Search

Background/Aim: The recent pandemic of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is yet another scourge from the coronaviridae family that causes illnesses ranging from common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV). The numbers are still on the rise, despite a country wide lockdown and yet no definitive drugs and or/vaccines are available to manage the active COVID-19 cases. Methods: The present research design was a hospital based observational descriptive study conducted at S. M. S. Medical College and Attached hospitals, Jaipur, that analysed data of all the patients with COVID-19 related mortality, admitted between 1 April to 4 May 2020. Patients included in this study were RT-PCR confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 using nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab samples. Results: The mean age of patients with COVID-19 related mortality was 53.41 ± 18.42 year with majority of patients belonging to age group of more than 60 years (41.18 %) followed closely by COVID-19 positive patients in age range of 45 to 60 years (33.33 %). The male to female ratio was 1.68: 1. Mean time lag between hospitalization and death reported was 6.18 days. Majority of the patients admitted (72.5 %) succumbed within 3 days of hospitalization. Eleven patients (21 %) were brought dead to the hospital who were tested COVID-19 positive after death. Most common comorbidity reported in patients with COVID-19 related mortality was hypertension (30 %) followed by diabetes mellitus (27.5 %). Conclusion: Hypertension and diabetes mellitus might be independent risk factors making an individual susceptible to COVID-19 related death. Elderly patients also have a greater risk of mortality. The non-availability of definitive management protocol and/or vaccine against COVID-19 makes public health preventive measures of social distancing, use of masks and frequent handwashing an important modality in the fight against COVID-19.

Introduction: There is varying impact of COVID19 on world population depending on ethnicity, age and underlying co-morbidities. However, the lack of data regarding the effect of COVID on patients with rheumatological disorders (RDs) from different nations adds to uncertainty on disease outcome. Across the world, many rheumatology associations have joined hands to collate-related information. A national database under Indian Rheumatology Associations (IRAs) was developed to understand the impact of underlying RD and immunosuppressants during the COVID pandemic on its severity and outcome in our country. Methods: All registered members of IRA were invited to participate in this registry and provide information of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2)-infected RD patients using an online platform https://iradatabaseard.in/iracovid/index.php. The results of the data were analyzed using the appropriate statistics. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the impact of different variables on mortality. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used to define risk of death. Results: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, data for 447 RD patients who were infected with SARS-CoV2 data were available as of December 1, 2020. The mean age was 47.9 ± 14.4 years, including two children and 93 (20.8%) geriatric age group patients, male: female ratio was 0.4:1 and mean disease duration was 79.3 ± 77.1 months. Rheumatoid arthritis was the most common RD. Underlying disease was quiescent in 54.7% and active in 18.4% patients. Most common medications at the time of COVID diagnosis were steroids (57.76%) and hydroxychloroquine (67.34%). Fever and cough were the most common symptoms. More than half of the patients (54.4%) needed hospitalization. Oxygen requirement was noted in 18.8%, intensive care unit admission, and invasive ventilation was needed in 6.0%, and 2.9% patients, respectively. Complete recovery was seen in 95.5% of patients and 4.47% (n = 20) expired due to COVID. The presence of comorbidity, dyspnea, and a higher neutrophil count was statistically significantly associated with death (P < 0.05). None of the other factors affected COVID-19 outcome. Conclusion: This is the largest cohort from a single nation looking at the interface between RD and COVID. The results indicate that patients with RD do not show increased mortality despite current use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs/immunosuppressants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atypical presentation of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) from classic acute respiratory distress syndrome needs to be extensively evaluated to understand the pathophysiology to optimize the management protocol for severely ill patients to abrogate the terminal event. Methods: Autopsy core needle biopsies of lungs were obtained from 12 patients who died with COVID-19. Routine histopathological examination of lung tissue along with immunohistochemical analysis of C4d complement staining was studied. