prognosis. Currently, there are no established consensuses over the diagnosis and treatment of CSCIWFD, such as the lack of evidence-based standards for indications of non-surgical treatment and risk of secondary neurological injury, as well as debates over the optimal timing for surgical intervention and indications for different surgical approaches. To address these issues, the Spine Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the relevant fields to formulate Diagnosis and treatment guideline for acute cervical spinal cord injury without fracture- dislocation in adults ( version 2025) . Based on evidence-based medicine and the principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability, the guidelines proposed 11 recommendations covering terminology, diagnosis, evaluation treatment, and rehabilitation, etc., aiming to standardize the management of CSCIWFD.

Vertebral refracture following percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) is commonly seen in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures (OTLCF). It can lead to recurrent pain, loss of vertebral height, progression of kyphosis, and even neurological dysfunction, significantly impairing patients′ quality of life. Current diagnosis and treatment face multiple challenges, including high misdiagnosis rate, difficulty in choosing between surgical and non-surgical treatment options, lack of standardized surgical protocols, interference from intralesional bone cement during procedures, inadequate stability of internal fixation in osteoporotic bone, and suboptimal compliance of anti-osteoporotic therapy. Establishing a standardized diagnostic and therapeutic framework is urgently needed. To standardize the management process and improve outcomes for vertebral refractures after PVA in elderly OTLCF patients, Spinal Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the field to develop Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of vertebral refracture after percutaneous vertebral augmentation in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025), based on current literature and clinical experience, and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability. A total of 11 recommendations were proposed, encompassing diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of vertebral refracture after PVA in elderly patients with OTLCF, aiming to provide a foundation for a standardized management.

Thoracolumbar spine fracture often leads to severe pain, functional impairments, and neurological deficits, for which open reduction and internal fixation can effectively restore the spinal structural stability. Open decompression and reduction with internal fixation can help relieve spinal cord compression and improve spinal function in cases of concomitant cord injury. Although spinal stability can be restored through surgery, patients often face chronic pain and functional impairments postoperatively. A postoperative rehabilitation program is critical in optimizing therapeutic outcomes, reducing complications, and minimizing the risk of secondary injuries. However, current rehabilitation methods, such as physical therapy, functional training, and pain management, are confronted with problems in clinical practice, including significant variation in efficacy, poor patient adherence, and prolonged rehabilitation period. There is an urgent need for a unified rehabilitation strategy to address these problems. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Physicians Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and the Spine Health Professional Committee of the Chinese Human Health Technology Promotion Association organized experts from relevant fields to formulate Evidence-based guidelines for rehabilitation treatment after internal fixation of thoracolumbar spine fracture in adults ( version 2025) by integrating evidences from clinical researches and advanced rehabilitation concepts at home and abroad. A total number of 14 recommendations concerning the rehabilitation treatment with multimodal analgesia, psychological intervention, deep vein thrombosis prevention, core muscle and extremity exercise, appropriate use of braces, early weight-bearing, device-aided rehabilitation exercise, neuroregulatory therapy, rehabilitation team were put forward, aiming to standardize the post-operative rehabilitation process following internal fixation, promote the functional recovery, and enhance patients′ quality of life.