Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Depression and Anxiety in the Middle East during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Background: Depression and anxiety are the psychological problems that have intensified during Covid-19 and have affected the psychological well-being of people. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the prevalence of anxiety and depression in Middle East countries. Methods: In this review, we searched for studies aiming to estimate the prevalence of depression and anxiety during the Covid-19 pandemic among the general population in databases including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Google Scholar from January 2020 to February 2021. We used the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis-2 software for data analyses and generated forest plots of the summary pooled prevalence. Results: In this systematic review, 55 articles with a total sample size of 28128 people were included. The pooled analysis of depression and anxiety amid the pandemic was estimated at 41% and 39%, respectively. Based on the study results, Iraq and Egypt had the highest prevalence rates of depression at 88% and 82%, respectively. Regarding anxiety, the highest and lowest prevalence rates were reported for Egypt with 91% and Qatar with 17%. Conclusion: To effectively provide mental health services for people, particularly the ones who are suspected of higher risk of depression and anxiety, it is necessary to identify individuals who are more likely to be suffered from psychological problems. © 2023 Authors. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 and pulmonary Tubercuiosis coinfection: three case reports from Iran

Tubercuiosis is still a significant problem worldwide. Until the COVID-19 pandemic, tuberculosis was the leading cause of mortality from a single infectious agent. Pulmonary Tubercuiosis patients are more tending to be co-infected with COVID-19 notably when they have a history of exposure. There are some case reports relating to pulmonary TB and COVID-19 coinfection but the information about TB and COVID-19 was still little. We report three coinfected patients. Case one and two were both middle-aged Iranian mans with history of opium addiction, case one presented with dyspnea and weakness and case two presented with progressive weakness. Case three was a healthy young man with history of progressive dyspnea, productive cough and hemoptysis. Case one and case three were improved. In conclusion, COVID-19 is still an important issue and can coexist with other lung infections such as Pulmonary Tubercuiosis, so we should be aware of the advancement of the Tubercuiosis epidemic after the COVID-19 pandemic.Copyright © 2023 Tuberculosis Association of India

Omicron variant of COVID-19: A focused review of biologic, clinical, and epidemiological changes

On 25 November 2021, the world health organization listed Omicron as a newly arisen and the fifth variant of concern (VoC) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The genome sequence of Omicron showed the utmost number of mutations compared to other known VoCs up to now, and it was regarded as the only SARS-CoV-2 variant with changes in the receptor-binding domain (RBD). However, the Omicron is still detectable via previous polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. Clinical presentation of the disease is identical to previous VoCs, however in vitro and in vivo studies revealed a higher transmission rate. The biggest obstacles posed by Omicron are the immune escape and reduction in vaccine effectiveness, as indicated by many simulations and real-world studies. Although the efficacy of the two-dose vaccinations is suboptimal for Omicron, preliminary studies have considered the injection of a booster shot is beneficial and can decrease the risk of severe disease. All these new features of Omicron warranted close investigation of this VoC as a new chapter in the pandemic, especially with emersion of subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. This review presents a conspectus of the current knowledge on the COVID-19 Omicron variant biological, clinical, and epidemiological changes. © 2023 The Author(s).

Importance of IL-1 beta in SARS-CoV-2 infection

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) provokes the host immune responses and induces severe respiratory syndrome by overreaction of immune cells. IL-1 beta is a pro-inflammatory cytokine highly associated with the related inflammation and cytokine storm, and several IL-1 beta antagonists are being used to treat cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Accordingly, some studies and clinical trials are investigating the effects of IL-1 beta antagonists for controlling Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated CRS. Here, we will review any interaction and association between IL-1 beta and SARS-CoV-2 infection.