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsy material was also subjected to real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for severe acute respiratory syndrome -- coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) gene. Results: In the study, all the deceased patients were symptomatic with two-thirds suffering from isolated SARS-CoV2-related pneumonia while remaining one-third had secondary COVID-19 infection. Histopathological evaluation highlights diffuse alveolar damage as the predominant pattern; however, complement-mediated endothelial injury of septal microvasculature, and microthrombi was also distinctly observed with increased serum levels of D-Dimer and fibrinogen-degradation products. The patients who had extrapulmonary manifestations at the time of presentation also showed pulmonary vascular lesions on histopathologic examination. Our study confirms the presence of coagulopathy and immune-mediated microthrombi in pulmonary septal microvasculature in patients with severe disease. Conclusion: The results of our small series of patients highlight the possibility of immune-mediated pulmonary vascular injury and thrombosis which has the potential to evolve into large vessel thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in critically ill patients. Definitive therapeutic management protocol including thromboembolic prophylaxis and development of effective immune-modulatory target could possibly reduce mortality in severely ill patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tocilizumab (TCZ), a monoclonal antibody against the most prevalent cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6), is an emerging therapeutic option for COVID-19 infections. The present study was undertaken to assess the therapeutic response of TCZ therapy in severely or critically ill COVID-19 patients and its role as an effective modality of management. Methods: The present retrospective observational study included 30 admitted severely or critically ill COVID-19 patients, treated with TCZ therapy on behalf of raised IL-6 levels. The patient's data concerning medical history, clinical manifestation, arterial blood gas analysis, mode of oxygenation, radiological imaging, and outcome were extracted from their medical records and compared pre- and post-TCZ infusion. Results: All patients of the study group had symptomatic presentations with a mean PaO2/FiO2 (PF) ratio of 205.41 before TCZ infusion. All patients had a raised IL-6 level (mean value 206.56 pg/mL) that was extremely elevated in 90% of patients. Infusion of TCZ dramatically reduced mean body temperature (100.78-99.32°F) and the requirement for supplemental oxygen (68-48%) and improved mean SpO2 (86-89%) and mean PF ratio (208-240) within 24 hours. Three patients on noninvasive ventilation were weaned off after TCZ infusion. Serum levels of IL-6 were raised initially but declined within 3 to 5 days of post-TCZ infusion. Conclusion: TCZ appears to be an effective therapeutic option in severely or critically ill COVID-19 patients with raised IL-6 levels. TCZ immediately improves the clinical status of patients by a probable mechanism of inhibition of cytokine storm and reduces COVID-19-related mortalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The menace of COVID-19 has put a huge burden on health care system predisposing health care workers engaged in management to COVID-19 infections. The nonavailability of effective drug against COVID-19 warrants extra cover as prophylactic therapy for health care workers, especially against transmission from asymptomatic patients. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for prophylaxis of COVID-19 had been advocated by some researchers. Hence, in this project, evaluation of HCQ as preventive strategy for healthcare workers against COVID-19 infection was studied. Materials and Methods: HCQ was prescribed as a prophylactic therapy as per the advisory of National Task Force of Indian Council of Medical Research, India. The data regarding consumption profile, COVID-19 infection and adverse drug reaction profile of HCQ in healthcare workers was collected. Results: Record of 4,239 health workers with hydroxychloroquine consumed was available till date. 139 subjects were dropped out of study as they did not consume the HCQ tablets. 93 heath workers (2.19%) were infected with COVID-19 infection but in early weeks of prophylactic therapy and were asymptomatic. A few of them (08 patients) had mild symptomatic manifestation with RT- PCR reported positive for SARS-CoV-2. No mortality was reported as among healthcare workers, engaged in management of COVID-19 patients at the tertiary care institute in Jaipur, India. HCQ prophylaxis in standard doses produced predominantly gastrointestinal side effects in 20 subject and headache in 10 health workers. Conclusion: The present study showed that HCQ prophylaxis is safe and effective in standard doses against COVID-19 infection. The frontline workers engaged in management of COVID-19 may be given HCQ prophylaxis as an extra cover. However, it's broadening usage as preventive strategy, in general for people especially in cardiovascular incidences; require enhanced research and further validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study was undertaken to investigate imaging features of emerging coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia by chest ultrasound point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) and digital radiographs (chest radiograph [CXR]) and their correlation with clinical manifestation and severity of the disease. Methods: The present ongoing single-center study assessed patients admitted from April 20 to May 15, 2020, with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia at SMS Medical College Hospital, Jaipur, India. The clinical features, laboratory investigations, CXR, and POCUS findings were evaluated and compared. Results: Fifty-two patients with a manifestation of COVID-19 pneumonia were studied. Most of the patients were in the fifth and sixth decade of age group with a mean age of 56.57 years. There was an overall male preponderance (80% men and only 20% women). All pneumonitis patients were symptomatic with fever (88.46%), cough (82.69%), and dyspnea (55.77%) being the major symptoms. Thirty-four patients had underlying comorbid conditions. The digital radiograph-chest findings of 55.77% patients exhibited classic COVID-19 pneumonia findings. The ultrasonography of the chest findings revealed pleural and lungs changes in 94% of patients with COVID-19-positive pneumonia. CURB-65 score for the