Yigrem Ali Checkol

Bio: Yigrem Ali Checkol is an academic researcher from College of Health Sciences, Bahrain. The author has contributed to research in topics: Cochrane Library & Publication bias. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 8 citations.

Global prevalence and determinants of mortality among patients with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract: Background The challenge of COVID-19 is very high globally due to a lack of proven treatment and the complexity of its transmission. The prevalence of in-hospital mortality among patients with COVID-19 was very high which ranged from 1 to 52% of hospital admission. The prevalence of mortality among intensive care patients with COVID-19 was very high which ranged from 6% to 86% of admitted patients. Methods A three-stage search strategy was conducted on PubMed/Medline; Science direct Cochrane Library. The Heterogeneity among the included studies was checked with forest plot, χ2 test, I2 test, and the p-values. Publication bias was checked with a funnel plot and the objective diagnostic test was conducted with Egger's correlation, Begg's regression tests. Result The Meta-Analysis revealed that the pooled prevalence of in-hospital mortality in patients with coronavirus disease was 15% (95% CI: 13 to 17). Prevalence of in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19 was strongly related to different factors. Patients with Acute respiratory distress syndrome were eight times more likely to die as compared to those who didn't have, RR = 7.99(95% CI: 4.9 to 13). Conclusion The review revealed that more than fifteen percent of patients admitted to the hospital with coronavirus died. This presages the health care stakeholders to manage morbidity and mortality among patients with coronavirus through the mobilization of adequate resources and skilled health care providers. Registration This systematic review and meta-analysis was registered in research registry with UIN of reviewregistry1093.

International register “dynamics analysis of comorbidities in sars-cov-2 survivors” (Aktiv sars-cov-2): Analysis of predictors of short-term adverse outcomes in covid-19

Abstract: The international AKTIV register presents a detailed description of out- and inpatients with COVID-19 in the Eurasian region. It was found that hospitalized patients had more comorbidities. In addition, these patients were older and there were more men than among outpatients. Among the traditional risk factors, obesity and hypertension had a significant negative effect on prognosis, which was more significant for patients 60 years of age and older. Among comorbidities, CVDs had the maximum negative effect on prognosis, and this effect was more significant for patients 60 years of age and older. Among other comorbidities, type 2 and 1 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer and anemia had a negative impact on the prognosis. This effect was also more significant (with the exception of type 1 diabetes) for patients 60 years and older. The death risk in patients with COVID-19 depended on the severity and type of multimorbidity. Clusters of diseases typical for deceased patients were identified and their impact on prognosis was determined. The most unfavorable was a cluster of 4 diseases, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and diabetes mellitus. The data obtained should be taken into account when planning measures for prevention (vaccination priority groups), treatment and rehabilitation of COVID-19 survivors.

Behavioral and Attitudinal Correlates of Trusted Sources of COVID-19 Vaccine Information in the US

Abstract: There is a critical need for the public to have trusted sources of vaccine information. A longitudinal online study assessed trust in COVID-19 vaccine information from 10 sources. A factor analysis for data reduction revealed two factors. The first factor contained politically conservative sources (PCS) of information. The second factor included eight news sources representing mainstream sources (MS). Multivariable logistic regression models were used. Trust in Dr. Fauci was also examined. High trust in MS was associated with intention to encourage family members to get COVID-19 vaccines, altruistic beliefs that more vulnerable people should have vaccine priority, and belief that racial minorities with higher rates of COVID-19 deaths should have priority. High trust in PCS was associated with intention to discourage friends from getting vaccinated. Higher trust in PCS was also associated with participants more likely to disagree that minorities with higher rates of COVID-19 deaths should have priority for a vaccine. High trust in Dr. Fauci as a source of COVID-19 vaccine information was associated with factors similar to high trust in MS. Fair, equitable, and transparent access and distribution are essential to ensure trust in public health systems' abilities to serve the population.

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Trust in Government in Nigeria

Abstract: Introduction: COVID-19 has been impacting our lives globally, including in Nigeria. While the COVID-19 vaccine is available free of charge, vaccination coverage remains low. This study evaluates the relationship between trust in government and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Methods: We used an Afrobarometer survey for data on trust in government and the COVID-19 National Longitudinal Phone Survey (NLPS) for data on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, merged by strata (states and urban/rural). The simple correlation was evaluated using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression. Results: Distrust in government was strongly associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy as well as with perceptions that the vaccine was not safe, and concerns about side effects were given as reasons for vaccine refusal. Discussion/Conclusion: Distrust of government is an important predictor of vaccine hesitancy in Nigeria. This result is consistent with findings in the literature, especially in developed countries. Vaccine refusers, who distrust the government, refuse vaccines because they think that vaccines do them harm. Policy makers should be cautious when it comes to strategizing for COVID-19 vaccine distribution, especially in places where trust in government is weak.

High mortality among hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in Peru: A single centre retrospective cohort study

Abstract: Background Peru is the country with the world’s highest COVID-19 death rate per capita. Characteristics associated with increased mortality among adult patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in this setting are not well described. Methods Retrospective, single-center cohort study including 1537 adult patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia between May 2020 and August 2020 at a national hospital in Lima, Peru. The primary outcome measure was in-hospital mortality. Results In-hospital mortality was 49.71%. The mean age was 60 ± 14.25 years, and 68.38% were males. We found an association between mortality and inflammatory markers, mainly leukocytes, D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein and ferritin. A multivariate model adjusted for age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and corticosteroid use demonstrated that in-hospital mortality was associated with greater age (RR: 2.01, 95%CI: 1.59–2.52) and a higher level of oxygen requirement (RR: 2.77, 95%CI: 2.13–3.62). Conclusions: In-hospital mortality among COVID-19 patients in Peru is high and is associated with greater age and higher oxygen requirements.

COVID-19 and Psychotic Symptoms: the View from Psychiatric Immunology

Abstract: Purpose of review To explore the immunological underpinnings of psychosis in the COVID-19 patients. Recent findings COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge in psychiatric morbidities, including psychosis. Various putative biological and psychosocial changes have been implicated in COVID-19-related psychosis. COVID-19 is a proinflammatory state. Alterations in immunological processes both as a direct consequence of infection or secondary to the hyperimmune response heuristically explain the etiopathogenesis of psychosis in the affected individual. The uses of immunosuppressant and immunomodulatory drugs may be the other moderators of a psychotic presentation in COVID-19 patients. Evidence to substantiate this hypothesis is still lacking however, which further studies should address. Because of its management implications, a better understanding of the involved immunological mechanisms becomes extremely important. Summary Evidence suggests a putative role of immunological alterations in the pathogenesis of COVID-19-related psychosis. The immunological abnormalities are primarily attributed to the pathophysiology of COVID-19 infection, medications used, and stress.