ABSTRACT
Background: Around one and half years ago in the December of 2019 a flu like disease emerged in the city Wuhan located in China. This was termed by WHO as a global pandemic due to its rapid widespread. Aim: To compare the efficacy of high dose dexamethasone (8 mgx tds) vs low dose methylprednisoslone (100 mgx bd) therapy for two weeks, in resolution of acute inflammatory markers in patients with covid pneumonia. Study Design: Quasi experimental study. Methodology: Patients (n=72) with an age range of 18-70 years with Covid 19 PCR positive having Covid associated pneumonia were enrolled. Group 1 containing 36 patients receiving high dose dexamethasone (8 mgx TDS) and group 2 with 36 participants receiving low dose methylprednisolone (100 mgx BD). Inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR and Ferritin) were recorded on Day 1 (T1) on day 7 (T2) and day 14 (T3). Patients who required ventillatory support and those who died was also recorded.All this information was recorded on Performa. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 26. Results: Mean age of the patients was 50.11±11.7 years. When we compared the inflammatory markers among group 1 and group 2 at T1, T2 and T3 no statistically significant difference was obtained. Conclusion: It was concluded that high dose dexamethasone and low dose methylprednisoslone therapy for two weeks were equally effective in resolution of acute inflammatory markers in patients with covid pneumonia.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the impact of age on outcome of COVID-19 patients at a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital Malir, Karachi, from Apr to Jun 2020. Methodology: This was a retrospective cross sectional study conducted at Combined Military Hospital Malir Karachi. About 120 positive cases of SARS COV-2 were studied, including males and females. Age range was 21-85 years. Patients were divided into groups according to age, group A (21-40 years), group B (41-55 years), group C (56-85 years). Presenting complaints and associated co morbidities were also analyzed. Mild cases were managed conservatively. Moderate to severe oxygen dependent cases were managed in intensive care units. Results: The mean age of patients was 40.24 years with 16.25 ± SD. Co-morbidities were noted in 67 (55.83%) patients, highest in group C, hypertension being the most common. Ten patients could not survive, due respiratory failure complicated by adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Bilateral infiltrates >50% observed in (14%) out of (n=120) patients. One hundred and ten patients were discharged with uneventful recovery. Conclusion: Mortality was highest among elderly patients with comorbidities. Therefore, international standing operative measures (SOPs) to be followed. Meticulous monitoring of vital signs and oxygen saturation in mild cases is the bare mini-mum requirement and timely appropriate treatment escalation of moderate to severe cases in intensive care units is the key to success. © 2021, Army Medical College. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
The whole world is suffering from COVID-19 pandemic. This disease has halted life and has a negative impact on physical and mental health of all individuals. Objectives: To identify impact of BMI on Covid-19 clinical features and its management in terms of relationship among patients at government hospitals, Pakistan. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methodology: This study enrolled 206 patients having both genders and was carried at Life Diabetes Centre, Gujrat and CMH Kharian Medical College (CKMC), over a period of 3 months, Kharian-Pakistan following ethical review committee's (ERC) approval. Statistical analysis: Data was analyzed by SPSS software, version 17. Parameters like age, gender and treatment taken were presented as frequency. Chi square was applied to see the correlation with p-value <0.05 as significant. Results: Total 206 patients were randomly selected, 89 male and 117 females. Among 206, patients (n=133) showed symptoms while rest of the patients (73) remained asymptomatic. There was no association of BMI with COVID-19 symptoms having P-value greater than 0.05. There was an association of BMI with gender as P-value (0.000*). There was an association of BMI with age having P-value (0.000*). Conclusion: From present study, we concluded that there was a correlation between BMI and individuals with higher BMI as they developed more serious symptoms and required active management strategies in comparison to individuals who were either underweight or normal weight.
ABSTRACT
Background: The whole world is facing one of the biggest health related disaster (COVID-19) of the century. Aim: To identify age and gender-based differences in Covid-19 clinical features and its management among patients at government hospitals, Pakistan. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Methodology: This study with enrolled subjects (n=206) was carried out after ethical review committee's (ERC) approval at Life Diabetes Centre, Gujrat and CMH Kharian Medical College (CKMC), over a period of 3 months, Kharian-Pakistan. Both male and female medical subjects were enrolled. Statistical analysis: Data was analyzed by SPSS software, version 17. Parameters like age, gender and treatment taken were presented as frequency. Chi square was applied to see the correlation with p-value <0.05 as significant. Results: Total 206 patients were randomly selected, 89 male and 117 females. Among 206, patients (n=133) showed symptoms while rest of the patients (73) remained asymptomatic. There was no association of age and gender with COVID-19 symptoms having P-value greater than 0.05. There was a significant association between treatments given was significantly related with age having P-value (0.006*). Conclusion: We concluded that there was no strong association between age and gender-based differences in Covid-19 clinical features;this could be due to small sample size.
ABSTRACT
The whole world is facing one of the biggest health related disasters of the century. As a novel disease, Covid-19 has so many parameters yet to explore. Objectives: To explore any correlation between atopy and Covid-19 among residents of Gujrat and Kharian, Punjab, Pakistan. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methodology: This study with enrolled subjects (n=206) was carried out after ethical review committee’s (ERC) approval at Life Diabetes Centre, Gujrat and CMH Kharian Medical College (CKMC), over a period of 3 months, Kharian-Pakistan. Both male and female medical subjects were enrolled. Statistical analysis: Data was analyzed by SPSS software, version 17. Parameters like gender, allergy and treatment taken were presented as frequency and percentage. Chi square was applied to see the correlation with p-value <0.05 as significant. Results: Total 206 patients were randomly selected, 89 male and 117 females. Among 206, only 13 patients had allergy from different allergens. Only 2 patients required hospitalization and injectable treatment. Conclusion: We concluded that there is strong affiliation between atopy and Covid-19 presentations.