Follow-up Rates After Teleretinal Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy: Assessing Patient Barriers to Care.

Purpose: To study patient follow-up after they engage in a teleretinal screening program and to understand potential barriers to care. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis and a prospective study of telephone-based patient interviews of outpatients screened for diabetic retinopathy (DR) through a teleretinal referral system. Results: Of 2761 patients screened through a teleretinal referral program, 123 (4.5%) had moderate nonproliferative DR (NPDR), 83 (3.0%) had severe NPDR, and 31 (1.1%) had proliferative DR. Of the 114 patients with severe NPDR or worse, 67 (58.8%) saw an ophthalmologist within 3 months of referral. Eighty percent of interviewed patients reported they were not aware of the need for follow-up eye appointments. Conclusions: Of patients with severe retinopathy or worse, 58.8% presented for in-person evaluation and treatment within 3 months of screening. Although this result was negatively affected by factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic, key elements of patient education and improved referral strategies to facilitate in-person treatment are essential to improving follow-up after patients engage in telescreening.

Clinical Outcomes of Remdesivir in Moderate and Severe Cases of COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction: Remdesivir is a nucleotide analogue prodrug that perturbs viral replication. Remdesivir has been used in various trials previously for the treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Some clinical trials found that remdesivir had a mortality benefit, while other studies did not. It was also seen that remdesivir shortened the duration of hospital stay among COVID-19 patients in some trials while in other trials remdesivir did not have any influence on the duration of hospital stay. Aim: To study the clinical outcomes of Remdesivir in moderate and severe cases of COVID-19. Materials and Methods: The present retrospective, cohort study was conducted in the Department of General Medicine, SDM Medical College and Hospital, Dharwad, Karnataka, India, from September 2021 to May 2022, in which 400 case records of patients admitted with moderate to severe COVID-19 were studied. Among these 314 patients received remdesivir and 86 patients did not receive remdesivir. Categorical variables, nominal variables were represented as proportions and frequencies and continuous variables were represented as mean±SD. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test. Results: A total of 400 COVID-19 patients were included in the study, among which 314 received remdesivir and 86 did not receive remedisivir. Those who received remdesivir had a mortality rate of 13.69% as compared to 11.63% among those who did not receive remdesivir (p-value=0.6170). In the remdesivir group, 36.62% had a hospital stay of >11 days, while it was 30.23% among the non remedisivir group (p-value=0.3060). Conclusion: In this study, remdesivir did not reduce mortality nor did it reduce the duration of hospital stay among moderate to severe COVID-19 patients. [ FROM AUTHOR]

RISK AND PATTERN OF INFECTIONS IN NEWLY DIAGNOSED PATIENTS OF MULTIPLE MYELOMA VACCINATED UPFRONT AGAINST PNEUMOCOCCUS & INFLUENZA

Background: Infections contribute to an early mortality risk of 15 percent in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma(NDMM) cases. There is a limited literature on the type of infections in fully vaccinated NDMM patients. Aims: To study epidemiology, clinical profile and predictors of infection in NDMM who are immunised against pneumococci and influenza. Methods: NDMM patients were prospectively studied for 6 months for the pattern of infections . All patients were vaccinated with pneumococcal and Influenza vaccine at diagnosis. PJP prophylaxis and fluconazole prophylaxis was given for patients receiving high dose steroids while acyclovir was given to all. Infections were classified as microbiologically defined, clinically defined and fever of unknown focus according to definitions published by the International Immunocompromised Host Society. Severity of infections were graded according to the NCI CTCAE Ver5. Results: Forty-eight NDMM patients with a median age 55 years comprising of 26 males and 22 females were enrolled. Renal involvement was noted in 42% of enrolled patients and two third of them required renal replacement therapy. ISSIII and R-ISS III were 70.8 % and 62.5 % respectively. 85% had poor performance status(ECOG ≥2) at baseline. RVD was the most common regimen (37%)used. 6 patients received daratumumab based regimen. Treatment response of atleast VGPR was seen in 97 % of NDMM patients. A total of 19 episodes of infections were observed during 6 months. All episodes of infections were reported in the first 45 of myeloma diagnosis(Median 6 days;Range 0-45). Ten of these episodes of infection were diagnosed during the initial evaluation for myeloma defining events. Microbiological diagnosis was possible in 63 %. Commonest infectious agent was COVID 19(n=8) followed by Gram negative bacteria (n=5) viz E.coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae . None of the eight patients who developed COVID 19 infection had received COVID vaccine as they antedated the operationalisation of national guidelines for immunisation. Respiratory and the urinary tract were the most common focus of infection. All critically ill COVID patients succumbed to progressive respiratory failure and all patients with mild and moderate COVID illness recovered uneventfully. Early mortality in our cohort of forty eight patients was twenty percent(n=10). Three fourths of infections in our cohort were Grade≥3 severity. A total of seven deaths were attributable to infectious diseases in this cohort of NDMM patients. Imune paresis was seen in eighty four percent of patients at diagnosis. On follow up at 6 months;immune paresis had persisted in only thirty seven percent. Regression analysis of variables with odds of infection is shown in Table 1 Baseline BMI<18.5 kg/m2;albumin<3g/dl and ISS or R-ISS stage ≥ 2 was found to be have statistically significant odds of predicting infection risk in the cohort of patients. The choice of myeloma regimen, presence of high risk cytogenetics and response to therapy did not correlate with increased odds of infection in our cohort. Summary/Conclusion: Conclusion In this prospective study of NDMM patients vaccinated against pneumococci and influenza at baseline;infection attributable early mortality was 14.5 %. Advanced stage of presentation, hypoalbuminemia and baseline BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 correlated with increased odds of infection. COVID vaccination and COVID appropriate behavioural practices may mitigate COVID related outcomes including deaths in myeloma patients.

