scholarly journals Loss of smell/taste is a potential indicator of a mild case of COVID-19: a retrospective institutional study

Author(s):  
Harendra Kumar Gautam ◽  
Shalani Tripathi ◽  
Amrita Srivastava ◽  
Ruchika Verma

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus. The loss of smell is an atypical symptom and is usually associated with milder form of this disease compared to severe disease. The aim of this study was to compare the severity of disease in patients with and without loss of smell/taste.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This was a retrospective study of 100 patients who were COVID RT-PCR positive, carried out in the COVID care center of a tertiary hospital during the period of 6 months from October 2020 to April 2021.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> 100 cases of RT-PCR positive patients were divided into two groups (50 cases each of patients with and without loss of smell/taste). The mean age was 55-65 years in both the groups. Throat pain/throat irritation and fever were the most common complaints in the patients of both groups, affecting all the 100 (100%) patients. It was followed by cough in 25 (50%) patients and diarrhea in 12 (24%) patients. 2 (4%) patients had breathlessness in group A. While in group B, 50 (100%) patients had cough and breathlessness. The average SpO<sub>2</sub> was &gt;95 in 45 (90%) patients in group A while in group B, &lt;90 in 30 (60%) patient and &gt;95 in 8 (16%) patients. The CT values of HRCT thorax were &lt;8 in 45 (90%) patients in group A while in group B, &gt;15 in 25 (50%) patients.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The treatment outcome was 100% patients being discharged in group A without any complication while in group B, 38 (76%) patients were discharged and 12 (24%) patients expired due to various COVID-19 related complications. From this we conclude that, loss of taste and loss of smell are prognostic indicators of mild type of COVID-19.</p>

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanan Supasiri ◽  
Nuntida Salakshna ◽  
Krit Pongpirul

Background: Acupuncture shows benefits for patients with melasma, although no optimal number of sessions have been determined.Methods: The prospective observational study was conducted in melasma patients who were treated with acupuncture procedures two times a week and were evaluated after the 5th and the 10th sessions of acupuncture, with a 1-week follow-up after the last session. Participants Groups A and B received five and 10 acupuncture sessions, respectively. Melasma was assessed by using the melanin index (MI), melasma area and severity index (MASI), patient-reported improvement scores, and acupuncture-related adverse events.Results: Out of 113 participants, 67 received five sessions of acupuncture treatment while 39 received 10 sessions. At 1 week after five sessions of acupuncture in Group A, the mean MI decreased by 28.7 (95% CI −38.5 to −18.8, p &lt; 0.001), whereas the median MASI decreased by 3.4 (95% CI −6.9 to −1.2, p &lt; 0.001) points. At 1 week after ten sessions of acupuncture in Group B, the mean MI decreased by 31.3 (95% CI −45 to −17.6, p &lt; 0.001), whereas the median MASI decreased by 5.4 (95%CI −9.9 to −3, p &lt; 0.001) points. The first five sessions of acupuncture had a higher incremental effect than the last five sessions, although there was no statistically significant difference. Twenty-nine participants reported minor side effects. Group B had a risk ratio (RR) of having adverse events 1.8 times (95% CI 1.0–3.4, p = 0.05) compared with Group A.Conclusion: Short acupuncture regimens of 5–10 sessions in melasma seem to be effective and practical with minor side effects.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Mahmoud F. Rateb ◽  
Hazem Abdel Motaal ◽  
Mohamed Shehata ◽  
Mohamed Anwar ◽  
Dalia Tohamy ◽  
...  

Purpose. To compare safety and efficacy between a low-cost glaucoma drainage device (GDD), the Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI), and the Baerveldt glaucoma implant (BGI) in refractory childhood glaucoma in Egypt. Methods. This is a retrospective study of patients who received either an AADI or BGI at a tertiary care postgraduate teaching institute. Children aged <16 years with uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) with or without prior failed trabeculectomy who completed a minimum 6-month follow-up were included. The outcome measures were IOP reduction from preoperative values and postoperative complications. Results. Charts of 57 children (younger than 16 years old) diagnosed with refractory childhood glaucoma were included. Of these, 27 eyes received AADI implants (group A), while 30 received BGI implants (group B). The mean preoperative baseline IOP was 34 ± 5 mmHg in group A versus 29 ± 2 mmHg in group B (p=0.78) in patients on maximum allowed glaucoma medications. In group A versus group B, the mean IOP decreased to 13.25 ± 8.74 mmHg (p=0.6), 12.8 ± 5.4 mmHg (p=0.7), and 12.6 ± 5.6 mmHg (p=0.9) after 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months, respectively. However, in group A, an anterior chamber reaction appeared around the tube in 14 cases starting from the first month and resolved with treatment in only 4 cases. In the other 10 cases, the reaction became more severe and required surgical intervention. This complication was not observed in any eye in group B. Conclusion. AADI, a low-cost glaucoma implant, is effective in lowering IOP in patients with recalcitrant paediatric glaucoma. However, an intense inflammatory reaction with serious consequences developed in some of our patients; we believe these events are related to the valve material. We therefore strongly recommend against its use in children.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 519-522
Author(s):  
Jeyakumar S ◽  
Jagatheesan Alagesan ◽  
T.S. Muthukumar

