Prevalence and Trajectory of COVID-19-Associated Hypercoagulability Using Serial Thromboelastography in a South African Population.

Introduction: The coagulation abnormalities resulting from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been attributed to inflammation and subsequent cytokine storm. Thromboelastography (TEG) is a point-of-care test used to assess clot formation and degradation in whole blood and is an indicator of the overall real-time coagulopathic state of the patient.

Methods: A single-centre, prospective, observational cohort study was conducted in South Africa, analysing the coagulation patterns of 41 patients with hypoxia related to SARS-CoV-2 using serial thromboelastography (TEG) on admission, after 48 hours, and at resolution of hypoxia/day 10.

Perceptions of patients and medical students towards each other in the setting of patient care-a South African perspective.

Introduction: South Africa urgently needs more doctors. We examined perceptions of patients and students to provide evidence for optimum student-patient ratios and substantiate solutions for this dilemma.

Methods: We interviewed 118 patients and invited 120 students to complete a self-administered questionnaire from four specialities in an academic hospital in Johannesburg.

HIV-associated lipodystrophy in South Africa: the impact on the patient and the impact on the plastic surgeon.

Background: With 67% of the world's human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected population existing in sub-Saharan Africa and recent access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the demand for plastic surgical intervention in addressing lipodystrophy has expanded dramatically. We assessed the rate of lipodystrophy in a random clinic cohort, the demand for surgical correction and risk of treatment non-compliance.

Method: Questionnaire and database cross-sectional review of 554 patients over a 3-month period at the Themba Lethu Clinic, Johannesburg, South Africa.