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Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders Jun 2021Spinal cord complications associated with coronavirus infectious disease of 2019 (COVID-19) are being widely reported. The purpose of this systematic review was to...
BACKGROUND
Spinal cord complications associated with coronavirus infectious disease of 2019 (COVID-19) are being widely reported. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize so far available pieces of evidence documenting de novo novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) mediated spinal cord demyelinating diseases. Indeed, the spinal demyelinating disorders that have been reported in those patients who have suffered from COVID-19 rather than on the people already living with diagnosed or undiagnosed primary demyelinating disorders.
METHODS
We used the existing PRISMA consensus statement. Data were collected from PubMed, NIH Litcovid, EMBASE and Cochrane library databases, as well as Pre-print servers (medRxiv, bioRxiv, and pre-preints.org), until September 10, 2020, using pre-specified searching strategies.
RESULTS
The 21 selected articles were all case reports and included 11 (52%) men and 10 (48%) women. The mean age was of 46.7 ± 18.0. The neurological manifestations included weakness, sensory deficit, autonomic dysfunction and ataxia. In most cases, elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein as well as lymphocytic pleocytosis were found. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in five (24%) patients, meanwhile in 13 (62%) patients, the testing was negative. Testing was not performed in two cases and, in one, data were unavailable. Nearly half of the cases (N = 9) were associated with isolated long extensive transverse myelitis (LETM), whereas a combination of both LETM and patchy involvement was found in two. Only five patients had isolated short segment involvement and two patchy involvement. Furthermore, concomitant demyelination of both brain and spine was reported in six patients. Concerning the prognosis, most of the patients improved and the mortality rate was low (N = 2, <10%).
CONCLUSION
Spinal cord demyelination should be added to the plethora of immune mediated neurologic complications associated with COVID-19.
Topics: COVID-19; Communicable Diseases; Female; Humans; Male; Nervous System Diseases; SARS-CoV-2; Spinal Cord
PubMed: 33845350
DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.102917 -
Heart Failure Reviews Sep 2022The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on heart transplant recipients is unknown. Literature is limited to case reports and series. The purpose of this study is to identify... (Review)
Review
The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on heart transplant recipients is unknown. Literature is limited to case reports and series. The purpose of this study is to identify the clinical features, outcomes, and immunosuppression strategies of heart transplant recipients with COVID-19 infection. A systematic review was conducted using the search term "Coronavirus" or COVID," "SARS-CoV-2," "cardiac transplantation," and "heart transplant." Case reports and retrospective studies were gathered by searching Medline/PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science. Thirty-three articles were selected for review. We identified 74 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in heart transplant and heart-kidney transplant recipients. The mean age was 60.5 ± 15.8 years, and 82.4% were males with median time from transplant of 6.5 years. Commonest symptoms were fever, cough, and dyspnea, but new left ventricular (LV) dysfunction was rare. Leukocytosis, lymphopenia, elevated inflammatory markers, and bilateral ground-glass opacities were common. Mortality was high, with particularly poor survival in patients who required intensive care unit (ICU) admission and older patients. Immunosuppression involved discontinuation of antimetabolites and steroids. COVID-19 infection in heart transplant (HT) recipients presents similarly to the general population, but new onset of LV dysfunction is uncommon. Immunosuppression strategies include increase in corticosteroids and discontinuation of antimetabolites.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Antimetabolites; COVID-19; Female; Heart Transplantation; Humans; Immunosuppression Therapy; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; SARS-CoV-2; Transplant Recipients
PubMed: 34671872
DOI: 10.1007/s10741-021-10181-y -
Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome 2021Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been an extremely difficult pandemic to contain and it has affected more than 148 countries worldwide. The main aim of this...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been an extremely difficult pandemic to contain and it has affected more than 148 countries worldwide. The main aim of this systematic review is to provide a comprehensive summary of clinical and laboratory parameters that are associated with and indicative of increased severity among COVID-19 patients.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
All the available data from high-quality research articles relevant to the epidemiology, demographics, trends in hospitalization and outcomes, clinical signs and symptoms, diagnostic methods and treatment methods of COVID-19 were retrieved and evaluated for inclusion.
