BackgroundThe relationship between inducible nitric oxide synthatase activity and disease severity in leptospirosis is unclear. Nitric oxide is converted to nitrites and nitrates, thus nitrite and nitrate levels (NOx) in serum are considered surrogate markers for nitric oxide. NOx are excreted through the kidneys, and elimination is diminished in renal impairment. We assessed the correlation of NOx with disease severity in patients with leptospirosis, compared with healthy controls and non-leptospirosis fever patients.MethodsAll patients admitted over a two-month period to the National Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka with a clinical picture suggestive of leptospirosis were included. Leptospirosis was confirmed by the microscopic agglutination test (titre≥400). Severe leptospirosis was defined by the presence of two or more of the following criteria: jaundice (bilirubin> 51.3 μmol/l), oliguria (urine output < 400 ml/day), serum creatinine> 133 μmol/l or blood urea > 25.5 mmol/l, or the presence of organ dysfunction. Non-leptospirosis fever patients and healthy volunteers were used as control groups. NOx levels were measured using a modified Griess reaction.ResultsForty patients were confirmed as having leptospirosis and 26 of them had severe disease. NOx levels were significantly higher in confirmed leptospirosis patients compared to healthy controls, MAT equivocal patients and non-leptospirosis fever patients (p<0.001). NOx concentrations were also significantly higher in patients with severe compared to mild leptospirosis (p<0.001). Once NOx levels were corrected for renal function, by using the ratio NOx/creatinine, NOx levels were actually significantly lower in patients with severe disease compared to other patients, and values were similar to those of healthy controls.ConclusionsWe postulate that high NOx levels may be protective against severe leptospirosis, and that finding low NOx levels (when corrected for renal function) in patients with leptospirosis may predict the development of severe disease and organ dysfunction.

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AimThis study evaluates the quality of care for patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a tertiary hospital in Colombo using the European Society of Cardiology Quality of Care Working Group’s guidelines (2017).MethodsA recently implemented electronic AMI registry m-Health tool was used for prospective data collection. Each patient was assessed for eligibility for each of the six domains of quality. Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events Risk Model for predicted probability of mortality, and scores for risk of bleeding complications (CRUSADE) and severity of heart failure (Killip classification) were calculated as per published guidelines. A composite measure of quality was derived from compliance with the six domains. Patients were followed up via telephone at 30 days following discharge to evaluate outcome and satisfaction. Organisational information was assessed by administrative review and interview.ResultsBetween March 2017 and April 2018, 934 patients with AMI presented to the cardiology department. The majority of patients (90.4%) presented with features of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Mean (SD) overall compliance with the composite quality indicator (CQI) was 44% (0.07). Compliance of ≥50% to the CQI was achieved in 9.8% of STEMI patients. The highest compliance was observed for antithrombotics during hospitalisation (79.1%) and continuous measure of patient satisfaction (76.1%). The lowest compliance was for organisational structure and care processes (22.4%).ConclusionThis study reports a registry-based continuous evaluation of the quality of AMI care from a low and middle-income country. Priorities for improvement include improved referral, and networking of primary and secondary health facilities with the percutaneous coronary intervention centre.

Background . Long term quality of recovery following percutaneous coronary intervention in Sri Lanka are unknown. We evaluated quality of recovery at one year, compliance with secondary prevention medications and access to and uptake of cardiac rehabilitation services. Methods . The GRACE Risk Model was used to compare predicted and actual mortality at hospital discharge and at one-year. Quality of recovery was assessed by the Seattle Angina Questionnaire. Compliance with secondary prevention therapy was assessed using international guidelines. Access to cardiac rehabilitation was assessed via telephone- administered interview. Results . Between April 2017 and March 2018, 699 consecutive patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. Mortality at one year was 13.6% (93); predicted mortality was (4.5–11%). Functional activity was significantly worse at one year 64.4 (75.6–55.6) compared to pre-admission (100, 100 − 84.4) (P-value < 0.01). Frequency of angina was greater at one year (80, IQR = 100 − 60), compared with 1-month post-discharge (100[IQR = 100 − 80], P-value < 0.01). Stability of angina remained unchanged (median[IQR] = 72[100 − 50]). Patients’ perceptions of treatment satisfaction were high (P-value < 0.01), disease perceptions worsened (P-value < 0.01). Self-perceived compliance with secondary prevention therapy ranged from 75%-82%. Of the 362 patients followed up 146 (44.5%) reported being offered the opportunity to attend cardiac rehabilitation; 128 (87.7%) attended. Conclusions . Outcomes at one year were poorer than expected. Patient-reported levels of satisfaction were high, despite worsening burden of symptoms. Research is needed to better understand patients' expectations of quality of acute myocardial infarction care.

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