severity of pneumonia had a positive correlation with POCUS severity score and CXR visual score with P = 0.0013 and 0.0018, respectively. The duration of some major symptoms for COVID-19 pneumonia also had a positive correlation with the POCUS severity score and CXR visual score. Conclusion: The spectrum of COVID-19 pneumonia has a predilection for advancing age and male gender. Although both POCUS and CXR are important tools to detect severity of pneumonia, POCUS has higher sensitivity as compared to that of CXR to detect characteristics of COVID-19 pneumonia, especially interstitial involvement or acute respiratory distress syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: The present study was undertaken to investigate the behavioral distribution pattern and progression of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) across age and gender in the state of Rajasthan, India, inherently distinctive and native to localized part of the globe giving requisite information and paraphernalia to designate advisory board of the state to design and frame customized policy for demands of the state as per the trending pattern relative to age and sex distribution, profile of new infected cases, recovery rate, and case fatality rate. METHODS: The present ongoing study assessed patients admitted till April 22, 2020, across the state of Rajasthan, India, with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 test. Analyses of the patients included characteristic age and gender distribution through the geographic identities of state along with the time trending pattern of newly infected patients, recovered patients, and case fatality rate. RESULTS: A total of 1888 sample patient population of RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 was evaluated, with the majority of sample patient population being in young adult age group with a mean age of 34.42 years. Nearly 11.65% of the patients were below 15 years of age, 34.79% were in the age range of 16–30 years, 25.90% were in the age group of 31–45 years, and 17.69% were in the age group of 46–60 years, with only 9.95% of the patient population being in the age group of above 60 years. Interestingly, 11.65% of patients with COVID-19 were in the pediatric age group. The percent of affected females (37.35%) was much less than that compared to males (62.65%), with an average sex ratio of 0.59. Across the sample patient population of 1888, 543 patients recovered fully, 25 patients died, and 1320 cases were active in the said time frame, with an average recovery rate of 28.76% and a case fatality rate of 1.32%, and the remaining 69.91% of the patient population made up the active case group. The timeline and the trending pattern of COVID-19 in the state of Rajasthan was suggestive of an increasing rise of number of new cases with antecedent mortality, though a reassuring concomitant rise in the recovery rate of patients could also be appreciated. The infective COVID-19 dictum of spread through contact could very well be appreciated in select geographic hotspots and/or zones, and 108 sample patient population was from out of Rajasthan. CONCLUSION: It was interesting to observe that majority of the resident population of the state of Rajasthan that was COVID-19 positive was in the young adult age group of 30–50 years inclusive of pediatric patients, an observation that is different from reports as documented from across the world. Male population seemed to be more prone to infection. The time frame in which the evaluation was done is suggestive of an increasing trend in the number of new cases with antecedent case fatality, though recovery was also on the rise indicative of a potential decreasing load. The geographic mapping of COVID-19 patients could be established through contact tracing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiac autonomic dysfunction (AD) in reference to chronic liver disease (CLD) has become widely accepted as a symptomatic burden. This study will be undertaken to measure heart rate variability (HRV) indices and detect the severity of cardiac autonomic dysfunction in CLD patients., Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 150 patients with liver cirrhosis and compared with 110 healthy controls. Information concerning medical history, radiological and laboratory findings was extracted for interpretation and association among both groups. The HRV was assessed by recording with a polygraph (RMS Polyrite D, version 1.0), which was based on the principle of electrocardiography., Results: Heart rate variability indices like standard deviation of each interval normal-to-normal (SDNN), percentage of successive RR intervals that differ by >50 ms (pNN50%), high frequency (HF), low frequency (LF), and the LF/HF ratio were found to be remarkably low in cases with CLD in comparison to the healthy control group ( p < 0.05). The Child-Pugh (CP) score was class C (10-15) in 52%, class B (7-9) in 30%, and class A (5-6) in 18% of patients. The CP score in CLD patients had a statistically significant negative correlation with SDNN ( r = -0.5429, p < 0.001), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) ( r = -0.375, p < 0.001), pNN50% ( r = -0.6037, p < 0.001), HF ( r = -0.2033, p = 0.0125), and LF ( r = -0.3674, p < 0.001). SDNN, pNN50%, and LF parameters were lowest in alcohol-related CLD, highest in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related CLD, and intermediate in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related CLD., Conclusion: Our study concluded that liver cirrhosis patients have reduced HRV compared to healthy individuals. A decrease in HRV highlights people at risk of death. This is a variable that can be used to track patients over time and aid in transplant selection., (© Journal of the Association of Physicians of India 2024.)

