The case fatality rate of COVID-19 during the Delta and the Omicron epidemic phase: A meta-analysis.

As coronavirus variants are constantly occurring, we tried to understand more about the omicron and delta variants that have hit the world. We provided dynamic information on the case fatality rate (CFR) of the Omicron variant over time and to compare it with that of the Delta variant through meta-analysis. Twenty-four countries were selected by submission counts, submission dates, and confirmed cases. We defined the Delta or the Omicron epidemic period for individual countries as when each variant is over 90%. We further analyzed the Omicron period by dividing it into the initial plateau, increasing, and decreasing phases according to the number of newly confirmed daily cases. Finally, the meta-analysis examined the summary and between-study heterogeneity. The CFR of COVID-19 during the Omicron epidemic was lower than that during the Delta epidemic (odds ratio [OR]: 0.252, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.205-0.309). The CFR of COVID-19 during the initial plateau phase of Omicron was higher than during other phases. (OR: 1.962, 95% CI 1.607-2.397). The CFR of COVID-19 during the increasing phase was lower than during the decreasing phases (OR: 0.412, 95% CI 0.342-0.498). The Omicron variant had lower CFR compared to the Delta variant, and the initial plateau phase had higher CFR compared to the noninitial phases. These results can help establish global health policies for COVID-19 in the future.

Immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with diverse health conditions: A comprehensive systematic review.

It remains unclear how effective COVID-19 vaccinations will be in patients with weakened immunity due to diseases, transplantation, and dialysis. We conducted a systematic review comparing the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with solid tumor, hematologic malignancy, autoimmune disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and patients who received transplantation or dialysis. A literature search was conducted twice using the Medline/PubMed database. As a result, 21 papers were included in the review, and seropositivity rate was summarized by specific type of disease, transplantation, and dialysis. When different papers studied the same type of patient group, a study with a higher number of participants was selected. Most of the solid tumor patients showed a seropositivity rate of more than 80% after the second inoculation, but a low seropositivity was found in certain tumors such as breast cancer. Research in patients with certain types of hematological malignancy and autoimmune diseases has also reported low seropositivity, and this may have been affected by the immunosuppressive treatment these patients receive. Research in patients receiving dialysis or transplantation has reported lower seropositivity rates than the general population, while all patients with inflammatory bowel disease have converted to be seropositive. Meta-analysis validating these results will be needed, and studies will also be needed on methods to protect patients with reduced immunity from COVID-19.

Conservatively Treated Orbital Blowout Fractures: Spontaneous Radiologic Improvement.

PURPOSE: To determine if conservatively treated blowout fractures of the orbit undergo spontaneous improvement based on radiologic findings. DESIGN: Prospective, noncomparative series. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with conservatively treated orbital blowout fractures in a single tertiary institution from 2012 through 2016 with initial and follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans. METHODS: Comparison of initial and follow-up CT to assess for smoothening of bony contour, joining of bony edges, reduction in herniation of orbital contents, and new bone formation. Orbital and fracture volumes were calculated using a 3-dimensional reconstruction software program (3D Workstation; TeraRecon, Foster City, CA). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in bony contour, new bone formation, and decrease in orbital and fracture volumes. RESULTS: Our study comprised 41 patients and 44 orbits, with 38 unilateral and 3 bilateral cases. Most were men (65.9%; n = 27), and the mean age was 34.3±13.5 years. The mean time from injury to follow-up scan was 4.6 months (range, 1-15 months). All orbits showed changes in bony contour from initial to follow up CT, including smoothening of the orbital contour (88.6%), joining of bony edges (90.9%), and reduction in herniation of orbital contents (65.9%). Most of the orbits (n = 41; 93.2%) showed features of neobone formation. Of the 44 orbits, 91.4% showed a decrease in orbital volume, whereas 94.3% showed a decrease in fracture volume. The reduction in volume was statistically significant for both orbital (from 23.7±4.0 to 21.8±3.9 ml) as well as fracture (from 1.2±0.8 to 0.7±0.6 ml) volumes from initial to follow-up scans, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of patients showed improvement in radiologic findings despite being treated conservatively. This highlights the spontaneous improvement that can occur in untreated blowout fractures not just clinically, but radiologically, in terms of soft tissue and bony findings.

