RESUMO
Background There is a continual rise in the prevalence of non-cancerous conditions such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) owing to an enormous load of diabetes, hypertension, and vascular diseases. A positive attitude and healthy lifestyle for CKD prevention can only be followed when the masses are well aware and educated about the disease. This study aimed to compare, correlate, and evaluate the distribution of knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions among relatives or caretakers of patients with kidney disease or at risk of the disease. Methodology This cross-sectional study aimed at obtaining data on the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions using the Chronic Kidney Diseases Screening Index questionnaire from the relatives of CKD patients. All data were computed and analyzed using SPSS version 28.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results The majority of the relatives of CKD patients had poor knowledge (63.6%) and poor attitude (51.6%) levels. On the contrary, most respondents had good practices (52.8%) level toward the risk for CKD. A significant correlation was noted between education and knowledge (p < 0.050). A significant association was also observed between education and occupation with attitude (p < 0.001 and p < 0.050, respectively). Additionally, a significant association was noted between age and perception (p < 0.001). Conclusions Informed and well-educated populations are less prone to acquire or progress to CKD. From this study, we can understand the need for improvement in public knowledge, which has the potential to help in saving the lives of many patients progressing toward end-stage renal diseases.
RESUMO
Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)has been a difficult enemy to beat for healthcare professionals around the world. However, even before the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an emergence of a new combatant in the form of opportunistic fungal infections with a high rate of morbidity and mortality, creating havoc throughout the globe. Methods A case-control single-center study was conducted in Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, Maharashtra. All the subjects who were included in the study were tested positive for COVID-19 through the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method and the cases were defined as patients with biopsy-proven mucormycosis, whereas control were subjects who did not develop mucormycosis. The duration of the study was three months, from June 2021 to August 2021. Result A total of 55 cases and 50 controls were enrolled in the study. The use of zinc was found to be significantly associated with COVID-19-associated mucormycosis, with 89.1% of the cases having a history of zinc intake and only 52% of controls having a history of zinc intake( p-value <0.001). Diabetes mellitus was found to be significantly associated with COVID-19-associated mucormycosis with 83.6% of the cases and 16% of the controls having diabetes mellitus (p-value <0.001). Although the use of steroids in cases was more with 98.2% of the cases and 54% of the control receiving steroids; this difference was not significant statistically (p-value of 1.00). Conclusion We conclude that apart from diabetes mellitus and other immunosuppressive states, zinc might be the hidden culprit behind the sudden surge of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis worldwide owing to the self-administration of zinc by the patients to acquire innate immunity and over-prescription of multivitamins by the treating clinicians. However, this association required further studies in order to be proved.