The impact of COVID 19 on the outcomes of thrombectomy in stroke patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

We aimed to conduct the current meta-analysis to provide better insight into the efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in managing COVID-19 patients suffering from a stroke. An electronic search was conducted through eight databases for collecting the current evidence about the efficacy of MT in stroke patients with COVID-19 until 18 December 2021. The results were reported as the pooled prevalence rates and the odds ratios (ORs), with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Out of 648 records, we included nine studies. The prevalence of stroke patients with COVID-19 who received MT treatment was with TICI ≥2b 79% (95%CI: 73-85), symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage 6% (95%CI: 3-11), parenchymal haematoma type 1, 11.1% (95%CI: 5-23), and mortality 29% (95%CI: 24-35). On further comparison of MT procedure between stroke patients with COVID 19 to those without COVID-19, we found no significant difference in terms of TICI ≥2b score (OR: 0.85; 95%CI: 0.03-23; p = 0.9). However, we found that stroke patients with COVID-19 had a significantly higher mortality rate than stroke patients without COVID-19 after MT procedure (OR: 2.99; 95%CI: 2.01-4.45; p < 0.001). Stroke patients with COVID-19 can be safely and effectively treated with MT, with comparable reperfusion and complication rates to those without the disease.

COVID-19 outcomes in paediatric cancer: A large scale pooled meta-analysis of 984 cancer patients.

We aimed to study the outcomes of COVID-19 in paediatric cancer patients. On 26 October 2021, we did a systematic search for relevant articles in seven electronic databases followed by manual search. We included cancer patients aged ≤18 years. Event rates and the 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were used to report the results. We included 21 papers after screening of 2759 records. The pooled rates of hospitalisation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality were 44% (95%CI: 30-59), 14% (95%CI: 9-21) and 9% (95%CI: 6-12), respectively. Moreover, subgroup analysis revealed that high income countries had better COVID-19 outcomes compared to upper middle income countries and lower middle income countries in terms of hospitalisation 30% (95%CI: 17-46), 60% (95%CI: 29-84) and 47% (95%CI: 36-58), ICU admission 7% (95%CI: 1-32), 13% (95%CI: 7-23) and 18% (95%CI: 6-41), and mortality 3% (95%CI: 2-5), 12% (95%CI: 8-18) and 13% (95%CI: 8-20), in order. In general, absence of specific pharmacologic intervention to prevent infection with the scarcity of vaccination coverage data among paediatric groups and its impact, high priority caution is required to avoid SARS-CoV-2 infection among paediatric cancer patients. Furthermore, our results highlight the importance of promoting care facilities for this vulnerable population in low and middle income regions to ensure quality care among cancer patients during pandemic crisis.

Telemedicine approach for psoriasis management, time for application? A systematic review of published studies.

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition. It has a chronic course with multiple evolving relapses and patients require long-term treatment and follow-up. Teledermatology was introduced for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of chronic diseases. Thus, we performed a systematic review for collecting the evidence regarding the efficacy of telemedicine in psoriasis management. Out of 287 records, we included seven studies (four of which were randomized controlled trials). We found that telemedicine alone or combined with usual care had the same or higher efficacy of psoriasis management compared to usual care or control group. We recommend further studies for assessing the pros and cons of this intervention which can replace conventional strategies especially in pandemic times.

The effect of COVID-19 on the in-hospital outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndrome: A large scale meta-analysis.

Aim: We aimed to study the effect of COVID-19 on the in-hospital outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Method: A systematic literature search was performed in 2nd February 2022 updated in 12th December 2022 for recruiting relevant papers. The effect size was computed via the odds ratio (OR) for dichotomous data or standardized mean difference (SMD) for continuous data along with the 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Results: After the screening of 1075 records, we found 11 relevant papers that included 2018 COVID-19 patients and negative controls 21,207. ACS patients with COVID-19 had a significant higher mortality rate (OR: 4.95; 95%CI: 3.92-6.36; p <0.01), long hospital stay (days) (SMD: 1.17; 95%CI: 0.92-1.42; p <0.01), and reduced post TIMI 3 score (OR: 0.55; 95%CI: 0.41-0.73; p <0.01) rather than controls. However, we found no significant differences in terms of thrombus aspiration prevalence (OR: 1.88; 95%CI: 0.97-3.65; p = 0.06) or door to balloon time (SMD: 0.11; 95%CI: -0.43-0.66; p = 0.7). Conclusion: Despite that we found a significant association between COVID-19 and high mortality, more length of hospital stay and reduced post TIMI 3 score, in ACS patients after PCI, a rigorous analysis of the adjusted hazard ratio -that was absent in most of the included studies- by further meta-analysis is recommended to confirm this association. However, close monitoring of COVID-19 in patients with a high risk of developing ACS, is recommended due to the associated hypercoagulability of COVID-19 infection.

