ABSTRACT
Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of covid-19 on the learning of medical students of Federal Medical College, Islamabad. Material(s) and Method(s): This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 215 medical students of Federal Medical College, Islamabad from October to December 2021. A pretested validated tool was used to collect primary data from medical students via random sampling. SPSS version 25 was used for data analysis. The chi-square test was used to see the association between various variables. Result(s): This study included 54.9% (118) females and 45.1% (97) males. 188 (87.4%) students reported that they were tak-ing online classes. Most of the students, 181 (84.2%) thought that COVID-19 affected their study durations. The pandemic has caused wastage of time was reported by 155 (72.1%) students and 60 (27.9%) stated pandemic had given them extra time to clear their concepts. More than 2/3rd of the students (78.6%) were concerned about their professional examinations due to the present situation of the pandemic. Among all the respondents, 177 (82.3%) were not satisfied with this method of learning and also 184 (85.6%) students have lost interest in their studies. Most of the students 173 (80.5%) were facing difficulty in establishing the boundary between their work and home and 180 (83.7%) were missing classroom engagement. Conclusion(s): Covid 19 has severely affected medical education. E-learning is not suitable for medical students as most of their learning involves practical performance and interaction with patients.Copyright © 2023, Khyber Medical College. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Antiviral pills are oral medications that treat infections through the inhibition of the viral growth and replication cycle. Paxlovid by Pfizer and Molnupiravir by Merck are the two pills effective for high-risk SARS-CoV-2 patients. Paxlovid works by inhibiting the replication cycle of SARS-CoV-2 using cysteine residues in-vitro. These cysteine residues inhibit the main protease of the virus by functioning as reversible covalent inhibitors. Molnupiravir works by introducing a high rate of mutations in the viral RNA causing the virus to become biologically unstable and non-functional. Both antiviral drugs can bridge the gap in the preparedness for viral outbreaks in low-income countries like Pakistan by mitigating the chances of fatality and inpatient treatment in high-risk, unvaccinated individuals. Pakistan has been plagued by various epidemics over the years however SARS-CoV-2 outbreak caused many deaths along with an economic crisis. The country lacks the resources to endure high inpatient treatment rates in case of SARS-CoV-2 infections, which is why the need for antiviral pills like Paxlovid and Molnupiravir is empirical to overcome epidemics and viral outbreaks. This work outlines the antiviral pills and their efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 with a focus on how these drugs can overcome significant gaps in epidemic preparedness and response in Pakistan. We aim to highlight how antiviral pills against SARS-CoV-2 can ensure resilience to future epidemic threats in Pakistan. © Pakistan Academy of Sciences.
ABSTRACT
Healthcare professionals throughout the world face a brand-new issue as SARS-CoV-2, a newly discovered coronavirus, spreads around the world. The study's primary goal is to find out how COVID-19 affects cardiac patients, as well as any potential effects on heart tissue and whether cardiologists should be notified. Faisalabad Medical University conducted this descriptive investigation between September 2021 and December 2021. Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science articles published up to June 20th, 2021, were used in this inquiry. Also checked for additional relevant research were referenced references from previously published articles and reviews. People with pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD) have a greater vulnerability to contracting COVID-19, and as a result, their condition is more severe, and their prognosis is worse. Several risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) hurt the health of these individuals, but they do not appear to increase the chance of infection. The prevalence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension in 1527 COVID-19 patients was 9.7 percent, 16.4 percent, and 17.1 percent, respectively, according to a meta-analysis of six published studies from China. Patients with COVID-19 are more likely to have pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD) or develop new heart dysfunction throughout their illness, based on the illness's striking clinical presentation and its considerable burden.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the cross-reactivity of COVID-19 IgG assay with known immune-mediated and infectious disorders and evaluate for any false-positive reactions to determine the specificity of the serological assay. Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemical Pathology, Chughtai Institute of Pathology, Lahore Pakistan, from Sep to Oct 2020. Methodology: A total of 116 samples were included in the study of both males and females. Diagnosed cases of typhoid fever, viral hepatitis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), syphilis, multiple connective tissue disorders (MCTD), varicella-zoster infection, rabies, toxoplasmosis, epstein-barr virus (EBV) infection, rubella, rheumatoid arthritis, AIDS, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and dengue fever were included in the study. Three samples of multiparous women aged more than 40 years were also included in the study. IgG antibody levels were measured against SARS-CoV-2 with a cut-off index of 1.4. Results: Out of 116, only 3 (2%) samples were reactive for IgG against SARS-CoV-2. The categories showing cross-reactivity were typhoid, hepatitis C, and CMV. All specimens showing cross-reactivity were of females. Assay under consideration showed a specificity of 97.4%. Conclusion: Cross-reactivity was seen in pre-pandemic cases of infectious diseases with COVID-19 IgG antibody assay. Medical lab professionals must verify the serological assays before use in the clinical laboratory to avoid false-positive results. © 2021, Army Medical College. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the most frequent radiographic abnormalities in COVID-19 patients. Methods: In this multicenter retrospective study, chest X-ray films and reports of COVID-19 patients admitted between March 2020 and June 2020 in three tertiary care hospitals of Lahore were analyzed for abnormalities. Patients of age > 18 years with positive COVID-19 RT-PCR, who underwent X-ray chest at presentation were enrolled. The study included pregnant patients as well. Results: Total 150 patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were enrolled. There was male predominance with mean age 50 years. Chest X-ray were abnormal in 127 (98%) patients. Predominant pattern of lung Involvement was bilateral lesions in 121(95%), left lower zone 89(70%), right lower zone 85(67%), right mid zone 57(45%), left mid zone 50(39%), and diffuse involvement in 36 (28%). GGOs was the most common lung lesion found in 53 (42%), followed by GGOs and consolidation combined. Peripheral distribution was noted in 36(28%), peripheral and peri hilar combined 58(45%), random 27(21%) and perihilar in 6(5%). Peri bronchial cuffing was seen in 23(18 %), reticulation 20(16%), nodular lesions 8(6%) pneumomediastinum (1.5%) and minimal pleural effusion 1(0.7%). Among 20 pregnant females, 15 (75%) had normal X- rays. All of abnormal CXR 5 (25%), had bilateral, mid and lower zone GGOs and consolidation. Distribution was random 3(60%), peripheral and perihilar combined 2(40%), patchy 1(20%) and confluent in 4(80%). Conclusion: The most predominant radiological features of COVID-19 in our population were bilateral, lower zone, patchy, pure GGOs or combined GGOs and consolidation with peripheral and perihilar distribution.
ABSTRACT
Background: Covid-19, an extremely contagious and rapidly spreading viral infection, caused by a novel corona virus SARS-COV-2 was first reported in China on December 5, 2019. It was declared as pandemic by WHO on March 11, 2020. The novel infection yet under research exhibits wide spectrum of severity ranging from no symptom to severe pneumonia leading even to death. Aim: To evaluate the role of NLR as a prognostic indicator for severe COVID-19, due to its positive correlation with disease severity, easy accessibility and low cost. Methods: It was multicenter retrospective observational study conducted in COVID wards of two tertiary care hospitals of Lahore treating COVID-19 patients between March and June 2020. A predesigned proforma was filled to collect the data. SPSS 21 was used for statistical analysis of this research. Results: Record of 100 COVID-19 patients admitted between March and June 2020 fulfilling the inclusion criteria was included in the study. All patients were divided into two groups. Non-severe group included 37 patients while severe group included 63 patients. The mean age of study population was 56 years with male predominance (63%). Overall, 50% patients in non-severe group and 71% patients in severe group had some co-existent comorbidity. Fever and cough were the most commonly reported symptoms in both groups while shortness of breath was more commonly reported in severe group (74.2%). The mean NLR in non-severe group was 4 as compared to 12 in severe group. Conclusion: Higher Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is associated with severe COVID -19 and can be used as an effective tool to predict progression of non-severe disease to severe disease.