The American journal of the medical sciences
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which presented as not only respiratory symptoms, but various digestive manifestations including pancreatic injury and acute pancreatitis (AP). The underlying mechanism is still unclear. Hypertriglyceridemia has become one of the leading causes of AP in recent years and hyperlipidemia is highly reported in COVID-19 cases. ⋯ Hyperlipidemia was common in COVID-19 patients with a pooled incidence of 32.98%. Hyperlipidemia could be a mediating factor in the pathogenesis of AP in COVID-19 patients. Further studies are warranted to clarify the relationship among AP, lipid metabolism disorders and COVID-19.
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Spider angioma refers to a type of telangiectasis that presents slightly beneath the skin surface on the face, neck, arms or upper trunk, often manifesting with a central red spot and reddish extensions that radiate outwards like a spider's web. The cutaneous spider angioma may be benign but it often indicates abnormal liver function, especially in patients with chronic cirrhosis. ⋯ Here, we report two rare multiple and giant spider angioma cases in patients with HIV/AIDS who developed chronic cirrhosis. In addition, we comprehensively reviewed related literatures and evaluated the existing possible mechanisms of spider angioma.
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Our objective was to safely and remotely assess longitudinal SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in at-risk health care workers at the onset of the epidemic. ⋯ This remotely conducted, contact-free study did not identify serologic evidence of widespread occupational SARS-CoV-2 infection in health care workers.
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Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high mortality. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia seen in critically ill patients. The impact of AF on the outcomes in patients with ARDS is less understood. In this analysis we attempt to evaluate the association of concurrent AF and various clinical outcomes in patients with ARDS. ⋯ AF is associated with worse clinical outcomes, higher length of stay and cost in ARDS hospitalizations as compared to those without AF.
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Periodontal disease (PD) has been linked to a range of cardiometabolic disorders. However, the association between PD and composite cardiovascular risk has not been studied. We hypothesized that PD would be associated with an elevated atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk (ASCVD) score. ⋯ PD is associated with elevated ASCVD score. Patients with PD should be counseled regarding their elevated cardiovascular risk and risk reduction strategies should be implemented with an emphasis on routine dental care.