ABSTRACT
Background: Acute infectious illness can precipitate episodes of ketoacidosis in patients with diabetes mellitus. For this reason, a diligent search for a focus is essential in the initial evaluation of patients with DKA since patients often appear ill and may have non-specific symptoms. Clinical Case: An 18-year old Filipino with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus sought consult due to abdominal pain. He is on premixed NPH/regular insulin twice daily but was lost to follow-up due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has no other comorbidities but asserted a prior history of poor compliance with both diet and insulin therapy besides an erratic sleep-wake cycle. Prior to consult, he reported 5 episodes of vomiting associated with generalized abdominal pain. Due to poor appetite, he missed due doses of insulin with subsequent worsening of condition.On admission, he was lethargic with Kussmaul's breathing. Initial vital signs were stable. He had dry lips and oral mucosa, sunken eyeballs and generalized abdominal tenderness. COVID-19 PCR was negative. Serum lipase (8.79, n: 8-78) and CT scan of abdomen were likewise unremarkable. Initial CBG was HIGH with elevated ketones (5.4, n: <0.6) and arterial blood gas revealed a pH of 7.0, pCO2 22, HCO3 incalculable, lactate 3.9, with high anion gap. The initial WBC was high (44.3×109/uL, n: 4.4-11) with 84% neutrophils, 10% lymphocytes, 1% metamyelocytes, and 5% monocytes. Hemoglobin (18.5 g/dl), hematocrit (51.7%) and platelet count (614k/uL) were also elevated. Peripheral blood smear revealed normal cell morphology. Urinalysis revealed elevated specific gravity, marked glycosuria and ketonuria, negative nitrites and leukocyte esterases. Blood specimen were obtained for culture. Therapy was instituted with intravenous fluids, insulin drip and broad spectrum antibiotics.The following day, glucose was 218 mg/dl, pH 7.16, bicarbonate 7.8 meq/L, hematocrit 44%, WBC 25.21×109/uL and platelet count was 401k/uL. LAP score was requested but was unavailable. On the fourth hospital day, the patient was well and tolerating diet, with normalization of blood glucose, WBC 9.87 (85% neutrophils, 10% lymphocytes, 5% monocytes) and control of acidosis. Since cultures were negative and patient was afebrile, antibiotics were discontinued. He was discharged stable on with basal-bolus insulin. Conclusion: The association between DKA and leukocytosis in the absence of infection is described in literature. Exact mechanism is unknown but may in part be attributed to increased catecholamine release in response to stress and hemoconcentration from marked dehydration. Studies show a statistically significant relationship between pH, bicarbonate and leukocytes which denotes that WBC in DKA can be an indicator of the severity of ketoacidosis rather than a predictor of infection.Presentation: Sunday, June 12, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
ABSTRACT
The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic promoted the implementation of information technologies for academic processes, transforming paradigms and approaches at all formal levels of education. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the development of research competencies in relation to the mediation of virtual learning environments. This was an exploratory-descriptive study, with a non-experimental design in the context of a case study;with an analysis from the interpretative paradigm and a mixed approach. A Likert-type virtual self-evaluation instrument was used;the study population consisted of 28 undergraduate students (84% female and 16% male), belonging to the Educational Research Workshop II course. One of the findings was the development of research competencies favored by the use of virtual learning environments. It was concluded that the development of research competencies is directly linked to the acquisition of technological competencies, which benefits the management of new didactic strategies for virtual learning environments.
ABSTRACT
Background/Introduction: Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID);it is considered as relatively safe and is widely used in the world. However, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, ibuprofen was associated with an increase in severity or mortality of the infection [1-4]. Objective/Aim: To conduct a meta-analysis of the association between ibuprofen use and SARS-CoV-2 infection severity or mortality. Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for observational studies published between January 2020 and May 2021. Studies were included if they contained data on ibuprofen use and SARS-CoV-2 infection severity or mortality. Information upon study design, location, year of publication, number of participants, sex, age at baseline, outcome and exposure definitions was gathered. The quality of studies included was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The analysis was performed based on a random-effects model;the summary effect and its confidence interval were calculated. Results: Eight observational studies comprising a total of 1785.730 participants were identified for inclusion (cohort, 5;case-control, 2;cross-sectional, 1). Mean age was 54.4 (SD 12.6) years-old and 50.2% were men. The mean NOS score of included studies was 7.7 (range 7-9). The studies were from Austria, Denmark (2), Israel, Saudi Arabia, UK (2) and USA. Patients exposed to ibuprofen while infected with SARS-CoV-2 had not higher severity or mortality;summary odds ratios were 0.81 (95% CI 0.58-1.12, p = 0.14) and 0.95 (95% CI 0.79-1.14, p = 0.42), respectively. Conclusion: At present, the available evidence does not support the hypothesis of an increased SARS-CoV-2 risk associated with ibuprofen. However, more evidence needs to accumulate before this controversy can be resolved.
ABSTRACT
The objective of our study is, therefore, to verify whether the trend of the pandemic regarding the lethality of the virus is similar in Argentina and Chile to that which emerged in the temperate countries of Europe and Oceania. The CFRs were derived from the John Hopkins University database. To check the trend of the Case Fatality Ratio and Argentina, Chile we calculated this index on the same dates in which it was calculated for comparison in European countries and in Australia and New Zealand: i.e., May 6th and from May 6th to the September 21st. We continued comparing the other countries of the southern hemisphere, recalculating the CFR as of 11th November. For comparing a period of year homogeneous, late spring, we calculate the change if CFR from 20th March to 15th April in the North Hemisphere. Our study's results seem to confirm in Latin America a possible influence of the climate and the changing of the seasons in the lethality of the virus. For the same exceptions, it is evident that the study shows that this factor is not the only one nor probably the most important. The obvious exception concerns Argentina, which does not show any summer improvement of the CFR, unfortunately;for this, nation-specific data are not available to verify if the trend is homogeneous in the different climates that the vast territory presents. Other very important factors come into play, among which the diffusivity of the virus also seems to play a role. © 2020 by the authors.
ABSTRACT
Objetive. Hospital resources are insufficient given the demand for seriously ill patients with COVID-19. Proper resource management is essential to provide the best possible care. Criteria to help make appropriate and timely decisions were reviewed, following ethical principles. The prioritization of invasive ventilatory support must be done in a transparent and objective manner, comprehensively evaluating the patient and based on objective criteria such as prognostic scales, life cycle or clinical commitment. Symptomatic treatment (including palliative care) is essential in this pandemic and communication with the patient or family makes it possible to humanize the care of health personnel.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The SARS-Cov-2 pandemic has had a negative impact on multiple aspects of human life, both physical, psychological, economic, social and cultural. Quality of life conditions are associated with confinement and freedom to go out, to spend time with friends or family, or to carry out activities;so they are deprived of most of their social interaction. The objective of this present article is to provide information on how confinement and social isolation due to the pandemic affects quality of life and mental health