ABSTRACT
Background: The outbreak of COVID-19 has become the current crisis in most countries. Therefore, paying attention to the consequences and determinants of COVID-19. Mortality can lead to better control of the condition. This study aimed to investigate the COVID-19 mortality rate and its demographic and health determinants in Fars province. Methods: This research was conducted using a quantitative method. For this purpose, available data for selected counties in Fars province were analyzed. The COVID-19 mortality rate was considered a dependent variable. In addition, the variables of literacy rate, urbanization rate, elderly population ratio, unemployment rate, the ratio of the active hospital, ratio of pre-hospital emergency stations, the ratio of centers for primary health care, and the ratio of active hospital beds were considered independent variables. Results: Findings showed that the variables of the elderly population ratio, urbanization rate, and unemployment rate had a direct relationship with the COVID-19 mortality rate. The findings also indicated that the COVID-19 mortality rate in the 45-49 age range begins to accelerate and peaks between 95 and 99 years old. In addition, the literacy rate was inversely related to the COVID-19 mortality rate. The results also showed an inverse relationship between all the selected health variables and the dependent variable. Conclusion: Improving the economic situation, specifically reducing the unemployment rate, emphasizing public education of the people, as well as improving the medical and health facilities, can facilitate the response to pandemics. © 2023 Authors. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background & Aim: Today, COVID-19 has become a serious threat to global health. Due to their certain conditions, hemodialysis patients are more at risk than others. Therefore, self-care in these patients is more necessary. We aimed to assess the self-care of hemodialysis patients against COVID-19 disease and the factors influencing self-care. Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 219 patients referred to the dialysis ward of selected public hospitals in Lorestan province, were selected by the census method and examined. Patients' information was collected by a demographic questionnaire and a researcher-made questionnaire on self-care against COVID-19. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 22, with the significance level of 0.05. Results: The mean score of self-care against COVID-19 in patients was 186.33, and most patients had a good level of self-care. There was a significant relationship between the self-care score and place of residence (P<0.001), and comorbidity (P=0.044). Among the multiple sources of information, there was a significant difference in the self-care score between cyberspace (P=0.047), and family and relatives (P<0.001). Also, comorbidity, urban residence, and academic education level significantly predicted self-care. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, developing proper training programs is suggested considering the factors influencing self-care. Also, capacities such as cyberspace and patients' families should be used to make the training more effective. © 2022 The Authors.
ABSTRACT
Background & Aim: Today, COVID-19 has become a serious threat to global health. Due to their certain conditions, hemodialysis patients are more at risk than others. Therefore, self-care in these patients is more necessary. We aimed to assess the self-care of hemodialysis patients against COVID-19 disease and the factors influencing self-care. Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 219 patients referred to the dialysis ward of selected public hospitals in Lorestan province, were selected by the census method and examined. Patients' information was collected by a demographic questionnaire and a researcher-made questionnaire on self-care against COVID-19. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 22, with the significance level of 0.05. Results: The mean score of self-care against COVID-19 in patients was 186.33, and most patients had a good level of self-care. There was a significant relationship between the self-care score and place of residence (P<0.001), and comorbidity (P=0.044). Among the multiple sources of information, there was a significant difference in the self-care score between cyberspace (P=0.047), and family and relatives (P<0.001). Also, comorbidity, urban residence, and academic education level significantly predicted self-care. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, developing proper training programs is suggested considering the factors influencing self-care. Also, capacities such as cyberspace and patients' families should be used to make the training more effective. © 2022 The Authors.