A survey on awareness about the pulse oximeter in the public in the light of COVID-19 pandemic

Erratum: Scaling of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Settled Solids from Multiple Wastewater Treatment Plants to Compare Incidence Rates of Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 in Their Sewersheds (Environmental Science & Technology Letters (2021) 8:5 (398-404) DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.1c00184)

The name of author Samuel Dorevitch was mispelled in the original paper. © 2021 American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

Comparison of wrist based remote monitoring device with reference standard in a tertiary care centre for COVID19 preparedness.

Scaling of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Settled Solids from Multiple Wastewater Treatment Plants to Compare Incidence Rates of Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 in Their Sewersheds

Published and unpublished reports show that SARS-CoV-2 RNA in publicly owned treatment work (POTW) wastewater influent and solids is associated with new COVID-19 cases or incidence in associated sewersheds, but methods for comparing data collected from diverse POTWs to infer information about the relative incidence of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases, and scaling to allow such comparisons, have not been previously established. Here, we show that SARS-CoV-2 N1 and N2 concentrations in solids normalized by concentrations of PMMoV RNA in solids can be used to compare incidence of laboratory confirmed new COVID-19 cases across POTWs. Using data collected at seven POTWs along the United States West Coast, Midwest, and East Coast serving ∼3% of the U.S. population (9 million people), we show that a 1 log change in N gene/PMMoV is associated with a 0.24 (range 0.19 to 0.29) log10 change in incidence of laboratory confirmed COVID-19. Scaling of N1 and N2 by PMMoV is consistent, conceptually, with a mass balance model relating SARS-CoV-2 RNA to the number of infected individuals shedding virus in their stool. This information should support the application of wastewater-based epidemiology to inform the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and potentially future viral pandemics. ©

Frequency of Urgent or Emergent Vitreoretinal Surgical Procedures in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Importance: The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) indicated that urgent or emergent vitreoretinal surgical procedures should continue during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Although decreases in the frequency of critical procedures have been reported outside the field of ophthalmology, analyses are limited by volume, geography, and time. Objective: To evaluate whether the frequency of ophthalmic surgical procedures deemed urgent or emergent by the AAO changed across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design, Setting, and Participants: Vitreoretinal practices from 17 institutions throughout the US participated in this multicenter cross-sectional study. The frequency of 11 billed vitreoretinal Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes across respective weeks was obtained from each practice between January 1, 2019, and May 31, 2020. Data were clustered into intravitreal injections (code 67028), lasers and cryotherapy (codes 67141, 67145, and 67228), retinal detachment (RD) repairs (codes 67107, 67108, 67110, and 67113), and other vitrectomies (codes 67036, 67039, and 67040). Institutions were categorized by region (Northeast, Midwest, South, and West Coast), practice setting (academic [tax-exempt] or private [non-tax-exempt]), and date of respective statewide stay-at-home orders. Main Outcomes and Measures: Nationwide changes in the frequency of billing for urgent or emergent vitreoretinal surgical procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: A total of 526 536 CPT codes were ascertained: 483 313 injections, 19 257 lasers or cryotherapy, 14 949 RD repairs, and 9017 other vitrectomies. Relative to 2019, a weekly institutional decrease in injections was observed from March 30 to May 2, 2020, with a maximal 38.6% decrease (from a mean [SD] of 437.8 [436.3] to 273.8 [269.0] injections) from April 6 to 12, 2020 (95% CI, -259 to -69 injections; P = .002). A weekly decrease was also identified that spanned a longer interval, at least until study conclusion (March 16 to May 31, 2020), for lasers and cryotherapy, with a maximal 79.6% decrease (from a mean [SD] of 6.6 [7.7] to 1.5 [2.0] procedures) from April 6 to 12, 2020 (95% CI, -6.8 to -3.3 procedures; P < .001), for RD repairs, with a maximal 59.4% decrease (from a mean [SD] of 3.5 [4.0] to 1.6 [2.2] repairs) from April 13 to 19, 2020 (95% CI, -2.7 to -1.4 repairs; P < .001), and for other vitrectomies, with a maximal 84.3% decrease (from a mean [SD] of 3.0 [3.1] to 0.4 [0.8] other vitrectomies) from April 6 to 12, 2020 (95% CI, -3.3 to -1.8 other vitrectomies; P < .001). No differences were identified by region, setting, or state-level stay-at-home order adjustment. Conclusions and Relevance: Although the AAO endorsed the continued performance of urgent or emergent vitreoretinal surgical procedures, the frequency of such procedures throughout the country experienced a substantial decrease that may persist after the COVID-19 pandemic's initial exponential growth phase. This decrease appears independent of region, setting, and state-level stay-at-home orders. It is unknown to what extent vitreoretinal intervention would have decreased without AAO recommendations, and how the decrease is associated with outcomes. Although safety is paramount during the COVID-19 pandemic, practices should consider prioritizing availability for managing high-acuity conditions until underlying reasons for the reduction are fully appreciated.

