Special Issue. (Special Issue.)

This special issue contains 13 articles that discuss public health articles such as public perception, knowledge and factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptability, determinants of enrolment in health insurance scheme among HIV patients, hypertension and associated factors among patients attending HIV clinic, determinants of visit-to-visit systolic blood pressure variability among Ghanaians with hypertension and diabetes mellitus, short-term outcomes among patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, association of erectile dysfunction with coronary artery disease, psychological correlates of COVID safety protocol adherence, ophthalmic services utilisation and associated factors, safe duration of silicon catheter replacement in urological patients, and leadership in health and medical education.

Observational study of imaging findings in COVID -19 related rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis - a tertiary care center study

Background: There has been a tremendous increase in number of cases of rhino-orbitocerebral involvement with mucor in the COVID era, as reported from India. It is well established that management of ROCM involves early clinical and radiological diagnosis, reversal of underlying risk factors, prompt antifungal therapy and surgical debridement when indicated. Materials &Methods: Multiplanar MR imaging and CT scan were performed for brain, orbit and paranasal sinuses. All the cases were assessed for involvement of the paranasal sinuses, nasal cavities, orbits and brain. Results: 25 cases with ROCM were identified over 8 months. The mean age of the cases was 56.1 years. 18 of the 25 cases had a positive RT-PCR test result at the time of diagnosis with ROCM. 20 cases had poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, 2 had a hematological malignancy, 2 had chronic kidney disease and 1 had ischemic heart disease. There was involvement of the paranasal sinuses, nasal cavities, orbits and brain inclusing necrosis in most of the cases. The number of cases identified during the interval is much higher than the numbers presenting in the prior 2 years during equivalent intervals than those reported in the literature in different settings in the pre-pandemic era. Conclusions: Rhino-orbito mucormycosis can have aggressive necrosis of the involved paranasal sinuses and orbits with or without cerebral extension. Hence, the correct diagnosis is imperative as prompt antifungal drugs and surgical debridement can significantly reduce mortality and morbidity.

Changes in clinical features and outcomes in three major critical diseases after COVID-19 pandemic: acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiac arrest. (Special Issue: COVID-19 in the emergency department: epidemiology and changes throughout the pandemic.)

A few months after the onset of the coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the worse prognoses of acute myocardial infarction, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, and cardiac arrest were reported. This study aimed to investigate the changes in the characteristics and prognoses of these diseases in the emergency department (ED) over a year after pandemic's onset. This was a retrospective observational study. The year 2019 was defined as the pre-period, while the year from February 2020 to January 2021 was defined as the post-period. Adult patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, or cardiac arrest during the study period were included. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Time series analyses using autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA)(p,d,q) model were performed to evaluate the changes between periods. A multivariable logistic regression analysis of factors affecting in-hospital mortality was performed. The proportions of patients with acute myocardial infarction (0.8% vs. 1.1%, p < 0.001), hemorrhagic stroke (1.0%vs. 1.2%, p = 0.011), and cardiac arrest (0.9% vs. 1.1%, p = 0.012) increased in the post-period. The post-period was independently associated with in-hospital mortality in acute myocardial infarction (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.54, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.06-6.08, p = 0.037) and hemorrhagic stroke (aOR 1.74, 95% CI 1.11-2.73, p = 0.016), but not for ischemic stroke or cardiac arrest. Over a year after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea, the number of patients with acute myocardial infarction, hemorrhagic stroke, and cardiac arrest in the ED increased. An independent association between the post-period and mortality was observed for acute myocardial infarction, and hemorrhagic stroke. This study provides important information for future studies and policies.

Risk factors for COVID-19 from interculturality and the preservation of ancestral knowledge

In December 2019, an outbreak of pneumonia cases emerged in Wuhan, China, which evolved into the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the work is to design a community prevention strategy in the indigenous population of zone 3 at the starting point of the epidemiological characterization carried out. A longitudinal and prospective experimental explanatory study was conducted with deliberate intervention, descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used. It was identified that the age of 60 years or more pre- dominated in the subjects surveyed, which represented 9,7%, and the other risk group located at ages under 18 years, were located 17 for 4,5% of the sample, although the figure of both age groups of risk is not high, it is necessary to work with the indigenous population at the community level, ischemic heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and bronchial asthma were also identified as a risk. As social factors, extreme poverty, living alone, overcrowding and poor accessibility to health services. The community prevention strategy of Covid-19 in the indigenous population will favor the epidemiological control of the pandemic with probable economic and social impact added, which will guarantee a rational use of resources focused on the most vulnerable population.

