Effects of Pregabalin as a Neural Pathway Inhibitor for the Treatment of Resistant Subacute and Chronic Cough: A Pilot Clinical Trials Study.

BACKGROUND: Cough hypersensitivity syndrome is one of the causes of chronic cough. Small clinical trials have suggested the effects of pregabalin as a neural pathway inhibitor in treating subacute and chronic cough resistance. METHODS: This study is an 8-week, pilot study randomized, double-blind clinical trial on 30 patients' resistant to treatment of the underlying cause who were referred to an ultra-specialized lung clinic, Shahid Beheshti Hospital, between 2021-2022. The samples were randomly divided into control (dextromethorphan and placebo) and intervention (dextromethorphan and pregabalin). Patients were evaluated at the beginning, during, and after eight weeks of treatment, using the modified standard Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) regarding the changes and the rate of recovery compared to before Participation in the study. FINDINGS: The quality of life score of patients eight weeks after treatment had a significant difference and was higher in the intervention group (In the pregabalin group) than in the control group (p =0.006). The recovery rate of cough in 26% of patients was equal to 70%, but others were reported up to 50%. CONCLUSION: Pregabalin increases the quality of life in patients with subacute and chronic cough resistant to standard treatment and increases the rate of recovery in these patients.

The effect of interferon in the therapy of severe coronavirus infection.

BACKGROUND: So far, several protocols have been used for the treatment of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). In this study, we aimed to study the effect of interferon on the treatment of hypoxemia caused by COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a quasi-experiment with a nonequivalent group design. All participants were admitted to Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Qom province. In total, 60 patients were enrolled in the study, and inclusion criteria were age over 18 years, positive PCR test result, pulmonary involvement in computed tomography (CT) scan, and SpO2 level below 93%. Individuals were divided into two control (hydroxychloroquine + lopinavir/ritonavir [Kaletra]) and intervention (hydroxychloroquine + lopinavir/ritonavir [Kaletra] + interferon-ß 1a [recigen]) groups. The data were analyzed in Stata/SE 14.2 using Chi-square, t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of patients was 63 ± 16.12 years and 43.3% were male. In terms of outcome variables, 20% of patients in the intervention group and 53.3% of subjects in the control group died and this difference was significant (P = 0.007). According to the quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) score, the severe cases were 16.7% in the intervention group and 50% in the control group (P = 0.006). In addition, the median days of hospitalization were 11.5 days-significantly higher than those in the control group (5.5 days) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, the use of interferon in the treatment of COVID-19 can improve health and reduce the severity of the disease and mortality.

Association of lifestyle elements with self-rated wellness and health status in patients with Behcet's disease.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the association of various lifestyle factors and wellness and health status in patients with Behcet's disease was the main goal of this study. METHODS: Demographic information, body mass index, smoking habit, mood status, sleep quality, physical activity levels, nutritional data, symptoms, signs, laboratory findings and patient reported outcome (self-rated wellness and health) in 52 patients with Behcet's disease were collected in this cross-sectional study. A multivariable linear regression model was used to assess the association of self-rated wellness and health status and lifestyle factors, adjusted for age, sex, BMI, major symptoms and signs, as well as laboratory findings. RESULTS: Female to male ratio was 21/31, and the mean age of participants was 44 years. Mean self-rated wellness and health score was 14.6 out of 20. Oral and genital aphthous, ocular involvement, pathergy, and skin involvement were observed in 100, 52, 92, 36.5, and 9.5% of patients, respectively. The mean values of sleep, mood and nutrition quality scores were 17.7 (out of 70), 13.8 (out of 35), and 9 (out of 21), respectively. Univariable regression analysis showed a significant association between sleep quality, mood status, and disease duration, with patients' status in terms of self-rated wellness and health. In multivariable linear regression, sleep quality was the only significant predictive variable associated with self-rated wellness and health. CONCLUSION: Sleep quality was the most important factor associated with low self-rated wellness and health status in patients with Behcet's disease.

Evaluation of invasive ventilation (intubation) prognosis in patients with Covid-19 symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID 19) has been reported as a pandemic by the world health organization. Increasing number of cases and associated mortality have demanded the need for clinical studies and researches. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate intubation prognosis of the COVID 19 patients referred to Shahid Beheshti hospital in Qom city. METHOD: COVID 19 patients referred to (XXX)were included in this study. Clinical sign and symptoms were recorded for each patient in a questionnaire. The diagnosis was made using real time polymerase chain reaction and chest CT scans. Lab findings from renal and liver function tests, blood count, c-reactive protein and electrolytes were also recorded. Shortness of breath was measured using oxygen saturation levels in these patients. The data was recorded in the electronic form and was analyzed using SPSS v21. RESULT: Of 317 patients included in this study, the average age of COVID 19 patients were 59.71 ± 16.46 years. The need of ventilation among the patients older than 50 years was significantly higher than younger patients, p = 0.013. Smoking status, gender and drug addiction was not associated with the need of invasive mechanical ventilation, p = 0.73, p = 0.44 and p = 0.76. Patients need invasive mechanical ventilation compared to those receiving non-invasive ventilation were significantly older, p = 0.001. CONCLUSION: The need of mechanical ventilation is significantly greater in advanced age COVID-19 patients.