Prevalence of new onset erectile dysfunction among Damietta governorate men after contracting COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Several reports showed that sexual function was affected during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. AIMS: The objective of the study was to demonstrate whether a realistic association exists between the COVID-19 pandemic and erectile dysfunction (ED) among a sampled Egyptian population in Damietta governorate. METHODS: This cross-sectional study consisted of 330 adult males diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. They were categorized in three age groups (18-29, 30-39, and 40-50 years, respectively). COVID-19-confirmed cases were assessed by the Arabic version of the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire (IIEF) scores. RESULTS: The prevalence of ED according to the IIEF was 55.1%. The ED was categorized into mild ED which represents 25.8% of the patients, mild to moderate which represents 22.4% of the patients, moderate which represents 7% of the patients, and severe which represents 0% of the patients. We found a significant negative correlation between the age of the patients and the IIEF score. Also, we found an association between the severity of COVID-19 infection and the IIEF score. CONCLUSION: An association of new-onset ED in men who suffered COVID-19 infection was established. This may be due to virus-induced endothelial cell dysfunction; however, an underlying mechanism and causation have not yet been clearly elucidated. While it appears that COVID-19 infection may be a risk factor for ED, additional research is needed to establish causality.

Coronavirus Disease in Children: A Single-Center Study from Western Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: Local data in Saudi Arabia regarding pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infection is limited. This study is aimed at adding insight regarding the effect of the novel coronavirus on pediatric patients by studying the presentation, laboratory parameters, and disposition of SARS-CoV-2-infected pediatric patients in one center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methodology. A retrospective study was conducted at the International Medical Center (IMC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to assess features of pediatric patients admitted with COVID-19 from April 2020 to September 2020. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients were found to meet the study inclusion criteria. The most common presenting symptom was fever (53.5%) in study participants followed by complaints of cough, runny nose, and shortness of breath (37.2%). Lymphocytopenia was evident among 60% of those studied. Elevated C-Reactive Protein was remarkable in 24.9%. More than half of those (53.5%) studied required only supportive treatment. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 disease for the most part is mild in children with a varying clinical picture and nonspecific laboratory parameters. Further, large-scale national-based studies are needed to help in the early identification of pediatric cases at risk of complication due to COVID-19 infection hence providing proper and timely management, identifying population-specific disease pattern and perhaps targeted immunization.

Evaluation of rifaximin in management of hepatic encephalopathy.

This study evaluated the efficacy of rifaximin versus lactulose in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). The study population included 50 patients who were diagnosed to have signs of the first to third degree HE, according to the West Haven criteria and classified into two groups. GI: included 25 patients who had HE and were treated with lactulose syrup (laxolac) 90 ml daily divided into 3 doses for 7 days. GII: included 25 patients who had HE and were treated with rifaximin 1200 mg daily divided into 3 doses for 7 days. Patients in both groups also received other measures of treatment of HE as daily enema and protein restriction. Rifaximin significantly improved various subjective and measurable components of HE including mental status, behavior, asterixis, and serum ammonia concentration. In acute HE of grade 1 to grade 3, rifaximin may be a good alternative to non-absorbable disaccharides as it is broad spectrum, non-absorbable antibiotic with rapid action and little side effects. It is better tolerated, associated with less frequent and shorter hospitalization in comparison to lactulose.