Obese persons at higher risk of Infection after surgery of the colon (HealthDay)

 obese patients at significantly increased risk for surgical infections after suffering a partial ablation or full colon, a new study concludes.

It consisted of 7,020 patients, aged 18 to 64 years who had a partial or total colectomy for cancer of the colon, diverticulitis or a inflammatory bowel disease between 2002 and 2008. Of these patients, 1 243 were obese.

The overall rate of infection of surgical was 10.3%, but the rate was higher in obese patients (14.5%) than non-obese patients (9.5%). After adjustment for a certain number of factors, the researchers calculated that obese patients were more likely to develop infections of surgical and non-obese patients of 60 per cent.

The average cost of colectomy for all patients was $ 16,399, but the average price of obese patients was approximately $295 for non-obese patients.

The researchers also found that surgical infections significantly increased the cost of the procedure. The average total cost for patients who have developed surgical infections was $31,933, compared to $14,608 for patients without infection.

Patients with surgical infections were also more average hospitalizations (9.5 days against 8.1 days) and a higher rate of readmission (27.8% vs. 6.8%) of the hospital.

"We conclude that patients undergoing colorectal surgery who develop SSIs [surgical infections], many of whom are obese, taxing the health care system,", wrote Dr. Elizabeth c. Wick, the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore and his colleagues.

Of the programmes of measures incentives Surgeons of reward for costs and improving outcomes for patients must take into account that obese people are more at risk of infection, according to the authors.

Nursing homes in the United States of 1 to 7 cited for poor control of Infection

almost one in seven nursing homes is cited for gaps in infection control practices each year, shows new research.

Infections are the leading cause of disease and death in U.S. nursing homes, claiming nearly 400 000 lives each year.

Before receiving reimbursement for Medicare or Medicaid, nursing homes must meet certain standards. Those who do not are issued citations of deficiency.

A new study published in the issue of the American Journal of Infection Control examined the documents of reference deficiency used in Medicare and Medicaid certification between 2000 and May 2007. The data represented 96 per cent of all the facilities of nursing home of the United States, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.

About 15% of U.S. nursing homes received a lack of citations for the control of the infection each year.

The researchers concluded that there is a strong correlation between the low staffing levels in these nursing homes and the receipt of a quote from infection control deficiency.

The authors of the study, "our analysis can provide clues as to the reason for the problems of persistent infection control in nursing homes," said in a press release. The researchers noted that when facing staffing shortages, aid-nurses, licensed practical nurses and nurses may be precipitated and can crop on infection control measures, such as washing their hands proper.

The high number of citations deficiency suggests there is a need for infection prevention programs protect the elderly, the study noted. A number of States have already adopted laws that apply to practices of prevention of infections in long-term care facilities.

HIV infection increases the risk of heart failure: study (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Infection by HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, might increase the risk of heart failure even in patients who have heart disease history step, a US study said.

And as of the HIV virus replicates, the risk increases, added to the study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

"Health care providers traditionally believe HIV and its treatment increases the risk of atherosclerotic heart disease," said the senior author Adreel Butt, at the school of the University of Pittsburgh, medicine in Pennsylvania.

"Surprising conclusions of our study was prior association of HIV with heart failure in the absence of coronary artery disease".

The study involved nearly 8 500 adults, with a median age of 48 in two HIV infected subjects and controls.

The HIV group was most probably also infected by the virus of hepatitis C, 31% to 11% and abuse of cocaine - 22 to 16 per cent.

They were also more likely to be smokers, but less likely to have hypertension or diabetes.

In a tracking median of 7.3 years, 286 people developed heart failure. Rate of failure heart per 1,000 person-years, adjusted by age as well as of race and ethnicity, were 7.12 for HIV patients and 4.82 for controls.

After taking account of traditional risk factors, the ratio of risk for heart failure with HIV was 1.81.

In addition, continuous replication of the virus has led to a significantly higher risk of heart failure.

"However, if the replication of HIV is well controlled, then the risk of heart failure is closer to that observed in non-HIV people," Butt said.

The exact mechanism by which HIV infection is linked to heart failure remains uncertain, but possible explanations include the direct effects of HIV infection, antiretroviral treatment leads to an increased risk of coronary heart disease and nutritional deficiencies.

"Our results indicate that HIV is played an important and independent role" Butt and his colleagues wrote.

The message for HIV care providers is clear, though.

"Be on the lookout for signs of heart failure in people infected with HIV, even if there is no history of previous coronary heart disease," Butt told Reuters Health.

"Controlling although HIV can reduce the risk of a heart attack.".