Background : Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease which is characterized by chronic multisystem inflammation and end-organ damage. In recent times there has been a need for new hematological markers to assess disease activity in SLE patients specifically, which can be easily available like eosinophil, basophil, neutrophil, monocytes, and platelet to lymphocyte ratios (ELR, BLR, NLR, MLR, and PLR, respectively). Materials and methods : The present investigation determines the use of a different peripheral hematological marker to assess SLE activity in 106 patients attended for medical care at Sawai Mansingh (SMS) Medical College and attached hospital, Jaipur. SLE disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) was used to assess the disease activity in all patients. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed in each subject. The ratio of various hematological indices, like NLR, BLR, ELR, MLR, PLR, etc., analyzed and correlated with CRP, ESR, and SLEDAI-2K. Results : The present study revealed that the SLEDAI-2K score showed a significant positive correlation with ELR and MLR ( p < 0.005). CRP showed a significant positive correlation with PLR ( p < 0.005). ESR showed a significant positive correlation with ELR, MLR, PLR, and NLR ( p < 0.005). Conclusion : The final results demonstrate that in SLE patients, the ratio of hematological indices like ELR, MLR, and PLR can be employed as disease activity markers. How to cite this article : Meena VP, Meena PD, Chejara RS, et al. Analysis of Hematological Indices in Patients of Systemic Lupus Erythematous and Its Correlation with SLEDAI-2K. J Assoc Physicians India 2023;71(11):40-42., (© Journal of the Association of Physicians of India 2023.)

Background: Post-COVID-19 thrombotic events are a crucial trouble of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, affecting hundreds of thousands of people internationally. Further proof is needed at the chance of putting up COVID-19 thrombotic activities after infection with specific editions of COVID-19. In the gift state of affairs, when the maximum of human beings gets vaccinated, COVID-19 sickness is less likely. However, the remnants of preceding COVID-19 infections are nonetheless a sizeable fitness burden., Methods: This prospective, observational, comparative, and analytical look at a total of 3,220 COVID-19 sufferers who visited the medical institution. We covered 1,050 sufferers of α-variants; 1,275 sufferers of δ-variants; 895 sufferers of Omicron variations; from June to November 2020, March to July 2021, and January to April 2022, respectively. The affected person's records concerning demography, clinical profile, comorbidities, the severity of the disorder, clinic stay, and vaccination repute were accrued and all sufferers have been accompanied up for 6 months of duration. The sufferers who evolved post-COVID-19 thrombotic events have been approached to gather records regarding demography, comorbidities, the severity of the disease, and vaccination assay. All accumulated information has been tabulated, compiled, and analyzed to examine the post-COVID-19 thrombotic occasions among exceptional variants of COVID-19., Results: A complete of 246 (7.48%) patients [190 (14.90%) of the δ-variant, 41 (3.90%) of the α-variant, and 15 (1.68%) of Omicron version] evolved post-COVID-19 thrombotic occasions at some stage in their comply with-up period. In this observation, distinctly popular post-COVID-19 thrombotic occasions changed into coronary artery ailment (50.00%) which turned followed via cerebral vascular sickness (38.61%), abdominal vessels disease (5.69%), and peripheral artery disease (5.69%). These thrombotic occasions were not unique to any variations of SARS-CoV-2. The distinction of implying the age of patients suffering from post-COVID-19 thrombotic activities became statistically giant (p &lt; 0.05) in comparison amongst all versions. At the time of analysis of COVID-19, 86.17% of sufferers with put-up COVID-19 thrombotic occasions had slight to excessive sickness whilst 13.82% had slight to asymptomatic disorder. The common time length to develop and publish COVID-19 thrombotic events for δ 137.18, Omicron 145.18, and α-version turned 149.85 days., Conclusion: Sufferers inflamed with the δ-variant of COVID-19 are greater vulnerable to developing submit COVID-19 thrombotic events with minimum hazard within the Omicron version and intermediate risk within the α-version. The hazard of submitting COVID-19 thrombotic activities is directly proportional to the severity of the sickness., (© Journal of the Association of Physicians of India 2011.)

