Detection of Adverse Drug Reactions in COVID-19 Hospitalized Patients in Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Study by ADR Prompt Indicators

Seeking an alternative approach for detecting adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in coronavirus patients (COVID-19) and enhancing drug safety, a retrospective study of six months was conducted utilizing an electronic medical record (EMR) database to detect ADRs in hospitalized patients for COVID-19, using "ADR prompt indicators” (APIs). Consequently, confirmed ADRs were subjected to multifaceted analyses, such as demographic attribution, relationship with specific drugs and implication for organs and systems of the body, incidence rate, type, severity, and preventability of ADR. The incidence rate of ADRs is 37%, the predisposition of organs and systems to ADR is observed remarkably in the hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal systems at 41.8% vs. 36.2%, p < 0.0001, and the classes of drugs implicated in the ADRs are lopinavir-ritonavir 16.3%, antibiotics 24.1%, and hydroxychloroquine12.8%. Furthermore, the duration of hospitalization and polypharmacy are significantly higher in patients with ADRs at 14.13 ± 7.87 versus 9.55 ± 7.90, p < 0.001, and 9.74 ± 5.51 versus 6.98 ± 4.36, p < 0.0001, respectively. Comorbidities are detected in 42.5% of patients and 75.2%, of patients with DM, and HTN, displaying significant ADRs, p-value < 0.05. This is a symbolic study providing a comprehensive acquaintance of the importance of APIs in detecting hospitalized ADRs, revealing increased detection rates and robust assertive values with insignificant costs, incorporating the hospital EMR database, and enhancing transparency and time effectiveness.

Detection of Adverse Drug Reactions in COVID-19 Hospitalized Patients in Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Study by ADR Prompt Indicators.

Seeking an alternative approach for detecting adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in coronavirus patients (COVID-19) and enhancing drug safety, a retrospective study of six months was conducted utilizing an electronic medical record (EMR) database to detect ADRs in hospitalized patients for COVID-19, using "ADR prompt indicators" (APIs). Consequently, confirmed ADRs were subjected to multifaceted analyses, such as demographic attribution, relationship with specific drugs and implication for organs and systems of the body, incidence rate, type, severity, and preventability of ADR. The incidence rate of ADRs is 37%, the predisposition of organs and systems to ADR is observed remarkably in the hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal systems at 41.8% vs. 36.2%, p < 0.0001, and the classes of drugs implicated in the ADRs are lopinavir-ritonavir 16.3%, antibiotics 24.1%, and hydroxychloroquine12.8%. Furthermore, the duration of hospitalization and polypharmacy are significantly higher in patients with ADRs at 14.13 ± 7.87 versus 9.55 ± 7.90, p < 0.001, and 9.74 ± 5.51 versus 6.98 ± 4.36, p < 0.0001, respectively. Comorbidities are detected in 42.5% of patients and 75.2%, of patients with DM, and HTN, displaying significant ADRs, p-value < 0.05. This is a symbolic study providing a comprehensive acquaintance of the importance of APIs in detecting hospitalized ADRs, revealing increased detection rates and robust assertive values with insignificant costs, incorporating the hospital EMR database, and enhancing transparency and time effectiveness.

Pharmacological basis for the potential role of Azithromycin and Doxycycline in management of COVID-19.

A novel corona virus SARS-CoV-2 has led to an outbreak of the highly infectious pandemic COVID-19 complicated viral pneumonia. Patients with risk factors frequently develop secondary infections where the role of appropriate antibiotics is mandatory. However, the efforts of drug repurposing lead to recognizing the role of certain antibiotics beyond the management of infection. The current review provided the detailed antiviral, immunomodulatory effect, unique pharmacokinetic profile of two antibiotics namely azithromycin (AZ) and doxycycline (DOX). It summarizes current clinical trials and concerns regarding safety issues of these drugs. Azithromycin (AZ) has amazing lung tissue access, wide range antibacterial efficacy, conceivable antiviral action against COVID-19. It also showed efficacy when combined with other antiviral drugs in limited clinical trials, but many clinicians raise concerns regarding cardiovascular risk in susceptible patients. DOX has a considerable role in the management of pneumonia, it has some advantages including cardiac safety, very good access to lung tissue, potential antiviral, and immunomodulation impact by several mechanisms. The pharmacological profiles of both drugs are heightening considering these medications for further studies in the management of COVID-19.

Level of Awareness among Staff and Students of Academic Institutions towards Covid-19 in Western and Central Regions of Saudi Arabia

CORONA (COVID-19) is a viral disease that leads to progressive mild fever, respiratory inflammation, which could result in critical respiratory complications, severe cardiovascular problems, and death. The objectives of the survey are to analyze the level of awareness among academic institutions including students and staff of medical and non-medical backgrounds. A pilot cross-sectional online survey was conducted among academic institutions including consenting students and staff from 26 March-2020 to 27 April 2020 to assess the level of awareness about COVID-19 using a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 374 participants responded by taking the self-administered questionnaire. Among those who had poor awareness, the majority was non-medical (95.7%). This study also shows that social media is the most common platform for seeking information among participants. There is a need to implement periodic awareness campaigns and training programs on the management of COVID-19 across all academic institutions.

Level of Awareness among Staff and Students of Academic Institutions towards COVID-19 in India

Aim: The conducted survey aims to assess the level of COVID-19 awareness among staff and students of medical and non-medical academic institutions in India. Methods: The survey was conducted online by consenting students and staff from 02 April-2020 to 16 July 2020, participants completed and submitted COVID-19 questionnaire. A total of 300 participants responded by taking the self-administered questionnaire. Results: Of 300 participants, almost 83.45% had good knowledge that the disease is contagious;99% observe acceptable practices regarding COVID-19 and (83%) majority seek knowledge from social media. Learning about symptoms of COVID-19 and its spread was marginally higher (p<0.05) among medical participants as compared to non-medical participants. Awareness about the preventive measures was insignificant (p<0.063) between medical and non-medical respondents. The responses collected for treatment options were also negligible though 83% believe that there is a treatment vaccine and medicine available. Mention single percentage from all participants or mention separate for medical and non medical institutions. Conclusion: The study concluded that academic institutions had good knowledge and awareness towards COVID-19 symptoms and its prevention though there are gaps in specific aspects of knowledge, prevention practices and treatments that should be addressed in future awareness and educational campaigns. The study recommends the ministry of health and family welfare to promote all precautionary and preventive measures of COVID-19 consisting of a well-organized approach to include students, institutions and society: including under privileged, geriatric and people with limited information, in order to effectively implement these precautionary and awareness measures.