Nineteen months into the pandemic, what have we learned about COVID-19-related outcomes in patients with psoriasis?

Background: The impact of psoriasis on the outcomes of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is yet to be precisely delineated.

Objectives: To assess the risk of COVID-19, COVID-19-associated hospitalization, and mortality among patients with psoriasis as compared with age-, sex-, and ethnicity-matched control subjects. In addition, we aim to delineate determinants of COVID-19-associated hospitalization and mortality in patients with psoriasis.

Hidradenitis suppurativa and the risk of myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, and peripheral vascular disease: a population-based study.

Previous studies have identified an association between myocardial infarction (MI), cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). To evaluate the risk and prognostic outcomes of MI, CVA, and PVD in patients with HS. A population-based retrospective cohort study using the computerized database of Clalit Health Services (CHS), the largest managed care organization in Israel, was conducted to compare the incidence of MI, CVA, and PVD among patients with HS (N = 6779) with age-, sex- and ethnicity-matched control subjects (N = 33,260).

Influence of COVID-19 mRNA vaccination on the efficacy and safety of Botulinum toxin type A injections.

Background: Concerns have been raised recently regarding the efficacy and safety of Botulinum toxin type A (BTA) injections following COVID-19 vaccination.

Aims: To assess the influence of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine on the safety and efficacy of BTA injections performed for aesthetic indications.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study followed patients undergoing periodic BTA treatments who completed two doses of BNT162b2 vaccine.

Investigating the epidemiological relationship between vitiligo and psoriasis: a population-based study.

Background: The association of vitiligo with psoriasis is inconsistent in the current literature.

Objective: To assess the bidirectional association between vitiligo and psoriasis.

Methods: A population-based study was performed to compare vitiligo patients (n = 20,851) with age-, sex- and ethnicity-matched control subjects (n = 102,475) regarding the incidence of new-onset and the prevalence of preexisting psoriasis.

COVID-19 Booster Vaccination Among Individuals With Schizophrenia in Israel.

Importance: Individuals with schizophrenia are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness and mortality. Previous reports have demonstrated vaccination gaps among this high-risk population; however, it is unclear whether these gaps have continued to manifest with the booster dose.

Objective: To assess gaps in first, second, and booster vaccinations among individuals with schizophrenia.

The association of uveitis with hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses: a large-scale population-based study.

Purpose: To examine the association of uveitis with hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) chronic infections METHOD: This is a population-based cross-sectional study. The study encompassed 13,183 consecutive patients with uveitis and 65,331control subjects. The prevalence of chronic HBV and HCV infections was compared between patients diagnosed with uveitis and age-, sex-, and ethnicity-matched controls.

Determinants and Effectiveness of BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccination Among Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: A Population-Based Study.

Background: The effectiveness of messenger RNA coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) is yet to be delineated. It remains largely unknown how AD-related immunosuppressive medications affect the development of vaccine-induced immunity.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of the BNT162b2 messenger RNA vaccine among patients with AD and to assess its effectiveness in protecting against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, COVID-19-associated hospitalization, and mortality.

Loss of left ventricular rotation is a significant determinant of functional mitral regurgitation.

Aim: To evaluate insufficient rotational movement of the left ventricle (LV) as a potential novel mechanism for functional regurgitation of the mitral valve (FMR).

Methods And Results: We compared reference subjects and patients with LV dysfunction (LVD, ejection fraction EF < 50%) with and without FMR (regurgitant volume RVol>10 ml). Subjects without structural mitral valve pathology undergoing cardiac MRI were evaluated.

The risk, predictors and outcomes of amyloidosis in ankylosing spondylitis: a longitudinal population-based cohort study.

Objectives: The risk of amyloidosis during the course of AS is yet to be firmly established. We aimed to evaluate the risks, predictors and prognostic outcomes of amyloidosis among patients with AS.

Methods: A population-based cohort study was conducted comparing AS patients (n = 5911) with age-, sex- and ethnicity-matched control subjects (n = 29 007) with regard to incident cases of amyloidosis.

COVID-19 hospitalisation, mortality, vaccination, and postvaccination trends among people with schizophrenia in Israel: a longitudinal cohort study.

Background: Individuals with schizophrenia have an increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes, nonetheless, no previous study has provided a year-long account of this risk, or assessed postvaccination trends in this population. This study assessed temporal trends in COVID-19 hospitalisation and mortality among people with schizophrenia during the first year of the pandemic, the predictors for COVID-19 vaccination, postvaccination infection, admission to hospital, and mortality.