A Literature Review about Impact of COVID-19 on Operative Activity, Educational Process and Mental Health of Surgical Residents

Background and aim: The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected all sections of society, including medical staff. Based on a review study, the aim of this study was to look at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical residents, educational process, surgical, and mental health components. Material and methods: The results of this study were based on the method of review studies. To conduct this study, a systematic search of international databases including Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar between 2000 and 2021 was first performed using related keywords. Finally, 30 articles were chosen based on the scope and the necessary criteria for obtaining data, and the needed results were extracted from them. Results: The results showed that 6776 residents and 220 program managers participated in these studies, with the largest sample sizes coming from the United States (3187 people), India (716 people) and Italy (661 people), respectively. Furthermore, the results showed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative effect on surgical residents', educational activities, as well as mental health, and surgical activities. Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be concluded that COVID-19 pandemic has a negative effect on surgical residents' educational process, as well as increased their anxiety and stress, and for that reason, proper planning by managers is needed to reduce these negative effects. © 2021 Negahi A, et al.

COVID-19 control management in central corona hospitals using SWOT and QSPM matrices: A case study in Kashan central hospitals

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals have been the most important centers for the virus spread. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the management of infection control in central corona hospitals in Kashan using the quantitative strategic planning matrix (QSPM) matrix. Methods: The existing documents studied the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the organization identified by environmental health experts. The internal and external factors were identified as internal factor evaluation (IFE) and external factor evaluation (EFE) matrices, respectively, then, prioritized and weighted. In the next step, the SWOT matrix was formed and the type of used strategy by the organization was determined, and solutions to improve the current situation were presented by experts. Finally, the attractiveness table was compiled and weighted using the QSPM method to prioritize the proposed strategies. Results: After identifying 25 strengths, 28 weaknesses, 15 opportunities, and 13 threats, weighting was performed, the final score for internal and external factors was 2.6475 and 2.3825, respectively. The final strategy for implementing COVID-19 disease control in the studied hospitals was the Conservative Strategy (WO). Based on this, six control strategies were presented. The priority and attractiveness of each strategy were evaluated using the QSPM matrix. Finally, the strategy of “structuring the system and providing and upgrading the equipment and infrastructure facilities” was implemented as a priority. Conclusion: According to the results, the combination of SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) and QSPM methods can play an efficient role in identifying and evaluating the factors affecting the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in hospitals and further developing and prioritizing control strategies for this infectious disease. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Kerman University of Medical Sciences.

Nurses' experiences of providing ethical care to the patients with COVID-19: A phenomenological study.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a newly emerging infectious disease that bringing a heavy workload on nursing staff. Objective: This study explores the nurses' experiences of providing ethical care for patients with COVID-19. Methods: This qualitative study was carried out based on hermeneutic phenomenology. Unstructured interviews were conducted with 18 Iranian nurses. Data were analyzed based on the hermeneutic approach using the Diekelmann approach. Results: Three themes emerged: strong clinical dilemma, flourishing of professional values, and strengthening human and organizational communication. Conclusion: The findings highlight ethical care and its dimensions for COVID-19 patients. Nurses need support from health managers to provide ethical care in such health crises.

Antiviral drugs proposed for COVID-19: action mechanism and pharmacological data.

OBJECTIVE: As a beta-coronavirus, Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has caused one of the most significant historical pandemics, as well as various health and medical challenges. Our purpose in this report is to collect, summarize, and articulate all essential information about antiviral drugs that may or may not be efficient for treating COVID-19. Clinical evidence about these drugs and their possible mechanisms of action are also discussed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To conduct a comprehensive review, different keywords in various databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, Medline, PubMed, and Google Scholar, were searched relevant articles, especially the most recent ones, were selected and studied. These selected original research articles, review papers, systematic reviews, and even letters to the editors were then carefully reviewed for data collection. RESULTS: SARS-CoV-2 is the newest member of the coronavirus family, and there are still no promising therapies or particular antiviral compounds to fight it. After entering the body, SARS-CoV-2 penetrates the cells by attaching to specific lung cell receptors, called angiotensin-converting enzyme-2. Then, by employing cell division machinery, it replicates through a complex mechanism and spreads throughout the patient's body. Various antiviral drugs, including anti-influenza/HIV/HCV drugs, have been applied for treating COVID-19 patients. Due to the similarity of the structure and transcriptional mechanism of COVID-19 to a number of viruses, some of the listed drugs have been beneficial against SARS-CoV-2. However, the effectiveness of others is in an aura of ambiguity and doubt. CONCLUSIONS: Some of the antiviral medications listed and discussed in this article have been effective in the treatment of COVID-19 patients or preventing the virus from spreading further. However, other drugs have to be investigated to reach a reliable conclusion about their effectiveness or ineffectiveness.

