Prevalence and Impact of Gastrointestinal Manifestations in COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review.

Background and objective: The aim of this study is to systematically analyze and summarize the implications of COVID-19 on the digestive system by quantitatively evaluating the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, anorexia. reported in COVID-19 cases. We simultaneously investigated other variables to determine the association of such symptoms in COVID-19 patients which can potentially influence the disease prognosis and outcome. This systematic review presents an updated literature on the issue as it requires more scientific discussion in order to better inform the medical community and authorities so that appropriate measures can be taken to control the virus outbreak. Methods: MEDLINE database was searched to identify relevant articles. Data was analyzed and synthesized from the 16 eligible studies which exclusively reported GI symptoms in COVID-19 patients along with the disease prognosis. A meta-analysis of studies having adequate information regarding the prevalence of specific GI symptoms in association with other relevant independent variables was performed. Results: From the search strategy, we identified 16 articles which fit our eligibility criteria comprising of 10 cross-sectional studies, 2 cohort study, 1 RCT and 3 observational studies. From these pooled studies, 6 articles exclusively talked about COVID-19 patients in which GI symptoms were reported and adequately discussed. In a total of 3646 patients, GI symptoms were documented in (16.2%-10.1%) patients. The most prevalent GI symptom was diarrhea (47%) but the most common clinical manifestation reported was fever (77.4%). Among the adult patients, hypertension (11.6%) was the most frequently reported comorbidity. Presence of viral RNA in stool sample was noted in 16.7% patients with GI symptom. In patients who complained of having GI symptoms, an abnormal liver function was largely observed, with an elevated ALT level in (10.9%) and an elevated AST in (8.8%) of the patients. Evidence of vertical transmission (14.2%) was reported in one study which highlights the extent and mode of viral transmission. It was observed that a great majority of the patients in the 6 studies reporting specifically on patients with GI symptoms were on antiviral therapy (68.6%) as the standard disease management protocol but the eventual disease outcome as in this case died (8.4%), discharged (45.6%) was not linked to just one therapeutic factor but other indicators of disease severity such as positive chest CT findings (87.82%) have led to a poor disease prognosis which was noted in (28.9%) severe patients with GI symptoms compared to (71.1%) non-severe COVID-19 patients with GI symptom. Conclusion: Presence of GI symptoms in COVID-19 patients has shown to have a positive association with the poor disease prognosis likely as a result of direct viral toxicity. It is important for the physicians to recognize digestive symptoms as an important characteristic in COVID-19 patients. Hence, precise and targeted documentation of GI symptoms and viral stool sample investigations should be performed in order to understand the rapidly evolving disease symptomology.

Efficacy of Ibuprofen after Total Hip Arthroplasty to Prevent Heterotopic Ossification: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant randomized control trials (RCTs) to determine the role of ibuprofen, as well as the optimum dose and duration of therapy, in preventing the incidence of heterotopic ossification (HO) after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). A literature search was performed using the PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases for RCTs that compared the use of ibuprofen versus placebo as prophylaxis for HO in patients after THA. The main outcomes for this study were overall occurrence of HO, occurrence according to the Brooker classification, and gastrointestinal complications. A total of 27 potential articles were identified from the database. Eventually, four trials with 1,153 patients were included in the final analysis. When compared with placebo, the use of ibuprofen is associated with a reduction in the incidence of HO at the 3- and 12-month follow-up appointments, as well as the incidence of Brooker II and III HO ( p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the ibuprofen and placebo groups in terms of treatment discontinuation due to gastrointestinal complications or the incidence of Brooker I and IV HO ( p > 0.05). The existing data indicates that ibuprofen is safe and efficacious in reducing the total incidence of HO along with Brooker II and III HO at follow-up. However, due to the small number of studies, the conclusions are limited; therefore, more high-quality clinical trials are required to develop guidelines for optimal dose and duration of therapy.

Efficacy of Ibuprofen after Total Hip Arthroplasty to Prevent Heterotopic Ossification: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis / Eficácia do ibuprofeno após artroplastia total de quadril para prevenção de ossificação heterotópica: Revisão sistemática e metanálise

