Letter to the Editor regarding "Medical students' attitude toward patient-centeredness".

A patient-centred attitude is important for a successful physician-patient relationship. Understanding the evolving trend in patient centredness (PC) among budding doctors and the underlying etiological factors thereof, would help in the institution of suitable measures for fostering PC during the course of their training. This letter is a brief commentary on the interesting article by Ardenghi S, et al. regarding "Medical students' attitude toward patient-centeredness" from the lens of a medical student from India.

Does the initial chest radiograph severity in COVID-19 impact the short- and long-term outcome? - a perspective from India.

PURPOSE: The chest radiograph (CXR) is among the most widely used investigations in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Little is known about its predictive role on the long-term outcome. The purpose of this study was to explore its association with the short and long-term outcome in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: A total of 1530 patients were assessed for the presence, radiographic pattern and distribution of lung lesions observed on baseline chest radiographs obtained at admission. The Brixia scoring system was applied for semiquantitative assessment of lesion severity. Short-term outcome was determined by clinical severity, duration of hospitalization and mortality. The 1415 survivors in this group were assessed after 5-6 months for the presence of residual symptoms. RESULTS: About 67% patients had an abnormal baseline CXR. Bilateral involvement with a basal preponderance was observed and ground-glass opacification was the most frequent finding. The Brixia score ranged from 0 to 16, median 2, interquartile range (IQR) [0-6]. About 36% patients were symptomatic on 5-6-month follow-up, with fatigability being the commonest symptom. A good correlation was observed between the CXR score and disease severity as well as duration of hospitalization. On multivariate analysis, the CXR score was found to be a significant independent predictor of in-patient mortality as well as presence of long-term residual symptoms in survivors. CONCLUSIONS: Disease severity as seen on the chest radiograph appears to play an important role in driving the short and long-term consequences of COVID-19 and could serve as a prognostic indicator, which influences short-term management and long-term follow-up.

Maskne: A New Acne Variant in Covid-19 Era.

"Maskne" has been one of the negative spinoffs of the universally acceptable and effective role of face mask in containing the ongoing pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 virus or COVID 19. Several factors contribute to its aetiopathogenesis including heat, humidity, mechanical friction and microbiome dysbiosis in a complex interplay under the occlusive area of the mask. Clinically, the morphology is not very different from acne vulgaris with comedones and inflammatory acne, but in a characteristic distribution over a roughly circular area of face covered by mask. Since the use of face masks is likely to continue in the near future, measures like wearing a comfortably fitting mask of appropriate fabric, using disposable masks, increasing mask-free period when at safer places, avoiding unnecessary use of personal care products over the occluded skin, proper and gentle cleaning of the affected areas, intermittent mopping off of the excessive sebum and sweat and use of specific, topical and systemic therapy could help in its resolution.