Background: Dengue infection is a disease that progresses rapidly to life-threatening conditions. Our goal was to develop a practical scoring system based on clinical profiles and routine tests to predict the severity of infection., Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 500 patients with dengue infection. Patient demographics, clinical symptoms, regular laboratory tests, and results were collected. Dengue infections are divided into three classes, depending on their severity: dengue fever (DF), dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), and dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Based on the total score, patients were divided into three severities., Results: Patients with DSS and DHF scored higher with worsening clinical features and routine laboratory tests compared to DF. Clinical predictors of severity include older age, increased white blood cell (WBC) count, increased hematocrit, increased prothrombin time, decreased platelet count, decreased blood pressure, presence of peri-gallbladder (GB) edema, third space loss, hepatomegaly, and other organ involvement. The severity range is 0-12, and the score is 0-3 for DF, 4-8 for DHF, and 9-12 for DSS. Based on the derived scores, patients were classified according to their original severity in 63% of cases., Conclusion: This dengue infection severity scores correctly classified patients according to their original severity grade of DF, DHF, or DSS. This scoring system helps to quickly assess dengue infections and start treatment according to the correct severity category., (© Journal of the Association of Physicians of India 2011.)

Inflammatory response in COVID-19 responsible for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiorgan failure and play a major role in morbidity and mortality of patients. The present study was undertaken to assess serum level of cytokines and its association with other inflammatory markers and disease severity in COVID-19 and hence their prognostic significance., Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of 175 admitted COVID-19 patients. The patient's clinical data, laboratory investigations, inflammatory markers and serum level of cytokines [interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα)] were extracted from their medical records. All patients were divided into three groups viz. group A had asymptomatic patients, group B had mild to moderate ill patients and group C had severe or critical ill patients. Above parameters were analysed and comparative evaluation with severity of disease was done., Results: & In present study 55% patients were asymptomatic, 24% patients were mild to moderate illness and remaining 21% patients had severe or critical illness. Fever, cough, dyspnoea and co-morbidities including hypertension and diabetes were more common in group C. Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), lymphocyte monocyte ratio (LMR) showed decreasing trend whereas absolute neutrophil count (ANC), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and eosinophil-lymphocyte (ELR) showed increasing trend with increase in disease severity. Serum IL-6 was found to be significantly higher in group C (64.98±111.18pg/mL) as compared to group B (15.51±20.66pg/mL) and group A (5.04±56.1pg/mL) (P&lt;0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for IL-6 to differentiate the patients with severe disease from asymptomatic and mild symptomatic disease showed a cut-off of 6.75pg/ml., Conclusion: Elevated IL-6 levels lead to adverse clinical events so IL-6 level might serve as a potential prognostic marker for severity of disease in COVID-19. Inhibition of IL-6 might be helpful to prevent serious adverse events in COVID-19 infection., (© Journal of the Association of Physicians of India 2011.)