RESULTS
As per our review, the mean age of patients in the severe group was 59.3 years compared to 46.5 years in non severe group. COVID-19 was more severe among men than women. Clinical presentation was variable among different studies. and dyspnea was the factor indicating severe disease. Laboratory parameters associated with increased severity were lymphopenia <0.8 × 10/L, thrombocytopenia 100 × 10/L, leucocytosis TC > 11 × 10/L, procalcitonin >0.5 ng/mL, d dimer >2 mcg/mL, aspartate transaminase elevation >150U/L, LDH >250U/L.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review suggests that COVID-19 is a disease with varied clinical presentation and laboratory parameters. The commonest clinical symptoms were fever, cough and dyspnea. The laboratory parameters associated with severe disease were lymphopenia, elevated LDH, D dimer and Procalcitonin.
Topics: Aspartate Aminotransferases; COVID-19; Comorbidity; Cough; Dyspnea; Fever; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; Humans; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Leukocytosis; Lymphopenia; Procalcitonin; Respiration, Artificial; Risk Factors; SARS-CoV-2; Severity of Illness Index; Thrombocytopenia
PubMed: 33711574
DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2021.02.020 -
Seizure Feb 2016Video electroencephalography (vEEG) is the gold-standard method for diagnosing psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), but such assessment is expensive, unavailable in... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Video electroencephalography (vEEG) is the gold-standard method for diagnosing psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), but such assessment is expensive, unavailable in many centers, requires prolonged hospitalization, and many times is unable to capture an actual seizure episode. This paper systematically reviews other non-vEEG candidate biomarkers that may facilitate both diagnosis and study of PNES as differentiated from epileptic seizures (ES).
METHODS
PubMed database was searched to identify articles between 1980 and 2015 (inclusion: adult PNES population with or without controls, English language; exclusion: review articles, meta-analyses, single case reports).
RESULTS
A total of 49 studies were examined, including neuroimaging, autonomic nervous system, prolactin, other (non-prolactin) hormonal, enzyme, and miscellaneous marker studies. Functional MRI studies have shown PNES is hyperlinked with dissociation and emotional dysregulation centers in the brain, although conflicting findings are seen across studies and none used psychiatric comparators. Heart rate variability suggests increased vagal tone in PNES when compared to ES. Prolactin is elevated in ES but not PNES, although shows low diagnostic sensitivity. Postictal cortisol and creatine kinase are nonspecific. Other miscellaneous biomarkers (neuron specific enolase, brain derived neurotropic factor, ghrelin, leptin, leukocytosis) showed no conclusive evidence of utility. Many studies are limited by lack of psychiatric comparators, size, and other methodological issues.
CONCLUSION
No single biomarker successfully differentiates PNES from ES; in fact, PNES is only diagnosed via the negation of ES. Clinical assessment and rigorous investigation of psychosocial variables specific to PNES remain critical, and subtyping of PNES is warranted. Future investigational and clinical imperatives are discussed.
Topics: Biomarkers; Conversion Disorder; Electroencephalography; Humans; Psychophysiologic Disorders; Seizures; Video Recording
PubMed: 26774202
DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2015.12.011 -
Clinica Chimica Acta; International... Oct 2020Since December 2019, coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has spread worldwide. Identifying poor prognostic factors is helpful for risk stratification. In this meta-analysis, we... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Since December 2019, coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has spread worldwide. Identifying poor prognostic factors is helpful for risk stratification. In this meta-analysis, we investigated the association between severe COVID-19 and a change in white blood cell (WBC) count, an elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP), and fever. Moreover, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of leukocytosis and an elevation of CRP.
METHODS
We performed a systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library through April 20th, 2020. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. A sensitivity analysis was conducted according to the study size (>200 or <200) and median age (>55 or <55). Meta-regression analyses were conducted to examine possible sources of heterogeneity. We calculated the diagnostic accuracy of leukocytosis and CRP.
RESULTS
Eighteen studies with 3278 patients were selected. Fever, leukocytosis, and elevated CRP were associated with poor outcomes (OR (95% CI) 1.63 (1.06-2.51), 4.51 (2.53-8.04), and 11.97 (4.97-28.8), respectively). Leukopenia was associated with a better prognosis (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.40-0.78). Sensitivity analyses showed similar tendencies. Meta-regression analysis for leukocytosis indicated that age, dyspnea, and hypertension contributed to heterogeneity. The pooled area under the leukocytosis and CRP curves were 0.70 (0.64-0.76) and 0.89 (0.80-0.99), respectively.
CONCLUSION
In patients with COVID-19, fever, leukocytosis, and an elevated CRP were associated with severe outcomes. Leukocytosis and CRP on arrival may predict poor outcomes.
