Angiotensin-converting enzyme 1 and voltage-gated potassium channel-interacting protein 4 gene polymorphisms in COVID-19 patients from east of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19), the infectious respiratory disease caused by a newly discovered pathogen (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), is a pandemic that places a burden on the health care system. Recently, most research on COVID-19 has emphasized its profound impact on specific regions and ethnic groups. A possible explanation for these variations in disease presentation and severity might be differences in the gene pool of populations. This study therefore attempted to clarify possible involvements of genetic factors affecting COVID-19 pathogenesis with a focus on voltage-gated potassium channel-interacting protein 4 (KCNIP4) and angiotensin-converting enzyme 1 (ACE1) gene polymorphisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, the polymorphisms were genotyped using PCR in 194 COVID-19 patients and 194 healthy controls. RESULTS: COVID-19 susceptibility and severity appeared to be unaffected by these polymorphisms. However, this study supported the relevance of ACE1 II genotype frequency to a decreased number of deaths due to the infection. We found that COVID-19 patients with the ACE1 II genotype have a statistically significant better chance of survival (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: This study strengthens the idea that the ACE1 I/D polymorphism can be a novel prognostic factor indicating the outcome of COVID-19.

Mental health status of dentists during COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The effect of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) on the mental health status of dentists has been studied in various studies. The aim of this study was to review the mental health status of dentists during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: English databases including PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus were systematically searched till July 2021. Studies that examined the mental health status of dentists during COVID-19 pandemic were included. The heterogeneity of articles was assessed with the Cochran Test and I 2 statistics. The prevalence rates of anxiety, fear, sadness, concern, and anger were calculated using the random-effect model. Findings: Of 560 initial searched articles, 15 articles were eligible to include. The prevalence of anxiety, fear of carrying the infection, fear of getting infected, fear of getting quarantined, and fear of dying people by COVID-19 were 64%, 92%, 85%, 61%, and 65%, respectively. The distribution frequency of light, moderate, and intense sadness was 22%, 25%, and 30%, respectively; light, moderate, and intense anger was 21%, 14%, and 23%, respectively; light, moderate, and intense concern was 30%, 30%, and 34%, respectively; light, moderate, and intense fear was 38%, 24%, and 15%, respectively. Conclusion: Fear of COVID-19 and anxiety was very high among dentists. A significant proportion of dentists had moderate to intense COVID-19-associated sadness, concern, and anger. Providing educational content along with providing the necessary personal protective equipment and extensive vaccinations will help maintain the mental health of dentists and provide better quality services.

Comparison of the use of personal protective equipment and infection control in dentists and their assistants before and after the corona crisis.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 is a new viral outbreak in the world. Dentists and their assistants are at greatest risk of exposure to the virus, due to close contact with patients and dealing with aerosols. Hence, the aim of this study was to compare the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplementary protective equipment (SPE) and observance of the principles of infection control (PIC) in dentists and their assistants before and after the corona crisis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey from May 6 to 20, 2020. Convenience sampling was used to select individuals. The questionnaire, consisting of four general categories about the use of PPE and SPE and the observance of PIC by dentists and their assistants before and after corona crisis, was registered at Porsline website (https://survey.porsline.ir/s/KUt7VQB). Frequencies in each subcategory were calculated and comparisons were done using Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and paired sample t-test. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the frequency of use of PPE by dentists before and after corona crisis for oral and dental examination and also dental procedures (P < 0.001). There were significant differences in the frequency of use of SPE and observance of PIC before and after corona crisis, except for different types of suction types (P = 0.22), dental handpiece (P = 0.66), and dental unit (P = 1). There were significant differences in the frequency of use of PPE by dental assistants before and after corona crisis (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although the frequency of use of PPE and observance of PIC increased among dentists and their assistants, this increase is not sufficient, especially for dental assistants, and a higher level of use of PPE and PIC observance in face of highly contagious and life-threatening viruses such as corona is required.

Epidemiological, imaging, laboratory, and clinical characteristics and factors related to mortality in patients with COVID-19: a single-center study.

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel pandemic. Considerable differences in disease severity and the mortality rate have been observed in different parts of the world. The present study investigated the characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Iran. METHODS: We established a retrospective cohort to study hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Iran. Epidemiological, imaging, laboratory, and clinical characteristics and outcomes were recorded from medical documents. The chi-square test, t-test, and logistic regression models were used to analyze the data. A p<0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: In total, 364 cases (207 males and 157 females) were analyzed. The most common symptoms were cough, fever, and dyspnea. Multifocal bilateral ground-glass opacities with peripheral distribution were the predominant imaging finding. The mean age of patients was 54.28±18.81 years. The mean age of patients who died was 71.50±14.60 years. The mortality rate was 17.6%. The total proportion of patients with a comorbidity was 47.5%, and 84.4% of patients who died had a comorbidity. Sex, history of diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia were not significantly associated with mortality (p>0.05). However, mortality showed significant relationships with body mass index; age; history of hypertension, chronic kidney disease (CKD), ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), pulmonary disease, and cancer; and abnormal high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings (p<0.05 for all). Cancer had the highest odds ratio. CONCLUSION: Comorbidities (especially cancer, CKD, and CVA), severe obesity, old age, and abnormal HRCT findings affected the health outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Prevalence of corona-associated anxiety and mental health disorder among dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of corona-associated anxiety and mental health disorder among Iranian dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A study was conducted using online survey from May 2nd to 14th, 2020. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: demographic information, anxiety (18 questions), and general health (GH) (GHQ-28). Scoring system was based on Likert scale. The questionnaire was registered at Porsline website. Data were analyzed using t test and Pearson's correlation coefficient statistical tests. RESULTS: A total of 320 dentists from all over the country fully completed questionnaires. 42.5% of dentist had corona-associated anxiety and 32.5% out of them had mild severity and no severe anxiety was observed. 62.5% of dentists were nonpsychiatric according to GHQ-28, 35% had mild disorders in GH, and no one had severe GH disorders. There were significant relationships between gender, marital status, and family history of psychiatric disorders with GH status. There was a significant relationship between history of physical illness with corona-associated anxiety. There was a significant relationship between history of psychiatric disorders with corona-associated anxiety and GH status. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of corona-associated anxiety and mental disorders in dentists was moderate; by holding psychological workshops to maintain and strengthen the morale of dentists during the corona pandemic, along with teaching them the correct way to use personal protective equipment, while maintaining the mental health of dentists, we will help them return to work and provide dental services.