RESUMO
Various biomarkers like certain complete blood cell count parameters and the derived ratios including neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio are commonly used to evaluate disease severity. Our study aimed to establish if baseline levels of complete blood cell count-derived biomarkers and CRP, measured before any treatment which can interfere with their values, could serve as a predictor of development of pneumonia and the need for hospitalization requiring oxygen therapy. We retrospectively analyzed the laboratory data of 200 consecutive patients without comorbidities, who denied usage of medications prior to blood analysis and visited a COVID-19 ambulance between October and December 2021. Multivariate regression analysis extracted older age, elevated CRP and lower eosinophil count as significant independent predictors of pneumonia (p = 0.003, p = 0.000, p = 0.046, respectively). Independent predictors of hospitalization were higher CRP (p = 0.000) and lower platelet count (p = 0.005). There was no significant difference in the neutrophil-lymphocyte and platelet-lymphocyte ratios between examined groups. Individual biomarkers such as platelet and eosinophil count might be better in predicting the severity of COVID-19 than the neutrophil-lymphocyte and platelet-lymphocyte ratios.
RESUMO
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a global pandemic and one group of patients has developed a severe form of COVID-19 pneumonia with an urgent need for hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prognostic role of MDW, CRP, procalcitonin (PCT), and lactate in critically ill COVID-19 patients. The primary outcome of interest is the 28 day mortality of ICU patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and sepsis (according to Sepsis 3 criteria with acute change in SOFA score ≥ 2 points). Patients were divided into two groups according to survival on the 28th day after admission to the ICU. Every group was divided into two subgroups (women and men). Nonparametric tests (Mann-Whitney) for variables age, PCT, lactate, and MDW were lower than alpha p < 0.05, so there was a significant difference between survived and deceased patients. The Chi-square test confirmed statistically significant higher values of MDW and lactate in the non-survivor group. We found a significant association between MDW, lactate, procalcitonin, and fatal outcome, higher values were reported in the deceased group.
RESUMO
In combat sports, competitors are separated into weight divisions, to create equality between the athletes. Consequently, rapid weight loss (RWL) is a common practice in combat sports. Although the methods used to induce RWL are similar among athletes, currently, there are limited data concerning the RWL methodologies used by sambo athletes. Therefore, this study aimed at determining RWL procedures among female sambo athletes. Participants in the study were top-level athletes competing at the World Sambo Championship held in Novi Sad. A total sample of 47 female sambo athletes, of whom 24 were seniors (27.3 ± 4 year/age, 1.61 ± 0.09 m/height, 61.8 ± 8.87 kg/weight) and 23 juniors (18.7 ± 0.8 year/age, 1.66 ± 0.07 m/height, 63.7 ± 12.1 kg/weight), were examined in the study. To determine RWL methods, data were collected through a standardized questionnaire. As a result, 88.7% of the female sambo athletes declared that they intentionally cut their weight before the competition. The most commonly used methods were gradual dieting, followed by sauna, fluid restriction, and skipping meals. The most considerable influence on the RWL strategies of athletes came from coaches and personal trainers, while physicians and dietitians were far less influential. The results obtained from this representative sample highlight the most common practices concerning weight cutting prior to competition among females. Therefore, there is a need to inform and educate both athletes and coaches about the potentially harmful effects of RWL in combat sports.