Superior rectus muscle insertion injury following cosmetic upper lid blepharoplasty: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Direct damage to the superior rectus (SR) muscle insertion following upper lid blepharoplasty has not been reported. We document a rare case of vertical diplopia due to direct damage to the SR muscle insertion following cosmetic upper lid blepharoplasty. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a case of 24-year-old woman with Asian eyelid. The patient had already undergone multiple cosmetic upper lid surgeries and complained of vertical diplopia immediately after her most recent surgery (levator resection with skin approach). Preoperatively, large-angle right hypotropia and severe upgaze limitation were present and noticeable ptosis was observed in the right eye. Intraoperatively, the SR muscle fibers were observed to be detached at the insertion site and severe fibrosis and adhesion surrounding the muscle was noted. After strabismus surgery, vertical strabismus was improved. CONCLUSIONS: This case can provide valuable insight to surgeons performing ptosis surgery and blepharoplasty, particularly in cases of reoperation. Surgeons should be careful while manipulating the levator muscle or resecting deep tissues not to affect the SR muscle.

Spin in randomized controlled trials of pharmacology in COVID-19: A systematic review.

Spin, defined as the misrepresentation of the results of a study, could negate the validity of scientific findings. To explore the manifestation of spin, and identify the factors affecting spin in COVID-19 RCTs, a systematic review was performed from PubMed/Medline, National Institutes of Health, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science. RCTs on pharmacotherapy for COVID-19 with nonsignificant primary outcomes published in 2020 were included. 21 abstracts (33.9%) and 28 main texts (45.2%) were found to contain spin in at least one section. In the conclusion section, other spin strategies beautifying their findings that were not included in the abstract were found in the main texts. More factors influencing the level of spin were found in abstracts than in the main texts, but most of the levels of spin in abstracts were comparable to those in the main texts. Although common factors that affected the manifestation of spin in the main texts and abstracts were the sample size and type of journal, further research to determine multicollinearity between significant factors and the manifestation of spin is required.

The effect of pharmacological treatment and lifestyle modification in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: An umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a liver disease that affects approximately 25% of the world's population, and various treatments have been applied for NAFLD patients. We compared the effectiveness of each intervention conducted to treat NAFLD by evaluating meta-analyses of pharmacological interventions and lifestyle modification including diet and exercise. We searched Pubmed/Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library and included meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of pharmacological intervention and lifestyle modification on NAFLD. The quality of included meta-analyses was evaluated by AMSTAR-2. If the effect size was expressed as mean difference, it was converted to standardized mean difference based on the random-effects model. A total of 1694 meta-analyses were identified, and 27 meta-analyses were eventually included in the review. Regarding pharmacological interventions, there was a high strength of evidence for the ALT reduction effect of silymarin on inactive controls (SMD = 0.88, p < 0.01, seven trials, 518 participants). Meanwhile, it was confirmed that appropriate diet and exercise were important in reducing liver fat (SMD = 1.51, p < 0.01, 12 trials, 765 participants). This umbrella review assessed the effects of pharmacological interventions and lifestyle modifications in the treatment of NAFLD. The results of this review can be utilized for clinical decisions when treating NAFLD patients.

New method for intraocular lens power calculation using a rotating Scheimpflug camera in eyes with corneal refractive surgery.

