Covid-19 high blood sugar tied to death risk; U.S. Overdose can be an epidemic of increased mortality


(Reuters) – The following is a roundup of some recent scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find a cure for the disease caused by the virus, Covid-19, and a vaccine.

July 21, 2017, A woman puts a gauze on her finger after a blood sugar test at a remote area medical clinic in Virginia, USA. Picture taken on July 21, 2017. Reuters / Joshua Roberts

There is a risk in nondiabetic binding to high blood sugar, condoid-19

According to a new study of 11,000 Covid-19 patients in Spain, hospital care for high-blood sugar Covid-19 patients, even if they do not have diabetes, can be a difficult course. He was not seriously ill when he arrived at the hospital. But researchers found that those who reached above normal blood sugar levels had a higher risk of dying there – even if they had diabetes. Overall, 20% of patients died when hospitalized, including 16% of individuals with blood sugar below 140 mg / dl at the time of admission, 34% of patients with 140 to 180 mg / dL levels, and 41% of patients with levels above 180. Is. Mg / dL. (Levels of 200 mg / dL or higher indicate diabetes.) Considering age and medical conditions, the lowest level patients die in the hospital compared to the lowest level patients, which is 50% higher. People with elevated blood sugar were also at greater risk for needing intensive care and mechanical breathing assistance. In a report published in als Nals Medicine Medicine on Tuesday, researchers say that immediate control of blood sugar should be mandatory in the management of hospitalized patients in COVID-19, regardless of whether they have diabetes.

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U.S. Outbreaks appear to be exacerbated during overdose

Researchers say the COVID-19 epidemic could increase deaths from drug overdoses in the United States. Between March and August Gust, the number of cardiac arrests related to overdose peaked at more than double the average in the previous two years, and by the end of the study period it had been 48.48% higher, they reported in JAMA Psychiatry on Thursday. The data is from the National EMS Information System (NEMSIS), a registry of more than 10,000 EMS agencies in 47 states. The increasing trend of cardiac arrest led to a sharp decline in people’s mobility, which led researchers to suggest that increasing social isolation during an epidemic could contribute to conditions for increasing fatal overdoses. Joseph Friedman, an associate at the University of California, Los Angeles, told Reuters there are strategies that could help reduce the mortality rate associated with drug overdoses, even during epidemics. “It is especially important to remove logistical and financial barriers to accessing drugs such as methadone and bupronorphine,” he said. “Allowing pharmacies to dispense methadone and providing emergency funding to make these drugs cheaper could make a big difference.”

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There is still no good answer to closing the reusable mask

According to a study published Thursday in the American Journal of Infestation Control, not a single method of decontamination of health care workers’ personal protective devices (PPEs) appears to be the best for reuse, and recommended reuse if it can be avoided. Does not come. The researchers analyzed 40 studies that tested different methods for sterilization of N95 masks and high-end filters. These include steam, hydrogen peroxide, ultraviolet light, microwaves and electric cookers. Disinfecting agents such as bleach, soap and water and alcohol were also investigated. Results differ by mask model, manufacturer and sterilization or disinfection. According to Vanessa de Brito Poveda, an associate at the University of S સાo Paulo in Brazil, most of the methods were found to have at least some structural damage or impair the purification capacity of the mask. With disinfection or sterilization procedures, health systems that re-use masks must consider the need to find out if the same mask can be shared by different professionals; Controlling the number of reuse of each mask; To train employees to monitor the integrity and efficiency of the mask after regular wear and tear to eliminate organic matter and clay (residue cosmetics). “The scientific evidence available at the moment does not support any process as safe,” said De Brito Poveda, although he believes that automated methods are safer than manual methods.

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Reporting by Nancy Lapid and David Douglas; Edited by Bill Burkerot

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