ABSTRACT
Objective: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of visual loss worldwide in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). The aims of our study are to describe the costs associated with (DR) and to evaluate its economic impact in Jordan. Methods: Retrospectively, we included all patients with DM and classified them according to the severity of DR. Data regarding medical history, ophthalmic history, stage of DR, presence of DME, and the ophthalmic procedures and operations were collected. The total DR-related cost was measured as a direct medical cost for the outpatient and inpatient services. Results: Two hundred and twenty-nine patients were included in the study. Only 49.7% of the patients presented without DR, and 21% presented with diabetic macular edema (DME) unilaterally or bilaterally. The DR-related cost was significantly associated with insulin-based regimens, longer duration of DM, higher HbA1c levels, worse stage of DR at presentation, the presence of DME at presentation, the presence of glaucoma, and increased mean number of intravitreal injections, laser sessions, and surgical operations. Multivariate analysis should the presenting stage of DR, presence of DME, and the presence of DME be the independent factors affecting the DR-related cost. Conclusion: This study is the first study to be conducted in Jordan and encourages us to establish a screening program for DR for earlier detection and treatment. DM control and treatment compliance will reduce the heavy costs of the already exhausted healthcare and financial system.
ABSTRACT
Restoring everyday civil life from the devastating pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can be only by the development of an efficient vaccine. As of April 12, 2022, 497,960,492 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported, including 6,181,850 lives having been lost worldwide and completely paralyzing the d global economy. Detection of a novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in Wuhan, in December 2019, and the genetic sequence of SARS-CoV-2 that was published on January 11, 2020, leads to a global race, to prepare for a preventive vaccine. No single institution can develop a vaccine individually because there are many stages for developing and producing a successful vaccine. Since this virus threatens the health, the economy, and society the demand for a fast-track vaccine is understandable. This article tries to give an overview of vaccine 'candidates' development and clinical trials, and it mentions some challenges of using these vaccines for managing SARS-CoV-2.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Viral Vaccines , Humans , COVID-19 Vaccines , COVID-19/prevention & control , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , Pandemics/prevention & controlABSTRACT
Background: Ocular herpes simplex is usually caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and less commonly by the type 2 virus (HSV-2). Ocular manifestations of HSV include blepharitis, conjunctivitis, lacrimal system obstruction, corneal involvement, and uveitis. Corneal involvement is one of the causes of loss of vision and can be epithelial herpetic keratitis or stromal herpetic keratitis. Objective: A significant population has a colonization of herpes viruses. Under certain circumstances, these viruses can reactivate with a significant ocular morbidity. Globally, COVID-19 vaccines are recommended; however, the vaccine safety data are limited. Case report: Herein, we reported a case of herpetic keratitis reactivation that occurred 2 days after receiving SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine. The patient is a 50-year-old man who underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in 2020 for corneal opacity caused by a previous herpes simplex keratitis in 2013. Herpetic keratitis was treated successfully with topical antiviral acyclovir along with topical moxifloxacin and artificial tears. After treatment, prophylactic oral acyclovir was started. Conclusion: Both ophthalmologist and patients should be aware of this phenomenon. Long-term prophylactic antiviral treatment may be recommended for those patients.