Topics: Betacoronavirus; Biomarkers; C-Reactive Protein; COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections; Humans; Leukocytosis; Leukopenia; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 32533986
DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2020.06.008 -
Acta Medica Portuguesa 2013Prognostication is a critical medical task for the adequacy of treatment and management of priorities and expectations of patients and families. In 2005, the European... (Review)
Review
Prognostication is a critical medical task for the adequacy of treatment and management of priorities and expectations of patients and families. In 2005, the European Association of Palliative Care (EAPC) published recommendations on the formulation of vital prognosis in advanced cancer patients. The aim of this study is to analyze the literature subsequent to this review and to update the presented recommendations. Using the same strategy of the EAPC group, we performed a systematic literature search in the electronic databases PubMed and Scopus, which included original studies in adults with advanced cancer, without tumor-directed treatment, with a median survival of less than 90 days. The articles were analyzed and classified according to the level of evidence by two independent reviewers. The 41 articles analyzed allowed to keep grade A recommendations for clinical estimation of survival and Palliative Prognostic score and now also for Palliative Prognostic Index, performance status, dyspnea, lymphopenia and lactate dehydrogenase. Recommendations regarding the use of C-reactive protein, leukocytosis, azotemia, hypoalbuminemia and male gender as predictors reached grade B. To formulate the vital prognosis and to communicate it properly to the patient and family are core competencies of physicians, particularly of those who deal with end of life patients. The clinical impression combined with scientific evidence allows us to estimate more accurately the survival, allowing prioritizing and managing more appropriately the existing resources.
Topics: Humans; Neoplasms; Palliative Care; Prognosis; Severity of Illness Index; Survival Rate
PubMed: 24016654
DOI: No ID Found -
European Journal of Heart Failure Jul 2017Right ventricular failure (RVF) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, but the identification of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Right ventricular failure (RVF) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, but the identification of LVAD candidates at risk for RVF remains challenging. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies of risk factors associated with RVF after LVAD implant. Thirty-six studies published between 1 January 1995 and 30 April 2015, comprising 995 RVF patients out of a pooled final population of 4428 patients, were identified. Meta-analysed prevalence of post-LVAD RVF was 35%. A need for mechanical ventilation [odds ratio (OR) 2.99], or continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT; OR 4.61, area under the curve 0.78, specificity 0.91) were the clinical variables with the highest effect size (ES) in predicting RVF. International normalized ratio [INR; standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.49] and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (SMD 0.52) were the biochemical markers that best discriminated between RVF and No-RVF populations, though NT-proBNP was highly heterogeneous. Right ventricular stroke work index (RVSWI) and central venous pressure (CVP) (SMD -0.58 and 0.47, respectively) were the haemodynamic measures with the highest ES in identifying patients at risk of post-LVAD RVF; CVP was particularly useful in risk stratifying patients undergoing continuous-flow LVAD implant (SMD 0.59, P < 0.001, I = 20.9%). Finally, pre-implant moderate to severe right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, as assessed qualitatively (OR 2.82), or a greater RV/LV diameter ratio (SMD 0.51) were the standard echocardiographic measurements with the highest ES in comparing RVF with No-RVF patients. Longitudinal systolic strain of the RV free wall had the highest ES (SMD 0.73) but also the greatest heterogeneity (I = 74%) and was thus only marginally significant (P = 0.05). Patients on ventilatory support or CRRT are at high risk for post-LVAD RVF, similarly to patients with slightly increased INR, high NT-proBNP or leukocytosis. High CVP, low RVSWI, an enlarged right ventricle with concomitant low RV strain also identify patients at higher risk.
Topics: Cardiomyopathies; Global Health; Heart Failure; Heart-Assist Devices; Humans; Observational Studies as Topic; Prognosis; Survival Rate; Treatment Failure
PubMed: 28371221
DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.733 -
PloS One 2020Understanding the factors associated with disease severity and mortality in Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is imperative to effectively triage patients. We performed a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Understanding the factors associated with disease severity and mortality in Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is imperative to effectively triage patients. We performed a systematic review to determine the demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiological factors associated with severity and mortality in COVID-19.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Embase and WHO database for English language articles from inception until May 8, 2020. We included Observational studies with direct comparison of clinical characteristics between a) patients who died and those who survived or b) patients with severe disease and those without severe disease. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two authors independently.
