Predictive Role of Chest Radiograph in COVID-19 Hospitalised Patients-A Retrospective Analysis

Introduction: The portable Chest Radiograph (CXR) has an indispensable role in large scale screening and diagnosis of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially in developing countries with limited resources. It can help in predicting the severity of lung involvement in the patients infected with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, especially in areas where the Computed Tomography (CT) is unavailable. Aim: To determine the prognostic value of CXR at clinical presentation in assessing the disease severity and its correlation with inflammatory markers in COVID-19 hospitalised patients. Materials and Methods: This was a single-centre retrospective study, conducted at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, from October 2020 to December 2020, on hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Clinically, the patients were categorised as mild, moderate and severe, based on their peripheral oxygen saturation- more than 94%, between 90-93%, and less than or equal to 89%, respectively. Blood samples, drawn at presentation to the hospital tested for various inflammatory markers proven to be predictive of disease severity, were documented for the analysis purpose. The CXRs, done at the presentation, were scored based on the number of zones involved and type of abnormality present (ground glassing, consolidation and septal thickening). The CXRs were scored a minimum '0' to a maximum of '9'. Correlation between the radiograph score and inflammatory markers was further analysed. Results: Among the 456 study patients, 71% had mild, 15% had moderate and 14% had severe COVID-19 infection. The mean CXR score in each category was 1, 3 and 4, respectively (p-value <0.001). The study groups were grouped as mild and non mild (included the moderate and severe categories). A criterion CXR score of 2 was able to differentiate mild and non mild cases (sensitivity was 78.29%, specificity was 77.98%, positive predictive values was 58.38%, negative predictive values was 90.11%), with an accuracy of 78.1%. The inflammatory markers like Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Absolute Lymphocyte Counts (ALC), eosinophil%, D-dimer, Lactate Dehydrogenas (LDH), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), and ferritin showed statistically significant difference between the two groups (p-value<0.001). Conclusion: The CXR can be used as a screening and predictive tool for disease severity in developing countries where access to Computed Tomography (CT) is limited. Given the possibility of subsequent waves of the COVID-19 pandemic and the risk of excessive radiation exposure from CT, CXR may be used as a reliable alternative.

Evaluating post-intensive care syndrome in critically unwell COVID-19 patients

Introduction: The aim of this study is to investigate post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) in COVID-19 patients treated in intensive care, using a validated screening tool. The COVID-19 pandemic increased pressure on critical care, but also increased the number of patients vulnerable to long-term effects of a critical care admission. PICS is a deterioration of physical, cognitive or mental functioning as a result of a critical illness, after hospital discharge [1]. PICS-Q is a validated 18-point screening tool to identify PICS. Each question has a value from 0 (never) to 3 (always) [2]. Methods: Using PICS-Q, this was a prospective single-centre study of adult COVID-19 patients treated in level 2 or 3 care for greater than 4 days, and then suitable for follow-up at the same centre. Results: From study period there were 32 eligible patients. Postal questionnaires were sent and replies were anonymised. There were 13 replies. Individual scores were combined to give a total score for each question, allowing analysis of which symptoms were most reported by patient group, seen below. Patients suffered from the physical symptoms., such as joint stiffness and fatigue and weakness the most (cumulative scores of 21, 16 and 15 from the 13 patients). Mental symptoms such as worry and ease to anger were also highly reported (16 and 13). Cognitive symptoms were reported the least apart from struggling to concentrate (Fig. 1). Conclusions: These patients represent a snapshot of those affected by COVID-19 outbreak treated in critical care. As the number of patients treated in ICU goes up, the number of patients vulnerable to suffering from PICS will mirror that, representing a further challenge to stretched health services. Further work is required to identify and treat symptoms related to PICS. (Table Presented).

A Pilot Study on Detection and Classification of COVID Images: A Deep Learning Approach

Outbreak of COVID-19 disease has been identified as huge pandemic for last ten decades. It threatened the global population as it has direct impact on the respiratory system. This virus includes lengthy RNA genome sequence of about 120 nm. CT-scan and X-rays are the widely used image modalities for the identification of COVID-19 disease till now. Manual diagnosis is time taking and tedious task to identify existence of COVID-19. To improve the performance and decreasing the time complexity, deep learning methods have been used. This paper reviews the deep learning systems developed for detection of COVID-19 disease. Further this paper discusses the available databases regarding COVID-19. This paper also explores the existing challenges and future directions of deep learning methods in field of diagnosing COVID-19. The ultimate goal of this paper is to illustrate the significance of deep learning methods in identification of COVID-19 disease. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