Clinical and radiological characteristics of adult hospitalized Coronavirus disease-2019 patients of Dhaka, Bangladesh

The severity of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) varies among individuals and some influential factors leads to critical infections and death. This study aimed to assess various clinical data of hospitalized patients and identify the determinants of critical COVID-19 infection. This was a cross-sectional study among hospitalized COVID-19 patients confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Data was collected from a single Centre between January to April 2021 by experienced physicians of Ad-din Medical College Hospital. All of the laboratory tests were performed by technical experts and the data was analyzed by Statistical package for the social sciences software. Among the study participants 25% were Intensive care unit (ICU) patients and the mean age of them were higher (59 years) than non-ICU (55 years) patients. Our analysis has identified diabetes mellitus (AOR=2.5, 95%CI: 1.1-5.4) and ischemic heart disease (AOR=3.1, 95%CI: 1.1-8.9) as significant predictor of critical outcome (ICU admission). Anemia (AOR=3.3, 95%CI: 1.5-7.4), lymphopenia (AOR=2.9, 95%CI: 1.2-7.1), and thrombocytopenia (AOR=4.2, 95%CI: 2.7-12.9) was also associated critical outcome. Biomarkers of kidney injury (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen), liver damage (alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, fibrinogen) and electrolyte imbalance (sodium and potassium level) were also significantly associated with critical infection. A higher d-dimer level (2.5) was the most important predictor (AOR=11.5, 95%CI: 5.4-24.6) of critical COVID 19 infections. The study has revealed socio-demographic, comorbidity, and radiological risk factors of critical COVID-19 infections. The identified risk factors would be considered for decision making during the treatment process.

Outcome, severity, and risk of mortality in patients with COVID-19 and chronic underlying diseases: a prospective study

Background: The novel coronavirus pandemic, severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV-2 (SARS COV-2), has become a global threat and rapidly spread worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a number of challenges, the most notable of which is the management of patients with chronic underlying diseases. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the risk of COVID-19 severity and mortality in patients with chronic underlying diseases.

Ischemic stroke in COVID 19 - management dilemmas

This article presents some points concerning management dilemmas that the authors would like to highlight, which were not specifically addressed in the published guidelines, "Consensus statement - suggested recommendations for acute stroke management during the COVID-19 pandemic: Expert group on behalf of the Indian Stroke Association" which was published recently. The authors emphasize that importance of recognizing that there are treatment dilemmas in COVID-19-related ischaemic stroke management, owing to its variable presentation, even while acknowledging that no definite guidelines are presently available on these.

Anti-ischemic therapy in patients with COVID-19 and acute coronary syndrome

Introduction. Since the end of 2019, the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV2 has affected hundreds of millions of people, and the number of indirectly affected is many times higher. In addition to directly affecting lung tissue, the coronavirus infection predisposes patients to thrombotic events responsible for the occurrence of cardiovascular complications. The aim of our study was to observe patients with COVID-19 and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to evaluate the efficacy of anti-ischemic therapy with beta-blockers, molsidomine and trimetazidine.

Focus issue on epidemiology and prevention. (Focus issue on epidemiology and prevention.)

This issue contains 18 articles that discuss COVID-19 and cardiovascular health. Topics include The Jessa Hospital experience for cardiac rehabilitation, cardiology training using technology, the value of sotagliflozin in patients with diabetes and heart failure detracted by an unexpected ending, Taking a stand against air pollution as a joint opinion from the World Heart Federation, American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, and the European Society of Cardiology, a call to action for new global approaches to cardiovascular disease drug solutions, validation of risk scores for ischaemic stroke in atrial fibrillation across the spectrum of kidney function, the risk of atrial fibrillation in a Swedish nationwide cohort study, the physical activity paradox in cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality, among others.

The effect of national lockdown due to COVID-19 on emergency department visits.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 outbreak lead to nationwide lockdown in Finland on the March 16th, 2020. Previous data regarding to the patient load in the emergency departments during pandemics is scarce. Our aim is to describe the effect of national lockdown and social distancing on the number and reasons for emergency department (ED) visits and inpatient admissions in three large volume hospitals prior to and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic in Finland. METHODS: Data for this register-based retrospective cohort study were collected from three large ED's in Finland, covering 1/6 of the Finnish population. All patients visiting ED's six weeks before and six weeks after the lockdown were included. Pediatric and gynecological patients were excluded. Numbers and reasons for ED visits and inpatient admissions were collected. Corresponding time period in 2019 was used as reference. RESULTS: A total of 40,653 ED visits and 12,226 inpatient admissions were analyzed. The total number of ED visits decreased 16% after the lockdown, whereas the number of inpatient admissions decreased 15% (p < 0.001). This change in inpatient admissions was similar in all participating hospitals. Visits due to back or limb pain decreased 31% and infectious diseases 28%. The visit rate and inpatient admissions due to acute myocardial infarction and strokes remained stable throughout the study period. Interestingly, the rate of inpatient admissions due to psychiatric diagnoses remained unchanged, although the ED visit rate decreased by 19%. The number of ED visits (n = 282) and inpatient admissions (n = 55) due to COVID-19 remained low in the participating hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in ED visits and inpatient admissions prior to and during the early phase of the COVID-19 outbreak were unpredictable, and our results may help hospitals and especially ED's focus their resources better. Surprisingly, there was a major decrease in the rate of ED visits due to back or limb pain and not so surprisingly in infectious diseases. Rates of acute myocardial infarctions and cerebral strokes remained stable. In summary, stabile resources for the treatment of patients with severe diseases will be needed in hospitals and ED's.