ABSTRACT
Aim: Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test is used in the diagnosis of COVID-19. It was aimed to evaluate the factors affecting the viral conversion time, to examine the relationship between viral load, and to determine other factors that may be associated with viral load. Material and Methods: Patients were hospitalized between 15.03.2020-01.08.2020, and viral conversion detected were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were divided into two according to viral conversion time (0-14 days vs >14 days). Results: 349 patients were included in the study (284 vs 65 patients). The age and gender characteristics were similar. Prolonged PCR positivity group had more death (p=0.036) and lower cycle-threshold (CT) value (p=0.017). In the examination of CT values of 246 patients, 228 patients with viral conversion and 18 patients without viral conversion due to death, the CT value was found to be lower, therefore the viral load was higher in patients over 60 years of age (p=0.006), in the presence of cardiovascular system disease (p<0.001) and in patients who died (p<0.001). Conclusion: Prolonged PCR positivity may indicate excess viral load and adverse outcomes. An evaluation including the patient's age, CT value, comorbid conditions, and viral conversion time can give an idea about the prognosis.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To determine the loss of follow-up ratio and reasons during the COVID-19 lockdown in patients with retinal diseases treated by anti-vascular endothelial growth factor intravitreal injections and to report the visual outcome and rate of complications of these patients 1 year after the end of the lockdown. METHODS: This is a prospective descriptive cohort study (NCT04395859) conducted at the Rothschild Foundation Hospital - Paris between April 2020 and May 2021. Patients with retinal diseases treated by repeated intravitreal anti-VEGF injections (IVI) since before October 2019 were included. They filled-out a questionnaire and were followed up during a period of 1 year. RESULTS: During the COVID-19 lockdown 198 eyes (82.5%) of 157 patients (82.6%) received their injections in a timely manner (group 1) while 42 eyes (17.5%) of 33 patients (17.4%) had their injections delayed or missed (group 2). No statistically significant difference was found between group 1 and group 2 when comparing the change of mean best corrected distance visual acuity (BCVA) between month 12 and inclusion (p = 0.6) and the rate of ocular complications. The most frequent reasons for missing scheduled injections are appointments cancellation by the hospital (12 patients, 36%), fear of virus exposure during transportation (7 patients, 21%) or at the hospital (5 patients, 15%). Eighty-four percent (130/157 patients) of patients who attended their appointment were satisfied by the protective measures used in the hospital. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 lockdown did not seem to negatively affect the 1-year outcome of patients with retinal diseases treated by anti-VEGF IVIs who missed their scheduled injections. The BCVA and rate of complications at 1 year did not differ whether patients missed their scheduled injections or not. Maintaining IVIs during lockdown periods and educating patients about the risks of missing injections are pivotal in improving prognosis of retinal diseases.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Macular Edema , Retinal Diseases , Humans , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/therapeutic use , Intravitreal Injections , Macular Edema/drug therapy , Cohort Studies , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/complications , Communicable Disease Control , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors , Retinal Diseases/drug therapy , Retinal Diseases/epidemiology , Retinal Diseases/complications , Angiogenesis Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Treatment Outcome , Ranibizumab/therapeutic use , Retrospective Studies , Follow-Up StudiesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictive measures can reduce physical activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate predisease physical activity and current functional capacity in patients with and without the presence of pneumonia and oxygen requirement in Turkish survivors of COVID-19. METHODS: Among the COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital, 100 patients were selected. Data about predisease physical activity (by short-form International Physical Activity Questionnaire), oxygen requirement and presence of pneumonia, and current functional capacity (by the 6-min walking test) were collected. Continuous and categorical variables were compared with the Mann-Whitney U and χ2 test, respectively (P < .05). RESULTS: The predisease physical activity levels and current functional capacity of patients with pneumonia and oxygen requirement were significantly lower than patients without pneumonia and oxygen requirement (P < .05). However, there was no significant difference between males and females (P > 0.05). Pneumonia and oxygen requirement was more common in the older adults (P < .05). Also, a significant correlation was found between age with predisease physical activity (r = .530, P = .000) and current functional capacity (r = -.346, P = .000) and predisease physical activity level with current functional capacity (r = .523, P = .001). CONCLUSION: The physical activity level may be related to the severity of COVID-19 disease.