Posterior Pigment Deposition as a Marker of Persistently Open Retinectomy Edge Following Retinal Detachment Repair.

Posterior pigment dispersion is a rare ophthalmic finding that has been reported in patients undergoing retinectomy with silicone oil placement and in patients who underwent significant anterior segment manipulation and vitrectomy. The pigment release is believed to occur from retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in the former and the posterior iris in the latter. The exact timing of this pre-retinal pigment deposition is unknown but typically is mild and occurs over several months. A rapid progression of diffuse preretinal pigmentation is uncommon and may be suggestive of persistent RPE release from an open break or continued iris trauma with posterior pigment release. This report describes a case of profound posterior pigment deposition more than 4 months after retinectomy and oil in a patient with a persistently open retinectomy edge with anterior retinal detachment. The rapidity of pigment deposition was the clue to recognizing this subtle anterior detachment under silicone oil. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021;52:47-49.].

COVID-19: Persistence, Precautions, Diagnosis and Challenges

After a century, the whole world fighting against the pandemic viral infection: a novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Currently, more than 210 countries are suffering from COVID-19 with the number of affected countries and patients are exponentially increasing day by day. It became a global health issue where more than 2.7 million cases were reported with a death ratio of approximate 7% globally by World Health Organization (WHO) (as of 24 April 2020) which is a 22 times higher numbers in 1.5 month and this figure increasing day by day at an alarming rate. The maximum infected cases reported from the most developed country and the world leader America however, the maximum death cases are from the world's second health service provider country Italy. China, the origin country of COVID-19, has taken serious actions in terms of prevention, control against the spreading of this coronavirus through lockdown, sanitation, medication, and social distancing. The risk of transmissions of coronavirus from humans to humans is more and thus a social distancing is the best way for its persistence and precautions. Thus, the COVID-19 outbreak continues must explore and evolve, certain strict and mandatory precautions to stop this dangerous devil virus. Also, it is a major challenge for all global scientists to find out an effective remedial drug to control this deadly coronavirus before uncontrolled conditions. Thus, considering the depth of the spreading of coronavirus and its impact on global health, it is necessitating to know the dos and don'ts for persistence, precautions, and diagnostic strategies against the challenging COVID-19.

Keeping people with epilepsy safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: To provide information on the effect of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on people with epilepsy and provide consensus recommendations on how to provide the best possible care for people with epilepsy while avoiding visits to urgent care facilities and hospitalizations during the novel coronavirus pandemic. METHODS: The authors developed consensus statements in 2 sections. The first was "How should we/clinicians modify our clinical care pathway for people with epilepsy during the COVID-19 pandemic?" The second was "What general advice should we give to people with epilepsy during this crisis? The authors individually scored statements on a scale of -10 (strongly disagree) to +10 (strongly agree). Five of 11 recommendations for physicians and 3/5 recommendations for individuals/families were rated by all the authors as 7 or above (strongly agree) on the first round of rating. Subsequently, a teleconference was held where statements for which there was a lack of strong consensus were revised. RESULTS: After revision, all consensus recommendations received a score of 7 or above. The recommendations focus on administration of as much care as possible at home to keep people with epilepsy out of health care facilities, where they are likely to encounter COVID-19 (including strategies for rescue therapy), as well as minimization of risk of seizure exacerbation through adherence, and through ensuring a regular supply of medication. We also provide helpful links to additional helpful information for people with epilepsy and health providers. CONCLUSION: These recommendations may help health care professionals provide optimal care to people with epilepsy during the coronavirus pandemic.