ABSTRACT
ObjectivesThis study aims to describe the demographic and clinical profile and ascertain the determinants of outcome among hospitalised COVID-19 adult patients enrolled in the National Clinical Registry for COVID-19 (NCRC). MethodsNCRC is an on-going data collection platform operational in 42 hospitals across India. Data of hospitalized COVID-19 patients enrolled in NCRC between 1st September 2020 to 26th October 2021 were examined. ResultsAnalysis of 29,509 hospitalised, adult COVID-19 patients [mean (SD) age: 51.1 (16.2) year; male: 18752 (63.6%)] showed that 15678 (53.1%) had at least one comorbidity. Among 25715 (87.1%) symptomatic patients, fever was the commonest symptom (72.3%) followed by shortness of breath (48.9%) and dry cough (45.5%). In-hospital mortality was 14.5% (n=3957). Adjusted odds of dying were significantly higher in age-group [≥]60 years, males, with diabetes, chronic kidney diseases, chronic liver disease, malignancy, and tuberculosis, presenting with dyspnea and neurological symptoms. WHO ordinal scale 4 or above at admission carried the highest odds of dying [5.6 (95% CI: 4.6, 7.0)]. Patients receiving one [OR: 0.5 (95% CI: 0.4, 0.7)] or two doses of anti-SARS CoV-2 vaccine [OR: 0.4 (95% CI: 0.3, 0.7)] were protected from in-hospital mortality. ConclusionsWHO ordinal scale at admission is the most important independent predictor for in-hospital death in COVID-19 patients. Anti-SARS-CoV2 vaccination provides significant protection against mortality.
ABSTRACT
Pulmonary strongyloidiasis is an uncommon presentation of Strongyloides infection, usually seen in immunocompromised hosts. The manifestations are similar to that of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, the diagnosis of pulmonary strongyloidiasis could be challenging in a COPD patient, unless a high index of suspicion is maintained. Here, we present a case of Strongyloides hyperinfection in a COPD patient mimicking acute exacerbation, who was on chronic steroid therapy.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acute Disease , Adrenal Cortex Hormones , Diagnosis , Immunocompromised Host , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Strongyloides , Strongyloides stercoralis , StrongyloidiasisABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pleural effusion remains the most common manifestation of pleural pathology. Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate between tubercular and malignant pleural effusion in spite of routine biochemical and cytological examination of pleural fluid. AIMS: This study aims to evaluate the role of pleural biopsy to determine the etiology of pleural effusion and to correlate it with the biochemical and cytological parameters of pleural fluid. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Seventy two consecutive patients of pleural effusion were selected from the out patient and indoor department of a tertiary hospital of Kolkata. It was a prospective and observational study conducted over a period of one year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biochemical, cytological and microbiological evaluation of pleural fluid was done in all cases. Those with exudative pleural effusions underwent pleural biopsy by Abram's needle. Subsequently, the etiology of effusion was determined. RESULTS: Malignancy was the most common etiology, followed by tuberculosis. Pleural biopsy was done in 72 patients. Pleural tissue was obtained in 62 cases. Malignancy was diagnosed in 24, tuberculosis in 20 and non-specific inflammation in 18, on histopathological examination. Out of 20 histological proven tuberculosis cases adenosine de-aminase (ADA) was more than 70 u/l in 11 cases. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, malignancy is more common than tuberculosis, particularly in elderly. When thoracoscope is not available, pleural fluid cytology and pleural biopsy can give definite diagnosis. Pleural fluid ADA ≥ 70 u/l is almost diagnostic of tuberculosis, where pleural biopsy is not recommended.
