Anosmia/Hyposmia is a Good Predictor of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Infection: A Meta-Analysis

Introduction  The number of positive cases and deaths from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still increasing. The early detection of the disease is very important. Olfactory dysfunction has been reported as the main symptom in part of the patients.

Objective  To analyze the potential usefulness of anosmia or hyposmia in the detection of the COVID-19 infection.

Data Synthesis  We systematically searched the PubMed Central database using specific keywords related to our aims until July 31st, 2020. All articles published on COVID-19 and anosmia or hyposmia were retrieved. A statistical analysis was performed using the Review Manager (RevMan, Cochrane, London, UK) software, version 5.4. A total of 10 studies involving 21,638 patients were included in the present analysis. The meta-analysis showed that anosmia or hyposmia is significantly associated with positive COVID-19 infections (risk ratio [RR]: 4.56; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 3.32–6.24; p  < 0.00001; I ²  = 78%, random-effects modeling).

Conclusion  The presence of anosmia or hyposmia is a good predictor of positive COVID-19 infections. Patients with onset of anosmia or hyposmia should take the test or undergo screening for the possibility of COVID-19 infection.

Dementia and outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The number of positive and death cases from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still increasing until now. One of the most prone individuals, even in normal situations is patients with dementia. Currently, no study provides clear evidence regarding the link between dementia and COVID-19. This study aims to analyze the relationship between dementia and poor outcomes of COVID-19 infection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We systematically searched the PubMed and Europe PMC database using specific keywords related to our aims until October 25th, 2020. All articles published on COVID-19 and dementia were retrieved. The quality of the study was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) tool for observational studies. Statistical analysis was done using Review Manager 5.4 software.

RESULTS

A total of 24 studies with 46,391 dementia patients were included in this meta-analysis. This meta-analysis showed that dementia was associated with composite poor outcome [RR 2.67 (95% CI 2.06 - 3.47), p < 0.00001, I² = 99%, random-effect modeling] and its subgroup which comprised of risk of COVID-19 infection [RR 2.76 (95% CI 1.43 - 5.33), p = 0.003, I² = 99%, random-effect modeling], severe COVID-19 [RR 2.63 (95% CI 1.41 - 4.90), p = 0.002, I² = 89%, random-effect modeling], and mortality from COVID-19 infection [RR 2.62 (95% CI 2.04 - 3.36), p < 0.00001, I² = 96%, random-effect modeling].

CONCLUSIONS

Extra care and close monitoring should then be provided to patients with dementia to minimize the risk of infections, preventing the development of severe and mortality outcomes.

Statin therapy did not improve the in-hospital outcome of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) number of death cases is still increasing. One of the comorbidities associated with severe outcome and mortality of COVID-19 is dyslipidemia. Statin is one of the drugs which is most commonly used for the treatment of dyslipidemic patients. This study aims to analyze the association between statin use and in-hospital outcomes of COVID-19 infection.

METHODS

We systematically searched the Google Scholar database using specific keywords related to our aims until August 1st, 2020. All articles published on COVID-19 and statin were retrieved. Statistical analysis was done using Review Manager 5.4 software.

RESULTS

A total of 9 studies with a total of 3449 patients were included in our analysis. Our meta-analysis showed that statin use did not improve severity outcome [OR 1.64 (95% CI 0.51-5.23), p = 0.41, I² = 93%, random-effect modelling] nor mortality rate from COVID-19 infection [OR 0.78 (95% CI 0.50-1.21), p = 0.26, I² = 0%, fixed-effect modelling].

CONCLUSION

Statin use did not improve in-hospital outcomes of COVID-19 infections. Patients with dyslipidemia should continue taking statin drugs despite COVID-19 infection status, given its beneficial effects on cardiovascular outcomes.

The Use of ACE inhibitor/ARB in SARS-CoV-2 Patients: A Comprehensive Narrative Review

The three most common comorbidities that are associated with increased mortality in COVID-19 patients are Hypertension, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular disease, Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) are the drugs most commonly prescribed for the management of these diseases. Recent experimental study in animals and humans have found that SARS-CoV-2 uses ACE2 as the receptors for entry. Moreover, in an animal study, the use of ACE inhibitor/ARB increases the level of ACE2 expression that can lead to increased SARS-CoV-2 infectivity. On the other side, some evidences suggest that the ACE2 receptor is not necessary for SARS-CoV-2 entry into the cell and suggested that there is a cofactor that play part. Experimental studies in humans also showed that there is no association between ACE inhibitor/ARB with SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and mortality. In conclusion, there is still insufficient data to stop the use of inhibitor/ARB in SARS-CoV-2 patients. Therefore, we suggested that in line with the recommendations from ESC and AHA/ACC, the use of these two drugs in SARS-CoV-2 patients with cardiovascular comorbidity should still be continued.

