RESUMO
Background: The physical, social, and emotional difficulties posed by chronic illnesses can result in depression, anxiety, and stress, which are common mental health conditions. The severe acute respiratory syndrome-CoV-2 virus, which causes the novel respiratory illness COVID-19, has had a significant impact on the global population, especially those who already have underlying chronic illnesses. In this study, we tried to evaluate the psychological stress, depression, and anxiety experienced by COVID-positive patients with and without chronic health conditions, while they are quarantined as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim and Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among COVID-positive patients and to compare the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among COVID-positive patients with and without chronic illness in a district in North Kerala. Materials and Methods: This observational and cross-sectional study was carried out in a district in the northern state of Kerala, India. A study population of 251 individuals who had positive COVID tests participated in the study. Out of this group, 117 people had chronic health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease, while the remaining 134 people were without any chronic illness. An online questionnaire including sociodemographics and depression, anxiety, and stress scale -21 was used to evaluate depression, anxiety, and stress among the participants. Results: COVID patients with chronic illnesses experienced severe depression at a rate of 77.8% compared to 20.1% in those without any chronic illness. Patients with chronic illnesses who tested positive for COVID-19 also experienced severe anxiety in 77.8% of cases, compared to the 23.8% of really severe cases of anxiety among COVID patients who do not have any chronic illnesses. Moderate stress levels were observed in 76.06% of COVID patients with chronic illness when compared to 22.4% in those with no comorbidities. Conclusion: According to the study’s findings, people with chronic illnesses experience higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression than those who do not have those conditions. The existence of such a high prevalence and severity of psychological issues among quarantined patients with COVID-19 underscores the need for serious attention to the mental health status of these patients.
RESUMO
Background: The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, which was brought on by the SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus, has had a significant negative influence on our environment and exposed health-care personnel to a new level of risk. Very few studies have addressed the disturbances in the sleep quality of healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic. Aim and Objectives: The primary objective of the study was to examine the sleep quality of frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary care center in northern Kerala. Materials and Methods: Healthcare workers belonging to a tertiary care center were invited to participate in the study. An online questionnaire including sociodemographics, Pittsburgh sleep quality index, and Insomnia severity index was used to evaluate sleep disturbances in healthcare workers. Univariate and bivariate analysis of the results were done to identify the predictors of poor sleep quality. Results: A total of 250 frontline healthcare workers were enrolled in the study, out of which 243 participants provided usable responses. About 27.6% of health workers showed features of poor sleep quality. The prevalence rate of poor sleep quality was highest among nurses, 55.2% followed by doctors and ambulance drivers, 22.4% and 11.9%, respectively. About 17.7% of the study population had subthreshold insomnia and 1.2% had clinical insomnia of moderate intensity. Conclusion: The prevalence of poor sleep quality is high among healthcare workers confronting COVID pandemic. This study emphasizes the need to implement specific protective measures for maintaining the sleep quality and decreasing stress among frontline health care workers during pandemics.
RESUMO
Opportunistic fungal infections occur predominantly in immunocompromised (IC) patients. Mucormycosis has the highest mortality among fungal infections. The organism is ubiquitous in its presence. The infection is commonly acquired by inhalation of fungal spores or by inoculation by direct trauma. Rhinocerebral and pulmonary mucormycosis present commonly with high mortality rates. Cutaneous mucormycosis (CM) is rarely reported and usually presents in two forms, superficial and disseminated. The superficial infection occurs commonly in immunocompetent hosts, and it can sometimes turn angioinvasive and become a fatal and very aggressive disseminated disease, especially in IC hosts. Coexistant risk factors increase the mortality rate. We report a case of posttraumatic, highly lethal, angioinvasive, and gangrenous type of CM of the arm in an IC patient. Diabetic ketoacidosis and cirrhosis due to chronic alcoholic liver disease were the risk factors.