ABSTRACT
The paper examines the capacity to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic between 19-20 and 20-21 course in the case of education studies at FPCEE Blanquerna (Ramon Llull University). The divergent opinions collected in reports, media and literature regarding the University response to the pandemic motivate this work. The purpose is to identify the weaknesses, strengths, threats and opportunities in this particular case, based on the assumption that there has been a good adaptation. Thus, the paper verifies this perception as well as identifies practical implications for this educational project and, if possible, for other centers or university degrees. On the one hand, four discussion groups are held, with a total of 33 participants, following the SWOT analysis (Weaknesses, Threats, Strengths and Opportunities). On the other hand, a questionnaire has been designed collecting the dimensions of institution/organization, teaching staff, methodology and students, with a total of 408 students participation. The results show how the Faculty quickly adapted to the situation with some exceptions regarding a certain masterfulness and a greater academic load on the students. In relation to emotional fatigue, the results confirm this impact despite the fact that the levels of motivation for the studies carried out are maintained. Therefore, practical implications are raised related to the increase of formative evaluation formulas, the diversification of online teaching methodologies and sometimes maintaining the virtual format beyond the pandemic.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The study aims to describe characteristics and clinical outcome of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection that received siltuximab according to a protocol that aimed to early block the activity of IL-6 to avoid the progression of the inflammatory flare. METHODS: Retrospective review of the first 31 patients with SARS-CoV-2 treated with siltuximab, in Hospital Clinic of Barcelona or Hospital Universitario Salamanca, from March to April 2020 with positive polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) from a nasopharyngeal swab. RESULTS: The cohort included 31 cases that received siltuximab with a median (IQR) age of 62 (56-71) and 71% were males. The most frequent comorbidity was hypertension (48%). The median dose of siltuximab was 800 mg ranging between 785 and 900 mg. 7 patients received siltuximab as a salvage therapy after one dose of tocilizumab. At the end of the study, a total of 26 (83.9) patients had been discharged alive and the mortality rate was 16.1% but only 1 out of 24 that received siltuximab as a first line option (4%). CONCLUSIONS: Siltuximab is a well-tolerated alternative to tocilizumab when administered as a first line option in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia within the first 10 days from symptoms onset and high C-reactive protein.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use , COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Aged , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use , C-Reactive Protein/analysis , COVID-19/mortality , Cytokine Release Syndrome/drug therapy , Cytokine Release Syndrome/etiology , Disease Progression , Female , Humans , Hypertension/complications , Interleukin-6/antagonists & inhibitors , Interleukin-6/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Salvage Therapy , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: In some patients the immune response triggered by SARS-CoV-2 is unbalanced, presenting an acute respiratory distress syndrome which in many cases requires intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The limitation of ICU beds has been one of the major burdens in the management around the world; therefore, clinical strategies to avoid ICU admission are needed. We aimed to describe the influence of tocilizumab on the need of transfer to ICU or death in non-critically ill patients. METHODS: A retrospective study of 171 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection that did not qualify as requiring transfer to ICU during the first 24h after admission to a conventional ward, were included. The criteria to receive tocilizumab was radiological impairment, oxygen demand or an increasing of inflammatory parameters, however, the ultimate decision was left to the attending physician judgement. The primary outcome was the need of ICU admission or death whichever came first. RESULTS: A total of 77 patients received tocilizumab and 94 did not. The tocilizumab group had less ICU admissions (10.3% vs. 27.6%, P=0.005) and need of invasive ventilation (0 vs 13.8%, P=0.001). In the multivariable analysis, tocilizumab remained as a protective variable (OR: 0.03, CI 95%: 0.007-0.1, P=0.0001) of ICU admission or death. CONCLUSIONS: Tocilizumab in early stages of the inflammatory flare could reduce an important number of ICU admissions and mechanical ventilation. The mortality rate of 10.3% among patients receiving tocilizumab appears to be lower than other reports. This is a non-randomized study and the results should be interpreted with caution.