The predictive role of biomarkers for mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Many biomarkers are used in addition to radiologic examinations to determine the severity of COVID-19. This study aims to determine WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, D-dimer, CRP, AST, ALT, LDH, PT, APTT, INR, urea, creatinine, lactate, and ferritin levels in COVID-19 patients and the effect of their changes on mortality rate. The study was conducted between 11 March 2020 and 31 August 2020 (during the COVID-19 pandemic). A total of 502 patients older than 18 years who presented with suspected COVID-19 were included in the study. Of these 502 patients who applied to the hospital, 229(45.6%) were male and 273(54%) were female. 301(60%) patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 through computed tomography and PCR tests. 201(40%) patients with negative test results constituted the control group. Patients with positive test results 48.2% (n=145) were men, and 51.8% (n=156) were women. The median age of the patients was 51±25 years. The patients tested positive for COVID-19 were divided into three groups as outpatients (26.9%), inpatients (68.8%), and intensive care unit patients (4.3%). The mortality rate of the patients followed via the patient follow-up system after 30 days was determined as 2.7%. The biomarker values of patients examined in this study tested negative and positive for COVID-19 were compared. In the study, D-dimer, ferritin, Lactate, AST, ALT, LDH, Urea, Creatinine, APTT, and INR levels were found to be higher in the positive tested patients than the negative ones. In the study, it was concluded that neutrophil, lymphocyte, CRP, and ferritin ratios should also be followed in the follow-up phase of the disease. It is important that additional measures should be taken in cases when these biomarkers increase by following the values of the patients who started taking treatment. Also, the ratio of biomarkers is crucial in determining whether the treatment has been effective or not.

Factors influencing Helicobacter Pylori positivity in children.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common bacteria all over the world. The factors influencing the acquisition and prevalence of H. pylori infection are still poorly understood. AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the factors that may affect H. pylori positivity in patients who presented to the pediatric clinic. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 374 children who attended the pediatric clinic with gastrointestinal complaints. The demographic characteristics of patients were recorded, and fecal samples were examined for H. pylori positivity with a prepared kit procedure. In addition, the samples were examined under microscope for the diagnosis of parasites in stool. The Chi-square analysis and binary logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis. The odds ratio was calculated as an estimate of the relative risk. Results: The study found the incidence of H. pylori positivity to be 18.7%. It was observed that in all H. pylori positive patients had growth retardation. H. pylori positivity had no significant relationship with the presence of parasites in the stool (p = 0.113). The results of the Chi-square test showed that H. pylori positivity was significantly changed age groups and educational levels. Logistic regression analysis showed that "age" and "educational status" are significant predictors of H. pylori positivity (p = 0.023 and 0.017, respectively). The risk of H. pylori positivity in the 11-18 age group patients was found about two times (OR: 2.024) higher than in the 6-10 age group patients. The risk of H. pylori positivity in those with education level of "Middle school and above" were found to be twice as high (OR: 2.126) than those with a primary education level (OR: 2.126). CONCLUSION: In this study, adolescent age and middle school and above level were found to be risk factors for H. pylori. This suggests that there may be other conditions influencing H. pylori positivity. Also, since the frequency of H. pylori is high in those with growth retardation, H. pylori should be considered when evaluating children with growth retardation.

The predictive role of biomarkers for mortality in COVID-19 patients

@#Many biomarkers are used in addition to radiologic examinations to determine the severity of COVID-19. This study aims to determine WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, D-dimer, CRP, AST, ALT, LDH, PT, APTT, INR, urea, creatinine, lactate, and ferritin levels in COVID-19 patients and the effect of their changes on mortality rate. The study was conducted between 11 March 2020 and 31 August 2020 (during the COVID-19 pandemic). A total of 502 patients older than 18 years who presented with suspected COVID-19 were included in the study. Of these 502 patients who applied to the hospital, 229(45.6%) were male and 273(54%) were female. 301(60%) patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 through computed tomography and PCR tests. 201(40%) patients with negative test results constituted the control group. Patients with positive test results 48.2% (n=145) were men, and 51.8% (n=156) were women. The median age of the patients was 51±25 years. The patients tested positive for COVID-19 were divided into three groups as outpatients (26.9%), inpatients (68.8%), and intensive care unit patients (4.3%). The mortality rate of the patients followed via the patient follow-up system after 30 days was determined as 2.7%. The biomarker values of patients examined in this study tested negative and positive for COVID-19 were compared. In the study, D-dimer, ferritin, Lactate, AST, ALT, LDH, Urea, Creatinine, APTT, and INR levels were found to be higher in the positive tested patients than the negative ones. In the study, it was concluded that neutrophil, lymphocyte, CRP, and ferritin ratios should also be followed in the follow-up phase of the disease. It is important that additional measures should be taken in cases when these biomarkers increase by following the values of the patients who started taking treatment. Also, the ratio of biomarkers is crucial in determining whether the treatment has been effective or not.