Prevalence and outcomes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in COVID-19 presents challenges in patient management. Existing studies lack comprehensive review due to varied designs, samples, and demographics. A meta-analysis can provide valuable insights into the incidence, features, and outcomes of UGIB in COVID-19. A comprehensive literature search was carried out using several databases. We considered all appropriate observational studies from all over the world. Mantel-Haenszel odds ratios and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were produced to report the overall effect size using random effect models. Besides, Random effects models were used to calculate the overall pooled prevalence. Funnel plots, Egger regression tests, and Begg-Mazumdar's rank correlation test were used to appraise publication bias. Data from 21 articles consisting of 26,933 COVID-19 patients were considered. The pooled estimate of UGIB prevalence in patients admitted with COVID-19 across studies was 2.10% (95% CI, 1.23-3.13). Similarly, the overall pooled estimate for severity, mortality, and rebleeding in COVID-19 patients with UGIB was 55% (95% CI, 37.01-72.68), 29% (95% CI, 19.26-40.20) and 12.7% (95% CI, 7.88-18.42) respectively. Further, UGIB in COVID-19 patients was associated with increased odds of severity (OR = 3.52, 95% CI 1.80-6.88, P = 0.001) and mortality (OR = 2.16, 95% CI 1.33-3.51, P = 0.002) compared with patients without UGIB. No significant publication bias was evident in the meta-analysis. The results of our study indicate that UGIB in individuals with COVID-19 is linked to negative outcomes such as severe illness, higher mortality rates, and an increased risk of re-bleeding. These findings highlight the significance of identifying UGIB as a significant complication in COVID-19 cases and emphasise the importance of timely clinical assessment and proper treatment.

Emirati Adolescents' and Young Adults' Usage of Social Media for Health Information.

During the COVID-19 pandemic and in the years after, adolescents' and young adults' (AYAs) usage of social media increased. Social media has been shown to influence both the physical and mental behaviour of AYAs. The Emirates' AYAs are among the world's heaviest consumers of social media. This study aims to explore the usage of social media networks by AYAs for sharing and looking up health information, as well as interacting with local health systems, with a special focus on doctors and social media. This cross-sectional, descriptive study was used to collect comprehensive data from Arabic- and English-speaking Emirati students in grades 7 through 12 and university students between the months of December 2022 and April 2023. A total of 876 out of 930 responses were included. Of the responses, 27.71% were university students, with another 46.46% in grades 11 and 12. Three-fourths had a hospital or clinic visit in the last 6 months and 79.11% had good health perception. Smartphones were the most commonly used devices, at 92.12%. A total of 74.7% reported being able to obtain useful health information, with 40% having had a health decision influenced by it. Posting information on social media was not common, with only 32% posting such content (most commonly mood-related). Health information on social media by health authorities was considered the most trustworthy, with celebrities being the least trustworthy. More than half of AYAs searched for a physician before a visit, and the majority would not mind having a rash picture being posted on a public website if consent (verbal or written) was taken. Social media can influence the various health decisions an AYA might take and which doctors they might choose to see. Physicians should consider their presence and the content they present on social media carefully.