Objective We evaluated whether ivermectin combined with doxycycline reduced the clinical recovery time in adults with COVID-19 infection. Methods This was a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 symptoms randomly assigned to treatment (n = 200) and placebo (n = 200) groups. The primary outcome was duration from treatment to clinical recovery. Secondary outcomes were disease progression and persistent COVID-19 positivity by RT-PCR. Results Among 556 screened patients, 400 were enrolled and 363 completed follow-up. The mean patient age was 40 years, and 59% were men. The median recovery time was 7 (4–10, treatment group) and 9 (5–12, placebo group) days (hazard ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.60–0.90). The number of patients with a ≤7-day recovery was 61% (treatment group) and 44% (placebo groups) (hazard ratio, 0.06; 95% confidence interval, 0.04–0.09). The proportion of patients who remained RT-PCR positive on day 14 and whose disease did not progress was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the placebo group. Conclusions Patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infection treated with ivermectin plus doxycycline recovered earlier, were less likely to progress to more serious disease, and were more likely to be COVID-19 negative by RT-PCR on day 14. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04523831. Data Repository ID Dryad. doi:10.5061/dryad.qjq2bvqf6

Background Globally, studies have shown conflicting results regarding the association of blood groups with SARS CoV-2 infection. Objective To observe the association between ABO blood groups and the presentation and outcomes of confirmed COVID-19 cases. Design, setting, and participants This was a prospective cohort study of patients with mild-to-moderately severe COVID-19 infections who presented in the COVID-19 unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital and were enrolled between 01 June and 25 August, 2020. Patients were followed up for at least 30 days after disease onset. We grouped participants with A-positive and A-negative blood groups into group I and participants with other blood groups into group II. Results The cohort included 438 patients; 52 patients were lost to follow-up, five died, and 381 completed the study. The prevalence of blood group A [144 (32.9%)] was significantly higher among COVID-19 patients than in the general population (p < 0.001). The presenting age [mean (SD)] of group I [42.1 (14.5)] was higher than that of group II [38.8 (12.4), p = 0.014]. Sex (p = 0.23) and co-morbidity (hypertension, p = 0.34; diabetes, p = 0.13) did not differ between the patients in groups I and II. No differences were observed regarding important presenting symptoms, including fever (p = 0.72), cough (p = 0.69), and respiratory distress (p = 0.09). There was no significant difference in the median duration of symptoms in the two group (12 days), and conversion to the next level of severity was observed in 26 (20.6%) and 36 patients (13.8%) in group I and II, respectively. However, persistent positivity of RT-PCR at 14 days of initial positivity was more frequent among the patients in group I [24 (19%)] than among those in group II [29 (11.1%)]. Conclusions The prevalence of blood group A was higher among COVID-19 patients. Although ABO blood groups were not associated with the presentation or recovery period of COVID-19, patients with blood group A had delayed seroconversion.

Abstract

Abstract:Context: A cross-sectional comparative study was designed to compare psychological distress in cancer patients with and without minor children. Materials and methods:

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine risk factors associated with breast cancer in the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methodology: A case control study was conducted from July 2009 to June 2010, on 262 biopsy proven cases of breast cancer from National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital and 262 matched controls of acute diseases from Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Religion, residential status and age (±2 years) were matched. Statistical analysis was carried out using conditional logistic regression, odds ratios, chi-square and t- test with SPSS software (V-17). Results: Multivariate analysis showed that higher education (OR=1.72), personal income (OR=5.71), history of induced abortion (OR= 20.62), history of breast feeding (OR= 7.91), OCP users (OR= 1.47), current smokers (OR=6.78), personal history of breast disease (OR=10.99), family history of breast cancer (OR=3.85) and family history of other cancer (OR=2.21) were risk factors for breast cancer. Furthermore, having menarche at an early age (OR=0.35), giving birth to an early age (OR= 0.35), early menopause (OR= 0.22), longer duration of breast feeding (OR=0.30), parity of 2 and more (OR=0.29) and regular physical activity (OR=0.58) were shown to be protective factors. Conclusion: Physical inactivity, being menopause, positive family history of breast cancer and history of induced abortion were found important risk factors. Longer duration of breast feeding should be encouraged for its protective effect. Study revealed that the women who have one or more of the above risk factors should be given special attention for breast cancer prevention DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jdmc.v22i1.15628 J Dhaka Medical College, Vol. 22, No. 1, April, 2013, Page 61-66