ABSTRACT
Background: With the outbreak and spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), health care workers are more prone to externalize psychological disorders and anxiety due to being in the front line of dealing with disease. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the perceived anxiety concerning COVID-19 pandemic with its related factors in health center personnel in Isfahan, Iran, in 2020. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 357 staff members of health centers in Isfahan. Data collection tools in this study included demographic questions and the standard questionnaire of Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS). Data were analyzed in SPSS software with a significance level of less than 0.05. Findings: The mean score of anxiety in health center employees was moderate (12.95 ± 6.40). Psychological symptoms were reported more in women (2.4 ± 12.9) than men (8.4 ± 3.3) (P < 0.001). These symptoms had a significant relationship with occupation (P = 0.030), marital status (P = 0.040), and shift work (P = 0.010). Conclusion: In line with the findings of the present study, women, nurses, and shift workers should be given the highest priority in intervention programs aimed at reducing anxiety among health care professionals. Given the critical role of female nurses in achieving the success in treating patients, as well as their vital role in improving health and well-being of their families, specific measures should be taken to address the conditions that might lead to their distress. © 2022, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background: Seeking new specific and effective drugs against Coronavirus Diseases-2019 (COVID-19) is of great importance. This study describes the efficacy of remdesivir with supportive care alone in the treatment of critically sick adult and child COVID-19 patients. Method(s): This study was a one-blind placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial in adults (aged>=18 years) and children (aged<=12 years) in Iran. Patients were included if they had positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 infection, O2 saturation <=88%, and compatible symptoms. All participants received standard care following national treatment guidelines. The treatment group received remdesivir (200 mg IV on day 1 and followed by 100 mg in single daily infusions). The control group received standard care and an identical volume of placebo infusions (Water for injection) for 5 days. For pediatric patients, the intervention group received remdesivir (5mg/kg on the first day and then 5.2 mg/kg on days 2 to 5). Discharge from the hospital within 10 days of first treatment is considered as the primary endpoint of the study. Admission in the intensive care unit (ICU) is considered as original secondary endpoint of the study. Result(s): 141 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to two group (adults;54 patients in the intervention group vs. 52 patients in the control group, and children;17 patients in the intervention group vs. 18 patients in the control group). The mean time from the first symptoms until the referral to the hospital in adult patients was 5.61 +/- 2.67 day and 4.80+/-1.48 day for intervention and control groups, respectively. The mean time from the first symptoms until death was reported to be significant and was longer for intervention group than the control group (24.83 +/- 11.25 vs. 10.50 +/- 2.42 day;p value=0. 012). For children who received remdesivir, the mean time between admission until death was reported to be significant, as the finding high-lighted a longer time duration for the intervention group (13.55 +/- 0.72 vs. 10.66 +/- 0.57 day;p value=0. Mechanicalanical ventilation was used in 17 patients (100%) and 18 patients (100%) in the intervention and control groups, respectively (p value=0.853). Conclusion(s): Among patients with critical COVID-19, those randomized to a 5-day treatment of remdesivir did have a statistically significant difference in clinical status compared with the control group of both adults and children. Clinical Trial Registration Number: This study is registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trial (No. IRCT 20200405046953N1). Copyright © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of dysphonia in patients with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: English and Persian studies that reported dysphonia in patients with COVID-19 were included. Review and case report studies were excluded. We searched Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus from January 1, 2020, to July 15, 2021. The prevalence of dysphonia was obtained by combining the results and weighing the sample sizes in the corresponding studies. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the Cochran Q test and I2 Results: Of the 1830 articles identified, 7 studies (n=1410 patients) were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of dysphonia was 31% (%95CI: 13%-48%). The prevalence rates of dysphonia in men and women with COVID-19 were 28.2% (%95CI: 14%-46%) and 32.8% (%95CI: 22%-45%), respectively. Conclusion: Because of the design of the included studies, the reliability of the results is limited. There was notable heterogeneity in the data, not because of publication bias, but rather the small sample sizes or the heterogeneity of the COVID-19 disease. About one-third of patients with COVID-19 may have dysphonia as the only symptom. Therefore, one should even be careful in approaching those who have only dysphonia. © 2021 The Authors.