BACKGROUND: Compared to the general population, patients with end-stage renal disease have more gastrointestinal symptoms and a higher prevalence of peptic ulcer. Risk factors for peptic ulcer disease in patients with end-stage renal disease, however, remain poorly defined. This study aims to better identify those risk factors. METHODS: We analyzed 577 patients with end-stage renal disease from 2004 to 2016. We excluded patients with life-threatening conditions. All patients underwent upper endoscopy. We analyzed patient medical records, medication history, and endoscopic findings. Independent sample t test, chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and multiple logistic regression analysis were used in statistical analyses. RESULTS: Of the 577 patients with end-stage renal disease, 174 had peptic ulcer disease (gastric or duodenal ulcer). Patients on hemodialysis had a higher prevalence of peptic ulcer disease than those on peritoneal dialysis. Patients with peptic ulcer disease had lower serum albumin level and higher blood urea nitrogen level than those without peptic ulcer disease. Positive scores on two or more nutritional indices (albumin, serum cholesterol, uric acid, and creatinine levels) were associated with peptic ulcer disease in end-stage renal disease. CONCLUSION: Hemodialysis, hypoalbuminemia, and multiple malnutrition indices were associated with the prevalence of peptic ulcer disease in patients with end-stage renal disease receiving dialysis.
Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Cholesterol ; Creatinine ; Dialysis ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Logistic Models ; Malnutrition ; Medical Records ; Nutrition Assessment ; Peptic Ulcer ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Prevalence ; Renal Dialysis ; Risk Factors ; Serum Albumin ; Uric Acid

PURPOSE: Interface pressure is a factor that contributes to the occurrence of pressure injuries. This study aimed to investigate interface pressure at common sites of pressure injury (occipital, gluteal and peritrochanteric areas), to explore the relationships among risk factors, skin condition and interface pressure, and to identify risk factors influencing interface pressure. METHODS: A total of 100 patients admitted to the intensive care unit were enrolled at a tertiary teaching hospital in Korea. Interface pressure was recorded by a scanning aid device (PalmQ). Patient data regarding age, pulmonary disease, Braden Scale score, body mass index, serum albumin, hemoglobin, mean blood pressure, body temperature, and oxygen saturation were included as risk factors. Data collected from July to September 2016 were analyzed using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The mean interface pressure of the occipital, gluteal, and right and left peritrochanteric areas were 37.96 (±14.90), 41.15 (±16.04), 53.44 (±24.67), and 54.33 (±22.80) mmHg, respectively. Predictive factors for pressure injuries in the occipital area were age ≥70 years (OR 3.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19~9.98), serum albumin deficit (OR 2.88, 95% CI: 1.00~8.26) and body temperature ≥36.5℃ (OR 3.12, 95% CI: 1.17~8.17); age ≥70 years (OR 2.81, 95% CI: 1.10~7.15) in the right peritrochanteric area; and body temperature ≥36.5℃ (OR 2.86, 95% CI: 1.17~6.98) in the left peritrochanteric area. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that old age, hypoalbuminemia, and high body temperature may be contributory factors to increasing interface pressure; therefore, careful assessment and nursing care of these patients are needed to prevent pressure injury. Further studies are needed to establish cutoff values of interface pressure for patients with pressure ulcers.
Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Body Temperature ; Critical Care* ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Intensive Care Units* ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Lung Diseases ; Nursing Care ; Oxygen ; Pressure Ulcer ; Risk Factors ; Serum Albumin ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Serum albumin as an indicator of the disease severity and mortality is suggested in adult patients, but its role in pediatric patients has not been established. The objectives of this study are to investigate the albumin level as a biomarker of poor prognosis and to compare it with other mortality predictive indices in children in intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: Medical records of 431 children admitted to the ICU at Severance Hospital from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Children who expired within 24 hours after ICU admission, children with hepatic or renal failure, and those who received albumin replacement before ICU admission were excluded. RESULTS: The children with hypoalbuminemia had higher 28-day mortality rate (24.60% vs. 9.28%, P < 0.001), Pediatric Index of Mortality (PIM) 3 score (9.23 vs. 8.36, P < 0.001), Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) III score (7.0 vs. 5.0, P < 0.001), incidence of septic shock (12% vs. 3%, P < 0.001), C-reactive protein (33.0 mg/L vs. 5.8 mg/L, P < 0.001), delta neutrophil index (2.0% vs. 0.6%, P < 0.001), lactate level (1.6 mmol/L vs. 1.2 mmol/L, P < 0.001) and lower platelet level (206,000/µl vs. 341,000/µl, P < 0.001) compared to the children with normal albumin level. PIM 3 (r = 0.219, P < 0.001) and PRISM III (r = 0.375, P < 0.001) were negatively correlated with serum albumin level, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight that hypoalbuminemia can be a biomarker of poor prognosis including mortality in the children in ICU.
Adult ; Albumins ; Blood Platelets ; C-Reactive Protein ; Child ; Critical Care* ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Incidence ; Intensive Care Units* ; Lactic Acid ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Neutrophils ; Pediatrics ; Prognosis* ; Renal Insufficiency ; Retrospective Studies ; Serum Albumin* ; Shock, Septic

