Cardiovascular drugs and analysis of potential risk factors associated with mortality in severe coronavirus disease 2019 patients

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular diseases are also considered to increase the risk of death in COVID-19 patients. However, real-world data concerning the risk factors for death in patients with severe COVID-19 still remain vague. This study aimed to identify the potential risk factors associated with mortality in severe COVID-19 patients. METHODS: All consecutive patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of our institute for COVID-19 for severe COVID-19 pneumonia from April 1, 2020 to July 20, 2020 were included in the analysis. Patient characteristics, including complete medical history and comorbid diseases, blood test results during admission and on day 7, and clinical characteristics were compared between survivors and nonsurvivors. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between survivors and nonsurvivors regarding age, gender, and preexisting cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, the rate of the medications including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blockers did not differ between survivors and nonsurvivors. The peak C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, fibrinogen, and d-dimer levels and the rate for chronic renal failure were significantly higher in nonsurvivors compared with survivors. Intubated patients had a higher risk of death than the others had. CONCLUSIONS: This study failed to demonstrate a significant difference in preexisting cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular medications between survivors and nonsurvivors who were admitted to ICU for severe COVID-19. Our findings indicate that the presence of chronic renal failure, a high peak ferritin concentration, and the need for invasive mechanical ventilation appear predictive for mortality. We propose that these risk factors should be taken into account in defining the risk status of severe COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU.

A Cross-sectional Study on the Semen Quality and Potential Risk Factors in Males Attending Infertility Clinic in South Zhejiang / 预防医学

Objective: To explore the semen quality and potential risk factors of males from the infertility clinic in south area of Zhejiang.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the semen quality and risk factors in 3 01 7 males attending infertility clinic in south Zhejiang.Subjects were grouped by semen quality.The generalized linear models were used to analyze the data.Results Medians of semen parameters were 2.5 ml for volume,76 ×1 06 per ml for semen concentration,1 60 ×1 06 for total sperm count,50.0%for sperm progressive motility,62.0%for total motility,and 6.9%for normal morphology.Only 32.9% of semen samples had normal semen parameters according to WHO criteria. Abstinence duration was significantly positive associated with semen volume,concentration,and total sperm count (P<0.01 ).Single factor analysis showed that smoking,contacts of environmental pollutants,and obesity had slight detrimental effects on sperm quality.However,there were no significant differences by multiple factor analysis (P >0.05 ). Conclusion A sizable proportion of semen quality from males attending infertility clinic in south Zhejiang are low according to WHO criteria.The difference of area,life styles and environmental factors may cause the change of semen quality and that need to be further studied.

The prevalence of genital arousal disorder during sexual activity and potential risk factors that may impair genital arousal among Malaysian women

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of genital arousal disorder and the potential risk factors that may impair genital arousal among women at a primary care setting in Malaysia. Methods: A validated questionnaire for sexual function was used to assess genital arousal function. A total of 230 married women aged 18–70 years old participated in this study. Their sociodemographic and marital profiles were compared between those who had genital arousal disorder and those who did not. The risk factors were examined. Results: The prevalence of genital arousal disorder in the primary care population was 50.4% (116/230). Women with genital arousal disorder were found to be significantly higher in groups of more than 45 years old (p55) (p =.001), those having 4 children or more (p=.028), those having less sexual intercourse (less than 1–2 times a week) (p=.001), and those at post-menopausal state (p=.002). There was no significant difference between these two groups in term of salary (p=.29), suffering from medical problems (p=.32), dysmenorrhea (p=.95), menarche (p=.5) and hormonal replacement therapy (p=.6). Conclusion: Women with infrequent sexual intercourse are less likely to be sexually aroused (OR=0.29, 95% CI: 0.11-0.74).