Epidemiology and infection
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Meta Analysis
Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 with cardiac injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Cardiac injury is associated with poor prognosis of 2019 novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but the risk factors for cardiac injury have not been fully studied. In this study, we carried out a systematic analysis of clinical characteristics in COVID-19 patients to determine potential risk factors for cardiac injury complicated COVID-19 virus infection. ⋯ Age, male gender and comorbidities are risk factors for cardiac injury complicated COVID-19 infection. Such patients are susceptible to complications and usually have abnormal results of laboratory tests, leading to poor outcomes. Contrary to common cardiac diseases, cardiac injury complicated COVID-19 infection did not significantly induce chest distress, chest pain, palpitations or arrhythmias. Our study indicates that early prevention should be applied to COVID-19 patients with cardiac injury to reduce adverse outcomes.
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Meta Analysis
D-dimer levels on admission and all-cause mortality risk in COVID-19 patients: a meta-analysis.
D-dimer level on admission is a promising biomarker to predict mortality in patients with COVID-19. In this study, we reviewed the association between on-admission D-dimer levels and all-cause mortality risk in COVID-19 patients. Peer-reviewed studies and preprints reporting categorised D-dimer levels on admission and all-cause mortality until 24 May 2020 were searched for using the following keywords: 'COVID-19', 'D-dimer' and 'Mortality'. ⋯ Analysis restricted to studies with 0.5 μg/ml as the cut-off value resulted in a pooled RR for mortality of 4.60 (95% CI 2.72-7.79). Subgroup analysis showed that the pooled all-cause mortality risk was higher in Chinese vs. non-Chinese studies (RR 5.87; 95% CI 2.67-12.89 and RR 3.35; 95% CI 1.66-6.73; P = 0.29). On-admission D-dimer levels showed a promising prognostic role in predicting all-cause mortality in COVID-19 patients, elevated D-dimer levels were associated with increased risk of mortality.
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Influenza viruses circulate around the world every year. From time to time new strains emerge and cause global pandemics. Many national and international health agencies recommended the use of face masks during the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic. ⋯ There is some evidence to support the wearing of masks or respirators during illness to protect others, and public health emphasis on mask wearing during illness may help to reduce influenza virus transmission. There are fewer data to support the use of masks or respirators to prevent becoming infected. Further studies in controlled settings and studies of natural infections in healthcare and community settings are required to better define the effectiveness of face masks and respirators in preventing influenza virus transmission.
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Influenza viruses circulate around the world every year. From time to time new strains emerge and cause global pandemics. Many national and international health agencies recommended the use of face masks during the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic. ⋯ There is some evidence to support the wearing of masks or respirators during illness to protect others, and public health emphasis on mask wearing during illness may help to reduce influenza virus transmission. There are fewer data to support the use of masks or respirators to prevent becoming infected. Further studies in controlled settings and studies of natural infections in healthcare and community settings are required to better define the effectiveness of face masks and respirators in preventing influenza virus transmission.
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Nosocomial infection in intensive care unit (ICU) practice is a common problem and is associated with abnormal carriage of Gram-negative aerobic bacilli in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in endogenous infections. Selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) is a regimen aimed at preventing or eradicating this abnormal carriage. ⋯ A recent meta-analysis has suggested a 10-20% reduction in mortality (3-6% absolute difference) with SDD. A discussion of these results is presented together with potential criticisms of SDD.