Dyslipidemia is associated with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The number of positive and death cases from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still increasing. The identification of risk factors for severe outcomes is important. Dyslipidemia has been shown as a long-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to analyze the potential association between dyslipidemia and the severity of COVID-19 infection.

METHODS

We systematically searched the PubMed database using specific keywords related to our aims until July 9th, 2020. All articles published on COVID-19 and dyslipidemia were retrieved. Statistical analysis was done using Review Manager 5.4 software.

RESULTS

A total of 7 studies with a total of 6922 patients were included in our analysis. Our meta-analysis showed that dyslipidemia is associated with severe COVID-19 infections [RR 1.39 (95% CI 1.03-1.87), p = 0.03, I² = 57%, random-effect modelling].

CONCLUSION

Dyslipidemia increases the risk of the development of severe outcomes from COVID-19 infections. Patients with dyslipidemia should be monitored closely to minimize the risk of COVID-19.

Metformin use is associated with reduced mortality rate from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a significant impact on all aspects of life. One of the comorbidities associated with severe outcome and mortality of COVID-19 is diabetes. Metformin is one of the drugs which is most commonly used for the treatment of diabetes patients. This study aims to analyze the potential benefit of metformin use in reducing the mortality rate from COVID-19 infection.

METHODS

We systematically searched the Google Scholar database using specific keywords related to our aims until August 3rd, 2020. All articles published on COVID-19 and metformin were retrieved. Statistical analysis was done using Review Manager 5.4 software.

RESULTS

A total of 5 studies with a total of 6937 patients were included in our analysis. Our meta-analysis showed that metformin use is associated with reduction in mortality rate from COVID-19 infections [RR 0.54 (95% CI 0.32-0.90), p = 0.02, I 2 = 54%, random-effect modelling].

CONCLUSION

Metformin has shown benefits in reducing the mortality rate from COVID-19 infections. Patients with diabetes should be advised to continue taking metformin drugs despite COVID-19 infection status.

Coronavirus disease 2019 and cardiovascular system: A narrative review

At the end of 2019, a viral pneumonia disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2), emerged in Wuhan, China. This novel disease rapidly spread at an alarming rate that as a result, it has now been declared pandemic by the World Health Organization. Although this infective disease is mostly characterized by respiratory tract symptoms, increasing numbers of evidence had shown considerable amounts of patients with cardiovascular involvements and these were associated with higher mortality among COVID-19 patients. Cardiac involvement as a possible late phenomenon of the viral respiratory infection is an issue that should be anticipated in patients with COVID-19. Cardiovascular manifestation in COVID-19 patients include myocardial injury (MI), arrhythmias, cardiac arrests, heart failure and coagulation abnormality, ranging from 7.2% up to 33%. The mechanism of cardiac involvement in COVID-19 patients involves direct injury to myocardial cells mediated by angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors as suggested by some studies, while the other studies suggest that systemic inflammation causing indirect myocyte injury may also play a role. Combination of proper triage, close monitoring, and avoidance of some drugs that have cardiovascular toxicity are important in the management of cardiovascular system involvement in COVID-19 patients. The involvement of the cardiovascular system in COVID-19 patients is prevalent, variable, and debilitating. Therefore, it requires our attention and comprehensive management.

Cachexia in Cancer Patients: Systematic Literature Review

Introduction Cachexia in cancer patients, especially in advanced stage, is recently known as an emerging problem. Cachexia occurs in about half of all patients with neoplastic disease. The diagnosis of cachexia needs comprehensive evaluation of body weight and body composition for several months. Cachexia will give negative impacts such as increased mortality, chemotoxicity, and decreased quality of life. Here, we review the current evidence describing the definition, stages, mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of cachexia in cancer patients.

Methods We identified 75 studies and/or review articles evaluating cachexia and weight loss in cancer patients by searching PubMed and EMBASE databases.

Results Cachexia is reported across all stages and types of cancers. The most recent definition of cachexia is reported in a 2011 paper by International Consensus. The mechanism of cachexia in cancer is complex and involved many factors which elaborate together to produce cachexia. The diagnostic evaluation and cut-off measurement of cachexia, especially in cancer varied across studies. The loss of weight that happens during chemotherapy will make a poor prognosis. Cachexia can worsen chemotherapy toxicity. Combination of dietary modification and exercise with supplementation of medication that control appetite and inflammation are important in the management of cachexia in cancer patients.

Conclusion Patients with cancer are the population at risk for developing cachexia before and after chemotherapy. Cachexia diagnosis needs evaluation of body weight and body composition. Nonpharmacological treatments, such as dietary modification and physical exercise, are the best strategy to reduce cachexia in cancer patients.