Parameters Affecting the Clinical Course in COVID-19

Introduction: The entire population is susceptible to COVID-19, and the course of the disease is in a wide spectrum between asymp- tomatic clinical and critical illness. In this study, it was aimed to see whether the laboratory level CRP, ferritin, D-dimer, lymphocyte and vitamin D values and sociodemographic characteristics are related to the clinical course of the disease in COVID-19 disease, which emerged at the end of 2019 and caused a pandemic all over the world. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out with a total of 100 participants, 50 patients who applied to Kahramanmaras Sutcu imam University Health Practice and Research Hospital, adult COVID-19 outpatient clinic and 50 patients who applied to the family medicine outpatient clinic between 25.01.2021 and 28.02.2021. The first part of the questionnaire was applied by face-to-face inter- view method during the application to the hospital and the second part was applied one month later to the participants who applied to the adult COVID-19 outpatient clinic with a positive RT-PCR test. In addition to the CRP, lymphocyte, ferritin and D-dimer values measured in the blood taken at the first visit, the serum vitamin D level was studied. Statistical evaluation of the obtained data was made using SPSS 22 program. For statistical significance, p value below 0.05 was considered significant.Results: A total of 100 people were included in this study. Fifty people with COVID-19 infection constitute the case group, and 50 people who have not had COVID-19 infection before constitute the control group. While the mean age was 51.14 +/- 19.36 years in the case group, it was 37.12 +/- 12.64 in the control group. The mean age of the patients in the case group was higher than the mean age of the patients in the control group (p< 0.05). Serum vitamin D result was 14.19 +/- 10.63 ng/mL in the case group and 17.48 +/- 12.69 ng/mL in the control group. Although the vitamin D results of the case group were lower, no statistically significant difference was found between the patient groups (p= 0.179). It was determined that there was a statistically significant relationship between the status of having chronic diseases and the case-control group. Persons with chronic diseases constitute 70.7% of the case group and 29.3% of the control group, while persons without chronic diseases constitute 35.6% of the case group and 64.4% of the control group (p= 0.001). While 14.6% of those with chronic disease had mild 34.1% and 22.0% had a critical illness;23.7% of those without chronic disease had mild 6.8%, severe 5.1% had critical illness. In the study, the rate of severe or critical illness was found to be higher in those with chronic diseases than those without. The severe and critical patient group had higher CRP, Ferritin and D-dimer levels compared to the mildly severe patient group;It was observed that the lymphocyte level was lower (p< 0.05). The rate of severe and critical illness was found to be higher in those who partially pay attention to hand hygiene and mask rules (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Laboratory parameters such as CRP, ferritin, D-dimer and lymphocyte values were found to be significant predictors that could help in estimating the severity of the disease. Although it was lower in the case group, it was observed that there was a deficiency in vitamin D levels in both groups and insufficient doses of supplements were taken. In the study, it was observed that transmission was more common in social environments such as family and friends.

Parameters Affecting the Clinical Course in COVID-19.

