Persistent hiccup: A rare presentation of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Hiccups are involuntary diaphragmatic muscle contractions with early glottis closure terminating inspiration. They are classified into two types: acute (<48 hours) and persistent (>48 hours). COVID-19 is the defining health crisis of our generation. Although there are common symptoms of the disease (e.g. fever, cough), several atypical presentations have appeared as the pandemic has evolved. Here, we present a patient with COVID-19 presenting with fever, sore throat, and persistent hiccups. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 48-year-old man presented to the hospital with a seven-day history of persistent hiccups, fever, and sore throat. Physical examination was unremarkable and abdominal ultrasound showed gaseous abdominal distension. Laboratory values were remarkable for elevated C-reactive protein, ferritin, and lactate dehydrogenase levels. Computed tomography of the chest showed bilateral subpleural areas of ground-glass attenuation and crazy-paving pattern. A COVID-19 test was positive, and hydroxychloroquine, oseltamivir, baclofen, and symptomatic treatment were initiated. The hiccups improved, and the patient was discharged home after ten days. CONCLUSION: Physicians should maintain a high level of suspicion and be aware of atypical presentations of COVID-19.

Preventing acute kidney injury and improving outcome in critically ill patients utilizing risk prediction score (PRAIOC-RISKS) study. A prospective controlled trial of AKI prevention.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) has significant impact on mortality and morbidity in critically ill patients. METHODS: A prospective controlled interventional pilot study composed of observation and intervention arms was run at two different Intensive care unit (ICU) sites. A recently validated risk prediction score was used to predict the AKI in critically ill patients at high risk of developing AKI. All patients with established AKI at the time of recruitment were excluded from the study. A package of early preventive measures, including an early nephrology review was applied to high risk patients in the intervention arm to prevent AKI development. RESULTS: We have recruited 108 patients at the intervention site and 98 patients at the observation site. The primary outcome measure was the AKI incidence. AKI incidence was significantly lower in the intervention arm than its incidence in the observation arm (11% vs 26%, p = 0.002). The median Time till recovery of AKI episodes was significantly lower in the intervention arm (3(1) vs. 5(2) days, p = 0.014) 0.30 day mortality was lower in the intervention arm, however, not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our pilot study showed that it was feasible to apply a simple risk score to implement early preventive measures to high risk patients, consequently, mitigating the risk of AKI development and reducing the time till recovery of AKI episodes. Multicentre studies are needed to confirm this favourable effect.