BACKGROUND: Serum albumin as an indicator of the disease severity and mortality is suggested in adult patients, but its role in pediatric patients has not been established. The objectives of this study are to investigate the albumin level as a biomarker of poor prognosis and to compare it with other mortality predictive indices in children in intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: Medical records of 431 children admitted to the ICU at Severance Hospital from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Children who expired within 24 hours after ICU admission, children with hepatic or renal failure, and those who received albumin replacement before ICU admission were excluded. RESULTS: The children with hypoalbuminemia had higher 28-day mortality rate (24.60% vs. 9.28%, P < 0.001), Pediatric Index of Mortality (PIM) 3 score (9.23 vs. 8.36, P < 0.001), Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) III score (7.0 vs. 5.0, P < 0.001), incidence of septic shock (12% vs. 3%, P < 0.001), C-reactive protein (33.0 mg/L vs. 5.8 mg/L, P < 0.001), delta neutrophil index (2.0% vs. 0.6%, P < 0.001), lactate level (1.6 mmol/L vs. 1.2 mmol/L, P < 0.001) and lower platelet level (206,000/µl vs. 341,000/µl, P < 0.001) compared to the children with normal albumin level. PIM 3 (r = 0.219, P < 0.001) and PRISM III (r = 0.375, P < 0.001) were negatively correlated with serum albumin level, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight that hypoalbuminemia can be a biomarker of poor prognosis including mortality in the children in ICU.
Adult ; Albumins ; Blood Platelets ; C-Reactive Protein ; Child ; Critical Care ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Incidence ; Intensive Care Units ; Lactic Acid ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Neutrophils ; Pediatrics ; Prognosis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Retrospective Studies ; Serum Albumin ; Shock, Septic

