Diagnostic role of laboratory findings and clinical symptoms in detecting the severity of COVID-19 disease.

OBJECTIVE: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic poses a monumental challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. Clinical features and data-driven decisions could differentiate the virus's early stages. This study aims to provide valuable diagnostic data that can help determine the severity of COVID-19 infection and allow for early detection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A sample of 214 patients was collected to validate our approach. The data were grouped into ordinary (126 cases) or severe (88 cases) groups. The information they provided included age, gender, creatinine levels, blood pressure, glucose levels, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), alanine transaminase (ALT), cough, fever, expectoration, myalgia, headache, dyspnea, abdominal discomfort, and chest pain. Statistically, the Mann-Whitney U, T, and Chi-square tests were utilized to determine the significant differences in collected data between two groups of patients and the severity of those differences between categorical variables. RESULTS: The patients' age range was 21 to 84 years. The male gender was predominant (56%), particularly in the severe group (63.6%). The results summarized that the mortality rate for COVID-19 patients is high (4.7%). Symptomatic patients with abnormal creatinine levels, blood pressure, glucose level, CPK, ALT, cough, expectoration, dyspnea, and chest pain were significantly linked with both COVID-19 patient groups (p < 0.05). Compared to the ordinary group, patients in the severe group had abnormal creatinine levels (77.8%), high blood pressure (87.5%), diabetes mellitus (55.3%), high CPK level (85.7%), high ALT value (88.2%), cough (44.4%), expectoration (86.7%), dyspnea (81.0%), and chest pain (80.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with abnormal creatinine levels, blood pressure, glucose levels, CPK, ALT, cough, dyspnea, and chest pain are at high risk for severe COVID-19 infection.

The association between kinesiophobia and dynamic balance in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between Kinesiophobia and dynamic balance in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty subjects with PFPS [20 Low Kinesiophobia (LK), 20 High Kinesiophobia (HK)], and 20 pain-free subjects (control group) were enrolled in the study. All subjects performed a Y-balance test to measure the dynamic balance. Normalized reach distance and balance parameters were recorded. RESULTS: Our findings indicated that patients with PFPS who have a greater Kinesiophobia showed a poorer dynamic balance. In addition, the HK group showed a significantly lower mean reach distance score in the anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial directions compared to LK and healthy groups. CONCLUSIONS: Addressing the psychological factors such as Kinesiophobia during examination and treatment of people with PFPS may be important to improve the dynamic balance.

The normative values for resting length of pectoralis minor muscle among individuals with asymptomatic shoulder in South Bengaluru: a cross-sectional pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the normative values for resting length of pectoralis minor muscle among males and females with an asymptomatic shoulder in South Bengaluru. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred and forty-six subjects with asymptomatic shoulders were taken by convenience sampling. The subjects were divided into two groups: Group A (123 males) and Group B (123 females). Pectoralis minor muscle resting length was measured on their dominant side in all subjects. Post measurement, the PMI was calculated. The normative values for both groups were determined. The mean PMI was compared between Group A and Group B and was analyzed using statistical tools. RESULTS: In Group A, the mean average Pectoralis minor length (PML) was 14.59 ± 1.61 cm and in Group B, the mean average PML was 12.95 ± 1.42 cm which was statistically significant (p-value <0.00001). In Group A, the mean Pectoralis Minor Index (PMI) was 8.54 ± 0.88 and in Group B, the mean PMI was 8.22 ± 0.90 which was statistically significant (p-value <0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The normative values for resting length of pectoralis minor muscle for males are 8.54 ± 0.88 and for females 8.22 ± 0.90 with an asymptomatic shoulder. There is a difference in the normative values for the resting PML in the asymptomatic shoulder by gender.