Abstract The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant randomized control trials (RCTs) to determine the role of ibuprofen, as well as the optimum dose and duration of therapy, in preventing the incidence of heterotopic ossification (HO) after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). A literature search was performed using the PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases for RCTs that compared the use of ibuprofen versus placebo as prophylaxis for HO in patients after THA. The main outcomes for this study were overall occurrence of HO, occurrence according to the Brooker classification, and gastrointestinal complications. A total of 27 potential articles were identified from the database. Eventually, four trials with 1,153 patients were included in the final analysis. When compared with placebo, the use of ibuprofen is associated with a reduction in the incidence of HO at the 3- and 12-month follow-up appointments, as well as the incidence of Brooker II and III HO (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the ibuprofen and placebo groups in terms of treatment discontinuation due to gastrointestinal complications or the incidence of Brooker I and IV HO (p > 0.05). The existing data indicates that ibuprofen is safe and efficacious in reducing the total incidence of HO along with Brooker II and III HO at follow-up. However, due to the small number of studies, the conclusions are limited; therefore, more high-quality clinical trials are required to develop guidelines for optimal dose and duration of therapy.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma revisão sistemática e metanálise de estudos clínicos randomizados (ECRs) relevantes para determinar o papel do ibuprofeno, sua dose ideal, e a duração do tratamento na prevenção de ossificação heterotópica (OH) após a artroplastia total primária do quadril (ATQ). Uma pesquisa bibliográfica foi feita nos bancos de dados PubMed/MEDLINE e Cochrane Library para a obtenção de ECRs quecomparassem ouso de ibuprofeno edeplacebo como profilaxiaparaOHem pacientes submetidos à ATQ. Os principais desfechos deste estudo foram ocorrência geral de OH, classificação de Brooker da OH, e complicações gastrintestinais. No total, 27 artigos foram identificados nos bancos de dados e 4 estudos, com 1.153 pacientes, foram incluídos na análise final. Em comparação ao placebo, o uso de ibuprofeno reduziu a incidência de OH aos 3 e 12 meses de acompanhamento e a incidência de OH Brooker II e III (p < 0,05). No entanto, não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos que receberam ibuprofeno e placebo em termos de interrupção do tratamento devido a complicações gastrintestinais ou da incidência de OH Brooker I e IV (p > 0,05). Os dados existentes indicam que o ibuprofeno é seguro e eficaz na redução da incidência total de OH e de OH Brooker II e III durante o acompanhamento. No entanto, as conclusões são limitadas devido ao pequeno número de estudos; logo, mais estudos clínicos de alta qualidade são necessários para o desenvolvimento de diretrizes em relação à dose e duração ideal da terapia.

Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage Due to Duodenal Varix: A Case Report.

We report a case of a 72-year-old female with a past medical condition of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis who presented in the emergency department with altered mentation. An Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed which showed a normal esophagus and stomach, but revealed grade III varices which were appreciable in the second portion of the duodenum. Her colonoscopy report revealed multiple small and large mouthed diverticula in the sigmoid colon along with hematin throughout the colon, yet no evidence of active bleeding, mass or inflammation. We discuss the patient's rarity of the clinical entity, clinical development, and elements used for diagnosis along with the treatment modalities involved.

Novel drug delivery systems for inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic illness characterized by relapsing inflammation of the intestines. The disorder is stratified according to the severity and is marked by its two main phenotypical representations: Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Pathogenesis of the disease is ambiguous and is expected to have interactivity between genetic disposition, environmental factors such as bacterial agents, and dysregulated immune response. Treatment for IBD aims to reduce symptom extent and severity and halt disease progression. The mainstay drugs have been 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASAs), corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive agents. Parenteral, oral and rectal routes are the conventional methods of drug delivery, and among all, oral administration is most widely adopted. However, problems of systematic drug reactions and low specificity in delivering drugs to the inflamed sites have emerged with these regular routes of delivery. Novel drug delivery systems have been introduced to overcome several therapeutic obstacles and for localized drug delivery to target tissues. Enteric-coated microneedle pills, various nano-drug delivery techniques, prodrug systems, lipid-based vesicular systems, hybrid drug delivery systems, and biologic drug delivery systems constitute some of these novel methods. Microneedles are painless, they dislodge their content at the affected site, and their release can be prolonged. Recombinant bacteria such as genetically engineered Lactococcus Lactis and eukaryotic cells, including GM immune cells and red blood cells as nanoparticle carriers, can be plausible delivery methods when evaluating biologic systems. Nano-particle drug delivery systems consisting of various techniques are also employed as nanoparticles can penetrate through inflamed regions and adhere to the thick mucus of the diseased site. Prodrug systems such as 5-ASAs formulations or their derivatives are effective in reducing colonic damage. Liposomes can be modified with both hydrophilic and lipophilic particles and act as lipid-based vesicular systems, while hybrid drug delivery systems containing an internal nanoparticle section for loading drugs are potential routes too. Leukosomes are also considered as possible carrier systems, and results from mouse models have revealed that they control anti- and pro-inflammatory molecules.

