RESUMO
Background and objective The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) primarily affects the lungs. However, others organs are also affected in varying degrees. We aimed to investigate the changes in pancreatic density on CT and its correlation with amylase/lipase values in patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Materials and methods Radiological changes using non-contrast CT and amylase/lipase values were evaluated retrospectively in patients admitted to the pandemic clinic. The patients were classified into two groups: [polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive and PCR-negative]. The correlation and difference between the data were evaluated statistically. Results There was no significant difference with respect to age and gender between the two groups (PCR-positive and PCR-negative). There was a significant difference in the head, neck, trunk, and tail of the pancreas and mean density values, but no statistically significant difference in amylase and lipase values between the two groups. No significant correlation was found using Spearman's correlation test. Conclusion Based on our findings, pancreatic involvement and severe necrotizing pancreatitis can be seen in COVID-19 patients. Pancreatic involvement is more common in patients with severe disease. Patients with gastrointestinal complaints should be evaluated for pancreatitis and their amylase/lipase values should be assessed. We believe that decreased pancreatic density on CT scans can be an early sign of pancreatitis.
RESUMO
The aim of this study was to evaluate arterial stiffness in schizophrenia patients. 28 male patients were included. The intima-media thickness (IMT) of the vessels were taken using high-resolution ultrasonography system. The mean carotid IMT and the mean femoral IMT values of the study group were found to be statistically significantly higher than the values of the control group. As the duration of the disease increased, there was an increase in the carotid IMT, carotid elastic modulus and femoral IMT, whereas there was a decrease in carotid and femoral diastolic wall stress in patients. No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups' carotid and femoral compliance, distensibility and elastic modulus values. The mean systolic arterial blood pressure in the patient group was determined to be lower than that of the control group. The mean diastolic wall stress values in the carotid and femoral arteries were determined to be lower than those of the control group. There was no relationship between antipsychotic dose, blood pressure and arterial stiffness parameters. Schizophrenia patients are more prone to develop arterial stiffness by atherosclerosis either with the effect of the nature of the disease itself or antipsychotic treatment. But evaluation with more parameters (carotid and femoral compliance, distensibility and elastic modulus) did not indicate any difference from the control group in respect of arterial stiffness. Antipsychotic treatment may play a protective role in terms of arterial stiffness by causing a decrease in systolic arterial pressure and carotid and femoral diastolic wall stress.