Impact of covid-19 pandemic on the upper digestive endoscopy: Comparative study during 2 distinct periods

Aims Determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the upper endoscopic activity of the emergency departments ofour service by comparing the epidemiological, clinical and endoscopic profile of patients who had an upper digestiveendoscopy in an emergency context in 2 distinct periods before and during the pandemic COVID-19. Methods It's a retrospective, descriptive and comparative study of patients who had an upper digestive endoscopy (UDE),over two successive 8 months Period (1) non COVID-19: 01/03/2019-31/10/2019 and Period (2) COVID 19: 01/03/2020-31/10/2020 in the hepato-gastroenterology department of the university hospital Mohammed VI Oujda. Results During the study period, 54 urgent UDE were performed during period (2) versus 153 endoscopies during period(1) The average age of our patients was 60±2 during period (2) versus 56±3 during period (1), sex ratio (H/F) was 1.8 inperiod (1) and 1.2 in period (2) Concerning gastroduodenal ulcer during the period (2) 11 % were stage IIb-I with 24 % bulbar locations compared to 6 %stage IIb-I during period (1). The 2 endoscopies performed in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia had esophageal various and stage IIb gastric ulcertherapeutic endoscopic procedures were performed for 15 % patients during period (2) including clips, ligations and APCcompared with 13 % during period (1). Conclusions There is a marked reduction in UDE case volume during the COVID-19 period. Self-medication by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was higher during this period with a slight increase in the prevalence of ulcer disease withadvanced lesions and the use of an interventional endoscopic gesture during this period. In addition, there is a stability in the number of hemorrhagic decompensations of chronic liver disease and also in theprevalence of tumor pathology diagnosed on endoscopy during this period that can be related the silent evolution of thesepathologies.

Impact of the covid 19 pandemy on the emergency endoscopic activity

Aims Determine the impact of the covid 19 pandemy on the emergency endoscopic activity. Methods The is a retrospective, descriptive and comparative study of epidemiological, clinical and endoscopic characteristics of patients who had emergency ERCP over two successive 8 months:Period(1):01/03/2019-31/10/2019 andPeriod(2):01/03/2020-31/10/2020 in our department of hepatogastroenterology of university hospital Mohammed VIOujda. Results The average age of patients was 62 years(12-93) during period(2) versus 67 years(25-104)during period(1),there were a female predominance in two groups.During period(2) 145 ERCP were performed,87(60 %) were in emergencycontext for acute cholangitis,9 had acute pancreatitis associated,12.6 % were in grade III of acute cholangitis and theaverage of bilirubin before the procedure was 115 mg/l and 54 mg/l after versus 166 ERCP during the period(1),93(56 %)having emergency ERCP for acute cholangitis, and acute pancreatitis was associated in 9 patients,17.2 % were in gradeIII, and the average of bilirubin before the procedure was 130 mg/l and 64 mg/l after during period(1),52.9 % patients whohad placement of prosthesis in period(2) versus 47.3 % in period(1),and 57.5 % patients had an endoscopic sphincterotomyversus 57 % respectively.In period(2),the etiology was lithiasis in 51.7 % patients, tumoral in 43.7 % patients, and hydatidcyst in 4.6 % patients, In period(1)the lithiasis patholology was in 58 % patients, tumoral in 36.8 % patients, two cases ofprosthesis dysfunction,1 with hydatid cyst and 1 with sump syndrom.In period(2),failed drainage was noted in 3(3.4 %)patients:2 patients:surgical drainage,1 patient:nasobiliary drainage, in period(1) 5(5.3 %)patients:3 patients:surgicaldrainage 2 patients:percutaneous drainage. Conclusions The results of our comparative study between period (1) and (2) are the age was around 60, female sexpredominate over male, therefore lithiasis pathology was the most predominant cause due to not having cholecystectomy, followed by the tumoral cause which is tardily diagnosed after complications and requiring drainage, placement of prosthesis was preferred during the covid period to reduce the risk of recurrence, the delay to perform ERCP, complications post-ERCP and hospital staying are decreased during the period(2), given the constraints of the pandemy.