COVID-19 in Northeast Bosnia and Herzegovina and patient's length of hospitalization.

BACKGROUND: Since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, clinical data from various parts of the world have been reported. Up till now, there has been no clinical data with regards to COVID-19 from Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). The aim was to report on the first cohort of patients from B&H and to analyze factors that influence COVID-19 patient's length of hospitalization (LOH). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Tuzla University Clinical Center (UKC), B&H. It involved 25 COVID-19 positive patients that needed hospitalisation between March 28th and April 27th 2020. The LOH was measured from the time of admission to discharge. Factors analyzed induced age, BMI, presence of known comorbidities, serum creatinine and O2 saturation upon admission. RESULTS: The mean age was 52.92 ± 19.15 years and BMI 28.80 ± 4.22. LOH for patients with BMI < 25 was 9 ± SE2.646 days (CI 95% 3.814-14.816) vs 14.182 ± SE .937 (CI 95% 12.346-16.018 p < 0.05; HR 5.148 CI95% 1.217 to 21.772 p = 0.026) for ≥25 BMI. The mean LOH of patients with normal levels of O2 ≥ 95% was 11.667 ± SE1.202 (CI95% 8.261 to 13.739; p = 0.046), while LOH for patients with < 95% was 14.625 ± SE 1.231 CI95% 12.184 to 16.757 p = 0.042; HR 3.732 CI95%1.137-12.251 p = 0.03). Patients without known comorbidities had a mean LOH of 11.700 ± SE1.075 (CI 95% 9.592-13.808), while those with comorbidities had a mean of 14.8 ± 1.303 (CI 95% 12.247-17.353; p = 0.029) with HR2.552. CONCLUSION: LOH varied among COVID-19 patients and was prolonged when analyzed for BMI ≥25, comorbidities, elevated creatinine, and O2 saturation < 95%. Furthermore, risk factors for COVID-19 patients in B&H do not deviate from those reported in other countries.

Depression, anxiety and stress severities in multiple sclerosis patients using injectable versus oral treatments.

AIM: Studies on multiple sclerosis in Saudi Arabia remain scant, particularly studies on the psychological aspects. This study measures severities of depression, anxiety and stress, and compares them to the used disease-modifying treatment. MATERIALS & METHODS: Cross-sectional study using a phone questionnaire targeting 452 Saudi patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis following in King Khalid University Hospital, King Fahad Medical City or Security Forces Hospital. RESULTS: From 235 patients, 149 used interferons, 58 used fingolimod and 28 used natalizumab. Depression scores were similar among all demographic and drug groups. Interferons versus fingolimod anxiety scores were significantly different (p = 0.035). Stress scores were within normal limits. CONCLUSION: Mild anxiety was higher among interferon users, which could be due to injection anxiety reasons.