Value of Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Various Stages.

Introduction: Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) is among the most common head and neck cancer, significantly affecting the growth of human tumors. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as a measure of inflammation in patients with various stages of NPC. Materials and Methods: This retrospective case-control study was conducted on patients diagnosed with NPC between 2016 and 2020 in Dr. Hasan Sadikin Bandung Hospital, Indonesia. Based on NPC classification criteria, patients were classified into early and advanced groups. Subsequently, the PLR ratio was calculated as the number of platelet divided by the absolute number of lymphocytes in the two groups, and the results were statistically analyzed using Unpaired T-test, Pearson, and Chi-square test. Results: A total of 102 patients with an age range of 40 to 49 years were included in this study. A slight correlation of 0.272 (P<0.001) was observed between PLR and clinical stage, while NPC patients with PLR value > 188 had a 2.7 times higher risk of advanced stage (RR=2.702). Conclusion: The PLR was significantly related to the clinical stage of NPC cancer.

Correlation of Lund-Mackay Score on Computed Tomography Scan and Nasoendoscopic Score in Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

Bckground: The diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is confirmed by subjectively assessing a patient's complaints and objectively by a computed tomography scan (CT scan) and nasoendoscopic examination. The Lund Mackay (LM) score on paranasal sinus CT scans and the Modified Lund Kennedy (MLK) nasoendoscopic score have more advantages than other scores. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the LM score on paranasal sinus CT scans and the nasoendoscopic MLK score in patients with CRS at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analytical observational study conducted on 70 adult CRS patients with nasoendoscopy and paranasal sinus CT scans at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung. The Lund Mackay score and nasoendoscopic MLK score were collected, and the data were analyzed using Spearman's correlation. Results: In this study, 51.4% were males and 48.6% were females, and most subjects were without polyps (72.9%). This study found a strong positive correlation in subjects with polyps (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient 0.7) in LM score with nasoendoscopic MLK score and a very small correlation in subjects without polyps. Conclusion: There is a significant correlation between Lund Mackay score on paranasal sinus CT scan and nasoendoscopic Modified Lund Kennedy score in CRS patients with polyps in Dr. Hasan Sadikin Bandung General Hospital.

Impact of social activity restriction and routine patient screening as a preventive measurement for tertiary referral hospital staff in a country with high COVID-19 incidence.

Background: Measuring COVID-19 incidence among hospital staff and the influencing factors and preventative measures affecting outcomes is important given their high risk of exposure and potential impacts on health service provision. Method: Study participants included all hospital staff with COVID-19 confirmed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from March 2020 to July 2021. Data were collected on age, gender, occupation, working area, symptoms and vaccination status. We also collected data on pediatric oncology patients and their caregivers to review the hospital screening policy. Results: Approximately 59% of positive cases among hospital staff occurred in the green zone; 75% were fully vaccinated. Whole-genome sequencing indicated that staff infections in June 2021 were Delta variant. A decrease in cases coincided with government implementation of social activity restriction. When RT-PCR was performed in suspected cases, 3 of 36 pediatric oncology patients and 10 staff tested positive. After routine screening, 8 of 121 patients, 3 patient caregivers, and 5 staff tested positive, all were asymptomatic, and all were infected in the community. Conclusions: Routine testing for staff, patients and caregivers, vaccination booster programs, continuing education of health care workers, and government policy, such as social activity restriction, are needed to protect frontline workers.

The association of iron deficiency anemia on chronic suppurative otitis media in children: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is the most common infectious disease in the world and the leading cause of hearing loss in children in developing countries. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is often found in children with CSOM. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the association between IDA and the incidence of CSOM in children. METHOD: This research is a case-control study using consecutive sampling. Participants were divided into case group which are children diagnosed with CSOM (n = 42) and control group which are children with normal ear (n = 42). All participants were examined for serum iron (FE), hemoglobin (Hb), total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and ferritin levels. The analysis used in this study includes the chi-square test or fisher extract test and independence t-test or Man Whitney test with p < 0.05. RESULT: The measurement results obtained values of Hb (13.00 ± 1.34 g/dL; p < 0.001), FE (95.13 ± 40.84 g/dL; p < 0.001), TIBC (354.18 ± 62.44 g/dL; p = 0.016), and ferritin levels (17.57 ± 8.55 g/dL; p < 0.001). Participants who experienced IDA were 21.43% which in the case group was 31.0% and control group was 11.9% (OR = 3.32; p = 0.033). CONCLUSION: IDA can increase the incidence of CSOM in children.