To introduce and evaluate a refraction-based method for calculating the correct power of the intraocular lens (IOL) in eyes with corneal refractive surgery and to compare the results here to previously published methods. Retrospective review of medical records was done. Group 1 was used to derive two formulas. From the relevant IOL calculation and postoperative refractive data, the refraction-derived K values (Krd) were calculated using a linear regression analysis. The values obtained with the two formulas were compared to previously published methods in group 2 to validate the results. The following methods were evaluated: Haigis-L, Barrett True-K (no history), Potvin-Hill, BESSt 2, Scheimpflug total corneal refractive power (TCRP) 4 mm (Haigis), Scheimpflug total refractive power (TRP) 4 mm (Haigis), modified Scheimpflug TCRP 4 mm (Haigis), and modified Scheimpflug TRP 4 mm (Haigis). The modified TCRP 4 mm Krd (Haigis) had good outcomes, with 60% and 90% of eyes within ±0.50 D and ±1.00 D of the refractive target, respectively. A new method using modified Scheimpflug total corneal refractive power in the 4.0 mm zone appeared to be an accurate method for determining IOL power in eyes with corneal refractive surgery.

Vitrectomy Combined with Intraoperative Dexamethasone Implant for the Management of Refractory Diabetic Macular Edema.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 1-year results of vitrectomy performed in combination with intraoperative dexamethasone implant for tractional and nontractional refractory diabetic macular edema (DME). METHODS: Thirteen eyes from 13 subjects who were diagnosed with tractional DME and 17 eyes from 17 subjects who were diagnosed with nontractional refractory DME underwent vitrectomy and dexamethasone implant injection. Changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) during the one year following vitrectomy were evaluated in each group. Additionally, changes in intraocular pressure and other complications were investigated postoperatively. RESULTS: In eyes with tractional DME, a statistically significant improvement in BCVA was noted at 3, 6, and 12 months, and a statistically significant improvement in CMT was noted at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months from baseline after vitrectomy (p < 0.05). In eyes with nontractional refractory DME, a statistically significant improvement in BCVA was noted at 12 months, but there were no significant improvements in CMT despite the tendency to decrease from baseline. Sixteen (53.3%) of the 30 eyes included in this study showed intraocular pressure elevation, which was addressed using antiglaucoma medication, and there were no other severe complications. CONCLUSIONS: Vitrectomy combined with intraoperative dexamethasone implant may be safe and effective in treating DME, especially tractional DME. In this study, patients with nontractional DME required more additional treatments and time for anatomical and functional improvement compared to patients with tractional DME.

Comparison of Intraocular Lens Power Calculation Methods Following Myopic Laser Refractive Surgery: New Options Using a Rotating Scheimpflug Camera.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare published methods of calculating intraocular lens (IOL) power following myopic laser refractive surgery. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of 69 patients (69 eyes) who had undergone myopic laser refractive surgery previously and subsequently underwent cataract surgery at Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, South Korea from January 2010 to June 2016. None of the patients had pre-refractive surgery biometric data available. The Haigis-L, Shammas, Barrett True-K (no history), Wang-Koch-Maloney, Scheimpflug total corneal refractive power (TCRP) 3 and 4 mm (SRK-T and Haigis), Scheimpflug true net power, and Scheimpflug true refractive power (TRP) 3 mm, 4 mm, and 5 mm (SRK-T and Haigis) methods were employed. IOL power required for target refraction was back-calculated using stable post-cataract surgery manifest refraction, and implanted IOL power and formula accuracy were subsequently compared among calculation methods. RESULTS: Haigis-L, Shammas, Barrett True-K (no history), Wang-Koch-Maloney, Scheimpflug TCRP 4 mm (Haigis), Scheimpflug true net power 4 mm (Haigis), and Scheimpflug TRP 4 mm (Haigis) formulae showed high predictability, with mean arithmetic prediction errors and standard deviations of -0.25 ± 0.59, -0.05 ± 1.19, 0.00 ± 0.88, -0.26 ± 1.17, 0.00 ± 1.09, -0.71 ± 1.20, and 0.03 ± 1.25 diopters, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Visual outcomes within 1.0 diopter of target refraction were achieved in 85% of eyes using the calculation methods listed above. Haigis-L, Barrett True-K (no history), and Scheimpflug TCRP 4 mm (Haigis) and TRP 4 mm (Haigis) methods showed comparably low prediction errors, despite the absence of historical patient information.

