ABSTRACT
COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be highly efficacious in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infections throughout the pandemic. There have been emerging cases of inflammatory arthritis occurring in close relation to COVID-19 vaccination. We illustrate a case of new-onset inflammatory arthritis 10 days after receiving their second Vaxzevria COVID-19 vaccine. The patient responded dramatically to prednisolone treatment but subsequently required hydroxychloroquine due to persistent inflammatory joint symptoms. Inflammatory arthritis is an increasingly recognized rare adverse effect of COVID-19 vaccination and clinicians should actively consider this in patients with new or flares of inflammatory joint disease.
ABSTRACT
Background To evaluate aerosol exposure risk and prevention strategies during bystander, pre-hospital, and inpatient cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Methods This study compared hands-only CPR, CPR with a surgical or N95 mask, and CPR with a non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min. 30:2 compression-ventilation ratio CPR was tested with face-mask ventilation (FMV), FMV with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter; supraglottic airway (SGA), SGA with a surgical mask, SGA with a HEPA filter, or SGA with both. Continuous CPR was tested with an endotracheal tube (ET), ET with a surgical mask, a HEPA filter, or both. Aerosol concentration at the head, trunk, and feet of the mannequin were measured to evaluate exposure to CPR personnel. Results Hands-only CPR with a surgical or N95 face mask coverings and ET tube ventilation CPR with filters showed the lowest aerosol exposure among all study groups, including CPR with NRM oxygenation, FMV, and SGA ventilation. NRM had a mask effect and reduced aerosol exposure at the head, trunk, and feet of the mannequin. FMV with filters during 30:2 CPR reduced aerosol exposure at the head and trunk, but increased at the feet of the mannequin. A tightly-sealed SGA when used with a HEPA filter, reduced aerosol exposure by 21.00%-63.14% compared with a loose-fitting one. Conclusion Hands-only CPR with a proper fit surgical or N95 face mask coverings is as safe as ET tube ventilation CPR with filters, compared with CPR with NRM, FMV, and SGA. FMV or tight-sealed SGA ventilation with filters prolonged the duration to achieve estimated infective dose of SARS-CoV-2 2.4-2.5 times longer than hands-on CPR only. However, a loose-fitting SGA is not protective at all to chest compressor or health workers standing at the foot side of the victim, so should be used with caution even when using with HEPA filters.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unique challenges. Beyond the direct COVID-related mortality in those with liver disease, we sought to determine the effect of lockdown on people with liver disease in Scotland. The effect of lockdown on those with alcohol-related disease is of interest;and whether there were associated implications for a change in alcohol intake and consequent presentations with decompensated disease.We performed a retrospective analysis of patients admitted to seven Scottish hospitals with a history of liver disease between 1 April and 30 April 2020 (n=111) and compared across the same time in 2017, 2018 and 2019 (n=348). We also repeated an intermediate assessment based on a single centre to examine for delayed effects between 1 April and 31 July 2020 (n=89) compared to the same time period in 2017–2019 (n=284). Information was collected on patient demographics, disease characteristics, length of stay and inpatient mortality.We found that results and outcomes for patients admitted in 2020 were similar to those in previous years in terms of morbidity, mortality, and length of stay. In the Scotland-wide cohort: admission UKELD (United Kingdom Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) (56 (52–60) vs 54 (50–60);p<0.01), inpatient mortality ((10.9% vs 8.6%);p=0.499) and length of stay (8 days (4–15) vs 7 days (4–13);p=0.140). In the single centre cohort: admission UKELD (57 (53–62) vs 57 (53–60);p=0.246), inpatient mortality ((13.7% vs 10.1%;p=0.373) and length of stay (7 days (4–14) vs 7 days (3.5–14);p=0.525)).In the Scotland wide cohort, patients admitted in 2020 had a significantly higher serum sodium at presentation (137 (132–140) vs 135 (130–138) p<0.01)This group also had lower rates of HCC (1.8% vs 7.2%;p=0.04)In the single centre cohort, patients admitted in 2020 had lower rates of hepatic encephalopathy (21.3% vs 35.9%;p=0.01) and were less likely to be admitted due to decompensation (70.8% vs 82.7%;p=0.01). This assessment of immediate and medium-term lockdown impacts on those with chronic liver disease suggested a minimal effect on the presentation of decompensated liver disease to secondary care in terms of patient outcomes.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: SARS-CoV-2 and consequent pandemic has presented unique challenges. Beyond the direct COVID-related mortality in those with liver disease, we sought to determine the effect of lockdown on people with liver disease in Scotland. The effect of lockdown on those with alcohol-related disease is of interest; and whether there were associated implications for a change in alcohol intake and consequent presentations with decompensated disease. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients admitted to seven Scottish hospitals with a history of liver disease between 1 April and 30 April 2020 and compared across the same time in 2017, 2018 and 2019. We also repeated an intermediate assessment based on a single centre to examine for delayed effects between 1 April and 31 July 2020. RESULTS: We found that results and outcomes for patients admitted in 2020 were similar to those in previous years in terms of morbidity, mortality, and length of stay. In the Scotland-wide cohort: admission MELD (Model for End-stage Liver Disease) (16 (12-22) vs 15 (12-19); p=0.141), inpatient mortality ((10.9% vs 8.6%); p=0.499) and length of stay (8 days (4-15) vs 7 days (4-13); p=0.140). In the Edinburgh cohort: admission MELD (17 (12-23) vs 17 (13-21); p=0.805), inpatient mortality ((13.7% vs 10.1%; p=0.373) and length of stay (7 days (4-14) vs 7 days (3.5-14); p=0.525)). CONCLUSION: This assessment of immediate and medium-term lockdown impacts on those with chronic liver disease suggested a minimal effect on the presentation of decompensated liver disease to secondary care.