Association between renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor treatment, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, D-Dimer and clinical severity of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients: a multicenter, observational study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between worse clinical outcomes and the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. A total of 247 adult patients (154 males, 93 females; mean age: 51.3 ± 14.2 years) hospitalized for COVID-19 as confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic and clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters were analyzed using various statistical modeling. Primary outcomes were defined as the need for intensive care unit (ICU), mechanical ventilation, or occurrence of death. Of the patients, 48 were treated in the ICU with a high flow oxygen/noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV, n = 12) or mechanical ventilation (n = 36). Median length of ICU stay was 13 (range, 7-18) days. Mortality was seen in four of the ICU patients. Other patients were followed in the COVID-19 services for a median of 7 days. There was no significant correlation between the primary outcomes and use of ACEIs/ARBs (frequentist OR = 0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.29-2.34, p = 0.715 and Bayesian posterior median OR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.31-2.02) and presence of hypertension (frequentist OR = 1.23, 95% CI 0.52-2.92, p = 0.631 and Bayesian posterior median OR = 1.25, 95% CI 0.58-2.60). Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and D-dimer levels were strongly associated with primary outcomes. In conclusion, the presence of hypertension and use of ACEIs/ARBs were not significantly associated with poor primary clinical outcomes; however, NLR and D-dimer levels were strong predictors of clinical worsening.

Relationship between disease severity and serum IL-6 levels in COVID-19 anosmia.

BACKGROUND: An association between IL-6 levels and cytokine storm syndrome in COVID-19 patients has been suggested. Cases with higher IL-6 levels have more rapid progression and a higher complication rate. On the other hand, COVID-19 cases with anosmia have a milder course of the disease. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate whether there is a relationship between serum IL-6 levels and presence of anosmia in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 based on laboratory (PCR) were stratified into two groups based on presence of olfactory dysfunction (OD). In all cases with and without anosmia; psychophysical test (Sniffin' Sticks test) and a survey on olfactory symptoms were obtained. Threshold (t) - discrimination (d) - identification (i), and total (TDI) scores reflecting olfactory function were calculated. Clinical symptoms, serum IL-6 levels, other laboratory parameters, and chest computed tomography (CT) findings were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 59 patients were included, comprising 23 patients with anosmia and 36 patients without OD based on TDI scores. Patients with anosmia (41.39 ± 15.04) were significantly younger compared to cases without anosmia (52.19 ± 18.50). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of comorbidities, smoking history, and symptoms including nasal congestion and rhinorrhea. Although serum IL-6 levels of all patients were above normal values (7 pg/mL), patients with anosmia had significantly lower serum IL-6 levels (16.72 ± 14.28 pg/mL) compared to patients without OD (60.95 ± 89.33 pg/mL) (p = 0.026). CONCLUSION: Patients with COVID-19 related anosmia tend to have significantly lower serum levels of IL-6 compared to patients without OD, and the lower IL-6 levels is related to milder course of the disease. With the effect of low cytokine storm and IL-6 level, it may be said that anosmic cases have a milder disease in COVID-19.

Atypical presentation of SARS-CoV-2 infection in male genitalia.

During novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, patients usually present with several reports showing symptoms of severe systemic or respiratory illness and, although rare, some genital complaints such as scrotal discomfort can be seen. In the majority of patients, however, genital complaints seem not to be the initial or sole symptoms. In this article, we report an unusual presentation of a male case with severe external genital pain which was suspected to be the first clinical sign of COVID-19.

Long-term efficacy of submucosal uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

The objective of the study was the assessment of the long-term efficacy of submucosal uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Thirty-two of 156 patients who underwent UPPP between January 2001 and March 2007 with a follow-up period of 36-96 months (mean, 56 months) were included in the study conducted at the university affiliated center. Preoperative and postoperative snoring evaluation forms and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESC) scores were used for subjective analysis. Preoperative and postoperative respiratory distress index (RDI) levels were evaluated objectively. Patients who had 50% or more reduction in RDI levels postoperatively were named as responders to the procedure. The other patients were named as non-responders. Body mass index (BMI) was also analyzed preoperatively and postoperatively. Snoring disappeared in 83% of the patients, did not change in 13% and deteriorated in 4% of the patients (p < 0.001). Excessive daytime sleepiness decreased in 22 patients (68%) and ESC values decreased from 14.6 ± 3.7 to 6.5 ± 3.9 (p = 0.0001). RDI decreased by more than 50% of the preoperative values in 15 (46.9%) of 32 patients forming the responders and the mean RDI decreased from 33.3 ± 22.9 to 23.7 ± 22.8 (p = 0.027). BMI increased over years (p = 0.0001) evidencing a preponderance in non-responder patients. Submucosal uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is an effective tool in treating patient's subjective symptoms of OSAS. Objective findings suggest that smUPPP is inadequate in treating OSAS. It cannot abolish OSAS, though it can decrease the intensity of the condition in nearly half of the patients. Weight gain decreases the success of the procedure over the years.