The role of colchicine in the management of COVID-19: a Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has robustly affected the global healthcare and economic systems and it was caused by coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The clinical presentation of the disease ranges from a flu-like illness to severe pneumonia and death. Till September 2022, the cumulative number of cases exceeded 600 million worldwide and deaths were more than 6 million. Colchicine is an alkaloid drug that is used in many autoinflammatory conditions e.g., gout, familial Mediterranean fever, and Behçet's syndrome. Colchicine inhibits the production of superoxide and the release of interleukins that stimulate the inflammatory cascade. Colchicine decreases the differentiation of myofibroblast and the release of fibrotic mediators including transforming growth factor (TGF-ß1) that are related to the fibrosis. Moreover, colchicine has been used to traet viral myocarditis caused by CMV or EBV, interstitial pneumonia, and pericarditis resulting from influenza B infection. Additionally, colchicine is considered safe and affordable with wide availability. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to assess the evidence of colchicine effectiveness in COVID-19 treatment. METHODS: A comprehensive review of the literature was done till May 2022 and yielded 814 articles after ranking the articles according to authors and year of publication. Only 8 clinical trials and cohort studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included for further steps of data collection, analysis, and reporting. RESULTS: This meta-analysis involved 16,488 patients; 8146 patients in the treatment group and 8342 patients in the control group. The results showed that colchicine resulted in a significant reduction in the mortality rate among patients received colchicine in comparison with placebo or standard care (RR 0.35, 95%CI: 0.15-0.79). Colchicine resulted in a significant decrease in the need for O2 therapy in patients with COVID-19 (RR 0.07, 95%CI 0.02-0.27, P = 0.000024). However, colchicine had no significant effect on the following outcomes among COVID-19 patients: the need for hospitalization, ICU admission, artificial ventilation, and hospital discharge rate. Among the PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients, colchicine decreased the hospitalization rate (RR 0.75, 95%CI 0.57-0.99, P = 0.042). However, colchicine had no effect on mortality and the need for mechanical ventilation among this subgroup. CONCLUSION: Colchicine caused a significant clinical improvement among COVID-19 patients as compared with the standard care or placebo, in terms of the need for O2, and mortality. This beneficial effect could play a role in the management of COVID-19 especially severe cases to decrease need for oxygen and to decrease mortality among these patients.

What is the prevalence of chronic kidney disease among hypertensive non-diabetic Egyptian patients attending primary healthcare?

BACKGROUND: Although chronic kidney disease (CKD) is considered the major cause of morbidity and mortality in hypertension, the recognition and prevention of CKD remain deficient. CKD is one of the major health challenges in Egypt. CKD affects approximately 13% of the adult population, resulting in significant morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Patients with more progressive stage 3 or stage 4 CKD experience a high rate of cardiovascular events and death compared to earlier stages of CKD. AIM: This study was performed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of CKD among hypertensive non-diabetic patients attending primary health care (PHC) centers in Cairo. METHODOLOGY: The study type is a cross-sectional study. Study setting: Two PHC centers: Saraya El-kobba and El-Sharabya. Sampling method: Recruitment of participants was done in one day weekly. Any known essential hypertensive patients aged 18 or more registered in the two PHC centers in Cairo. RESULTS: The prevalence of CKD was 33% among the hypertensive non-diabetic patients. Among CKD participants, the prevalence is more common in females (59.7%) than males (40.3%), in those who completed primary education and in the illiterates and low socioeconomic class. Surprisingly, it is more common in patients with positive family history of CKD and patients with ischemic heart disease and the antihypertensive drugs use. CONCLUSION: CKD has a high prevalence among hypertensive non-diabetic patients, and it has a significant morbidity and mortality among those patients.

The "new normal" for medical education during and post-COVID-19.

After outbreaks in more than 110 countries, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on the March 11, 2020, heralding unprecedented challenges in medical education. Our aim is to provide a descriptive overview of the impact of COVID-19 on medical education worldwide and to assess its future repercussions. Worldwide, medical students were removed from clerkship training. Clinical skills and practical procedure training transitioned to being online, and in some cases, postponed. Medical educators scrambled to convert the curriculum into online formats. Access to Internet, technology, and computer education posed resource allocation challenges in developing countries and further widened the disparities in medical education. Even in countries where the framework and funding were available to support the online transition, debatably, this arrangement can lead to disparities in clinical skills, bedside manner, and field experience among pre- and post-COVID-19 medical graduates. Challenges extend beyond undergraduate medical education to include the medical licensing process of international and national postgraduates. The international community of medical educators needs to collaborate to drive the future of medical education, as the world adapts to the "new normal."

Screening and early detection of chronic kidney disease at primary healthcare.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a global public health concern and results in poor health outcomes. While the burden of CKD is accurately well defined in developed countries, increasing evidence indicates that the CKD burden may be even greater in developing countries. Primary care has an essential role in the early identification of CKD and the prompt integrated management between primary and secondary CKD care, with participation of the patient, should be done in high quality. Systematic screening for CKD in at-risk individuals is strongly indicated for timely intervention when needed and to perceive the impact of such policies on CKD incidence. Furthermore, failure to recognize a patient in stages 1-3 of CKD may result in high incidence of CKD complications and kidney failure, often leaving the patient unsuitable for different renal replacement therapies, such as dialysis and transplantation. Therefore, primary care early referral and consultation with a nephrologist can give a better chance for different dialysis procedures and minimize the rate of hospitalization and mortality.

