COVID-19 outcomes among patients with sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait compared to the general population: a systematic review and meta-analyses.

Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) and sickle cell trait (SCT) face an increased risk of complications from COVID-19 due to their susceptibility to infections and venous thromboembolism. We selected 28 studies from 3228 references in bibliographic databases to compare COVID-19 outcomes (hospitalization, ICU admission, need for ventilatory support, thromboembolic events, and mortality) between patients with SCD or SCT and control patients. Compared to control patients, the pooled risk of hospitalization was not significantly higher in those with SCT (odds ratio [OR] 1.

User engagement with home blood pressure monitoring: a multinational cohort using real-world data collected with a connected device.

Objective: Connected blood pressure (BP) monitors provide reliable data when used properly. Our objective was to analyse the engagement of real-world users with self-measurements.

Methods: We included adult first-time users of a connected BP monitor from July 2019 to March 2021.

Shift in emergency department utilization by frequent attendees with sickle cell disease during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multicentre cohort study.

While the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) might have increased acute episodes in people living with sickle cell disease (SCD), it may also have changed their reliance on emergency department (ED) services. We assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns on ED visits in adult SCD people followed in five French reference centres, with a special focus on 'high users' (≥10 visits in 2019). We analysed the rate of ED visits from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2021, using a self-controlled case series.

Urine concentration impairment in sickle cell anemia: genuine nephrogenic diabetes insipidus or osmotic diuresis?

The urine concentration impairment responsible for hyposthenuria in sickle cell nephropathy is currently thought to be a consequence of renal medulla lesions, which lead to nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. The objective of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of hyposthenuria in patients with sickle cell anemia. We performed an observational study of patients with homozygous SS sickle cell anemia and data available on the fasting plasma antidiuretic hormone (ADH) concentration.

"SCULP" study: The benefits of skin graft pellets on the pain of sickle cell leg ulcers (SCLU).

Background: Leg ulcers associated with major sickle cell disease (SCLU) are a chronic, painful complication, often treated by autologous skin graft. The analgesic effect of skin grafting in SCLU is poorly studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of skin grafting on the pain and healing of SCLU.

[Prevention of pertussis in newborns: Should pregnant women be vaccinated at each pregnancy?].

Pertussis is a respiratory disease that can be fatal at all ages but especially in infants before their mandatory vaccination. Recent epidemiological data shows a decrease in the number of pertussis cases, but a resurgence cannot be excluded in the coming years due to the cyclic evolution of the disease and the loosening of hygiene measures. Two approaches are used to protect infants before their vaccination: vaccination of the mother during pregnancy and vaccination of all the infant's close relatives (cocooning).

[Hypertension: Who to treat, to what extent and how?].

Hypertension is the modifiable risk factor causing the largest loss in healthy life-years. The risk of cardiovascular events increases exponentially with the level of blood pressure (BP), starting from 115mmHg for systolic BP. Out-of-office BP measurements (self-measurements or ambulatory BP measurements) are now preferred for the diagnosis and follow up.

Use of tramadol and the risk of bleeding complications in patients on oral anticoagulants: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine whether tramadol intake increases the risk of bleeding in patients receiving oral anticoagulants.

Methods: This systematic review was registered on PROSPERO, CRD42022327230. We searched PubMed and Embase up to 14 April 2022, and references and citations of included studies were screened.

'': an experiential teaching approach to improve dyspnea awareness in medical residents.

Background: Dyspnea is a frightening and debilitating experience. It attracts less attention than pain ('dyspnea invisibility'), possibly because of its non-universal nature. We tested the impact of self-induced experimental dyspnea on medical residents.

Role of non-invasive methods in detecting liver impairment in familial Mediterranean fever adult patients with persistent hepatic cytolysis.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients may have hepatic cytolysis, although its origin is not formally elucidated. We aimed to evaluate liver involvement in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) using non-invasive methods. All adult FMF patients harboring two non-ambiguous mutations of the MEFV gene with hepatic cytolysis were identified in a French tertiary adult center for FMF.