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatic damage during transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a critical complication in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Apart from its role in preventing HBV reactivation, there is some evidence for the benefits of preemptive antiviral therapy in TACE. This study evaluated the effect of preemptive antiviral therapy on acute hepatic deterioration following TACE. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included a prospectively collected cohort of 108 patients with HBV-related HCC who underwent TACE between January 2007 and January 2013. Acute hepatic deterioration following TACE was evaluated. Treatment-related hepatic decompensation was defined as newly developed encephalopathy, ascites, variceal bleeding, elevation of the bilirubin level, prolongation of prothrombin time, or elevation of the Child-Pugh score by ≥2 within 2 weeks following TACE. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify factors influencing treatment-related decompensation. Preemptive antiviral therapy involves directing prophylaxis only toward high-risk chronic hepatitis B patients in an attempt to prevent the progression of liver disease. We regarded at least 6 months as a significant duration of preemptive antiviral treatment before diagnosis of HCC. RESULTS: Of the 108 patients, 30 (27.8%) patients received preemptive antiviral therapy. Treatment-related decompensation was observed in 25 (23.1%) patients during the follow-up period. Treatment-related decompensation following TACE was observed more frequently in the nonpreemptive group than in the preemptive group (29.5% vs. 6.7%, P=0.008). In the multivariate analysis, higher serum total bilirubin (Hazard ratio [HR] =3.425, P=0.013), hypoalbuminemia (HR=3.990, P=0.015), and absence of antiviral therapy (HR=7.597, P=0.006) were significantly associated with treatment-related hepatic decompensation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that preemptive antiviral therapy significantly reduces the risk of acute hepatic deterioration. Preventing hepatic deterioration during TACE by applying such a preemptive approach may facilitate the continuation of anticancer therapy and thus improve long-term outcomes.
Aged ; Antiviral Agents/*therapeutic use ; Bilirubin/blood ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic/*adverse effects ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology ; Guanine/*analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B/complications/*drug therapy ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia/etiology ; Incidence ; Liver/physiopathology ; Liver Diseases/epidemiology/*etiology ; Liver Neoplasms/*therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), characterized by severe hypoalbuminemia and peripheral edema, is a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. This present study aimed to identify the distinctive features of lupus-related PLE and evaluate the factors related to the treatment response. METHODS: From March 1998 to March 2014, the clinical data of 14 patients with lupus PLE and seven patients with idiopathic PLE from a tertiary center were reviewed. PLE was defined as a demonstration of protein leakage from the gastrointestinal tract by either technetium 99m-labelled human albumin scanning or fecal alpha1-antitrypsin clearance. A positive steroid response was defined as a return of serum albumin to > or = 3.0 g/dL within 4 weeks after initial steroid monotherapy, and remission as maintenance of serum albumin > or = 3.0 g/dL for at least 3 months. A high serum total cholesterol level was defined as a level of > or = 240 mg/dL. RESULTS: The mean age of the lupus-related PLE patients was 37.0 years, and the mean follow-up duration was 55.8 months. Significantly higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serum total cholesterol levels were found for lupus PLE than for idiopathic PLE. Among the 14 patients with lupus PLE, eight experienced a positive steroid response, and the serum total cholesterol level was significantly higher in the positive steroid response group. A positive steroid response was associated with an initial high serum total cholesterol level and achievement of remission within 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: In lupus-related PLE, a high serum total cholesterol level could be a predictive factor for the initial steroid response, indicating a good response to steroid therapy alone.
Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers/blood ; Cholesterol/blood ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Edema/diagnosis/drug therapy/*etiology ; Female ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia/diagnosis/drug therapy/*etiology ; Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/*complications/diagnosis/drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Protein-Losing Enteropathies/diagnosis/drug therapy/*etiology ; Remission Induction ; Risk Factors ; Serum Albumin/metabolism ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

Primary amyloidosis has unfavorable prognosis, particularly with organ involvement. Here, we report a case of clinical remission of renal amyloidosis after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation. A 51-year-old female patient visited our hospital due to generalized edema. Initial evaluation showed hyperlipidemia, hypoalbuminemia, and heavy proteinuria, which were consistent with nephrotic syndrome. However, IgM lamda type monoclonal gammopathy was detected in serum and urine electrophoresis studies. Renal biopsy showed Congo red-positive amyloid deposition in mesangial area, glomerular capillary walls, and arterioles and amyloid fibers were confirmed by electron microscopy. Immunohistochemial study of the biopsy tissue demonstrated systemic light-chain amyloidosis (AL amyloidosis). Multiple myeloma was not evident on bone marrow examination. She received autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation after high dose melphalan treatment. Complete remissions were achieved after the treatment, respectively. Our findings suggest the potential role of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in treatment of AL amyloidosis.
Amyloid ; Amyloidosis* ; Arterioles ; Biopsy ; Bone Marrow Examination ; Capillaries ; Cell Transplantation ; Congo ; Edema ; Electrophoresis ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Immunoglobulin M ; Melphalan ; Microscopy, Electron ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Paraproteinemias ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation* ; Plaque, Amyloid ; Prognosis ; Proteinuria ; Transplants