RESULTS
Among 15680 articles from the literature search, 109 articles were included in the analysis. The risk of mortality was higher in patients with increasing age, male gender (RR 1.45, 95%CI 1.23-1.71), dyspnea (RR 2.55, 95%CI 1.88-2.46), diabetes (RR 1.59, 95%CI 1.41-1.78), hypertension (RR 1.90, 95%CI 1.69-2.15). Congestive heart failure (OR 4.76, 95%CI 1.34-16.97), hilar lymphadenopathy (OR 8.34, 95%CI 2.57-27.08), bilateral lung involvement (OR 4.86, 95%CI 3.19-7.39) and reticular pattern (OR 5.54, 95%CI 1.24-24.67) were associated with severe disease. Clinically relevant cut-offs for leukocytosis(>10.0 x109/L), lymphopenia(< 1.1 x109/L), elevated C-reactive protein(>100mg/L), LDH(>250U/L) and D-dimer(>1mg/L) had higher odds of severe disease and greater risk of mortality.
CONCLUSION
Knowledge of the factors associated of disease severity and mortality identified in our study may assist in clinical decision-making and critical-care resource allocation for patients with COVID-19.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 33206661
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241541 -
Journal of Reproductive Immunology Mar 2023Published data regarding efficacy of intrauterine perfusion of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for patients with unexplained recurrent... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Efficacy and safety of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
INTRODUCTION
Published data regarding efficacy of intrauterine perfusion of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) is inconclusive. This study aims at evaluating the efficacy and safety of G-CSF in URSA.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Electronic databases were searched including Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, China Biology Medicine disc, China Science and Technology Journal Database, Wanfang Database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (last search was performed on Sep 10th, 2022). A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted with R-language software. Combined relative risk (RRs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate efficacy and safety.
RESULTS
Compared with placebo, the efficacy of G-CSF in the treatment of URSA patients was significant in conception rate (RR=1.34, 95%CI: 1.03-1.74, P = 0.028), and was none of significance in live birth rate (RR=1.35, 95%CI: 0.99-1.84, P = 0.06). Subgroup analysis showed that the ovulation-period-medication was the protective factor for conception rate, while "Ethnicity Asian" and "ovulation-period medication" were the protective factors for live birth rate. When it comes to the safety of rhG-CSF on URSA, meta-analysis showed that rhG-CSF had no significant effect on the incidence of adverse events (AEs) (RR=1.13, 95% CI: 0.89-1.43, P = 0.322), and subgroup analysis showed that the incidence of AEs in each subgroup did not increase significantly (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Based on our meta-analysis, intrauterine perfusion of rhG-CSF in ovulation period is an effective and safe way to improve conception rate in URSA.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Abortion, Habitual; Recombinant Proteins; Birth Rate; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; China
PubMed: 36821985
DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103830 -
Autopsy & Case Reports 2023Endocarditis is a rare, often fatal complication of rat bite fever caused by . Only 39 cases have been reported (including this case) as of 2022. We describe a case and...
INTRODUCTION
Endocarditis is a rare, often fatal complication of rat bite fever caused by . Only 39 cases have been reported (including this case) as of 2022. We describe a case and aim to perform this entit's first systematic literature review.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review in CENTRAL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, SciELO, and LILACS. The terms used were terms used were (but not limited to) rat bite fever, , and endocarditis. We included all abstracts and articles with patients with echocardiographic or histologic-proven endocarditis. In case of discordance, a third reviewer was involved. Our protocol was submitted to PROSPERO (CRD42022334092). We also performed searches for studies on the reference list of included articles.
RESULTS
We retrieved 108 and included 36 abstracts and articles. A total of 39 patients (including our report) were identified. The mean age was 41.27, and 61.5% were males. The most common findings were fever, murmur, arthralgias, fatigue, splenomegaly, and rash. Underlying heart disease was present in 33%. Exposure to rats was noted in 71.8% of patients, with 56.4% recalling a rat bite. Anemia was seen in 57%, leukocytosis in 52%, and elevated inflammatory markers in 58% that had lab work performed. The mitral valve was most affected, followed by the aortic, tricuspid, and pulmonary valves. Surgical intervention was required in 14 (36%) cases. Of those, 10 required valve replacement. Death was reported in 36% of cases. Unfortunately, the literature available is limited to case series and reports.
CONCLUSION
Our review allows clinicians to suspect better, diagnose, and manage Streptobacillary endocarditis.
PubMed: 37101553
DOI: 10.4322/acr.2023.423