Favipiravir for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia; a propensity score-matched cohort study.

We retrospectively investigated the clinical outcomes of favipiravir in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Patients who between 23 May 2020 and 18 July 2020 received ≥ 24 h of favipiravir were assigned to the favipiravir group, while those who did not formed the non-favipiravir group. The primary outcome was 28-day clinical improvement, defined as two-category improvement from baseline on an 8-point ordinal scale. Propensity scores (PS) for favipiravir therapy were used for 1:1 matching. The unmatched cohort included 1493 patients, of which 51.7% were in the favipiravir group, and 48.3% were not receiving supplemental oxygen at baseline. Significant baseline differences between the two unmatched groups existed, but not between the PS-matched groups (N = 774). After PS-matching, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the proportion with 28-day clinical improvement (93.3% versus 92.8%, P 0.780), or 28-day all-cause mortality (2.1% versus 3.1%, P 0.360). Favipiravir was associated with more viral clearance by day 28 (79.8% versus 64.1%, P < 0.001). Adverse events were common in both groups, but the 93.9% were Grades 1-3. Favipiravir therapy for COVID-19 pneumonia is well tolerated but is not associated with an increased likelihood of clinical improvement or reduced all-cause mortality by 28 days.

Frequency of Acute Kidney Injury in Patient Receiving Piperacillin - Tazobactam: A Hospital-based Study from Qatar.

BACKGROUND: several studies have been reported piperacillin-tazobactam (TAZ / PIPC)-associated AKI with various frequencies. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of TAZ/PIPC- associated AKI among our patients and to identify the risk factors for this clinical entity. METHODS: this retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Hamad General Hospital; it involved adult patients who were admitted from January 2017 to December 2017. RESULTS: we involved 917 patients, of whom 635 (69.25%) were males and 282 (30.75%) were females. The mean age of the patients was 52 (SD 19) years, and 98 (10.7%) patients were diagnosed with AKI. The patients with AKI were significantly older than without AKI [59.71 (SD 19.79) versus 51.06 (SD 18.67); P <0.001]. After TAZ/PIPC initiation, the mean creatinine level in the AKI group was higher than the mean creatinine level in the non-AKI group, [158.91 (SD 81.93) versus 66.78 (SD 21.42); P<001]. The mean time of onset of AKI after PIPC/TAZ initiation was 4.46 (SD 3.20) (1-12 days). AKI was significantly associated with low mean serum albumin (P<0.001), high mean fasting blood glucose (P<0.001), coronary artery diseases (P<0.001), heart failure (P<0.001), liver diseases (P=0.047), diabetes mellitus (P=0.021) and hypertension (P<0.001). The in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in the AKI group [38.78% versus 5.13% in the non-AKI group; P<0.001], and only advanced age and heart failure were found as independent risk factors for TAZ/PIPC-associated AKI. CONCLUSION: TAZ/PIPC was significantly associated with AKI. Advanced age and heart failure were identified as independent risk factors for TAZ/PIPC-associated AKI.

Isolated Bulbar Palsy: A Rare Presentation of Neurosarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis, which is a non-caseating granulomatous chronic inflammatory disease, can affect virtually any organ system, including the central nervous system (CNS). Very rarely, patients may present solely with neurosarcoidosis. It commonly presents with unilateral or bilateral seventh nerve palsy. Rarely it can present as dangerous progressive bulbar palsy and is a diagnostic and clinical challenge. We present a case of sarcoidosis with a unique presentation of isolated bulbar palsy. A 38-year-old male presented to the emergency with a sudden onset of dysphonia followed by dysphagia for both solids and liquids for one week and 5 kg weight loss in two months. The rest of the CNS exam was unremarkable. On labs, he had hypercalcemia and suppressed parathyroid hormone (PTH) intact. Detailed radiological investigations, lab tests, and lymph node biopsy helped confirm the diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis. The patient did not respond to first-line steroid therapy and hence received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) subsequently with adequate response and complete neurologic recovery, confirmed by a follow-up visit.

Indapamide-induced Severe Hyponatremia in a Middle-aged Male Patient within Two Weeks.

Hyponatremia is one of the most common electrolyte abnormalities and is associated with many conditions. It has been reported in patients receiving diuretics as a physiological consequence of the therapy. We report an unusual case of severe hyponatremia of 100 mmol/L (Normal range (NR): 136-145 mmol/L) in a 54-year-old middle-aged gentleman within two weeks of commencement of Indapamide, a thiazide-like diuretic. After immediate treatment with intravenous 3% hypertonic saline infusion, discontinuation of indapamide, and ruling out other possible causes of hyponatremia, his serum sodium level improved. He was discharged without having any complicated hospital course and was also followed up for a further five months. The aim of our case report is to highlight an important and life-threatening complication associated with the most commonly prescribed drug and to manage it through cautious correction and monitoring of sodium levels.