Vegetarian and Vegan Diets: Beliefs and Attitudes of General Practitioners and Pediatricians in France.

Studies suggest a decreasing trend in the consumption of meat products and a growing interest in vegetarian diets. Medical support may be relevant, especially when switching to a vegan diet. Our objective was to describe the beliefs and attitudes of primary care physicians toward vegetarian diets.

[Association between students' clinical performance and their success in the computerized national ranking tests: A single-center retrospective cohort study].

Introduction: Before attending residency, 6th-year French medical students must validate a final examination including a practical clinical test in their faculty. However, the national ranking that determines their future specialty and region solely relies on a computerized knowledge test. Our goal was to investigate the association between the final faculty test and the national ranking test.

Poor performance of albumin or protein-adjusted plasma calcium to diagnose dyscalcemia in hospitalized patients: A confirmatory study in a general internal medicine department.

Introduction: Hypo- and hypercalcemia are common and some causes require urgent diagnosis and treatment. Measurement of ionized calcium is the reference test to diagnose calcium disorders but total calcium adjusted for protein or albumin concentration is more often used.

Methods: Patients hospitalised in a general internal medicine department from September 2013 to December 2015 who had a total plasma calcium concentration and a serum albumin or protein concentration measured within 24h of a ionized calcium blood measurement were included.

Risk of Bleeding Associated With Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug Use in Patients Exposed to Antithrombotic Therapy: A Case-Crossover Study.

Concomitant nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) and antithrombotic drug use is associated with an increased risk of bleeding, mainly gastrointestinal. The goal of this study was to quantify the transient increase in the risk of hospitalization for bleeding associated with NSAID use in patients treated with antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants. We performed a unidirectional case-crossover study using the EGB (Échantillon généraliste de bénéficiaires), a permanent random sample of the French nationwide health database.

External validation of prognostic scores for COVID-19: a multicenter cohort study of patients hospitalized in Greater Paris University Hospitals.

Purpose: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to an unparalleled influx of patients. Prognostic scores could help optimizing healthcare delivery, but most of them have not been comprehensively validated. We aim to externally validate existing prognostic scores for COVID-19.

Risk factors for CKD stage II onset in a prospective cohort of homozygous sickle cell adults.

Prevalence of renal impairment is increasing with aging in sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients, and is responsible for a high morbidity and mortality. However, sickle cell nephropathy's natural course remains mostly unknown. We conducted a prospective observational cohort study aimed to identify risk factors for CKD stage II in a cohort of SCA patients.

Hemodynamic and biological correlates of glomerular hyperfiltration in sickle cell patients before and under renin-angiotensin system blocker.

Glomerular hyperfiltration alone or associated with albuminuria is a well-known feature of sickle cell associated nephropathy. Though, glomerular hyperfiltration is currently considered to be related to a high renal plasma flow and chronic hemolysis, cardiac output influence on measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) have not been investigated so far. Thirty seven homozygous sickle cell patients (SCA) from the RAND study investigated before and under angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) were included.

International consensus on initial screening and follow-up of asymptomatic SDHx mutation carriers.

Approximately 20% of patients diagnosed with a phaeochromocytoma or paraganglioma carry a germline mutation in one of the succinate dehydrogenase (SDHx) genes (SDHA, SDHB, SDHC and SDHD), which encode the four subunits of the SDH enzyme. When a pathogenic SDHx mutation is identified in an affected patient, genetic counselling is proposed for first-degree relatives. Optimal initial evaluation and follow-up of people who are asymptomatic but might carry SDHx mutations have not yet been agreed.

Immediate consequences and solutions used to maintain medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic for residents and medical students: a restricted review.

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak has dramatically impacted medical education, both bedside and academic teaching had to be adapted to comply with the reorganisation of care and social distancing measures.

Objectives: To overview the impact of the pandemic on medical education, including the pedagogical responses adopted and their assessment by medical students and residents.

Material And Methods: This restricted systematic review was performed using Rayyan QCRI, to select observational or interventional articles and field experience reports assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical education for medical students and residents.