Peripheral Reticular Pigmentary Degeneration and Choroidal Vascular Insufficiency, Studied by Ultra Wide-Field Fluorescein Angiography.

PURPOSE: To explore the pathogenesis of peripheral reticular pigmentary degeneration (PRPD) and its clinical significance. METHODS: This cross-sectional, observational study (conducted between January 2010 and May 2015) enrolled 441 eyes of 229 subjects, including 35 eyes with PRPD and 406 eyes without PRPD, which was identified by ultra-wide-field fluorescein angiography (UWFA). The distribution and angiographic circulation time of PRPD were assessed by UWFA. The frequencies of systemic and ophthalmologic comorbidities were compared between groups. Univariate and multivariate generalized estimation equation methods were used to determine the risk factors for PRPD. RESULTS: The patients with PRPD had a mean age of 75.7 ± 8.5 years (range, 59-93 years), whereas the patients without PRPD had a mean age of 60.1 ± 14.9 years (range, 9-92 years). All eyes with PRPD manifested the lesion in the superior nasal periphery with or without circumferential extension. Among those, only 16 eyes (45.7%) in the PRPD group showed distinctive features in the same location on fundus photographs. There was significant choroidal filling delay in the PRPD group when compared with the control group (1.42±1.22 vs. -0.02±1.05 seconds, P < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that older age (P < 0.001), stroke (P = 0.018), ischemic optic neuropathy (P < 0.001), and age-related macular degeneration (P = 0.022) were significantly associated with PRPD. CONCLUSIONS: UWFA may enhance the diagnostic sensitivity of PRPD. Choroidal vascular insufficiency with compromised systemic circulation in the elderly was related to the manifestation of PRPD. These results help to better understand the pathophysiology of PRPD. Co-existence of systemic and ophthalmic circulatory disorders should be considered in patients with PRPD.

Analysis of Retinal Layer Thicknesses and Their Clinical Correlation in Patients with Traumatic Optic Neuropathy.

The aims of this study were 1) To evaluate retinal nerve fiber layer (fRNFL) thickness and ganglion cell layer plus inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness at the fovea in eyes affected with traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) compared with contralateral normal eyes, 2) to further evaluate these thicknesses within 3 weeks following trauma (defined as "early TON"), and 3) to investigate the relationship between these retinal layer thicknesses and visual function in TON eyes. Twenty-nine patients with unilateral TON were included. Horizontal and vertical spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scans of the fovea were taken in patients with unilateral TON. The main outcome measure was thickness of the entire retina, fRNFL, and GCIPL in eight areas. Thickness of each retinal layer was compared between affected and unaffected eyes. The correlation between the thickness of each retinal layer and visual function parameters, including best corrected visual acuity, color vision, P100 latency, and P100 amplitude in visual evoked potential (VEP), mean deviation (MD) and visual field index (VFI) in Humphrey visual field analysis in TON eyes was analyzed. Thicknesses of the entire retina, fRNFL, and GCIPL in SD-OCT were significantly thinner (3-36%) in all measurement areas of TON eyes compared to those in healthy eyes (all p<0.05). Whereas, only GCIPL in the outer nasal, superior, and inferior areas was significantly thinner (5-10%) in the early TON eyes than that in the control eyes (all p<0.01). A significant correlation was detected between retinal layer thicknesses and visual function parameters including color vision, P100 latency and P100 amplitude in VEP, MD, and VFI (particularly P100 latency, MD, and VFI) (r = -0.70 to 0.84). Among the retinal layers analyzed in this study, GCIPL (particularly in the superior and inferior areas) was most correlated with these five visual function parameters (r = -0.70 to 0.71). Therefore, evaluation of morphological change of each retinal layer using SD-OCT can help in understanding TON pathophysiology and indirectly assessing visual function. Moreover, evaluation of the morphological change of the GCIPL in TON eyes may be useful to assess visual function in patients with early TON.