A Novel Convolutional Neural Network-Based Segmentation Model for Lung CT Scan Images Affected by COVID-19

In recent times, the detection of COVID by lung CT scan images has become an active field of research due to the increase in the number of COVID cases worldwide. COVID causes lesion-based damage in the lungs which can be easily analyzed by a CT scan image. The proposed methodology uses a publicly available database of lung computed tomography (CT) scan images collected from 297 subjects having 8739 scans and thereby apply a Covi-Net model for lesion-based segmentation and thereby COVID detection. The Covi-Net model is an extension of U-Net model used for biomedical image classification. The model outperformed related algorithms with a dice value of 0.886. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

Clinical Characteristics, Laboratory Findings, and Outcomes in Patients with Covid-19 Infection at a Community Hospital

SESSION TITLE: Imaging Across the Care Spectrum SESSION TYPE: Rapid Fire Original Inv PRESENTED ON: 10/19/2022 11:15 am - 12:15 pm PURPOSE: Mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with multiple risk factors. Despite this, prediction of illness trajectory remains difficult. We conducted a retrospective, exploratory case control study to determine risk factors for death among COVID-19 hospitalized patients in our local patient population. METHOD(S): Data was ed from 03/01 to 05/31/2020. Study population included hospitalized COVID-19 patients. We reviewed their demographics, past medical history, symptoms, oxygen requirements, BMI, imaging, laboratory markers, admission location, length of stay, requirement of CRRT/HD, final outcome. We compared those who died to those who survived to discharge. Mortality rates within individual risk factors were analyzed using an independent t-Test of percentages. The percentages were compared across the most common risk factors and tested for statistical significance with Chi square analysis at p< 0.05. RESULT(S): There were 281 patients admitted with COVID-19, 48 of them died. There was a significant increased risk of death with age (p<0.0001, OR=1.07;CI=1.05-1.1);history of obstructive sleep apnea (p=0.03), CKD/ESRD (p=0.01), CAD (p=0.02);presenting symptoms of dyspnea (p=0.04), respiratory rate (p=0.0002, OR=1.07;CI=1.03-1.12);absolute lymphopenia (p=0.03);LDH (p<0.0001, OR = 1.00;CI=1.001-1.004);AST (p=0.03);CRP (p=0.003, OR = 1.00;CI=1.00-1.01);on initial presentation, requiring non-rebreather (p<0.0001, OR 3.60;CI 95%, 1.73-7.50), BiPAP (p=0.004, OR 4.592;CI 95%, 1.47-14.34), invasive ventilation (p< 0.0001, OR 7.36;CI 95%, 2.73-19.85);imaging findings of bilateral infiltrates/consolidation (p=0.04);CRRT/HD (p< 0.0001, OR 6.78;CI 95%, 2.69-17.12);admission to ICU (p-< 0.0001, OR 3.52CI 95%, 1.82-6.81);transfer to ICU (p<0.0001, OR 3.62CI 95%, 1.81-7.22). There was no significant association between death and sex, hypertension, diabetes, CHF, COPD, asthma, obesity, length of stay, fever, cough, fatigue, GI symptoms, D-Dimer, Ferritin, Fibrinogen, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, and requiring nasal cannula on presentation. CONCLUSION(S): We identified a range of patient characteristics, comorbidities, symptoms, and laboratory markers that are suggestive of an increased risk of mortality from COVID-19. There were some factors that differed but did not reach statistical significance. A larger sample size is needed to resolve this. Interestingly, we identified obesity to have a protective trend with a relative 30% lower death rate, and a larger sample size could make this significant, suggesting a possible obesity paradox. However, many experts argue against this, citing that obesity is a detrimental risk factor and these patients need aggressive monitoring and treatment. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Although COVID-19 mortality is associated with multiple risk factors, a physician's clinical judgment is still imperative in triaging which patients are at increased risk of death. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Mohamed Ghiath Bayasi No relevant relationships by Alan Bridgmon No relevant relationships by Kristen Hartnett No relevant relationships by Bineh-Karan Kalra No relevant relationships by Joanna Wieckowska No relevant relationships by Elise Wojcik Copyright © 2022 American College of Chest Physicians

Assessment of Mental Health among Dental Professionals in North India during COVID-19 Global Pandemic: A Web-based Survey

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on mental health status of all health-care workers. Among them, dentists are at high risk due to being in close contact, facing moral responsibilities to reduce routine work, and financial implications which follow. We performed a study to assess the mental health status of dental professionals all over North India in present times. Materials and Methods: A structured 27-item questionnaire developed on Google forms was circulated to dentists across North India. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Scale was used to assess/grade depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 was used to screen/grade anxiety and worry/fear regarding other related aspects was studied. Results: One hundred and fifty-five responses were obtained, and data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 25.0. All participants belonged to the age range of 23-65 years with 78 males, 76 females, and 1 other. A majority of dentists (59.4%) were experiencing depression and considerable proportions (46.5%) were experiencing anxiety. Nearly all dentists (98.1%) were worried about changing dental practices and majority (72.9%) were fearful of doing aerosol procedure despite using protective equipment. The data were further analyzed for variation based on gender, qualification, years of experience, and job. Conclusion: In a pandemic, amidst burden of physical/financial needs, psychological needs are often overlooked. Currently, a considerable portion of dentists across North India are already experiencing mental health issues, there is a need to implement strategies to tackle the same.