ABSTRACT
Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence and predictors of symptom persistence associated with severe and critical coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) after more than 120 days from the onset of the disease. Materials and Methods: This is a single-center, cross-sectional study of 125 adults who were admitted to King Khalid University Hospital (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) with severe and critical COVID-19 between March 4 and December 1, 2020. Telephone interviews were conducted between April 1 and May 31, 2021, to collect data on COVID-19 symptoms persisting after more than 120 days from the onset of the disease. All of the participants had been discharged from the hospital and had resumed their normal lives. Symptoms of COVID-19 that had not been present before the onset of the disease were considered to be persistent if participants confirmed their continued presence at the time of the interview. The impact of chronic disease on persistent symptoms was considered. Results: About 42.4% (53/125) of patients had at least one or more persistent symptoms;27.2% (34/125) had breathlessness, 5.6% (7/125) cough, and 4.8% (6/125) chest pain. These three symptoms had been present from the first presentation. Hair loss was reported by 14.4% (18/125), forgetfulness by 8% (10/125), difficulty in concentrating by 6.4% (8/125), and lack of energy by 4% (5/125). Those had manifested after more than 120 days from the symptom's onset. The major factors in suffering from persistent symptoms were intensive care unit (ICU) admission or/and fever (temperature >38°), or/and diarrhea. There was no correlation between persistent symptoms and chronic diseases. Conclusions: After more than 120 days from the confirmation of severe and critical COVID-19, more than one-third of discharged adults were found to have one or more persistent symptoms. These were mainly associated with the need for ICU admission, fever (temperature >38°), and diarrhea. More care needs to be given to COVID-19 patients in the presence of these factors and prolonged medical care would appear to be essential. © 2023 Journal of Nature and Science of Medicine ;Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow.
ABSTRACT
Aim/Background: The present study was aimed at investigating the public perceptions about extended services by community pharmacists in Jouf region of Saudi Arabia during COVID-19 pandemic. Design: Institutional based cross sectional prospective survey. The sample size was calculated by an online sample size calculator named Raosoft®️. The calculated sample for this study was 945 with a 5% error margin, confidence interval of 95%, the population size fixed at 200000. Study instrument: A 34-item self-administered questionnaire developed by an in-depth literature review and approved by the subject experts (professor, associate professor, assistant professor and lecturer) after suggestions and modification in the questionnaire, pretested to a small sample of thirty participants. The reliability scale applied to determine the alpha value of pretested sample. Results: Majority of the participants 83.6% were females, the frequency (1-3 times) of visit is highest (52.4%) for the participants with the main reason for visiting a particular pharmacy is close location (52.3%). The participants had positive perceptions towards the role of the pharmacist regarding feeling comfortable asking advice from the pharmacist, getting comprehensive consultation, having sufficient discussion time, communication with the pharmacist, getting answers for their questions, medication labeling and information about medication interactions and side effects. However, the participants had negative attitudes towards the medications prices and the diagnostic services such as lab tests provided by the community pharmacists. Public are of the opinion that the pharmacists are well aware of the COVID-19 pandemic playing a good role in counselling about the COVID-19, without any change in their behavior in the current situation. Conclusion: The study showed that there was positive public perceptions about the role of the community pharmacists and the practices and services offered by them. The study recommended increasing the public awareness about the role of the community pharmacists and the range of the services offered in the community pharmacies.
ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease-2019 is currently causing a world pandemic. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) reported its first case on March 2, 2020. Due to its potential rapid dissemination within the public and a large probability of a countrywide outbreak, along with the country’s experience in battling another similar coronavirus (the Middle East respiratory syndrome–coronavirus), the KSA was among the leading bodies in the world for its swift community action and hospital preparedness. © 2020 Journal of Nature and Science of Medicine ;Published by Wolters Kluwer-Medknow.
ABSTRACT
Chloroquine (CQ) and its derivatives such as hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) remain mainstay of therapy for malaria. These drugs are also approved for certain autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus. The antiviral activities of these drugs and their mechanisms have been studied in vitro previously against various viruses including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). During the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, in vivo and in vitro investigations of these drugs have demonstrated potential against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The authors used the keywords to find the relevant studies, like COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, pandemic, complications, repositioning, toxicity, overdose, treatment plan, implication strategies, prevention, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, clinical trials, drug interactions, and practices advice, etc., in Pubmed and Google Scholar. This review aims to provide a detailed insight of practice implications related to these drugs, which would aid healthcare professionals to ensure the safe use of these drugs during the management of patients with COVID-19 disease. Key Words: Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Practice implications.