Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics Associated with COVID-19 Severity Among Hospitalized Patients in the United Arab Emirates: A Retrospective Multicentre Study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the clinical and epidemiological factors associated with severe COVID-19 cases in hospitalized patients across two emirates within the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

METHODS

A retrospective observational analytical study analysed data from 738 medical records and conducted 573 in-depth interviews with patients hospitalized across multiple healthcare centers in the UAE, between 29 January 2020 and 14 October 2021. Regression analysis predicted risk factors for COVID-19 severity.

RESULTS

Main risk factors identified were crowding (aOR 1.919; 95%CI 1.144, 3.221), obesity (aOR 2.383; 95%CI 1.332, 4.263), diabetes (aOR 11.14; 95%CI 2.653-46.797), severe dehydration (aOR 3.219; 95%CI 2.161, 4.795), cough or sore throat (aOR 1.607; 95%CI 1.032, 2.502), shortness of breath (aOR 1.921; 95%CI 1.294, 2.853), increased days from symptom onset to admission (aOR 1.055; 95%CI 1.006, 1.105), elevated ANC (aOR 1.263, 95%CI 1.121, 1.424), and AST/SGOT (aOR 1.055, 95% CI 1.016, 1.095). Protective factors included smoking (aOR 0.367; 95%CI 0.182, 0.740), first dose of COVID-19 vaccination (aOR 0.595; 95%CI 0.377, 0.93), higher oxygen saturation (aOR 0.853; 95%CI: 0.801, 0.907) and elevated ALC (aOR 0.540; 95%CI 0.323, 0.905).

CONCLUSION

Identifying risk factors is crucial for high-risk individuals who may require closer monitoring to improve their outcomes. This can provide guidance for surveillance systems and early detection strategies to mitigate the impact of future outbreaks.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Adults in the United Arab Emirates Regarding Helicobacter pylori induced Gastric Ulcers and Cancers

Objective:

The aim of this study is to assess the current level of knowledge, as well as the attitudes and practices (KAP) of the adult population in Sharjah, UAE with regards to H. pylori induced gastric ulcers and gastric cancers.

Methods:

A cross sectional study of 500 participants was conducted in public venues in Sharjah, UAE through the distribution of a self-administered questionnaire English and Arabic speaking residents aged 18 years and above of both sexes were invited to participate in this study via convenience sampling. Responses were collected and analyzed using SPSS.

Results:

General knowledge about H. pylori was poor, only 24.6% had heard of H. pylori. 61% of the participants did not know the link between H. pylori and gastric cancer. Only 3% of the participants associated psychological stress with gastric ulcer development. Females had higher knowledge scores (p = 0.008*). Participants with a medical background typically had higher knowledge scores than their peers in other fields of work (p < 0.0001*). Participants’ attitudes towards H. pylori were suboptimal with only 33% willing to seek medical help If they get symptoms. Majority of participants with an approximate of 84% showed an overall average to excellent practices towards H. pylori.

Conclusion:

General awareness about H. pylori induced gastric ulcers and cancers is poor. The results of this study can be a starting point to devise new education programs and campaigns that raise awareness of this health issue which could be easily avoided with prevention, early detection, and intervention.

Viral pathogens and clinical manifestations associated with acute lower respiratory tract infections in children of the Sudan

BACKGROUND

Incomplete knowledge regarding the viral agents causing respiratory infections in children living in developing countries impedes diagnosis and management of patients.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the role of viral pathogens in Sudanese children presenting with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI).

STUDY DESIGN

The study population consisted of patients presenting with ALRI at the Children's Emergency Hospital in Khartoum during 2 periods (December 1987 to April 1988 and September 1990 to March 1991). Identification of viral infections was based an antigen detection by immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on nasopharyngeal secretions and/or serology.

RESULTS

After exclusion of children with measles, 102 and 111 children, respectively, were prospectively enrolled in the study during the 2 periods. Their ages ranged between one mouth and 14 years (mean 2.0 years). Radiologic pulmonary infiltrations were detected in 135 (66%) of the 206 patients who had chest radiographs, whereas 7 (3%) showed lobar pneumonia. The case fatality rate was 2.3%. Of 83 virus infections detected, 79 were in children < years and consisted mainly of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV, 28%), followed by parainfluenza (7%), adenovirus (5%) and influenza A (2%). Infiltrates on radiographs were significantly less often found in virus-infected cases than in ALRI-cases with negative virus tests.

CONCLUSIONS

RSV predominantly infected young infants (</= 3 months) compared with those who were 5 years or older (28% and 13%, respectively). A tendency for respiratory viruses to be more prevalent was seen during the cooler months (January and February). There were no significant differences in clinical features between virus-positive cases and others. The panorama of viral infections proved to be the same as in other developing countries.