Evaluating the frequency of neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients: A cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: Due to the recent emergence of COVID-19, the exact pathology of this disease has not been determined. Therefore, this study evaluated the frequency of neurological symptoms in patients with COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 2200 in patients with COVID-19 who were selected from an educational hospital in Sanandaj, Iran, from April 2020 to March 2021. The research samples were selected by census, all patients with COVID-19 were admitted to the hospital. The data collection tool was a checklist of the studied variables (dizziness, headache, and impaired consciousness) prepared by the researchers based on the specialists' opinions. The researcher completed these checklists based on the patients' hospitalization records. The data were analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistical tests using SPSS Software Version 20. The quantitative variables were compared using the independent t-test. The χ 2 test was also used to compare qualitative variables. A p Value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the patients was 57.41 years old, of whom 53.1% were male. The average blood oxygen level of the patients was 88.10%, and most disease symptoms were related to shortness of breath and cough, with a frequency of 24.3%. In addition, 20.8% of patients needed hospitalization in intensive care unit. The highest frequency of central and peripheral nervous system manifestations was related to headache, ageusia (loss of sense of taste), hyposmia (A decreased sense of smell and anosmia (The complete loss of smell). Finally, 15.3% of patients died, and 84.7% recovered. The analytical findings showed a significant relationship between the disease outcome and patients' dizziness, consciousness disorder, seizure and ageusia. There was a significant relationship between gender and headache in patients. There was a significant difference between the mean age and oxygen level with central and peripheral nervous system manifestations (dizziness, headache, impaired consciousness, smell disorder) and the disease outcome in patients. Conclusion: The pathophysiology of COVID-19 virus infection involving the central nervous system is not fully understood. Neurological symptoms of this virus include delirium, headache, decreased level of consciousness, and seizures. Identifying the symptoms and mechanisms of neurological complications of COVID-19 is necessary for proper screening and complete treatment because a patient infected by COVID-19 may not show respiratory failure signs but may be a carrier. A complete and accurate knowledge of the symptoms and complications of this infection for proper screening of patients to prevent transmission and spread of this disease is critically needed.

An evaluation of clinical and ultrasound results of Pavlik harness treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is the instability or dislocation of the hip joint at birth that may occur in utero, during infancy, and childhood. This condition was identified as an important challenge. This study aimed to determine the clinical and ultrasound results of Pavlik harness treatment for DDH in patients referred to the pediatric clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study in which 100 newborns aged 15 to 30 days were included by the census method after obtaining parental consent. Follow-up of the infants was performed at 3 and 6 months after treatment. All analyzes were performed using SPSS version 22 at a significance level of 0.05. The results showed that the mean age of the infants was 23.46±2.12 days, of which 33 infants were boys and 67 girls. The involvement on the right and left sides was 39% and 50%, respectively, and 11% of the infants had bilateral involvement. The mean value of acetabular index before placement was 25.48±6.509 and 26.38±3.866 on the right and left sides, which after 3 months of placement, was reduced to 21.62±2.578 and 21.57±2.839, respectively. Pavlik harness treatment was associated with acceptable radiological results in infants. This technique seems to be a suitable and applicable attempt to treat this problem and prevent serious and irreversible complications of late diagnosis.

Different applications of telemedicine - assessing the challenges, barriers, and opportunities- a narrative review.

Telemedicine (TLM) is a technique of telecommunication used to create, promote, or accelerate health services. Because of its societal significance, the current study attempted to demonstrate its essential applications in the health sector and the challenges, obstacles, and opportunities that lie ahead. Various studies and reports were received based on the subject of the current study, first using MeSH terms related to the subject in authentic and available international databases. After that, 30-related articles were selected based on the study criteria, and then the required results were extracted from the selected studies. The study results showed that TLM has a significant role in more than 13 major areas of health and treatment, and in most of these areas, it has made the relevant affairs easier for both patients and medical staff. Although TLM has many advantages, it still has obstacles and challenges requiring further studies to manage this technology better. Given the high importance of the TLM in the health sector in most countries worldwide, efforts are needed to promote this technology and remove the obstacles in front of it. Therefore, further evaluations of TLM efficiency in terms of economics, speed of action, effectiveness, and the provision of infrastructure are necessary to overcome the obstacles highlighted based on the results of these studies and improve the efficiency of using this technology.