Karan Desai

Bio: Karan Desai is an academic researcher from University of Maryland, Baltimore. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Deep learning. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 6 publications receiving 16 citations.

Baseline cardiometabolic profiles and SARS-CoV-2 infection in the UK Biobank.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 is a rapidly spreading coronavirus responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic, which is characterized by severe respiratory infection. Many factors have been identified as risk factors for SARS-CoV-2, with much early attention being paid to body mass index (BMI), which is a well-known cardiometabolic risk factor. OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to examine the impact of additional baseline cardiometabolic risk factors including high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), triglycerides, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and diabetes on the odds of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 in UK Biobank (UKB) study participants. METHODS: We examined the effect of BMI, lipid profiles, diabetes and alcohol intake on the odds of testing positive for SARS-Cov-2 among 9,005 UKB participants tested for SARS-CoV-2 from March 16 through July 14, 2020. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were computed using logistic regression adjusted for age, sex and ancestry. RESULTS: Higher BMI, Type II diabetes and HbA1c were associated with increased SARS-CoV-2 odds (p < 0.05) while HDL-C and ApoA-I were associated with decreased odds (p < 0.001). Though the effect of BMI, Type II diabetes and HbA1c were eliminated when HDL-C was controlled, the effect of HDL-C remained significant when BMI was controlled for. LDL-C, ApoB and triglyceride levels were not found to be significantly associated with increased odds. CONCLUSION: Elevated HDL-C and ApoA-I levels were associated with reduced odds of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, while higher BMI, type II diabetes and HbA1c were associated with increased odds. The effects of BMI, type II diabetes and HbA1c levels were no longer significant after controlling for HDL-C, suggesting that these effects may be mediated in part through regulation of HDL-C levels. In summary, our study suggests that baseline HDL-C level may be useful for stratifying SARS-CoV-2 infection risk and corroborates the emerging picture that HDL-C may confer protection against sepsis in general and SARS-CoV-2 in particular.

Baseline Cardiometabolic Profiles and SARS-CoV-2 Risk in the UK Biobank

Abstract: Background SARS-CoV-2 is a rapidly spreading coronavirus with a high incidence of severe upper respiratory infection that first presented in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Many factors have been identified as risk factors for SARS-CoV-2, with much attention being paid to body mass index (BMI), but little investigation has been done to investigate dysregulation of lipid profiles and diabetes, which are often comorbid in high BMI patients. Objective This study seeks to describe the impact of BMI, HDL, LDL, ApoA, ApoB, triglycerides, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), diabetes, alcohol and red wine intake on SARS-CoV-2 risk in UK Biobank (UKB) study participants. Methods We examined the effect of BMI, lipid profiles, diabetes and alcohol intake on the risk of testing positive for SARS-Cov-2 among 9,005 UKB participants tested for SARS-CoV-2 from March 16 through June 29, 2020. Logistic regression was performed on the target variables controlling for age, sex and ancestry. Results BMI, Type II diabetes and HbA1c were associated with increased SARS-CoV-2 risk (p Conclusion Elevated HDL and ApoA levels and alcohol intake, specifically red wine intake, were associated with reduced risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, while type II diabetes and HbA1c were associated with increased risk. The effects of alcohol, type II diabetes and HbA1c levels may be indirect, mediated in part through regulation of HDL levels. In summary, our study corroborates the emerging picture that high HDL levels may confer protection against SARS-CoV-2. Highlights Increases in HDL is associated with reduced risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. Type II diabetes and hemoglobin A1C levels were associated with elevated risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, but this effect was abrogated when controlling for HDL. Alcohol intake, specifically red wine intake, is associated with reduced risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, though this effect may in part be moderated by HDL. LDL and Triglycerides were not associated with increased risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2.

The comparative effectiveness and safety of biologic therapies for uncontrolled severe asthma: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Abstract: Background: To date, no trial has directly compared biologics for the treatment of uncontrolled severe asthma and the choice of biologic has been largely guided by biological and practical considerations, such as inflammatory biomarkers, blood and sputum eosinophils, and access and payer coverage. Study design: Systematic review and network meta-analysis Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and clinicaltrials.gov from inception to May 31, 2022 for randomized trials addressing biologic therapies for asthma. Reviewers worked independently and in duplicate to screen references, extract data, and assess risk of bias. We performed a frequentist network meta-analysis and assessed the certainty (quality) of evidence using the GRADE approach. We present data as absolute risk difference per 1000 patients with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) and continuous outcomes as mean difference (MD) and 95% CI. Results: We identified 63 eligible trials, including 26,320 patients. For patients with eosinophilic asthma, tezepelumab (329 fewer exacerbations per 1000 [95% CI 272.6 to 366.6 fewer]) and dupilumab (319.6 fewer exacerbations per 1000 [95% CI 272.6 to 357.2 fewer]) reduce exacerbations compared to placebo (high certainty). Tezepelumab (MD 0.24 L [95% CI 0.16 to 0.32]) and dupilumab (0.25 L (95% CI 0.21 to 0.29) improve lung function (FEV1) compared to placebo (high certainty). Both tezepelumab (110.97 fewer hospital admissions per 1000 (95% CI 94.53 to 120.56 fewer) and dupilumab (97.27 fewer hospitalizations [4.11 to 124.67 fewer]) probably reduce hospital admissions compared to placebo (moderate certainty). For patients with low eosinophils, biologics probably do not improve asthma outcomes. For these patients, tezepelumab (MD 0.1 L [95% CI 0 to 0.19]) and dupilumab (MD 0.1 L [95% CI 0 to 0.20)] may improve lung function (low certainty). None of the biologics increased adverse events leading to discontinuation (high certainty). Conclusion: For patients with eosinophilic asthma, tezepelumab and dupilumab are effective at reducing exacerbations, without important differences in the effects of these biologics. For patients with low eosinophils, however, biologics, including tezepelumab, probably do not prevent exacerbations, improve asthma control, or lung function.

Diagnostic challenges in neoplastic meningitis presenting as intracranial hypertension

Abstract: A diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension should be considered only after careful exclusion of all possible aetiologies. We report a case of neoplastic meningitis presenting as intracranial hypertension with inconclusive repeated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology and MRI of brain, emphasising the importance of meticulous CSF analysis and role of early whole-body PET–CT scan for diagnosis of systemic malignancy.

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2022 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association

Abstract: The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).The American Heart Association, through its Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update. The 2022 Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and American Heart Association staff members. This year's edition includes data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population and an enhanced focus on social determinants of health, adverse pregnancy outcomes, vascular contributions to brain health, and the global burden of cardiovascular disease and healthy life expectancy.Each of the chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policymakers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.

Metabolic Syndrome and COVID-19.

Abstract: Recent studies showed that comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity contribute to severe and worse outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), suggesting that metabolic syndrome and its components are associated with severity of COVID-19. Here, I systematically reviewed a possible association of metabolic syndrome with the susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and severity of COVID-19 by literature search. A population-based study and UK Biobank studies showed that patients with metabolic syndrome is highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Recent meta-analyses showed that metabolic syndrome is significantly associated with the development of severe COVID-19. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 2 is the cellular entry receptor of SARS-CoV-2. Enhanced ACE2 expression, pre-existing endothelial dysfunction and procoagulant state induced by adipocytokines dysregulation in metabolic syndrome may play a crucial role for the development of severe COVID-19.