Vitamin D level in a sample of Egyptian females of childbearing age attending a family medicine center.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency is now recognised as a pandemic. The normal range of Vitamin D in the Arab countries is much lower than the international standards. Several Arab countries have published studies assessing serum Vitamin D levels among women--to date there is no national study assessing Vitamin D levels among Egyptian women. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to measure Vitamin D level among Egyptian women of childbearing age. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included 100 healthy adult females of childbearing age, who were attending a family medicine center in Cairo, Egypt. A validated interview questionnaire was conducted with participants, thereafter BMI and serum 25 (OH) Vitamin D levels were measured. RESULTS: The age of the included women ranged from 19 to 49 years old with a mean age of 34 ± 8.47 years. Only 39% of participants were employed and 61% were housewives. About 76% of participants were married, 20% unmarried and 4% divorced. Most of participants (82%) wore hijab; only 9% wore niqab and 9% wore no scarf. Only 44% of participants had normal levels of Vitamin D (˃20-150 ng/mL). About 43% of the participants were Vitamin D deficient and 13% were Vitamin D insufficiency. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are prevalent among Egyptian women of childbearing age. A routine monitoring screening for Vitamin D deficiency and Vitamin D health education are required to minimise risk factors among women of childbearing age.

The Effect of a Tailored Health Education Programme on Medication Management in the Elderly.

BACKGROUND: Empowering the elderly by education programs can decrease medication problems, morbidity, and mortality. METHODS: A cross-sectional study to identify trends and baseline medication management among the elderly in nursing homes followed by an interventional study (tailored educational programme) offered within the same population followed by reassessment of the same medication management domains. RESULTS: There was no effect regarding nursing home participants' medication knowledge before and after intervention, while there were variable degrees of significant statistical differences in how the participants obtain and take their medications as well as their total deficiency scores before and after intervention. Other domains were also variably affected. CONCLUSION: It is vital to ensure that patients have sufficient knowledge regarding their medications and how to handle and administer them. Different domains may variably be affected by educational programmes mainly due to preassessment deficits. Educational programmes need to be tailored according to the requirements of the population targeted.

A Study of Rate and Predictors of Fall Among Elderly Patients in a University Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Falls represent a serious problem facing hospital-admitted patients, and the severity of fall-related complications rises steadily after the age of 65 years. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were (a) to calculate the rate of falls among elderly patients in the internal medicine departments in Ain Shams University Hospital, (b) to identify different predictors and characteristics of falls, and (c) to assess clinical consequences and hospitalization outcomes of falls. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An observational longitudinal study has been conducted in Ain Shams University Hospital, where 411 elderly patients admitted to the internal medicine departments were included. Upon admission, the patients were assessed for their risk for falling using the Morse Fall Scale (MFS). Information about their medical condition and drugs administered was obtained. Functional assessment of the patients regarding their ability to perform different daily activities was also performed. The patients were followed up during their stay, and once a fall event occurred, complete details regarding the circumstances and consequences of that event were obtained. RESULTS: The incidence rate of falls was found to be 16.9 per 1000 patient days. The fallers had a significantly high risk for falling according to the MFS (P = 0.02). The MFS was able to predict patients at risk for falling and identified correctly 82.6% of the fallers. The most common medical conditions associated with falls were diabetes (48.7%), hypertension (58.7%), and visual impairment (41.3%). Anemia (P = 0.05) and osteoporosis (P = 0.02) showed a statistically significant difference between the fallers and the nonfallers. Presence of a history of a fall and increased length of hospital stay were highly significant (P = 0.01) factors that predisposed to falls. Logistic regression analysis showed that anemia, osteoporosis, and history of a fall were independent predictors of falls. Most falls had no serious consequences, approximately 18% had contusions, 2% had subdural hematomas, and 4% had fractures and lacerations. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients with anemia, osteoporosis, and history of a fall are more prone to falls and should be considered in fall protective measures.

The validity of Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index: simple tool for prediction of nutritional-related complication of hospitalized elderly patients. Comparison with Mini Nutritional Assessment.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is a promising tool initially proposed to predict nutrition-related complications in sub-acute care setting. So, the main aim of this study was to validate the use of GNRI in hospitalized elderly patients by testing its ability to predict patients' outcome through the comparison with Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 131 patients aged 60 and over admitted consecutively from October 2011 to September 2012 to the acute geriatrics medical ward in Ain Shams University hospitals, Cairo, Egypt. All patients were subjected to nutritional screening using GNRI and MNA and measurement of weight, body mass index (BMI), mid arm circumference (MAC), and calf circumference (CC), serum levels of total protein, albumin and prealbumin. Patients were followed for 6 months for the occurrence of major health complications as prolonged length of stay, infectious complications and mortality. RESULTS: Mean age was 69.32 ± 8.17 years. Lower GNRI scores were statically significantly associated with worse MNA scores, lower weight, BMI, MAC, CC and albumin (P value < 0.001 for all). Only with GNRI, increasing odds ratio (OR) was seen with increasing risk of nutrition-related complication (from mild to moderate to severe). ORs (95%CI) for three month mortality were 1.63(0.0.27-10.00), 5.03(1.36-18.52), and 11.24(3.03-41.67), and OR (95%CI) for six month mortality were 1.64(0.403-6.62), 4.29 (1.45-12.66), and 5.71(1.87-17.54) respectively compared to patients with no risk and. By regression, both severe and moderate grade of GNRI were independent predictors of three and six month mortality (P value for three month: 0.002, 0.015; for six month: 0.002, 0.008 respectively) after adjustment of age, sex, and cancer rather than MNA. CONCLUSIONS: GNRI showed a higher prognostic value for describing and classification of nutritional status and nutritional-related complications in hospitalized elderly patients in addition to its simplicity.