The Effects of Demographic, Training, and Specialization Differences of Physicians in Coronavirus Disease 19 Treatment in Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: The study aimed to determine how physicians' professional and institutional characteristics affect their treatment approaches for COVID-19 antiviral and supportive treatment, as well as their demographic characteristics and participation in COVID-19 trainings that may influence these orientations. METHODS: After researching the literature and conducting interviews with the experts, a questionnaire was prepared. The convenience sampling method was used to distribute the questionnaire online to 408 physicians across the nation in January 2021. Exploratory factor analysis was used to verify the research scale, and the Cronbach's Alpha test was used to confirm its reliability. During the data analysis, descriptive and inferential statistical tests were used. RESULTS: It was observed that the physicians were willing to give COVID-19 patients the antivirals but hesitant to provide and suggest supportive care. The training status for COVID-19 treatment was varied. Female physicians prescribed more antiviral drugs than male physicians, received more training, and scored higher across the scale than male physicians (p = 0.001). The treatment approaches of physicians varied according to their specializations (p = 0.002) all over the scale. DISCUSSION: The publication of current Ministry of Health guidelines on a variety of themes related to COVID-19 treatment, as seen in Turkey, is both beneficial and important. However, because all physicians, regardless of specialty, are affected by current and will be in the future pandemics, it is necessary to design and maintain a continuous training program on pandemics and their management for all physicians.

A significant predictor of in-hospital and long-term mortality and progression in COVID-19 patients: The end-stage liver disease (MELD) score model.

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and disease progression and mortality in COVID-19 patients. The files of 4213 patients over the age of 18 who were hospitalized with the diagnosis of COVID-19 between March 20, 2020 and May 1, 2021 were retrospectively scanned. Sociodemographic characteristics, chronic diseases, hemogram and biochemical parameters at the time they were diagnosed with COVID-19 of the patients, duration of hospitalization, duration of intensive care unit (ICU), duration of intubation, in-hospital mortality from COVID-19 and outside-hospital mortality for another reason (within the last 1 year) and recurrent hospitalization (within the last 1 year) were recorded. The MELD scores of the patients were calculated. Two groups were formed as MELD score < 10 and MELD score ≥ 10. The rate of ICU, in-hospital mortality from COVID-19 and outside-hospital mortality from other causes, intubation rate, and recurrent hospitalization were significantly higher in the MELD ≥ 10 group. The duration of ICU, hospitalization, intubation were significantly higher in the MELD ≥ 10 group (p < 0.001). As a result of Univariate and Multivariate analysis, MELD score was found to be the independent predictors of ICU, in-hospital mortality, intubation, and recurrent hospitalization (p < 0.001). MELD score 18.5 predicted ICU with 99% sensitivity and 100% specificity (area under curve [AUC]: 0.740, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.717-0.763, p < 0.001) also MELD score 18.5 predicted in-hospital mortality with 99% sensitivity and 100% specificity (AUC: 0.797, 95% CI: 0.775-0.818, p < 0.001). The MELD score was found to be the independent predictors of in-hospital mortality, ICU admission, and intubation in COVID-19 patients.

Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety depression and intention to go to hospital in chronic patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety depression and intention to go to the hospital in chronic patients. METHODS: The Bostan Intention to Go to Hospital Scale developed by one researcher (SB) as the data collection tool and the Beck Anxiety-Depression Inventories were used. RESULTS: Of all patients, 56.8% stated that they would go to the hospital in case of emergency and 28.3% expressed that they did not want to go to the hospital even in this case. 50% of the participants said that they did not want to go to the hospital under any circumstances during the pandemic process. As a result of the correlation analysis, there was an inverse correlation between the anxiety-depression levels and encountering COVID-19 patients and having a relative with COVID-19 (P = .001). Inverse correlation was found between intention to go to hospital and encountering COVID-19 patients (P = .001). CONCLUSION: It was revealed that chronic patients did not have any intentions to go to hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic and only half of the people were willing to go to the hospital in case of emergency. Anxiety and depression levels were found to increase when COVID-19 patients were encountered or a relative had COVID-19.

The relationship between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS - COV - 2) pandemic and fragmented QRS.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to determine the frequency of fragmented QRS (FQRS) in patients with SARS - COV - 2. METHODS: A total of 125 consecutive patients over 20 years of age who were hospitalized for SARS - COV - 2 between 20th March 2020 and 18th May 2020 were included in the study. The data of the patients in the inpatient ward and in the intensive care unit were recorded separately. The duration of QRS and presence of FQRS were evaluated by two experienced cardiologists. The patients were divided into two groups as FQRS positive and FQRS negative considering presence of FQRS. Moreover, the frequency of FQRS in the patients in the inpatient ward and in the intensive care unit were compared with each other. RESULTS: FQRS was found in 24% of the patients who had SARS-COV-2. There was no difference between FQRS positive and negative groups in terms of age and gender. Heart rate was higher in FQRS positive group. C-reactive protein (7.25 ±â€¯6.65 mg/dl vs. 4.80 ±â€¯4.48 mg/dl; p = .02) levels were also significantly higher in the FQRS positive group. In patients with SARS-COV-2, intensive care unit requirement increased with increasing levels of troponin (p < .000). A positive correlation was detected between serum CRP levels and FQRS (r = 0.204, p = .024). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of FQRS is high in patients with SARS - COV - 2. Serum CRP levels increase with increasing frequency of FQRS in patients with SARS - COV - 2 indicating that patients with FQRS are exposed to more inflammation. Presence of FQRS in SARS - COV - 2 patients may be useful in predicting cardiovascular outcomes.