Background: Erythropoietin plays a significant role in the growth of red blood cells, hemoglobin levels, and tissue oxygenation in critically ill patients, as well as anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of recombinant erythropoietin on improving COVID-19 patients. Methods: This study was conducted on 20 COVID-19 participants with hemoglobin of ≥ 9. The inclusion criteria was at least one severe COVID-19 symptom/sign in this interventional study. The primary outcome was a combination of hospital stay length and paraclinical evaluation (LDH and hemoglobin level). The outcomes and side effects were evaluated on day 0 (before the intervention) and five (post-intervention). Results: The mean hemoglobin level was 10 ± 1.1 gr/dL in the intervention group and 8 ± 0.7 gr/dL in the control group post-treatment, indicating a significant difference between the groups (P = 0.04). The mean hospital stay length (6 ± 2 days) in the intervention group was significantly less than the control group (9 ± 4 days) (P = 0.001). At the end of the treatment, the mean LDH was significantly lower in the intervention group (503 ± 264 µ/L) than in the control group (725 ± 320 µ/L; P = 0.017). Conclusions: According to the results, this study provides the first solid evidence for the positive effects of recombinant erythropoietin on COVID-19.

No abstract

: The Cushing syndrome typically presents with abdominal obesity, wide purple striae, glucose intolerance, hypertension, easy bruising, and muscle weakness, a rare disorder interfering with ovulation, making the combination of Cushing syndrome and pregnancy less common. Nevertheless, Cushing syndrome has been reported in pregnancy. Here we report another case of pregnancy with Cushing syndrome, which presents merely with obesity, hypertension, and glucose intolerance, using a literature review at the end.

Background: Magnesium (Mg) deficiency is a common clinical electrolyte abnormality in critically ill patients, which is related to higher mortality and is easily ignored. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the association of Mg levels with mortality and comorbidity in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) based on COVID-19 infection classification. Methods: A total of 69 patients admitted to the ICU of Shahid Mohammadi Hospital, Bandar Abbas, Iran, from June to December 2021were included in the present study. The serum Mg was measured in these patients. Data from sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), acute physiologic assessment and chronic health evaluation (APACHE), ICU stay length, mechanical ventilation duration, mortality, and comorbidity were determined. Moreover, the COVID-19 infection was detected by PCR. Results: The mean ± SD age of patients (34.8% male) was 52.56 ± 16.43 years. Out of 69 patients, 18 (26.1%) died during hospitalization, and 24 (34.8%) required mechanical ventilation. The prevalence of COVID-19 was 39.1% (27 patients). Our results showed no difference in serum Mg between patients based on mortality and comorbidity status. However, the Mg level of patients with kidney failure was significantly higher than patients without kidney failure (P < 0.05). Based on the COVID-19 classification, there was only a positive correlation between hypomagnesemia and the length of ICU hospitalization in patients without COVID-19 (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings showed no difference in the Mg levels of patients based on mortality status. Patients with kidney failure had higher serum Mg than those without kidney failure. Furthermore, our results showed no difference in the Mg levels of critically ill patients based on COVID-19 infection status.

Background: COVID-19, an acute respiratory disease caused and transmitted by SARS-COV-2 virus, has turned into a major global concern since 2019. In severe cases, the elevated levels of immune cells cause inappropriate responses. To date, no medications have been approved for COVID-19. Methods: The present retrospective cohort study was designed and conducted in Shahid Mohammadi Hospital, Bandar Abbas, Iran, in 2020. Eligible patients with confirmed COVID-19 based on PCR test were included (n = 200) and allocated to two groups to receive interferon β1-a (IFNβ1-a) either in the first or in the second week of treatment (IFN week 1 and IFN week 2 groups, respectively). The primary objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of IFNβ1-a administration in the first and the second week of treatment on patient mortality. The secondary objective was to investigate the difference between the two groups in terms of laboratory data and length of hospitalization. The data were analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: The study population was divided into two equal groups. IFNw1 group received IFNβ1-a in the first week and IFNw2 group in the second week of treatment. The two groups matched in terms of baseline demographic data. The mortality rate was significantly lower in the IFNw1 group (13% vs. 18%; P-value = 0.01). At discharge, C-reactive protein (CRP) was clearly reduced in the IFNw1 group compared to the IFNw2 group (15 ± 12 vs. 24 ± 16; P-value = 0.02), but other lab variables did not show a significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions: There was a relationship between IFNβ1-a administration time and the trend of recovery in patients with moderate COVID-19. Administration of IFNβ1-a in the first days of treatment can reduce inflammatory factors and mortality rates in these patients.