ABSTRACT
Objectives Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has infected millions of people worldwide with extensive affection and damage to body systems and organs;hence, the study of post-coronavirus disease (COVID) sequences is mandatory. Till now, reports are upcoming on the considerable effects of COVID-19 on male sexual health with no final data. Patients and Methods: Our cohort study included 76 male COVID-19-infected patients, confirmed positive via nasopharyngeal PCR swab. The rationale of this study was to estimate the influence of clinical, laboratory, and radiological severity parameters of COVID-19 on male erectile dysfunction based on erectile scores and male sex hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and estradiol). Result(s): Our results have demonstrated a highly statistically significant correlation between COVID-19 severity (mild, moderate, and severe cases) and both erectile scores (erection hardness score and International Index of Erectile Dysfunction-5) and testosterone hormones at first and third month after COVID (P0.001), except for testosterone level at third month and COVID-19 severity, which showed a statistically significant difference, with P value of 0.031. Conclusion(s): The current study correlated the effect of COVID-19 severity in the terms of clinical, laboratory, and radiological presentations on male sexual dysfunction (erectile scores and testosterone hormone) at first and third month after hospital discharge, with statistical significance being highly affected in severe rather than moderate and mild cases. This strengthens the obvious effect of COVID-19 infection on male sexual dysfunction. Copyright © 2023 The Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis.
ABSTRACT
Background: People with cardiovascular issues have been shown to be at an elevated risk of acquiring the 2019 new corona virus infection, according to studies (COVID-19). This study's objective was to determine if cardiovascular disease has any effect on the severity of COVID-19. Material & Methods: Between January 2020 and December 2020, 210 comorbid patients aged over 40 years old diagnosed with COVID-19 admitted in BIRDEM hospital in Bangladesh were recruited purposively for a cross sectional study as per inclusion criteria. A baseline study was created for each patient based on their medical history, physical examination, biochemical tests, and the amount of care they needed (intensive care vs. ward-based care). SPSS 26 was used to analyze the data. Results: Among the 210 comorbid individuals, 74 had cardiovascular comorbidities and the remaining 136 had other comorbidities. Among the respondents, 48% were serious cases and required ICU support within 30 days. Cases with up to 2 comorbidities did not require ICU support. The severity of COVID-19 was predicted by factors such as age above 80 years (OR 35.5, 95 percent CIs 18.7,98.5), male gender (OR 3.14, CI 1.16, 3.50), and a high troponin level in the patient's blood (OR 1.34, CI 0.84,3.54). It was shown that cardiovascular comorbidities (CI=1.8,3.0) were 2.9 times more likely to be linked to severity. The risk factors also included a history of diabetes, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Conclusions: Cardiovascular patients, who were previously grouped together as high risk due to the nature of their ailment, need more tailored counseling and treatment from public health authorities and clinicians.
ABSTRACT
Objectives The corona virus SARS-COV-2 has affected millions of people all over the world with much affection and damage to body systems and organs, and still, its long-term effects are debatable. Up till now, a lot of ongoing researches are being conducted to evaluate the deleterious effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on various systems, including reproduction, however, it is still debatable. Patients and methods Our cohort study included a total of 57 male COVID-19 patients, confirmed positive via nasopharyngeal PCR swab. The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between the severity of COVID-19 infection and post-COVID sequelae on male-reproductive functions as regards semen parameters and male-hormone profile at the first and third month after discharge from the hospital. Results Our results have demonstrated highly statistically significant changes in sperm concentration, sperm total, and progressive motility, as well as follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and E2-hormone levels on the first and third month post-COVID infection with P value less than 0.001. In the same context, there was a statistical significance to testosterone-hormone level with P value 0.003. According to COVID-19 severity, there was a highly significant correlation between the degree of severity and affection of sperm concentration, total, and progressive motility with P value less than 0.001. In contrast, there was no significant correlation between the severity of infection and male-hormone profile. Conclusion The current study revealed a negative influence of COVID-19 infection on semen parameters as well as male-sex hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and E2) on the first and third month post-COVID infection;however, only semen parameters were affected by the degree of disease severity. Copyright © 2022 The Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis.
