Free floating aorto-iliac thrombosis: A rare complication of COVID-19 pneumonia

Arterial thrombosis encountered during sars-cov2 infections is a rare complication with a poor prognosis compared to venous ones. They generally occur in severe and critical clinical forms of covid19 [1,2]. The physiopathology of arterial thrombosis, even if not completely understood highlights hypercoagulability and excessive inflammation as risk factors with a major role of the endothelial lesions in their occurrence. The presence of cardiovascular risk factors in patients infected with covid19 is also discussed as a predisposing factor for arterial thrombosis [2,3]. We report the case of a North African male patient hospitalized for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to covid19 pneumonia, complicated by the occurrence of multiple arterial thrombosis of the aorto-iliac axis with the rare finding of two free floating thrombus in the aorta and the right common iliac artery. Clinically, the patient had developed acute bilateral lower limb ischemia and multi-organ failure and the evolution was dramatic with rapid worsening of the patient…s health and eventually his death. Thromboembolic complications are frequent during covid19 infection but the aortic localization is very rare. Its diagnosis is difficult and it has a poor prognosis. Our objective through this case report is to increase knowledge about arterial thromboembolic events while discussing their link to the sars-cov2 viral infection. © 2022

Wells score and prediction of pulmonary embolism in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 in Morocco

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the WELLS score for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in patients with COVID-19 in Souss-Massa Regional Hospital Center. This article reviewed the diagnostic accuracy of the WELLS score associated with the dosage of D-dimer biomarkers. Material and Methods: This retrospective observational descriptive and transversal study was conducted at Souss-Massa Regional Hospital Center, from March 15, 2021 to June 26, 2021. Results: The study included 77 patients who underwent chest CT angiography due to oxygen desaturation associated with the values of the biological marker D -dimers. The most responsive antecedents were type II diabetes (41.00%), hypertension (17.9%), and heart disease (15.4%). The mean age of 47 patients with pulmonary embolism had an average age of 62.09 years (+/- 13.31), including 40 men (85.1%) and 7 women (14.9%);9 patients died, with no medical history available. Comorbidity factors presented in 80.85% (38/47 cases) of patients, the most frequent being type II diabetes 44.73% (17/38 cases), arterial hypertension 28.94% (11/38), heart disease 5.26% (2/38), chronic respiratory failure 2.63% (1/38), smoking history 10.52% (4/38), asthma patients were 5.26% (2/38), and tuberculosis patients were 2.63% (1 /38). Among these patients 38.29% died. The combination of the Wells score with the value of D-dimers can be useful to guide the appropriate care for his patients. Discussion: The combination of the Wells score with the value of D-dimers can be useful to guide the appropriate care for his patients.

Depression and eating disorders among health care professionals in Morocco during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: In Morocco, the first confirmed case of COVI D-19 was on March 2nd, 2020. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced the outbreak of COVID-19 to be a pandemic. Due to the subsequent increase in confirmed cases in Morocco, a state of medical emergency with lock down was declared on March 20th, 2020. Pandemics, such as COVID-19, may lead to or further exacerbate psychological distress. The pandemic's impact on mental health and eating disorders among health care professionals in Morocco is unknown. The aim of this study was to screen for depression and eating disorders among healthcare workers in Morocco during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was distributed to a sample of Moroccan healthcare workers via an online platform. The questionnaire included the SCOFF and PHQ-9 screening tools to assess for the presence of depression and eating disorders. A total of 389 questionnaires were completed. Results: Of the participants, 29.3% had moderate to severe depression. Females and older participants had statistically significant higher rates of depression (p=0.012, 0.000, respectively). Eating disorders were present in 42% of our sample. The presence of an eating disorder was more likely among participants that were younger (<22 years old, p=0.01), obese (p=0.009), using cannabis (p=0.009), emotional eating (p<0.001) or diagnosed with depression (p=0.001). Conclusion: The pandemic has negative impacts on mental health and eating behaviors among a sample of Moroccan health care workers. Compared to the pre-pandemic period, both rates of depression and eating disorders increased. This supports the need for increasing access to mental health services among healthcare professionals in Morocco as well as reducing the stigma associated with getting help.