JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association
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Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has grasped the world including Pakistan. Clinical features of this disease are variable, ranging from asymptomatic to critical disease. In this unprecedented global war, the Pakistan Chest Society has written a guideline for quick review for the specialists providing care to suspected or confirmed patients. This review highlights the approach to a patient with COVID-19, including definition of the various syndromes of the disease, the abnormal laboratory parameters and outlines the therapeutic measures which are currently under investigation.
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The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a recent pandemic which has spread to over 200 countries of the world since its outbreak. As of 21st April, 2020, more than 2.3 million confirmed cases have been reported. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a strategic preparedness response plan for countries at risk. ⋯ Pakistan Armed Forces have always provided services to the countrymen during natural and man-made disasters. During this pandemic the largest rehabilitation institute in the country was converted into a 130-bed dedicated isolation and quarantine facility for the COVID-19 patients. We will share our experience of establishing and managing this quarantine and isolation facility and highlight the achievements and out-of-the-box solutions applicable for low resource countries like Pakistan.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effects of traditional massage on spasticity of children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial.
To examine the effects of traditional massage on spasticity of children with cerebral palsy. ⋯ Traditional massage was found to have significant effect on the right side compared to the routine physical therapy for reduction of spasticity in children with cerebral palsy.
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The coronavirus disease-2019 outbreak has spread rapidly affecting 1.4 million people across the world in only four months. Healthcare fraternity is struggling to circumvent the consequences of this fast spreading infection and communicating their scientific discoveries through research publications. ⋯ This paper discusses these potential risks posed by deceptive (predatory) journals, for prospective authors and scientific community, during the COVID-19 outbreak. It also presents ways to address those risks and the role of journal editors and academic organisations.
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With the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 having caught the world almost unaware millions of people across the globe are presently grappling to deal with its acute effects. Our previous experience with members of the same corona virus family (SARS and MERS) which have caused two major epidemics in the past albeit of much lower magnitude , has taught us that the harmful effect of such outbreaks are not limited to acute complications alone. Long term cardiopulmonary, glucometabolic and neuropsychiatric complications have been documented following these infections. In the given circumstance it is therefore imperative to keep in mind the possible complications that may occur after the acute phase of the disease subsides and to prepare the healthcare system for such challenges.