Background: Frozen shoulder is disorder of the connective tissue that limits the normal Range of motion of the shoulder in diabetes, frozen shoulder is thought to be caused by changes to the collagen in the shoulder joint as a result of long term Hypoglycemia. Mobilization is a therapeutic movement of the joint. The goal is to restore normal joint motion and rhythm. The use of mobilization with movement for peripheral joints was developed by mulligan. This technique combines a sustained application of manual technique “gliding” force to the joint with concurrent physiologic motion of joint, either actively or passively. This study aims to find out the effects of mobilization with movement and end range mobilization in frozen shoulder in Type I diabetics. Materials and Methods: 30 subjects both male and female, suffering with shoulder pain and clinically diagnosed with frozen shoulder was recruited for the study and divided into two groups with 15 patients each based on convenient sampling method. Group A patients received mobilization with movement and Group B patients received end range mobilization for three weeks. The outcome measurements were SPADI, Functional hand to back scale, abduction range of motion using goniometer and VAS. Results: The mean values of all parameters showed significant differences in group A as compared to group B in terms of decreased pain, increased abduction range and other outcome measures. Conclusion: Based on the results it has been concluded that treating the type 1 diabetic patient with frozen shoulder, mobilization with movement exercise shows better results than end range mobilization in reducing pain and increase functional activities and mobility in frozen shoulder.


1970 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-77
Author(s):  
Rukshana Ahmed ◽  
Shamim Ara

Pathological changes in the prostate gland occur commonly with advancing age including inflammation, atrophy, hyperplasia and carcinoma and a change in volume is also evident. Estimation of volume of prostate may be useful in a variety of clinical settings. A cross-sectional descriptive study was designed to see the changes in volume of the prostate with advancing age and done in the Department of Anatomy, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from August 2006 to June 2007. The study was performed on 70 post-mortem human prostates collected from the unclaimed dead bodies that were under examination in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka. The samples were divided into three age groups; group A (10-20 years), group B (21-40 years) and group C (41-70 years). Volume of the sample was measured by using the ellipsoid formula. The mean ± SD volume of prostate was 7.68 ± 3.64 cm3 in group A, 10.61 ± 3.99 cm3 in group B and 15.40 ± 6.31 cm3 in group C. Mean difference in volume between group A and group C, group B and group C were statistically significant (p<0.001). Statistically significant positive correlation was found between age and volume of prostate (r = + 0.579, p < 0.001). Key Words: Prostate; volume; Bangladeshi. DOI: 10.3329/imcj.v4i2.6501Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2010; 4(2): 74-77


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-47
Author(s):  
Mohsena Akhter ◽  
Ishrat Bhuiyan ◽  
Zulfiqer Hossain Khan ◽  
Mahfuza Akhter ◽  
Gulam Kazem Ali Ahmad ◽  
...  

Background: Scabies is one of the most common skin diseases in our country. It is caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis, which is an ecto-parasite infesting the epidermis. Scabies is highly contagious. Prevalence is high in congested or densely populated areas. Individuals with close contact with an affected person should be treated with scabicidal which is available in both oral and topical formulations. The only oral but highly effective scabicidal known to date is Ivermectin. Amongst topical preparations, Permethrin 5 % cream is the treatment of choice. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy & safety of oral Ivermectin compared to topical Permethrin in the treatment of scabies. Methodology: This prospective, non-randomized study was conducted at the out-patient department of Dermatology and Venereology of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College & Hospital over a period of 6 months, from August 2016 to January 2017. The study population consisted of one hundred patients having scabies, enrolled according to inclusion criteria. They were divided into two groups. group A was subjected to oral Ivermectin and the group B to Permethrin 5% cream. Patients were followed up on day 7 and 14 for assessment of efficacy and safety. Result: The mean scoring with SD in group A (Ivermectin) and group B (Permethrin) were 8.26 ± 2.22 and 7.59 ± 2.01 respectively at the time of observation. The difference between the mean score of the two group is not significant (p=0.117) the mean scoring with SD in group A and group B were 4.54 ± 2.05 and 1.64 ± 1.84 respectively at 7thdays. The difference between the mean score of the two group is significant (p<0.001). The mean scoring with SD in group A and group B were 2.68± 2.35 and .36± 1.10 respectively at 14th day difference between the mean score of the group is significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Topical application of permethrin 5% cream is more effective and safer than oral Ivermectin in the treatment of scabies. TAJ 2020; 33(1): 41-47


RSBO ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 50
Author(s):  
Eduardo Pizzatto ◽  
Nicolae Carvalho de Paula ◽  
Carolina Dea Bruzamolin ◽  
Paulo H. Tomazinho ◽  
Luciane Variani Pizzatto ◽  
...  

