Annals of medicine
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Observational Study
The vulnerability of maintenance dialysis patients with COVID-19: mortality and risk factors from a developing country.
Patients on maintenance dialysis therapy are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 and its complications. This study aimed to assess the incidence, epidemiological characteristics, and mortality rate of COVID-19 among maintenance dialysis patients. This retrospective observational chart review study included 548 patients from all dialysis units in the West Bank of Palestine who acquired COVID-19 between 5 March 2020, and 11 August 2021. ⋯ The mortality rate among maintenance dialysis patients was 26.8%, more than 25 times higher than that of the general population. The risk of mortality was significantly increased with age, male sex, smoking, diabetes, and having central venous catheter as vascular access for haemodialysis. Strict infection control measures, as well as the promotion of home dialysis, are necessary to reduce the risk of infection.
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Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), the most common mitochondrial optic neuropathy, causes visual loss, especially in young adults. Due to the absence of epidemiological data in Southeast Asia, we aimed to determine Thai LHON patients' characteristics (demographic data, mutation types, and prognoses) as the first study in this region. ⋯ The leading mutation in Thai LHON patients is the G11778A missense, followed by T14484C, while G3460A was not detected. The vast majority of patients were young adult males. The G11778A mutation, older age, and male gender are associated with poor vision outcomes. Key messageThe G11778A missense mutation is the most common among Thai LHON patients, followed by T14484C, while G3460A was not found. The G11778A mutation, older age, and male gender are associated with poor vision outcomes.
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Tumour characteristics and orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) criteria are risks for recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In Asia, most HCC is caused by chronic hepatitis B infection. Whether hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA) is a risk factor for HCC recurrence after OLT is not clear. ⋯ Individuals with preoperative undetectable HBV DNA had advanced tumour characteristics and a higher proportion of HCC recurrence. Antiviral treatment for HCC should be performed, and HBV DNA undetectable should be obtained before OLT. But for an urgent OLT, preoperative detectable HBV DNA may not affect long-term survival.KEY MESSAGESPatients with HBV DNA detectable had advanced tumour characteristics, a higher proportion of extended OLT criteria, and HCC-recurrence.HBV DNA >2000 IU/mL was a risk factor for HCC recurrence.HBV DNA detectable was not a risk for HCC related death; extended OLT criteria affected long-term survival.
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Since the emergence of the novel corona virus (SARS-Cov-2) in the late 2019 and not only the endoscopy practice and training but also the health care systems around the globe suffers. This systematic review focused the impact of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) on the endoscopy practice. ⋯ The main outcomes from this review are rescheduling of endoscopy procedures to be suitable with the situation of COVID-19 pandemic in each Country. Also, the endorsement of the importance of PPE use for health care workers and screening of COVID-19 infection pre-procedure.Key messagesThe data focussing Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and COVID-19 emerged from different areas around the globe. The data presented on the published studies were heterogeneous. However, there were remarkable reductions in the volume of GI endoscopy worldwideStaff reallocation added a burden to endoscopy practiceThere was a real risk for COVID-19 spread among both the staff and the patients.
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Neonatal intensive care unit is important to save the lives of a sick neonate; however, parents are challenged by several stressful conditions during their stay. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the lived experiences of parents in neonatal intensive care units in Ethiopia. ⋯ Parents whose infants admitted to the NICU were suffered from various psychological and emotional problems. Researchers recommend that health care providers should be supported parents with psycho-emotional problems, strengthen parents-healthcare workers' interaction, and scale up neonatal intensive care unit services to the primary health care centres.KEY MESSAGESParents whose infants admitted to the NICU were suffered from psychological and emotional problems.Poor NICU environment, shortage of equipment, long hospital stay, the presence of pandemic COVID-19, and lack of parental involvement in the care were identified barriers that affected parents' stay.