ABSTRACT
Background: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), as a global concern, has affected different economic and social aspects, as well as health costs in various communities. Finding effective and available treatment is an urgent need. A recent study has demonstrated that the ketogenic diet (KD) activates innate immunity and has a protective property against virus infection. Accordingly, we conducted this study to find the effect of oral medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) on COVID-19 and its clinical manifestations. Method(s): This was a randomized clinical trial on 195 patients clinically suspected of COVID-19 referred to infectious disease clinics of Kerman. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups. The Control group received standard supportive treatment, the recommendation for carbohydrate avoiding and diet modification. Patients in the intervention group received all mentioned recommendations beside MCT oil. Patients` clinical symptoms, including body temperature, respiratory rate, body pain, and dyspnea, were recorded in a checklist and analyzed. Result(s): The mean age of patients was 37.78 +/- 12.42 years in the intervention group and 40.81 +/- 13.23 years in controls (P = 0.231). The patients in the intervention group had lower duration of weakness (P = 0.004), body pain (P = 0.004), dyspnea (P = 0.004), gastrointestinal manifestations (P < 0.001), sore throat (P < 0.001), increased respiratory rate (P < 0.001), and high intensity of cough (P = 0.002). Indeed, weakness, cough frequency, sore throat, and gastrointestinal complications were significantly lower in the females of the intervention group (P = 0.006, P = 0.030, P = 0.005, and P = 0.001, respectively). In contrast, in the males of the intervention group, manifestations such as respiratory rates, dyspnea, cough intensity, and sore throat were significantly lower than those in the control group. Conclusion(s): Administration of MCT in outpatients suspected of COVID-19 alleviated clinical symptoms such as increased respiratory rate, cough intensity, dyspnea, body pain, and gastrointestinal symptoms and helps them overcome the probable disease morbidity.Copyright © 2023 The Author(s);Published by Kerman University of Medical Sciences.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Paramedical personnel are in direct contact with COVID-19 patients and function in a high-stress environment, contributing to the development of psychological distress. The present study aimed to examine levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among prehospital paramedics caring for suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 72 prehospital emergency centers (city and road) affiliated with Kerman University of Medical Scielices, Kerman, Iran. Using the standard DASS-21 Questionnaire, levels of stress. anxiety, and depression were assessed in paramedics (N.=254). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (Mean, SD, frequency, percentage) and analytic statistics such as Kolmogorov-Smimov, Mann Whitney and Kruskal Wallis tests. Statistical analysis was performed through SPSS 20 (IMB, Armonk. NY, USA). RESULTS: The mean scores for depression (6.30 +/- 4.91). stress (8.71 +/- 1:4.73) and anxiety (5.32 +/- 5.23) in paramedical personnel were at moderate levels. A significant difference was observed when considering level of education, work experience, work position and duty hours per month (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-hospital professionals arc more exposed to numerous stressors, including the emotional strain of direct patient care. dangerous working conditions, and a higher workload as compared with other occupations, especially during this pandemic. Periodic mental health assessment of paramedics can play an important role in improving the quality of services provided to their communities, particularly during challenging times.