An Evaluation of Gastroscopy Findings During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Public Hospital-Based Study From Turkey

Background and objective Emotional factors can affect stomach secretions, acid expression, and stomach motor functions. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was an emotionally difficult time for many individuals as the whole world faced a life-threatening disease for which definitive treatment is still not fully established. In light of this, the aim of this study was to compare the results of gastroscopies performed among individuals before and after the pandemic. Methods The study included patients who underwent gastroscopy at Bursa Çekirge State Hospital in the following four different time frames: March-June 2019 (Group 1), March-June 2020 (Group 2), March-June 2021 (Group 3), and March-June 2022 (Group 4). All gastroscopy procedures were performed under anesthesia in the endoscopy unit. During the COVID-19 pandemic, all patients underwent a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, and gastroscopy was performed on those with negative results. Biopsies were taken from the antrum in all cases. Patient data were collected retrospectively and the groups were examined and compared in terms of age, gender, COVID-19 history, histopathology examination results, and diagnoses. Results A total of 803 patients were evaluated: 201 in Group 1, 200 in Group 2, 201 in Group 3, and 201 in Group 4. Group 1 comprised 66 (32.8%) males and 135 (67.2%) females, Group 2 consisted of 76 (38%) males and 124 (62%) females, Group 3 had 76 (37.8%) males and 125 (62.2%) females, and Group 4 comprised 86 (42.8%) males and 115 (57.2%) females. The mean age was 52.77 ±14.92 years in Group 1, 52.5 ±14.49 years in Group 2, 50.08 ±15.71 years in Group 3, and 52.83 ±13.20 years in Group 4. Helicobacter pylori (HP) positivity was found in 84 (41.8%) patients in Group 1, 146 (73%) in Group 2, 107 (53.2%) in Group 3, and 70 (34.8%) in Group 4. The HP infection was mild in 47 (23.4%) patients in Group 1, 26 (13%) in Group 2, 49 (24.4%) in Group 3, and 72 (35.8%) in Group 4. Moderate severity of HP infection was found in 16 (8%) patients in Group 1, 18 (9%) in Group 2, 25 (12.4%) in Group 3, and 25 (12.4%) in Group 4. Very severe HP infection was noted in 21 (10.4%) patients in Group 1, nine (4.5%) in Group 2, 20 (10%) in Group 3, and 34 (16.9%) in Group 4. With regard to mild HP infection, the highest rate was seen in Group 4 (35.8%). As for patients with very severe HP infection, a statistically significant difference was found between Group 2 and Group 4. In 2020 (Group 2), the rate was 4.5%, increasing to 16.9% in 2022 (Group 4). Regarding the comparison among groups based on histopathological examination findings, the frequency of chronic antral gastritis was determined to be highest in Group 4, at a statistically significant level (p<0.001). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has caused physical and emotional hardships for several people worldwide. The possibility of transmission of the disease, unknown facts about the disease, and anxiety due to the condition being potentially fatal have had a drastic impact on the emotional states of many people. It is a condition that affects the lives of many people in the short term, and we believe that its effects reflected in the chronic period can be better evaluated through further studies conducted over the long term.

Evaluation of the Attitudes and Opinions of Veterinary School Students on Distance Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study aimed to determine the attitudes and opinions of the students of veterinary schools in Turkey regarding distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted in two stages: (1) develop and validate a scale for assessing Turkish veterinary students' attitudes and opinions regarding distance education (DE) (n = 250 students; one veterinary school) and (2) widespread use of this scale amongst veterinary students (n = 1,599 students, 19 veterinary schools). Stage 2 was conducted between December 2020 and January 2021 with students from Years 2, 3, 4, and 5 who had experienced both face-to-face and distance education. The scale contained 38 questions, which were divided into seven sub-factors. Most students considered that practical courses (77.1%) should not continue to be delivered by DE; and that catch-up face-to-face programs (77%) would be required for practical skills after the pandemic. The main benefits of DE were that studies did not have to be interrupted (53.2%) and the ability to retrieve online video material for later study (81.2%). A total of 69% of students considered that DE systems and applications are easy to use. Many (71%) students considered that the use of DE would adversely affect their professional skills, 26.5% expected that the duration of their studies would be extended, but only 18.1% had considered suspending their studies for the period of the pandemic. Therefore, it appeared that face-to-face education was considered indispensable by students in veterinary schools, which provide practice-oriented education in the field of health sciences. However, the DE method can be used as a supplementary tool.