ABSTRACT
Introduction: While vaccines may be a key measure in overcoming the pandemic, their hesitancy among the population may impede the ongoing efforts of governments and health authorities in a country. Universities are considered the hubs of the transition of individuals to young adults, understanding the hesitancy of this population stratum and addressing apprehensions that may exist is of utmost importance. This study aims to explore the attitude and hesitancy of students in UAE universities toward the COVID-19 vaccines along with comparing two particular demographics to see if there exists a difference in outcomes-medical and nonmedical students. Methods: A web-based self-administered questionnaire was sent following Ethics Committee approval, to students at various universities in the UAE containing questions regarding general demographic data, COVID-19 related anamnestic characteristics as well as questions on motivational factors and refusal factors regarding the vaccine. Using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 28, descriptive analyses were performed for the demographic variables and inferential statistics were carried out using Pearson's Chi-squared (χ2) test. Results: A total of 385 participants consented to the survey, with a majority of female respondents (76.6%). In our demographics which included respondents of an average age of 21 years, 91.4% were expatriates, and 48.1% were based in Dubai. Approximately 67% of those surveyed had been vaccinated, with Sinopharm being the most commonly taken vaccine (70.4%). "Concerns over side effects"seems to be the most common reason for vaccine refusal (58.7%) among all demographics whether vaccinated or not. Our sample included a majority of students with a medical and health sciences background (58.7%), who disagreed more often with the belief that they were completely protected by receiving the COVID-19 vaccine as compared to the nonmedical students. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccination rates among university students in UAE are lower than the national average, demonstrating the importance of integrating a specific awareness program for this group. Preparing medical students for the future is a beneficial long-term strategy, and hence, further research regarding vaccine hesitancy must be done focusing primarily on them to ensure their future patients receive the best vaccine-related recommendations.
ABSTRACT
Background: The impact of disease characteristics and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) or other treatments for prostate cancer (PC) on severity of infection with Covid-19 has not been elucidated. We report results from our PC patients (pts) with Covid-19 in our registry of Covid-19 treated cancer patients at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of PC pts who tested positive for Covid-19 between 3/16/2020 and 5/21/2020 at the Cleveland Clinic. Additional information including prostate specific antigen (PSA), Gleason score, disease extent, and current treatment were also obtained. Severe Covid-19 infection was defined as any pt requiring hospitalization, ICU care, and/or death. PSA values from prior to Covid-19 infection or first available after Covid-19 infected were collected. Analysis was carried out with Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon rank sum test, as applicable, and overall survival (OS) by log rank test. Results: A total of 54 pts with prostate cancer that tested positive for Covid-19 were identified, of which 4 were receiving active treatment (2 with metastatic disease and 2 with localized disease). Of the 2 pts with metastatic disease, 1 was on docetaxel with ADT and other on abiraterone/prednisone with ADT. Of the 2 pts with localized disease, 1 was on ADT and bicalutamide and other on ADT alone. A total of 40 patients had severe Covid-19 disease. There was no correlation with ADT and Covid-19 disease severity (p=0.67). There were 22 pts with Gleason 6, 20 pts with Gleason 7, 6 pts with Gleason 8, 4 pts with Gleason 9, 1 pt with Gleason 10, and 1 pt with Gleason unknown PC. There was no correlation between absolute (p=0.21) or divided (p=0.65) Gleason score with disease severity. There were 4 pts with metastatic disease and 46 with localized disease and no correlation was seen with extent of disease and Covid-19 severity (p>0.99). Fifty pts had PSA data available, and there was no correlation of PSA with Covid-19 disease severity (p=0.28). The mortality from Covid-19 was 26% (14 out of 54 pts) in our cohort. Out of the 14 pts who died, 2 were on active treatment that included ADT. There was no association between Gleason score (p=0.2649), extent of disease (p=0.9642), or treatment (p=0.5998) and OS. Conclusions: In our registry of Covid-19 treated cancer patients, we did not see any correlation between PC disease-risk factors and treatment with Covid-19 severity. While the results are limited by small patient population, they provide valuable information that PC treatment did not affect severity of Covid-19.
ABSTRACT
An asymptomatic 39-year-old male patient with well-controlled hypertension on a combination of antihypertensives including angiotensin receptor blocker was screened positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR nasopharyngeal (NP) swab and was admitted to an isolation facility in Dubai on March 23, 2020. He had a history of exposure to a COVID-19 patient a few days prior to the screening test. His chest X-ray showed signs of pneumonitis. He was discharged from the isolation facility on day 28 with 2 consecutive negative SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR NP swab results, 24 h apart. After 14 days of home quarantine, he tested positive again for SARS-CoV-2 on day 44 and was again isolated in our facility. He continued testing positive until day 51, after which he was discharged again following 2 consecutive negative tests 24 h apart.