Introduction and Objective: Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic oral diseases found in industrial countries and is a multifactorial disease which has sugar as a key dietary factor. The amount of saliva concentration and presence of cariogenic bacteria will favor the development of caries. Because of this, the aim of this study was to collect and analyze data on oral alterations referred to tooth decay, oral pH changes, and changes of the oral microbiota in two distinct groups of workers. Material and methods: 30 individuals belonging to two different groups of workers: group A (GA) – workers who maintain daily contact with the confectionery; group B (GB) – workers who do not have such contact. Saliva collection was done by analysis of the salivary pH in both groups, as well as cultivation of Lactobacillus spp and S. mutans. We also evaluate the dental status of individuals belonging to the two groups through the DMFT index. Results: After the examinations of 30 workers (17 from the GA [9 men and 8 women] and 13 in the GB [7 men and 6 women]), the mean DMFT of the individuals in the group A and group B, was 7.41 (SD 5.14) 7.08 (SD 5.56), respectively, without statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). The count of S. mutans and Lactobacillus spp, was not statistically significant. Conclusion: There was no statistically significant relationship between presence of dental caries and the fact that workers are in contact with sugar because they work on candy food industry, but new studies are needed for more precise research.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman Ali Abdel Fattah ◽  
Abdel Hay Rashad Elasy ◽  
Ahmed Helmy Hoseini ◽  
Tarek Abdel Rahman Abdel Hafez

Abstract Background Repair of a perforated tympanic membrane (myringoplasty) can facilitate normal middle ear function, resist infection, and help re-establish normal hearing. Autogenous graft materials are the most popular graft materials used in myringoplasty because of their easy acceptability by the body. This study is conducted to compare between temporalis fascia graft and fascia lata graft in myringoplasty for patients with tubo-tympanic dry perforation. Results A total of 60 patients with persistent dry tympanic membrane perforation were included in our study during the period from January 2018 to May 2020. Patients underwent myringoplasty with temporalis fascia (30 patients as group A) or fascia lata (30 patients as group B). Patients were scheduled for follow-up visits concerning graft status, ear discharge, and audiograms. The mean postoperative air-bone gap in group A was 17.5 ± 4 after 1 month and 8.6 ± 6.9 after 3 months, while in group B, the mean postoperative air-bone gap was 17.6 ± 4.9 after 1 month and 9.4 ± 7.5 after 3 months. There was 90% success in graft uptake in group A, while there was 80% success in group B. Conclusion Using temporalis fascia is still the best and most trustworthy technique of myringoplasty compared to fascia lata graft. However, fascia lata can be a good alternative to temporalis fascia especially in cases of revision myringoplasty, ears having large perforation, or near-total perforation where the chances of residual perforation are high because of the limited margin of remnant tympanic membrane overlapping the graft.


Arthroplasty ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjay Bhalchandra Londhe ◽  
Ravi Vinod Shah ◽  
Amit Pankaj Doshi ◽  
Shubhankar Sanjay Londhe ◽  
Kavita Subhedar ◽  
...  

Abstract The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to compare home physiotherapy with or without supervision of physiotherapist for assessing manipulation under anaesthesia after total knee arthroplasty. Methods A total of 900 patients (including 810 females and 90 males) who had undergone total knee arthroplasty were divided into group A (n = 300) and group B (n = 600). Patients in group A had home physiotherapy on their own after discharge from hospital. The physiotherapist did not visit them at home. Patients in group B received home physiotherapy under supervision of physiotherapist for 6 weeks after discharge from hospital. Patients’ age, range of motion of the knee, and forgotten joint score-12 were assessed. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results In group A, the mean age was 69.1 ± 14.3 years (range: 58 to 82 years); in group B, the mean age was 66.5 ± 15.7 years (range: 56 to 83 years) (p > 0.05). Preoperatively, the mean range of motion of the knee in group A and B was 95.8° ± 18.1° and 95.4° ± 17.8°, respectively (p > 0.05). The mean forgotten joint score-12 of group A and B were 11.90 ± 11.3 and 11.72 ± 12.1 (p > 0.05), respectively. Six weeks after total knee arthroplasty, the mean ROM of the knee in group A and B was 109.7° ± 22.3° and 121° ± 21.5°, respectively (p < 0.05). The mean postoperative forgotten joint score-12 of the group A and B was 24.5 ± 16.4 and 25.6 ± 17.4, respectively (p > 0.05). The rate of manipulation under anaesthesia was 3% in group A and 0.2% in group B (p < 0.05). Conclusion After total knee arthroplasty, frequent physiotherapist’s instruction helps the patients improve knee exercises and therefore decrease the risk of revision surgery. The home physiotherapy under supervision of physiotherapist lowers the rate of manipulation under anaesthesia. Level of evidence Therapeutic study, Level IIa.


