Impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants on inpatient clinical outcome

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants on inpatient clinical outcome via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract Background Prior observation has shown differences in COVID-19 hospitalization risk between SARS-CoV-2 variants, but limited information describes hospitalization outcomes. Methods Inpatients with COVID-19 at five hospitals in the eastern United States were included if they had hypoxia, tachypnea, tachycardia, or fever, and SARS-CoV-2 variant data, determined from whole genome sequencing or local surveillance inference. Analyses were stratified by history of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination or infection. The average effect of SARS-CoV-2 variant on 28-day risk of severe disease, defined by advanced respiratory support needs, or death was evaluated using models weighted on propensity scores derived from baseline clinical features. Results Severe disease or death within 28 days occurred for 977 (29%) of 3,369 unvaccinated patients and 269 (22%) of 1,230 patients with history of vaccination or prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among unvac cinated patients, the relative risk of severe disease or death for Delta variant compared to ancestral lineages was 1.30 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-1.49). Compared to Delta, this risk for Omicron patients was 0.72 (95% CI 0.59-0.88) and compared to ancestral lineages was 0.94 (95% CI 0.78-1.1). Among Omicron and Delta infections, patients with history of vaccination or prior SARS-CoV-2 infection had half the risk of severe disease or death (adjusted hazard ratio 0.40, 95% CI 0.30-0.54), but no significant outcome difference by variant. Conclusions Although risk of severe disease or death for unvaccinated inpatients with Omicron was lower than Delta, it was similar to ancestral lineages. Severe outcomes were less common in vaccinated inpatients, with no difference between Delta and Omicron infections. View on Web

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Quantitative MRI for Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Disease: Cartilage and Muscle Composition, Joint Inflammation, and Biomechanics in Osteoarthritis

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Quantitative MRI for Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Disease: Cartilage and Muscle Composition, Joint Inflammation, and Biomechanics in Osteoarthritis via Investigative Radiology - Current Issue Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a valuable tool for evaluating musculoskeletal disease as it offers a range of image contrasts that are sensitive to underlying tissue biochemical composition and microstructure. Although MRI has the ability to provide high-resolution, information-rich images suitable for musculoskeletal applications, most MRI utilization remains in qualitative evaluation. Quantitative MRI (qMRI) provides additional value beyond qualitative assessment via objective metrics that can support disease characterization, disease progression monitoring, or therapy response. In t his review, musculoskeletal qMRI techniques are summarized with a focus on techniques developed for osteoarthritis evaluation. Cartilage compositional MRI methods are described with a detailed discussion on relaxometric mapping (T2, T2*, T1ρ) without contrast agents. Methods to assess inflammation are described, including perfusion imaging, volume and signal changes, contrast-enhanced T1 mapping, and semiquantitative scoring systems. Quantitative characterization of structure and function by bone shape modeling and joint kinematics are described. Muscle evaluation by qMRI is discussed, including size (area, volume), relaxometric mapping (T1, T2, T1ρ), fat fraction quantification, diffusion imaging, and metabolic assessment by 31P-MR and creatine chemical exchange saturation transfer. Other notable technologies to support qMRI in musculoskeletal evaluation are described, including magnetic resonance fingerprinting, ultrashort echo time imaging, ultrahigh-field MRI, and hybrid MRI-p ositron emission tomography. Challenges for adopting and using qMRI in musculoskeletal evaluation are discussed, including the need for metal artifact suppression and qMRI standardization. View on Web

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Modern Low-Field MRI of the Musculoskeletal System: Practice Considerations, Opportunities, and Challenges

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Modern Low-Field MRI of the Musculoskeletal System: Practice Considerations, Opportunities, and Challenges via Investigative Radiology - Current Issue Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides essential information for diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders. Although most musculoskeletal MRI examinations are performed at 1.5 and 3.0 T, modern low-field MRI systems offer new opportunities for affordable MRI worldwide. In 2021, a 0.55 T modern low-field, whole-body MRI system with an 80-cm-wide bore was introduced for clinical use in the United States and Europe. Compared with current higher-field-strength MRI systems, the 0.55 T MRI system has a lower total ownership cost, including purchase price, installation, and maintenance. Althou gh signal-to-noise ratios scale with field strength, modern signal transmission and receiver chains improve signal yield compared with older low-field magnetic resonance scanner generations. Advanced radiofrequency coils permit short echo spacing and overall compacter echo trains than previously possible. Deep learning–based advanced image reconstruction algorithms provide substantial improvements in perceived signal-to-noise ratios, contrast, and spatial resolution. Musculoskeletal tissue contrast evolutions behave differently at 0.55 T, which requires careful consideration when designing pulse sequences. Similar to other field strengths, parallel imaging and simultaneous multislice acquisition techniques are vital for efficient musculoskeletal MRI acquisitions. Pliable receiver coils with a more cost-effective design offer a path to more affordable surface coils and improve image quality. Whereas fat suppression is inherently more challenging at lower field strengths, chemical s hift selective fat suppression is reliable and homogeneous with modern low-field MRI technology. Dixon-based gradient echo pulse sequences provide efficient and reliable multicontrast options, including postcontrast MRI. Metal artifact reduction MRI benefits substantially from the lower field strength, including slice encoding for metal artifact correction for effective metal artifact reduction of high-susceptibility metallic implants. Wide-bore scanner designs offer exciting opportunities for interventional MRI. This review provides an overview of the economical aspects, signal and image quality considerations, technological components and coils, musculoskeletal tissue relaxation times, and image contrast of modern low-field MRI and discusses the mainstream and new applications, challenges, and opportunities of musculoskeletal MRI. View on Web

