ABSTRACT
Introduction: The novel Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) affected India, predominantly in two time periods – the first wave from March to December 2020, and the second wave that raged from April to July 2021. Although the time duration of second wave was shorter than the first, the onslaught of the disease was much more severe during the second wave. Objective: To compare the demographic characteristics and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients admitted during the first and second pandemic waves. Method: Demographic characteristics, duration of hospitalization, critical unit admission, and mortality data of 137 and 345 COVID-19 positive individuals, from first and second waves respectively, were retrospectively analyzed in a teaching hospital in South India. Descriptive statistics, Independent t test, chi square tests and regression analysis were used for statistical analysis, with significance level prefixed at 5%. Results: Median age of hospitalisation was 46.2 years and 48.39 years during first and second waves respectively, with male preponderance in second wave. There was a statistically significant difference in mean duration of stay (9.04 days v/s 7.53 days), mean Spo2 at admission (98.4% v/s 96.6%), ventilation requirement (1.5% v/s 8.7%), oxygen requirement and ICU care between the two waves.Conclusion: During the second COVID wave, significantly higher hospitalisation rates, intensive care requirements and inpatient mortality was observed. Elevated C Reactive Protein levels, lymphocytopenia, history of diabetes and other co-morbidities were associated with poor outcomes in both waves.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) has increased in prevalence worldwide, becoming a major public health problem. About 80% of ESRD patients have subjective complaints of poor sleep. Poor sleep quality can potentially affect their quality of life and the pattern of medication use. Hence this study was designed to evaluate the quality of sleep in patients undergoing haemodialysis and to determine associated risk factors. Method: This cross sectional study was carried out among 110 ESRD patients in the dialysis unit of Kanyakumari hospital. Patients previously diagnosed with neuropsychiatric disorders, sleep apnoea or epilepsy were excluded. An investigator-administered structured questionnaire was used. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index. A global PSQI score of more than 5 indicates poor sleep quality. Results:Mean age of ESRD patients was 52.7 years. About 71% of the patients were males. Majority of the patients (68.2%) had pre-existing Diabetes and Hypertension. Almost all of the patients (97.3%) had a PSQI score of more than 5 and were 'poor sleepers'. About 94.7% patients had not used sleep medications at all. Increasing age and multiple morbidity were found to be statistically significant risk factors of poor sleep quality. Conclusion: Almost all of our subjects had poor sleep quality sleep and only few of them sought treatment for the same. Early detection of poor sleep quality will help in better management of sleep disorders among ESRD patients.