Digestive system involvement and clinical outcomes among COVID-19 patients: A retrospective cohort study from Qatar

BACKGROUNDCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus most commonly presents with respiratory symptoms. While gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations either at presentation or during hospitalization are also common, their impact on clinical outcomes is controversial. Some studies have described worse outcomes in COVID-19 patients with GI symptoms, while others have shown either no association or a protective effect. There is a need for consistent standards to describe GI symptoms in COVID-19 patients and to assess their effect on clinical outcomes, including mortality and disease severity.AIMTo investigate the prevalence of GI symptoms in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and their correlation with disease severity and clinical outcomes.METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed 601 consecutive adult COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization between May 1-15, 2020. GI symptoms were recorded at admission and during hospitalization. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment data were retrieved. Clinical outcomes included all-cause mortality, disease severity at presentation, need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission, development of acute respiratory distress syndrome, and need for mechanical ventilation. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify independent predictors of the adverse outcomes. RESULTSThe prevalence of any GI symptom at admission was 27.1% and during hospitalization was 19.8%. The most common symptoms were nausea (98 patients), diarrhea (76 patients), vomiting (73 patients), and epigastric pain or discomfort (69 patients). There was no difference in the mortality between the two groups (6.21% vs 5.5%, P = 0.7). Patients with GI symptoms were more likely to have severe disease at presentation (33.13% vs 22.5%, P < 0.001) and prolonged hospital stay (15 d vs 14 d, P = 0.04). There was no difference in other clinical outcomes, including ICU admission, development of acute respiratory distress syndrome, or need for mechanical ventilation. Drugs associated with the development of GI symptoms during hospitalization were ribavirin (diarrhea 26.37% P < 0.001, anorexia 17.58%, P = 0.02), hydroxychloroquine (vomiting 28.52%, P = 0.009) and lopinavir/ritonavir (nausea 32.65% P = 0.049, vomiting 31.47% P = 0.004, and epigastric pain 12.65% P = 0.048). In the multivariate regression analysis, age > 65 years was associated with increased mortality risk [odds ratio (OR) 7.53, confidence interval (CI): 3.09-18.29, P < 0.001], ICU admission (OR: 1.79, CI: 1.13-2.83, P = 0.012), and need for mechanical ventilation (OR: 1.89, CI:1.94-2.99, P = 0.007). Hypertension was an independent risk factor for ICU admission (OR: 1.82, CI:1.17-2.84, P = 0.008) and need for mechanical ventilation (OR: 1.66, CI: 1.05-2.62, P = 0.028).CONCLUSIONPatients with GI symptoms are more likely to have severe disease at presentation; however, mortality and disease progression is not different between the two groups.     

The Health Status of Lebanese Community Pharmacists: Prevalence of Poor Lifestyle Behaviors and Chronic Conditions

BackgroundCommunity pharmacists are drug therapy experts providing pharmaceutical care for various patients. Their stressful daily tasks can affect their lifestyle and wellbeing.ObjectivesTo assess the health status of the Lebanese community pharmacists, to determine the prevalence of chronic conditions and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, and their association with pharmacists’ professional responsibilities.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 randomly selected pharmacists between May and August 2017. A four-page questionnaire was carried out targeting their health characteristics, lifestyle factors, and job details.ResultsThirty-seven percent of the studied sample were males, with a mean age of 30.9 ± 9.1 years and mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 23.4 ± 3.71 kg/m². Twenty-six percent were smokers and smoking was significantly related to gender, BMI, workplace region, work shifts, educational level, number of patients/day, and transportation time to work (p < 0.05 for all). Twenty-one percent were alcohol consumers, 89.3% were caffeine consumers, and 41.7% were physically active. Moreover, 72% were fast food consumers, 89.7% consumed sweets, and 87.7% consumed salted food. Concerning chronic diseases, 6.3% were hypertensive and hypertension was significantly related to age, marital status, education level, working hours per day, working days per week, owning a pharmacy, work shift, and the number of patients per day (p < 0.05 for all).ConclusionLebanese pharmacists might have a lower prevalence of chronic diseases compared to the general population. However, the prevalence of bad lifestyle behaviors such as low physical activity, smoking, consumption of salt, sweet, fast food, and caffeine is considered high among the study sample and this would raise a concern about pharmacists' awareness and role as healthcare providers.     

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the first year of life: case report and review of the literature

Introduction Primary subarachnoid hemorrhage is rare in infancy. A bleeding arterial aneurysm as its cause is even less frequent. A review of the literature turned up 85 cases of cerebral aneurysm that occurred in the 1st year of life, 63 of them presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).Case report The authors report a case of an 8-month-old boy who presented with seizures due to ruptured anterior communicating (ACom) artery aneurysm with subsequent subarachnoid and intraventricular hemorrhage. The infant was operated successfully, without complications.Discussion In this report the authors highlight certain clinical and diagnostic features, surgical considerations, and outcomes of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the 1st year of life.     

“From the classroom to Dr. YouTube”: nursing students' experiences of learning and teaching styles in Jordan

Students' experiences and preferences of learning styles have not been explored using qualitative research. This study uncovered nursing students' experiences and preferences of learning and teaching styles in Jordan. A qualitative approach using focus group discussions (n = 6) was used in this study. A purposive sample consisting of 48 participants was recruited from second-, third-, and fourth-year nursing students at a public nursing school. The findings indicated that receiving information in a methodical, structured, and one-dimensional manner was the predominant learning style experienced by students. Although some learning experiences were negative, guided by the fear of record of absenteeism and limited teaching resources, students displayed increased attention to simulation and education facilitated using YouTube.com. Integrating the students’ perspective in educational reform maximizes the students' willingness to learn. Increased engagement in academics enhances the educational experience.     

Metastatic yolk sac tumor masquerading as multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma in a young adult: A case report

Primary yolk sac tumor of the liver is very rare and can present as multifocal liver lesions. Multifocal nature may mimic other diagnoses such as hepatocellular carcinoma. Early recognition and therapeutic intervention are important as the prognosis of metastatic yolk sac tumors is poor. We present a case of a young adolescent who presented with bleeding per rectum abdominal pain and multiple liver lesions.