Background The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care center in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and to identify early risk factors for in-hospital mortality in these patients. Methods A total of 371 adult patients (>18 years) admitted to the ICU of Al Ain Hospital between March 16 and July 19, 2020 with SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR) on nasopharyngeal swabs were included. Results The mean patient age was 53 years (standard deviation = 13). Patients were mostly male (n = 314 [84.6%]) and of South Asian origin (n = 231 [62.3%]). Invasive mechanical ventilation was required in 182 (49.1%) patients for a median of 11 days (25–75% interquartile range: 6–17). During the ICU stay, renal replacement therapy was required in 87 (23.5%) and vasopressor therapy in 190 (51.2%) patients. ICU and hospital lengths of stay were 9 (IQ: 5–17) and 18 (IQ: 13–29) days, respectively and ICU and hospital mortality rates were both 20.2%. In a multivariable analysis with in-hospital mortality as the dependent variable, greater Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score on ICU admission, diarrhea prior to hospital admission, greater, admission from hospital ward, and higher lactate dehydrogenase levels and neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio on admission to the ICU were independently associated with higher risk of in-hospital mortality. Conclusion In this cohort of patients admitted to the ICU of a tertiary hospital in the UAE, COVID-19 pneumonia was associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Identifying patients at high risk of death may help detect future therapeutic targets.

Background: Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency. Diagnosis may be difficult with little help from radiological and laboratory investigations. Total leukocyte count is one of the helpful investigations, being evaluated in this study. Methods: The patients presenting with right lower quadrant abdominal pain whom were diagnosed as having acute appendicitis and later underwent appendicectomy were included in the study. The preoperative leukocyte count was compared with histo-pathology findings of removed appendix. Sensitivity and specificity of TLC was calculated by standard formulas. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of TLC as calculated in this study is 76.5% and 73.7% respectively while positive predictive value is 92.5%. Conclusion: TLC although not a diagnostic criteria for acute appendicitis but still is helpful investigation in decision making.

Background: Tuberculosis is a contagion from ancient times comprising around one 3rd of global population on the wedge of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex where under developed and developing countries is coping with high burden of the disease. Aim: To observe the most prevalent occupation and treatment outcome in both Genders of MDR TB patients. Methodology: Health Research Institute-National Institute of Health TB Research Centre in collaboration with Department of Pulmonology, King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital Lahore from january 2014 to December 2020. A pre-designed questionnaire was used to collect data from MDR Tb patients after verbal informed consent. Patients were followed to see the final outcome on completion of anti-tubercle treatment. Data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS. Results: Out of total 450 MDR TB patients analyzed in this study a higher proportion of 54.9% were males and 45.1% were females with an overall mean age of patients as 39.64±17.52 years. Most of 159(35.4%) patients had no skills and were labors whereas most of 145 (28.2%) females were house wives. Almost 71% of the patients successfully completed the treatment including 45% cured on the basis of availability of final smear and culture reports.. Conclusion: A high mortality rate of MDR TB patients was observed while most of the TB patients in this study belong to labor class while most of the women were housewives. Keywords: Tuberculosis, MDR TB, Occupation, Treatment outcome, loss to follow up.

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