RESUMO
Background and Aims: Health care workers (HCWs) are caught in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic storm and are exposed to a large degree of physical and emotional stress. This study was planned to describe the stressors, stress levels, emotional responses, and coping strategies adopted by HCWs amidst this pandemic. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted after ethics approval, using a structured performa incorporating standardized stress (PSS-10 C), emotional responses (PANAS-10), and coping strategy (Brief COPE) scales. The snowball sampling technique was used to conduct the study and collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26 version (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) statistical software. A P value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 402 participants (65% doctors and 35% nurses), 87% perceived moderate stress levels, and nearly half of the participants were interns, residents, and medical officers. Infection to self or family members (77.1%), survival of sick patients (75.6%), aggression by patients and relatives (70.3%), and long duty hours (67%) were some of the major stressors as reported by HCWs. The most common positive emotion felt was being alert (19.17 ± 5.57) and negative emotion perceived was being upset (15.6 ± 6.06). Many participants adopted emotion and problem-focused coping strategies such as planning and strategization (68%) and positive reframing (67.6%), whereas dysfunctional coping strategies such as venting and denial were adopted less commonly. Conclusion: Moderate stress levels perceived by HCWs are a cause for concern. Emotional responses of HCWs to stress vary; however, appropriate coping strategies including emotional and problem-focused coping strategies are the need of the hour to tackle pandemic-related stress.
RESUMO
Objectives Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) has a wide clinical spectrum. Despite favorable prognosis, identifying CVST patients with a possible poor functional outcome can be challenging. This study aims to establish the neurological predictors of outcome in CVST. Materials and Methods We analyzed 70 patients of CVST and categorized them into three groups: Group I with isolated intracranial hypertension; Group II-focal syndrome of neurological deficit; Group III-subacute encephalopathy. Demographic, disease characteristics, and radiological parameters were also analyzed for prediction of hospital course. Functional outcome was assessed by modified Rankin scale (mRS) dichotomized as good (mRS: 0-2) or poor outcome (mRS ≥ 3). Statistical Analysis Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to find out the independent effects of prognostic factors to be used for outcome prediction. Results The mean age was 36.71 ± 14.9 years with 40 (68.8%) males. Most common presenting complaints were headache 35 (50%), hemiparesis 14 (20%), and seizures 12 (17.4%). Group I included 44 (62.9%), group II 17 (24.3%) and group III 12 (12.9%) patients. During hospitalization 28 (40%) patients needed intensive care unit (ICU) care, among them 7 (10%) required ventilation. There were eight times more chances of ICU care (odds ratio [OR]: 7.4; 2.5-24.4) and 23 times more need for ventilation (OR: 23; 2.5-88.9) whenever patients were in group II or III. Good outcome (mRS < 2) was noted in 52 (74.2%) patients. Headache was associated with good functional outcome, whereas hemiparesis with poor outcome. Neurological grouping was the independent predictor of functional outcome; patients with focal neurological deficit (group II) were 20 times more likely to have dependent life at the time of discharge ( p < 0.05) with the mortality rate of 2.9%. Conclusions Neurological grouping is a practical tool for prediction of function outcomes. Early anticipation of prognosis helps in decision-making in the clinical practice.
