Evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms among male COVID-19 patients during the second wave: An observational study.

Background: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected almost all age groups globally, and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) may be one of the early manifestations of COVID-19, especially in elderly patients. This study aimed at evaluating LUTS in male COVID-19 patients during the COVID-19 s wave. Methodology: A prospective observational study was conducted between March 15, 2021, and March 25, 2021, at the Prince Hamza Hospital in Amman, Jordan. Newly admitted COVID-19 confirmed male patients who were able to fill the LUTS (validated) questionnaire were included. Vitally unstable patients requiring intensive care unit admissions or medical or surgical intervention (except catheterization) for their presenting symptoms were excluded. Results: Two-hundred and four patients (mean age: 51.1 ± 17.3 years) were included; among COVID-19 symptoms, augmented urinary frequency (3.4%) was the commonest urological symptom, followed by dysuria (1.0%), and acute urinary retention (1.0%). Twenty-four patients (10.8%) had benign prostatic hyperplasia, two patients had bladder cancer, and one hadprostate cancer. Most patients exhibited mild symptoms on international prostate symptom score (IPSS) before (n = 149, 67.1%) and during (n = 157, 70.7%) COVID-19, and this difference between IPSS scores was statistically significant (P = 0.025). Both IPSS sub-scores of storage (IPSS/S) and voiding (IPSS/V) had a positive correlation with pre- and post-COVID-19 scores (IPSS/S: P < 0.001, r = 0.63; IPSS/V: P < 0.001, r = 0.76). Conclusion: This study demonstrated a strong correlation between COVID-19 and LUTS; therefore, COVID-19 infection should be investigated and excluded in any patient presenting with LUTS during the current pandemic. Further research is needed to elucidate the exact pathophysiology of this correlation.

Lung disease associated with filamin A gene mutation: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Mutations in the gene encoding filamin A (FLNA) lead to diseases with high phenotypic diversity including periventricular nodular heterotopia, skeletal dysplasia, otopalatodigital spectrum disorders, cardiovascular abnormalities, and coagulopathy. FLNA mutations were recently found to be associated with lung disease. In this study, we report a novel FLNA gene associated with significant lung disease and unique angiogenesis. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we describe a 1-year-old Saudi female child with respiratory distress at birth. The child then had recurrent lower respiratory tract infections, bilateral lung emphysema with basal atelectasis, bronchospasm, pulmonary artery hypertension, and oxygen and mechanical ventilation dependency. Molecular testing showed a new pathogenic variant of one copy of c.3153dupC in exon 21 in the FLNA gene. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support previous reports in the literature that associate FLNA gene mutation and lung disease.

Clinical presentation of air leak in an infant with undiagnosed cystic fibrosis: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Air leak is a well-recognized complication of advanced cystic fibrosis in older children and adults but is extremely rare in infants. To the best of our knowledge, this is the youngest reported pediatric case of an air leak from a major airway. CASE PRESENTATION: A 4-month-old Yamani baby girl with a family history of cystic fibrosis initially presented with a history of a persistent paroxysmal cough for 3 weeks and vomiting for 1 week. Laboratory evaluation indicated pseudo-Bartter's syndrome. Imaging showed a tracheal tear with pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema that was treated conservatively. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the possibility of air leak in the population of young patients with cystic fibrosis and it shows a successful conservative management of tracheal tear. Physicians should consider cystic fibrosis in infants presenting with air leak.

Antibiotic prophylaxis against infective endocarditis in adult and child patients. Knowledge among dentists in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate dentists' knowledge regarding the prevention of infective endocarditis in Saudi Arabia and their implementation of the 2007 American Heart Association guidelines. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, in March 2014, 801 dentists who practice in different regions of Saudi Arabia completed a questionnaire regarding the need for antibiotic prophylaxis for specific cardiac conditions and specific dental procedures, prophylaxis regimens in adults and children, and recommendations for patients on chronic antibiotics, and in dental emergencies. The data were analyzed using one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) and independent t-tests, and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The total knowledge level regarding antibiotic prophylaxis among all participants was 52.2%, with a significant difference between dentists who graduated before and after 2007. Comparing the level of knowledge among different dental specialists, surgeons and periodontists had the highest level of knowledge regarding the use of antibiotic prophylaxis. Amoxicillin was prescribed as the drug of choice by 63.9% of the participants. CONCLUSION: This study emphasized the need for continuous education and for formal inclusion of the guidelines in the students' curriculum, as well as for strategic placement of the guidelines in locations throughout dental clinics.