Annals of Medicine and Medical Sciences

Impact of COVID-19 on Sexual Penetration Disorders: A Comparative Analysis of Demographic, Clinical, and Laboratory Findings

2023-10-25T09:36:19+00:00

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected various facets of human health. This study aimed to explore the potential association between COVID-19 and penetrative sexual disorders. Methods: this retrospective study of 148 participants was divided based on their COVID-19 status: COVID (-) (n=53) and COVID (+) (n=95). Several demographic, clinical, psychometric scale scores, and laboratory measures were compared between the two groups. Results: The median age of participants was 28, ranging between 19-41 years. Statistically significant associations were observed between COVID-19 status and participants' educational level, marital status, marital duration, and sexual function stages (p<0.05). COVID (+) individuals exhibited higher education levels and had undergone multiple marriages. Furthermore, the Hamilton Depression Scale scores were lower in COVID (+) patients, with the majority displaying moderate to severe categories on the Lamont classification. Laboratory measurements revealed statistically significant differences in FSH, LH, Albümin, AST, HBA1C, Ca, Mg, B12, TSH, and Lökosit levels between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: COVID-19 status appears to be associated with certain demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters in individuals with penetrative sexual disorders. The disease may have indirect implications on sexual health, warranting further investigation into its mechanistic effects and potential interventional strategies.

The Role of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in Clinical Self-assessment of Quality of Service Offered to the Patients Under Chronic Hemodialysis in Low Income Countries

2023-04-21T09:18:58+00:00

Introduction: Hemodialysis is the procedure using the dialysis machine and artificial kidney (dialyzer) in presence of the patient`s vascular access, to remove fluids and solutes (waste) in kidney failure patients, It gives supportive care and does not cure the kidney failure. Chronic kidney disease is clinical syndrome associated with definite change in kidney structure and function, it is mainly irreversible. KPIs are measurable metrics used to set goals in a certain period followed by assessment of the performance, and set the recommendations and the way forward. Methods: We analyzed the data which were recorded in Clinicea (electronic file) between February and November 2022 in early December 2022 using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Results: In all (3) centers, during the above-mentioned period, all sessions were recorded; more than 94% of patients, their Kt/V urea was recorded and the target was varying between 69% to 85%; almost half of the patients did their blood tests and less than three four met the target. Few patients had AVF (30% in November). The beds were under-used; no center has met 2 shifts per day at100%, the same for the nurses where there was less than 2.5 sessions per nurse per day. Conclusion: This study showed that KPIs are the best tools to monitor dialysis centers activity, as they help to keep updated about the current clinical state of patients for improving the quality of care and patients` quality of life especially in Low-Income Countries, where there is shortage of Physicians and Nephrologists.

The Impact of a TPA Unit during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Inpatient Length of Stay and Outcomes for Ischemic Stroke

2024-02-14T17:47:54+00:00

Background: Resource allocation can be problematic in ischemic stroke receiving IV thrombolysis (tPA) during COVID-19 pandemic as only a subset requires critical care interventions. It is also unknown whether the usage of non-ICU stroke unit for post-tPA care has better patient outcome compared to ICU. Methods: A pilot study in a single tertiary medical center, in which one-bed tPA unit was created in a non-ICU Stroke Unit during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the provision of ICU level of nursing care. We included 123 consecutive ischemic stroke patients treated with tPA, included in an institutional registry between October 2020 and December 2021. The primary outcome of interest was inpatient length of stay (LOS). The secondary outcome of interest was the 90-day clinical outcomes. Results: Amongst a total of 123 patients, control group consisted of 98 (79.7%) patients who received standard post-tPA care in an ICU, and the study group consisted of 25 (20.3%) patients who received standard post-tPA care in Stroke Unit. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of median LOS or median 90-day NIHSS. However, the median 90-day mRS was lower in the study group compared to the ICU group (0 IQR (0-1) vs. 2 (1-5); P=0.0011). The 90-day death outcome was also lower in the study group compared to the control (0% vs. 25.5%, P<0.05). Conclusion: Providing post-tPA care in non-ICU with the ICU level of neurological nursing care did not reduce length of stay but improved the functional outcome for post-tPA ischemic stroke.

Rehabilitation in a Patient with Restrictive Lung Disease Due to Post Partial Right Inferior Lobe Resection with Phrenic Nerve Palsy: Case Report

2023-12-20T09:16:03+00:00

The process of surgical resection is a complex procedure that raises several concerns after experiencing thoracic trauma. Injuries or cardiothoracic surgical interventions have the potential to give rise to phrenic nerve dysfunction, leading to diaphragmatic weakening, a reduction in inspiratory muscle capacity, and decreased lung volume. This impairs respiratory muscle endurance, ultimately manifesting as exertional dyspnea. A 19-year-old male patient with weaning ventilator failure following inferior lobe resection of the right lung and phrenic nerve palsy is the subject of the following case. After achieving stable hemodynamics in the patient, the pulmonary rehabilitation program within the intensive care unit was initiated. Therefore, this program was conducted to improve ventilation, lung volume, and capacity, as well as diaphragmatic excursion. Exercise capacity improved from a six-minute walking test, which covered 135 meters with a VO2 max of 10.04 and 2.87 metabolic equivalent (METs) before discharge. In the outpatient clinic setting, these values improved with the patient able to cover a distance of 294 meters, exhibiting a VO2 max of 13.17, and a METs value of 3.76.

Diverticulitis Becoming More Prevalent Amongst Younger Generations: What to Look For?

2023-09-29T20:20:22+00:00

Diverticular disease has been a common occurrence in the later generation of life but is now starting to become prevalent amongst people under 40. The ramifications for misdiagnosing diverticulitis as acute appendicitis or enteritis could pose a problem for the future need of resection in individuals diagnosed at an earlier age. This case report presents a 29-year-old male with severe repeat diverticulitis events necessitating resection. He presented to the emergency department 3 times with a progressive diverticular episode that led to abscess and perforation formation. He states he was never told about the importance of nutrition and fiber for prevention of worsening diverticular disease. Physicians should keep diverticulitis on the differential when young patients present with tachycardia, leukocytosis, and lower abdominal pain.

Ageusia as a Manifestation of Long Covid

2024-01-27T13:04:15+00:00

We define "Long-COVID" as that phase of the disease following SARS-Cov2 infection which clinically continues for months after infection. It is considered to affect approximately 1 in 10 patients. Long-COVID presents a very broad and heterogeneous clinical picture that ranges from general manifestations such as fatigue and malaise to both central and peripheral neurological symptoms, from cardiovascular manifestations to ENT symptoms, from gastrointestinal symptoms to musculoskeletal manifestations. In this work, through a concise review of the literature, we have focused attention on the etiopathogenetic and clinical aspects of ageusia, one of the most frequent and important consequences of long-COVID.