Gender- and age-based differences in outcomes of mechanically ventilated ICU patients: a Chinese multicentre retrospective study

Background Previous studies have suggested that the gender and/or age of a patient may influence the clinical outcomes of critically ill patients. Our aim was to determine whether there are gender- and age-based differences in clinical outcomes for mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Methods We performed a multicentre retrospective study involving adult patients who were admitted to the ICU and received at least 24 h of mechanical ventilation (MV). The patients were divided into two groups based on gender and, subsequently, further grouped based on gender and age < or ≥ 65 years. The primary outcome measure was hospital mortality. Results A total of 853 mechanically ventilated patients were evaluated. Of these patients, 63.2% were men and 61.5% were ≥ 65 years of age. The hospital mortality rate for men was significantly higher than that for women in the overall study population (P = 0.042), and this difference was most pronounced among elderly patients (age ≥ 65 years; P = 0.006). The durations of MV, ICU lengths of stay (LOS), and hospital LOS were significantly longer for men than for women among younger patients (P ≤ 0.013) but not among elderly patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male gender was independently associated with hospital mortality among elderly patients but not among younger patients. Conclusions There were important gender- and age-based differences in the outcomes among mechanically ventilated ICU patients. The combination of male gender and advanced age is strongly associated with hospital mortality.

Efficacy of Dupilumab for Atopic Dermatitis According to Clinical Course and Clinical Findings: A Multicentre Retrospective Study

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Psoriasis: Anti-IL-17-Antikörper vorbehaltlos auch beim älteren Menschen einsetzbar

Anti-interleukin-17 agents have recently been developed for the treatment of psoriasis. This study evaluated the tolerance and effectiveness of anti-interleukin-17 agents for psoriasis in elderly patients in daily practice. A multicentre, retrospective study was performed, involving psoriatic patients aged ≥65 years who had received an anti-interleukin-17 agent, including secukinumab, ixekizumab or brodalumab. A total of 114 patients were included: 72 received secukinumab, 35 ixekizumab, and 7 brodalumab. Treatment was stopped in 32 patients (28.9%), because of relapses in 14 patients (41.2%), primary failures in 11 patients (32.4%), or adverse events in 7 patients (20.6%). The 3 most frequently reported adverse events were injection site reactions (n = 4), oral candidiasis (n = 3), and influenza-like illness (n = 3). Regarding effectiveness, 80 patients (70%) reached a Physician Global Assessment score of 0/1, 6 months after treatment initiation. In conclusion, anti-interleukin-17 therapy appears to be an effective and safe therapeutic option for psoriasis treatment in patients aged ≥ 65 years.