ABSTRACT
Purpose This paper aims to examine the influence of perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) on purchase intention in the short-term and corporate reputation in the long-term while taking into consideration of the mediating role of brand image and customer satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach The research sample comprising 482 participants was selected at random. Hierarchical multiple regression and the PROCESS Macro for SPSS were used to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings Perceived CSR was found to have significant direct and mediated effects of purchase intention and corporate reputation through brand image and customer satisfaction. The proposed causal chain is pivotal for understanding how CSR perceptions influence, as well as shape purchase intention and perceived reputation. Research limitations/implications There are three major implications. First, it is important for consumers to be able to perceive CSR initiatives, to consider them as a strategic investment. Second, firms must develop strategies that promote CSR as being positive for society and the environment, as well as for the firm. Third, perceived CSR is an important predictor in the causal chain of relationships that promote brand image and customer satisfaction, which contributes to reputation and purchase intention. One of the major limitations of this study, although COVID-19 is an ongoing global pandemic in this study, is that cross-sectional data were collected within a single economy. Hence, a longitudinal study with samples from other economies in the region may be conducted to compare and generalize the findings. Social implications At a time when corporate objectives are predominantly designed to satisfy stakeholder interests and to increase return on investment, there is mounting social pressure on shifting managerial mindsets to address issues such as poverty, health and well-being, education for all, social equality, unhealthy consumption, hedonic advertisements, global peace and environmental concerns. Marketing has been criticized for its narrow focus on fulfilling the social needs of a particular target market while ignoring society at large, and this study argues that, through responsible marketing, firms can improve their reputation and at the same time can promote sustainable living. Originality/value Direct and mediated relationships that have previously been studied separately are considered together in a serially mediated unified model. This approach provides a better understanding of how perceived CSR can transform purchase intention and reputation.
ABSTRACT
Objective In the past few months, WHO declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 as a major pandemic, with increasing number of discovered cases and mortalities in all countries. Up till now, there are a lot of controversial data on its pathogenesis, possible complications, prognostic factors, and available preventive and/or therapeutic options. A series of fast growing research studies are being conducted aiming at studying prognostic criteria that may predict the disease severity and possible outcomes and hence plan of management either home or hospital management. Patients and methods Our cohort study included 73 COVID-19-confirmed positive cases by nasopharyngeal swab/reverse transcriptase PCR to evaluate correlation between serum ferritin levels (baseline and follow-up samples at day 7), as well as C-reactive protein levels and severity of clinical presentation of COVID-19-infected patients. Results Our results have demonstrated a statistically significant difference between mild (n=40) and moderate cases (n=33) regarding baseline ferritin level (P=0.00);however;no significant difference was detected among ferritin changes during the course of the disease (P=0.744), and also, no statistically significant difference in ferritin changes was found among mild and moderate severity groups (P=0.942). Finally, the only significant predictors of clinical severity were baseline ferritin and C-reactive protein levels according to multivariate analysis model (P=0.014 and =0.000, respectively). Conclusions The current study added further evidence to suggest baseline serum ferritin as an index of severity in COVID-19 and could have a prognostic effect;however, we cannot rely on follow-up serum ferritin during treatment and the course of the disease to predict outcome of the disease, and it may be misleading.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of the COVID-19 health-care system quality (HSQ) and its impact on the individual (satisfaction) and social (quality of life [QOL]) outcomes in the context of a transformative health-care delivery system using service-dominant logic (SDL). Design/methodology/approach: A sample consisting of 1,008 individuals who have experienced the COVID-19 health-care system was drawn from four different regions of Saudi Arabia using the simple random sampling technique. The survey was conducted using an online survey and 1,008 respondents answered, based on their experience and knowledge of the COVID-19 health-care system. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was applied to test the proposed research model. Findings: The study findings suggest that service system satisfaction (SAT) significantly mediates the role of the HSQ in delivering and enhancing the QOL. HSQ also has a significant role to play on the SAT as well as the QOL. These findings contribute to the body of knowledge on SDL in the context of HSQ in understanding the significant role of technologies can play in enhancing service satisfaction and better QOL during a crisis such as COVID-19. This study also improves the understanding of the importance of customer-centricity, real-time visibility through tracking and tracing of service flow, agile decision-making, fewer but better-defined service objectives, and finally shaping mindsets and behaviors of all the relevant parties involved in the HSQ service delivery process. Research limitations/implications: One of the major limitations of this study is that, although COVID-19 is an ongoing global pandemic, cross-sectional data were collected in only one country. The findings may not be generalizable across subsequent waves of the pandemic. The best practices of HSQ could be studied around the globe and the results used to support continuous improvement. Originality/value: This study advances the understanding of the SDL in the context of a transformative health-care system for a transitional economy by focusing on individual and social well-being during an unexpected crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study also contributes toward the understanding of the roles of enabling technologies to improve the service delivery system which results in an improved SAT, as well as better QOL for the society at large. Based on SDL this research validates the HSQ model, relevant measures and its overall impact on SAT and QOL in the context of a transformative health-care service system in Saudi Arabia. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.