Methods: In this longitudinal cohort study, people with schizophrenia (n=25 539) and controls (n=25 539) were assessed for COVID-19 outcomes before and after vaccination, up to April 30, 2021.

The burden of neurological comorbidities in six autoimmune bullous diseases: a population-based study.

Background: Apart from bullous pemphigoid (BP), the association of other autoimmune bullous diseases (AIBDs) with neurological conditions is poorly understood.

Objective: To estimate the association between a wide array of AIBDs and neurological conditions.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study recruited patients with BP, mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA), pemphigoid gestationis (PG), pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF).

Benign course and clinical features of COVID-19 in hospitalised febrile infants up to 60 days old.

Aim: Minimal data exist regarding the severity of COVID-19 in febrile infants under 60 days old. This multicentre prospective study explored the clinical course and outcomes of this hospitalised patient population, as, to date, the best approach has not been specifically addressed.

Methods: This study focused on the clinical features, laboratory parameters and outcomes of febrile infants up to 60 days old who tested positive for the virus and were hospitalised in Israel from March 2020 to January 2021.

A dynamic prediction score for obstetric anal sphincter injury among nulliparous women delivering vaginally.

Objective: To develop a risk score for obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) occurrence among nulliparous women delivering vaginally, based on data available at admission for delivery and as labor progresses.

Methods: A retrospective study of all nulliparous women who delivered vaginally between March 2011 and January 2021. Characteristics were compared between OASI and no-OASI groups.

Risk factors for obstetric anal sphincter injury among women undergoing a trial of labor after cesarean.

Objective: Data regarding the risks of obstetrical anal sphincter injury (OASI) among women who never delivered vaginally undergoing a trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) are scarce. We aimed to evaluate the risk factors and the rate of OASI among women undergoing TOLAC who never delivered vaginally.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study of all women undergoing a TOLAC and never delivered vaginally between 3/2011 and 6/2020.

The association between vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery and anal sphincter injury.

Introduction: Vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery (VAVD) is considered a major risk factor for obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS). However, it is difficult to estimate its true contribution to the occurrence of OASIS, as its performance may be confounded by other determinants. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association of VAVD with OASIS among primiparous women compared to SVD.

Risk of anal sphincter injury in trial of labor post cesarean section.

Introduction: We wanted to evaluate whether secundiparas who achieved vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) were at an increased risk for obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) compared to primiparas who delivered vaginally, with a stratification by the mode of delivery-spontaneous or operative vaginal delivery.

Material And Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of primiparous women who delivered by vacuum-assisted delivery between March 2011 and June 2019. Primiparas delivering vaginally and secundiparas undergoing VBAC were compared.

Validation of the Wexner scale in a Hebrew-speaking population.

Introduction: The Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score, known as the Wexner Score (WS), is a simple, disease-specific questionnaire for anal incontinence (AI) assessment. We aimed to translate and validate a Hebrew version of the WS.

Methods: Between November 2018 and December 2019, the WS was back translated and reviewed by a multidisciplinary pelvic floor team.

Prognostic relevance of topoisomerase II α and minichromosome maintenance protein 6 expression in colorectal cancer.

Background: Despite rising incidence rates of colorectal malignancies, only a few prognostic tools have been implemented in proven clinical routine. Cell division and proliferation play a significant role in malignancies. In terms of colorectal cancer, the impact of proliferation associated proteins is controversially debated.

Expert panel diagnosis demonstrated high reproducibility as reference standard in infectious diseases.

Objective: If a gold standard is lacking in a diagnostic test accuracy study, expert diagnosis is frequently used as reference standard. However, interobserver and intraobserver agreements are imperfect. The aim of this study was to quantify the reproducibility of a panel diagnosis for pediatric infectious diseases.

What Is the Color of Your Lymph Node?

We describe a case of tattoo ink in an axillary lymph node, which was observed during an axillary dissection and mastectomy surgery. It is important to be aware of this phenomenon and correctly identify it at the time of surgery, as a misdiagnosis can have serious consequences.

Adverse Drug Event Rate in Israeli Hospitals: Validation of an International Trigger Tool and an International Comparison Study.

Background: Adverse drug events (ADEs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Hence, identifying and monitoring ADEs is of utmost importance. The Trigger Tool introduced by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement in the United States has been used in various countries worldwide, but has yet to be validated in Israel.

Association Between the Frank Sign and Cardiovascular Events.

Clinicians have attempted to find early preclinical physical diagnosis signs to detect vascular diseases at the preclinical stage and to prevent clinical deterioration in time. An interesting example of such signs is the Frank sign, which was first described by Dr Sonders T. Frank in 1973.