ABSTRACT
Background: Vaccines to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection are considered the most promising approach for curbing the pandemic. There are many concerns about the effectiveness of vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Few studies have examined the effectiveness of mRNA COVID vaccine in MS patients treated with high potency disease modifying therapies (DMTs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) vaccine in patients treated with 7 different DMTs. Material(s) and Method(s): This quasi-experimental study was conducted on the patients of MS clinics of Imam Hossein hospital in Tehran (capital of Iran) and Ghaem hospital in Mashhad (northeast of Iran). MS patients with:1- no history of COVID infection in the past 6 month, 2- no history of relapse or steroid use in the past 4 weeks, 3- regular use of a DMT for at least 6 months (9 month for glatiramer acetate) and 4- at least 2 months interval between the previous rituximab infusion and vaccination, were enrolled and vaccinated with Sinopharm vaccine (2 doses, 4 weeks apart). In the case of relapse, COVID infection, or If any of the antibodies (anti neucleocapsid IgM and IgG and anti RBD IgG) were positive at the first injection of the vaccine, the patient was excluded from the study. The amount of IgG class antibodies against virus RBD were measured using ELISA SARS-CoV-2 IgG DIAZIST after 28 days of the first vaccination and on the day 56 (28 days after the second vaccination). An index value higher than 1.1 was considered reactive for anti RBD antibodies. Result(s): Out of the 208 patients included in the study, 91 patients were excluded and 117 patients were finally analyzed. Humoral response to vaccination based on the DMT used by the patient was as follows: beta interferons: 89.47% (17 out of 19 patients), dimethyl fumarate: 85.71% (12 out of 14 patients), patients without DMT treatment:83.33% (5 out of 6 patients), Natalizumab 83.33% (5 out of 6 patients), glatiramer acetate:71.42% (5 out of 7 patients), teriflunomide: 50% (4 out of 8 patients), rituximab: 38.46% (15 out of 39 patients), and fingolimod: 21.05% (4 out of 19 patients). Conclusion(s): According to our findings, the response to vaccination is maintained in patients treated with beta interferons, dimethyl fumarate and natalizumab, but is less than acceptable in patients treated with rituximab and fingolimod.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: COVID-19 infection prompts inflammatory responses and acute lung injury in human beings. Complete blood count with differential is essential investigative tool in its managing. However, very few studies revealed the variations of blood cell morphology in this disease. Case report: We reported a 39-years- old female patient complained of respiratory distress one week prior to hospitalization. The patient suffered from cough, fever, and molecular test was reported positive for COVID-19 infection. Laboratory data revealed severe permanent leukopenia and peripheral blood smear examination showed blastoid cells after remission of respiratory signs. Patient underwent bone marrow biopsy for rule out acute myeloid leukemia. But, on bone marrow sample, only viral cytopathic effects were seen. COVID-19 virus stimulates inflammatory cells to produces various inflammatory cytokines and as a result, viral cytopathic effects on white blood cells is seen. Conclusion: We have described how the characteristic peripheral blood findings of COVID-19 infection can be misinterpret as acute myeloid leukemia.
ABSTRACT
The pulmonary surfactant (PS) is a complex mixture of lipids and proteins dispersed in the aqueous lining layer of the alveolar surface. Such a layer plays a key role in maintaining the proper lung functionality. It acts as a barrier against inhaled particles and pathogens, including viruses, and may represent an important entry point for drugs delivered via aerosols. Understanding the physicochemical properties of PS is therefore of importance for the comprehension of pathophysiological mechanisms affecting the respiratory system. That can be of particular relevance for supporting the development of novel therapeutic interventions against COVID-19–induced acute respiratory distress syndrome. Owing to the complexity of the in vivo alveolar lining layer, several in vitro methodologies have been developed to investigate the functional and structural properties of PS films or interfacial films made by major constituents of the natural PS. As breathing is a highly dynamic interfacial process, most applied methodologies for studying PSs need to be capable of dynamic measurements, including the study of interfacial dilational rheology. We provide here a review of the most frequently and successfully applied methodologies that have proven to be excellent tools for understanding the biophysics of the PS and of its role in the respiratory mechanics. This overview also discusses recent findings on the dynamics of PS layers and the impact of inhalable particles or pathogens, such as the novel coronavirus, on its functionality.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate different doses of ivermectin in adult patients with mild COVID-19 and to evaluate the effect of ivermectin on mortality and clinical consequences.