Introduction: The entire population is susceptible to COVID-19, and the course of the disease is in a wide spectrum between asymptomatic clinical and critical illness. In this study, it was aimed to see whether the laboratory level CRP, ferritin, D-dimer, lymphocyte and vitamin D values and sociodemographic characteristics are related to the clinical course of the disease in COVID-19 disease, which emerged at the end of 2019 and caused a pandemic all over the world. Material(s) and Method(s): The study was carried out with a total of 100 participants, 50 patients who applied to Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University Health Practice and Research Hospital, adult COVID-19 outpatient clinic and 50 patients who applied to the family medicine outpatient clinic between 25.01.2021 and 28.02.2021. The first part of the questionnaire was applied by face-to-face interview method during the application to the hospital and the second part was applied one month later to the participants who applied to the adult COVID-19 outpatient clinic with a positive RT-PCR test. In addition to the CRP, lymphocyte, ferritin and D-dimer values measured in the blood taken at the first visit, the serum vitamin D level was studied. Statistical evaluation of the obtained data was made using SPSS 22 program. For statistical significance, p value below 0.05 was considered significant. Result(s): A total of 100 people were included in this study. Fifty people with COVID-19 infection constitute the case group, and 50 people who have not had COVID-19 infection before constitute the control group. While the mean age was 51.14 +/- 19.36 years in the case group, it was 37.12 +/- 12.64 in the control group. The mean age of the patients in the case group was higher than the mean age of the patients in the control group (p< 0.05). Serum vitamin D result was 14.19 +/- 10.63 ng/mL in the case group and 17.48 +/- 12.69 ng/mL in the control group. Although the vitamin D results of the case group were lower, no statistically significant difference was found between the patient groups (p= 0.179). It was determined that there was a statistically significant relationship between the status of having chronic diseases and the case-control group. Persons with chronic diseases constitute 70.7% of the case group and 29.3% of the control group, while persons without chronic diseases constitute 35.6% of the case group and 64.4% of the control group (p= 0.001). While 14.6% of those with chronic disease had mild 34.1% and 22.0% had a critical illness;23.7% of those without chronic disease had mild 6.8%, severe 5.1% had critical illness. In the study, the rate of severe or critical illness was found to be higher in those with chronic diseases than those without. The severe and critical patient group had higher CRP, Ferritin and D-dimer levels compared to the mildly severe patient group;It was observed that the lymphocyte level was lower (p< 0.05). The rate of severe and critical illness was found to be higher in those who partially pay attention to hand hygiene and mask rules (p< 0.05). Conclusion(s): Laboratory parameters such as CRP, ferritin, D-dimer and lymphocyte values were found to be significant predictors that could help in estimating the severity of the disease. Although it was lower in the case group, it was observed that there was a deficiency in vitamin D levels in both groups and insufficient doses of supplements were taken. In the study, it was observed that transmission was more common in social environments such as family and friends.Copyright © 2023 Bilimsel Tip Yayinevi. All rights reserved.

Decreased Pediatric Viral Burden and Increased Rhinovirus Infection During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: Primary preventive nonpharmaceutical interventions were introduced to reduce viral transmission and disease spread at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, herein, we aimed to determine and assess the impact of the nonpharmaceutical interventions on bronchiolitis and varicella infection rates in the pediatric population during the pandemic compared to the previous four years. We also aimed to evaluate which viruses cause viral respiratory tract infections during the pandemic period. Material(s) and Method(s): Diagnosis and laboratory data of the patients who were one month to 18 years of age were retrospectively retrieved from hospital records. The distribution of the number of patients with bronchiolitis and chickenpox diagnoses was shown monthly between January 2016 and December 2020. Viral agents detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the nasopharyngeal aspirate samples obtained at the first application of the patients during the pandemic period were investigated. Result(s): The data of 2.254.877 pediatric patients admitted to our hospital from January 2016 to December 2020 were examined. There were 38.458 bronchiolitis and 954 chickenpox cases reported both as inpatients and outpatients. There was a 85.6% decrease in the rate of bronchiolitis compared to previous years, and chickenpox peak was not observed in the pandemic period. Rhinovirus was found to be the most common etiologic agent of bronchiolitis during the pandemic period and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) came second. A significant decrease in the frequency of influenza was also observed. Conclusion(s): Our study reveals that the measures which curtail social life and prioritize social distancing prevent the spread of viral infections. It has also shown that there is an increase in the frequency of Rhinovirus infection during the pandemic period. Copyright © 2022 Ankara Pediatric Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital. All rights reserved.

EVALUATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEATH ANXIETY AND PERSONALITY TRAITS IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS WITH COVID-19

Objectives: Death anxiety is often described as a feeling of panic and/or fear associated with thoughts of death and the afterlife. This impact of death anxiety is often triggered by severe disease or losing someone close. The outbreak of Novel Coronavirus Disease has also affected patients mentally as well as physically. Our study aims to investigate the prevalence of death anxiety among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and the related factors of this anxiety during the current pandemic. Materials and Methods: We conducted a study among 283 adult participants to determine their anxiety and depression levels after being hospitalized due to COVID-19 infection by using the Ten Item Personality Inventory (TIPI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Templer Death Anxiety Scale (DAS). Results: Death anxiety was significantly higher in females and in patients with prior psychiatric disorders. A positive correlation was found between death anxiety and the risk of anxiety (p<0.001 and r=0.472) and depression (p<0.001 and r=0.344). The risk of anxiety and depression was found to increase with DAS scores. Death anxiety was found to be common and associated with three significant personality traits: conscientiousness, extraversion, and emotional stability. Conclusion: Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 should be closely monitored regarding death anxiety, and awareness should be raised regarding the mental impacts of severe diseases on patients, and these impacts should be identified more often. A professional support system of a psychological call or online guidance should be constituted to identify the affected groups that are vulnerable to mental impacts. © 2022 by the Author(s).

How usable is Coursera? A usability analysis through eye-tracking and authentic tasks

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are considered learning environments that eliminate many learning barriers. Online courses in MOOCs have become an opportunity for everyone during the lockdown of the COVID-19 outbreak. However, usability issues may cause problems such as high dropout rates and lack of learner's motivation. Therefore, in this study, the usability of Coursera, one of the most known MOOCs in the world, was evaluated. The evaluation was performed with ISO 9241-11 standard. The environment's effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction were evaluated with the authentic tasks requested to be done in Coursera. Additionally, the findings were supported by eye-tracking metrics such as fixation duration, fixation counts, heat maps, and gaze plots. Twelve individuals (six females, six males) participated in the authentic tasks, and three individuals (two females, one male) participated in the eye-tracking phase. Results of the study revealed that most participants successfully performed the authentic tasks and are generally satisfied with the usability of the environment. However, considering eye-tracking findings and Coursera Usage Satisfaction Survey, some usability problems such as inadequate language support and the difficulty of using the search feature emerged. In the end, possible reasons were discussed, and the suggestions were presented for usability improvements. © 2022, Ozgen Korkmaz. All rights reserved.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Consumer Decision Making Styles and In-Store Consumer Behavior in the COVID–19 Process

Purpose of the research;in this study, the relationship between consumer decision-making styles and in-store consumer behavior in the Covid-19 process was examined. In addition, the effect of consumer decision-making styles sub-dimensions on in-store consumer behavior was investigated. In the study, correlational research technique, one of the quantitative research methods, was used to examine the relationship between consumer decision making styles and in-store consumer behavior. Target population of the study consists of consumers residing in Konya (Turkey) and shopping in the retail sector. Since it is not possible to reach all of these consumers within the scope of the research, the research was carried out with the convenience sampling method, one of the non-probabilistic sampling types. In this context, by using the data of the research conducted online with 469 participants, the relationships between variables were tested and the hypotheses put forward theoretically were tested. In the research, a questionnaire that was created and developed through consumer decision making styles and in-store consumer behavior variables was used. Statistical package programs were used to analyze the data and descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were performed. In line with the findings of the research, it was determined that three (Perfectionist high quality conscious, novelty fashion conscious, price-value conscious) of the eight sub-dimensions of consumer decision-making styles have a statistically significant (p<,001) and a moderate effect on in-store consumer behavior. In line with the empirical results, it was determined that the perfectionist high quality conscious, novelty fashion conscious and price-value conscious sub-dimensions of consumer decision-making styles in the Covid-19 process had a significant effect on in-store consumer behavior. On the other hand, it has been determined that there is no statistically significant (p>,005) effect of brand-conscious, recreational/hedonistic, acting with impulsivity, confused by over choice and loyal consumer decision-making styles on in-store consumer behavior. © 2021. RIGEO • 11(6), SPRING,.