COVID-19-associated psychosis in Indian settings: A retrospective descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected millions of people across the world since early 2020. Besides the large number of case fatalities, this virus has produced significant health-related sequelae involving multiple systems of the body. As with previous coronavirus infections, this was also found to be associated with various neuropsychiatric symptoms. Psychosis has been uncommon, and the few reported cases across the world have forwarded association with either raised inflammatory markers or the consequences of social isolation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective descriptive study of 12 patients, who were admitted with COVID-19 infection and psychosis, between March 2020 and December 2020. Cases of head injury, any neurological or metabolic illnesses, and substance use disorders were excluded. RESULTS: Cases with psychosis formed only 0.19% of all cases of COVID-19 admissions. All of them were young male and employed. Most of them had abrupt onset of psychosis with confusion, delusions, hallucinations, agitation, and sleep disturbances. Investigations including inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein) and computerized tomography scans were largely normal. Medications used were mainly benzodiazepines and antipsychotics. Most of the cases resolved within the second week, and follow-up after a month did not elicit any residual symptoms in majority. Diagnosis was acute and transient psychotic disorder (about 75%), bipolar affective disorder (2 cases), and schizophrenia (one). CONCLUSIONS: The major findings included nonreactive inflammatory markers, quick resolution of symptoms, requirement of low doses of antipsychotic drugs, and no long-term sequelae.

Outcomes in severe sars-cov-2 patients with liberal oxygenation and steroid therapy-a single centre experience

Real-world reports on outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection using higher oxygenation targets along with steroid therapy are lacking. We conducted a retrospective study of patients requiring oxygen support following targets of oxygenation >95% along with steroid therapy and were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 with oxygenation through a nasal cannula or Hudson mask, Group 2 oxygenation with venturi system, and Group 3 with high flow nasal oxygen, 35-50 litres;non-invasive ventilation;mechanical ventilation. One hundred and eighteen patients (Group 1 74 patients, Group 2 . 15 patients, and Group 3 29 patients) were studied. The mean age was 55.7 years and most were male (n=77). One hundred and fourteen received dexamethasone or methylprednisolone. Most (88.3%) had at least one pre-existing chronic medical illness. Overall mortality was 22.8% (n=27). Group 3 had the highest mortality (75.9%) followed by Group 2 (26.7%) and Group 1 (1.35%). Our observation raises the query if a higher target of oxygenation for non-mechanical ventilated patients coupled with steroid therapy is beneficial.

Hospitalization Outcomes and Mortality Predictors of Sars-Cov-2 Infection in the Elderly: A Single Center Experience from India

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the outcome and mortality predictors of SARS-CoV-2 infection requiring hospitalization among elderly population. Methods: In this retrospective study, hospitalized elderly people with virologically confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were evaluated. Participants were divided into three groups of mild, moderate, and severe based on oxygenation. The primary outcome was death or discharge to home. Results: A total of 169 patients were studied (mean age: 68 years). Apart from respiratory symptoms, other reported symptoms included gastrointestinal complaints in 11% (n = 19), acute stroke in 1.1% (n = 2), delirium in 1.7% (n = 3), and anosmia or ageusia in 8.88% (n = 15). Also, 65 (38.5%) patients required oxygen support, 25 (14.7%) were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), 7 (4.1%) required non-invasive ventilation (Fio2 0.6 to 1.0), 14 (8.28%) were mechanically ventilated. 72 (42%) received steroid, and 100 (59%) received prophylactic heparin. Overall mortality was 12.4% (n = 21). Gender had no effect on mortality (P = 0.83). Presence of >= 3 risk factors, elevated neutrophil lymphocyte ratio, D-dimer, and lactate dehydrogenase, were associated with mortality (P = 0.001, P = 0.0005, P = 0.05, and P = 0.0005, respectively). Sepsis and cardiovascular events were higher among those who died. Conclusions: We observed a low mortality among the elderly treated with steroids compared to studies done in the pre-steroid period. Elevated NLR, LDH, and D-dimer were associated with mortality.

Critical Care for COVID-19 Affected Patients: Updated Position Statement of the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine.

The management of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is witnessing a change as we learn more about the pathophysiology and the severity of the disease. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analysis have been published over the last few months. Several interventions and therapies which showed promise in the initial days of the pandemic have subsequently failed to show benefit in well-designed trials. Understanding of the methods of oxygen delivery and ventilation have also evolved over the past few months. The Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM) has reviewed the evidence that has emerged since the publication of its position statement in May and has put together an addendum of updated evidence. How to cite this article: Mehta Y, Chaudhry D, Abraham OC, Chacko J, Divatia J, Jagiasi B, et al. Critical Care for COVID-19 Affected Patients: Position Statement of the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(Suppl 5):S225-S230.

Critical Care for COVID-19 Affected Patients: Position Statement of the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine.

The global pandemic involving severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-COV-2) has stretched the limits of science. Ever since it emerged from the Wuhan province in China, it has spread across the world and has been fatal to about 4% of the victims. This position statement of the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine represents the collective opinion of the experts chosen by the society. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Mehta Y, Chaudhry D, Abraham OC, Chacko J, Divatia J, Jagiasi B, et al. Critical Care for COVID-19 Affected Patients: Position Statement of the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(4):222-241.