RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a global pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 primarily occurs through binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), which is abundantly expressed in various anatomical sites, including the nasopharynx, lungs, cardiovascular system, and gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. This study aimed to nurses' knowledge and protective health behaviors about prevention of covid-19 pandemic complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive design study was conducted from October 1, 2022, to March 15, 2023. A non-probability purposive sample of 50 nurses from different educational levels, genders, and departments at Baghdad teaching hospitals was selected. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. RESULTS: The study comprised an equal distribution of male and female participants, with the majority (44%) aged between 22 and 30 years. A significant proportion (52%) of nurses held institute degrees. Forty-six percent were single, and the majority (74%) had 1-5 years of experience. The mean scores were 0.70 for nurses' knowledge and 3.22 for nurses' protective health behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that nurses possess satisfactory knowledge and exhibit high levels of protective health behaviors regarding complications associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is recommended to conduct future research focusing on nurses' knowledge and practices related to patient care in the context of a pandemic.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Allergic diseases are immunological exaggerations with symptoms that may interfere with life quality. Bilastine, a novel oral second-generation H-1 antihistamine, is highly selective to H-1 receptors and has anti inflammatory properties. The present evidence regarding the drug efficacy is inconsistent. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bilastine compared with the placebo and other active antihistamines in patients who complained either from AR or chronic urticaria. METHODS: We systematically searched the Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating bilastine effects on symptomatic hyper histaminic allergic conditions. We collected data on total symptoms scores (TSS), total nasal symptom scores (TNSS), discomfort associated with these allergic conditions measured by visual analog score (VAS), and quality of life (QOL) for AR and urticaria. Other outcomes such as clinical global impression and safety profiles were reported as well. We pooled the studies in a random effect model using RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS: We included 9 RCTs comprising 3801 participants. The meta-analysis revealed that bilastine was superior to placebo, improving TSS, TNSS, VAS, and QOL in AR or chronic urticaria participants. Moreover, the bilastine was comparable to active antihistamines such as cetirizine, fexofenadine, and loratadine regarding mentioned outcomes. In addition, the novel drug was safe and tolerable with no difference in the incidence of adverse events with a placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Bilastine safely improved TSS in hyper histaminic allergic conditions involving nasal symptoms in AR. It decreases the discomfort associated with the disease resulting in improving the QOL of the participants.