SARS-CoV-2 is well known disorder to affect respiratory system, although it can also influence several extrapulmonary organs through variety of pathological mechanism. In this study, we aimed to discuss the prevalence of atypical and/or extrapulmonary manifestations in COVID-19, therefor action for early isolation and diagnosis can be initiated to prevent spread of infection., Methods: This retrospective observational study included 4200 admitted COVID-19 patients. The patient's data concerning medical history, clinical symptoms at presentation and during course of hospitalization, laboratory and radiological diagnosis and underlying chronic medical illness were extracted from their medical records. Data of extrapulmonary and/or atypical presentations of COVID-19 were compiled and tabulated to know prevalence of these manifestations., Results: In this study, 1260 patients (30%) had symptomatic presentation. Major extrapulmonary clinical manifestation includes fatigue in 72.22% patients, impaired sense of taste (ageusia) in 58.73%, loss of appetite in 52.78%, impaired sense of smell (anosmia) in 46.83%, palpitation in 33.33%, headache in 33.17%, nausea/vomiting in 31.43%, diarrhoea in 25.40% patients. Among symptomatic COVID-19 patients, 95.56% patients had sinus tachycardia, 38.49% had lymphocytopenia, 36.83% had hepatitis, 35.48% had leukopenia, 27.83% had gastroenteritis, 22.22% had sepsis, 20.87% had proteinuria, 17.30% had coronary artery disease and 16.34% had acute kidney injury in decreasing order. Prevalence of coagulation defect associated disorder were found to be deep venous thrombosis in 15.56% patients, acute coronary syndrome in 7.78%, brain infarct in 6.35%, pulmonary artery thrombosis in 3.25% and SMA thrombosis in 0.32% of symptomatic patients., Conclusion: Patients of SARS-CoV-2 had widespread organ-specific manifestations with involvement of almost all organ system of body. Clinicians must have knowledge of these extrapulmonary symptoms or atypical presentation of COVID-19 as it assists in early diagnosis, isolation of suspected patients and limit the transmission of infection in the hospital settings., (© Journal of the Association of Physicians of India 2011.)

Purpose: The present study was undertaken to investigate and quantify the severity of COVID-19 infection on high-resolution chest computed tomography (CT) and to determine its relationship with clinical parameters. This study also aimed to see CT changes with clinical recovery or progression of disease., Materials and Methods: In an attempt to provide extensive information pertaining to clinical and radiological characteristics of COVID-19, the present study was undertaken in 80 hospitalized patients. The patients were COVID-19 confirmed positive by genomic analysis through RT-PCR at tertiary care center in Jaipur. Initially all patients were evaluated for their clinical parameters and then correlated with HRCT chest after hospitalization. CT findings correlated with duration of disease to assess progress or recovery., Results: A total of 80 patients of laboratory confirmed COVID-19 test by RT-PCR at SMS Hospitals, Jaipur were assessed. Among the confirmed cases, most of patients were young adults in the fifth and sixth decade of age group with mean age of 50.40 years. There was a male preponderance (59% male and 41% female). Out of total analyzed patients, 39 patients (48.75%) were symptomatic, among them fever (79.47%), cough (74.35%), shortness of breath (36%) and sore throat (17.94%) were the most common presenting clinical manifestations. A few patients (12.82%) also had other symptoms like headache, chest pain, pain abdomen, altered sensorium etc. 54% patients had some underlying co morbid disease in sample population. The most prevalent comorbidities were Diabetes mellitus (56%), Hypertension (48.83%), COPD/K-chest (12%), CAD (9.32%) and others (11.62%) like hypothyroidism, anemia, CVA etc. The lung pathological changes were evaluated by HRCT imaging and by assigning CT severity score. We found Typical COVID findings in 50% patients, Indeterminate in 11%, Atypical in 11% and 28% patients had Negative CT chest for COVID. The clinical status of patients correlated with the CT severity score, with mild cases showing score <15/25 in 45.83% patients and severe cases showing CT severity score >15/25 in 87.50% patients. The CT features varied with duration and course of disease. Proportional GGO was higher (59.37%) in early phase and it was lower (12.5%) in later stage of disease., Conclusion: The varied spectra of COVID-19 presentation included fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat etc. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, COPD/K-Chest and CAD were found as major comorbid conditions. Symptomatic presentation of COVID-19 was observed to be higher in patients with co morbid disease, especially if multiple. HRCT chest in COVID-19 patients had a major diagnostic and prognostic importance as positive CT findings were more prominent in symptomatic patients and co-morbid patients. Clinical symptoms of patients directly correlated with CT severity index. CT imaging was found to be useful in predicting clinical recovery of patients or progression of disease., (© Journal of the Association of Physicians of India 2011.)

