ABSTRACT
Background: Bibliometric studies help in quantifying the pattern of research published in a particular area of interest to get the measure of research productivity. In this context, we analyzed the dental and COVID-19 research papers published from December 2019 to January 2021 globally. Method: The articles were retrieved from the PubMed and WHO COVID-19 databases using MeSH terms and keywords. The data downloaded as excel and extracted bibliometric information's and analyzed using Epi-info (7.2) software. Result: We obtained 800 research articles after removing duplicates and non-relevant articles from 1,823 articles from these two databases. The articles were published by 475 institutions in 62 countries. Among the listed countries, more publications were done by the United States of America (USA) (n=135;16.8%). The majority of the papers were published in June 2020 (n=114). The King's College London had the most number of publications (n=15;1.9%). The majority of the articles were original articles (n=592;74%). Conclusion: The study reports a gradual increase in publications over the months and a slowing down at the end of the year. The countries such as the USA, England, Italy, and China published more articles and this correlates with the number of covid-19 cases. © 2023 National Journal of Community Medicine│.
ABSTRACT
Background Physical inactivity has been identified as a major factor in developing and progressing chronic non-communicable diseases such as obesity. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ranks high worldwide in rates of obesity. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, public health measures have been enforced. These included social distancing, masking, reduction of workplace daily hours, prevention of social gatherings, and home quarantine measures. These ultimately restricted the ability to perform regular physical health activities. The aim of this study is to understand the impact of COVID-19 on physical activity among adults in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted among the Saudi population. An online survey was sent through social media to gather data regarding individual physical activity before and after the start of the COVID-19 restrictions. The data were collected from March 20, 2021, until May 20, 2021, and analyzed using chi-square and paired t-test using the SAS software version 9.4. Results In total, 433 participants completed the survey. There were 183 (42.3%) males, and the majority of the participants were Saudi nationals (284, 65.6%). Most of the participants (181, 41.8%) were in the age group 25-35 years and 253 (58%) had bachelor's degrees. Although the results did not show a statistically significant difference between pre- and post-COVID-19 respondents in terms of physical activity, married participants, participants from the eastern province, and participants who did not exercise regularly were all significantly impacted by lack of exercise compared to their counterparts (p < 0.05). Conclusions Taking measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is essential. Nonetheless, recommendations should be sought for physical activity during lockdowns, and large-scale research should be conducted to better understand what causes the exaggeration of sedentary lifestyles during lockdowns and how to prevent them. Further studies need to be conducted, and national guidelines should be made available in case of a future lockdown.
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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pattern of serum electrolytes abnormalities and their impact on ICU admitted Covid-19 patient outcomes. METHODOLOGY: This retrospective study was carried out at OMI hospital and Dr. Ziauddin Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, between August to December 2020. Total 102 PCR positive, ICU admitted with severe Covid-19 patients as per WHO criteria were included. The patient's demographic characteristics, clinical features including co-morbidities, electrolytes reports at the time of admission, length of ICU and/or hospital stay, and outcome (expired/survived) were evaluated. RESULTS: Biochemical testing found abnormal electrolyte levels in 90.2% ICU admitted Covid-19 patients. Electrolytes abnormalities including hyponatremia 45.1%, hypermagnesemia 40.2%, hypocalcemia 31.4%, hyperchloremia23.5% and hyperphosphatemia in 20.6% patients. Out of the total, 28.4% of patients needed invasive respiratory support, and 37.3% could not survive. A higher incidence of mortality (39.1% vs. 20%) was seen in patients with electrolytes abnormalities compared to those presented with normal values. CONCLUSION: Electrolyte abnormalities were found in 90% of the ICU Admitted Covid-19 patients. The most common abnormalities found among the patients were hyponatremia, hypermagnesemia, and Hypocalcemia. The findings revealed that several electrolyte imbalances harm patients' in-hospital outcomes. Electrolyte assessment of Covid-19 patients at the time of admission would be helpful in risk stratification for adverse outcomes.
ABSTRACT
Background: It is widely known that timely percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is superior to fibrinolysis in patients with ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). However, fibrinolytic therapy is still widely used in Malaysia due to factors such as lack of PCI-capable hospitals, logistics, and financial issues. Unfortunately, there are patients who fail to achieve reperfusion after thrombolysis and hence PCI still plays a crucial role and can be life-saving for such patients. Vascular access is then a major concern as femoral access potentially carries higher bleeding risk which in turn leads to increased mortality. Therefore, radial approach has been advocated due to lower risk of bleeding events, ease of access and reduced hospital length of stay. This study aims to look at the trend of usage, compare characteristics, safety, and clinical outcomes of radial versus femoral access in this group of patients. Methods: This is an observational retrospective analysis. 498 patients with acute STEMI that underwent rescue PCI in the National Heart Institute from January 2007 till December 2016 were included in the study. These patients were referred from other hospitals due to failed thrombolysis. Patients’ demographics, risk factors, and procedural characteristics were evaluated. The yearly trend of radial versus femoral access was analyzed. Comparison of outcomes between radial and femoral approach was done categorically on in-hospital mortality rate, MACE rate (Death, reinfarction, urgent CABG, Stroke) at 30-day, 6-month, and 1-year follow up. Results: Femoral access was used in 296 patients whereas radial access was used in 202 patients. Notably, femoral access was used more frequently in patients above 50 years old. In terms of gender, predominantly male (90.6% for radial and 85.8% for femoral). A pattern was seen whereby operators were more in favor of femoral access from 2007 till 2014 but subsequently switched to predominantly radial access from 2015 onwards. This change was due to an increasing trend of usage for radial approach with concurrent decreasing trend for femoral approach throughout the past decade. Femoral approach was seen significantly more in patients with history of previous myocardial infarction and heart failure, chronic kidney disease (CKD), Killip II onwards and associated with higher IABP usage. Analysis showed that radial approach was associated with lower in-hospital mortality compared to femoral approach (3% Vs 13.2%, p≤0.001). However, there were no significant differences in terms of bleeding outcomes, length of stay, 30-day, 6-month, and 1-year mortality between both approaches. Femoral access also did not significantly increase MACE within 1 year compared to radial access in STEMI patients who underwent rescue PCI (Hazard Ratio: 1.9;95% Confidence Interval, 0.8-4.5;p = 0.164). [Formula presented] [Formula presented] [Formula presented] [Formula presented] Conclusion: The usage trend over the past decade seems likely due to the landmark studies for benefits of radial over femoral access, improving skills and experience of operators. From this study, we can then infer that radial approach confers more favorable outcome in terms of in-hospital mortality. It is likely that the femoral approach was used in group of patients which were more ill at presentation and had more co-morbidities. Otherwise, the results in this study were somewhat similar with the recent SAFARI-STEMI study whereby there were no significant differences between the MACE outcome and bleeding events. In this new era with the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a continuous debate as to whether primary PCI should be deferred with thrombolysis-first approach being adopted in many places. Hence, this study is pertinent as operators can be assured of the similar bleeding events. In conclusion, radial approach should be attempted as long it is feasible while operators still need to be facile in the femoral approach.