COVID-19 and Anemia: What Do We Know So Far?

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for causing COVID-19, a global pandemic. The virus primarily targets the respiratory system but can also affect other systems, notably causing hematological pathologies. Anemia, a common hematologic disorder, is characterized by the reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells. The existing literature has a suspected link between anemia and severe COVID-19 cases. Researchers are currently investigating the long-term complications of COVID-19 in anemic patients, as these complications may play a crucial role in predicting patient prognosis. Anemic individuals are at a higher risk of experiencing severe COVID-19 infections due to several contributing pathophysiological mechanisms, including thrombotic, hemorrhagic, and autoimmune etiologies. The primary effect of these mechanisms is a decrease in circulating hemoglobin levels, reducing oxygen availability for cells. This exacerbates the hypoxia caused by COVID-19-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This review offers a comprehensive overview of the evidence regarding the long-term complications of COVID-19 in anemic patients.

Prevalence of Dry Eye Disease Among Medical Students and Its Association with Sleep Habits, Use of Electronic Devices and Caffeine Consumption: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire.

Introduction: Dry eye disease (DED) is a common and multifactorial disease of the ocular surface which causes visual disturbance and feelings of discomfort among patients. The prevalence rate among medical students is an important issue to consider. This study investigates the relationship between caffeine consumption, sleeping habits, use of electronic devices, and DED among a convenient sample of medical students in Jordan. Methods: This cross-sectional online survey enrolled medical students from all six medical schools in Jordan. The questionnaire, which was shared via social media platforms, assessed socio-demographics, caffeine consumption amounts and patterns, sleep quality, and the use of electronic devices and their relation to ocular discomfort, DED, and related symptoms. The ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire was also administered to quantify the symptoms of DED. Results: A total of 1223 students participated in this study (RR=24.46%); 64% were females, and 43% were in their clinical placement years. Of the participants, 317 (25.92%) had normal eyes, and 906 (74.08%) had symptomatic DED. Of the students, 1206 (98.6%) used electronic devices directly before bed, and only 399 (32.62%) used blue-light-protective glasses. Lower DED risk was linked to male gender (OR=0.535, 95% CI 0.392-0.73, p <0.01), clinical years of medical school (OR=0.564, 95% CI 0.424-0.75, p<0.01). Poor sleep quality corresponded to more incidence of DED, regardless of sleeping for 5-6 hours (OR=3.046, 95% CI 1.299-7.139, p=0.01) or for less than 5 hours (OR=3.942, 95% CI 1.824-8.519, p<0.01). Also, caffeine consumption only marginally affected its incidence, but the results were statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Female gender, basic science years, and spending more than 6 hours looking at screens were significantly associated with symptomatic DED. Caffeine consumption did not pose any significant risk to the incidence of DED.

Effects of ABO blood groups and RH-factor on COVID-19 transmission, course and outcome: A review.

ABO and Rh blood grouping systems are two of the non-modifiable risk factors that play an important role in the susceptibility, severity and outcomes of COVID-19 infection. This review explores these associations all over the world, in an attempt to conclude a clear idea for future reference in clinical practice. In the present review, a link has been drawn between blood groups and COVID-19 transmission, course and prognosis, as literature suggests that blood group O plays a protective role against the infection, while blood group A exhibits a higher risk of exacerbation. In contrast with Rh negative individuals, Rh positive individuals are prone to more severe infection and complications, despite the fact that the underlying mechanisms of this association remain understudied. Nevertheless, the connection remains subject to controversy; since some studies report doubts about it. Thus, this association requires further investigation.

Ocular manifestations of recent viral pandemics: A literature review.

Viral pandemics often take the world by storm, urging the medical community to prioritize the most evident systemic manifestations, often causing ocular manifestations to go unnoticed. This literature review highlights the ocular complications of the Monkeypox, SARS-CoV-2, MERS, Ebola, H1N1, and Zika viruses as the most recent viral pandemics. Research into the effects of these pandemics began immediately. Moreover, it also discusses the ocular complications of the vaccines and treatments that were used in the scope of the viral pandemics. Additionally, this review discusses the role of the eye as an important route of viral transmission, and thereafter, the International recommendations to reduce the incidence of viral transmission were mentioned. Lastly, this paper wants to lay out a platform for researchers who want to learn more about how viruses show up in the eye.