Purpose: The present study was undertaken to investigate epidemiological distribution, clinical manifestation, co morbid status, treatment strategy and case fatality index of emerging COVID-19 infection at SMS Medical College Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan. It also evaluated efficacy of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in treatment of patients and risk of serious adverse outcomes in patients with COVID-19 in relation to their co morbid status., Materials and Methods: In an attempt to provide extensive information pertaining to epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19, the present study was undertaken on 522 patients. The patients were COVID-19 confirmed positive by genomic analysis through Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) at SMS Medical College and Attached Hospitals, Jaipur. The indoor admitted patient's information inclusive of demographic profile (age, sex, nationality, residence), date of confirmation for positive COVID-19 case, travel/ exposure history, date of recovery/ death, clinical features, co morbidities and treatment plan was recorded. A serial follow-up of recovered patients to evaluate infective period of the disease was also part of the study., Results: A total of 522 patients of laboratory confirmed COVID-19 test by RT-PCR at SMS Hospitals, Jaipur were assessed. Among the confirmed cases, most of patients were young adult in the age group with mean age of 35.42 years. 22.41% patients were below 20 years of age, majority of patients (58.80%) were in the age range of 21 to 50 years and only 18.79% patient population was in the age range of above 50 years. Females (39.08%) were affected less than males (60.91%) with an average sex ratio of female: male being 0.64. Out of the total analyzed patients, only 24.32% patients were symptomatic, among them fever (55.90%), cough (52.75%), sore throat (49.60%) and shortness of breath (46.45%) were the most common presenting clinical manifestations while a few patients also had symptoms of headache (26.77%), chest pain (6.29%) and other symptoms (7.87%) like pain abdomen, fatigue, joints pain, altered sensorium etc. Most of symptomatic patients belonging to older age group. An average of 40.40% patient population of above 50 years of age, were symptomatic while none of the patients below 10 years of age were symptomatic. 13.98% patients had some or the other underlying co morbid disease. The most prevalent co morbidity was hypertension (42.46%) followed by Diabetes mellitus (39.72%), Old k-chest (20.54%), COPD/ Bronchial Asthma (16.43%), Coronary artery disease (13.69%), Chronic kidney disease (13.69%) and Valvular heart disease (6.84%) distributed in co morbid patients of COVID-19. 60.27% of patient population with underlying co morbid conditions were more prone to develop symptomatology complex as compared to that observed in patients with no co morbidity (18.42%). 116 patients had recovered with effective treatment till the date of data analysis. Time of recovery was counted from the date of positive report to 1st negative report of oropharyngeal sample by RT-PCR for COVID-19 with an average recovery time of 8.15 days. 23.27% patients recovered within 5 days, while 52.58% patients took about 6-10 days, 23.27% patients took 11-15 days and remaining 0.86% took more than 16 days to recover. In the present study 15 patients had died till analysis of data, among the deceased, 73.33% were above 50 year of age with a male preponderance (66.6%). Interestingly, all deceased (100%) had presented with clinical manifestations of COVID-19 and all had underlying multiple co morbid conditions. Majority of patients had early mortality after admission to hospital with two third death account in initial three days. Asymptomatic patients (cases) treated with HCQ recovered early (average recovery time =5.4 days) compared to asymptomatic patients who did not receive any treatment (control group) and had longer recovery time (average recovery time =7.6 days)., Conclusion: The varied spectra of COVID-19 mostly affects young adult age group (third to fifth decades of life). Interestingly, early age group was also affected in significant proportion when compared with similar data from other countries. It was observed that male population seemed to be was more prone to getting infected. Majority of COVID-19 positive patients (nearly three-fourth) were asymptomatic (mostly in young age range) at the time of diagnosis, which poses a major challenge for health care workers. Fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath were major symptoms that could be detected in such COVID-19 patients. Symptomatic clinical manifestations were more common in old age population. Infectivity was higher in patients that had underlying co morbid disease, especially in patients with multiple co morbid conditions. Symptomatic presentation of COVID-19 was observed to be higher in patients with co morbid disease. Average recovery time from COVID-19 was 8 days with effective treatment. Mortality in COVID-19 was higher in old age population, male gender, symptomatic and co morbid patients as compared to other similarly matched group. Most of mortality was noted within first few days of admission, suggestive of early mortality due to the primary disease process. Treatment with HCQ had early recovery without effectively influencing the overall mortality., (© Journal of the Association of Physicians of India 2011.)