2021 ◽  
pp. 112972982110154
Author(s):  
Raffaella Mauro ◽  
Cristina Rocchi ◽  
Francesco Vasuri ◽  
Alessia Pini ◽  
Anna Laura Croci Chiocchini ◽  
...  

Background: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for hemodialysis integrates outward remodeling with vessel wall thickening in response to drastic hemodynamic changes. Aim of this study is to determine the role of Ki67, a well-established proliferative marker, related to AVF, and its relationship with time-dependent histological morphologic changes. Materials and methods: All patients were enrolled in 1 year and stratified in two groups: (A) pre-dialysis patients submitted to first AVF and (B) patients submitted to revision of AVF. Morphological changes: neo-angiogenesis (NAG), myointimal thickening (MIT), inflammatory infiltrate (IT), and aneurysmatic fistula degeneration (AD). The time of AVF creation was recorded. A biopsy of native vein in Group A and of arterialized vein in Group B was submitted to histological and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis. IHC for Ki67 was automatically performed in all specimens. Ki67 immunoreactivity was assessed as the mean number of positive cells on several high-power fields, counted in the hot spots. Results: A total of 138 patients were enrolled, 69 (50.0%) Group A and 69 (50.0%) Group B. No NAG or MIT were found in Group A. Seven (10.1%) Group A veins showed a mild MIT. Analyzing the Group B, a moderate-to-severe MIT was present in 35 (50.7%), IT in 19 (27.5%), NAG in 37 (53.6%); AD was present in 10 (14.5%). All AVF of Group B with the exception of one (1.4%) showed a positivity for Ki67, with a mean of 12.31 ± 13.79 positive cells/hot spot (range 0–65). Ki67-immunoreactive cells had a subendothelial localization in 23 (33.3%) cases, a myointimal localization in SMC in 35 (50.7%) cases. The number of positive cells was significantly correlated with subendothelial localization of Ki67 ( p = 0.001) and with NA ( p = 0.001). Conclusions: Native veins do not contain cycling cells. In contrast, vascular cell proliferation starts immediately after AVF creation and persists independently of the time the fistula is set up. The amount of proliferating cells is significantly associated with MIT and subendothelial localization of Ki67-immunoreactive cells, thus suggesting a role of Ki-67 index in predicting AVF failure.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1496.2-1496
Author(s):  
M. Watanabe ◽  
Y. Haji ◽  
M. Kato ◽  
T. Ito ◽  
Y. Banno ◽  
...  

Background:Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an essential drug for systemic lupus erythematosus. But in Japan, chloroquine and HCQ remain unavailable until mid 2015 because of a series of lawsuits about its retinal toxicity in the 1970s. There is insufficient knowledge regarding renal protective effect of HCQ.Objectives:We aimed to investigate its efficacy of adding HCQ for Lupus nephritis (LN) as a maintenance-phase therapy.Methods:We conducted an observational retrospective cohort study included patients with LN (n=42) in maintenance-phase in Japan. We reviewed medical records of LN patients aged > 18 years who were initiated HCQ from May 2015 to May 2018. Maintenance phase was defined as stabilization in serum creatinine and urinary segment after induction therapy and who achieved complete or partial remission. The annual change of proteinuria was compared between patients on HCQ who have proteinuria (>0.5g/gCr) or not. Other outcome measures were disease flare, dose of steroids, renal and immunologic features.Results:A total of 42 patients were analyzed and allocated to two groups based on their amount of daily urine protein level: HCQ with proteinuria as group A (>0.5g/gCr, n=14) and HCQ without proteinuria as group B(≦0.5g/gCr, n=28). Both groups were comparable, with mean (SD) age of 36.1 (12.9) years and 37.5 (13.8), female 78.6% and 92.9% in each group, mean (SD) disease duration until HCQ of 3.5 (3.25) and 3.3 (2.9) years in group A and group B, with prednisolone dose at base line of 10.3 (7.1) mg and 7.9 (4.4) mg, respectively. The mean (SD) proteinuria at base line was 1.38 (1.11) g/gCr in group A and 0.20 (0.09) g/gCr in group B and after 12 months, proteinuria decreased in group A (-1.34 g/gCr in group A vs +0.03 g/gCr in group B; p<.001;95% CI,0.305-0.736). No relapse was experienced in group A during the study period.Conclusion:In patients with clinically stable LN but with proteinuria, hydroxychloroquine is a good therapeutic option for achievement of complete remission.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


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