COVID-19 pandemic: from origins to outcomes. A comprehensive review of viral pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic evaluation, and management.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative pathogen for the COVID-19, first emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and by March 2020, it was declared a pandemic. COVID-19 pandemic has overburdened healthcare systems in most countries and has led to massive economic losses. SARS-CoV-2 transmission typically occurs by respiratory droplets. The average incubation period is 6.4 days and presenting symptoms typically include fever, cough, dyspnea, myalgia or fatigue. While the majority of patients tend to have a mild illness, a minority of patients develop severe hypoxia requiring hospitalization and mechanical ventilation. Management is mostly supportive. However, several direct anti-viral agents, and immunomodulatory therapy with steroids and various cytokine blockers seem promising in early results. However, an effective vaccine has been established, which will help curb the pandemic.

Clinical aspects of Ebola virus disease: a review.

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), also known as Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever (EHF), initially emerged over 40 years ago in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Endemic to Africa, outbreaks have been recorded in six African countries since its detection in 1976. Fruit bats are believed to be the natural hosts of Ebola viruses (EBoV), with humans and other mammals serving as accidental hosts. Transmission of EBoV has been reported in various ways, including human to human transmission through close contact with blood and bodily fluids. The virus has an incubation period ranging from two to twenty-one days, followed by a multitude of clinical manifestations such as the sudden onset of high fever, chills and myalgia depicting a flu-like syndrome. It is usually diagnosed based on several clinical symptoms such as the sudden onset of illness, high fevers for less than three weeks, and at least two hemorrhagic symptoms despite no predisposing factors. This generally provides enough evidence for clinicians to consider EHF and begin supportive treatment until the virus is confirmed through laboratory findings. Management of patients involves supportive care such as maintaining fluid along with electrolyte balance, blood pressure and oxygen saturation. This also includes treating complications arising from secondary infections. The main options include: prophylactic strategies, anti-viral therapy for EVD, immunotherapies, vaccines, and ZMapp. Finally, the key to managing EBoV epidemics is to stop the transmission of disease in the most severely affected population, as prevention has become of utmost importance to alleviate the significant physical and economic burden.

Prevalence and Predictors of the Use of Sunscreen Amongst Medical Students: A Multi-center Cross-sectional Study.

Objective Sun exposure is a primary preventable risk factor for skin cancer. Sunscreen has been shown to reduce the risk of certain skin cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. We aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of sunscreen use among medical students in Karachi. Methods A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted among 578 students from multiple medical universities in Karachi, Pakistan. The levels of use of sunscreen were recorded using a comprehensive questionnaire consisting of 29 questions. Descriptive statistics were used and p-values less than 0.05 calculated using the chi-square test were considered significant. Results A majority (n=441, 73.9%) of the participants in this study were female students. Sunscreen use was prevalent in 415 (69.5%) participants. Female students were more aware of the risk of skin cancer from extended sun exposure (n=186, 72.4%). Sunscreen use was significantly associated with gender (p<0.001) and the propensity to get sunburned easily (p=0.001). Few (n=19, 5.0%) students reported being well-versed regarding skin cancer and its risk factors. Most participants were aware of the use of sunscreen for sunburn prevention (n=473, 79.2%), though knowledge of the additional benefits of sunscreen, such as the prevention of skin cancer (n=257, 43.0%) and aging (n=199, 33.3%), was lacking. Conclusion There is an evident lack of knowledge of the importance of sunscreen protection among medical students, particularly regarding the prevention of skin cancer and skin aging. However, an overall positive attitude was observed regarding the use of sunscreen among female students. Medical students are an imperative part of our future healthcare system and should be adequately informed on sunscreen benefits and skin cancer prevention.

Effects of colchicine on pericardial diseases: a review of the literature and current evidence.

Colchicine, extracted from the colchicum autumnale plant, used by the ancient Greeks more than 20 centuries ago, is one of the most ancient drugs still prescribed even today. The major mechanism of action is binding to microtubules thereby interfering with mitosis and subsequent modulation of polymorphonuclear leukocyte function. Colchicine has long been of interest in the treatment of cardiovascular disease; however, its efficacy and safety profile for specific conditions have been variably established in the literature. In the subset of pericardial diseases, colchicine has been shown to be effective in recurrent pericarditis and post-pericardiotomy syndrome (PPS). The future course of treatment and management will therefore highly depend on the results of the ongoing large randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of colchicine for the primary prevention of several postoperative complications and in the perioperative period. Also, given the positive preliminary outcomes of colchicine usage in pericardial effusions, the future therapeutical use of colchicine looks promising. Further study is needed to clarify its role in these disease states, as well as explore other its role in other cardiovascular conditions.