A closer look at the high burden of psychiatric disorders among healthcare workers in Egypt during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among Egyptian healthcare workers (HCWs) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: Six databases were searched for relevant papers. The quality of the selected articles was measured using the National Institute of Health quality assessment tool. We used a fixed-effects model when there was no heterogeneity and a random-effects model when there was heterogeneity. RESULTS: After screening 197 records, 10 studies were ultimately included. Anxiety was the most commonly reported psychiatric disorder among HCWs, with a prevalence of 71.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 49.4 to 86.9), followed by stress (66.6%; 95% CI, 47.6 to 81.3), depression (65.5%; 95% CI, 46.9 to 80.3), and insomnia (57.9%; 95% CI, 45.9 to 69.0). As measured using the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, the most common level of severity was moderate for depression (22.5%; 95% CI, 19.8 to 25.5) and stress (14.5%; 95% CI, 8.8 to 22.9), while high-severity anxiety was more common than other levels of severity (28.2%; 95% CI, 3.8 to 79.6). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on Egyptian HCWs' psychological well-being. More psychological support and preventive measures should be implemented to prevent the further development of psychiatric illness among physicians and other HCWs.

Hyperimmunoglobulin therapy for the prevention and treatment of congenital cytomegalovirus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To examine the safety and efficacy of hyeprimmunoglobulin therapy on vertical transmission of congenital cytomegalovirus (CCMV).Method: We searched nine databases for studies investigating the effect of Hyperimmunoglobulin among pregnant women with CMV.Results: Of total eight studies, the pooled prevalence of CCMV was 36.5% (95% confidence intervals (CI): 26-49%). There was no evidence that hyperimmunoglobulin is effective against CCMV [odds ratio (OR) (95% (CI)) = 0.53 (0.20-1.42)]. However, analyzing only studies of pregnant women with confirmed primary infection, a significant reduction in the congenital CCMV rates was observed [OR (95% CI) = 0.33 (0.18-0.59)]. Based on the purpose, CCMV prevention was successful with a reduction of the CCMV rates [OR (95% CI) = 0.33 (0.16-0.68)[, while treatment was not]OR (95% CI) = 0.80 (0.04-15.01)]. The most common adverse pregnancy outcome was prematurity, followed by intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and termination of pregnancy (TOP), with no significant impact of antenatal hyperimmunoglobulin usage.Conclusion: Our results showed a promising efficacy of hyperimmunoglobulin therapy among pregnant women with confirmed primary infection, which fades away on including secondary infection. This effectiveness was limited to the prevention, not the treatment, of CCMV. More randomized controlled trials are needed to provide concrete evidence.

Association between sarcoidosis and cardiovascular comorbidity: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis with cardiovascular involvement is critical and is associated with morbidity and mortality of the affected patients, if not properly managed. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to review the available literature to find the prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities and their association with sarcoidosis. METHODS: An electronic search was conducted through nine databases for articles reporting cardiovascular comorbidities in sarcoidosis patients. We assessed the quality of each included article using the National Institute of Health quality assessment tool (NIH), while meta-analysis was used to pool the results. RESULTS: Out of 2208 reports screened, we included 14 studies. The most common cardiovascular comorbidities were hypertension 28.8%, heart failure 9.3% and non-specified arrhythmia 8.1%. There were significant association between sarcoidosis and heart failure and hypertension rather than controls (OR = 2.10, 95%CI (1.65 - 2.69), p < 0.01) and (OR = 1.27, 95%CI (1.02 - 1.59), p = 0.036), respectively. However, we found no association between sarcoidosis and cerebrovascular disease, ischemic heart disease and ventricular tachycardia (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sarcoidosis is associated with certain types of cardiovascular comorbidities. Timely diagnosis and aggressive management in this population are needed to minimize the hazards associated with the disease.

Fournier's gangrene mortality: A 17-year systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To provide better management of Fournier's gangrene, mortality-associated comorbidities and common etiologies were identified. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted using 12 databases, followed by meticulous screening to select relevant articles. Meta-analysis and meta-regression (for possible cofounders) were both done for all possible outcomes. RESULTS: Out of 1186 reports screened, 38 studies were finally included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. A higher risk of mortality was detected in patients with diabetes, heart disease, renal failure, and kidney disease, with risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of 0.72 (0.59-0.89), 0.39 (0.24-0.62), 0.41 (0.27-0.63), and 0.34 (95% CI 0.16-0.73), respectively. However, there was no association between mortality rates and comorbid hypertension, lung disease, liver disease, or malignant disease (p > 0.05). The highest mortality rates were due to sepsis (76%) and multiple organ failure (66%), followed by respiratory (19.4%), renal (18%), cardiovascular (15.7%), and hepatic (5%) mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Modifications to the Fournier's Gangrene Severity Index (FGSI) are recommended, in order to include comorbidities as an important prognostic tool for FG mortality. Close monitoring of the patients, with special interest given to the main causes of mortality, is an essential element of the management process.