Primary amyloidosis has unfavorable prognosis, particularly with organ involvement. Here, we report a case of clinical remission of renal amyloidosis after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation. A 51-year-old female patient visited our hospital due to generalized edema. Initial evaluation showed hyperlipidemia, hypoalbuminemia, and heavy proteinuria, which were consistent with nephrotic syndrome. However, IgM lamda type monoclonal gammopathy was detected in serum and urine electrophoresis studies. Renal biopsy showed Congo red-positive amyloid deposition in mesangial area, glomerular capillary walls, and arterioles and amyloid fibers were confirmed by electron microscopy. Immunohistochemial study of the biopsy tissue demonstrated systemic light-chain amyloidosis (AL amyloidosis). Multiple myeloma was not evident on bone marrow examination. She received autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation after high dose melphalan treatment. Complete remissions were achieved after the treatment, respectively. Our findings suggest the potential role of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in treatment of AL amyloidosis.
Amyloid ; Amyloidosis* ; Arterioles ; Biopsy ; Bone Marrow Examination ; Capillaries ; Cell Transplantation ; Congo ; Edema ; Electrophoresis ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Immunoglobulin M ; Melphalan ; Microscopy, Electron ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Paraproteinemias ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation* ; Plaque, Amyloid ; Prognosis ; Proteinuria ; Transplants

BACKGROUND: Little data is available regarding hospitalized patients with nursing home-acquired pneumonia (NHAP). This is unfortunate because there is an increasing number of elderly persons who are living in nursing homes in Korea. The aim of this study was to compare clinical characteristics and treatment responses of NHAP with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). METHODS: Patients with pneumonia who were admitted from eight nursing homes or from their own homes were enrolled between May 2007 and April 2009. Their clinical characteristics and treatment responses were reviewed retrospectively, and differences between the two groups were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 110 Patients with pneumonia, 66 (60%) were from nursing homes and their median age was 84. In the NHAP group, functional performance status was significantly poorer, classical symptoms of pneumonia were less severe, and multi-lobe involvement (on chest radiographs) was more frequent than in the CAP group. Patients with NHAP more frequently showed lymphocytopenia, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypoxemia, and elevated blood urea nitrogen on admission. The mean CURB-65 score was 2.2 in the NHAP group, higher than 1.7 in the CAP group (p=0.004), and multi-drug resistant pathogens were also highly identified in NHAP group (39% vs. 10%, p=0.036). The mean duration of antibiotic therapy was greater for the NHAP (12.6 days) than for the CAP group (6.6 days) (p<0.001). The mortality rate was 23% in NHAP group, which was significantly higher than 5% in the CAP group (p=0.014). CONCLUSION: NHAP should be more intensively investigated because of the higher frequency of multi-drug resistant pathogens and mortality than the CAP.
Aged ; Anemia ; Anoxia ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Korea ; Lymphopenia ; Nursing Homes ; Pneumonia ; Pyrenes ; Retrospective Studies ; Thorax

Metabolic acid-base disorders are comnom clinical problems in ICU patients. Arterial blood gas analysis and anion gap (AG) are important laboratory data in approaching acid-base interpretation. When measuring the AG, several factors such as albumin have influence on unmeasured anions and unmeasured cations. If a patient has hypoalbuminemia, the AG should be adjusted according to the albumin level. High AG metabolic acidoses including lactic acidosis, ketoacidosis, and ingestion of toxic alcohols are common in ICU patients. The treatment target of lactic acidosis and ketoacidosis is not the acidosis, but the underlying condition causing acidosis. Gastric acid loss, diuretics, volume depletion, renal compensation for respiratory acidosis, hypokalemia, and mineralocorticoid excess are common causes of metaboic alkalosis. In chloride responsive metaboic alkalosis, volume and potassium repletion are mandatory.
Acid-Base Equilibrium ; Acidosis ; Acidosis, Lactic ; Acidosis, Respiratory ; Alcohols ; Alkalosis ; Anions ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Cations ; Compensation and Redress ; Diuretics ; Eating ; Gastric Acid ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Hypokalemia ; Ketosis ; Potassium