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Prevalence of post-COVID Condition 12 Weeks after Omicron Infection Compared to Negative Controls and Association with Vaccination Status

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Prevalence of post-COVID Condition 12 Weeks after Omicron Infection Compared to Negative Controls and Association with Vaccination Status via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access ABSTRACT Background Post-COVID symptoms can persist several months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Little is known, however, about the prevalence of post-COVID condition following infections from Omicron variants and how this varies according to vaccination status Objective This study evaluates the prevalence of symptoms and functional impairment 12 weeks after an infection by Omicron variants (BA.1 and BA.2) compared to negative controls tested during the same peri od. Methods Outpatient individuals tested positive or negative for COVID-19 infection between December 2021 and February 2022 at the Geneva University Hospitals were followed 12 weeks after their test date. Results Overall, 11.7% of Omicron cases had symptoms 12 weeks after the infection compared to 10.4% of individuals who tested negative during the same period (p < 0.001), and symptoms were much less common in vaccinated vs non-vaccinated individuals with Omicron infection (9.7% vs 18.1%, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in functional impairment at 12 weeks between Omicron cases and negative controls even after adjusting for multiple potential confounders. Conclusion The differential prevalence of post-COVID symptoms and functional impairment attributed to Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 infection is low when compared to negative controls. Vaccination is associated with lower prevalence of post-COVID symptoms. View on Web

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Weight and metabolic changes after switching from tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)/emtricitabine (FTC)+dolutegravir (DTG), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/FTC+DTG and TDF/FTC/efavirenz (EFV) to TDF/lamivudine (3TC)/DTG

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Weight and metabolic changes after switching from tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)/emtricitabine (FTC)+dolutegravir (DTG), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/FTC+DTG and TDF/FTC/efavirenz (EFV) to TDF/lamivudine (3TC)/DTG via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract Participants randomised to first-line tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)/emtricitabine (FTC)+dolutegravir (DTG), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/FTC+DTG or TDF/FTC/efavirenz (EFV) for 192 weeks were then switched to TDF/lamivudine (3TC)/DTG for 52 weeks. Participants switching either TAF/FTC+DTG or TDF/FTC/EFV to TDF/3TC/DTG showed statistically significant reductions in weight, low density lipoprotein, triglycerides, glucose and glycated haemoglobin. View on Web

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Tuberculosis and the Risk of Ischemic Heart Disease: A Nationwide Cohort Study

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Tuberculosis and the Risk of Ischemic Heart Disease: A Nationwide Cohort Study via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract Background Little is known about the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in tuberculosis (TB) survivors. Methods We performed a population-based retrospective cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. TB survivors (n = 60,602) and their 1:1 age- and sex-matched controls (n = 60,602) were enrolled. Eligible participants were followed up from 1 year after their TB diagnosis to the date of an IHD event, date of deat h, or the end of the study period (December 31, 2018), whichever came first. The risk of IHD was estimated using a Cox proportional hazards regression, and stratified analyses were performed for related factors. Among IHD events, we additionally analyzed for myocardial infarction (MI). Results During a median of 3.9 years of follow-up, 2.7% of TB survivors (1,633/60,602) and 2.0% of the matched controls (1,228/60,602) developed IHD, and 0.6% of TB patients (341/60,602) and 0.4% of the matched controls (223/60,602) developed MI. The overall risk of developing IHD and MI was higher in TB patients (adjusted hazard [aHR] 1.21, 95% CI 1.12–1.32 for IHD and aHR 1.48, 95% CI 1.23–1.78 for MI) than in the matched controls. Stratified analyses showed that TB survivors have an increased risk of IHD and MI regardless of income, place of residence, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, body mass index, and Charlson comorbidity index. Conclusions TB surviv ors have a higher risk of IHD than matched controls. Strategies are needed to reduce the burden of IHD in TB survivors. View on Web

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