COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). First observed at the end of 2019, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in March 2020. Worldwide, many symptoms are caused by SARS-CoV-2. Otolaryngologic findings, such as voice disorders, and otologic disorders, such as tinnitus, hearing loss, and especially loss of smell, became pathognomic symptoms of COVID-19. Gastrointestinal tract manifestations and liver damage during SARS-CoV-2 infection are associated with a worse prognosis. In addition, virus affinity for the gastrointestinal tract suggests a potential fecal–oral transmission route. The pandemic also brought considerable challenges in maternity care and obstetric-gynecologic interventions. Uncertainties regarding risk for infection, possible vertical transmission, or post-COVID-19 complications have become a major issue in the everyday work of obstetricians and gynecologists. The effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the urinary system have manifested mostly as acute kidney injury.
Background: Modifiable risk factors contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and erectile dysfunction (ED). We aimed to compare the knowledge about the contribution of modifiable risk factors to the pathogenesis of CVD and ED. The impact of patients' having modifiable risk factors on the awareness of their negative influence on the development of CVD and ED was examined.Methods: To this multicenter cohort study, we included 417 patients with CHD who had been hospitalized in the cardiology or cardiac surgery department during the previous six weeks and underwent cardiac rehabilitation in one of the five centers. Knowledge about modifiable risk factors was collected. ED was assessed by an abridged IIEF-5 questionnaire. Comparisons between groups were conducted using the Student's t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, and Kruskal–Wallis test. Relationships were analyzed with Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.Results: The mean number of correctly identified risk factors for CVD was significantly higher than those for ED (3.71 ± 1.87 vs. 2.00 ± 1.94; p < .0001). Smoking was the most recognized risk factor both for CVD and ED. Dyslipidemia was least frequently identified as a risk factor for CVD. Sedentary lifestyle was the only risk factor whose incidence did not affect the level of patient knowledge.Conclusions: Cardiac patients with ED know more about risk factors for CVD than ED. It is necessary to include information about the negative impact of modifiable risk factors on sexual health into education programs promoting healthy lifestyles in men with cardiovascular diseases.
Sleep disorders have emerged as a significant public health issue, adversely affecting quality of life and precipitating severe complications. The association between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and otolaryngological manifestations appears to be underrecognized. This study posits that manifestations in the ear, nose and throat (ENT) among patients with OSAS and users of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy are relatively common. Utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement, this systematic review, registered at PROSPERO (No. CRD42023452473), involved a comprehensive search of the MEDLINE databases. We included studies published in English from 1979 to March 2021 that explored the linkages between OSAS, CPAP and otolaryngological manifestations. A total of 29 articles were reviewed, with findings indicating 12 studies on ear dysfunctions, 11 on nose dysfunctions and 6 on pharynx dysfunctions. Reported symptoms included hearing dysfunction, vestibular function disorders, cerebrospinal fluid leak, Eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction, rhinosinusitis, olfaction and taste disorders, dysphagia, dry mouth, and gastroesophageal reflux. The etiology of these ailments varies, yet an understanding of these symptoms can improve the diagnosis to confirm or rule out OSAS. Early identification of ENT symptoms related to OSAS may facilitate prompt diagnosis and mitigate serious complications.
Background.This review focuses on the frequency of symptoms in COVID-19 in comparison to SARS, influenza and common cold.Objectives.To evaluate and compare the knowledge about the clinical features, symptoms and differences between patients with COVID-19, SARS, influenza, and common cold.The research can help ear, nose and throat specialists and other health practitioners manage patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods.The biomedical databases used in the study included PubMed and MEDLINE.Statistical analysis using the Z-score test assessed which symptoms were more characteristic of COVID-19 than other viral diseases.Results.Among individuals with COVID-19, the most frequently reported symptoms were cough (70%), fever (45%), muscular pain (29%), and headache (21%), whereas sore throat (12%), and rhinorrhea (4%) were observed at lower rates.Fever was identified as most frequent in COVID-19 (74%), appearing at a higher rate in those cases than in influenza (68%) or the common cold (40%) (p < 0.05).In comparison to other viral diseases, sore throat was rarely reported in COVID-19 and SARS (12% and 18%, respectively) (p < 0.05).In influenza and common cold, a cough was identified in 93% and 80% of cases (p < 0.05).Headache, rhinorrhea, muscular pain, and sore throat were more common in influenza (91%, 91%, 94%, and 84%, respectively) and common cold (89%, 81%, 94%, and 84%, respectively) than in COVID-19 (21%, 4%, 29%, and 12%, respectively) and SARS (45%, 12%, 55%, and 18%, respectively) (p < 0.05). Conclusions.The results of the analysis show that a greater number of general symptoms should lead to a diagnosis of influenza or common cold rather than COVID-19.
