A cross-sectional study from Qatar on the effect of influenza vaccination on the severity of COVID-19.

To assess and compare the severity of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in patients with and without a history of influenza vaccination. In this cross-sectional study descriptive statistics were used to analyze COVID-19-related parameters, including demographics, comorbidities, and severity. Normally distributed data with mean, standard deviation, and 95% confidence interval (CI) were reported, while non-normally distributed data was presented with median and inter-quartile range. Categorical data was summarized using frequencies and percentages. Associations were assessed using Pearson Chi-square, Fisher Exact, t test, or Mann-Whitney U test. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods were used to evaluate the relationship between disease severity, clinical outcomes, influenza vaccination status, and other predictors. Significance was considered for p values < 0.05. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS V.27.0 (IBM Corp) and Epi Info (CDC) software. Between March 2020 and December 2020 before the availability of COVID-19 vaccination, 148,215 severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 positive patients were studied, with 3519 vaccinated against influenza, and 144,696 unvaccinated. After random sampling at 1:2 ratio, the final analysis included 3234 vaccinated and 5640 unvaccinated patients. The majority (95.4%) had mild or asymptomatic COVID-19, while 4.6% had severe or critical cases as defined by World Health Organization severity grading. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the vaccinated group had significantly less severe (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.683; 95% CI 0.513-0.911, P = .009) and critical (adjusted OR 0.345; 95% CI 0.145-0.822, P = .016) COVID-19 and were less likely to require oxygen therapy (adjusted OR 0.696; 95% CI 0.531-0.912, P = .009) after adjusting for confounders like age, gender and comorbidities. No significant differences in Intensive care unit admissions (adjusted OR 0.686; 95% CI 0.425-1.11, P = .122), mechanical ventilation (adjusted OR 0.631; 95% CI 0.308-1.295, P = .209) and mortality (adjusted OR 1.105; 95% CI 0.348-3.503, P = .866) were noted between the 2 groups. Influenza vaccination may significantly reduce the severity of COVID-19 but has no significant effect on intensive care unit admissions, mechanical ventilation and all- cause mortality.

Recurrent chest pain as a rare presentation of extra-pelvic endometriosis.

Periodic chest pain, with bloody pleural effusion should raise the suspicion of pleural endometriosis as a well-known, but a rare condition in clinical practice.

Profile of Patients With Tuberculous Pleural Effusion in Qatar: A Retrospective Study.

Introduction Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the top 10 causes of death globally. Around 1.7 billion people are infected with mycobacterium TB worldwide, and almost 90% of cases each year are found in 30 high TB burden countries. Due to the influx of a large expatriate population mainly from the high TB burden countries, there is an increased number of pulmonary TB as well as tuberculous pleural effusion cases reported in Qatar. Objectives The demographic, clinical, laboratory, and histopathological parameters of patients with tuberculous pleural effusion were assessed. Methods A single-center study was conducted at Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar. Adults diagnosed to have tuberculous pleural effusion were included, and those with clinical suspicion of tuberculous pleural effusion with positive sputum acid-fast bacillus (AFB) but negative AFB in pleural samples were excluded. Results A total of 106 patients were reviewed, of whom 100 were included for the final analysis, with 86% being men. Majority were from the Asian subcontinent, and the mean age was 33.8 years (SD ± 10.3). Main symptoms in decreasing order were cough (77%), fever (56%), and chest pain (54%). Of the patients, 72% had normal BMI, and rest were above the normal range. Anemia and hypoalbuminemia were found in 36.7% and 89.8% of the patients, respectively. Positive AFB culture was observed in pleural biopsy (79%), pleural fluid (13%), and sputum (16%). Positive AFB by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was observed in pleural biopsy (57%), pleural fluid (3%), and sputum (2.2%), whereas AFB smear was positive in 2% of pleural biopsy samples. Caseating granuloma was seen in 80% of patients. All the three Light's criteria were met by 30% of the patients whereas 52% had two criteria fulfilled. No association between the number of Light's criteria and AFB yield was observed. Conclusions TPE was more common in healthy young adults. The AFB yield on pleural biopsy, PCR, and culture was significantly higher than that on all other samples. The number of positive Light's criteria did not have any association with positive AFB yield.

Oral hygiene practices among paramedical staff of a private dental institution in India

Introduction: Health promotion in dentistry is targeted at the two most common oral diseases - dental caries and periodontal disease. The maintenance of good oral hygiene is considered to be a central issue in oral health promotion. Objective: To assess the oral hygiene practices among paramedical staff of a private dental institution in India. Material and methods: A cross sectional questionnaire survey was undertaken among 100 paramedical staff of a private dental institution in Mangalore, India. Data was collected by using self designed questionnaire. Results: About 49% of the subjects brushed thrice with soft toothbrush and 55% changed their tooth brush once in 3 months. About 77% of them cleaned their tongue either by tongue cleaner, toothbrush or finger and 82% of the subjects used tooth paste. About 56% of the subjects had never used dental floss. Majority of the subjects (56%) visited the dentist only when required. Conclusion: Oral hygiene practices among the paramedical staff were poor.